Draft Minutes Subject For Confirmation 15 May 2025
Minutes taken by the Parish Clerk, Mrs Deborah Money, at the Annual Meeting of Old Bolingbroke with Hareby Parish Council, held on Thursday 15th May 2024 at 7pm in Ramsden Village Hall
Present: Cllr Pam Powell (Chair), Cllr Isobel Godsell, Cllr Tony Deal, Cllr David Makins, Cllr Caroline Wills-Wright
Also present: Two members of the public
1. To elect a Chair for the ensuing year 2025/2026 and receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Chair, witnessed by the Proper Officer.
It was resolved for Councillor Powell to become Chair for the forthcoming year 2025/2026. Councillor Powell accepted the Chair and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the Clerk as Proper Officer, signed as witness.
2. To elect a Vice- Chair for the ensuing year 2025/2026 and receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Vice-Chair, witnessed by the Proper Officer.
It was resolved for Councillor Godsell to become Vice-Chair for the forthcoming year 2025/2026. Councillor Godsell, accepted the Vice-Chair and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the Clerk as Proper Officer, signed as witness.
3. Chair’s welcome:
Chair opened and welcomed everyone to the meeting at 1845 after the Annual Parish Meeting.
4. To resolve to close the meeting for the public forum
The members of the public present did not wish to speak. There was no reason to close the meeting.
5. Public Forum for a maximum of 15 minutes when members of the public may ask questions or make statements to the council.
No members of the public wished to speak.
6. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the clerk prior to the meeting.
There were no apologies.
7. Declaration of interest: (if any) To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
No declarations of interest were made.
8. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20th March 2025
To resolve as correct record and to authorise the Chair to sign the official minutes.
It was resolved to accept the minutes as a correct record, and the Chair was authorised to sign them.
9. To receive reports from County and District Councillors.
District Councillor Grover and County Councillor Roberts were not present.
Members of the public left the meeting.
10. Finance matters: to resolve as correct and authorise payments
a) Bank Statement 30 April 2025: Community Account: £9,462.41 and Interest account: £15,786.67.
b) It was resolved to approve the renewal of Parish Council’s Insurance with Zurich.
c) It was resolved to approve the following payments:
15.04.25 Safety Signs for Less (1) £72.86
31.05.25 Salary (under LGA 1972 s.112) (4) £325.15
31.05.25 Mileage (4) £70.20
23.04.25 V Clark, Internal Audit End of Year (LGA 1972 s.111) (3) £43.45
20.05.25 ICO (LGS 1972 s.111) DD (6) £47.00
31.05.25 Zurich Insurance (5) £690.25
30.06.25 Salary (under LGA 1972 s.112) (7) £342.11
d) To note any income received since the last meeting
28.03.25 Interest £28.78
23.04.25 HMRC Tax refund (3) £3109.10
28.04.25 ELDC Precept 50% (2) £5,712.00
30.04.24 Interest (1) £27.90
County Councillor Roberts arrived 1910, County Councillor Roberts apologised for his late arrival, introduced himself to the Parish Councillors. No report available.
11. AGAR Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024/25
a) It was resolved to approve cash book income and expenditure 2024-25 statements for publication.
b) It was resolved to approve the asset register for publication.
c) The annual Internal Auditor report was received and approved publication
d) The Accounting Statement for the year end 31st March 2025 was received and signed by the Chair and the Responsible Finance Officer.
e) It was resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) for financial year 2024/25 and authorise signing by the Chair and the Parish Clerk
f) It was resolved to approve the bank reconciliation, variance analysis and the Annual Accounting Statement 2024-25 and authorise signing by the Chair
g) It was resolved to approve commencement date for the exercise of elector’s rights of inspection of the accounts to be exercised 3rd June – 14th July 2024.
12. Council Reserves
It was resolved to approve the Council Reserves:
Village Sign Fund £3,000
Legal Fees £1,000
Election Fund £2,000
Defibrillator Fund £500
Street furniture Fund £1,500
Office equipment Fund £100
Hareby Memorial Fund £116
General Reserve £11,645
District Councillor Grover arrived 1930, and apologised for the delay. District Councillor Grover then delivered his report.
13. Planning Matters
a) Application reference 02068/25/FUL has been received and is now being considered. Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation
Greenhills West Keal Road
Reply to planning sent: No objections.
b) T1 - Yew - Fell.
T2 - Fir - Reduce in height by 20ft.
T3 - Cypress - Reduce height to previous pollarded height (approx. 6ft).
LOCATION: Bolingbroke House, West Keal Road.
Reply to Planning sent: No objections
c) Application reference 00267/25/FUL has been received and is now being considered. Planning Permission - Change of use of former chapel and agricultural land to provide 1no. dwelling.
Methodist Chapel, Chapel Lane.
Reply to Planning sent: No objections
d) It was noted that planning approval had been granted for ref. Application reference 02068/25/FUL Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation Greenhills West Keal Road Old Bolingbroke Lincolnshire PE23 4EY
14. Village Matters
a) It was hoped a meeting would shortly be arranged with Highways to discuss current highway issues. County Councillor Roberts advised us to contact Leila Hardy now that George Cartwright is no longer responsible for our area.
Problem discussed at ourAnnual Parish Meeting regarding heavy pruning and clearance trees, this was essential work that needed to be done as a high percentage of them were rotten and decayed. The brash and some tree stems were left on instruction from the LCC arborist. They were keen to leave behind some timber for ecological reasons. As the wood decays it will provide a rich environment for insects and other smaller animals whilst the area regrows through. Cllr Deal has also commented on what seems like additional spring water travelling down the hill since the trees have been cut.
The trees further down the hill will be subject to some heavy pruning. These works are on both sides of the road and are to go right down to the field entrance on the LHS before the first house. These are scheduled in for 19th May 2025 and its hoped will take no longer than a day for the works. This will be done, under a full Road Closure for the safety of the operatives and members of public.
The memorial, will be seeded around the built up corners.
Councillor Roberts was made aware of local flooding and that the drains down West Keal Road and Back Lane need blowing out.
b) With no neighbourhood watch co-ordinator there was no report.
15. Internal Council Matters
a) It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Standing Orders .
b) It was resolved to adopt the Financial Regulations.
c) It was resolved to adopt a Debit Card policy as an appendix to the Financial Regulations.
d) It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Code of Conduct.
e) It was resolved to place future minutes in the Parish Council noticeboard.
f) Cllr Wills-Wright will see if she is able to get permission for us to place the chapel defibrillator at the Butchers Shed.
g) PN Fencing was discussed at the SLT meeting prior full council meeting.
h) It was resolved to allocate the following Councillor responsibilities :
Finance: Cllr Makins, Planning: Cllr Deal, Play Area: Charles Routh and Cllr Deal, Safeguarding: Cllr Powell, Website: Cllr Wills-Wright. Staffing Committee: Cllrs Godsell, Makins and Wills-Wright. Green Areas: Cllrs Godsell. Newsletter: Cllr Wills-Wright
i) A schedule of meetings for 2025/26 was agreed: 18th July, 19th September, 21st November, 16th January, 20th March, 15th May.
16. There was no correspondence, to discuss.
17. Clerk and Councillor Reports
Cllr Godsell asked that Clerk contact local MP Victoria Atkins regarding her campaign for better mobile phone signal, clerk will also advise of the poor broadband and ask for more details for the digital switchover.
18. The next meeting of the Parish Council to be Thursday 17th July 2025 at 7pm
Meeting Closed at 2040.