April 2022 Minutes

MINUTES OF ANCASTER, SUDBROOK AND WEST WILLOUGHBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING WHICH WAS HELD ON 11 APRIL 2022 AT 7.30PM IN THE PARISH HALL ANNEXE.


Present:            Cllr D Sayer(Chairman)
Cllrs Mrs J Pearsey, W Rowlett, Mrs A Hollick, Dr J Entwistle and J Leighton

In Attendance:        District Cllr I Stokes, two members of the public and
Denise Gascoyne Parish Clerk


Public Forum:
The two members of the public asked why the Parish Council had objected to the planning application for retention of existing two static caravans. They questioned the Parish Councils findings, and these were answered by the Chairman and members of the Parish Council. An appeal would be submitted.

The meeting began at 7.53pm

1.Chairman’s Welcoming Remarks:
a. The Chairman Cllr D Sayer welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.Apologies for Absence:
a. The Clerk reported that apologies for absence with valid reasons had been received from Cllrs A Rock and N Barker. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: that apologies for absence with valid reasons be accepted from Cllrs A Rock and N Barker.

3.Declarations of Interest:
a. Cllr W Rowlett declared an interest in Item 14(b).

4.To approve and accept as a true record the notes of the meeting held on 21 March 2022. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the notes of the meeting held on 21 March 2022 as a true record and the Chairman signed the minutes.

5.Vacancies for Parish Councillors:
a. Cllr Mrs V Nelson had resigned from the parish council as she was moving out of the area. We now have three vacances for Parish Councillors. Two can be co-opted immediately and if no election called the third can be co-opted from May 4th. 
There is a process where we can request to reduce the number of Cllrs but at this stage we will continue as we are.

6.Reports from County Councillor and District Councillors:
a. County Cllr R Wootten had sent his apologies and there was no report.

                                Initialled ………………….    

7.Policies and Procedures:
a. The Internal Control Statement for year ending 31 March 2022 had been circulated to all Cllrs. Cllr Dr Entwistle asked if the Income part could be changed from ‘in a timely manner’ to read ‘within on calendar month’ It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the Internal Control Statement for year ending 31 March 2022 with the amendment.

8.Highways Issues:
a. Nothing further had been received from LCC re the state of the road at Copper Hill Quarry. The Chairman would continue to pursue this.

b. County Cllr Wootten had telephoned the Clerk and said that ‘reconstruction and resurfacing’ of Ermine Street will take place from 24th to 29th October. The Clerk to ask what ‘reconstruction’ meant.

c. The Clerk had contacted New Earth Solutions(West)Ltd and asked them to do a proper litter pick. Cllrs agreed the situation was at its worst ever and remarked if things did not improve they may have to take the matter further.

9.Parish Clerk Update:
a. Bellway Homes had asked for suggestions of street names on the site on Wilsford Lane. A few suggestions were forthcoming, including Roman God’s and RAF Stations. After a short discussion it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to suggest Plane names such as Lancaster, Halifax, Sterling etc.

10.Correspondence:
a. LALC e news – circulated to all Cllrs.
b. Local Councils Update – passed to Dr E Entwistle
c. LCC Town and Parish Newsletter –  circulated to all Cllrs.
d. Elan City & Urban Communication Solutions – passed to Cllr Mrs Pearsey
e. Collection  Houses to House Collection Policy SKDC – circulated to all Cllrs.

11.Cemetery and Newton Meadow:
a. The Clerk had circulated a Schedule of Tasks to the Cemetery working party which Andrew Newton had compiled. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved:  that the group would meet in the Clerk’s Office – the clerk would forward some dates.

12.Grass Cutting/Grounds Maintenance:
a. Andrew Newton asked if we could identify suitable areas for another planting allowance for autumn. After a short discussion it was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: that outside the Co-op and up Station Approach may be suitable areas.

13.Finance:
a. The Bank Reconciliations, Transfers and Cashbook to 31 March 2022 had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the Bank Reconciliations, Transfers and Cashbook to 31 March 2022 and these were signed by the Chairman.

                                Initialled ……………………..
c. The Approval List for Employees BACS Payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved to accept the Staff BACS Payments amounting to £1687.81 and authorise the Clerk to make the payments.

d. The Approval List for BACS/DD Payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to accept the BACS/DD payments below and authorise the Clerk to make the payments.

Npower    Electricity Sudbrook Phone Box    £28.54
ICCM    Subscription    £95.00
D Sayer    Chair Allowance + expenses    £132.40
Glasdon UK    Gateway Signs    £696.77 ***
K M Barrett    Window Cleaning    £20.00
Opus Energy    Electricity    £79.69

*** The Gateway signs had been received, but the fitting instructions needed confirming by their Technical department. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: not to pay the invoice until the work was completed.

d. The Clerk confirmed the accounts are with the Internal Auditor and will be signed off at the next meeting.

14.Planning:
a. S21/2261 Refusal of planning permission for retention of existing two static caravans The Little Homestead. FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

b. S22/0029 Planning application for erection of outbuilding in garden 45 St Martin’s Way. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to make no comments on this application.

c. S21/2500 Approval of Reserved Matters North of Wilsford Lane. 
FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

15.Parish Hall:
a. A quotation for a new sign at the Parish Hall had been received. It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved: to order the oval sign, and request the contractor removes the existing letters from the wall.

b. Nothing had been received from SKDC re the plans for the upper room. Cllr Sayer will continue to investigate.

c. To date no further quotations had been received. This would be on the agenda next month.


                            Initialled …………………………..

16.Report from Councillors:
a. Cllr Dr Entwistle was continuing working on the Welcome Pack and Parish Information and would report back at a future meeting.

b. Cllr J Pearsey gave a report on the pigs at West Willoughby. A letter had been sent to the pig owner. It was hoped the pigs would be removed by the end of the year.

c. Parish Councillors discussed the possibility of a Community Solar Farm. Cllrs Sayer and Rowlett agreed to investigate further.

d. A parishioner had contacted the Parish Council re the cost-of-living crisis. At this time, they felt there was nothing they can do.

17.Playing Field:
a. Nothing to report.

18.Speed Watch:
a. Speed Watch will start again week commencing 19th April.

19.Training:
a. New Councillor Training 10.05.22 Zoom 10.00am - 1.00pm
b. New Councillor Training 17.05.22 Zoom 6pm – 9pm
c. Chair’s Workshop 24.05.22 Zoom 6pm – 9pm
d. Epitaph Quarter 1 Update.

20.Date of Next Meeting:
a. It was confirmed that the Annual Parish Meeting, Annual Meeting and Parish Council meeting will take place on 16th May 2022 at 7.00pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm


It is important to understand that the information given above represents notes of the Parish Council Meeting which took place on 11 April 2022 and do not become Minutes of ANCASTER PARISH COUNCIL until accepted or otherwise at the next Parish Council Meeting.