Parish Council Meeting 13th May 2025
East Stockwith Annual Parish Council Meeting , 13th May 2025
Draft Minutes
Present: Cllr D Forington – Chairman, Cllr C Bainborough, Cllr J Barratt, Cllr JScott.
In attendance: J Barnett Clerk, Sheila Bibb Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association.
Apologies: Cllr W Forington - Vice Chairman, Cllr A Harris.
1. Election of Chairman. Cllr D Forington was nominated as Chairman and duly elected.
Proposed: Cllr J Barratt Seconded: Cllr C Bainborough
Cllr D Forington signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
2. Election of Vice Chairman. Cllr W Forington was nominated as Vice Chairman and duly elected. Proposed: Cllr D Forington Seconded: Cllr J Barratt.
3. Draft minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held 11th March 2025
Proposed: Cllr J Barratt Seconded: Cllr C Bainborough
4. Matters arising from the minutes
There were none.
5. Draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held 11th March 2025
Proposed: Cllr C Bainborough Seconded: Cllr J Barratt
6. Matters arising from the minutes
Given the enhancements to the memorial area, there was a suggestion by Cllr Scott to trim/tidy the grass around the notice board area, (opposite the memorial). All Cllrs present agreed.There was comment from LCC confirming the increase in deer herd but all Cllrs present agreed erecting warning signs is not currently necessary as there have been no reports of accidents involving deer. Cllr Bainborough will continue to follow up regarding QuickLine.
7. Adjournment for public participation
No comments from the public present.
8. Planning applications
There were none.
9. Finances
9.1 Financial position at bank was presented to 30.04.2025, £14,437.74. Payments; Pot Belly Nursery £420, to be reimbursed by East Stockwith and Walkerith Village Hall Trust. It was noted that this payment was for the red robin bushes for the memorial area and there were no other invoices relating to this for reimbursement. Clerk’s salary and PAYE for payment.
9.2 AGAR - Certificate of Exemption AGAR Form 2 2024/25, Annual Governance Statement 2024/25, Accounting Statements 2024/25 were signed by the Responsible Financial Officer/Clerk and Chairman. No Annual Internal Audit Report 2024/25 was carried out and the Clerk to follow up regarding clarification on internal audit independence. The Notice of Public Rights and Publication of AGAR will be displayed as appropriate.
9.3 VAT Claim to 31.03.2025 - No VAT to claim.
10. LALC -Email management
Amendments in the The Practitioners’ Guide 2025-2026, issued by the Smaller Authorities Proper Practices, which does not have direct legal authority to enforce compliance but serves as a benchmark, includes the requirements for generic email accounts hosted on authority-owned domains (e.g., clerk@abcparishcouncil.gov.uk). It was noted that there is a cost to moving to a gov.uk email with the possibility of an ongoing annual cost. There is a recommendation that all Cllrs also move to a gov.uk.email. The process is not straightforward. All Cllrs present agreed to resist moving to a gov.uk email until/unless this becomes a mandatory requirement.
11. Review of policies, including updated Model Standing Order
Policies to be reviewed. It was noted there is an updated Model Standing Order.
12. Devolution/Government re - organisation
The Greater Lincolnshire combined county authority mayoral election results were noted and discussed. In addition, reorganisation to unitary local government was noted and discussed.
13. Any other business
Cllr J Barratt presented a rural crime update and noted the Lincolnshire Rural Task Force’ Teams/WhatsApp monitoring.
14. Meeting closed 8.00 pm. Date of next meeting 15th July 2025. Members of the public welcome.