February 2022 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 21st February 2022 At 7.00 pm in St Mary’s Church Hall, Keeling St
District Cllr Rickett was in attendance for part of the meeting, and there were no members of the public present.
Public Session
a. Reports/observations from District and County Councillors
County & District (and Parish) Cllr McNally – noted that the County Council tax rise has been set at 5%, and the Geological Disposal Facility now have monthly briefings so any questions can be forwarded to him to raise.
District Cllr Rickett – referred to the Household Support Fund for residents which has been launched, and a meeting of the Housing Scrutiny Panel which he has attended. Street furniture for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is being considered, and there is a scheme for solar panels for those earning less than £30k per annum.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or Issues raised for consideration for future agenda
i. Dog Fouling – the problem of people not picking up behind their dogs and throwing bags in the hedge, leaving bags next to – instead of in – the bins, seems to be getting worse, particularly in areas including Brown’s Lane, Woolpack Meadows, Jubilee Rd and Churchill Rd, and also the playing field where some people are regularly walking their dogs in the dark and clearly not picking up behind them. The Clerk will put a reminder in Communication that the Public Spaces Protection area relating to Dog fouling covers all public and private areas (unless the landowner does not wish this to be the case) in East Lindsey, and also speak to the Dog Warden at ELDC regarding obtaining some more posters to display at key points, as well as discuss what other action can be taken.
ii. Thinning works in the Warren – a number of people had contacted the parish council with concerns, and these had been discussed with, and also forwarded to, Lakeside. Lakeside had put a notice in the Communication magazine regarding the reasons for the works prior to commencement, but it would appear that some people are unaware that the woods are not in public ownership or that permissive access to the woods is generously provided by the landowner. The claim for a public right of way around the paths in the Warren, refers back to when there was public access when the area was owned by the Forestry Commission, and before it became privately owned. The thinning work is a necessary part of conifer woods management and people were being excluded for their own safety, so it was difficult to understand why people were being rude to security staff who were there to prevent people coming to harm. The Clerk also referred to the problems of dog fouling in the Warren and people not picking up after their dogs, despite being provided with a bin that she had personally supplied and notices that she had put up on the gate and fence to politely remind people.
iii. lack of starter/smaller homes to buy – following a number of comments to the council about the shortage of suitable housing the Clerk has placed a note in the Communication magazine to elicit any direct evidence of need, and this can also be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting (see 8 below).
iv. Nuclear Waste Disposal Proposals - GDF Meeting Dates/Venues – a number of dates have now been set for consultation sessions; the Clerk will circulate these and also put in Communication. The one in North Somercotes is during the day on 6th April, which is prior to the Annual Parish Meeting in the evening of the 6th starting at 6.30pm.
The Chairman closed the public session at 7.18pm and opened the meeting.
Monthly Meeting
21/2/22-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Lynda Plater, Cllr David Wallis, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.
b. Apologies for Absence – it was RESOLVED to accept councillor absence/reasons from Cllrs Trisha Newman and Paul Walmsley. Cllr Shaun Smalley was not present.
21/2/22-2 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 a non-pecuniary interest in Planning Applications under agenda item 6.
21/2/22-3 Minutes of the 24th January 2022 Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes and they were duly signed and dated by the Chairman.
21/2/22-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only:
a. Public Toilets Refurbishment – tender requirements have been drawn up and, in the meantime, the one toilet remains open.
b. S106 Conisholme Rd – see 6a below
c. English Coastal Path/PROW FP28 – ECP consultation outcome still awaited
d. Cemetery – see 14 below
e. Theddlethorpe GDF – consultation dates now advertised as noted in the public session
f. Out of control dogs – pending discussion with PC Precious/others
g. St Mary’s Redundant section – wall issues pending
h. Chapel Fields retained land – Clerk to complete options paper
i. Clerk’s Appraisal - pending
j. Zero Carbon Parishes Project - awaiting meeting to take the project forward and understand what funding may be available following an audit of parish facilities etc
k. 22/23 Precept – request submitted and receipt confirmed
l. Internal Audit – successfully completed – see 9 below.
21/2/22-5 Community Orchard – to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on future maintenance/replacement
The Clerk was asked to ascertain the cost of including strimming when the adjacent footpath is done by the contractor 3 times per annum, and also ask in the Communication magazine if there are any volunteers who could tidy it up in the meantime.
21/2/22-6 To consider Applications received/RESOLVE the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Enforcement Issues/Actions – i. S106 Conisholme Rd – the two properties are now being built, but as yet the agreement with Lincs Rural Housing to take them on as Affordable housing has still not been signed, so they have not yet been notified to, or advertised for, those eligible for affordable housing with a local connection.
b. Planning applications for approval:
i. N/132/00103/22 - Erection of a house and detached single garage and construction of a vehicular access. Existing dwelling and garage on site to be demolished. SANDY NOOK, WILLERTON ROAD. The Clerk noted that she had received a reply from Anglian Water about the potential problems with drainage. Following discussion Cllrs RESOLVED to support this application, as they had done previously, with a comment on the drainage issues.
c. To note Planning Applications Approved/Refused
i. N/132/02590/21 ROSA, 8 JUBILEE ROAD - First floor side extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation has been approved, and N/132/02644/22 – Tree Tops Marsh Lane – has been refused.
21/2/22-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/RESOLVE the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log:
i. Parking at Axe and Cleaver Crossroads – impact on visibility – on hold pending evidence
ii. Pedestrian Footway marking/give way to oncoming traffic sign (from Keeling St) on Churchill Rd – this and a number of other issues in the village to be taken up with LCC highways.
iii. Ongoing/intermittent problem with streetlights, and school sign light, on Warren Rd
iv. Ongoing problem of standing water on Warren Rd/School verge
v. Request for extending the 30mph limit to cover Tulip Way and extend the 40mph to other side of Eau Bank turn.
The Clerk will send a list of outstanding issues to Cllr McNally for him to take up with LCC Highways, and to find out when the major sewer infrastructure works required to deal with the problem of standing water alongside Oasis Lakes will be programmed.
b. Dog Fouling
As raised in the public session, the Clerk will discuss with the Dog Warden and also check the status of the ELDC Public Space Protection Order and put a note in the next Communication magazine.
21/2/22-8 Annual Parish Meeting 6th April 2022 starting at 6.30pm – the draft agenda, which includes the usual update, as well as the proposed extension of the Cemetery/purchase of additional land for future burials and any impact on the precept, and The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, was discussed. The Clerk will prepare the update and Cllrs should let the Clerk know of any other items to be added to the agenda as soon as possible.
21/2/22-9 Preparation for Annual Audit 21/22
a. Risk Management – It was RESOLVED to adopt the updated Risk Assessment Schedule produced by the Clerk.
b. Asset List Updating – it was RESOLVED to accept the updated Asset List from the Clerk, who will add in any other changes required up to year end.
c. Investment Strategy – It was RESOLVED to adopt the updated Strategy produced by the Clerk.
d. Internal Audit – Councillors received the Internal Auditors report following the Internal audit which had taken place on the 7th February 20220, following which it was RESOLVED to accept it.
20/11/21-10 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association – in the absence of Cllr Walmsley the Chairman noted that the Playing Fields and Village Hall were looking to organise a joint event for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – the Clerk will let the Primary School know so they can co-ordinate or avoid clashes as appropriate. The Playing Field’s Village Hall Valentine’s event with Regenerate was a great success and some tree works are required at the playing field after the storms have felled two poplars and a sycamore.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – in Cllr Newman’s absence there was no report.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
21/2/22-11 Finance – to consider and RESOLVE the way forward on the following:
a. the bank reconciliation for February 2022 had been circulated and this was checked and signed by the Chairman.
b. It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of Payments of £2,803.64 and Receipts of £109 for February 2022
c. the updated list of Donations and Grants to date was received and noted
d. Discussion took place on the idea of purchasing one of the recommended Beacons to light for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and a preference was expressed that something more durable be obtained, such as a new bench with a commemorative plaque, for the Cemetery. Previously the parish council has helped to fund commemorative items for the primary school for example, and this can also be looked at.
21/2/22-12 General Correspondence for February 22, Website Updates and Communication – as circulated.
21/2/22-13 Next Meeting – 28 March 2022 in St Mary’s Church Hall Keeling St - Clerk’s Appraisal, land purchase for Cemetery extension and potential impact upon the precept of the public Works Loan to finance it, finalise Agenda for Parish Meeting, External Audit preparation, insurance renewal
21/2/22-14 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 required to leave the meeting at this point. Dispensation was granted for Cllr Arundel to discuss the confidential Cemetery matters.
a. Cemetery:
i. Removal of trees along the boundary – discussion took place on the implications of not removing any of the trees along the current boundary of the Cemetery. Some may need to be removed in any case to allow other better specimens to flourish, but the impact of tree roots certainly from the larger trees later preventing full size coffin spaces to be dug later does need to be considered, as this could result in a significant reduction in the number of full-size grave spaces available. Worst case scenario could be c50+ spaces for example. No decision was made at present, but to be revisited once the position on the purchase of additional land is known. The Clerk again noted that the DEFRA consultation on grave spacing could have a significant impact on both the number of reserved spaces and the number of available spaces left, and the need for even more land in the future if the space required per grave was doubled as indicated under this consultation.
ii. Increasing the number of ashes caskets that can be placed in a full grave space, otherwise lost from tree roots
The Clerk explained the current position of allowing up to 4 ashes caskets in a full-sized grave space, and that some cemeteries permitted up to 6. It was RESOLVED to increase this to 6 in the main Cemetery in full size plots, and to increase the number of ashes containers in the half slab spaces in the Garden of Remembrance to 2 instead of 1. The Clerk will revisit the Memorials information in respect of making sure the permitted sizes would be able to accommodate the amount of information for 6 ashes interments.
iii. Confirmation of decision on whether to continue to provide burial services
Discussion took place on whether the Council should continue to provide burial services. There is no statutory duty to provide such a facility, but there is a power to do so, and if one is provided then it has to be maintained. This is more difficult if there is no income coming in from the facility, and only costs going out to maintain it. Following further discussion, it was unanimously RESOLVED to continue to provide burial provision for the parish.
iv. Purchase of additional land - for future burials and cremations – following discussion on the potential scenarios if no additional land could be purchased by negotiation, discussion took place on the ability of a parish council to instigate the process required for Compulsory Process (CP) via the district council should it prove necessary. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would make the necessary enquiries of what would be required and in what circumstances, but that a specific RESOLUTION on whether or not to proceed with CP would need to be tabled and decided at a later date only if it should become necessary.
v. possible interim use for garden allotments
This was briefly discussed but no decision taken.
vi. Other items associated with burial provision for the parish
The Clerk again referred to the public consultation requirements in respect of the purpose and impact on the precept of the public works loan to cover the purchase. This has been put in the Communication magazine which goes to every household in this parish and South Somercotes, and it is also on the agenda as the main item for consultation at the Annual Parish Meeting on 6th April 2022 at 6.30pm. The Clerk will prepare a survey sheet to be given to all attendees to complete and return, and will also include this survey in the next Communication Magazine, inviting people to come to the May Annual Meeting of the Council to express their views.
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.57 pm