Minutes, East Stockwith Annual Parish Council Meeting 16th May 2023

East Stockwith Annual Parish Council Meeting

16May 2023 

MINUTES

Present:  Cllr D Forington, Cllr J Barratt, Cllr C Connolly, Cllr A Harris, Cllr C Kernan

In attendance: Jenny Barnett, Clerk

Apologies:  Cllr W Forington, Cllr C Bainborough

1.     Election of Parish Councillors for East Stockwith, 4th May 2023

The following persons were nominated and accepted for election as Parish Councillors for East Stockwith Parish Council; Cllr Christopher Bainborough, Cllr Joseph Barratt, Cllr Christine Connolly, Cllr David Forington, Cllr William Forington, Cllr Andrew Harris, Cllr Carol Kernan.  The elections were uncontested. All Cllrs signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, Code of Conduct, Financial and Other Interests or Unchanged Circumstances form as applicable.

2.     Election of Chairman, Cllr David Forington was nominated as Chairman and duly elected.

Proposed:  Cllr A Harris      Seconded: Cllr J Barratt

3.     Election of Vice Chairman, Cllr Will Forington was nominated as Vice Chairman and duly elected. 

Proposed: Cllr J Barratt      Seconded: Cllr C Connolly 

4.     Draft minutes of the Parish Council Annual Assembly and Parish Council Meeting 14th March 2023 Agreed as true and accurate records.

Proposed: Cllr C Kernan      Seconded: Cllr J Barratt

5.     Matters arising from the minutes

There were no matters arising.

6. Adjournment for public participation 

No public attended the meeting.

7. Election of District Councillors for Scotter & Blyton Ward

It was noted that Karen Careless, Elizabeth Clews and Lesley Rollings had been elected as District Councillors for Blyton and Scotter Ward. The Clerk to make contact.

8. St Peter’s Church

Cllr D Forington, Cllr W Forington, Cllr C Connollly and the Clerk attended a meeting on 25.04.2023 held at St Peter’s Church regarding closure of the Church.  Whilst the Parish Council are not responsible for the Church, the news of closure was very concerning to all. There was no firm date for closure and the Church’s immediate future was uncertain. There were queries about Church ownership, responsibilities, and insurance. The Parish Council will share any updates regarding the Church closure. Cllr C Connolly offered to follow up with written correspondence to the relevant church authorities regarding the closure. The Church Warden and Treasurer will step down. Cllr David Forington has offered to keep the Church keys in a safe place and the Parish Council agreed to ensure the churchyard grass is well kept.

9. Damage to the public footpath sign on Back Street

The public footpath sign on Back Street needs repairing. This to be reported to LCC Highways. It was noted that the public footpath should be always accessible and useable. 

10. Finances

Annual Governance and Accountability Return 

  • Financial position at bank 31.03.23 and year end bank reconciliation, £8020.26
  • Certificate of Exemption AGAR Form (2) 2022/23, signed by Chairman and RFO/Clerk
  • Annual Internal Audit Report 2022/23, signed by RFO/Clerk
  • Annual Governance Statement 2022/23, signed by Chairman and RFO/Clerk
  • Accounting Statements 2022/23, signed by RFO /Clerk followed by the Chairman 
  • Notice of Public Rights and Publication of AGAR to be placed on the Parish Council website, (Between 5 June 2023 to 14 July 2023). 

Financial position at bank 29.04.2023, £13,004.66

VAT Claim to 31.03.2023, 538.60

Clerk’s salary and PAYE paid.

The Cllrs agreed that the fixed assets on the AGAR 2022/ 23 were in line with the policy.

11. Review of policies

Polices to be reviewed before the next meeting.

Meeting closed at: 8.15 pm   Next meeting, 11th July 2023 at 7.00pm at Grosvenor House, Back Street, East Stockwith. Meetings open to the public.