October 2020 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held by zoom video on Monday 26 October 2020 at 7pm
There were 4 members of the public present and District Cllr Paul Rickett. The Chairman welcomed everyone and started the public session of the meeting at 7.04 pm. The Clerk noted how public participation would be conducted for those wishing to comment on agenda items during the public session.
Public Session
a. Any Policing Update – Following a recent burglary in North Somercotes, the Police will be doing a briefing session on home security and theft prevention on Saturday 1 November from 1.30 to 4pm in the Village Hall North Somercotes.
b. District & County Cllr McNally – will email the information to the Clerk so this can be circulated to Councillors. District Cllr Paul Rickett – there will be an ELDC meeting on Wednesday evening; the Devolution proposal is not expected to see any further action at present.
c. Any items raised by members of the public or comments on the agenda
i. Seal season arrangements – the Clerk noted that a complaint had been made against the parish council in relation to no toilets being provided for seal viewing - see agenda item 8
ii. Remembrance Observance – see agenda item 8
iii. Anonymous letter to Louth Town Council – a letter expressing concern about people coming to holiday parks in N.Somercotes had been received by Louth Town Council, but no response was possible as it was anonymous.
iv. Comments on Planning Application for change of use Common Lane from stables to 14 boarding Kennels
The Clerk had received around 20 emails objecting to the planning application which have been circulated to councillors, and some additional ones since then. The Chairman then invited those members of the public present who wished to do so to put forward their comments on the application, so that these could be taken into account when the matter is considered under item 6 on the Agenda. A number of issues were raised, including the unsuitability of any form of kennels or similar activity so close to residences and holiday properties; the Chairman thanked the members of the public for their comments, which would be taken into account, along with the emailed objections, when the council Resolved its position on the application under Agenda Item 6.
The Clerk explained that members of the public were very welcome to remain for the rest of the meeting and observe proceedings, as there was no confidential session in this meeting, but they are excluded from commenting/participating in the meeting from this point onward, unless invited to comment by the Chairman on behalf of the Council as a whole.
The Chairman closed the public session and opened the meeting at 7.20pm
Monthly Meeting
26/10/20-1
a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Joy Cousins, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Danny McNally, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer, and District Cllr Paul Rickett.
b. Apologies for Absence – it was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Arundel’s absence for the reasons given.
26/10/20-2 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 Walmsley declared a non-pecuniary interest in a planning application at 6biaccordance with the Councils Code of Conduct ad Standing orders at 7.23pm. Cllr McNally noted that as ward member he would listen to the discussion at Agenda item 6 but would not be voting on the matters under consideration; as he may be required to address the District Planning Committee regarding the application.
26/10/20-3 Minutes of meeting held on Monday 28th September 2020– it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes, and they were therefore signed by the Chairman.
26/10/20-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Public Toilets opening update – Revised Cleaning Schedule and Risk Assessment has been given to the cleaner, locks put on ladies and gents sections to prevent access as social distancing cannot be achieved, plus cisterns isolated and tap changed in Disabled section. Some tiles had been damaged and thanks to Robinsons Tiles who have provided the small number of tiles required free of charge for the repair. Sanitising stations have arrived and need to be fitted, but there had still been no response from Anglian Water on the leak/meter issue, so the Clerk has reported it again as a leak. AW Engineer attended 19/10 and agreed water escaping via PF meter, so he would pass it on to the Meter Team and ask them to get in touch – they should have attended site that morning 26/10 so the Clerk will expect an update before the end of the week. An allegation of Disability Discrimination has been made against the parish council because the toilets are shut, and a disabled person cannot therefore visit the seals. An initial response has been sent and professional advice sought, since the toilets are closed to all owing to the mains issue, and the parish council has nothing to do with the seal visiting arrangements.
b. Cemetery Chapel – chased again, but still awaiting response from Carre about the nails and guttering.
c. Community Trees/Orchard awaiting formal confirmation/date for number (c20) and delivery date (November) for trees, then Playing Fields will need to agree where they want these to go and arrange planting. There may be some extra trees available for the Parish Council to plant in the remaining land at Chapel Field.
d. Community Land Trust – the Clerk is aiming to have the draft legal agreement to form the CLT drawn up for the November meeting to take forward
26/10/20-5 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – the annual Bonfire Event has been cancelled and there are no events planned for the remainder of 2020. A date for the February event for 2021 is planned but it is not possible to confirm that this will go ahead as yet.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – there will be a meeting in c. 2 weeks regarding community policing. It is anticipated that the Police and other authorities will be using the Next Door social media platform in the future to replace the Lincs Alert system. However, it is not clear how popular or well used Next Door is for this purpose.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – Nothing to report at present
d. Village Hall Committee – Nothing to report at present
e. DTE Wildlife Group/Seal Season – Cllr Newman/Clerk - Nothing to report at present on DTE Wildlife Group. Seals – 1st pups born on the 22nd October, most visitors have behaved well but there have been people turning up from all over who don’t know about the need for a ticket, and don’t read the signs, so are having to be turned away. This has resulted in some issues, but there was a slot on Look North explaining that visiting was on an all-ticket basis only this year so it was hoped that this should help get the message across.
26/10/20-6 To consider Planning applications received, Resolve the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Enforcement Cases – any issues raised by members of the public passed on to Enforcement – no additional cases.
Cllr Walmsley left the meeting and entered the waiting room
b. Planning Applications for approval:
i. N/132/01926/20 - Change of use, conversion of, alterations to existing stable block to provide dog boarding kennels. LAND & STABLE, CROWSFOOT FARM, COMMON LANE, NORTH SOMERCOTES, LOUTH, LN11 7NS. This was discussed at length, particularly the number of objections received expressing concerns regarding proximity to residential housing and holiday home businesses some of which are only approx 85m away from the kennels and share a boundary with the exercise area, and the hugely negative impact on over 100 neighbours from noise and light pollution. Comments included the fact that barking from the Ark/Zaraville can already be heard by those living on Cemetery Rd, Marsh Lane, Durdens, Green Lane, Somerfield Drive, Humberston Holt, etc and this starts other dogs nearby barking. Dogs can also be heard barking form The Common on Willerton Rd and Squires Meadow. Issues of traffic disturbance may also be an issue, as well as the adverse impact of neighbours not being able to enjoy the amenity of their gardens or having to keep their windows closed, and the adverse impact of these issues on the health and wellbeing of those living on Common Lane/Cemetery Rd/Durdens and Wembley Rd should be taken into account and given full weight. Comments had been made that the land had been consistently promoted with ‘hope value’ for residential use which had made its marketed value well in excess of what the land would actually be valued at for a pony paddock. A number of other issues were raised and discussed, some of which may not be considered material planning matters, as well as apparent omissions or inaccuracies with the application. It was therefore unanimously RESOLVED to strongly object to the application. The Clerk was asked to collate the comments, objections and appropriate references and reasons for the Objection for the Chairman to review and sign. It was also RESOLVED to request that the application be called into committee as appropriate.
Cllr Walmsley returned to the meeting from the waiting room.
ii. N132/01889/20 Planning Permission - Extension and alterations to the existing dwelling to provide ancillary accommodation into the adjoining outbuilding. POPLAR FARM, PICCATHORPE ROAD, NORTH SOMERCOTES, LOUTH, LN11 7PU. The application was discussed, and it was felt to be a high quality proposal for internal living accommodation changes, with no external changes. It was therefore RESOLVED to support the application and the Clerk was asked to respond accordingly.
c. Planning Applications previously considered:
i. N/132/01488/20 - PIGEON COTTAGE, CONISHOLME ROAD – Refused by the Planning Officer on the basis of insufficient evidence.
ii. N/132/01543/20 - WILLOW HOLT, MARSH LANE – removal of restriction - decision awaited
d. Planning Consultations – Comments submitted on the LDO.
26/10/20-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. Any additional items to report – streetlamps out on Churchill Rd have been reported, as well as one on Sea Lane Saltfleet - along with a complaint as ELDC have stated the Saltfleet one would not be replaced until April 2021. The Clerk was asked to report streetlamp 26A ELDC on the corner of School Lane/Warren Rd/Keeling St.
b. Footpaths Annual survey – the survey of the condition and signage of the footpaths in the parish is underway. There may be some of the longer ones left to do but this can be checked later. In the meantime the Clerk has put the details in the Communication magazine for footpath issues to be reported direct if required.
26/10/20-8 Any updates on Arrangements for local events
a. Seal Season – the answers to the queries raised regarding arrangements for ticketing and signage etc received from Lincs Wildlife Trust (LWT) were discussed. The complaint regarding no toilet in the village stopping Disabled people visiting the seals has been passed to LWT for comment.
b. Remembrance Parade – the Clerk confirmed the Bugler Playing the Last Post and Reading should go ahead but the road would not be closed, as the parish council was not in a position to manage the risks associated with the usual arrangements, and the need to adhere to COVID19 Rules. The Clerk has put a note in Communication and on the village Facebook page, to try and dissuade people from attending at the same time, and to remember the fallen in different ways, and will endeavour to record it live to the village Facebook page.
26/10/20-9 New Council Website – the legal requirements for website accessibility were discussed, together with the impact of this on resources with the changeover from the old LCC run website. Work has been done to transfer over essential documents from the old website, thanks to free input from a volunteer who is helping many councils, and the Clerk will then endeavour to continue to populate the new website with the required information in an accessible format, time and resources permitting.
26/10/20-10 Finance and Expenses
a) The Chairman checked, noted and will sign the bank reconciliation for October 2020
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of Payments of £7114.47 and Receipts of £2018.11 for October 2020, plus the cheque to be signed for the Poppy Wreaths.
c) to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters – none.
26/10/20-11 Initial Budget Discussion 2021/22 – it was noted that the main issues and likely pressures for next year’s budget would be connected with capital funds needed for any refurbishment of the toilets, and the additional staff time and cleaning regime in the meantime. The Toilets rates legislation has still not been passed so rates will still need to be budgeted for. The Clerk will produce a draft narrative and initial budget spreadsheet for the November meeting. The tax base and deadline for submission will not be available until sometime in January as usual, so the current tax base will be used.
26/10/20-12 General Correspondence for October, Website Updates and Communication - various items have been circulated by email. A further response to the Discrimination complaint will be done once LALC have commented.
26/10/20-13 Agenda Items for meeting to be held on November 2020/future meetings
a. Chapel Field – future maintenance/use of retained land
b. Public Toilets update
c. Fire Resistant Cabinets
d. Parish Council Website update
e. Preliminary Consideration of 21/22 Budget setting
f. Community Land Trust Legal Set up – Nov
g. Housing Allocation Rules for ELDC/Platform – for information/interest
h. Local Plan Review of Coastal Housing - Policy Options and Issues paper out for consultation
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.22pm