2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

No.

Action

197)

To Agree as a Correct Record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

It was proposed, seconded and resolved: That the Chairman sign the official minutes of the Full Council Committee meeting held on 5 February 2024.

Proposed by Cllr. DK - Seconded by Cllr. KP – all present agreed.

198)

To receive an update on the progress and resolutions of the previous meeting

All are covered in agenda items.

199)

Chairman’s Report

A report had been circulated prior to this meeting for review and was briefly discussed.

The chairman expressed the importance of reading the minutes and reports before the night of the meeting saving time at the meetings.

Confirmation was received that Philip Green has left the Parish Council but hopefully, he will return, thanks were given for all the hard work he has given to Crowland over the years.

Thanks were also given to AW for taking up the role of Chairman of Planning and DK for taking up the role of Vice Charman for the Council.

JB expressed concerns regarding the Abbey Church, more information is needed, CPC is to contact the trustees and ask for more information and if any help can be contributed from CPC when contacting the Diocese.   

CPC are very supportive of the Abbey, the Abbey attracts many visitors and is the flagship of the area.

GS/AW

200)

Amenities Committee

A report had been circulated before this meeting for review.

Youth Building – has been advertised, and offers are to be reviewed in closed session.  

Proposed new pavilion – the questionnaire is nearly completed and will then be issued.

Electrical car charging –  no progress – CPC needs to check the invoices that have been sent to SHDC and are all correct and up to date.

SHDC “Levelling Up” funding is to be looked into with the possibility of helping towards the cost of updating the tennis courts, this could also then be topped up with 106 money.  Application to be in by the 1 June.

TK

DK/TC

201)

Finance and Admin Committee

A report had been circulated before this meeting for review.

CPC are still awaiting the report from the Internal Auditor, with actions and recommendations.  CPC require clarification as to what is required by LALC or the statutory Requirements to be added to the web page.

202)

Farms & Gardens Committee

A copy of the minutes had been circulated prior to this meeting for review.

Some allotment holders have given up this year and at the moment there are:-

6 full plots and 4 ½ plots empty along with 2 lockers and 5 new cages.

The street light near the implement shed is causing the security alarm to trip, more investigation is needed with the proposal of replacing the light for a PIR system with 2 lights being put on the building.

Work and servicing are still being carried out on the machinery and new rollers may need to be ordered for the gang mower.   

A proposal to remove the trees that have been planted in the ditch along the A16 as this will cause maintenance issues in the future. Ongoing and more investigation is needed.

JB/JL

JB

203)

Planning Committee

A copy of the minutes had been circulated before this meeting for review.

The servicing of the Abbey clock, CPC are awaiting a date. 

The bins were discussed, and it was advised that more information, with costings, be added to the sheet and discussed at the next planning meeting 11 March.

It was discussed and proposed that Crowland look into the D-Day celebrations, in preparation for 6 June, not many parishes are celebrating this event other than bell ringing and lighting the beacon, a suggestion for the singing of an old song under the bridge for 6.30pm on 6 June, this will be discussed at the planning meeting.

204)

Safety & Security Committee

A report had been circulated before this meeting for review.

The report was discussed and a map was requested showing the local areas covered.

Parish Council Engagement Session is to be looked into and confirmation that the link is still active.

RS/TC

205)

Assets Working Party

A report had been circulated before this meeting for review.

Residential site – some issues are still being chased regarding payment, maintenance company and the historic footpath, on the side of James Road.  

Site on Thorney Road – moving slower than expected.

Potential Burial Ground – a quotation has been received for preparing a planning application, including the biodiversity report and flood risk assessment, this was moved into closed session.

BA

206)

Accounts for Payment

FINANCIAL MATTERS

To note bank balances and investments at 20th February 2024 (latest statements)

Account ending xx338 £369,726.76

Account ending xx461 £9,782.08

Petty Cash £88.02

TO AUTHORISE THE SIGNING OF ORDERS FOR PAYMENT AND TO NOTE INCOME FOR JANUARY 2024

It was proposed:

(a) Orders for payment made in the sums of £12,557.01 in February 2024 be authorised

(b) incomes received in the amounts of £15,273.22 in February 2024 be noted.

subject to the following updates:

The electricity for the pavilion needs to be checked and confirmed as very high, a meter reading is to be taken asap.

536 & 537 on sheet chq no.s need allocating

Clarification for the payment to LALC – internal audit, Training or web management

Proposed by Cllr. JB - Seconded by Cllr.  MA – all others agreed.

TK

TK

TK

207)

Bus shelters and stops

2 quotations have been received regarding the fixing of the bus shelter (Postland Road), with the costs if it was proposed to look into replacing the shelter with a new one. 

Costs are to be looked into for the removal of the old shelter, clearing of the site and siting of the new shelter.

West Street Bus Shelter – a proposal was put forward that we look into re-siting the shelter away from the narrowing of the road and parked cars, where there is more room and making the turning wider for buses – more investigation and information is needed.   

Bus shelter to be added to the next agenda  

TC

208)

Gym trustee's report & proposal

CPC has received a request for a trustee to give an update

The trustee's report was discussed with plans and the suggestion of changing the upstairs layout,  as this area is currently not being used, with removing the stud walls, enabling another area for classes and more storage also with the possibility of a treatment room.  More investigation is needed and LCC need to be informed.

A report was requested with more research and clarification, of the property and showing/advising of the current status of accounts and memberships and also advising on the costs for the alterations. 

AW

209)

Meridian Solar proposal

A request for a meeting with councillors has been received to discuss their proposal for Solar Panels, this was discussed and agreed that a meeting is to be arranged. A proposal was made that at this meeting counsellors remain neutral, more information is needed.

Proposed by Cllr. DK - Seconded by Cllr.  JL – all others agreed.

Central Government then the minister will make the final decision. 

TC

210)

Future of the Police Station Building

More information is needed as to what has already been proposed and if CPC can help, CPC to contact the Hub.

GS

211)

Cllr Woolf Chair of SHDC is offering to meet Crowland Parishioners

A request from Cllr. Woolf’s office asking for advice on a suitable venue and what parishioners in Crowland enjoy.  An email will be sent back suggesting they contact the Hub or Hall.

TC

212)

Website Maintenance – Parish or Town

A discussion was held regarding the naming, should Crowland Parish Council change to Crowland Town Council, it was agreed that Crowland has always been a parish and should remain a parish, for the Parish of Crowland.

213)

Matters to be considered for inclusion on future Council Agenda

Bus shelters and stops

214)

Youth Building

Information was discussed and further action is needed – ongoing

215)

Parish Room Windows

Quotations have been received CPC, more quotations are needed regarding the painting – ongoing

205)

AWP moved into closed session

Information was discussed and agreed the works are to be actioned – resolved