clerk@levenparishcouncil.gov.uk
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on Tuesday, 12th November 2024, 7:15pm in Leven CE (VC) School.
Present: Cllr. S. Mathison (chair), Cllr. L. Burrows (vice chair), Cllr. C. Ablett, Cllr. C. Farley, Cllr, A. Fearnall, Cllr. F. Hood, Cllr. G. Jones, Cllr. I. Lamping, Cllr. J. Richardson, Cllr. D. Robins, Cllr. K. Roydhouse.
In attendance: Mrs. A. Woodward, (clerk)
Public session
No members of the public were present
24-25/127 Apologies for absence
None
24-25/128 Declaration of interest both pecuniary and non-pecuniary
None
24-25/129 To approve the minutes of the last meeting
Proposed by: Cllr. L. Burrows, Seconded by: Cllr. J. Richardson. The minutes were approved.
24-25/130 To receive a report from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Ward Member
Could not attend . The Clerk had spoken to Cllr. Smith the day before and he agreed to try and help move the issues related to The Close Offices forward.
24-25/131 To receive a report from Humberside Police
PCSO Burton is on leave
24-25/132 To receive and note the Clerk’s update report
Draft budget work has taken up a lot of time this month.
Quotes for bus shelter have been requested and potential suppliers met with the chair on site
ERYC have improved their portal, and the clerk now gets better feedback on requests
Purchasing – financial regulations
The clerk reminded councillors that in accordance with regulations
- All expenditure needs to be authorised in advance at meeting unless an emergency to allow proper discussion and decision making. Emergency expenditure can be authorised by Clerk.
The clerk also requested that:
- All correspondence to the clerk should be copied into the Chairman.
- Single councillor requests for financial information are only agreed if other councillors can be copied in. (Usual policy with councillors at parish and ward level).
This was agreed.
The Clerk reminded councillors that:
An event health and safety assessment for the Christmas lights needs to be completed.
Next month we will get the precept calculator to finalise the budget.
24-25/133 To note and update the Parish Council Action Tracker
Noted
24-25/134 To consider and comment on East Riding of Yorkshire planning applications
None submitted this month
24-25/135 To note East Riding of Yorkshire planning decisions
24/02551/PLF Erection of a boundary fence, 1 Blacksmith Place
Refused
24/026861/PLF Installation of solar panels to the rear roof/removal of panels from front of roof Charters Butchers, South Street
Approved
24-25/136 To note correspondence
136/1 Parish Open Door – re The Close Offices
The clerk outlined the action being taken by ERYC in relation to a potential asset transfer of the office on The Close to the Parish Council. The Clerk has drafted an outline proposal to send to ERYC to inform this process.
136/2 Targeted consultation – Peartree Solar Farm
RWE have targeted local councils with an interest in the Peartree Solar Farm development. The amended list of mitigations was considered, these do not impact any further on Leven. The parish council refers back to the concerns already raised with RWE regarding disruption in the Parish due to development work and the wider impact on farming and wildlife.
136/3 Skirlaugh Newsletter – feedback
The editor of the above has responded to the parish query regarding potential for a Leven circulation and copy. It has been agreed that the newsletter will remain a publication for the Skirlaugh area Benefice but that the editor will still be happy to take copy from the Leven area.
136/4 Local Government Services Pay Award
The NALC agreed pay award for local council staff has been published and considered by the Personnel subcommittee.
136/5 VE Day – May 2025
Publicity material from the Royal British Legion has been circulated re the above. It was agreed that subject to costs sourced by the Clerk the Parish Council would revisit this in January.
136/6 Energy Project Enabling Fund Guidance
Noted
136/7 ERYC Anti-Social Behaviour data
Noted
136/8 Parish Open Door meet and greet 28th November 2024
It was agreed that Cllr. Jones, Cllr. Fearnall and Cllr. Burrows will attend.
24-25/137 To receive and consider the monthly budget monitoring report
Noted
24-25/138 To note and authorise the bank reconciliations for July and August Reconciliations
Noted and authorised.
24-25/139 To receive details of October payments
Payments:
10/10/24 Scribe Subscription £14.40
7/10/24 Royal British Legion £40
1/10/24 ERYC SLA Street Lights 2024 £172.55
24/10/24 HMRC Quarter 3 £864.42
24/25/140 To approve November payments
Clerks Salary – £694.10
Handyman’s Salary – £423.30
Autela Payroll Aug ,Sept, Oct, Nov – £75.05
Scribe Subscription – £14.40
Get Extra Hosting 2025, Mailgun, Office Apps and Email Standard, Email 11 accounts, Basic Security, Anti Malware 2025, Plugin renewals Upgrade to Standard Security (free) – £1894.56
Unity Trust Bank Service Charge – £5.40
24-25/141 Report of and recommendations from the Finance Sub Committee, to consider:
141/1 The draft budget for 2025/26 subject to necessary amendments when setting of the precept at the December Meeting
The Chair of the finance subcommittee recommended to the Parish Council that the draft be agreed in principle subject to the Precept Calculator.
Cllr. Farley asked that the clerk look into the HMRC charges for 2024/25
Proposed by Cllr. Fearnall and seconded by Cllr. Burrows.
The clerk will bring a refined version to the next meeting.
24-25/142 The migration to the full Scribe Accounts Package rather than Scribe Lite
The Parish Council has been using the Scribe Accounting software now for a year and the benefits in time saving and professionalism have been high. The Finance subcommittee considered a recommendation from the Clerk to move to Scribe Professional which gives enhanced functionality for budgeting, audit preparation and reporting. This will mean the charge will rise from £14.40 per month to £31 per month .
It was agreed to support the subcommittee recommendation, Proposed, Cllr. Richardson, seconded Cllr. Fearnall
24-25/143 To consider quotes received for the replacement bus shelter on South Street and agree which quote to accept
This item was deferred as only 2 of the 3 quotes have been received to date.
24-25/144 To approve and agree purchase of Christmas decorations £111.45
It was proposed that a small number of tree decorations be purchased this year to enhance the village Christmas tree. Proposed Cllr. Fearnall, seconded Cllr. Mathison. Agreed.
24-25/145 To consider and approve any additional Councillor/officer training
None
24-25/146 To receive Councillor representative update reports
Cllr. Ablett reported that the Routh Windfarm Panel has opened for applications again. This is open from October- April. The under £1k funding remains open all year and currently there are 3 bids from Leven being considered.
Cllr. Robins reported that the Scouts are providing boxes for people to post their Christmas cards for distribution in the community for a small donation.
Cllr. Jones reported that the Youth Group has a new Chairperson, Rob Towse and a new secretary. The youth group report that their beacon on the playing field needs removing and wanted to know if the Parish Council would want it. It was agreed that it will be stored for now.
Cllr. Fearnall reported that the previous tenant in the Sports Hall Members Club has removed all the equipment providing an additional lane for the bowling club. It is believed that the Playing Field Association is contracting with a new tenant for the members club area although this has not been discussed with the committee. Concerns were expressed that this commercial arrangement may impact of the ability of the Association to attract commuted sums.
The Parish Council would like to thank all those involved in organising and attending the Remembrance Day Service , with a special thanks to Dan the bugler.
24-25/147 General purpose matters
147/1 Commuted Sums planning group update
The first meeting was well attended by Community Groups. The clerk outlined the process and groups asked questions. Each group then said a little bit about what they were doing and the challenges faced. It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on 27th November at 7pm.
The clerk had worked with the resident who is advising the group on consultation and a proposal will be shared at the next meeting. The representatives all agreed to take the information back to their organisations and come to the next meeting to share how they think the Commuted Sums may help. Two new groups will be represented at the next meeting, The East Street Bowls Group and a new Archery Group.
147/2 The Close office
ERYC have asked the Parish Council to outline their proposal for the use of the above so they can consider a value for the potential asset transfer. The Parish Council agreed a draft proposal to forward the Council.
Cllr. Jones asked if an alternative venue for meetings could be agreed in the interim as the school venue was limited by access and acoustics. It was agreed that the Sports Hall would be approached.
147/3 – Communications
A Chairmans report has been written and agreed for Leven Life. A Facebook page is now in development by Cllr. Ablett. Cllr. Hood agreed to mock up a sample newsletter should the parish see this as a way forward.
147/4 – Arrangements for Christmas Tree Light Switch on and Light up Leven
Cllr. Hood has drafted some publicity material for both events, this was approved by the Parish Council. It was agreed that 200 flyers would be printed at a cost of £27 from Section 137 funds
Cllr. Farley reported that the New Inn will be providing mulled wine for the event.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would fund a prize for Light Up Leven of £50 via Section 137 funds. Proposed by Cllr. Richardson and seconded by Cllr. Ablett
It was agreed that the lights would be put on the tree on 30th November in the morning for the event starting 6th December at 7pm.
It was agreed to ask Cllr. Paul Smith to judge the Light Up Leven competition this year.
24-25/148 Report and recommendations of the Personnel Committee (public excluded)
It was recommended by the subcommittee and thereafter agreed that the NALC pay awards would be adopted by the Council for its employees.
The personnel subcommittee also recommended that a temporary amendment to the clerks hours be agreed to provide support to the commuted sums action group. This was agreed.
24-25/149 Date and Time of the Next Meeting 3rd December 2024 7.15pm, Leven School
PLEASE NOTE THE VENUE HAS NOW BEEN CHANGED TO THE SPORTS HALL
Ann Woodward Clerk to Leven parish council
Signed: Cllr. S. Mathison______________________________________________________