July 2019 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 29th July at 7pm in the Luke Walmsley Pavilion,
There were 3 members of the public present. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, opening the public session at 7.04 pm
Public Session
a. Any Policing Update – a number of burglaries have been reported – again entrance has been gained via the rear patio doors, or rear of the properties and when people are away. It was noted that some people are still posting on social media when they are away from home or on holiday.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. further complaints re dangerous situation at Axe and Cleaver crossroads with parked cars on all sides – concerns have again been expressed that cars are sometimes parked all around the junction - County Cllr McNally to be asked to follow this up with LCC Highways- see agenda item 8d.
ii. allegation of bad driving – this has been passed to police and the individual advised to contact them direct in the future.
iii. complaints that road into Louth still not repaired and getting worse between McCormack’s and Scupholme pond/Saddleback Drain – County Cllr McNally was asked to query with Lincs County Council Highways when this work will be done as it is getting worse.
iv. Coastal Path – one of the landowners had made their views known to the parish clerk regarding the suggested use of the Red Farm Track from the sea bank to the bottom of Donna Nook Road – see agenda item 8b.
c. District/County Council updates – Cllr McNally noted that a trial is being undertaken by the District Council with a fourth refuse bin for recycling just paper and cardboard as this is currently getting contaminated by improperly cleaned food containers. The first Planning Policy Committee has been held and effort is being made to work positively towards the issue of appropriate building in the coastal zone. The ‘To the Sea/Donna Nook car park’ sign for Marsh Lane will now be sorted.
The Chairman closed the public session and started the meeting at 7.17pm.
Monthly Meeting
29/7/19-1
a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley.
b. Apologies for Absence – District Cllr Paul Ricketts had given his apologies and it was RESOLVED to issue a formal invitation to Cllr Ricketts to attend future meetings.
29/7/19-2 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
Cllr McNally declared an interest at 7.19pm in all planning Items as the current Chair of the District Council Planning Committee.
29/7/19-3 Minutes of 24th June 2019 Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes.
29/7/19-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Chapel Fields – see agenda item 13a
b. Coastal Path – see Agenda item 8b
c. Cemetery Actions –see agenda item 7
d. Crime Prevention – see agenda item 13b
e. Councillor Training – there will be an evening session at North Somercotes Village Hall on 20 November 6-9pm with an expectation that all councillors will take advantage of attending/updating
f. Co-option to two councillor vacancies – these have been advertised
g. Emergency Planning Working Group Meeting – the Clerk will organise a meeting as agreed
h. Annual Parish Meeting – draft minutes done and proposals for different format for next year; no response from Communication article – direct requests to organisations to be made
i. Fibre Optic Box and relocation of pole and cables – Open Reach will not absorb the cost of the pole relocation or lowering of cables in return for the space near to the existing equipment so a position which does not obstruct the driveway or sight lines has been decided upon.
j. Youth Club proposal for WIFI/Broadband connection – clarification on the second element of the funding request has been received.
k. Remembrance Observance - Road Closure Request has been submitted m. Footpath grass cutting and Amenity Area tidying – have been undertaken as requested.
29/7/19-5 Donation requests from Village organisations – following consideration of the requests and funds available, and previous awards given to each of the organisations, the following was RESOLVED:
a. Bowls Club – £300 towards the purchase and erection of 3 compost bins inc covers and delivery of £330.
b. Village Hall – £100 towards the plastering of the interior of C£2k
c. Village Institute – £100 towards the costs of suspended ceiling and rewiring of £4910
29/7/19-6 To consider any Planning applications received and resolve the way forward on these and other Planning matters
Cllr McNally left the meeting at 7.46pm owing to a declared non-pecuniary interest in the following item:
a. N/132/01225/19 Bank End House, Eau Bank - Extension and alterations to the existing dwelling to provide a ground floor living room, entrance hall, dining room and porch with 2no. first floor bedrooms and a gallery landing over on site of the existing conservatory and porch which are to be demolished. Following discussion it was RESOLVED to support this application.
b. Any other urgent planning matters/applications - none
Cllr McNally rejoined the meeting at 7.50pm
29/7/19-7 Actions arising from the Annual Cemetery Meeting – following discussion it was agreed to form a small working group to consider the notes from the meeting held on 6 July 2019 and discuss the Inspection report received and propose how the matter will be taken forward for consideration by the full council. Clerk to arrange with Cllrs Brooks, Drewery and Newman.
29/7/19-8 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log – Jubilee Rd – noted that the recently dressed road surface is breaking up, possibly owing to the hot temperatures experienced as this is also happening at the junction of Cemetery Rd/Marsh Lane.
b. Coastal Path – as noted in the public session, one of the Landowners had made his objection to the use of the Red Farm track from the sea bank to the bottom of Donna Nook/Ark Road known. A query was raised and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should ascertain if ownership of the track was clear as this route would provide a lower cost seasonal alternative and avoid the unacceptable position of c2km fencing and associated issues of what would happen with a winter surge tide, how people would be stopped from trying to access the seals, etc. The Clerk was also asked to request Natural England to clarify the details of what was now being proposed as a seasonal alternative if they were no longer undertaking the review of the Red Farm Track proposal which had been agreed at the meeting in May. Cllr McNally was asked to ascertain from Chris Miller at LCC if the safety review of using Donna Nook Road or Marsh Lane had been undertaken or not.
c. Donna Nook Realignment Site/Marsh Lane – concerns have been raised about the improvement works to Marsh Lane and whether the Planning conditions regarding the road widening have been breached. It is understood that a timetable for the road widening has been submitted and approved and the Clerk was asked to request a copy of this from ELDC Planning Dept and circulate it to councillors.
d. To consider and Resolve the way forward on a request for LCC to examine the need/advisability of signage/lines at Axe & cleaver crossroads owing to potential risk of accident/injury occurring – Following discussion it was RESOLVED to ask Cllr McNally to formally request LCC highways to look in to the issue of cars being parked so close to the junction making it difficult to emerge from Jubilee Rd and South Rd safely.
e. Request for extension of 30mph/40mph on South Road – following discussion it was also RESOLVED to make a formal request via Cllr McNally to LCC Highways to examine the possibility of either extending the 30mph to the Twisted Chimney junction or introducing a 40mph speed limit from Twisted Chimneys to the current 30mph start on South Rd.
f. Any other urgent highways issues - none
29/7/19-9 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – Party in the Park was a success raising c£2.5k, and Stolen Fridays booked for September. The new mower/tractor has been obtained.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – the minutes have been circulated and talk by Trading Standards attended; Email scams and Cold Callers are ignoring notices on properties which is an offence. 20,000 extra police officers to be recruited are welcomed by the PCC.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – meeting to be organised
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
29/7/19-10 Finance and Audit
a) the bank reconciliation for July 2019 was received and checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) it was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of Receipts of £169 and Payments of £4,342 for July 2019
c) the Clerk had circulated the actual versus budget position as at 29 July 2019 which was noted
d) discussion took place on the Wainfleet Flood Fund but no decision was made regarding a donation.
e) to deal with any urgent or other Financial matters - none
29/7/19-11 General Correspondence for July, Website Updates and Communication have been circulated
29/7/19-12 Items for discussion/inclusion at next meeting – NB date changed to Monday 30 September 2019 at 7pm * Chapel Fields Development update *Coastal Path update *Community Land Trust next steps *Emergency Planning Working Group - Meeting date *Cemetery Meeting notes/Actions * Clerk’s hours and appraisal
29/7/19-13 – Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED to move into closed session by reason of the confidential matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public remaining in the meeting at this point.
a. Chapel Fields Housing Development and Community Land Trust progress – the Clerk updated on discussions with Lincs Rural Housing Association (LRHA) and the change to the proposed way forward. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk will work with ELDC as agreed.
b. Crime Prevention Matters
i. The Clerk provided an update on resolving the VAT situation, which needs to be clarified before the scheme can be progressed.
ii. Alleged Wildlife offence – the Clerk noted the details of a recent incident reported to her and that she had reinforced the need for individuals to call the police and/or the landowner immediately, they being the proper authority to deal with it, as the parish council has no powers or jurisdiction in such matters
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.33pm