March 2021
ROTHWELL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting held virtually on Wednesday 10th March 2021 at 7:30pm.
Present: Cllrs S Davey (Chairman), C. Dale, W. Emms,
Also present: David Beer (Clerk)
1) Apologies: Cllr I. Kireia, Cllr Deakin, Cllr Thomas
2) Co-option of councillor: Mrs Emma Ellinor was co-opted as Councillor. Proposed Cllr Davey, seconded Cllr Emms.
3) Declarations of interest: None.
4) Minutes of meeting of 11th January 2021: Signed as a true record.
5) Chairman & council’s comments: The Chairman welcomed Mrs Ellinor to the Council
6) Clerk's report on outstanding matters:
Footpath finances: The clerk reported that the footpath is now fully paid for by LWSDF and the balance made up by the Councillor Initiative Fund. The money is in the account and all bills have been paid.
Broken signage on Partridge Drive – clerk has emailed WLDC and they have responded and say the sign is to go on other side of road. (Cllr Dale asked the clerk to query the positioning.)
Clerk’s training: The clerk has enrolled for training for New Parish Clerks with LALC (Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils) The Annual Training Scheme membership fee is £90.00 – fee to be split between Rothwell and Claxby £45.00 each. Agreed.
Notice Board – the clerk reported that the noticeboard in the bus stop is in need of some TLC. Cllr Dale agreed to inspect and re-coat if necessary.
7) Finance: accounts for payment: D Beer: £256.50 ; HMRC: 51.60; Claxby Parish Council £45.00. Resolved to pay.
On line banking: As it is quite difficult to change signatories and address registered with NatWest it was suggested it might be easier to open an account with another bank and then close the Nat West account. Cllr Davey will look into this.
8) Planning applications: None.
9) Correspondence; Letter from Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team asking if there are any community or voluntary organisations that need financial help post COVID. The Village Hall Commitee was identified as the only voluntary organisation in the area. Clerk to respond.
10) Flooding/Drainage. Cllr Emms reported that excess rain water is filling up the sewers and then foul water is running into people’s gardens at the bottom of the hill. Anglian Water, WLDC and the Environment agency have all been informed of this situation. Unless something is done, this will reoccur every time there is a lot of rain. Cllr Emms suggested a letter to our MP may have some effect. Clerk to deal with this with advice from Cllr Emms.
11) Update on footpath on Beckside: the footpath is now fenced and gated. It was recently seeded and it is hoped it will be useable by end of April. Cllr Dale agreed to organise the correct signage to read “Permissive footpath”. Cost is expected to be approx £20-30.
12) Speed restriction signs for the village. The outgoing clerk had left us a temporary “check your speed” sign, which could serve a purpose, but it was thought that a more permanent solution to speeding should be found. The clerk reported that funding of £131.70 from the Councillor Initiative Fund had been agreed for this purpose. To be discussed further.
13) AOB: Cllr Dale reported that 2 villagers had asked for a plot of land for growing vegetables. None was identified.
Cllr Emms reported a broken signpost at the NE end of the village. As these wooden signs are designated as “heritage” signs, the clerk agreed to investigate which department at LCC would deal with this.
Cllr Davey offered to have his mobile number displayed on the website so villagers have a point of contact with the council.
Cllr Dale reported that the newsletter informing villagers of the new website had now been printed and distributed and asked if we could know the number of hits the website gets, and whether the website could have a contact form. Clerk to investigate.
Date of next meeting was agreed to be 19th May at 7.30 p.m. to include the AGM. It is hoped this will be in the village hall.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.26 pm