BULWICK PARISH COUNCIL 489
MINUTES OF MEETING 04/01/2024, 7pm at Bulwick Village Centre
Minutes of Bulwick Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 4th January 2024 at 7.00 pm in the Bulwick Local Centre.
Present:
Councillors: Cllr M Beaton (Chair), Cllrs L Vaughan, J Sanderson, I Martin Clerk A Disney
In Attendance: 3 members of the public.
24/01/001. The Election of Vice Chair
Following the resignation of Councillor Fisher (Vice- Chair).
Vice Chair: Cllr Ian Martin
Proposed: Cllr Beaton (Chair). Seconded: Cllr Sanderson
Unanimously supported by all council members
Declaration of Office was Signed.
24/01/002. Apologies received and approved:
None
24/01/003. Declarations of Interest and Changes to the Register of Interests:
There were no Declarations of Interest or changes to the Members Register of Interests.
24/01/004. Approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council and Annual Parish Meeting of 2nd November 2023
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a correct record.
Proposed: Cllr Sanderson Seconded: Cllr Vaughan Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
24/01/005. Matters arising from the minutes, not listed on Agenda.
005.1. Village Street Lighting: All actions for 2023 completed.
005.2. Bulwick Village Emergency and Flood Plan - The Parish Councillors were advised that the plan is in preparation for review at the next meeting. Mr S Hedderly has agreed to act as the contact for Bulwick Parish
24/01/006. Meeting Open to the Public
Street Lighting: The Street Light on Church Lane is too bright. (Lamp 14). Clerk requested to ask EON to check lighting setting.
Action: The Clerk
24/01/007. Highway & Village Matters
007.1. Queens Remembrance Tree in Bulwick: - Cllr Martin confirmed that payment was made to reserve a Prunus 'Taihaku' tree for Bulwick Parish Council with Majestic Trees. Further payment will be required for planting the tree. The current plan is for the tree to be planted on site during February 2024. Exact timing to be confirmed by Cllr Martin by email once known.
Action Cllr Martin
007.2. Plaque: Cllr Vaughan confirmed that the order for the Plaque has been raised but payment is required before order will be progressed. The Councillors authorised the Clerk to pay the invoice.
Proposed: Cllr Vaughan Seconded: Cllr Sanderson. Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
Action: The Clerk
007.3. Commemorative Bench: Cllr Vaughan confirmed that the order for the Bench has been raised but payment is required before order will be progressed. The Councillors authorised the Clerk to pay the invoice. Delivery timing to be confirmed once the timing for new base for the bench is known.
Proposed: Cllr Vaughan Seconded: Cllr Sanderson. Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
Action: The Clerk / Cllr Vaughan
Base for Commemorative Bench: Cllr Martin advised the meeting that a quote had been provided to prepare a new base for the commemorative bench. The old base is not usable due to broken slabs and instability. Cllr Martin will continue to discuss the quote as a few points are unclear & advise Cllrs by email.
The Parish Councillors agreed that the work should go ahead as long as costs did not exceed £485.00 as quoted for the base.
Cllr Martin to project manage the base preparation in line with the Telephone Box being re installed. Timing to be confirmed.
Action: Cllr Martin
Bench Fixings: Cllr Martin advised that a quote has been received re Bench fixing to the base for security but further clarity is needed. Cllr Martin will keep Cllrs advised by email
Action: Cllr Martin
007.4 Litter Picking equipment: The Clerk confirmed that the equipment had been received and being stored at Cllr Beaton (Chair) house. A date for village litter picking to be agreed. Cllr Beaton (Chair) to discuss with village representatives to agree timing and advise at next meeting on 22nd Feb 2024
Action: Cllr Beaton (Chair)
007.5 Village benches and Notice Board refurbishment
Notice Board has been refurbished. Cllr Beaton (Chair) Thanked Mr T Disney, Village resident, for undertaking the refurbishment and all Cllrs agreed that the notice board is greatly improved. Additional work is needed to stain the notice board posts once there is better weather
Village Benches will be refurbished in the New Year. They will need to be removed for approx. 1 week. Timing to be confirmed.
Action: The Clerk
007.6 Solar Panel Speed Sign. The Clerk confirmed that information for the Grant application had been sent to Cllr Sanderson. Cllr Sanderson confirmed that he would progress this activity and report to next meeting 22nd Feb 2024
Action: Cllr Sanderson
Mounting posts for Speed Sign: The Clerk shared the quotation with the Councillors. Next steps to be discussed at 22nd Feb 2024 meeting
Second Batteries for Mobile Speed Sign The Clerk has added funds for second set of batteries to the 2024 / 25 precept as instructed. This agenda item on hold until April 2024
007.7 20 is plenty signage. The Clerk advised that Highways Agency have delivered the signs. Location in the village to be agreed during Parish Councillors village walk to assess assets.
24/01/008. Telephone Box Restoration and Defibrillator Installation:
008.1. Telephone Box: Cllr Martin advised the meeting that the telephone box is now with Britishbits for restoration. Approximate time for the return of the telephone box is mid February. Cllr Martin to keep Parish Councillors updated on progess.
Action: Cllr Martin
008.2. Once the date has been established Cllr Sanderson to coordinate with Community Heartbeat to agree the timing for the defibrillator instillation and training
Action: Cllr Sanderson
24/01/009. Parish Council New Website
Cllr Vaughan advised the meeting that the website is ready but a few things need to be finalised
Action: Cllr Vaughan
24/01/010. Bulwick Parish Council D-Day Celebrations 2024
Cllr Beaton (Chair) to update at next meeting 22nd Feb 2024
24/01/0011. Planning – Update for Information
NE/23/00767/FUL – Notice of Refusal
NE/23/00806/REM PP-12273501 - Councillors support this application.
NE/23/00893/TCA/– North Northants No Objection.
NE/23/00809/TCA/ - North Northants No Objection.
NE/23/00968/VAR - Application withdrawn.
NE/23/01250/FUL –Councillors neither support or not support this application
24/01/012. Procedural Review / Asset Review
012.1 It was agreed that on 2nd March 2024 at the Bulwick Parish Councillors would undertake a physical Asset physical review by walking around the village. Meeting point junction with Blatherycke Road and Main Street 10am.
Action All
24/01/013. Finance 2023 / 24 :
012.1. Accounts for payment: It was RESOLVED that the following accounts be paid
Authorised by email and at the meeting:
Cheque No What for Who To Total VAT Legal Authority
BACS Remove Telephone box Larkmill Homes Ltd £810.00 £135.00 LGA 1972 s139
BACS Electricity street lights Oct SSE £12.59 £1.42 LGA 1957 sLGA 1972 S 14 para 2Highways Act 1980 S 301
BACS Reserve Fee for Tree Majestic Trees £350.00 £0.00 RTRA 1984 s72, CA 1968
BACS Bank Fee Unity Trust Bank £18.00
BACS Litter Picking Equipment Helping Hands £299.76 £49.96 LGA 1972 ss111 & 137
BACS Maintenance Street Lights EON £50.40 £8.40 LGA 1957 sLGA 1972 S 14 para 27 Highways Act 1980 S 301
BACS Referb Street Light 1 EON £2,362.93 £393.82. LGA 1957 s3 LGA 1972 S 14 para 27 Highways Act 1980 S 301
BACS Clerks Pay Nov/Dec A Disney £601.20 £0.00 LGA 1972 S 101, 111 and112
BACS HMRC Paymentreimbursement for Clerk A Disney £150.00 £0.00 LGA 1972 S 101, 111 and112
BACS Referb Parish Notice Board A Disney £21.89 £3.65 LGA 1972 s139
BACS Electricity street lights SSE £13.03 £1.47 LGA 1957 sLGA 1972 S 14 para 2Highways Act 1980 S 301
300031 GDPR/Data Protection Information Commissionaire £40.00 £0.00
BACS Commemorative Plaque Brunel Engraving Co Ltd £122.88. £20.48
BACS Bench ATEX UK Ltd £559.95 £93.32
Total £5,412.63 £707.52
After payments already taken from bank £4,242.44
Receipts:
Amount Received from Reason for Payment
£15,000.00 North Northants Council Precept
£1,786.61. HMRC VAT Refund
Summary of Balances
National Savings £0
Current Account £15,436.57
Total Reserves £11,194.13
013.2 Bank Statement & Accounts:
The Bank Reconciliation was unanimously approved and duly signed by the Chair.
013.3. Defibrillator Finical Statement
The Accounts for the Defibrillator project was presented and unanimously approved and duly signed by the Cllr Sanderson project lead.
24/01/014 Setting Direction for Precept 2024 / 25
The final budget for 2024/25 was presented to the Parish Council for consideration. The Council Resolved to accept the budget and to authorise a Precept for the year 2024/25 of £15,000.00. The amount is unchanged from FY2023/24 as the Parish Council is sensitive to the impact on residence with the overall cost of living rises and wanted to not add to this impact during the precept setting.
As well as the standard costs such as insurance, clerk wages, village lighting electricity etc the council decided to include budget items required in response to residents requests: refurbishment of 1 of the heritage street lights on main street (the remaining 2 to be included in future precepts); second set of battery’s for the mobile Speed Sign; Grit Bin for Millies Lane; New posts on Blatherycke Road and by Red Lodge Road junction to enable the speed sign to be moved around the village: plus a few smaller items
Precept was agreed to be set at £15,000.00 for FY 2024/ 25
Proposed. Cllr Beaton (Chair) Seconded. Cllr Sanderson Approved by all Cllrs at the meeting
24/01/015. Correspondence:
015.1.Stoke Doyle & Wadenhoe PC, CPRE Northants Technical Committee inviting BPC to attend meeting on 22nd Jan re National Landscapes/AONB strategy – Councillors advised
015.2 East Northants Local Plan Part 2 Adoption update – Councillors advised
24/01/016. Any Later Business for the Next Meeting
Clerk reminded the meeting of a communication from the house of Com mons regarding levelling up and grant opportunities. Cllr Beaton (Chair) requested the councillors to read the communication ready for a discussion on 22nd February 2024 regarding opportunities for Bulwick
24/01/014. Date of Next Meeting : Extraordinary meeting Thursday. 22nd Feb. 2024 at 7pm
Meeting closed at 8.09 pm
Signed: Malcom Beaton Dated: 22/2/2024