Council Meeting, 25 January 2023

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
of the meeting of Helmdon Parish Council, held in the Reading Room, Church
Street, Helmdon on 25 January 2023 at 7:30pm.
Present: Cllrs Bearman, Gray, Hosea, Marchant (Vice-Chair), Moody (Chair), Thorpe,
Wheeler and Charmaine Jay (Clerk)
In attendance: 1 member of the public
Cllr Moody started the meeting with 1 minute’s silence for David Brookhouse who passed away on 23rd December 2022 and was a former chair of Helmdon Parish Council.
087. To receive and approve apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Harris
RESOLVED: To approve Cllr Harris’s absence.
088.Declarations of Interest
Cllr Moody declared an interest in item 093a.
089. Approval and signature of the minutes of November 23, 2022
RESOLVED: That the minutes of November 23, 2022, be approved and signed
090.Matters arising
None
091.Open forum (15min max- 3 min per person)
Representations were made on:
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Comments received at History exhibition that Helmdon War Memorial looked better in the past.
Congratulate Cllrs on success of the Community Larder
A letter for reply to West Northamptonshire Council regarding Cross Lane
092. To receive an update from HS2 liaison officer from recent meetings.
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There has been great discussion in the most recent meetings regarding noise and pollution of air in the Radstone area.
HS2 Marshall that was employed in 2022 is very much in evidence. He is very knowledgeable and has been liaising with Buckingham a great deal.
There are currently no road closures due in the Helmdon area.
RESOLVED: Cllr Marchant to update in February meeting
093.Finance a. To approve bills for payment (below)
Cllr Moody left the room, Cllr Marchant chaired the following item
RESOLVED: That the following bills be approved for payment:
Payee
Invoice Number
Reason
Amount
Reading Room
364
RR Hire for Council
£65.00
meetings
NCALC
2436
VAT Recovery
£101.00
Cllr Moody returned.
b. To receive recommendations from Finance committee for 2023/2024
i.
To award the 2023/24 grass cutting tender
To award previous contractor R & G for a fixed 3 year contract.
RESOLVED: To instruct R & G for the contract of 2023-2025.
ii.
To Set the Budget for Expenditure 2023/24
It was recommended by the Finance Committee’s to set the Budget for Expenditure for
2023/2024 at £24,318 but it was agreed in the meeting to add £1000 for Coronation
Small Grants Scheme.
RESOLVED: Set 2023/2024 expenditure to £25,318.00
iii.
To set the Precept Demand for 2023/24
Helmdon Parish Council received the Finance Committee’s recommendations to set the
Precept Demand for 2023/2024 at £29,260
RESOLVED: To set 2023/2024 precept at £29,260
iv.
To consider timetable for the Small Grants Scheme 2023/2024
It was agreed to revert to the normal time table for Small Grants Scheme
RESOLVED: Clerk to confirm timetable for Small Grants Scheme.
094. To decide whether to make a complaint to the Local Government & Social
Care Ombudsman regarding the handling by West Northamptonshire Council of planning application WNS/2022/0253/FUL
The process used by West Northamptonshire Council was unsatisfactory
RESOLVED: Helmdon Parish Council to complain to the planning ombudsman.
095. To receive the report from the King Charles III coronation working group
Cllrs Bearman, Hosea and Thorpe met on 15th December 2022 and discussed distribution of funds assigned to King Charles III coronation for groups in the village. The working group are keen to send out communication to get groups to apply for funds with clarity the funds are to be used for the King Charles III coronation weekend.
RESOLVED: The working group hold a further meeting and to update the council in the
February meeting.
096. To receive information from Cllr Gray regarding defibrillator
Cllr Gray had done research on a second defibrillator and training in the village.
A new grant scheme will be available towards the end of the year
RESOLVED: To hold out until the grant is launched.
097. To receive report from Cllr Thorpe for Internal Controls Check
Cllr Thorpe did quarterly Internal Control Check and was signed off as satisfactory
RESOLVED: To note the report
098. To consider adopting an Email Usage Policy
A draft Policy was tabled, it was agreed to review before adoption working group put in place of Cllrs Harris, Marchant and Plunkett
RESOLVED: Cllrs Harris, Marchant and Plunkett to form the working group to review and update the Email Usage Policy and to update the Council in the March meeting for adoption
099. To set a date and make arrangements for the annual village litter pick
RESOLVED: The annual village litter pick is on 26th March 2023 at 10am
100. Close
RESOLVED: Meeting closed (21:17)
Next meeting is Thursday 23rd February 2023.