LITTLE ECCLESTON WITH LARBRECK PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Thursday 11th January 2024, 7.00pm at Elswick Village Hall, Roseacre Road, Elswick.
PRESENT: Cllr P Bull (Chair), Cllr G Stead (Vice Chair) , Cllr Sandra Milton, Cllr N Smith, Cllr A M Bull, Cllr Steve Milton
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Lingings (Clerk), LCC Cllr J Singleton (Agenda Item 10 only), FBC Cllr P Hayhurst
Public Participation
No members of the public attended.
1134/24 1. Apologies for Absence
1135/24 2. Declaration of Interests and Dispensations
Cllrs S & S Milton, Agenda item 5 (pecuniary), Agenda Item 9 (pecuniary)
1136/24 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting 9th November 2023 as an accurate record and were signed by the Chair.
1137/24 4. Action Tracker
The action tracker of previous decisions of the council was noted and updated.
1138/24 5. Finance
- It was resolved to approve the monthly bank reconciliation.
- It was resolved to approve the cumulative budget report.
- It was resolved to approve payments.
Payee Details Net VAT Gross
United Trust Bank Charges 18.00 0 18.00
Salaries/PAYE Staff costs inc backdated rise 690.28 0 690.28
J Lingings Admin Reimburse 40.00 0 40.00
Mr S Milton Amenity Cleansing 390.00 0 390.00
Mr S Milton Reimburse groundwork and Amenity consumables 52.35 5.47 57.82
Society of Local Council Clerks Membership fee 112.00 0 112.00
EDF Energy Unmetered electric supply 11.35 0.57 11.92
AON UK Limited In Bloom group insurance 100.00 0.00 100.00
Income received: Donation Envirocare £108.86
Donation from Great Eccleston Show Committee £363.58
Interest £66.65
1139/24 6. 2024/25 Budget
The final proposed budget was presented to the Council and was discussed at length. Earmarked reserves were also re-considered and revised in line with the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance (JPAG). It was resolved that the total funding precept requirement would be £20,000.00 The clerk will inform Fylde Borough Council.
1140/24 7. Monthly Health and Safety Risk Assessment
Blocked gullies near Cartford Close have been reported via the Love Clean Streets app.
The Parish Council is advised by a resident, that these reports appear to be marked as closed, but one gully is still blocked, causing water to flow around the kerb side which in icy weather could be hazardous. Cllr J Singleton has agreed to liaise with LCC for further action.
1141/24 8. Planning and Licensing
No planning applications were received at the time of the agenda.
1142/24 9. Amenities/Maintenance/Environment
Cllr Sandra Milton and Cllr Steve Milton left the meeting
Amenity Cleansing Contract – following a verbal contract review summary delivered by Cllrs P Bull and G Stead, it was resolved to extend the contract into Year 2 as per the terms of the contract. The clerk will write to the contractor. It was resolved that the watering will continue as additional duties for 2024.
Cllr Sandra Milton and Cllr Steve Milton rejoined the meeting.
Open Spaces Contract – following the verbal contract review summary delivered by Cllrs P Bull and G Stead, it was resolved to extend the contract into Year 2 as per the terms of the contract. The clerk will write to the contractor and add a contract variation to include one shrubbed area at Cartford Close, which has been agreed during contract review discussions with the contractor (note – the contractor has agreed to do this additional work at no extra cost to the Parish Council).
Road Sweeping Quotation – having reviewed the costings for this additional service, it was resolved not to proceed. Fylde Borough Council does provide this service to the area on a bi-monthly basis.
Barrel Planters – it was resolved to purchase 6 new barrels to replace the wooden ones throughout the village which despite numerous repairs and yearly maintenance now need replacement. Authentic looking self-watering barrel planters made from recycled plastic will be purchased. A budget of £500 was agreed from the Village Improvement reserve. Additional funding has been requested through the Parish Champion Grant scheme – should this grant be successful, it was resolved a further 6 barrels will be purchased.
1143/24 10. County & Borough Council
- FBC: Neighbourhood Development Plans – having considered background information provided by FBC, it was resolved not to pursue the development of a plan at the present time. The clerk will inform FBC.
- FBC: Development of a Town and Parish Council Training – it was resolved that the Parish Council had not identified any additional training sessions that could be included into FBCs training plan. The Clerk will inform FBC.
- A586 Roadworks: the Parish Council has over the past couple of months raised their concern with LCC Highways at the damage to grass verges and debris in the gutters and roads, which has been generated during the roadworks. Whilst the Parish Council understands that the works have been undertaken by utility contractors, they have requested LCC liaise with them on behalf of the Parish Council. It was resolved that the Parish Council will raise this matter further with MP Mark Menzies.
1144/24 11. Lancashire Devolution Consultation (lancashiredevolution.co.uk)
In November 2023, the Government announced it would be willing to enter into a devolution deal with Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council. A consultation on this proposal is running for eight weeks until 26 January 2024. It was resolved that the Parish Council would need to understand the long-term effects of this proposal in more detail and felt that they were not in a position to submit comments as a Parish Council at this time.
1145/24 12. Internal Audit
It was resolved to approve the Internal Audit Terms of Reference and suggested testing methodology.
It was resolved to appoint Jan Finch as the Internal Auditor.
1146/24 13. Items for the Next Agenda
Effectiveness of Internal Audit Controls Review
1147/24 14. Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 8th February 2024