AGM Clerk's Report - 2024
Annual general Meeting for Fosdyke Parish Council 7th May 2024
Clerks report from the parish Clerk Mrs Betsy Gratton.
Good evening,
I would like to say think you to the council for my appointment Clerk which began in January 2024. The role of Clerk is one I feel privileged to undertake as I fell quite passionately about the village of Fosdyke, and I will do my upmost to support the council and the residents.
I have taken over form from a long serving clerk to the village who had given 35 years of service to Fosdyke and on a personal level I admire her dedication.
The Chairman has stated since the start of the year during the meetings that we had some work to do in order to ensure the efficient running of Fosdyke Parish Council continued I would like to thank the chairman for his dedication and commitment to Fosdyke parish Council.
Fosdyke Parish council will be making some changes going forward to ensure that requests are answered, information is readily available for the residents.
The chairman has requested an Audit. As a clerk I welcome this. The Audit will be an opportunity to identify anything issues and documentation we are missing. The Auditors will be through Lalc and PKFlittlejohn who are the recognised auditors for the local councils. This will enable residents to raise queries and have them answered in a smaller timescale than what is currently happening.
Fosdyke Parish Council will continue to adopt policies to the website independently as well as when requested to by residents. As mentioned before FPC follows all Boston Boroughs policies.
The Clerk will now use the Scribe Accountancy software for councils so going forward accessing financial information will be simpler and more transparent for residence. This will have a cost; the council will also have access to support when needed for finances.
Payroll through HMRC has now been set up to pay the clerk monthly ensuring all deductions are taken accurately this is under the supervision of Walker and Quinn Accountants in Spalding. As a clerk I can do this personally, but I prefer not to at this stage to ensure accuracy.
The Grass cutting is now on a three yearly contract to Mr Firth who already is doing a great job this is a cost of Total price for the whole quotation is £888.00. Plus, VAT £106.56 Highways will allow the parish to spend Total £ 816.74 on grass cutting. Mr Firth has said that he started late in the season, so he knows only to work to our top figure. We will have clearer picture of the grass cutting needs at the end of the grass cutting season.
Allotments, I have now manged to contact the landlords and tenants and after some searching for files and invoices the allotments are now up to date in terms of invoices. The Council has voted to employ a land agent to manage the allotments accurately and within the legislation of current Agricultural policies. This is still to be finalised.
Charity donations have been sent out all had an increase of 10% this year. The Village Hall, All Saints Church and the Social club continue to be a huge asset to the village.
Jubilee Gardens are now be looked after by the forget me knots who are doing a tremendous job well done to all those involved the village green, and the church yard is looking pristine. Well, done.
I will always welcome emails and queries from residents in the village to enable us to maintain the high standards of the village of Fosdyke as clerk to the parish council I am here to help and assist the residents and support local community in village events throughout the coming year.