Minutes of the Meeting of Leven Parish Council held on Tuesday 5th December 2023
Held at 7.15pm – Leven Primary School
Present: Cllr S. Mathison (chair), Cllr. L. Burrows (vice chair), Cllr. C. Ablett, Cllr. A. Fearnall, Cllr. F Hood, Cllr. G. Jones, Cllr. I. Lamping, Cllr. J. Richardson
In attendance: Ann Woodward (interim clerk), PCSO Lynch and PCSO Burton, (Humberside Police), Suzanne Cook, (Vicar Holy Trinity Church Leven), Cllr. P. Smith (ERYC).
No members of the public were present.
23-24/118 Apologies: Cllr. D. Robins, Cllr. C Farley
23-24/119 Declaration of interest both pecuniary and non-pecuniary
None
23-24/120 Introduction – Suzanne Cook, Vicar of Holy Trinity Church Leven
Ms. Cook reported that she arrived in Leven in July 2023 and has been licenced for 13 years as a vicar after training in Cambridge. Prior to moving to East Yorkshire the vicar worked in Northumbria for 6 years and has always worked in rural areas. Ms. Cook has a strong belief that churches should be open to their communities and would like to encourage this at the churches in Leven and Brandesburton. The vicar explained she has a liberal inclusive approach to her role.
The vicar also thanked parish councillors who have supported her planning of the carol concert on the 17th December at 5pm. Cllr. Richardson asked if community celebrations in the future could involve the community in coming together to work on something for example, the tree displays currently in the Beverley Minster. It was agreed that this could be considered for next year or for other celebrations in 2025. The Chair thanked Ms. Cook for her attendance.
23-24/121 Introduction – Sam Rogerson, Leven Life
Deferred for a future meeting
23-24/122 To receive the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Ward Councillor report and the report from Humberside Police.
PCSO Lynch and PCSO Burton attended. Cllr. Jones explained her role in respect of the Playing Fields. A discussion was had regarding the anti-social behaviour observed at the sports hall. The officers confirmed they now regularly patrol the area. Target hardening and other security solutions were discussed, and it was agreed that broader responsibilities for reporting issues should be taken by the community. Grant funding opportunities to support security measures were discussed and PCSO Lynch agreed to support any application. It was reported that there had been no other crimes reported in the Parish during this period. The chair thanked the officers for their attendance.
Cllr. P. Smith reported he had held a meeting with relevant ERYC officers to discuss the state of the cycle path to Beverley. He plans to bring representatives together from the relevant parish councils to agree what the priority actions should be to put to officers. He is also meeting with the Commuted Sums officer in January to better understand how these funds can be released. In light of the previous discussion regarding anti-social behaviour, as a member of the Safer and Stronger Committee Cllr. Smith stated he is happy to support the Parish’s representation on the matter with the Chief Constable. In respect of the Yarrows planning application before the council today, Cllr Smith confirmed the application has been called in by Members so it will go before the Eastern Area Planning Committee rather than be determined by officers of the council. Cllr. Smith reported that the Liberal Democrat Group had tragically lost 2 councillor colleagues in a single day which has had a massive impact on the group. The chair expressed the condolences of the Council and thanked Cllr. Smith for his attendance.
23-24/123 To approve the minutes of the last meeting.
Proposed to above Cllr. Richardson
Seconded by Cllr. Ablett
Minutes approved.
23-24/124 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.
In respect of the Christmas switch on Cllr. Richardson wished to thank Cllrs. Mathison, Farley and Ablett for setting up the tree and lights.
23/24/125 To receive feedback from the Personnel Committee
Cllr. Jones circulated the minutes of the committee. The Committee recommended to the Council that the NALC pay award recommendations be adopted for the Clerk, The Handyman and arrears be paid to the former Clerk. This was agreed unanimously.
Applications received for the post of Clerk had been discussed. 3 candidates were short listed for interview, to be held on the 9th January 2024. The interview panel would be Cllrs. Mathison, Burrows, Farley and Jones. Cllr. Richardson declared an interest in one of the candidates and did not take part in discussions related to that person.
This was agreed unanimously.
It was agreed that the newly appointed clerk would start on SCP 7.
It was agreed that the handyman, subject to appraisal in the new year, would move grade subject to the outcome of the meeting.
It was discussed that in future a statement would be put into the job description of the clerk that would ask for a commitment to the council for a given length of time if training has been paid for by the council. This would require an employee to be asked to pay 50% of the costs should they leave within that stated timescale. This was agreed unanimously.
23-24/126 To elect a chair of the Personnel Committee
It was agreed that Cllr. Fearnall would chair the Personnel Committee
Proposed – Cllr. Mathison
Seconded – Cllr. Burrows
23/24/127 To agree members of the Emergency Plan Management Team
The clerk explained that the Leven Parish Emergency Plan is being updated in conjunction with the Humber Emergency Planning (HEP) Team and that the Parish is required to form a Management Team to work with the HEP team in the event an emergency is declared.
It was agreed unanimously that the Leven Emergency Plan Management Team would be:
Cllr. Mathison, Cllr. Lamping, Cllr. Ablett, Cllr. Richardson and the Clerk.
23-24/128 To receive and note the clerk’s update.
The clerk updated the Council on the status of the bank transfer and reported the Chair will now be added as a further signatory. A request for a debit card for online purchases is also being made.
Issues related to accessing HMRC have been resolved.
Forms for service to ERYC have been issued regarding flooding on West Street, Tree maintenance issues near a property on Sandholme Lane, and fly tipping at the layby on North Road.
The Scribe accounting software is working very well and saving a large amount of time in managing the parish accounts.
The new Website will be going live before Christmas and training will be provided to the clerk.
VAT has been claimed for September- October 2023.
New equipment is being ordered for the handyman.
The clerk met with Graham Stuart MP to discuss Peartree Solar Farm and fed back on the discussion.
23/24/129 Action Tracker update
Progress noted. Cllr. Ablett confirmed that Cllr. Robins was happy to sit on the Windfarm committee
23/24/130 To note ERYC Planning Applications
- Variation of Condition 2 (extraction of materials) of planning permission 10/01703/ STVARE (variation of condition 2 of planning permission 303-297, to allow the quarry to be worked until 2024) to allow the quarry to be worked until July 2039 – Yarrows Aggregates Ltd. Little Catwick Quarry.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would not support the application and felt that the existing timescale outlined in the original planning application should remain.
23/24/131 To note the following ERYC planning decisions.
- Installation of through floor lift – 85 East Street – Noted
23/24/132 to note Correspondence.
- ERYC – devolution arrangement – Noted.
Parish and Town Council Precepts 2024/25 Council Tax Base – Noted and considered later in the meeting.
Notice of alterations to electoral roll – Noted.
23/24/133 Financial Matters and governance – review and approve.
- Banking Update – Noted.
- To receive details of Nov 2023 payments and approve December 2023 payments.
- November completed payments.
Salaries
Grass cutting
ERNLLCA whole council training
Get Extra webhosting.
Bank transfer to Unity Bank (opening balance)
- December pending payments
Salaries
G Mitchell
A Woodward
ERYC – Job Advert £60
ERYC Street Lighting £186.26
Postage (AW) £4.20
Cartridge People (AW) printer ink and paper £60.98
Payments agreed for processing.
- To consider and approve any Councillor training – None.
- 2024/25 Precept and provisional budget
The clerk had prepared a provisional budget for 2024/25 based on an inflation rate of 4% and increases to staffing costs in line with the NALC pay award. The clerk also recommended a cost code for Section 137 payments be created. Options had been prepared for setting the precept.
The Council agreed to set the 2024/25 at £19090.75 to account for inflation. Due to a growth in the tax base of +5% this will not increase the payment to residents, which at Band D will remain at £19.73.
Proposed by Cllr. Ablett
Seconded by Cllr. Fearnall
- Budget Monitoring Report and Bank reconciliation report (Oct 23) – (Scribe)
Noted and reconciliation checked and signed by the Chair of the Finance Committee, Cllr. Burrows
22/23/134 Councillor representatives reports – verbal
Cllr. Jones had visited Leven School to discuss the youth club. It was clarified that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council own the land on which the school and youth club are located. There has been problems with young people attending the youth club unsupervised and causing some damage in the school grounds. The lease is currently being reviewed alongside safeguarding , and it is proposed that young people attending the youth club in the future will not have access to the school grounds.
There is currently a vacancy on the school governing body. It was agreed that Cllr. Jones would apply to fill this vacancy so there will be a Parish Council representative on the body.
Proposed by Cllr. Fearnall
Seconded by Cllr. Richardson.
Councillors Jones and Burrows wish to attend the ERYC workshop being held at Burnby Hall. Agreed that they will both apply.
23/24/135 General Purpose Matters
Cllr. Mathison noted the resignation of Cllr. Jennings from the Parish Council. It was agreed that the clerk will send a letter expressing thanks for his role on the council. In terms of replacement, it was agreed that as the Council will not be meeting in January, the process will proceed in February 2024. The Clerk will contact Electoral Services.
- Christmas Competition and events update
Promotion of the Light up Leven will be carried out. Entries are coming in and the prize has been prepared.
- Defrib locations
It was agreed that a defibrillator would be beneficial at the Recreational Hall location as there are new housing developments in the area. Cllr. Ablett agreed to investigate grant funding opportunities with the Windfarm funds. Cllr. Richardson will contact the Dr. Sykes Fund. It was also agreed that a defibrillator at the end of Sandholme Lane close to the canal would be beneficial.
- Noticeboards
Cllr. Richardson requested help with ensuring the West Street noticeboard opens properly.
It was agreed that the Councillor list would be updated to show what local groups they represent.
23/24/136 Date of the next meeting Tuesday 1st February 2024 at 7.15pm at Leven School.
The meeting closed at 21.45pm
Ann Woodward
Interim Clerk Leven Parish Council
Signed by the Chair —————————————————————————
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