Minutes, 7 May 2025
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF MARSTON PARISH COUNCIL
Wednesday 7th May 2025 at 7:30 pm.
1. WELCOME by the Parish Council Chairman.
2. APOLOGIES – Cllr Duckett,
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
There was none.
4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
None
5. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 5th March 2025
Proposed by: Cllr O’Sullivan Seconded: Cllr Brown
6. PLANNING MATTERS:
No applications at time of Agenda being circulated.
7. COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
a) Report from District Cllr Paul Wood. Paul covered off the recent elections and what happened. Devolution was covered off with an update about the timelines and the role of the new mayor. SKDC business was quiet due to Purdah (Pre election period). SKDC are producing a new local plan. Planning is a hot topic with the Deputy Prime minister looking to build 1.6 million new homes in the 2024 to 2030 period.
b) County Cllr Ken Bamford sent apologies and informed Clerk that he would look to attend the July Parish meeting
8. COMMUNITY MATTERS & OTHER BUSINESS
a) Flood sacks – order placed and delivered to Village Hall – Contact Cllr Duckett (Flood Warden) if at any time a resident of the village requires them. Stored at Village Hall for ease of access
b) Grass cutting and general maintenance update. The Amenity Area (Riverside Walk) is to be cut by village cleaner on a regular basis to keep the grass short and manageable. He is also intending to keep the vegetation on the riverbank cut down to control the nettles and Himalayan Balsam. Overall look at how MPC manage moving forward. Cllr Cartwright will begin discussions to move the subject forward.
c) Insurance review has reduced in price. £365.54. – Agreed.
d) Warranty consideration on Speed Indicator Devices - £199 per annum for each device. Clerk has contacted company to understand what they do for the money. It doesn’t seem good value for software updates. The batteries and solar cell aren’t covered and nor is transportation back to supplier – Not agreed
e) Clerk put forward a proposal to aid Village Hall Finances – Clerk nominated that we should approach the Village Hall committee to rent an office for storage and a desk if Cllrs ever wanted to meet a resident in professional surroundings. We can keep filing and plans in the office and we would pay a nominated rental to the Village Hall which would include our meeting rental. MPC have a key, and it enables a flexible approach. What is a Commercial rent? but a requirement to take on an area that is non fee producing. Beneficial. Clerk to propose an offer to the Committee.
9. UKSPF: Consider giving power to Clerk to administer UKSPF grants outside meetings for Parish Assets such as Village Hall and Community Pub. Likely to be a quicker entry level from SKDC and it overall means Clerk can approach organisations that do not have the manpower to apply. Parish Council aids wealth generation to Marston
Proposed by: Cllr Vickers Seconded by: Cllr Brown
10. SECTION 137: The Power to grant funding to a maximum amount per annum. Approval of Policy and Application Form sent in April for consideration. A few concerns were raised by Cllr Cartwright as to how this would work with the Precept. Clerk debated how we would use the Policy and when. The idea is to trial it but to also advertise it so clubs and organisations know about it and then can apply.
Proposed by: Cllr Stephens Seconded by: Cllr Brown
11. EMERGENCY PLAN: Annual review of plan. Cllr Watson has reviewed extensively and updated all the numbers and contacts. Clerk put forward latest ‘METHANE’ info as he recently attended the updated Strategic Command course at Lincoln Emergency Centre.
Proposed by: Cllr Watson Seconded by: Cllr Cartwright
12. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a) Signing of monthly reconciliations for March and April 2025
b) Review AGAR and sign off by Chair for sending to PKF Little John
c) Consider review of Asset Register and note changes to values – Clerk to update register based on Cllr feedback.
Proposed by: Cllr Cartwright Seconded by: Cllr Brown
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 3rd JULY 2025 – 7:30 pm
MEETING CLOSED AT: 20:55