September 2018 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the monthly meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 24th September 2018 At 7.00 pm in the Luke Walmsley Pavilion
The Chairman had been delayed and the Vice Chairman was therefore in the Chair and welcomed everyone to the meeting, starting the public session at 7.02pm. There was 1 member of the public present.
Public Session
a. Any Policing Update – quarterly reports will in future be made available via email.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Parking on the pavements/at junctions – by School on Warren Rd and shops on Keeling St – complaints have been made regarding being unable to use the pavements on Keeling St because of vehicles parked on them, as well as on the pavement near the school. These issues, and the dangers of trying to emerge from Jubilee Rd when traffic is parked on Keeling St and South Rd by the Axe and Cleaver junction have been referred to the Police and county council highways authority, and a note again put in communication, though it may not be residents who are doing it.
ii. Proposed route of the English Coastal Path – the member of the public present outlined the current situation from the landowners’ discussions with Natural England which have include representation from the Parish Council and enlisting the support of MP Ms Victoria Atkins. Instead of using the existing walked path along the beach, with a diversion in the winter during seal season, the RAF have proposed that a path be cut and fenced through the buckthorn which would be at considerable cost and destruction of habitat, as well as requiring future maintenance. (The Chairman arrived at 7.13 and took over the Chair of the Meeting) Following further discussion, the member of the public asked the Parish Council to continue its support of the coastal path using the existing beach path which everyone walks now, the longstanding use of which had been recognised and accommodated when the Range moved to Donna Nook from Theddlethorpe in the 70s. The Chairman thanked the member of the public for their input and noted that the matter was down for discussion in the formal meeting.
The member of the public departed and the Chairman closed the public session and opened the meeting at 7.28pm.
Monthly Meeting
24/9/18-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr Zoe Dowson, Cllr Martine Hopper, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Cllr Ros Webster. It was noted that Cllr McNally was expected later and he arrived at
b. Apologies for Absence – none.
24/9/18-2 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
The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest in Planning Application N132/01525/18 at 7.33pm and signed the book accordingly.
24/9/18-3 Minutes of 23rd July Monthly Meeting – It was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes and the Chairman signed and dated them accordingly.
24/9/18-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – the Clerk updated on the following for information only:
a. Public enquiry for FP18 – outcome still awaited, Clerk has enquired but Planning Inspector not yet submitted her report to Secretary of State b. Footpath Claims – preparation started, checking out legal aspects c. Coastal Path – further meeting with Landowners/Natural England has taken place and further meeting with MP 25 September d. Seal Season Meeting notes – all decided actions should be in place as agreed e. letter to housing minister on Chapel Field/Local Plan issues – pending input from LCHT f. Flood forum position – awaiting update re meeting from MP Victoria Atkins g. community emergency planning – outstanding h. RAF Donna Nook – application to list as asset of community value submitted i. proposed liaison with other parish councils with coastal access (Skidbrooke & Saltfleet, South Somercotes, Theddlethorpe) regarding coastal path, footpath claims and future use of Donna Nook – outstanding j. oil order secured at 46.7p per litre plus vat - 30,214 litres to 45 drops k. Cemetery Actions – mower sale followed up but needs chasing again and split tree trimmed back as agreed for safety reasons.
24/9/18-5 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Dowson – Bonfire night will be held on 3rd November
b. Police Panel/Speedwatch – Cllr Newman – next police panel meeting 2 October. mini police initiative going well, quarter report to replace the monthly update as note din the public session.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – Nothing to report
d. Village Hall Committee – nothing to report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – next meeting 17 October.
The Chairman left the meeting at 7.40pm owing to a declared interest in the application at 6a.
24/9/18-6 Planning - To consider any Planning applications received and Resolve the way forward on these and other Planning matters
a. N/132/01525/18 - Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide a covered access canopy to the dwelling entrance. Provision of hard standing to create vehicular parking area and a vehicular and pedestrian access. Existing store on site to be demolished - 1 THE PADDOCK, WILLERTON ROAD. It was RESOLVED to support this application. The Chairman rejoined the meeting at 7.46pm.
b. to note outcome of applications:
i. N/132/01041/18 - Outline erection of 5no. dwellings and associated garages. LAND OPPOSITE PIGEON COTTAGE, CONISHOLME ROAD- REFUSED
ii. N/132/01406/18 - Change of use, conversion of, alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling to provide an additional dwelling creating a pair of semi-detached dwellings to be used in connection with agriculture - HODGSON, HOLMES FARM, HOLMES LANE - APPROVED
iii. N/132/01042/18 - Change of use, conversion of and alterations to existing residential annexe to provide 1no. holiday cottage - HORSESHOE COTTAGE, COMMON LANE – APPROVED
iv. N/132/01463/18 – Turkey Farm Ark Rd – insufficient information supplied to determine whether or not prior approval is needed for change of use under permitted development rules particularly around Highways issues
c. Untidy land at Aranmore Churchill Rd – the Clerk noted that this has been passed to Enforcement to action.
d. Any other urgent planning matters/applications – none.
Cllr McNally joined the meeting at 7.58pm.
24/9/18-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/RESOLVE the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log - Water has been bubbling up from the drains along Warren Road. The step at the start of the footpath on Church Lane across the playing field is broken and the Clerk has reported this to LCC. The Pull-in opposite Anglian Water turn in on Marsh Lane needs attention. Cllr McNally noted there will be a check-out visit from LCC Highways on 30th October to look at various issues.
b. FP18 – Public Enquiry – the Clerk noted that the Planning Inspector has not yet competed and submitted her report to the Secretary of State.
c. Seal Season traffic management arrangements – a note of these had been circulated by the Clerk and brief details put in the Communication magazine. It was also noted that the Lincs Wildlife Trust Wardens would be on duty from 22 October 2018.
d. Coastal Path – following on from discussion in the public session, and the previous Council Resolution 23/4/18-9c to claim the existing walked beach path as a public right of way based on the long standing unrestricted historic use, it was confirmed that the Clerk will be attending a further meeting with MP Victoria Atkins office tomorrow, and will confirm the parish council’s view that the existing walked path should be the Coastal Path; the proposed alternative of cutting a new path through the buckthorn is unnecessary and presents an unacceptable cost in terms of both public financial resources - both to make the path and in ongoing maintenance – as well as loss of wildlife habitat.
e. Footpath claims – the Clerk noted that she was looking further at the legal and historic aspects of the claim and now has in excess of 50 people wishing to support the applications.
f. Marsh Lane/Donna Nook signage problems – Cllr McNally reported that discussions are ongoing with LCC for a brown style car park sign pointing to Donna Nook down Marsh Lane, to avoid the problems of people following the signage to Donna Nook RAF camp. It was noted that this is now required urgently.
g. Overhanging trees on Warren Rd near school affecting buses – these have now been dealt with.
h. Cars parked on Axe and Cleaver junction – a note has been put in Communication and a request for double yellow lines made to LCC, along with discussion with the Police to try and prevent a serious accident occurring.
i. any other urgent highways issues – none.
24/9/18-8 Clerk future Change of Address - following discussion it was RESOLVED that future broadband connection be shared, thus reducing the cost to the Parish Council, and the Parish Council mobile used for the phone instead of the land line when the new land line available. Arrangements for storage of parish council records held by the Clerk was noted.
24/9/18-9 Donations and Grants – it was RESOLVED to support the request from St Mary’s to assist with the Chestnut tree work to the Redundant section of the Churchyard. The Clerk will arrange to meet with the Church Warden to look at what other works may be needed within the redundant section.
24/9/18-10 Finance
a) the bank reconciliation for September 2018 was received and noted and signed by the Chairman.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of payments and receipts for August 2018.
c) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of payments and receipts for September 2018, including the cheque for St Mary’s agreed in 24/9/18-9 above.
d) The Chairman and the Vice Chairman signed the paperwork for the investment of reserves in accordance with the Resolution 23/7/18-10.
e) to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters none.
24/9/18-11 Remembrance Observance for 11 November 2018 Centenary – the arrangements put in hand for road closure, Bugle Playing, and wreath ordering were noted and the Clerk confirmed that the War Memorial was due to be cleaned and the letters repaired before the 11th. Cllr Maidens was thanked for once again offering to lead the observance.
24/9/18-12 General Correspondence for September, Website Updates and Communication – these were noted.
24/9/18-13 Items for Discussion or inclusion at next meeting - Monday 29 October 2018 at 7pm
- forecast versus budgets for 2019/19 and proposals for 2019/20 budgeting requirements
24/9/18-14 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED to move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present at this point.
a. Chapel Field –the Clerk provided a verbal report regarding i. the Government funding streams and ii. the meeting on 13 September with Lincolnshire Community Led Housing Trust. The options for going forward were discussed and it was RESOLVED to explore becoming a Registered Provider and/or using an Investment Partner/using a Registered Provider to manage the development as per the Clerk’s verbal report.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.10pm.