March 2021 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 29 March 2021 at 7pm
The Chairman commenced the public session at 7.02pm. There were no members of the public present, and District Cllr Paul Rickett had given his apologies.
Public Session
Any Policing Update – none.
District & County - Cllr McNally –Cllr McNally referred to the possibility of amalgamation of East Lindsey District Council with South Holland District Council as well as Boston - which already share ‘back office’ functions, the £7.5m for local resilience flooding schemes, and the household waste tips being open again now for all waste, subject to booking.
c. Any items raised by members of the public or comments on the agenda:
i. utilities works on Keeling St for Chapel Field – complaints had been made and passed on to the utilities company regarding the extent of these works, and their duration owing to short working hours.
ii. PROW FP28 – a further complaint had been received regarding prevention of access to the beach and is being looked into, see agenda item below.
The Chairman closed the public session and started the meeting at 7.06pm
Monthly Meeting
29/3/21-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Danny McNally (from 7.12pm), Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer.
b. Apologies for Absence – it was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Drewery’s (Vice Chairman), Cllr Cousins’ and Cllr Maidens’ absence/reasons in accordance with Statutory requirements. District Cllr Paul Rickett had given his apologies.
29/3/21-2 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 declared.
29/3/21-3 Minutes of meeting held on Monday 22 February 2021 – it was RESOLVED to sign and adopt the notes as accurate minutes, and they were signed as such by the Chairman.
29/3/21-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – the Clerk updated on the following for information only
a. Cemetery Chapel – contractor instructed to proceed with guttering replacement ad roofing repairs as agreed
b. Community Trees/Orchard – trees arrived and were planted on 21 March 2021 – grateful thanks to Nick Pennell, Paul Walmsley, and Geoff Pearce.
c. Anglian Water – another demand for payment has been received, so further complaint made as still awaiting reimbursement, plus further email sent requesting resolution before year end
d. Toilets – awaiting architects site visit (6th April) and then options to be considered and drawing sent out to tender; considered changing places funding but building not large enough. Business Rates still applicable but the Bill is progressing through the House.
e. Standing Orders /Code of Conduct – amendment for agreement – see agenda item below f. Conisholme S106 Agreement not being complied with – update chased and received from ELDC – see agenda item below g. Response to ELDC Local Plan Consultation – see agenda item below g. Chapel Field Housing – note placed in village Facebook page and others regarding expected completion in May, and need to be on the housing register in order to apply.
Cllr McNally joined the meeting at 7.12pm
29/3/21-5 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – second gate being fitted to the Childrens’ play area, planning for Party in the Park on 14th August if rules allow.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – Nothing to report
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
f. Poor Land Charity – Relief in Need - it was noted that one of the former Cllrs who sits on the charity does not wish to be re-appointed, the other is happy to be reappointed. It was Resolved that the Chairman, Cllr Stephen Brooks, will be happy to be put forward to represent the Parish Council going forward; Clerk to action.
29/3/21-6 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/updates on cases
i. Section 106 Agreement for Affordable Housing on Conisholme Rd – ELDC are aware of the issue and are working to find a resolution to ensure that the Affordable housing element is delivered as per the S106 Agreement.
b. Planning Applications for approval: - none
c. any other urgent planning matters – none
29/3/21-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. Any additional items to report – the Willow tree which appears to still be leaning on phone post on Conisholme Rd has been reported and judged not to represent an issue by LCC.
b. update on outstanding items
i. blocked drains outside the primary School – update on progress re root cutting and jetting - still awaited
ii. date for resurfacing of Evison Way and Willerton Rd – was down for 20/21, now expected to be next year
c. Public Right of Way - Footpath 28 – A meeting with John Boisson, DIO Training Safety Officer East Coast Air Weapons Ranges, at Ponderosa regarding prevention of access to/from the beach on FP28 was held and subsequent complaints/emails have been followed up. The Parish Council has made its position clear regarding the long standing historical access to/from the beach at this point at all times, and it is hoped that recourse to legal channels/footpath legislation can be avoided, since the English Coastal Path at this location will formalise the long standing use of this public footpath, albeit on a slightly different course. A follow up meeting will be held and a decision on any action will need to be considered and taken then.
d. Completion of Footpath reviews – these have kindly been completed by former Cllr Philip Ward, and the Clerk will draw up the schedule of any issues noted and send these to LCC Footpaths Officer.
e. Any other/urgent highways issues – discussion took place on the works to be done on Marsh Lane during April and May for the movement of pipes and cabling etc prior to the widening of the road, and the supply of new cable to the RAF.
29/3/21-8 Policies and Procedures for Consideration and Adoption
a. Code of Conduct – it was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the amendments to the Councillors Code of Conduct previously circulated by the Clerk.
b. Standing Orders – it was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the amendments to Standing Orders to reflect the changes in the Code of Conduct.
29/3/21-9 Consultation on the ELDC Local Plan Review – Following discussion of the draft proposed response it was RESOLVED to submit this together with the updated housing figure.
29/3/21-10 Insurance Renewal – following discussion it was RESOLVED to accept the Clerk’s recommendation to stay with the current insurers, for a one year term.
29/3/21-11 20/21 Annual Audit
a. Internal Auditor’s Report and comments for 20/21 audit – it was RESOLVED to accept the Auditor’s report previously circulated, following the recent internal audit.
b. updated Asset list – it was RESOLVED to accept the updated Asset List previously circulated.
29/3/21-12 Annual Parish Meeting currently scheduled for 7 April 2021 – The Annual Parish Meeting is organised and Chaired by the Parish Council and must be held between 1 April and 1 June each year. Following discussion it was agreed to postpone the Annual Parish Meeting until Government guidance was clear and the availability of a suitable meeting room was known. Other meetings will also need to be looked at.
29/3/21-13 Finance and Expenses
a. the bank reconciliation for March 2021 was noted.
b. it was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of Payments of £2,036.65 and no Receipts for March 2021, subject to any final adjustments for year end, eg VAT reclaim.
c. the change of interest rates as notified by the Melton BS from 0.50% to 0.25% on the 100 day investment account and 0.30% to 0.20% on the 30 day investment account was noted.
d. to deal with any urgent/other Financial matters - none
29/3/21-14 General Correspondence for March, Website Updates and Communication – these were noted.
29/3/21-15 Agenda Items for meeting to be held on 26 April 2021/future meetings
a. Chapel Field – future maintenance/use of retained land b. Public Toilets Refurbishment c. Cemetery – GOR feature, and other outstanding issues from the Quinquennial report