December 2019 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 16th December 2019 at 7pm in the Luke Walmsley Pavilion,
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and opened the public session at 7.02 pm. There were no members of the public present.
Public Session
a. Any Policing Update – The Clerk reported on recent feedback received from Sgt Willoughby and PC Precious regarding the proposed staffing changes to be trialled from Feb, and the recent arrests of burglary suspects in the village.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. The Clerk noted she had received a complaint of Fly tipping at Howden’s Pullover – this was on private land so although reported to ELDC they were unable to take any action on it.
ii. A report had been received regarding dogs out of control/not on leads and a physical Assault in the Warren, which is private land. A counter allegation had also been made and the police have advised that no further action was anticipated in the matter.
c. District & County Cllr McNally/District Cllr Paul Ricketts – any District/County Council updates
Cllr Ricketts had given his apologies. Cllr McNally noted that he would be meeting with the new Lincs County Council Head of Highways on Friday to discuss the outstanding highways issues – see 7c below.
The Chairman closed the public session and commenced the meeting.
Monthly Meeting
16/12/19-1 a. Present: Cllr Steve Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Danny McNally, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr David Wallis, Paul Walmsley, Mrs Sheila Pearce – Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer b. Apologies for Absence – none.
c. Co-option of Parish Councillor – the Chairman welcomed Mr Shaun Smalley who had put himself forward for Co-option, and Mr Smalley introduced himself to the councillors present. Following which, it was RESOLVED to Co-opt Mr Smalley on to the Council and he signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
16/12/19-2 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.
16/12/19-3 Minutes of 25th November 2019 Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt/sign the notes as accurate minutes.
16/12/19-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Chapel Fields/CLT – see agenda item 13a
b. Coastal Path – see Agenda item 7b
c. Crime Prevention – see agenda item 13b
d. Emergency Planning Working Group Meeting – membership confirmed as Cllrs Brooks (Chairman), Newman, McNally, Kennedy with Clerk to arrange meeting in January
e. Annual Parish Meeting – 8 April 2020 – arrangements are being made to include a presentation on the progress with the Emergency and Flood Risk Plan and advice from Police on home security as well as police approved supplier/s advice on security products
f. Clerk’s Appraisal – see Agenda item 13c
16/12/19-5 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – next event is on 15 Feb – with band Regenerate in the Village Hall for Valentine’s. Work to improve the surface of the track to the Pavilion is planned in the new year. Junior Cricket is being looked at, and if numbers indicate sufficient interest, taster sessions and equipment to be organised.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – next meeting will be in January
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – Clerk to arrange meeting in January to get process underway.
d. Village Hall Committee – no report.
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – nothing to report
16/12/19-6 To consider Planning applications received, Resolve the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Enforcement Notices –
i. Christmas Barn – Donna Nook Rd – the Clerk noted the council was in receipt a copy of an Enforcement Notice relating to apparent change of use without planning permission.
ii. Lilac House (Huddamorr/Clovely) - Keeling St – Enforcement confirm they are looking into this apparent failure to adhere to the agreed drawing in respect of the fence materials and height but are unlikely to visit before Christmas.
b. Any other urgent planning matters/applications
The barn at Woodcote has been approved; it must only be used for the storage of horse related equipment /machinery and domestic items that are incidental to the use of the existing dwelling adjoining the site, and must not be used for any commercial/ business activity.
16/12/19-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/Resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log – the Clerk noted she had again reported the numerous potholes on Willerton Rd as they had only filled one or two of the twenty or so holes on the last occasion, and several of them, including those at the junction with Churchill Rd are dangerous for cyclists.
b. Coastal Path – the Clerk had emailed councillors regarding the last meeting with representatives from Natural England (NE), the Ramblers and Lincs Wildlife Trust (LWT) to consider the options. Following the meeting the Clerk has emailed and asked NE to confirm the RAF/DIO position regarding the official English Coastal Path being recognised as the historic and current walked beach path, which is outside the Range Danger Area, and that any buckthorn route would ONLY be the seasonal alternative during seal season, not at any other time. So far there has not been any confirmation of this.
c. to note any progress on requests to LCC Highways
It was noted the Cllr McNally will be meeting with the Head of Highways and will then be able to update on:
i. South Road 30mph extension or introduction of 40mph
ii. A1031 Parking at Axe and Cleaver Crossroads – noted it was particularly bad again at the weekend when cars were parked right on the corner of the unction
iii. Complaint re cancelling road repairs between Scupholme Pond and Cormack Engineering – rescheduling date
iv. Donna Nook – rubbish collecting
16/12/19-8 Donations/grants – to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on requests received
a. CAB – it was noted that the CAB have requested a donation again this year for general advice - this is not normally time critical so will be considered against the allocated budget for donations at the AGM in May.
b. Primary School Swimming pool cover - £438.10 – following discussion it was RESOLVED to support this request. The Clerk has asked for the cover to be invoiced directly to the Parish Council for VAT purposes.
c. St Mary’s – Handrail for the Church – c £800
The Clerk noted that she had received a request for St Mary’s for a handrail for the Church, but on checking with LALC the statutory rules do not permit funding for the church/grounds, although donations for the Church Hall which is used by the wider community could be made, as had been done previously, and support for the Redundant Section is covered by different legislation.
16/12/19-9 2020/21 Budget and Precept Discussion – the Clerk’s proposals for the 2020/21 budget and resultant Precept required of £33,978 as laid out in the papers provided were discussed and it was RESOLVED to proceed as agreed, pending any required changes, and subject to ratification at the meeting in January once the tax base is confirmed.
16/12/19-10 Finance and Audit
a) the bank reconciliation for December 2019 was received, checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of Payments of £2,875.49, no receipts, for December 2019
c) to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters
16/12/19-11 General Correspondence for December, Website Updates and Communication
– inc school admissions were noted.
16/12/19-12 To agree/note items for discussion/inclusion at next meeting - Monday 27 January 2020 – note meeting will start later at 7.45pm as the CLT Steering Group meeting will be held before hand at 7.00pm
*Chapel Fields Development
*Coastal Path update
*Emergency Planning Working Group
*Precept Confirmation
16/12/19-13 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council move into closed session by reason of the confidential matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press at the meeting at this point.
a. Chapel Fields Housing Development
The Clerk noted that in order to avoid any delay with land registry changes, the land would be sold direct, rather than transfer it to the CLT first. LALC had confirmed the Parish Council’s proposed course of action was in order. It was therefore RESOLVED to sell the land for the amount agreed and the solicitor would be instructed to progress the sale accordingly.
b. Community Land Trust progress – The Clerk reported that ELDC were able to provide some funding to assist with the set-up costs, and that the next CLT Steering Group meeting was proposed to be held just prior to the next parish council meeting in January. It was agreed to start the CLT presentation by Martin from EMCLH at 7pm, and the parish council to start later at 7.45pm. Cllrs Brooks, Drewery, Arundel, Kennedy, Walmsley and Wallis plus the Clerk are on the CLT Steering Group, but other councillors are also welcome to attend the CLT presentation.
c. Crime Prevention Matters
The Clerk noted that the Legal Agreement had now been signed and exchanged and she also confirmed the initial and ongoing annual maintenance costs associated with the agreed project. It was again confirmed and RESOLVED to commit to this expenditure, the ongoing requirement for which has been included in the annual budget.
The Clerk left the meeting at this point owing to an interest in the following item.
c. Clerks Appraisal
The Chairman provided a report to the council on the Clerk’s latest appraisal which was noted and discussed. Discussion also took place on the Chairman’s proposals in respect of addressing the Clerk’s pay scale following which it was proposed and RESOLVED to increase this with effect from 1 January 2020.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting.