Minutes of a Meeting of Northborough Parish Council held on
Wednesday 10th February 2021 from 7.00pm
by video link using Zoom, in accordance with regulations issued under Section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
DRAFT MINUTES TO BE APPROVED AT THE NEXT MEETING
21.15 MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chair Malcolm Spinks, Councillors Elaine Mann, Robert Chiva, Mark Malcolm, David Aldwinckle (from 19:15, Item 21.22.2).
IN ATTENDANCE: Clerk Catherine Franks
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Chair John Dadge (personal commitment), Councillors Brian Spriggs (Covid-19 restrictions), Stewart Curtis (work commitment).
21.16 DECLARATIONS: No declarations of interest nor written requests for dispensations were received.
21.17 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING, held on Wednesday, 13th January 2021 were Proposed by Cllr Spinks, Seconded by Cllr Mann and Confirmed as a true record. Vice Chair to sign following the meeting.
21.18 PUBLIC FORUM: None
21.19 COUNCILLOR VACANCY: No applications received, item carried forward.
21.20 REPORTS FROM WARD COUNCILLORS or OTHER INVITED SPEAKERS: None
21.21 PLANNING applications were considered, including those received since agenda publication:
21.1 20/01479/HHFUL: 2 Church Farm Mews, proposed boundary fence – revisions. No comment proposed.
21.2 20/01632/HHFUL: 2 Church Farm Mews, proposed rear extension etc, re-consultation. Noted that the Conservation Officer was supportive of proposed alteration to canopy. Council had submitted comments to the original consultation, none further were proposed.
21.3 21/00120/HHFUL – 46 Church Street, installation of flue to rear barn woodburner. Noted this was a minor alteration, to rear of the property. No comment proposed.
21.4 21/00136/LBC – 52 Church Street, Oil-fired boiler flue… front elevation, housed in decorative grating. Councillors expressed interest the forthcoming Conservation Officer’s report. No comment proposed.
21.22 GOVERNANCE:
22.1 Clerk had circulated a paper about payment arrangements set up in March 2020 for the Volunteer Network now due for renewal. It was Proposed by Cllr Mann, Seconded by Cllr Malcolm and RESOLVED to renew the scheme and retain the associated fund deposited with Northborough Community Association.
22.2 A motion brought by the Clerk to consider payment of a Chairman’s allowance of £250pa to meet expenses of the office was discussed but not proposed, therefore NOT RESOLVED.
22.3 Adoption of a Volunteer Policy drafted by Cllr Malcolm was Proposed by Cllr Spinks, Seconded by Cllr Malcolm and RESOLVED with minor amendments.
22.4 An application from Amo La Pizza to trade in the car park at Cromwell Close on: 30th January (retrospective), 20th February, 13th March was APPROVED. It was Noted that the terms set (Minute 20.141.2.b) would need to be reviewed as lockdown comes to an end.
22.5 An application from Coffee Beans of Deeping to trade in the car park at Cromwell Close on Friday 12th February was APPROVED, as were further dates, up to two per week, Clerk to be notified by the trader in advance, with a review at each Council meeting.
21.23 VILLAGE AMENITIES AND MAINTENANCE:
23.1 Burial Grounds: updates were received on footpath works in:
a) St Andrews’ churchyard – contractor to advise start date (confirmed since the meeting);
b) Northborough Cemetery – still in progress due to weather conditions.
23.2 Green Space:
a) Works as follows, with cost to be confirmed:
i) Relocation of existing, and installation, of new litter bins – APPROVED. Vice Chair advised that the Chair had drafted a map of locations, to be forwarded to Clerk and all councillors.
ii) Groundworks and installation of donated commemoration seat on playing field – APPROVED.
b) A proposed increase in the CCTV coverage at the playing field and car park, following discussions between Chair, Vice Chair and trustees of Northborough Community Association and their supplier was APPROVED, subject to further information on the implications and approval of costs. Clerk asked councillors to governance issues such as privacy laws and police requirements into consideration. A more detailed motion to be brought to a later meeting.
23.3 Assets:
a) Vice Chair advised that the older council noticeboards were deteriorating. It was APPROVED in principle to investigate refurbishment of the boards. ACTION – Clerk to obtain quotes.
b) To note revision of new Church Street defibrillator location, receiving an update from the Chair. Originally agreed location not suitable so being located at the school instead. To approve purchase of related installation materials and signage at cost of up to £250. Prop RC, Sec EM Approved
c) Vice Chair advised on the background to picnic table refurbishment. Chair had investigated new options and continued to seek better value. Revised expenditure of up to £2,500 was Proposed by Cllr Spinks, Seconded by Cllr Chiva and RESOLVED.
21.24 FINANCE:
24.1 The Finance Report dated 31st January 2021 circulated was Proposed by Cllr Mann, Seconded by Cllr Aldwinckle and APPROVED.
24.2 Confirmed amounts applicable for financial year commencing 1st April 2021 were noted, viz:
a) Expenditure under Local Government Act 1972, section 137 of up to £8.41 per elector. Clerk clarified this legislative power.
b) National minimum wage of £8.91.
24.3 The attached Schedule of Receipts and Payments was Proposed by Cllr Spinks, Seconded by Cllr Malcolm and Approved, with the exception of payment v) pending resolution of a training course issue.
21.25 REPORTS FROM COUNCILLORS AND CLERK:
25.1 Reports from councillors on portfolio of responsibilities and actions outstanding:
a) Vice Chair updated on work on plans for a new footbridge across the playing field north dyke, viz research carried out by Cllr Malcolm with the Internal Drainage Board.
b) Cllr Malcolm updated on plans to improve the road barrier at Northborough Manor. Next step had been passed to Cllr Curtis.
25.2 Report from Clerk on items not covered elsewhere on the agenda:
a) Annual Parish (Village) Meeting – Clerk would start to organise the meeting on the agreed date of 10thApril but amended to be offered via Zoom video link according to the amended legislation. A formal motion to be brought to the next meeting.
b) A recent meeting between Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair about workload would be followed up by an email to all councillors.
25.3 External meetings, conferences and training. The following upcoming dates were noted:
a) Parish council liaison meeting – 23rd February.
b) Others as circulated by email: Not discussed.
21.26 Items of CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED and circulated were Noted:
26.1 CAPALC: HM Land Registry survey on land ownership, completed by the Clerk.
26.2 PCC: grants to support Covid-19 community resilience.
26.3 Arthritis Action: information on online events for self-management.
26.4 NALC: Updated coronavirus briefing including on face-to-face meetings and follow up email from Village Hall Bookings Officer.
21.27 NEXT MEETING of the Council will be held on Wednesday 10th March 2021 at 7.00pm.
Meeting closed at 20:14.
Abbreviations used in these Minutes:
CAPALC – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils
NALC – National Association of Local Councils
NCA – Northborough Community Association
PCC – Peterborough City Council
Schedule of Receipts and Payments (21.24.3)
Receipts:
a) Northborough Community Association: cleaning contract, January 2021, £377.84
b) Weston: trading licence fee, £20.00
c) Waterland: donation of commemoration seat, £800.00 (cheque)
d) Malbon: burial deeds (renewal), £80.00 (cheque)
e) Glinton & Northborough Football Club: use of playing field 2020 season, £600.00
f) HMRC: VAT refund 2019/20, £2,509.14
Payments:
g) Staff Basic Pay for January 2021, £1,451.21 (paid by standing order)
h) Lloyds Bank plc: monthly debit card fee, £3.00 (auto card)
i) HP Print: ink subscription for printer, £7.99 (auto card)
j) Takepayments: monthly subscription for card receipts scheme, £20.40 (direct debit)
k) Barclaycard: monthly card receipts scheme fee, £5.81, January (direct debit)
l) NEST: Employee/employer pension contribution January 2021, £68.27 (direct debit)
m) Staff Overtime less statutory deductions, January 2021, £266.92
n) HMRC: Employee/Employer NI for January 2021, £45.52
o) Richard Harding: Grounds Maintenance churchyard, cemetery etc, January 2021, £482.50.
p) Richard Harding: Grass cutting playing field, January 2021, £200.00
q) Richard Harding: Grass cutting verges, January 2021, £250.00 (incl agreed credit)
r) Viridor Waste Management: Waste removal January 2021 and additional December 2020, £67.36
s) Walters Ltd: Printing, £21.60 (paid by card)
t) Broxap Ltd: Litter bins, £1,265.70 (Minute 20.127.5.a plus delivery)
u) Scribe (Starboard Systems Ltd): annual accounts software subscription, £345.60
v) CAPALC: Councillor training, £75.00 (not approved)
w) Information Commissioners Office: Data protection annual fee, £40.00 (paid by card)