May 2023 Minutes Annual Parish Meeting
FALDINGWORTH PARISH COUNCIL
faldingworthpc@hotmail.com
https://faldingworth.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL FALDINGWORTH PARISH MEETING
Memorial Hall Faldingworth
Wednesday 17 May 2023 PRESENT D.Waine (Chair), D Whelan (Clerk)
D.Dickinson, P.Gregson, W.Green, A Lilywhite, T. Howard
APM23/24 - 0501 Minutes of Previous meeting
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 18 May 2022 were approved and signed
APM23/24 - 0502 Matters arising
There were no matters arising that were reported.
APM23/24 - 0503 Chairperson’s Report
The Parish Clerk Andy Hopkins resigned after the May 2022 meeting due to ill health. The breach was again filled by Wendy Green acting as the Temporary Parish Clerk and Pamela Gregson acting as the Financial Officer. This involved them in considerable time and effort for the benefit of the Parish Council. They both as ever fulfilled the roles in a highly effective manner, and they are both thanked for their efforts.
To ensure the Faldingworth Parish website was maintained correctly and kept up to date. The Council appointed and now pay, a Web Monitor to undertake this work on our behalf.
The Linconshire Road Traffic Partnership carried out a speed traffic survey on the 40mph stretch of Lincoln Road and the results were passed to the Council. The reported gave the mean speed on this road was 38.3mph and the conclusion was that road did not require any speed curb measures. This was noted with disappointment by the Council as, on this road and other roads in the village a small but significant number of vehicles were recorded at very high speeds.
The problems have continued with the Speed Indicator display. This is due to lack of volunteers to move the indicator between the three allocated sites and regularly recharge its battery. The indicator is quite large and relatively heavy and unfortunately beyond the ability of most residence to handle safely.
I wish to tank Cllr Mark Thompson for investigating the possibility of forming a Speed Watch. Unfortunately, there was very little interest from Parishioners in supporting this initiative.
To enable a War Memorial site consisting of the silhouette of a soldier in Faldingworth, Wendy Green on behalf of the Council, entered negotiations with Kisimul School. Thanks to Wendy Green’s hard work, Faldingworth Parish Council has leased a small plot of land at the entrance to Kisimul School. The lease has been obtained on excellent terms and the silhouette has now been placed on the land, again with the assistance of Wendy Green.
A number of bulbs and plants were donated to Faldingworth Parish Council by Market Rasen Rotary Club. These were subsequently planted at a suitable location by Wendy Green and Pamela Gregson.
The Council investigated a number of proposals regarding the number of dogs on the Playing Field located at Jubilee Avenue. These ranged from a dedicated area for dogs to enforcement of the ‘no dogs’ policy. Unfortunately due to a number of issues and costs, no immediate solution was immediately possible.
The Muli Frame ball game structure was cleaned with the help of David Dickinson, whose truck proved invaluable in safely reaching the higher surface.
The new steps on access for the slide located on the play area failed, and an amendment to the design is currently been undertaken by the contract who installed them. A number of minor points were raised by Wicksteed on their Annual Risk Assessment of the play areas. Of most concern was the Children’s Play Area located at Boundary Walk. Here the condition of the play equipment using wooden supports is highlighted, as a variety of splits in the beams are evident and some are now close to the fixing pins. A further concern was raised regarding the buried sections of wooden supports as their condition is unknown. An excavation schedule has been prepared but the work has not yet been carried out. It must however be highlighted that in Wicksteed’s opinion these supported have now only a limited life.
APM23/24 - 0504 Clerk's Report
Debbie Whelan was formally appointed Clerk in November 2023.
The financial duties of the end of year audit were carried out by Debbie Whelan and a clear audit was achieved. This was carried out by Carl Thomas as recommended by Andy Hopkins.
The name of the bank account has been transferred from Councillor Gregson into the name of the Parish Clerk for future transactions.
Finances:
This year started off with a bank balance of £45,987.09 which was made up of the Section 106 Reserve of £30,121.71 and General Reserve of £15,865.38. This latter amount included the precept of £9,697.00.
During the year the Council received £9810.3. This comprised the annual precept and £113.33 in interest from the bank account.
The Council’s total expenditure in the financial year was £4,736.20. This included uncleared amounts paid by cheque amounting to £569.34.
This left a net balance of £11,264.16 for the financial year in the General Reserve and £30,235.04 in the earmarked Section 106 Reserve fund.
On 17th January 2023 a precept of £9,550.00 was RESOLVED which resulted in a 0.03% DECREASE for the residents of the Parish in the budget for the new financial year.
APM23/24 - 0505 Public Comment
There were no issues raised by members of the public.
Next Meeting 15th May 2024