Draft Minutes

Notes from 15-minute public forum on 01 April 2025

There were 3 members of the public present.

It was raised that The Methodist Chapel had been sold, and it was asked if any plans had been brought to the attention of The Council. The Council are not aware of any plans at the point of the meeting.

The Speed of traffic through Wrangle on the A52 was also raised and concerns raised with regards to the Speed Sign not working.

07:06pm The Public Forum was closed, and the Parish Council Meeting began.

Minutes of the meeting of Wrangle Parish Council held on Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 7:00pm in The Parish Hall.

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies: Apologies were accepted from Borough Cllr Baxter.  

Present: Cllrs Ashton (Chairman), Dickason, Bowles, Edwards, Law, Seymour and Wrisdale.

Also present: County Cllr Skinner and Borough Cllr Butler.

No correspondence had been received from Cllr Hill.

2. To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:

1. Borough Cllr Butler reported:
   1. A pool table had been fly tipped down Ivery Lane, this has been passed onto BBC along with some tyres and a swimming pool in the dyke. Potholes have also been reported to LCC.
   2. BBC has secured funding for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day. This is being used to purchase bunting and flags. Parish Councils will be contacted to see if they can make use of the bunting, the flags are being distributed to Schools.
   3. We have been approached regarding the state of and narrowness of the A52 near Gateroom Lane as you head out of the Village. The road verge has completely collapsed. The resident has been asked to pass the details onto the LCC representative.
   4. Cllr Baxter attended the reopening of The Clumsy Goat Farm Shop. This is a great asset to the community.
   5. The new makers and farmers market that was held on Saturday and is due to be held on the last Saturday of the month was a great success. 15 stalls on top of the existing market attended. New fees and stalls are just some of the changes that have been made to rejuvenate our historic market.
   6. Sunday 6th April 2025, we are holding our big Borough clean up. I will be leading a group around Wrangle. Meeting at 9am at The Parish Hall. All are welcome to join in.
2. County Cllr Skinner reported:
   1. Pavement problems on the A52 have been chased up, some curb heights are less than they should be.

3. Declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011

Cllr Law declared an interest regarding purchasing of a Wreath for Remembrance Day, due to being a Poppy Appeal Organiser.

4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 04 March 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes

It was resolved that the minutes previously circulated be signed as the minutes.

5. Clerk’s Report

1. A resident has requested a section of the Tree report following the recent Tree Survey, it was agreed to share the report. A quote would be obtained to carry out necessary work on this Tree.
2. It was reported that extra equipment had been supplied to the resident carrying out the litter picking around the Village. The Clerk shared an email from another resident who expressed their thanks for the litter picking work the resident had been carrying out. It was agreed a formal letter of thanks be sent out.
3. The Clerk advised that the Pkf Little John audit papers had been received, work on the audit would be carried out.
4. An email had been received from Wrangle Primary School with regards to a crossing and zig zags outside the entrance, this has been sent through to the LCC representative.
5. An email had been received from The Parish Hall Committee asking for a Grant towards the upkeep of items and renewal of other items. Cllr Law and Cllr Bowles declared an interest with both being on the committee. It was moved, seconded and agreed that £150.00 would be given. The Grants Policy and process would be reviewed and updated.

6. To receive report from the Chairman

The Chairman had nothing to report.

7. Financial matters:
8.  
   1. Payments to be authorised

2. To report balances in the bank as of 14 March 2025

3. To discuss setting up online banking

The Clerk has access to the bank accounts online now. It was asked and agreed who would be added onto the mandate if not already. It was advised that all who are to be signatories would need to set up online banking themselves, the Clerk would provide the information and telephone numbers to contact. Paperwork would need to be signed for those not already on the mandate.

9. To receive an update on the siting of two bus shelters on the A52 in the area of Sea Lane junction.

A letter was sent to the resident living close by to the sitting of one Shelter a response was requested by 31/03/25, no response was received.

A revised quote was obtained for 2 Shelters. It was discussed that further quotes on different styles of Shelter would be sourced. Grants would also be investigated.  

10. Recreation Field:

1. To receive an update on the Tree/Hedge work

Work has been completed to the large Ash Tree that was raised as a concern in the Tree Survey. An update had been requested on the Tree/Hedge work that runs next to the Play Area.

2. To discuss quotes for cleaning dykes and the culvert pipe

It was agreed to ask for a quote to clean or mud out all relevant dykes.

3. Any other matters 

The Football Goals that have been damaged have now been moved to the bank of the Pavillion and will be removed when possible.

11. To receive update regarding Community Speed Sign

Contact has been made with another local Parish Council with a view to order together to achieve the best possible price.

12. To review the Safeguarding Policy

This will be compared and confirmed and a final decision made at the next meeting.

13. To discuss Streetlights on Chapel Lane, Wrangle

The Clerk was still waiting for a quote from Boston Borough Council.

14. To discuss The Handyman

It was discussed and agreed that a joint advert would be drawn together with Old Leake Parish Council. The job requirements and pay were discussed with a view to compare with Old Leake Parish Council requirements. Once agreed this will be advertised.

15. To receive an update regarding gov.uk email addresses

Not all Councillors have managed to set up their new gov.uk email address. It was agreed to leave this as an Agenda item until all complete.

16. To discuss Grass cutting contracts

One of the grass cutting contractors have advised there will be an 8% increase in price from 01 April 2025. The other contractor has advised the price will remain the same however, they will be unable to cut the area around the Village sign.

It was agreed to get quotes from other companies.

17. To receive an update from the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Community Liaison Meeting

Cllr Law gave a report from the meeting:

1. A basic timeline of events was provided
2. It was informed that Outer Dowsing are keen to actively engage with and support local communities. They have already been funding some communities in the form of grants and training.
3. Any further information for the Community Liaison Groups would be sent to the Clerk.

18. To discuss purchasing a VE 80 Wreath

It was moved, seconded and agreed that a VE 80 Wreath would be purchased at the cost of £30.00.

19. To discuss the internal auditor

The Internal Auditor who carried out the work last year was discussed. It was also discussed that LALC offer an Internal Audit, this includes 1 mid-year full audit and an end of year mini audit and completion of the AGAR Internal Audit form.

It was agreed to use LALC for the Internal Audit.

Finance software was also discussed, it was agreed to investigate software and obtain quotes.

20. To discuss the Allotment Rent increase

A section 12 notice was received in March 2024. It was agreed to sign and return the agreement. Notice would be sent to all Tenants, and this would be reviewed in a years’ time.

21. To discuss Tree Planting

Tree planting was discussed, the Woodland Trust would be investigated to see if they are offering anything along with a look to see if there are any grants available. It was agreed that if an offer of Tree’s is made, they would be taken and then it would be decided where to put them.

22. To report any highways matters

The section of Borough Cllr Butler’s report regarding the A52 near Gateroom Lane as you head out of the Village. County Cllr Skinner has the information and will pick this up on the next highways visit.

23. Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at www.mybostonuk.com)

B/22/0036/CD1 – The Post Office Store, Church End, Wrangle PE22 9EH. Application to discharge Condition C4 (Pile Foundations), C5 (EV Charging Points), C8 (Biodiversity Enhancement Measures) & C9 (External Materials) of planning application B/22/0036 (Erection of 1nno detached two storey dwelling) (Works already started)

24. Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council

There were no planning decisions for this meeting.

25. Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda

There was no Correspondence for this meeting.

26. Matters for next agenda

Grants Policy Review

27. To set the date of the Annual Parish Meeting and the format

It was agreed to have the same format as last year.

28. Date of next meeting – 06 May 2025

07:00pm – Annual Parish Meeting

07:20pm – Annual Parish Council Meeting

07:35pm – Parish Council Meeting

29. To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session to consider the following confidential staffing and legal matters in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

It was agreed to move into closed session.

30. To receive a report on the clerk’s 6-month end of probation/appraisal and agree any actions resulting from this review.

The Clerk left the room whilst this point on the agenda was discussed.

The Clerks probation was discussed and confirmed, the review paperwork has been signed to say the Clerk has successfully completed the 6-month probation period.

The Clerk’s pay was discussed, and it was moved, seconded and agreed to change the NALC Pay Scale point.   

The Clerk returned to the room.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 08:42pm.