2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

TIMBERLAND AND THORPE TILNEY

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Monday 21st November 2022 7pm 

Timberland Village Hall

Dedication to Councillor John Sharman

The parish council wishes to express its deepest sympathy at the recent passing of councillor John Sharman. We will remember John as a good friend and a highly respected colleague, and we will greatly miss his outstanding contributions to the life of the parish.

John lived in Timberland for 11 years and has served with distinction as a member of the parish council since 2016. As such he was a recognisable and integral figure in village life. Throughout his working life John worked hard for the benefit of others which is something he brought to his role as a councillor. John worked long and diligently to ensure that the parish council operated successfully for all who lived in the parish. As a parishioner himself, he was happy to devote hours of his personal time to support the success of village functions. He is well-known as being the “man with the mike”, fulfilling the announcer role at each Family Fun Day and at village hall quizzes and bingo nights. He was the raffle master at the monthly community market, drumming up ticket sales and announcing the lucky winners with pleasure at their good fortune. In 2017 he initiated The Book Club whose members will miss his knowledge and insight when leading the literary discussions.

In recent years John battled against deteriorating health and the challenges that were brought to his daily life. The challenges he faced were great, but supported by his wife Sue, and his many friends, he never allowed them to diminish his contributions to village life. Throughout it all John brought his unique brand of individuality, warmth, fun and humour to our lives.

He will be sadly missed by us all

John’s wife Sue gave a sincere thank you to the Parish Council and said how much John had enjoyed working with the Council for and on behalf of the Parish.

Parishioners in attendance - 8

No Questions

Those present at the meeting: 

Parish Councillors, Audis, Kornat, Lenton (Chair) Slater and the Parish Clerk. County Councillor Kendrick.

1. Apologies for Absence

Cllrs. Ogden and Cllr. Sharplin

2. Declarations of Interest

None

3. Minutes of Previous Meeting 26th September 2022

Agreed: All Correct

Proposed:   Cllr. Kornat   Seconded: Cllr. Audis

All agreed

4.  District and County Councillor Remarks 

Cllr. Kendrick paid a sincere tribute to Cllr. John Sharman and spoke of the great respect he had for him. 

Reports available on the website and distributed via the website.

5. Planning

All planning sent to the full Council, and everything is available on the website via Planning Online.

A response has been received on CIL.

Agreed: Clerk to check whether the bungalows on Hallams Lane have been included and whether property conversions are included. 

Clerk to check with Cllr. Kendrick the outcome of the meeting with the Highways Officer and Fen Road.

6. Highways

6.1 Potholes

Agreed: Clerk to check with Cllr. Kendrick the outcome of the meeting with the Highways Officer in regard to the continuing work needed on Fen Road.

Clerk to contact Highways about ramp signs that need collecting on Station Road.

6.2 Salt Bin

The salt now is solid.

Agreed: Clerk to report on Fix my Street and Cllr. Kendrick to ask if Highways can do something about the ‘solid’ salt that cannot be used.

7. Parish Items

7.1 Community Market

The next market is due to take place on Thursday 15th December in the Village Hall.

7.2 Timberland Green

All ok at present. 

7.2.1 Mower Service

Agreed: Clerk to obtain 3 quotes:  Carl Ullyatt to be contacted by the Clerk.

Cllr. Audis to get a quote from Charles Hill and Ivan Hobson.

7.2.2 Shed

Cllr. Lenton confirmed it is obviously tilting but seems sound now. The idea is to maintain, if possible, for the next two years.

Agreed: Put on the agenda for the next meeting.

Clerk to investigate grant applications from the Postcode Lottery and National Lottery with the new Clerk.

Storage in the container to be used for archiving documents.

7.3 Grounds Maintenance

All completed for this year.

7.4 Village Hall

7.4.1 Broadband

Agreed: Clerk to contact the treasurer to clarify payment for the Broadband on a monthly or one-off basis.

7.4.2 Storage

As discussed, archive docs to be kept in the container and the current filing cabinet to be kept in the Village Hall.

7.5 Emergency Warden

Current Wardens are Cllr. Audis and Ian Stirling.

Agreed: Cllr. Slater to investigate what the statutory requirements if any are required.

Clerk to send Emergency Plan to Cllr. Slater

Cllr. Slater to return the container key to Ian Stirling.

7.6 Parish Councillor Vacancy

Agreed: As soon as the Legal Notice has been received and displayed a new advert will be created for co-option of new Councillors.

7.7 Church Lane and Bayfield Dyke

A response has been received from Highways Officer who suggested leaving it for a while to give owners the chance to undertake the work. He will then ask the IDB (Internal Training Board) who can send enforcement notices.

Agreed: Clerk to contact Field Estates Officer about the Dyke alongside the Bayfield corner.

Cllr. Lenton and the Clerk to review the emails and action on behalf of the Council.

7.8 Notice Boards

Agreed: Lock to be removed completely by Cllr. Audis and the noticeboard to be monitored over the next two months to ensure that others do not put posters up. To be included on the next agenda.

8 Clerk’s Update

8.1 Finance

8.1.1 Bank Balances and Statements

20.11.22 Bank Balances

Community Account     £7118.85
Business Account          1964.59
Unpresented Cheques    £138.80
Balance:                        £8944.64

Statements were shown to the Chair.

8.1.2 Payments

100759              Litter Picker             Salary                    £68.40
100758              Clerk                         Salary                    £454.50
100757              Community HBT     Defib                     £151.20 (including VAT)

Proposed:    Cllr. Kornat                     Seconded:     Cllr Audis

All agreed

8.1.3 Authorisation Update

Cllr. Lenton to visit Barclays with ID to become a signatory.

8.2    Correspondence/Communications

Cllr. Slater was thanked by the Chair for his role in the Remembrance Service. 

8.3      Clerk’s Post

Agreed: To proceed as planned

8.4   Finance Group

Agreed: Clerk to organise a meeting for the finance discussion and the group can present their proposals in January 2023.

8.5    Councillor Training

Cllr. Slater has attended the training as planned.

Agreed: Cllr. Slater to meet with the Chair and report back to the Council

Clerk to review future training dates with the new Clerk.

9.      Agenda Items for the Next Meeting 

Noticeboard 

Grant Application

Next Meeting to be held:

Monday 23rd January 2023 7pm Timberland Village Hall

Action Checklist