February 2021 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held by Zoom Video on Monday 22 February 2021 at 7pm
There were no members of the public present and Cllr Paul Rickett was in attendance.
Public Session
Any Policing Update – Safer Together Team – The Clerk referred to the email from the PCC regarding consultation & engagement that had been circulated for information.
District & County Cllr McNally/District Cllr Paul Rickett updates:
i. District Cllr Rickett referred to the information that has been circulated regarding loan sharks, the set-up of the Housing Strategy Group to promote good practice amongst landlords, and that the Sutton on Sea redevelopment has started.
ii. County Cllr McNally noted that the Lincs County Council budget has been set at a 2% increase. New funding has been allocated for business recovered for small and medium businesses that could not access Government funding previously, plus funds to help businesses improve their digital presence.
c. Any items raised by members of the public or comments on the agenda:
i. Keeping public footpaths clear – the Clerk noted how two recent complaints regarding overgrown hedging had been dealt with on both a footpath and a bridleway hedge, and also a complaint from a long term resident regarding being prevented from accessing FP28 from the historic Beach path at the RAF camp which is being discussed with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
ii. Parking outside shops by Chapel Field workers/visitors – a request has been made to contractors to try and avoid parking all day outside the shops as this is preventing local users from accessing them easily.
iii. Bottle Bank at the Co-op – a post has been put on the village Facebook page regarding just dumping bottles which is regarded as fly tipping. A complaint had been made regarding the wording of the post and the council complaints procedure had been drawn to the complainants attention.
iv. Continued flooding at South Cockerington and break-up of road surface – work is now scheduled for w/c 3 March 2021.
v. Damaged Open reach cover outside Spa shop – this was swiftly cordoned off by Outreach but then still waiting for work to be done; complaint made to LCC that the online system just says ‘not LCC problem’. Cllr McNally looking into.
vi. Request to add Birkbeck photos to Parish Council Website - these are now being done by the History Group
vii. The late Mr Trevor Ireland – the Clerk noted the sad passing of Trevor Ireland, who had been an employee of the parish council for many years, helping to keep the village streets tidy.
viii. Out of control Dog – the parish council has received further queries/complaints regarding another dog being bitten by out of control terriers, this time in the Warren. This is being taken up with, and reported to, the ELDC dog warden.
ix. Willerton Rd Potholes/Road surface – a concerned resident had been told tht Willerton Rd was unadopted when she had complained about the state of the road. At the last count there were 79 potholes of various size in the road and Cllr McNally was asked if he could find out when the resurfacing of this road, and Evison Way, was scheduled to be done.
The Chairman closed the Public session at 7.19pm and opened the Meeting. Members of the public/press are excluded from commenting/participating in the meeting from this point onwards but may observe, except during any confidential session, unless invited to remain/comment by the Chairman on behalf of the Council as a whole.
Monthly Meeting
22/2/21-1
a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks – Chairman, Cllr Neil Drewery – Vice Chairman, Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr Joy Cousins, Cllr John Kennedy (from 7.39pm), Cllr Roger Maidens, Danny McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley. In attendance - Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, District Cllr Paul Rickett.
b. Apologies for Absence – none.
22/2/21-2 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.
22/2/21-3 Minutes of meeting held on Monday 18 January 2021 – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes.
22/2/21-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery Chapel – revised quote for guttering received – see item 11
b. Community Trees/Orchard – no further update
c. Grass Cutting Contract – outcome confirmed to applicants, Cemetery hedge has been done
d. Request to Environment Agency for timetable of works for Pye’s Hall/Marsh Lane – FOI request made see 7b
e. Anglian Water – issues acknowledged, and direct debit cancelled to prevent monies being taken when they owe the council
f. Toilets – the Clerk updated on grant applications, plus noted that Ajet had to be called to unblock the toilet after someone pushed toilet rolls down it, and small repair to handle required
g. Standing Orders /Code of Conduct – amendment – see agenda item below
h. N132/01916/20 South Rd development – letter raising issues of concern sent
i. Conisholme S106 Agreement – terms re affordable homes do not appear to be complied with – ELDC looking into
j. Playing Field Roller – purchased
k. 20/21 Precept - request submitted and tax base change clarified
l. Oil Delivery – managed to achieve over 33,000 litres at 36p per litre v 40p
22/2/21-5To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/ Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – Nothing to report – awaiting confirmation of changes allowed
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – quarterly update received and circulated. New priorities to be set for Neighbourhood policing teams following consultation between Inspector Sarah Constantine, ELDC, Victoria Atkins MP, IAG and members of the public. Online sessions to continue with possible face to face meetings later if allowed.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – nothing to report
d. Village Hall Committee – nothing to report
e. DTE Wildlife Group/Seal Season – Cllr Newman/Clerk – nothing to report
22/2/21-6 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:
i. Caravan allegedly being used for permanent accommodation at Coastguard Cottages- under investigation
b. Planning Applications for approval: none
c. Planning applications approved:
i. N/132/02196/20 - Erection of a detached house/detached single garage/double car port/garden buildings on site of existing art room/store which is to be demolished - Warren Studio, Warren Rd
ii. N/132/02174/20 - conversion of building under permitted development - Summerfield, Bank End
iii. N/132/02091/20 - Change of use, conversion of, alterations to existing farm buildings to provide a café and butchers shop – Buildings at Holmes Farm, Holmes Lane.
d. any other urgent planning matters - none
22/2/21-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. Any additional items to report – as noted in the public session a number of issues have been dealt with regarding public footpaths/rights of way issues.
b. Request to Environment Agency for an updated Schedule – a response has now been received indicating work will commence sometime in April/May but no firm schedule has been provided.
c. blocked drains outside the primary School – an update on progress re root cutting and jetting still awaited.
d. Any other highways issues:
i. Willerton Road – complaint re number of potholes and state of surface – Cllr McNally checking to see when scheduled for resurfacing, as this is not an unadopted road as stated to the person who spoke to LCC.
ii. Open Reach damaged utility cover outside Spa Shop – this is causing a problem for pavement users with prams, wheelchairs, etc and has been raised with LCC, who have disclaimed responsibility – Cllr McNally is looking into.
22/2/21-8 Policies and Procedures for Consideration and Adoption
Following consideration, it was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the following:
a. Protocol for the Holding of Remote Meetings
b. Annual Risk Assessment Review
c. Draft Safeguarding Policy
The amended Code of Conduct and Standing Orders - it was agreed to carry these forward to the next meeting, to allow councillors time to read them.
22/2/21-9 Consultation on the ELDC Local Plan Review – Issues and Options Paper circulated by email - 15 February to 12 April 2021: Discussion took place on the preferred option and response and the Clerk was asked to ascertain the current position on numbers of houses built in North Somercotes, and prepare a draft response along the lines discussed for further discussion and agreement at the next meeting.
Cllr McNally left the meeting at 7.53pm.
22/2/21-10 Insurance Renewal – following discussion it was RESOLVED to accept the recommendation of the Clerk to try and negotiate a 3 year period, subject to confirming best policy terms and Insurers, for the renewal from 1 April 2021.
Cllr Rickett left the meeting at 7.58pm
22/2/21-11 Finance and Expenses
a. bank reconciliation for February 2021 was checked and signed by the Chairman.
b. Receipts and Payments - It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the schedule of £0 Receipts, and Payments of £2,048.23 for February 2021, plus the additional items required for the toilets.
c. Parish Online subscription – it was unanimously RESOLVED to proceed with the Clerk’s recommendation to subscribe at the sum of c£100 per annum to accurately map council assets, assist with land registry ownership for public footpath issues and planning application comments, identify emergency resilience locations, by subscribing to Parish Online.
d. to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters
i. Cemetery Roof/guttering quote – following discussion it was RESOLVED to proceed with the works to the guttering on the basis of the first quote for the guttering, replacing like with like. Metal alternatives can be look at and planned for future replacement once the full extent of all other works required are decided upon, costed and planned.
22/2/21-12 General Correspondence for February, Website Updates and Communication – have been circulated for interest/action.
22/2/21-13 Agenda Items for meeting to be held on 29 March 2021/future meetings
a. Chapel Field – future maintenance/use/disposal of retained land
b. Public Toilets Refurbishment
c. Fire Resistant Cabinets
d. Local Plan Review
e. Insurance Renewal
f. Cemetery – GOR feature, and other outstanding issues from the Quinquennial report
g. Year end – outturn versus budget h. Annual Audit - Report from Internal Auditor
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.34pm