November 2024 Minutes
There were no members of the public present. District Cllr Paul Rickett was not in attendance having sent his apologies.
Public Session
a. Comments/updates from District and County Cllrs
Cllr McNally noted that Lincs County Council were seeking views on the consultation on nationally significant infrastructure projects and referred to the substantial impact the National Insurance changes would have for both care home staff/the Adult Care Budget and the Educational Transport budget.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Remembrance – to note thanks received from those present, and the parish council, to the Lay Chaplain, Bugler and traffic marshalls which were much appreciated.
ii. Donna Nook Car Parking – The Range have asked if permanent signage can be installed to direct people to the car park at Donna Nook and to prevent people going to the Range and trying to park there at other times of the year.
iii. Dog Fouling - The Clerk has received a query regarding what the parish council is doing regarding dog fouling – a detailed email has been sent in reply outlining the actions being taken, which was copied to councillors, but no further comment has been received.
The Chairman closed the public session and commenced the formal meeting at 7.10pm
25/11/24-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Lynda Plater, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Cllr David Wallis, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
25/11/24-2 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:
Cllr McNally declared an interest in planning matters at Agenda item 6ai and ii, at 7pm.
25/11/24-3 Minutes of the 28thOctober 2024 Meeting– it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes, and they were signed and dated by the Chairman.
25/11/24-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery Chapel Doors – awaiting updated quote for works to be done next year b. .gov work Email Addresses – technical issue outstanding c. Coastal Path –route being cut through buckthorn d. Chapel Field Housing Garden – Outcome awaited e. Chapel Field Future Use – see 12a below f. Defibrillators – on hold pending mapping errors and omissions on The Circuit being corrected g. Public Footbridge damage -hand rail replaced, ASB warning letters issued, see13b below h. Levelling up/other funding – ongoing i. Orchard area – replace broken/ damaged trees outstanding j. Dog Fouling/Public Space Protection Order – collating comments from parishioners on problem areas. Posters from KBT to be put up and other local parish councils approached re wardening k. 2024 Public Rights of Way annual survey – completed and submitted to LCC. l. Bench opposite bus garage/bench on Conisholme Rd – ongoing m. National Grid Projects – ongoing n. Environment Agency – update on management of Donna Nook received as noted in the public session, some weed growth removed from Poultney Drain/Austen Fen Bridge on the Louth Canal o. South Road – works now completed p. Climate Change Report and Action Plan/LCC – results of comments awaited q. Policies and Procedures – schedule of updates to be prepared, including new Statutory Duty to prevent Sexual Harassment at work r. 2025/26 meeting dates – issued. s. Cemetery Title deeds – change of address to be actioned t. Flower Planter – to be installed next year now u. Biodiversity Action Plan – still no response from LWT re initial Biodiversity Audit so will look elsewhere v. Theddlethorpe Meeting – Chairman fed back comments
w. Feasibility Study for community energy project - ongoing x. ASB – Defib cctv footage put on village Facebook page and information and footage sent to Somercotes Academy y. CCTV monitor/access issues – see 9d below
z. Christmas Tree – ordered, delivery date set for 2 Dec 24.
25/11/24-5 Budget Setting 25/26 – following discussion of the Clerk’s narrative on next year’s budget priorities and pressures and the associated spreadsheets, it was unanimously RESOLVED to accept the proposals, pending confirmation from ELDC of the tax base and any final decision that may need to be taken at the January meeting.
25/11/24-6 To consider any Planning applications received and associated matters and RESOLVE the way forward on these and other Planning matters
a. Planning applications for consideration:
i. N/132/01743/24 Planning Permission - Conversion and alterations to existing bungalow to a building comprising of a garage, home gym and home office. WOODCOTE, CONISHOLME ROAD, NORTH SOMERCOTES, LOUTH, LN11 7PS. Following discussion councillors RESOLVED to support this application.
ii. N/132/01733/24 Planning Permission - Erection of a house. LAND OFF SOUTH ROAD, NORTH SOMERCOTES
Following discussion councillors RESOLVED to support this application and also RESOLVED to ask District Cllr McNally to call the application in to Committee.
b. To note planning applications approved: N/132/01322/24 – Cemetery Doors – confirmed refurbishment works do not require planning permission.
c. To note planning applications refused: none
d. Planning Applications appealed:
e. Enforcement Issues/Actions: Awaiting outcome of clearance works on South Rd.
f. Theddlethorpe Nuclear Geological Disposal Facility (GDF)/National Grid Projects – the Chairman fed back on the content of the meeting which he and the Clerk had attended.
g. Any other urgent planning matters/applications: none.
25/11/24-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting:
a. verbal update on problem log, including:
i. South Rd – work now done
ii. Warren Rd drainage – investigation work done and work date awaited
iii. Parking opposite Warren Road Track to Oasis/Warren Farm near primary school – outcome awaited of request for double yellow lines or exclusion box to prevent parking to ensure safe access/exit
iv. Donna Nook Car Park direction signs – request from DIO for permanent Cark Park Signs to avoid people going down to the Range all year round. It was agreed to support the request for permanent signage if needed and Cllr McNally will look into this.
v. Covenham Reservoir overgrown hedging – reported on FixMyStreet but not deemed a problem by LCC as not a main road, despite this being the diverted route for all traffic on the A1031, including HGVs during the recent South Rd works.
vi. Grit Bins – the Clerk noted the current position following the checking of the bins and requesting refills or replacements where appropriate.
b. any additional issues/other urgent matters to be reported:
i. The hedging on South Road is again in need of cutting back and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should arrange this.
25/11/24-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – it appeared that further damage had been done to the childrens’ play equipment – the slide has a large hole in it now and the CCTV is being checked to see how it was damaged. Following discussion regarding the cost of repairs to the play equipment, including that damaged in the fire, and the Clerk confirming availability of funding, it was RESOLVED to fund the c£1,350 for new equipment/repairs. The lights are being rearranged for the Youth Club/Football Club and the container will be going shortly. Couch to 5k and bootcamp for kids are now running, along with football training.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – 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
f. Youth Club – Cllr Wallis – good numbers now attending 25 – 29, and a meeting to look at the way forward is being held shortly.
25/11/24-9 Finance
a) the bank reconciliation for November 2024 was checked and signed by the Chairman and was additionally checked by Cllr Walmsley.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £739 and payments of £3332.68 for November 2024.
c) CCTV monitor update/extension arm – following discussion It was RESOLVED to approve the upgrade to the CCTV monitor and arm.
d) to deal with any urgent financial matters:
HMRC PAYE Direct Debit - It was RESOLVED to set up a direct debit for monthly PAYE payments as requested by the Clerk and the Chairman signed the form accordingly.
25/11/24-10 General Correspondence for November, Website Updates and Communication entry – these have been circulated via email.
25/11/24-11 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 16th December 2024/ Monday 27th January 2025 - St Mary’s Church Hall. Following discussion it was RESOLVED to cancel the December meeting, with the next meeting therefore being 27th January 2025, as any need to adjust the agreed budget will meet the required deadline for agreeing the final Precept request with ELDC on 1 January 2025. Items for the agenda will include confirming the budget and precept required.
25/11/24-12 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED to move into closed session by reason of the confidential property and security matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present in the meeting at this point.
To discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on the following issues as required:
a. Chapel Field valuation and consideration of future uses/disposal – the Clerk confirmed that she is preparing information for LALC on the issues previously discussed in relation to the trees/hedging and will take the community energy project forward as also previously discussed.
b. Police action on Criminal Damage/Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) incidents – the Clerk confirmed that the CCTV of the interference with the Defibrillator machine at the pavilion had been posted on the village Facebook page and sent to the school, and the police had confirmed that ASB letters had been handed out as previously noted.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8pm.
Sheila Pearce
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer