15 June 2021 - Extraordinary Meeting
APPROVED Minutes of an extra -ordinary meeting of Ruskington Parish Council held at the Winchelsea Centre, 11 High Street North, Ruskington on Tuesday 15 June 2021 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllr G Conway (Chairman), Cllr S Cotter, Cllr G Cox, Cllr P Cunningham, Cllr O Ditch, Cllr Z Menday, Cllr M Trolley.
Apologies: Cllr S Tonge, Cllr K White, D/Cllr T Boston, Cty/Cllr R Wright
8 members of the public were in attendance.
Following introductions, the Chairman opened the public session by welcoming the members of the public and council, outlined the reasons for the extra ordinary meeting, and outlined the Covid-19 use of masks whilst attending the meeting.
The Chairman advised that although people were able to say what they wished on social media verbal abuse, comments about councillors’ integrity and phoning the parish office with threats to carry out activities in the churchyard to cause trouble for the council was not acceptable.
Residents asked questions about the grass cutting and wilding of the parish churchyard, which were answered, and an overview of the wilding of the church yard was provided. A statement received prior to the meeting in support of the wilding project was read out, as the correspondents were unable to attend the meeting.
Concerns about the condition of some roads in the village were raised. The resident was advised that this was a matter for LCC Highways and could be reported using Fix my Street or by emailing the Clerk with the exact locations and photos of the potholes, for the Clerk to report.
Residents were invited to stay for the rest of the meeting until the closed session commenced.
At this point, some residents left the meeting.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.31pm.
1. Apologies for absence.
Cllr Tonge and Cllr White were unable to join the meeting and their valid reasons for absence were known.
Action: Council unanimously RESOLVED to accept Cllr Tonge and Cllr White’s apologies.
D/Cllr Boston and Cty/Cllr Wright had also sent apologies.
2. Declarations of interest and to consider applications for dispensations in relation to DPIs.
None were made at this time.
3. To approve as a correct record the notes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council ordinary held remotely on Tuesday 4 May 2021.
Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the meeting as accurate minutes. Proposed by Cllr Trolley, seconded by Cllr Cunningham and approved with 6 for and 1 abstention.
4. Financial Matters (Circulated prior to the meeting).
4.1 To complete via vote all statements of the Annual Governance Statement 2020/21 (Section 1) of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 20201/2021.
The Chairman read out each statement.
Action: The Council unanimously RESOLVED to approve each of the Annual Governance Statements 1-8 in Section 1 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 20201/2021. Statement 9 was not applicable.
The Chairman and Clerk signed Section 1 of the Annual Government Statements.
4.2 To approve via vote the Accounting Statements 2020/21 (Section 2) of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return. (Circulated prior to the meeting).
Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the Accounting Statements for year 20201/2010. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously. The Chairman signed Section 2 of the Accounting Statements.
5. To resolve whether to exclude the public and press, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, to discuss the staffing matter below.
Action: The Council RESOLVED to exclude the public and press to discuss the staffing matter below. Proposed by Cllr Cunningham, seconded by Trolley and approved unanimously.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.26pm. The remaining members of the public left the meeting.
The Chairman re-opened the meeting at 7.31pm.
6. To approve the appointment of the Caretaker for the Environment and Grounds to Ruskington Parish Council following interviews held on Tuesday 8 June 2021.
Cllr Ditch, Chairman of the HR Committee, provided a detailed account of the recruitment, selection and interview process, and named the candidate unanimously recommended by the interview panel.
Action: The Council RESOLVED to appoint Mr Andrew Doughty to the position of Caretaker for Environment and Grounds at Ruskington Parish Council for 30 hours per week. Proposed by Cllr Ditch, seconded by Cllr Conway and approved unanimously.
Action: The Council RESOLVED that Mr Doughty be offered the post at a salary in accordance with agreed NALC pay scales. This would be reviewed on completion of a satisfactory 3-month appraisal. Proposed by Cllr Cotter, seconded by Cllr Trolley and approved unanimously.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.15pm.