November 2021 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of a meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council is held on Tuesday 23 November 2021 at 7.00 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall
There were no members of the public present, and District Councillor Paul Rickett had given his apologies. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and opened the public session at 7.04 pm
Public Session
a. Report/observations from District and County Councillor McNally
District Cllr McNally noted that he had attended a presentation by RWM (Radioactive Waste Management) at Theddlethorpe and requested meetings to take place in North Somercotes for this parish and the adjacent community. Separate bins for paper/cardboard recyclables will be rolled out in September next year to try and deal with the problem of 30% contamination by food stuffs from the other recyclables. It is anticipated that glass will then be able to be put in the grey bin with the other recycling. Some staff at ELDC are currently still working at home and some are working in the office, depending on various factors, including their role/responsibilities.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or Issues raised for consideration for future agenda
i. Proposals for long term storage of nuclear waste at Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal – no further comments. The Clerk is organising for the page of weblinks to be put on the council’s website as previously agreed, with a note to confirm the links are there for information only and no responsibility is accepted by the council for their accuracy etc.
ii. Highways – a number of overhanging branches have been reported to Lincs County Council.
iii. Criminal activity/damage – the police have been notified of petrol poured on the doorstep of a local farm shop, and the police were also notified of 4 hooded men breaking into a local farm workshop.
The Chairman closed the public session at 7.20pm and opened the meeting.
Monthly Meeting
23/11/21-1
a. Present Cllr Stephen Brooks, Chairman, Cllr Neil Drewery Vice Chairman, Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, and Sheila Pearce Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.
b. Apologies for Absence – it was RESOLVED to accept the absence/reasons provided by Cllrs John Kennedy, Paul Walmsley, David Wallis, and Shaun Smalley.
23/11/21-2 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 in planning applications as a member of the District Planning Committee at 7.21pm
23/11/21-3 Minutes of the 25th October 2021 Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes and they were signed and dated by the Chairman.
23/11/21-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only:
a. Public Toilets Refurbishment – tender requirement being prepared
b. S106 Conisholme Rd – see 6a below
c. English Coastal Path/PROW FP28 – ECP consultation outcome awaited d. Cemetery – see 5 below
e. Amenity Stone – chased stonemasons for quote, quote for lifting slabs and replacing with gravel also requested
f. Woolpack Meadows – see 13 below
g. Youth Club – reminded re grant funds available
h. North Somercotes Footpath Leaflet – awaiting proof of new leaflet
i. Theddlethorpe GDF – page to be added to website as agreed
j. Out of control dogs – note put in Communication, pending discussion with police/playing field
k. Councillor vacancy – advert now being progressed
l. Future Meeting dates/venues – list circulated
m. St Mary’s Redundant section Trees – works now commenced, NB Walls around redundant section will need attention
n. Community orchard – two failed trees to be replaced in January, strimming around trees to be added to footpath works
o. Toilets water bill – still in credit
p. 22/23 budget setting – see item 8 below
q. Remembrance Wreath and crosses – insufficient crosses sent so will do our own order next year, as will RAF
r. Risk Assessment – to be updated to include Woolpack Meadows
23/11/21-5 Cemetery – to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on various issues:
a. Columbaria Proposals – information has been circulated to councillors, but no decision was taken owing to current need for other cemetery related expenditure.
b. fencing repairs – contractor instructed to proceed with minimum repairs required at £270 inc vat.
c. Woodworm in doors – the inspection went ahead on 17/11 and discovered fairly widespread infestation in the pews, and light infestation in the doors and roof timbers (evident from frass in spiders’ webs). It was RESOLVED to proceed with the treatment, including a sum for preparation of the pews, pulpit, sideboard and temporary removal/covering up all the cabinets, heaters, equipment and other items in the store and consecrated chapel.
d. Quote and process for door frontage repairs – The Clerk reported on the comments of the East Lindsey Historic Environment Officer regarding Listed building consent and preference for repair rather than replacement of the modern tongue and groove frontage of the doors. Councillors commented that trying to make repairs where previous repairs had already failed and were the cause of the damp and water ingress was both pointless and not cost effective, especially given woodworm and the cost and considerable effort involved in having to remove the doors if only going to make short-term repairs, and the impossibility of then trying to match up the paintwork on the fronts of the doors - which it is understood should not have been painted in the first place. Such an approach would be very wasteful and represent a poor use of scarce financial resources, as well as the poor visual appearance that would then result and the additional cost of ongoing maintenance and repair. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should complete the paperwork in the first instance, and the Council will then consider whether to proceed with the repair or not, as it would not be appropriate to perpetuate a need for unnecessary ongoing expenditure instead of a one-off cost for more effective and long-term refurbishment.
e. Options and proposals for cemetery gates – the Clerk noted that it had been suggested by ELDC that planning permission might be required if the Cemetery gates were changed. In view of this and the required expenditure for new gates, and other more pressing items, following discussion the Clerk was asked to investigate a temporary repair/brace to secure the cracked gate post.
f. Hedging for rear boundary with footpath – the Clerk is investigating free or discounted sources, for the rear fence line (southern boundary) along the footpath, if feasible given the proximity of gravestones, plus the western boundary.
g. Quotes for taking up slabs and replacing with gravel in Garden of Remembrance – quote received and put on hold, pending clarification on location of any ashes interments in the inside Garden of Remembrance.
h. Wooden Box at gate for information – no decision reached.
i. Provision for future burials/ashes – see item 13 below.
23/11/21-6 To consider Applications received/RESOLVE the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Enforcement Issues/Actions – i. S106 Conisholme Rd – the Clerk confirmed that Lincs Rural Housing Partnership had apparently expressed an interest in taking on the development for affordable rental, and the parish council have expressed concern over the need to make sure any agreement is reached without further delay. Cllr McNally has proposed a cut-off date of 31 January 2022, by which time it was felt that if detailed agreement has not been reached/signed off to conclude the matter, then it should go to discounted market housing.
b. Planning applications for approval:
i. N/132/02284/21 - Single storey side and rear extensions to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation. Part of existing dwelling to be demolished. MARISCO, JUBILEE ROAD. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application.
ii. N/132/02253/21 - 'Non-material amendment/s to that previously approved under Planning Permission ref no. N/132/2196/21". WARREN STUDIO, WARREN ROAD. The Clerk noted her personal interest in this matter, being a correction to the change of levels on the plan. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application.
c. Any other/urgent planning matters/applications:
i. Application reference N/132/02352/21 - Change of use of land to form an extension to the existing domestic curtilage and the erection of an outbuilding for storage/workshop for domestic use. GRANARY COTTAGE, KEELING STREET. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support this application.
ii. Albion House Planning Application – no documents yet on the website, so carried forward to next meeting.
iii. Visions, Bank End, North Somercotes – it was noted that ELDC have served a further Enforcement Notice on this property regarding untidy land and buildings.
23/11/21-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting
a. verbal update on problem log:
i. Parking at Axe and Cleaver Crossroads – impact on visibility – still to be investigated
ii. Pedestrian Footway marking/give way to oncoming traffic sign (from Keeling St) on Churchill Rd – still to be investigated
b. Any other urgent/additional issues to be reported
- Trees in verge alongside Oasis (highways side) now obstructing pavement – have been reported
- Trees sticking out on Conisholme Rd, South Rd, and Warren Rd opposite Primary School – have been reported
- Lights out on Warren Rd – 26 and 27A have been reported, plus 28 also now out and to be added
- Light on the School sign still not working
- The public footpath to Brickpits has been ploughed up – to be reported.
23/11/21-8 Budget Proposals 2022/23– the Clerk made a brief statement about the likely pressure area and issues for next year, and will now complete and circulate the narrative and proposals so that a decision can be made on those proposals following discussion at the December meeting, with a view to finalising the budget at the January meeting to meet the ELDC deadline of 28th January 2022.
23/11/21-9 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley not present, no report
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – quarterly report already circulated
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman – the recent surge tied had thankfully not been significant
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group/seals – Cllr Newman – noted that there has been significant numbers of attendees at the seal viewing at Donna Nook.
23/11/21-10 Finance
a. the bank reconciliation for November 2021 had been circulated and was checked and signed by the Chairman.
b. it was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of Payments of £5,467.42 and Receipts of £29,291.51 (which included the receipt of the monies and interest from the closed Melton investment account) for November 2021, and the Clerk will also add in the subscription of £45 for the Open Spaces Society via Direct Debit.
c. to deal with any other/urgent Financial matters – none.
23/11/21-11 General Correspondence for November 2021, Website Updates and Communication – these have been circulated as appropriate.
23/11/21-12 Next Meeting - 20th December in St Mary’s Church Hall Keeling St - Main item - 22/23 Budget Setting, and proposed purchase of additional land for cemetery. The Clerk has circulated an updated list of future meeting dates/venues, in St Mary’s Hall or the Village Hall to ensure anticipated social distancing requirements can be met.
23/11/21-13 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council would move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present in the meeting required to leave the meeting at this point.
a. Chapel Fields retained land – following discussion of the anticipated expenditure, the Clerk suggested the preparation of an options paper on potential future uses and the associated costs and benefits of these, and this was agreed.
b. Cemetery – requirement for future burials and ashes interments –
i. following discussion it was RESOLVED to take the necessary steps to proceed with seeking the approval of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government to apply for a Public Works Loan Board loan to fund the purchase of additional land for the Cemetery. The sum to be borrowed and the borrowing term, together with the expected annual loan repayments schedule and how the loan repayments will be met – either by precept or, for example, by using income from the rental property, will need to be detailed once the area of land and purchase price is known. If it is intended to increase the council tax precept for the purpose of the loan repayments, this will be subject to a precept increase consultation on the amount and duration, unless it is not intended to increase the council tax precept for the purpose of the loan repayments.
ii. It was RESOLVED to proceed with obtaining the necessary market valuations on the basis of the fees discussed and the Clerk was asked to work with the Chairman to prepare the necessary documents to take this forward, including writing to the landowner and appointing the two surveyors to provide the market valuations on the land, to establish the financial and budgetary implications of any proposals and consultation arrangements to be put forward.
c. Woolpack Meadows – the Clerk provided an update on progress/actions being taken to ready the property for sale. These were noted, and it was agreed that the sycamore saplings should be removed from the other side of the fence before they present problems with the fence or property foundations.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.47.