Councillor and Clerk Monthly Reports – Nov 2021

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Cllr Julie Cottle Report (October meeting report)

Grass Mowing

I have been advised by a volunteer who has mown and maintained the KGV Field and Allotment Field for many years, that he intends to retire at the end of this current mowing season.  Not only does he do all the mowing, but he maintains the tractor and mowing equipment which is kept at the Village Hall. Decisions need to be made regarding the future maintenance of these fields, and also, if it is viable to keep the tractor.

KGV Field

I have established a working group of 5 including myself to review the results and comments on the survey and to report back to Council. I will be arranging a meeting as soon as possible but unfortunately this will not be before our meeting in October due to holiday commitments.

Cemetery

We had cattle from the neighbouring field get into the cemetery last week but I’m pleased to report due to the speedy reaction from the farmer and supported by our volunteer the cemetery is once again clean and tidy with no apparent damage to any gravestones.

Tarry’s End

I have eventually heard from the contractor PC agreed to carry out the work in Tarry’s End and he will be starting work soon.  No date given yet. I will pass this information on to Councillor Parker.

Christmas Tree

It has been suggested we plant a permanent Christmas tree on the Green next to the Memorial but I feel we are running out of time to achieve this for Christmas 2021 so I suggest we plan to do this for 2022.  I am liaising with a resident on this.

Cllr Chris Bolton Report

Street Lighting

  • Nothing to note

Highways

  • Potholes – as always, any potholes or highway issues needs to be reported via Fix My Street
  • Crick Road Railings – Site visit from Northants Highways 7th October – waiting for update
  • Cycle way/footpath – followed up with Highways and this has been put on hold until the new contract year. Resident informed
  • Ward’s Lane – continuing to liaise with Highways and resident

Solar Farm

  • Contact with company made and now working with them on community fund and development schedule.

Housing development – Hillmorton Lane

  • Site visit (26th) to Lilbourne development.
  • Update from Whiterock at Parish Council meeting on 8th November

Speed Sign Project

  • This will be taken forward as funds have already been allocated. It should be noted that the speed sign will now be solar-powered:
    –     Section 50 application to be completed (Clerk/Councillor Bolton)
    –     Funding application to be completed (Clerk/Councillor Bolton)
    –     Supplier (Traffic Technology) to be advised (Councillor Bolton)

Clerk’s Report

CEMETERY

The storage container has been paid for and will hopefully be sited shortly.  Cllr Nicholls has chased the supplier and they have advised that they will deliver once a container becomes available (there is a shortage at present).

Burials

Quite busy this month with various communications answering queries, two Exclusive Rights of Burial requests have been received and processed, two memorial applications, two burials (one cancelled last minute), and one internment of ashes has been arranged.

Cemetery headstone inspection training

I attended the headstone memorial training with NCALC on 30th September.  It was very useful and confirmed we are acting correctly.   I am going to make some improvements which I will bring to Council for approval.

Audit

I am pleased to say that the external auditor has signed off the 2020/21 audit with no comment. A minor observation was made as to the public exercise of rights which I have added to the agenda.  I’ve had communication with the auditor as they couldn’t seem to get their head around us paying interest on the st light loan.  They have accepted it and have signed off the audit.

MAINTENANCE CONTRACTOR

Ongoing maintenance of footpaths remains.  Complaints from residents have ceased which is great.

The volunteer who maintains the village planters is doing a great job and has been thanked again.  She is willing to take on the Diamond Jubilee garden also which is great news.  She has suggested a red, white and blue theme ready for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The small claims court application has been placed against the previous contractor who is holding our signs.  He has texted to say he will drop the signs off to me but nothing received so far.

GRASS

We have been asked to mow the verges around the Catholic Church as the church has not been doing this since the pandemic.  Norse have added it to their mowing schedule at no extra cost.

Village Directory

I have spent considerable time updating the village directory listings and trying to obtain payment.  So many do not respond or do not update their details.  A lot of companies have been removed from the directory as they have not paid and are not responding to my correspondence. I am continuing to chase, collect payment, update details, and advertise for new entries.

Archiving

I am working on making all the cemetery correspondence electronic.  Scanning it all is taking a lot of time but it will be a worthwhile exercise and add to efficiency in the future.