Minutes – December 2023 Page 1 of 3
LIDDINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on
Wednesday 6th December 2023 at 6:30pm in the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Aftelak, Bunney (Chair) and Poppleton
Also present: Laura Evans (Clerk) and two members of the public.
1. APOLOGIES
Resolved: To approve Ward Cllr G Sumner’s reason for absence (unavailable) Cllr Wilson’s reason for absence (unavailable) and Cllr Sturgess’s reason for absence (unavailable).
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Poppleton declared an interest as Treasurer for All Saint’s Church.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Resolved: The Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 1st November 2023 were approved with Cllr Poppleton requesting an amendment to the minutes regarding the allotments as it needed more clarity.
4. MATTERS ARISING (10 MINUTES)
Gigabyte Fibre – The fibre in Church Road is now active.
Landslip Medbourne Lane – The Clerk emailed Ward Cllr G Sumner with the concerns raised regarding the landslips, no response received. Three more landslips have occurred in the last month. Due to the landslips there is now a buildup of mud and grit making the highway of Medbourne Lane dangerous. Clerk to report to SBC. Action- Clerk
Trigpoint platform Plaque – still ongoing, Cllr Aftelak still awaiting a second quotation.
5.
WARD COUNCILLOR REPORT (10 MINUTE)
No report was provided.
6. PUBLIC SESSION (15 MINUTES)
The resident in attendance expressed concern over the football traffic using Church Road, parking in driveways and turning around in residents gateways, with one driver colliding with a gate post. The resident has reported the concerns to the Wanborough Football Club Secretary and a response was received stating that the club make all the coaches of the matches aware of where parents should be parking, which is in the Village Hall or at the Village Inn pub.
Resolved: The meeting proposed that LPC purchase a large free-standing sign stating “No football traffic beyond this point” which can be placed at the end of Church Road for football matches. The football club will be responsible for ensuring the sign is placed out on match days. Action- Cllr Bunney
The Clerk to contact the football club to obtain the list of fixture dates and to ensure a match is not booked for the date of the village fete. Action – Clerk
Another resident in attendance asked if LPC would support the Village Fete again which will be held on 15th June 2024. A Fete meeting to be held on 27th January 2024.
Resolved: The meeting agreed to support the Village Fete as it has done previously.
7. PLANNING MATTERS (10 MINUTES)
(a)
To consider any planning applications:
The meeting noted that no applications had been received.
(b)
To note any comments submitted between meetings:
The meeting noted that no comments had been submitted.
Minutes – December 2023 Page 2 of 3
(c)
To note any decisions:
The meeting noted that no decisions had been received.
8. FINANCE (10 MINUTES)
(a)
To approve payment of the following invoices:
Resolved: Cllr Poppleton proposed approval of the invoices, standing order, recurring payment and ratification of the payments made between meetings. Cllr Aftelak seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
•
HMRC- Tax Month 08 – £80.40
•
Chairs Discretionary Allowance- £75.00
•
Clerks Expenses – £9.99
(b)
To approve payment of the following Standing Orders:
•
Adams & Watt – Annual grass cutting contract – December instalment- £665.36
(c)
To approve the following Direct Debits:
•
Three Mobile phone bill – £3.00
(d)
To approve payment of the following recurring payments
•
Unlimited webhosting – (18/11/2023- 17/12/2023) – £4.79
(e)
To ratify payments made between meetings
•
Salary November – £320.80
(f)
To receive the monthly account reconciliation.
Resolved: The meeting noted that the accounts were in good order.
(g)
To note the salary increase in line with the agreement reached by the NJC for 2023/24
Resolved: The meeting noted the salary increase in line with the agreement reached by the NJC.
9. REVIEW OF CLERKS HOURS
Resolved: The meeting wished to make the Clerk aware that if extra hours are needed to cover any additional admin, over the contracted 20 hours per month, to keep a log of the hours and make LPC aware so payment can be made for the extra. If the hours are consistently going over the contracted amount, then LPC will review.
Action- Clerk
10. DRAFT BUDGET
To review the draft budget proposal for April 2024 – March 2025- separate email to follow.
Resolved: The meeting discussed the draft budget and proposed approving the draft budget at January’s meeting with the aim of a 5-6% increase on last year.
11. PARISH ELECTION CYCLE CONSULTATION
To consider whether to harmonise with Swindon Borough Council’s election cycle due to the decision to hold all out Borough elections every 4 years.
Resolved: Cllr Poppleton proposed to harmonise the Parish Elections with SBC’s election cycle. Cllr Bunney seconded the proposal and was unanimously agreed.
12. CIL AMOUNT OF £12,815.10
To acknowledge receipt of the CIL money and discuss projects to spend the amount on following the regulations.
Resolved: The meeting acknowledged receipt of the £12,815.10p CIL money.
The Clerk circulated to all Cllr’s the CIL regulations and guidance prior to the meeting.
The Clerk to investigate whether the money can be moved to a separate account. Action- Clerk
The initial ideas for the CIL money were;
•
A shelter on the playpark
•
A couple of benches on the footpath from Badbury Park to the Hospital.
13. WEBSITE
Resolved: The meeting agreed for Cllr Aftelak to proceed with the website using Parish Web and Host.
Action- Cllr Aftelak
14. VILLAGE MATTERS (15 MINUTES)
a)
The meeting noted the proposed traffic order for the 20 MPH speed limit on Bell Lane, Lidenbrook, The Street, Spinney Close, The Green and Manor View- closing date for the proposal is 15th December 2023.
b)
Tree at the end of Church Road – Cllr Bunney raised concerns over the safety and condition of the tree at the end of Church Road. The Clerk to contact the Tree Team at SBC. Action- Clerk
Minutes – December 2023 Page 3 of 3
15. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (10 MINUTES)
Councillors who have attended meetings on behalf of the Parish Council or who are responsible for local schemes, amenities and projects will have the opportunity to provide an update on progress made.
Allotments (AP & GW)- The discussion of water provision has been taken back to the Allotment Committee but not many responses have been received.
Playing Field (CB) – Cllr Bunney inspected the play equipment on 18th November 2023, some equipment needs cleaning.
Village Hall Committee – Christmas event is on the 15th December. Tickets available from members of the committee.
Town Advisory Engagement Group (GW) – No update provided
Swindon Local Council Forum (CB & GW) – Cllr Bunney attended the meeting, much of the discussions held were in regard to the Parish Charter that is being drafted. The main problem with the Charter is it is not a “one size” fits all due to the varying sizes of the Parishes within SBC.
Parish Chairs/Clerks Engagement Meeting – No recent meeting
NEV Meeting – No meetings for the NEV have taken place over the last year due to the structure change at SBC.
16. PARISH MAGAZINE (5 MINUTES)
The meeting agreed to put the following into the Parish Magazine:
•
Happy New year
•
Review of 2023
17. CORRESPONDENCE
The meeting noted that no correspondence had been received.
18. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION/FUTURE AGENDA
To receive information on matters not covered elsewhere & to receive future agenda item
IRP Allowances
Precept setting
The meeting closed at 8:30pm
Signed……………………………………………………………………………………..Date…………………………………..
