Council Meeting, 28 June 2023

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
of the meeting of Helmdon Parish Council, held in the Reading Room, Church
Street, Helmdon on Wednesday 28th June 2023 at 7:30pm.
Present: Cllrs Harris, Hosea, Marchant, Moody (Chair), Plunkett, Wheeler (Vice-Chair)
and Charmaine Jay (Clerk)
In attendance: 1 member of the public.
149. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Bearman
RESOLVED: To approve Cllr Bearman’s absence
150. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Moody declared an interest in item 156 due to working for NCALC
151.
Approval and signature of the minutes of May 24th 2023
RESOLVED: That the minutes of May 24th 2023 are approved and signed
152. Matters arising
– An update was required for service and repair of the flag pole. Clerk to chase up.
– An update was required for the play wall in the play field. Clerk has instructed company for replacement of play wall.
153. Open Forum (15min max- 3 min per person)
-It was noted that the Pump Garden is in disrepair on National Pump Register.
ACTION: Cllr Moody to speak to John Coatsworth regarding spare parts obtained.
– It was noted that there was previously a welcome pack for new residents.
ACTION: To put an item on Julys agenda to consider a Welcome pack for new residents
154. To receive an update from HS2 liaison officer from recent meetings
– No recent meetings.
– A road closure was proposed on Radstone Road, this is ongoing.
155.
Finance:
A. To receive the financial statement: note payments received and consider invoices to be paid (Appendix a)
RESOLVED: That the following bill(s) be approved for payment under the conditions that there are not be any further payments and that Pathfinder Legal confirms in due course that the land is properly registered.
Payee
Path Finder Legal
Invoice Number
267459
Reason
Profit Costs
Amount
£43.20
B. To reapprove AGAR for 2022/23 due to incorrect forms from previous meeting
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RESOLVED: To reapprove the AGAR for the year ending 31 March 2023
156. To consider value for money for Northants CALC membership and approve the membership invoice for payment
Cllr Moody left the room
It was noted that NCALC helps not only the clerk but all councillors for training as well as legal and data protection.
The invoice to be approved and paid. Research to be done ready for next years bill with a working group put together in November meeting.
RESOLVED: To approve the invoice for payment
Cllr Moody returned to the room
157. To consider maintenance and development of War Memorial and Pump
Garden
Both the War memorial and the pump garden have been maintained by volunteers who are unable to continue. It is proposed that the council approach volunteers and to obtain quotes to maintain the war memorial and pump garden for 4 hours per month.
RESOLVED: To obtain quotes and seek volunteers
158. To agree in principle to terminate the contract with 2Commune as of 30th
January 2024 and to decide what steps are required now to ensure continuity of web presence after the 2Commune contract ends
The contract for 2Commune ends on 30th January 2024. The council require to give
3 months notice to end the contract. A working group is formed to seek alternative websites to ensure continuity of web presence after 30th January 2024.
RESOLVED: Cllrs Moody and Plunkett formed the working group to seek alternative websites.
159. To review the following policies a. Co-option policy b. Equal Opportunities policy c. Financial Reserves policy d. Grievance and disciplinary policy e. Health and Safety policy f. Risk Assessment policy g. Sickness & Absence policy h. Training & Development policy i. Publication Scheme
RESOLVED: To readopt all policies from a-i.
160.
Close
The meeting was closed at 20.34
Next meeting is on Wednesday 26th July 2023
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