Minutes March 2023
MINUTES OF LUDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council Meeting was held on Thursday 2 March 2023, at the Village Hall, Ludford at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT: Chairman Cllr Mrs Ridger
Vice-Chairman Cllr Guthrie
Cllrs: Brader & Lewis.
Also Present: Fry (ELDC).
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Fisher.
2. Minutes of Meeting
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12th January 2023 were approved and signed.
4. Correspondence
Clerks & Councils-Mag E-Brief & LALC Newsletter-noted.
5 Finance
The Clerk distributed a statement of Income and Expenditure which met the Council’s approval.
Clerks Salary £363.32 Brit Gas-Lighting-Jan £132.12
Income
Café-Defib Donation £ 79.46
All accounts were received and agreed for payment.
The Committee noted the forecast end of year balance.
No action required Re: Clerk’s Salary at this time.
The Clerk had calculated the savings made by changing to British Gas, alongside the increase in electricity usage (roughly £10 per month), which had to be due to the installation of a heated cabinet for the defibulator and following discussion, it was
RESOLVED that the monies collected for the defibulator maintenance, should also be used to cover the additional cost of the electricity for the heated cabinet, which was necessity for the operation of the defibulator.
6. Reports
Village Hall Committee
The Committee noted that the Village Hall Committee had held its AGC and Ms Jacklin was to remain as Chairman. Mrs Guthrie retired as President and Mrs Ridger had been elected to this role. She, therefore, advised that she would, of course, declare an interest on any further reports she made in respect of this group. A Coronation Tea was to be held on Sunday 07/05/23, a Pre-loved Antiques Sale on 15/04/23 and Parish Elections on 04/05/23.
Speeding/Traffic Calming
Cllr Lewis reported that the Community Speed Watch group were back in action, there had even been a Police presence on one occasion and 3 new members had joined the group.
Defibulator
Cllr Lewis gave the Clerk a further donation from the café of £55.00 for the defibulator fund. The Parish Council extended their sincere thanks and would present 2 Platinum Jubilee glasses to the café as a gesture of their appreciation. Cllr Lewis reported that the unit continued to be monitored and was in full working order.
7. Business
Planning Applications
The Committee noted that an amendment had been submitted in respect of Planning Application N/108/02135/22, Outline erection of 2 no. dwellings – Land at, Magna Mile, and the revised application had been approved by the District Council.
The Committee did advise Cllr Fry (ELDC) that as a Parish Council, it was still felt that the advise/informed insight given on planning applications was still generally overlooked by the District Council. There had been particular concerns raised regarding an earlier permission, where the restrictions on the permission had been completely disregarded, leaving the Parish Council and Parishioners dissatisfied. Cllr Fry asked that he be copied into any Parish Council concerns and asked to raised any issues on our behalf.
Overgrown Footpaths/Hedges
The Committee noted that the hedge from the War Memorial to Church Lane urgently needed attention, it was known that the ownership of the hedge had changed. Clerk to ascertain ownership and write requesting action.
Cllr Fry advised of a new initiative called “Grotspots”, whereby Parishioners, Parish Councils could report areas of concern and a team would come and attend to these areas. He further advised that there were grants for “Warm Hubs”, “IT Hubs” and Councillor Grants would also be available in the new financial year.
Planters, Disposal of Tyres & Village Entrance Gate
The Chairman advised that she would purchase the planters shortly, then the tyres could be removed. The Vice-Chairman reported that he would try to finish and put the gates in during the next few weeks and Cllr Brader offered to assist him.
White Bollards-Stocks Hill
The Committee noted that this item had been attended to and could be removed from the Agenda.
8. Matters for Discussion
Cllr Brader kindly volunteered to man the road closure at one end of the village for the 101 Memorial Parade on 11 June 2023. He would not be continuing as a Councillor, but advised that he was happy to assist the Parish Council where possible.
Item for September Agenda – New Christmas Tree Lead (armoured cable). Vice-Chairman advised that it was hopeful Church Diocese would grant permission for the removal of fir tree.
9. Dates of Next Meeting
AGM Thursday 18 May 2023 at 7.00pm.
Meeting closed 9.05 pm.
Signed ................................... Chairman/Vice-Chairman Date ....................