LITTLE ECCLESTON WITH LARBRECK PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Thursday 9th November 2023, 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
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Lingings (Clerk), FBC Cllr P Hayhurst
Public Participation
One member of the public attended to discuss the Wyre Borough Council Licensing Committee hearing for application for Premises Licence Land at Valiants Farm.
1113/23 1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr Steve Milton
1114/23 2. Declaration of Interests and Dispensations
Cllr S Milton, Agenda item 5 (pecuniary), Agenda Item 11 (pecuniary)
Cllr P Bull Agenda item 5 (pecuniary)
Cllr G Stead Agenda item 5 (pecuniary)
1115/23 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting 12th October 2023 as an accurate record and were signed by the Chair.
1116/23 4. Action Tracker
The action tracker of previous decisions of the council was noted and updated.
1117/23 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
NetWise Training Ltd Hosting and domain renewal 350.00 70.00 420.00
S Ball Reimbursement in bloom 46.98 0 46.98
P Bull Reimbursement wreath 28.98 0 28.98
G Stead Reimbursement fencing 91.59 16.68 108.27
Envirocare Grounds Maint. Open Spaces Contract Works 3167.00 633.40 3800.40
Salaries/PAYE Staff costs 455.29 0 455.29
J Lingings Admin Reimburse 40.00 0 40.00
Mr S Milton Amenity Cleansing 390.00 0 390.00
EDF Energy Unmetered electric supply 11.07 0.28 11.35
As the Parish Council does not meet in December, the validating second signature for December payments will not be added until the payment date.
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
EDF Energy Unmetered electric supply 11.07 0.28 11.35
Unity Trust Bank charges quarterly 18.00 0.00 18.00
Income received: nil
Business Continuity – it was resolved to approve all Councillors who are signatories on the bank account be given permission to view, approve and authorise. The two-signature rule still applies. The Clerk will action with Unity Trust.
1118/23 6. 2024/25 Budget
The Councillors discussed replacement of the flower barrels around the parish, which are deteriorating, for recycled plastic options. This will be factored into the budget for next year.
It was resolved that the Parish Clerk will apply for the Parish Champion Grant funding for £500.00 which if successful will assist with the replacement of barrels.
1119/23 7. Monthly Health and Safety Risk Assessment
Nil raised.
1120/23 8. Planning and Licensing
No planning applications were received at the time of the agenda.
Update – Application for Premises Licence Land at Valiants Farm: this application is due to be decided by the Licensing Committee. This date has been changed from the 3rd November, to the 22nd November 2023 from 10:00 hours at Marine Hall, The Esplanade, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6HF. It was resolved that the Parish Council is willing to speak on behalf of residents who wish to object. Residents would need to contact the Parish Council to request this. It was resolved that Cllr Stead will contact WBC Licensing Department to enquire what has been communicated to residents in regard to this offer and decide with Cllr Bull whether any further resident communication needs to be considered taking into account timescales.
As detailed in Octobers minutes, the Parish Council had raised an objection to this application with Wyre Borough Council. It was resolved that Cllrs Bull and Stead will be attending the hearing to speak as the Parish Council representatives.
1121/23 9. Amenities/Maintenance/Environment
In recognition of Remembrance Day, the Tommy figures and fencing have been installed, and the wreath will be positioned at the weekend.
In Bloom Competition – Little Eccleston had been placed for small village winning Gold and Category Winner. It was resolved that the clerk will contact Elswick Village Hall Committee to request permissions to use a wall in the meeting room for the village certificates.
1122/23 10. Land on Cartford Close
There is a small section of unmaintained land on Cartford Close. It was resolved that the clerk will make enquiries as to land ownership, any current maintenance that should be occurring in this area and possible permissions for the Parish Council to include in their open spaces program of works.
1123/23 11. Amenity Cleansing Contract
Cllr S Milton left the room.
It was resolved to approve a minor contract variation. The clerk will confirm the details of the contract variation in writing to the contractor.
Cllr S Milton rejoined the meeting.
1124/23 12. Village Open Spaces Risk Assessment
It was resolved to approve the annual risk assessment.
1125/23 13. County & Borough Council
LCC Cllr J Singletons had sent apologies but forwarded a report, which was received and noted.
1126/23 14. Standing Orders Review
It was resolved to approve the amended Standing Orders as prepared by the Clerk.
1127/23 15. Financial Regulations Review
The clerk advised the Council that NALC is working with The Parkinson Partnership LLP to update its 2019 Model Financial Regulations for England and Wales. The model financial regulations are part of a support package that local (parish and town) councils receive through their NALC and county association membership.
Once the regulations have been reviewed through this process, the clerk will bring any revisions back as an agenda item.
1128/23 16. Organisational Risk Management Plan
It was resolved to resolve to approve the annual Organisation Risk Management Plan prepared by the clerk.
1129/23 17. Asset Register
It was resolved to approve the updated asset registered prepared by the clerk.
1130/23 18. Parish Communication
Cllr AM Bull would like the Parish Council to consider a Parish Council “newsletter” to be paper published perhaps several times a year and distributed to all households in the villages of Little Eccleston and Larbreck. The publication could contain current village news, updates from the Parish Council and details of future events, as well as other items of interest for the local community. It was resolved that Cllr A Bull will put a draft together for consideration, which will be brought as an agenda item to a future meeting for further consideration.
1131/23 19. Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farms Consultation
This significant consultation details both the offshore and onshore infrastructure required to transport electricity from the Morecambe Offshore Windfarm and Morgan Offshore Wind Project to the substation at Penwortham. It was resolved that Cllr G Stead will prepare a Parish Council supported by the clerk before the closure date of Thursday 23rd November 2023.
1132/23 20. Items for the Next Agenda
- 24 25 Budget Planning
- Appointment of Internal Auditor
- Internal Audit Terms of Reference Review
- Open Spaces Contract Year 2
1133/23 21. Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 11th January 2024