July 2021 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 26th July 2021 at 7.00 pm in the North Somercotes Village hall
There were no members of the public present. Cllr Paul Rickett was in attendance. The Chairman welcomed everyone and opened the public session at 7pm.
Public Session
a. Reports/observations from District Cllr Paul Rickett and County/District Councillors Danny McNally
Radioactive Waste Management (RWM) proposals to use of the former gas terminal in Theddlethorpe as a potential site for a Geological Disposal Facility for nuclear waste
Both County Cllr McNally and District Cllr Rickett referred to the emerging proposal to consider the use of the former Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal for the deep underground storage of Nuclear Waste. Insufficient information is available at present to properly consider the ramifications of such a proposal. Once further details are available regarding the consultation process, who will be involved, and how the proposal and consultation will be managed, it will be included on the monthly meeting Agenda. Allerdale in Cumbria, and Onkalo in Finland were noted as examples of where such proposals were already being worked through. The Clerk will locate links to the information and circulate these to councillors.
It was noted that the refuse tip in Louth would be open from 1 September 2021 without the need to book and the proposal for the South Holland alliance of District Councils will go ahead to the fact-finding stage.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or Issues raised for consideration for future agenda:
i. strip of land/weeds between Churchill Close and Woolpack Meadows overhanging footpath – the Clerk has dealt with the problem for now and will write again to the District Council regarding the developer keeping the land tidy.
ii. State of Visions, Bank End – see 6a iii. Enforcement actions below
iii. Ashes on plants in Garden of Remembrance and also weed growth and state of flower holders in the grassed area – A member of the public had complained that someone has just dumped human remains in the Garden of Remembrance, on the plants which were due to be refreshed with new lavender plants. This had also been noted at the cemetery meeting as had the other items which were raised. The Clerk confirmed that it is an offence to dispose of remains on private land without permission, or in the cemetery without paying the appropriate fee and recording the disposal, which is required by law. It is also unfair to others who pay the correct fee, and those who live in the parish and contribute via the precept to the upkeep of the cemetery, which costs more to maintain than is received in fees each year. The Clerk will put an article in the next Communication magazine as agreed at the Cemetery meeting in July.
iv. Anglian Water – loss of water/pressure following electricity surges on Saturday 24th July 2021 – the Clerk will contact Anglian Water and ask the cause of the loss of water/pressure over the weekend, and enquire what will be done to try and prevent similar occurrence in the future.
v. Bottlebank at co-op store - the Clerk will ask ELDC for an update on what they plan to do, and when, to provide a better solution to recycling glass as fly tipping continues owing to the bottle banks not being collected when full, despite phone calls and despite telling/asking people not to just leave them next to the bins. Other councils manage to collect glass along with other recyclables and this would seems to be a better option than the many messy bottle banks around the district.
vi. Request for double yellow lines outside Stonebridge Cottages – a request has been made to see if this would be possible, to prevent problems especially in the seal season.
vii. Contractors on Marsh Lane – complaints have been made to the parish council, which the Clerk was asked to draw to the attention of the Environment Agency, that on different occasions the contractors have been speeding down Marsh Lane and some drivers have been noticed using their mobile phones.
The Chairman closed the public session at 7.25pm and started the meeting
Monthly Meeting
28/6/21-1
a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Danny McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr Paul Walmsley.
b. Apologies for Absence – it was RESOLVED to accept the absence and reasons for Cllr Drewery and Cllr Kennedy. Also absent - Cllr Joy Cousins and Cllr David Wallis
28/6/21-2 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.
28/6/21-3 Minutes of the 28 June 2021 Monthly Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes and they were signed by the Chairman of the meeting.
28/6/21-4 Minutes of the Confidential Section of the 28 June 2021 Monthly Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes of the Confidential Section as accurate minutes.
28/6/21-5 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only:
a. Public Toilets Refurbishment – tender requirement to be drawn up and circulated
b. S106 Conisholme Rd – see 6a below
c. PROW FP28 – see 8b below
d. Coastal Path progress – agreed response submitted, awaiting outcome of representations
e. Cemetery outstanding issues – meeting held - see 7 below
f. Parish Council Website – future maintenance, see 11d below
g. Response from EA to Muntjac trapped in fence – further email sent reply awaited
h. Property Purchase – progress to date, including setting up of separate account codes – see agenda item 14.
i. Oil Scheme – 26500 litres delivered at 40.6p plus litre, a saving of approximately 3p per litre on 500 litre price.
28/6/21-6 To consider Planning applications received/RESOLVE the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Enforcement Issues/Actions
i. S106 Conisholme Rd – Resolution to achieve delivery of the Affordable element of the development is still under discussion.
ii. Beachview Stud – Enforcement confirm caravans predate 2007 so no enforcement action possible. Clerk to ask Environment Agency/Environmental Services regarding the foul water/sewerage position of the Chalet and static caravans.
iii. Visions, Bank End – untidy land/buildings – to note Enforcement have been asked to check and respond to continuing concerns about the state of the site and the building.
b. Planning applications for approval – none.
c. Planning Applications Approved – to note:
i. N/162/00834/21 - Erection of a detached holiday cottage (works completed). BEACHSIDE STUD, WARREN ROAD
ii. N/132/00688/21 – Siting of 3no. log cabins, 6no. camping pods and 24no. touring caravan pitches and provision of a bbq area, winter caravan storage and car parking - Pigeon Cottage, Conisholme Rd
d. Any other/urgent planning matters/applications:
i. Anglian Water (AW) - as noted in the public session, AW to be contacted to ask what caused the outage, and also what can be done to prevent such large-scale loss of service in the future, eg surge protection on the electric supply to the pumps, if that was the cause.
28/6/21-7 Cemetery
a. Actions arising from the Annual Cemetery Meeting held on 17th July 2021. The notes from the meeting are not yet available but the following were noted as actions:
• In response to a recent request, it was agreed to allow double sized planter, instead of vase, where location of interments permit (adjacent slabs)
• Cemetery maintenance contractor asked to look at what can be done for weed control under slabs and improvement to area for plaques to be fixed
• Builder to be asked for a quote to extend the central two wall sections and facing so that plaques could be put on there.
• Clerk to obtain prices for the suggested columbaria including the plaques or other centre piece, such as the sundial, or a combination of these
• Clerk to contact the suggested person for the chapel doors repair
• other quotes for fence repairs to be obtained, and also look at quote for a replacement gate, set inside where the current one is to allow room for larger vehicles
• groundsman to be asked to level up/down the graves as required
• Letters to be done to those not currently following the rules, including removal of temporary crosses, plantings, plaques put up without payment, ashes scattered without payment and in wrong place, no glass jars, etc. Clerk to also do a note for the next communication magazine with these items in.
• Roofing contractor to be congratulated for the excellent job on the guttering and nail repairs to lead flashing
• quotes for repointing required brickwork on bottom section of the chapels, with appropriate materials (eg lime mortar)
28/6/21-8 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/RESOLVE the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log – Clerk to update list for Cllr McNally to check progress and possible actions, including Evison Way resurfacing, Churchill Rd – traffic emerging onto Keeling St Junction and safety of pedestrians at the junction, South Rd/Jubilee Rd/Conisholme Rd and Keeling st - problems emerging from the junctions when multiple cars parked around the crossroads.
b. PROW FP28 – the Clerk updated on a. request to Lincs County Council for a Definitive Map Modification Order to be initiated for FP28 following the decision at the last meeting and b. response from John Boisson, Training Safety Officer regarding the proposed coastal paths. The Chairman also updated on his discussion with John Boisson. The Clerk will continue discussions with Lincs County Council to see if there is any alternative to proceeding with the DDMO as RESOLVED by the Council, but in the meantime a note has been put in the Communication magazine.
c. North Somercotes Footpath Leaflet – the Clerk will locate and circulate the text from the leaflet. It was noted that the information on the Wesleyan Chapel would need to be changed to reflect the fact it is now a private residence. LCC will pay for artwork production if it remains as now, but if the parish council wishes to change the format, ie include advertisers, then this will be ‘non-standard’ and may not be supported by LCC. The Clerk will look at what other photos could be used.
d. Amenity Area – corner of School Lane – the current planting, benches, and the state of the map with the footpath details on it was considered. The Clerk will investigate the cleaning or renewal of the map. The shrubs were cut back at the start of the year and weeding has been done and it was agreed that further cutting back of the shrubs should be done later when appropriate. The Clerk will ask the current contractors about longer term weed control options and to quote for any recommended works.
28/6/21-9 Queen’s Jubilee
a. Planting a Tree – discussion took place, but no decisions were recorded.
b. Lighting a Beacon – discussion took place, but no decisions were recorded.
c. Proposed erection of a flagpole at the Amenity Area - discussion took place, but no decisions were recorded.
28/6/21-10 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – the Party in the Park has been cancelled. The Youth Club are trying to get organised to get restarted and football should restart in September.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – Nothing to report
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – nothing to report
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk- nothing to report
28/6/21-11 Finance
a. Bank Reconciliation - the bank reconciliation for July 2021 was received, checked and signed by the Chairman
b. Payments & Receipts - it was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £1,769.96 inc rates refund, and payments of £3,447.26 for July 2021. The Clerk noted that the new laptop has been ordered and delivered so the payments schedule for July will be updated and presented in September along with the one for August.
c. Draft Investment Strategy – it is a requirement for councils to have such a strategy, which details how the council will invest and manage its financial resources, liquidity and risk, and it was RESOLVED to adopt the strategy prepared by the Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.
d. Website updating - following discussion it was RESOLVED, in principle, to subscribe to the LALC website updating service once determined and cost confirmed (expected to be c£15 per month).
e. to deal with any other/urgent financial matters – none.
28/6/21-12 General Correspondence for July 2021, Website Updates and Communication – have been circulated.
28/6/21-13 Next Meetings – the next council meeting to be held will be on 27th September 2021, in the Village Hall. October, November and December meetings have provisionally been booked for St Mary’s Hall as the Village Hall is not available, apart from Fridays, and in case the Pavilion continues to be unavailable, or is too small for expected attendees, if social distancing is required.
28/6/21-14 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED to move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press in the meeting at this point.
The Clerk confirmed the progress with the property purchase, in that the Survey had been carried out on 22 July and the report is awaited. The solicitor has initiated the property searches, and the withdrawal of cash from the Melton is due to be completed on 29th September, so exchange and completion can be undertaken as soon as possible after that date, once the funds have cleared into the current account.
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.30pm