August 2020 Minutes EOM

North Somercotes Parish Council

Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held by video on Monday 24th August 2020 at 7pm to discuss the Public Toilets

There were no members of the public present. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the public session at 7.03pm.

Public Session 

a.    Any comments on the agenda item from members of the public – none

The Chairman closed the public session and commenced the meeting.

Extraordinary Meeting

24/8/20-1

a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Danny McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.

b. Apologies for Absence – It was RESOLVED to accept councillor absence/reasons for Cllr Joy Cousins and Cllr Stuart Arundel. 

24/8/20-2 To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest on any item on the agenda in accordance with the Localism Act and the Council’s Code of Conduct and Standing Orders – none.

24/8/20-3 Minutes of 27th July 2020 Meeting – it was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes, once the Clerk has amended the date at the bottom of the page, and the Chairman will then sign them.

24/8/20-4    North Somercotes Public Toilets – the Clerk provided an update on the public toilets, and lengthy discussion took place on the various aspects, including the cost of replacing the mains pipe, the potential extent of any refurbishment/     likely cost, consultation, and how to fund any capital costs and manage the impact on the precept.  The requested quote had not yet been received by the Clerk but was understood to be in the order of £20k+ depending on the options and electric works, and the quote for total refurbishment with stainless steel fittings by Danfo was £70-£80k depending on which option was selected. 

It was RESOLVED that:

- a further quote for replacement of the water main would be sought and the repair should then be carried out so that the disabled section can then be opened as previously agreed

- the risk assessment for reopening should be completed and the necessary supplies obtained

Depending on the possible options required for remodelling to update the facility and meet COVID19 requirements, it would be necessary to ask for other quotes for the works, once it was decided what those works are. 

It was acknowledged that there would be an impact on the precept, the extent and duration of which would depend on which option was chosen for remodelling; given the difficulties with achieving a face-to-face public consultation exercise at this time, the Clerk was instead asked to put an update in the next Communication magazine and ask for any comments on the continued provision of the toilets and their potential replacement.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.01pm