Minutes
Full Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday 1 September 2021 at 7.00pm at
St Andrews Community Centre, Saxilby.
Members Present:
Cllrs Cotton, Harper, Hillman, Spurr, I Willox and J Willox.
Absent:
Cllrs Ashton Derry, Brown, Crump and Ives
In Attendance:
Elaine Atkin, Parish Clerk
There was 1 member of the public in attendance.
Public Questions
The member of public commented that some of the supporting information for this meeting was not on the website and hoped that it would be put on retrospectively.
The member of public noted the agenda items in relation to room hire and to possible extension of library hours and queried whether Councillors have been provided with information as to whether these will be cost neutral, cost beneficial or cost negative. The Clerk confirmed that current proposals are based on scenarios when staff are already in the building or can be in the building and are therefore cost neutral.
The member of public handed out a document showing their opinion of the Council’s financial position. The Chairman confirmed that the Council will continue to take advice and feedback from its RFO and Proper Officer.
Full Council Meeting
255/21 To receive apologies and accept valid reasons for absence, these having been submitted to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Apologies and a valid reason for absence had been received from Cllrs Ashton Derry, Brown, Crump and Ives, these were accepted.
256/21 To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
There were none.
257/21 To approve the notes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 4 August 2021, and the Chairman to sign them as the agreed minutes
These were proposed by Cllr Hillman and resolved.
258/21 To note the meeting Action Log
The action log was noted.
259/21 To approve expenditure above specified limits, as per Financial Regulations
This was proposed by Cllr Hillman and resolved.
260/21 To review the Action Plan from the recent Health and Safety report
It was proposed by Cllr Cotton and resolved to:
• Note the priority actions required
• Request a face-to-face visit from our new H&S Advisor, so that they can run through specific responsibilities with relevant staff (action postponed from 2020 due to Covid)
261/21 To approve S.137 grant applications from
a. Saxilby Voluntary Car Scheme
It was proposed by Cllr Cotton and resolved to approve this application.
b. Hurricane Sports Foundation
It was proposed by Cllr Cotton and resolved to approve this application.
262/21 To review room hires and agree actions is required
It was resolved to note the report and that officers continue to manage the room bookings working with the Comms Lead to promote the availability of the rooms for hire.
263/21 To elect further Councillor Memorial Field Trustees following the resignation of Dave Kenny
None of the Councillors present at the meeting felt they could put themselves forward for this and it was resolved to put the agenda item back on for October’s Full Council meeting when more Councillors should be present.
The Clerk was requested to put out an email reminder to all Councillors regarding the trustee role.
264/21 To agree to initiate a complaints log and bring back to council for regular review
It was proposed by Cllr Hillman and resolved to:
• Introduce the complaints log as proposed
• Include informal complaints or comments made via the Parish Office or made to individual Councillors
• Review the complaints log at Full Council on a quarterly basis
• Log and record formal complaints made via the Council’s Complaints Procedure as per the documented procedure
265/21 Update on cleaning and agree to get quotes from contract cleaners
Cllr Cotton declared a personal interest in this agenda item and left the room (7.50 pm). Cllr Hillman took the chair for this item.
It was proposed by Cllr Spurr and resolved for officers to source quotes from cleaning companies and delegate their appointment to officers, meeting Standing Orders, Financial Regulations and budgetary requirements accordingly.
Cllr Cotton returned (7.57pm) and resumed the chair.
266/21 To approve the following documents:
a. Burial Ground Regulations
b. Memorial Testing Policy
c. Pay Policy
Cllr Cotton proposed and it was resolved to defer all three items to October’s meeting.
To note updates on:
267/21 Meetings held in August
Noted.
268/21 Latest crime reports
Noted.
269/21 Saxilby and District MUGA and ratify recommendation from Planning Committee to submit the planning application for this project
It was resolved to:
• Ratify Planning Committee recommendation to approve the MUGA plans for submission for planning permission
• Approve the VAT specialist quote to determine the VAT status of the project
270/21 Bridge Street Working Group
Noted.
271/21 Communications lead
Noted.
272/21 Cricket
Noted.
273/21 Wheeled park
Noted.
274/21 Bar outsourcing
The update was noted, including response from Procurement Lincs, who are unable to help or advise. It was resolved to contact the Plunkett Foundation for the community led approach when the tender document has been agreed.
275/21 Community Speedwatch and agree actions
It was proposed by Cllr Harper and resolved to:
• Contact Sturton Community Speedwatch group to determine what level of volunteers they have
• Use social media and consult with those who have already volunteered, to identify locations (as required for the application to join the scheme) and to push for more volunteers
• Identify funding sources for the required equipment
276/21 Checks on buildings and equipment (Risk Register)
Noted.
277/21 Library re-opening and review of opening hours, agreeing actions
Cllr J Willox proposed, and it was resolved to:
• Work towards extended opening hours
• Discuss with the volunteers the possibility of opening later in an afternoon to accommodate school children
• Support a re-launch event as proposed by the volunteers
Council also noted the recent sad passing of a long-standing library volunteer and wanted to record its appreciation for all their contributions to the library over the years.
The member of public left the meeting (8.50pm).
278/21 CLOSED SESSION – Council to resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 for the following items on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
It was proposed by Cllr Hillman and resolved to go into closed session.
279/21 To review and approve the bar tender document
Cllr Harper proposed, and it was resolved to:
• Determine what the Plunkett Foundation timelines will be
• Re-align dates in the tender document to these
• Extend the period allocated for our review of responses (4-6 weeks being more realistic)
280/21 To note an update on a staffing matter
Noted.
281/21 To note an update on Grounds Team staffing and agree actions if required
Council was pleased to note the return of the Grounds Manager and also thanked the other grounds staff for their hard work providing cover over the last 6 months.
Cllr Cotton agreed to write to all staff concerned.
282/21 To approve the Administrator documents
Cllr Hillman proposed, and it was resolved to approve the Administrative Assistant specification with one minor correction to the hours. It was agreed that recruitment to this role was a priority.
283/21 To review quotes for the Local Council insurance renewal and agree a provider
Cllr Cotton proposed, and it was resolved to:
• Agree in principle to move to the alternative provider
• Complete further checks regarding comparative levels of cover
• Delegate the final decision to the Chair, Vice Chair and Clerks, subject to these further checks
• Report back the outcome to next Full Council
284/21 To approve a quote for VAT specialist advice on the MUGA
Cllr Hillman proposed, and it was resolved to approve the quote from Sports VAT (to be funded from MUGA ring-fenced funds), in line with Financial Regulation 11aii relating to a specialist service quote.
285/21 To approve Legionellosis Risk Assessment quote
Cllr Harper proposed, and it was resolved to approve the Risk Assessment quote and then further review the Management Package quote once results of the Risk Assessment have been received.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm.
Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Assistant/Clerk and cannot in any way be regarded as the official minutes of Council proceedings until they are approved and signed at the next meeting.