October 2022 DRAFT Notes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting of North Somercotes Parish Council held on Monday 24th October 2022 At 7pm in St Mary’s Hall, Keeling St
There were no members of the public present, and District Cllr Paul Rickett had given his apologies. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and opened the public session at 7pm.
Public Session
a. Any updates from County and District Councillors
District Cllr Paul Rickett – not present
District/County Cllr Danny McNally – any updates will be circulated via email.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Access to the beach from Warren Road – this was discussed, and it was noted that there is not currently any public right of way along this track in the Warren. Its historic status is unclear, ie whether it was a public right of way or only a right for those that owned or rented the land, but in any event it was not added to the Definitive Map in the 1950s when the Map was created. Some routes were not added as they were considered ‘not needed any longer’ according to the minutes from that time. The nearest point of public access to the beach at this end of the village is therefore at Merrikins Pullover, and there is no safe route to get there from the village as the footpath ends by Lakeside Park. The Clerk noted that discussions on the Coastal Path had looked at this problem and Cllr Plater noted that with the promotion of the coast as a tourist destination, this should be looked at again to see if a solution is possible, because as had been pointed out there was no public footpath to the beach that didn’t involve being on the road in potential conflict with traffic, especially at seal season time.
ii. Dog Fouling on Keeling St/Woolpack Cottages – two complaints had been received which seemed to indicate the same person not picking up after their dog, and this was someone that had been spoken to before. The Clerk has raised the matter again with the individual’s parents and also contacted the dog warden.
iii. Complaint re trip hazard on Bank End corner/end of pavement – this was raised by the complainant with the County Council, but it is a step down from the rear garden of a residential property onto the end section of pavement coming from Jubilee Rd where it finishes, there being no pavement along Bank End.
iv. Additional Salt Bin – a request for an additional bin had been discussed but it was noted that this was unlikely to fulfil the requirements set by LCC as there is one nearby on Marsh Lane corner with Ark Road.
v. Foreshore Shooting rights – Freedom of Information (FOI) – the Clerk had received a FOI request and had responded that it was not a matter for the parish council as it did not own the land, but had provided what information was known in order to be helpful, even though it was not a FOI matter.
The Chairman closed the Public Session and Started the meeting at 7.25 pm
24/10/22-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Lynda Plater, Cllr Sean Smalley, Cllr David Wallis Cllr Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.
24/10/22-2 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
Councillor Danny McNally declared an interest in Planning Applications owing to his membership of ELDC Planning Committee, and signed and dated the book accordingly.
24/10/22-3 Minutes of 26th September 2022 Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes, and they were duly signed by the Chairman.
24/10/22-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery –Shoring Equipment is being offered to other parishes before advertising further afield if required; discussion has taken place with the Youth Club about removing the table from the Chapel; the revarnishing of the pews is almost complete thanks to Cllr Newman; the circular teak bench has arrived and a quote for installing it is awaited; quotes for Garden of Remembrance proposed works will be sought once the list of the proposed works has been finalised; the proposed list for trees to be removed on the boundary/replacements is being progressed, 600 free trees/hedging secured for delivery in March 2023; Garden of Remembrance admin and legal issues – training rebooked for 8th December; procurement of Cemetery database underway; entry of records and mapping of plots underway – sharing courier costs for records collection with Mablethorpe; hedge lowering outstanding
b. Communication – entry for November completed
c. Donations and Grants – Youth Club chased up re Zorb balls
d. Woolpack Meadows – to note change of managing agents
e. Amenity Area – quotes for proposed works to be chased up
f. Meeting dates for 2023 – circulated
g. Zero Carbon Parishes project – list of lighting in village hall and Pavilion required for LED replacements
h. Youth Club – discussed removal of the pool table to be arranged asap
i. Setting up Work Email Addresses - ongoing
j. councillor community grants - application completed
k. Toilets refurbishment/CCTV – proposals for basic refurbishment of the disabled section to be completed
l. Oil Scheme – issues with last delivery and expectations of members in relation to delivery
m. Planters and Litter bins – Two litter bins and two planters have arrived, paid for by the Coastal destination bid monies, plus need to include more replacement litter bins in 23/24 budget
n. Hedgehog highways – discussing with primary school
o. Donna Nook Management responsibility – new contact established for future queries
p. English Coastal Path – the local section has now been agreed and should be progressed by Natural England/partners, with c £50k for signage, buckthorn clearance and path making.
24/10/22-5 Remembrance Observance – Sunday 13th November – the Clerk has ordered the wreath and crosses, and Cllr Maidens will kindly do the address. The Bugler has helpfully agreed to play the Last Post once again, but the Clerk is unable to do the refreshments afterwards in the Village Hall this year. The signage with advanced warning of road closure will be put out by the Clerk next week; the Clerk will fetch the road closed signs and Cllr McNally will assist and oversee the traffic stoppage arrangements on the day.
24/10/22-6 To consider Planning applications/other planning matters received and RESOLVE the way forward
a. Any Planning applications for approval
i. N/132/01768/22 - Construction of a menage. LAND ADJACENT THE BROOKS, CHURCH END, NORTH SOMERCOTES
It was RESOLVED to support this application.
b. To note planning applications approved/refused/appealed: The following were noted:
i. N/132/01622/22 - Change of use and alterations to existing holiday accommodation to form 2no. self-contained holiday lets. PIGEON COTTAGE, CONISHOLME ROAD – Approved
ii. N/132/01655/22 - Erection of a portal frame agricultural building. HOLMES FARM, HOLMES LANE – undecided
iii. N/132/02644/21 - Outline erection of 3no. dwellings with access to be included. TREE TOPS, MARSH LANE – Appeal Lodged by applicant
c. Enforcement Issues/Actions –
i. Co-operative car park - Planning and Enforcement were unable to help with the problems arising from the lack of parking barrier but a direct approach to the Co-operative has hopefully helped to resolve the matter satisfactorily.
d. Any other urgent planning matters/applications – none.
24/10/22-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting – to discuss/resolve the way forward on relevant Highways issues
a. verbal update on problem log
i. Lamp 29a Warren Rd now not working - Cllr McNally has raised the continued problems with these lights at ELDC. Discussion took place that the two no. 26 lights, 28 and 29 have only been working intermittently for many months now, and the Clerk was asked to do a formal letter asking for the matter to be investigated and resolved.
ii. Obstructed road view/lamp column no. 53 – LCC passed to ELDC but ELDC said would required enforcement action, so Clerk was asked to check the Land Registry and send a letter to the expected owner of the land.
iii. Access to the beach from Warren Rd – as discussed in the public session there is no public footpath to the sea which doesn’t involve having to come into potential conflict with vehicles. This could be raised again with Lincs County Council Rights of way team to see if any solution/s could be proposed.
iv. Alleged trip hazard Bank End/Jubilee Rd corner – no immediate solution to this issue of a redundant step from private residence onto the end of the footpath.
d. Any other/urgent highways issues:
i. Overgrown hedging on Willerton Rd - is making it difficult to walk along the footpath, and the two broken drain covers are also a trip hazard. Cllr McNally will ask LCC Highways to look at the drain issues, and the householders will be reminded about the hedging.
24/10/22-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – a list of the lighting for LED replacement will be done as part of the Zero Carbon project, and the Football Club can be reminded again to ask the Parish Council for grant funding.
b. Police Advisory Group – Cllr Newman – no report.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
d. Village Hall Committee – no report, but noted that the Village Hall will also be asked to produce a lighting list for LED replacement.
e. DTE Wildlife Group/Seals – Cllr Newman noted that the seal wardening had started, and although there are very few seals, the weekend had been very busy with visitors.
24/10/22-9 Finance
a) the bank reconciliation for October 2022 was received, checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) it was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £2,419.80 and payments of £3,004.46 for October 2022
c) following discussion, it was RESOLVED to fund the purchase of a Christmas Tree for the village up to £200, to be located at the Axe and Cleaver, who had offered to host it and supply the electric/decorations.
d) It was RESOLVED to proceed with work to reduce the height of the Cemetery hedge by approx 2ft for £420 including removal of the brash.
e) to deal with any urgent financial matters - none
24/10/22-10 To discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on the possibility of setting up a Good Neighbours Scheme/weekly Warm Space venue to be run by volunteers.
Following discussion, the Clerk will look into the availability of a room and see whether it is feasible to offer such a space, if there is likely to be any call for such a scheme in the parish, and what funding may be available
24/10/22-11 Budget Setting 23/24 – the situation with greatly increased utility bills for electric for both the toilets and cemetery were noted as the daily standing charge alone for the toilets would be double what is was presently. Those items, such as the cemetery and verges and footpaths maintenance would also be affected by the high rate of inflation and high cost of fuel.
24/10/22-12 To receive/note general Correspondence for October, Website Updates and Communication – these had been circulated for information.
24/10/22-13 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 28th November 2022 in St Mary’s Church Hall
Cemetery priorities/actions, other council priorities, 23/24 budget setting
24/10/22-14 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED to move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be discussed. There were no members of the public or press present in any event. The Clerk confirmed the changed management arrangements and updated on the tenancy arrangements.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.21pm.
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer