November 2018 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 26th November 2018 at 7.00 pm in the Luke Walmsley Pavilion
There were 4 members of the public present plus Mr Andy Haime, Operations Manager from Lincs Rural Housing Association. The Chairman opened the public session at 7.03pm and it was noted that Cllr Walmsley was expected later.
Public Session
a. Any Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Safeguarding issue at Youth Club – the issues which are arising with youths coming from outside of the village when the Youth Club is in session were discussed, including incidents when the Police had to be called. It was noted that the Parish Council have no powers or authority in respect of the Playing Fields Association which is a separate organisation but are supportive of keeping the use of the facilities exclusive to the Youth Club during Thursday evenings if the Playing Field Committee choose to introduce such a ruling to safeguard those using the Youth Club and preventing problems.
ii. Concerns re TPO Tree at rear of Woolpack Meadows overhanging neighbours garden – the Clerk noted that this has been raised with ELDC who say that the concerned householder can apply for the work to be done if the neighbour owning the tree does not, but they would then have to pay for the work to be carried out so this is probably not feasible; however, concerns remain regarding the safety of the overhanging tree.
iii. Copy of comments from parishioner to ELDC re Co-operative Planning Application Conditions – this was circulated to Councillors and to the Co-op for comment, and the response has also been circulated to councillors. See 26/11/18-6b below.
iv. Landowner concerns raised regarding infiltration of sea water into agricultural land from the realignment site – the Clerk noted that she was awaiting confirmation following a phone call regarding this matter, which the Environment Agency are aware of, and will pass these concerns on to the Planning Inspectorate dealing with the Public Inquiry once they are received; although it is not anticipated the concerns could be taken into account as part of the Inquiry, clearly the potential impact of increasing the amount of sea water entering the site and impacting upon the condition of agricultural land is of significant concern.
v. Coastal Path Proposals – a member of the public referred to the letter from the DIO in response to the Parish Council’s letter to the Mod regarding the historic use of the beach footpath, which had been circulated to councillors and affected landowners. The Chairman confirmed that the Council found the letter to be dismissive and wholly inadequate, since it completely ignored the large number of significant points raised regarding both the safe historic use of the beach path and the English Coastal Path legislation acceptance of walked paths, regardless of whether they are Public rights of Way. See 26/11/7-d below.
b. Chapel Fields Development - Presentation by Andy Haime – Operations Manager, Lincs Rural Housing Association – the Chairman welcomed Andy Haime from Lincs Rural who described the purpose and strategy of the organisation and the different ways they could possibly work with the Parish Council to deliver the Chapel Field housing development, including how a local connection criteria waiting list would operate.
c. District Councillor/County Councillor McNally update on District Council and County Council Matters
Cllr McNally provided an update on various matters including:
•The 30mph sign on Eau Bank would be collected now it is out of the dyke but would not be re-erected as there is a national speed limit sign on the other side of the road
•A camera is being procured to take photographs of the standing water on Warren Road
•Photographs of the bad areas on the pavement between Eau Bank and Churchill Rd will be taken
•Double yellow lines around the Axe and Cleaver junction – photographic evidence of when cars are dangerously parked are required to illustrate the problem
Cllr Walmsley joined the meeting at 7.57pm.
•Street lights – discussion took place regarding the cost of replacing current lamp type with LCD at £360 per lamp, and issues regarding adopting the lights in different areas, if this was considered an option, though there are no plans to do so currently.
The Chairman thanked departing members of the public for attending, closed the public session and started the formal council meeting at 8.10pm.
Monthly Meeting
26/11/18-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr Zoe Dowson, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Danny McNally, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Cllr Ros Webster, Cllr Marti Hopper, Sheila Pearce – Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer b. Apologies – none.
26/11/18-2 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 – none.
26/11/18-3 Minutes of 29th Oct 2018 Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes.
26/11/18-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Public enquiry for FP18 – outcome still awaited b. Coastal Path/Footpath Claims – it was noted that the letter sent to The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, Secretary of State for Defence has been passed to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation who deal with RAF/MoD Estates and Facilities and an unsatisfactory and inadequate response has been received from the DIO – see 7d below c. Chapel Fields – see 26/11/18-12 below d. Flood forum – still awaiting update re meeting from MP Victoria Atkins e. community emergency planning – outstanding f. RAF Donna Nook – ELDC have accepted nomination to list the land and buildings as an asset of Community value but confirmation is awaited 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 – outstanding h. Cemetery Actions – chased up sale of mower and awaiting details of suitable architect to inspect and detail work that needs doing, cemetery hedge now done i. Best Kept Village – results circulated j. War Memorial – letter replacement outstanding, thanks to all for the observance on 11th particularly the Bugler, Cllr Newman for organising and managing the road closure, and those who assisted with the traffic management, to Cllr Maidens for the reading, and the owner of Kensington House (formerly Shamrock House) for providing water for the steaming of the memorial and keeping it tidy; the sum of £34.60 was given in donations and this has been sent to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
26/11/18-5 Reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Dowson - the AGM has been held, issues at the youth Club are being looked at, Marquee purchased, next event cheese and wine in January and 16 Feb Stolen Fridays Disco.
b. Police Panel/Speedwatch – Cllr Newman – there have been a number of break-ins and thefts of heating oil, Speedwatch is now being set up in the East Lindsey area on a volunteer basis run by the Road Safety Partnership and there are likely to be some changes to local volunteers, plus there is a cost to get different high Viz vests and amend the existing signs. More volunteers have been sought via Communication magazine.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman – the recent comments about the Met Office’s report on flood risks and sea defences for coastal communities was noted.
d. Village Hall Committee – nothing to report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk - nothing to report
26/11/18-6 Planning - To consider any Planning applications received and RESOLVE the way forward on these and other Planning matters
a. N132/01711/18 – Co-operative store Conisholme Rd - Permission for the lighting has been granted. Discussion took place on the complaint to ELDC from a neighbour which was copied to the Parish Council. The parish council does not have jurisdiction on any of the planning matters referred to, and the response from the Co-operative indicates that there are no enforcement issues, but this will be a matter for ELDC Enforcement to determine, and the matter of the electric connection is between the householder and the power company. If the lighting is intrusive and causing a problem for neighbours, then this should be addressed by ELDC with the Co-operative.
b. Any other urgent planning matters/applications - none
26/11/18-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/RESOLVE the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log – problems with parking near crossroads at Axe and Cleaver as noted in the public session need to be evidenced with photos
b. FP18 – Public Enquiry – outcome still awaited
c. Marsh Lane – Seal Season traffic management arrangements - noted that comments made to media were in line with the agreed stance
d. Footpath claims/Coastal Path - following discussion on the response from the DIO which had no name and had not been signed, it was RESOLVED that the council should complain about the inadequate response and the complete failure of the DIO to address the numerous issues raised and also meet again with Victoria Atkins MP. The Chairman and the Clerk will take this forward.
e. Cars parked on Axe and Cleaver junction – yellow lines request to LCC via Councillor McNally, photographs needed demonstrate the problem.
f. Donna Nook – overnight parking – Debbie Morris has confirmed they will erect a sign to try and curb overnight parking, rather than put up the barrier, though LCC apparently say a previous sign did not work.
g. any other urgent highways issues
26/11/18-8 2019/20 Budget Discussion –
Following discussion of the Clerk’s proposals for the 2019/20 budget setting as laid out in the narrative and spreadsheets dated 14-11-18 it was RESOLVED to precept the amount required, pending confirmation of the tax base and clarification on the Toilets rates situation for 2019 onwards.
26/11/18-9 Finance
a) the bank reconciliation for November 2018 was received, checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) The schedule of payments and receipts for November 2018 were checked and it was RESOLVED to accept and sign these with the addition of the cheque for British Telecom for phone and broadband.
c) to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters – none.
26/11/18-10 To receive/note general Correspondence for November, Website Updates and Communication
The file of items received was placed on circulation.
26/11/18-11 To note/agree items for Discussion/inclusion at next meeting - Monday 17 December 2018 at 7pm
•Chapel Field Development
26/11/18-12 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 meeting at this point.
a. Chapel Field Housing Development – following discussion of the presentation by Andy Haime from Lincs Rural Housing Association earlier in the meeting, it was RESOLVED to obtain an up to date valuation of the land to inform a decision on how best to take the development forward, and the Clerk will check the position regarding the telegraph pole and any wayleave agreement.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.20pm