December 2023 Minutes
Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard’s Leap Parish Council
MINUTES of the ordinary meeting of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council held at Cranwell Village Hall, Old School Lane, Cranwell Village, NG34 8DF on Monday 8th January 2024.
Present: Chair: Cllr Mr T R Batten
Councillors: Vice Chair - Cllr D Graves, and Cllr Mrs M Cassidy, Cllr M A Cassidy, Cllr D Wilson, Cllr J Wilson, Cllr M Pears, Cllr C Batten and Cllr M Collier
Also in attendance: 11 members of the public and Darren Arch (later in the meeting).
Ms Lesley Frances - Clerk to the Parish Council
Public speaking:
The majority of the public were in attendance to discuss the flooding issues. The Chair gave an update advising that there will be a meeting tomorrow morning at 10 am with LCC’s Flood Officer, a Dyson representative and Cllr Graves in attendance, together with one or two members of the public.
College Road: The dyke in the front of the properties in College Road has a drain which you cannot see, Three drains to the left go into the dyke which is blocked and all this will be discussed at the meeting, Concrete blocks are at the side of a blocked drainpipe and the exit of that pipe will be pointed out at the meeting. The field at the back of the properties (owned by Dyson Farming) also causes a problem and the flood investigator will sort this out with the owners, The grant of £5000 per house could go towards funding any works,
Home Park and Wylson Road: The dykes have been dug out by Dyson and they have done nothing that would increase water. The dykes meet a drain which comes out near Willow Lane – the drain itself is clear but debris has gone down the pipes – a screen is needed to stop the debris getting in. It should be mentioned that Dyson have been very helpful. Cllr Graves will write up a report from the meeting which will hopefully be available on Wednesday – it will be put on the noticeboards and website.
The Chair declared the ordinary meeting open at 7:13 pm.
1. To receive apologies for absence and reasons given i.a.w. Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.
DC Jim Clark and Ian Whitehead from RAF had offered their apologies.
2. To receive declarations of interest and to consider applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
Disclosure of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests is to be in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. The need for disclosure is to be based upon agenda items, or at any suitable time during a meeting when it becomes apparent to a Member.
Cllr Mr M Cassidy and Cllr Mrs M Cassidy declared an interest in minute ref: 4b as they are a payment recipient.
3. Notes of the ordinary meeting of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council held on Monday 11th December to be approved as Minutes.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 11 December 2023 of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council, as Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Graves, seconded by Cllr Pears and approved unanimously.
4. Financial Matters
a. Approve the payments made since the last meeting.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the payments made since the last meeting. Appendix A. Proposed by Cllr Collier, seconded by Cllr Mrs M Cassidy and approved unanimously.
b. Approve the payment of invoices etc. as listed on the Payments to be Authorised sheet.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the payments of invoices etc. as listed on the Payments to be Authorised sheet. Appendix B
Proposed by Cllr D Wilson, seconded by Cllr Pears and approved unanimously (The Cllrs Cassidy had declared an interest so did not vote).
c. Approve the bank reconciliation as at 31.12.23.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation as at 31.12.23 of £80,054.73. Proposed by Cllr D Graves and seconded by Cllr C Batten and approved unanimously.
d. Review the latest Summary of Reserves Balances
The Council RESOLVED to approve the reserves balances. Proposed by Cllr Mr M Cassidy and seconded by Cllr D Wilson and approved unanimously.
e. Update on repair of the Wet Pour surface
The work is now completed, has been signed off and the invoice paid.
f. Update regarding the edge of the pathway alongside the tennis court
Yellow paint has now been received and as soon as the weather is dry SR will do the work.
g. To consider refurbishment/replacement of the noticeboard at Cranwell Convenience Store.
Perspex arrived but was broken so a new piece has been obtained. SR has removed the door and is currently working on replacing the Perspex.
h. Update on replacement of the loft hatch in the Old School House
SR started this job today and will finish it tomorrow when he has the final edging,
i. To consider a further quote to reseal the windows at The Old School House (OSH)
Two quotes now to hand both for similar amounts. Agreed to go with Jamie of
k. To consider quotes for deep cleaning of the floors and windows cleaning at the OSH
Item to be deferred to the January meeting.
l. Resolution to purchase decorating materials for OSH
Decorating will be done on a self-help basis. It was proposed by Cllr M Cassidy and seconded by Cllr C Batten that we spend up to £100 on materials – approved unanimously.
m. Resolution to agree hire charges for the OSH
A rate of £8 per hour and £50 per day was put forward (electricity costs £3 per hour). Proposed by Cllr Pears and seconded by Cllr Collier that this is the rate we will charge – approved unanimously.
5.Planning Applications.
There are none.
6. To receive a report from the Parish Clerk on various matters pertaining to the Parish Council
The mid-year internal audit has been completed and there were one or two matters that needed attention on the website, as well as amendments to our Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. These are in hand and we will need to adopt the revised Policies when finalised.
No response from village hall regarding a meeting – Clerk will chase Chairman with a view to discussing the ceiling, charges and the garages
Clerk to chase CJFC regarding the mower they hoped to purchase and where it will be kept
Clerk advised Councillors of her known holiday dates in February and November 2024.
7. To further discuss installation of gates at each end of the village
Cllr Graves advised that he had had a pro forma questionnaire from LCC Highways which he will complete in the new year. Costs to be agreed then gates can be ordered.
8. To consider implementation of an Emergency Plan
The RAF has its own Plan and cannot assist us. Clerk to get together a list of all likely contact phone numbers required in an emergency which will be held by in the Parish Office.
9. To consider quotes for installing new electric supply brick housing, and electrics
Three quotes have been obtained. National Grid have said we can leave the existing box there once all the inner workings have been taken out. Cllr M Cassidy proposed and Cllr Pears seconded that we accept MK Electrics quote to start work asap. Resolved unanimously.
10. To receive an update on works progress at The Old School House (OSH)
Defer this item until there has been a Working Party meeting and agenda for January.
11. To consider a report from the Pavilion Working Party
Cllr Graves advised that the working party has revisited the necessities since we now have the OSH Community Space. Each unit for the site will cost between £8000 - £18000. They are assessing sizes required and then quotes will be obtained. CJFC are looking at funding their own unit and the PC would then fund the unit for the bowls club. This will be a 3-phase project with phase 1 being the demolition of the pavilion and consideration of the foundations required for the new units. Phase 2 will be to prepare the bases and phase 3 will be purchasing the units. There is asbestos in the pavilion so 3 quotes will be obtained for the demolition. The CJFC Chair has a contractor who would lay the base and connect water and electrics – their unit (if funded by them) would be for their sole use. The unit for the bowls club, if funded by the PC, would be for use by others as well. Removal of the hedge is unlikely to be required and is on hold for now. Completion hoped for March/April 2024.
12. To consider quotes for replacing 3 wooden posts adjacent to footpath at playing field
The posts only cost around £11 each. However a JCB will be required to remove the existing posts – clerk to enquire of Dyson Farming whether they can help.
13. To consider quotes for the levelling of tarmac on footpath between car park and playground
Two quotes were sought and were for £1600 and £1800 – this is a small job so we would be charged the minimum charge. Clerk to find somebody cheaper or no further action.
14. To consider quotes for hedge height reduction
Cllr Pears explained the issues with the work Tudor had started on this project. They required a further £1500 (on top of the original £2800) to cut the hedges to 2.6 metres. We have a quote from PEP Services for £2400 and a third quote is in hand. Chair proposed that we accept PEP quote unless the third quote is any cheaper, Seconded by Cllr Pears and resolved unanimously.
15. To receive a report from the Speedwatch Group
Cllr Graves reported that there had only been one outing since the November meeting; two had been cancelled due to the bad weather. They are still recruiting new members.
16. To receive a report regarding the SIDs
A report had been circulated prior to this meeting. The pie charts show a reduction in speed with 96% travelling under 35 mph. The SID near the Church has everyone accelerating away but Cllr Pears feels that it has slowed people down.
In future, Cllr Graves requested that the village gates, Speedwatch and SID matters go on the agenda under one heading of Road Safety. Agreed.
17. Update on tree planting in the village by Darren Arch of RAFC Cranwell.
Cllr Pears reported that two new oak trees have been planted on the Village Green and two more trees between Crane Close and the playground.
18. Christmas festivities
There will be Carols on the Green at 16.30 on Saturday 16th December, after the pantomime. Hot mince pies and mulled wine (gluhwein) will be available and sweets will be available for the children. PC supplying the PA system for CDs required as backing tracks for the Carol singing.
19. Councillors reports
Cllr C Batten advised that the defibrillator batteries have been changed at Brauncewell and asked for more reporting forms.
Cllr Collier said he will check all lights before Christmas.
Cllr M Cassidy said LCC has fixed the lights he reported as faulty and said that the RAF still has a few lights out (he handed IW the details). The Christmas tree has grown 91cm since last year and we will need more lights next year. There is some rubbish from the CJFC near the pavilion.
Cllr Pears said that he has made the necessary website changes since the internal audit report.
Chair requested that all Councillors and Clerk copy Cllr Graves, as Vice Chair, into all emails,
20. .Date of next meeting: 8th January 2024 at 7 pm.
21. Resolution to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 as amended by the LGA 1972 - to discuss matters of a confidential nature
At 8.22 pm all members of the public left. Agenda items and quotes were discussed and Councillors were reminded of the terms of our policy documents. Agenda items are required 2 weeks before a meeting, or 1 week at the very latest.
The Chair closed the meeting at 8.30 pm