February 2020 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the of North Somercotes Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 24th February 2020
There was 1 member of the public present, and the Chairman welcomed everyone and opened the public session at 7.01pm.
Public Session
a. Any Policing Update – the missing person search had involved the inland use of the Coastguard, with the individual being found safe, thanks to excellent joint working.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Farm vehicles being driven at speed through village/drivers on mobile phone – following discussion it was agreed this would be raised at the next Police Panel Meeting, and that the Clerk would write to the Area Inspector, the NFU and the Young Farmers.
ii. signpost for the end of Willerton Rd – after discussion, the Clerk will ascertain cost of one or two fingerpost type signs for The Common and Warrenside. ELDC have added amended the sign at the end of Willerton Rd but have not then addressed the need to sign which way these two places are from the end of Willerton Rd.
iii. poor state of Warrenside track/footpath – a member of the public had asked if the planings from Willerton Rd could be used to fill the holes when that work is done? It was confirmed that this is not usually possible owing to the arsenic content in the road planings.
iv. loose chippings and water outside Bay Horse/Chinese/ - this issue had been logged before and inspected by LCC Highways but still nothing has been done to resolve the mess. The Clerk was asked to write to LCC highways pointing out the outstanding items – see also agenda item 7.
v. Claiming public rights of way before 2026 deadline – a member of the public noted the situation with regard to needing to claim those alleged public footpaths in danger of being lost as they were not yet included on the Definitive Map but many people believe that they should be, having used them for many years previously. The Clerk is available to assist members of the public wishing to take these claims forward.
vi. Planned relocation of ELDC Offices from Manby to Horncastle – this was discussed, and the Clerk was asked to ascertain other Council’s views, as well as prepare a draft letter for the Chair to send on behalf of the council.
c. District & County Cllr McNally county council updates
Cllr McNally referred to an extra £2m for flood prevention schemes, an increase in home care visits from 15 to 30 minutes, Carers Drop in – last Wednesday of the month at St Barnabas Louth, Century of Valour exhibition at the Collection Lincoln until 15 March, publication of the Wainfleet Flood Review.
d. District Cllr Paul Rickett –District Council updates – apologies had been received from Cllr Rickett
The Chairman closed the public session and started the Meeting at 7.38pm
Monthly Meeting
24/2/20-1
a. Present: Cllr Steve Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr Joy Cousins, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Danny McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr Paul Walmsley
b. Apologies for
Absence – Cllr David Wallis
24/2/20-2 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
Cllr McNally had declared an interest in item 6 – Planning Applications and signed the book, and Cllr Walmsley declared an interest in item 6bi at pm and signed the book.
24/2/20-3 Minutes of 27th January 2020 Meeting – It was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes, and they were signed and dated by the Chairman.
24/2/20-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – the Clerk updated on the following - for information only
a. Chapel Fields – see agenda item 13a/b
b. Coastal Path – see Agenda item 7b
c. Crime Prevention – see agenda item 13c
d. Emergency Planning Working Group Meeting – next meeting 9th March
e. Annual Parish Meeting – agenda agreed, to include Emergency Planning presentation on 8 April 2020
f. CLT set up – see 14a
g. Defibrillator for Axe and Cleaver – Fundraising completed, model to be selected once final amount known.
24/2/20-5 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – Regenerate on Valentines night was successful, raising some £2,000 for funds. Concerns about the Defibrillator electrics have been raised with the Village Hall Committee following an incident during the event. Next event is the Easter Egg draw at the Axe & Cleaver, then Party in the Park in July, date to be confirmed. Waiting for the drier weather to be able to address the state of the driveway down to the Pavilion.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – next Panel Meeting in April. Chief Constable pushing ahead with recruitment of c.100 officers should raise numbers to 2010 levels.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – first meeting held, date for second session to be determined.
d. Village Hall Committee – nothing to report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – Post Seal Season meeting and Wildlife meeting on 25th February. Cllr Newman attending and will circulate the Seal Season information.
Cllrs McNally and Walmsley left the meeting at 7.52 owing to an interest in the following items.
24/2/20-6 To consider Planning applications received, Resolve the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Enforcement Notices – i. Lilac House (Huddamorr/Clovely) - Keeling St – fencing materials/height/visibility splay. The Clerk updated on the response from Enforcement on this case; the fencing has been lowered but the materials will not be changed.
b. Planning Applications
i. N/132/00222/20 - LAND OPPOSITE PIGEON COTTAGE, CONISHOLME ROAD - Detailed Particulars relating to the erection of 1no. detached house with an integral garage, 2no. detached houses with detached single garages and 1no. pair of semi-detached houses with detached single garages (outline planning permission N/132/00057/19 - outline erection of 5no. houses and garages granted on 14th March 2019). -
Discussion took place on the layout put forward. In summary, it was believed that the proposals unnecessarily segregate the S106 element of the development, when it should be better integrated to ensure ‘tenure blindness’. In addition the proposal includes a ground floor bedroom, which appears to be a change to what the Environment Agency/ELDC have previously permitted. Councillors RESOLVED unanimously that they were therefore unable to support the proposals as presented.
Cllr Walmsley returned to the meeting at 8.04pm
ii. N/132/00194/20 - Erection of a detached double garage. - TOAD HALL, ARK ROAD
Following discussion it was RESOLVED to support this application.
c. Any other urgent planning matters/applications
i. Developing a strategy for the Sustainable Future of the Coast – following discussion it was RESOLVED that the council would express a wish to be involved in this project to ensure that the sustainability of the village is assured.
24/2/20-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log – potholes on Willerton Rd have now been filled, the Finger Post on Church Lane by Twisted Chimney will be replaced ASAP.
b. Coastal Path – the Clerk confirmed that a request had been made to DIO/ Natural England re the proposed permissive seasonal alternative through the buckthorn, and confirmation that the historic agreed access to dunes and beach would not be altered.
c. to note any progress on requests to LCC Highways for:
i. A1031 Parking at Axe and Cleaver Crossroads – feedback still awaited on traffic regulation order
ii. Complaint re cancelling road repairs Scupholme Pond/Cormack Engineering – rescheduling date still awaited
iii. standing water outside Primary School and alongside Oasis Lakes/Warren Road – still a problem
d. Any other/urgent highways issues
i. standing water and chippings outside Bay Horse on Keeling St – the Clerk was asked to draw up a list of the various outstanding items, including this item and the trip hazard outside Brock House near the Academy and present this to County Cllr McNally for taking up with LCC highways.
24/2/20-8 Cemetery Chapel – Storm damage/Inspection Report – following the meeting at the Cemetery on 23 February, the Clerk has asked Carre Heritage to provide a quote for repairs, as well as indicate prices for the items identified in the 2019 Inspection Report. The storm damage has been logged with the Insurers and the area roped off, with signs around the perimeter fence warning people to keep away from the chapels owing to loose masonry. Other Listed Building specialists will be also approached and asked to quote for the list of works. Appreciation of the quick action to make the Bell Cote safe by John Wilkinson Builders and Cllr Drewery was noted.
24/2/20-9 Annual Parish Meeting – 8 April 2020 note 6.30pm start – the proposed Agenda was agreed, and it was RESOLVED to fund a suitable security item for the prize draw (open to parishioners only) c£80-100.
24/2/20-10 Actions from the Emergency Planning Working Group – the Clerk has done a letter to those organisations/individuals identified as being responsible for premises that may need to be used, and the first session of the Resilience Planning will be the presentation by Steve Eason Harris of the Lincs Resilience Forum at the Annual Parish Meeting on 8th April. Following which the next step is to arrange the 2-3 hour community session.
24/2/20-11 Finance, Audit and budget
a) The Chairman checked and signed the bank reconciliation for February 2020
b) The Council received, checked and RESOLVED to approve and sign the schedule of Receipts of £379 and Payments of £2,135.43 for February 2020.
c) the successful outcome of the Internal Audit carried out on 30th January 2020 was noted
d) it was noted that the Precept form had been submitted and receipt confirmed for 2020/21
e) to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters
i. The financial implications of the proposed ELDC move to Horncastle was briefly discussed, with a number of concerns being expressed regarding location, cost, impact on precept, carbon footprint, increased staff travel costs/time, lack of consultation/referendum, lack of transparency. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should raise the issue and find out other council’s opinions on the Clerk email network and draft a letter to the leader of ELDC for the Chairman to sign on behalf of the council.
24/2/20-12 General Correspondence for February, Website Updates and Communication – this has been circulated via email/hard copy, including Community Housing Fund Letter regarding Renewal of funding.
24/2/20-13 Items for discussion/inclusion at next meeting - Monday 23rd March 2020 at 7pm
*Chapel Fields Development
*CLT progress
*Emergency Planning Working Group Actions
*Cemetery Works
*end of year financial performance versus budget forecast/preparation for Audit
*Risk Management Review
* Insurance Renewal
24/2/20-14 Confidential Matters – It was RESOLVED that the Council should move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 by reason of the confidential matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present required to leave the meeting at this point.
a. Setting up the North Somercotes Community Land Trust Steering Group
The Clerk noted that she would be discussing taking this forward with Martin Field of EMCLH, part-funded by ELDC, once the sale of Chapel Field was completed.
b. Chapel Fields Housing Development
The Clerk noted the work that was being done, including resolving the terms of the S106 agreement and some outstanding legal and land registry issues which had arisen, to enable the sale to be completed as early as possible to secure the build window so that work on site could commence before the end of March 2020; with a view to completion and letting of the housing units in March 2021. The Clerk would be working with Christine Vickery at ELDC to encourage and enable those previously expressing an interest in the properties to make sure they are on, or make arrangements to get on, the Housing Register.
c. Crime Prevention Matters
The Clerk noted the new installation date.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.57pm