April 2019 Minutes Annual Parish Meeting
SKILLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Grantham, Lincolnshire
Chairman: Graham Page Vice-Chairman: Richard Wrigley
Councillors: Neville Clark, Francis Disney, Rory Grindey, Stuart Millington.
Parish Clerk: Sue Mortimer (Mrs), 16 Stephenson Close, Colsterworth, Lincs. NG33 5GP
Telephone: 07555 298958 e-mail: clerk.spc@gmail.com
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held at Skillington Village Hall on Monday 1st April 2019 at 7.00pm:
Present: Cllrs G. Page, F. Disney, N Clark, A Bunce, N. Clark, P Harrison (Parish Clerk); Cllr Bob Adams (LCC & SKDC);
Parishioner: Steph Burrows.
The Meeting was chaired by Graham Page, Chairman of Skillington Parish Council.
1. Apologies for absence: received from Cllrs S. Millington R. Grindey, R Wrigley, Cllr Andrea Webster (SKDC) and Mrs V Page.
2. Notes of the Annual Parish Meeting on 9th April 2018: were previously agreed and signed at the May 2018 Parish Council meeting by Cllr Page who had chaired the meeting. The Chairman asked for any comments: there were none.
3. Report on the Parish Council: The Chairman addressed the meeting and reported on activities for the previous year:
3.1 What is the Parish Council? the lowest tier of local government with various Duties and Powers including litter collection, Cemetery management, mowing verges and common grassed areas. What the PC cannot do is: refuse or grant planning applications, but it is informed of all applications and can make comments; it cannot mend holes in the road merely chase Highways; and cannot stop pubs closing.
3.2 Councillors: The Council has seven councillors: The Chairman; Richard Wrigley, Vice-Chairman; and Cllrs Neville Clark, Francis Disney, Rory Grindey, Stuart Millington and Andy Bunce. The next Election is due on 2nd May 2019 and that councillors’ serve a 4-year term.
The Chairman reported on matters of interest in the past year:
3.3 The Cemetery: The ground repair was completed with the new entrance. The wobbly gravestones have either been made safe by the families or have been laid down.
3.4 Roads: After a long struggle, the roads have recently been resurfaced.
3.5 Mowing: The Parish Council manage the mowing for the village (excluding the small area in Stonepit Lane still cut by SKDC) using local contractor BDG Mowing with good results. The Council previously took over the areas that used to be cut by LCC in 2016, but this year EnvironmentSK will take over mowing the Churchyard. This will be monitored.
4. Planning Committee: The Chairman read through the Report of the Planning Committee – 1st April 2019:
The Planning Committee usually consists of the Chairman and three Councillors, currently the Chairman Cllr Page, Vice-Chairman Cllr Wrigley, Cllrs Disney and Millington. The Parish Council tries to monitor any applications from within the Parish or, in the case of large developments, in the vicinity of the Parish. The Committee confers and prepares comments it thinks appropriate on all planning applications relating to buildings and trees in Skillington, bearing in mind the local plans that are in place, in particular the Skillington Neighbourhood Plan. Any comments must, however, have regard to ‘material planning considerations’. Comments are collated and returned by the Parish Clerk. Any significant development is referred to full Council for consideration. The following aspects are of particular concern to the Committee: size and nature of the proposal; feasibility; impact on the environment; and integration into village structure. During the period 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019 some of the applications received included: the redevelopment of two garages on Lords Lane, which was granted (despite PC objections); the change of terms and conditions of Skillington Quarry and the conditions for the extension of the Stainby quarry. This is still being considered by LCC.
5. Parish Council Finances: The unaudited accounts of Skillington Parish Council for the year to 31st March 2019 were available for inspection, and the Chairman referred to the Income & Expenditure schedule comparing the year to 31st March 2019 with the previous year.
5.1. Income from the Precept charged of £4,800 was an increase of £100 on the prior year. Parish Council budgets made a slight profit, due to extra Cemetery income.
5.2. Total income of approximately £8860 includes the ‘real’ income mostly from the Precept, paddock rent and Cemetery income, all other income is reimbursement of work carried out on behalf of County or District Council. Income from the Cemetery was higher than usual and considerably higher than the previous year.
5.3. Expenditure during the year, £7509, includes employment of the Clerk, carrying out mowing, street cleaning and care of the churchyard and cemetery, in addition to some one-off costs.
5.4. The excess income of around £1300 for the year was due to more income from the Cemetery and fewer grass cuts. This has been transferred to the Reserve, which now stands at around £12000.
5.5. Outlook for 2019/20: The Precept is to remain the same at £4,800, which should cover general cost increases. The LCC mowing reimbursement may not cover grass cutting costs this year, depending on the season. We expect to break even in 2019/20.
Thanks: The Chairman expressed his thanks to all the Parish Councillors; to Cllr Adams (LCC & SKDC) for his continued support throughout the year, attending almost all the Councils’ meetings; and the Parish Clerk, Mrs Harrison.
6. Vacancies on the Parish Council: There are currently no vacancies. However, Elections are to be held on 2nd May.
7. Matters Raised from the Floor:
7.1. A query was made about the balance sheet. It was found that the income included a transfer, which will be amended.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
The meeting closed at 7.15 pm.
The next Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday, 6th April 2020 at 7.00pm at Skillington Village Hall