Snape with Thorp Parish Council

Minutes of a Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 13 December 2023 in Snape Institute

Present: Councillors John Duck, Colin Hodges, Richard Poole and Sara Pringle

1. Apologies for absence – The apology from Cllr Watson was received and the reason noted.
2. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Duck declared an interest in item 6a.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November, copies of which had already been circulated, were accepted as a true record and were signed by the Chairman.
4. Matters arising
   1. None identified
5. To resolve to exclude members of the public and press under item 6a due to the nature of the business to be transacted being prejudicial to the public interest – It was RESOLVED to exclude members of the public and press for item 6a due to the nature of the business to be transacted.
6. Financial matters

1. Grass cutting tender – The Clerk had prepared a summary of the tenders received and this had already been shared with Councillors.  It was noted that 5 businesses had been approached and 3 submissions had been received.  The Council discussed the information submitted from all the tenderers and it was RESOLVED that Farm and Land Services should be offered the contract.  The Clerk would communicate the outcome to those who had submitted a tender.
   1. To receive a report regarding the budget for 2024/25 and to consider the precept for 2024/25 – The Clerk had prepared a paper which outlined the current position on receipts, payments and bank balances as at 7 December.  The paper also included the expected position as at 31 March 2024 alongside a proposed budget for 2024/25.  The proposed budget included an assessment of the outcome of the grass cutting tender based on the lowest tender.  It was RESOLVED that based on providing a balanced budget for 2024/25 the precept would be set at £8895.  This was an increase of £40 on the current precept and represented a decrease on council tax of 0.19%.  The Clerk would notify NYC of the agreed precept before the required date of 31 December 2023.

In discussion of the current year it was RESOLVED to make payments of £75 each to the Great North Air Ambulance Service, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Citizens Advice and £50 to the Over 60s Committee.  In addition the Clerk would proceed to purchase a replacement lap top for the Parish Council.  It was hoped that the tree survey of the Avenue and trees in the village would proceed before the year end.  It was noted that Cllr Poole was pursuing information about the Zipwire check but it was not expected that additional resources needed to be included in the forthcoming budget for this.

7. Newsletter - A number of items were discussed.  The Clerk would draft a newsletter and circulate to Councillors for approval.

The meeting closed at 7.00pm.