October 2018 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 29th October 2018 at 7.00 pm in the Luke Walmsley Pavilion
There were no members of the public present. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the public session at 7.04pm
Public Session
Any Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda:
i. Dangerous state of carriageway between Lawton’s Pond and just past CawMc Engineering towards South Somercotes. Several complaints have been made on social media and logged on the ‘fixmystreet’ system about the state of the carriageway and Cllr McNally will check out what Lincs County Council propose to do, but it was thought that funds would be sought under the ‘drought damage’ initiative.
ii. Donna Nook car park – standing water/puddles - complaints had been made about this; including the trial area which appeared to be lifting up and becoming water logged, but it was noted that the Environment Agency did not propose to do anything about it until after the seal season.
iii. 30mph sign on Eau Bank – a request has been made that this should be re-erected now that it has been retrieved form the dyke. The Clerk noted that Lincs CC had said last time that they would attend to it when out this way doing other works.
iii. Pavement trip hazards – a member of the public had requested that a survey be made of the pavement which runs along Conisholme road and Keeling St, starting at Eau Bank junction and up to the Spa Shop, as there are a number of trip hazards, owing to tree roots for example. The Clerk will make a request for this to be carried out.
iv. Lighting columns along Conisholme Rd – Cllr McNally was asked if he could ascertain the cost of changing the lights (currently turned off) over to LEDs and an estimate of ongoing running costs, to see whether once the cost was known a sponsor for them to be turned back on could be found.
v. State of Marsh Lane – a complaint had been made regarding the general state of the road, including the area opposite the Anglian Water turn off, where the lorries coming out form there are churning up the edge of the carriageway and verge. The Clerk noted that the potholes had been done and she had previously reported the state of the carriageway at that location but was not hopeful anything would be done given other priorities for limited funding.
vi. Location of Speedwatch – a request for having the Speedwatch undertake monitoring nearer the school had been put forward. It was noted that the monitoring location at the village hall layby monitored traffic both ways, but that a location further down by the school would not meet safety and other requirements for monitoring.
vii. 30mph sign Conisholme Road – it was noted that part of the area on the matrix sign was not lighting up. This sign had been erected by the County Council, so it was not clear who would now deal with this.
viii. Soil Heap Cemetery – following a query it was noted that this material must be kept within the cemetery, and confirmed that it is used when and where appropriate to backfill grave spaces.
The Chairman closed the public session and commenced the meeting at 7.20pm
Monthly Meeting
29/10/18-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr Zoe Dowson, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Parish Clerk – Sheila Pearce
b. Apologies for Absence – it was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Webster’s and Cllr Hooper’s absence and reasons given.
29/10/18-2 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 declared.
29/10/18-3 Minutes of 24th September Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes and they were duly signed and dated by the Chairman.
29/10/18-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Public enquiry for FP18 – outcome still awaited b. Coastal Path/Footpath Claims – letter done to The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of State for Defence c. Chapel Fields – meeting held with ELDC/John Mather’ – item 13 refers d. Flood forum position – still awaiting update re meeting from MP Victoria Atkins e. community emergency planning – outstanding f. RAF Donna Nook – produced further supporting evidence for listing application as Asset of Community Value as requested by ELDC g. 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 – reply still outstanding h. Cemetery Actions – chased action on mower, no action taken on shoring, potential woodworm issue, and issue with brickwork and pointing – Carre Heritage coming to view on 14 November, Grantham’s requested to do the hedge i. Best Kept Village – results circulated but no scores given so unlikely to participate again if unable to gauge progress j. War Memorial - Cleaning and re-lettering done - painting of railings to be done before 11th, traffic management advance notice signs out smaller ‘road closed’ signs requested. Clarified insurance position and requested LCC to change wording on advice of insurers. Clerk was asked to check issue with missing letter and date.
29/10/18-5 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Dowson – Bonfire Night Sat 3 Nov starting at 5pm, £2 entry. AGM 5th November.
b. Police Panel/Speedwatch – Cllr Newman – no policing panel report at present. Number of observations on increase in burglaries, scams and doorstep incidents. No speedwatch has taken place for last 3 months, and the county wide project has not progressed. Clerk to place advert in Communication magazine for more volunteers.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman – nothing to report
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – notes from the meeting have been circulated for information.
29/10/18-6 To consider Planning applications received/RESOLVE the way forward on these/other Planning
a. New Applications
i. N/132/01691/18 - LAKESIDE PARK - Erection of a shower block and welfare accommodation on the site of existing shower block which is to be demolished. It was RESOLVED to support this application.
ii. N/132/01958/18 - SOUTH ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, UNIT 2 - Change of use of existing unit under Use Class B1: Business to use as Class A1:Shops of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 as Amended.
It was RESOLVED to support this application.
b. To note outcome of previous applications:
N/132/01525/18 - Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide a covered access canopy to the dwelling entrance. - 1 THE PADDOCK, WILLERTON ROAD – has been approved.
29/10/18-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/RESOLVE the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log – provided by the Clerk, log to be circulated via email
b. FP18 – Public Enquiry – date for decision now expected to be Jan/Feb 2019 according to Ms Debbie Morris (EA)
c. Marsh Lane –Seal Season traffic management arrangements all now agreed although signage was not put in place before half term week as requested, this has now been done. Still needs sign ‘to the sea/car park’ – Cllr McNally is trying to organise this with Lincs County Council; it was noted that the Coastguards are also supporting the request for the sign ‘to the sea’ to be put up so that in an emergency it is easy to locate.
d. Footpath claims/Coastal Path – letter re Coastal Path done to Secretary of State for Defence, providing historic detail of agreed continuation of use of beach path - as yet no acknowledgement or response. PROW claims pending outcome of any response.
e. Cars parked on Axe and Cleaver junction – sent email, awaiting response from Police. If LCC Highways would put down double yellow lines these could then be polices or enforced.
f. very dangerous state of the carriageway from Lawton’s Pond to Scupholme corner past CawMc Engineering – as reported in the public session Lincs County Council should be attending to the severely dropping carriageway section but the cracking will be considered under the funding for issues caused by drought.
g. Parish Paths – Annual surveys kindly done by former Councillor Mr Ward. Clerk will place on Agenda for next meeting.
29/10/18-8 2019/20 Initial Budget Discussion – to discuss the main issues and likely budgetary pressures for 2019/20 budget setting and RESOLVE the way forward as may be required
- LCC have confirmed verge monies for 2019/20 - £650
- cemetery income has been higher than anticipated this year but will keep estimate at £750 for next year.
- St Mary’s trees – increase budget to allow for further work to redundant section trees
- Need to allow more for weeding of cemetery path/GOR areas that aren’t covered by grass cutting contract
- Toilets rates have been removed in the Budget for 2019/20
- Twin Chapels are being inspected for woodworm and other issues and a list drawn up of required works and priority/necessity as noted earlier; this may result in additional funds being set aside though noted some have already been set aside for anticipated works, and grant funding may be available also
29/10/18-9 Donations and Grants – following discussion it was RESOLVED to donate £350 following the request from the Snooker Club to assist with funding for No 3. snooker table to be re-clothed with new cushions at a cost of £640.00 plus VAT.
29/10/18-10 Finance
a) The bank reconciliation for October 2018 was received, checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of payments and receipts for October 2018, adding in the grant payment to the Snooker Club for £350 as RESOLVED in 29/10/18-9 and the cheques were examined and signed.
c) The Clerk noted the confirmation documents required for the signatories for the Investment Account – relevant Councillors to provide them asap.
29/10/18-11 General Correspondence for October, Website Updates and Communication – placed on circulation.
29/10/18-12 To note/agree items for Discussion/inclusion at next meeting - Monday 26 November 2018 at 7pm
2019/20 budget proposals Chapel Fields – update and attendance from Lincs Rural
29/10/18-13 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council should move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present at the meeting at this point.
a. Chapel Field –the Clerk provided an update on the 9 October meeting with John Mather of Lincolnshire Community Led Housing Trust and ELDC Officers to discuss funding, and the outcome. The Clerk and the Chairman outlined the situation regarding the revised development costings, the potential grant funding from ELDC, implications for the budget and viability of the development; along with the potential for other sources of funding that would be explored. The Clerk has had an initial discussion with Lincs Rural and arranged to meet to look at how Lincs Rural can support and work with the Parish Council in taking the project forward using their input in a number of different ways, including accessing other Government funding.