February 2024 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 26 February 2024 At 7.00 pm in the St Mary’s Church Hall
There were 2 Members of the public present. District Cllr Paul Rickett had given his apologies and was not in attendance.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the public session at 7pm
Public Session
a. Comments/updates from District/County Cllr McNally: It was noted that there is a consultation running for the proposed pedestrianisation of the Market Square in Louth. There have been several fires again in the recycling centres from batteries being included in the waste. LCC Highways has £268m for highways over the next 5 years. LCC have set their increase in council tax which will be 5% on last years, and ELDC will be setting their budget at the meeting on 28th February 2024.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Primary School Swimming Pool – the two members of the public present provided information on the background to the historic use of the swimming pool at the primary school to make sure all children can swim, not just the year group covered by the Government directive. The current need for the roof to be replaced before the next set of learners need to use the pool was explained, and the contribution made by the school towards its running, as well as that from volunteers and teachers was also explained. The Chairman thanked them for attending and noted that a decision would be made in the formal meeting.
ii. Damage done to fridge outside toilets, bollards in Bowls Club car park, orchard trees – the Clerk described the recent vandalism at the rear of the toilets as well as damage being done to a bollard in the car park which had previously been knocked over. There was also damage to some of the fruit trees in the orchard area, they have been pushed right over and snapped off; though it was noted that this could possibly have been done by the sheep (see iii below) which had escaped from the neighbouring field, it was thought to be unlikely.
iii. Sheep on the playing field and bottom field – the Clerk has noted that this is not a parish council responsibility but understood the dog owner’s concern, who had been walking their dog off lead as hadn’t expected livestock in the field and was concerned they would get blamed if anything happened to the sheep, ie loss of lambs, if the dog chased them.
iv. Increased amount of dog mess – several people have remarked at the increase in the amount of dog pooh that is not being picked up. This was noticeable everywhere but with particular complaints being made regarding Cemetery Road and Jubilee Rd for example. The Clerk noted that she would put a note in the communication magazine and follow up the Public Space Protection Area training for a community dog warden when this is renewed by ELDC this year.
The Chairman closed the public session and opened the meeting at 7.29pm
Monthly Meeting
26/2/24-1 a. Present: Cllr Steve Brookes – Chairman, Cllr Neil Drewery – Vice Chairman, Cllr Stuart Arundel, Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens, Cllr Daniel McNally, Cllr Trisha Newman, Cllr Lynda Plater, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer.
26/2/24-2 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 Brooks declared an interest in the planning application for Sandy Nook Willerton Rd as a near neighbour, and Cllr McNally declared an interest in planning applications as a member of the ELDC Planning Committee and these were entered in the Disclosure of interests book accordingly.
26/2/24-3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 January 2024 – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes, and they were duly signed as such by the Chairman.
26/2/24-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery – repair to the metalwork on the bell outstanding, first draft mapping of grave spaces completed and to be submitted
b. Setting up Work Email Addresses – to be done in March
c. Coastal Path – still awaiting confirmation of route
d. Chapel Field Housing – poor quality turf still needs to be replaced as tenant cannot use garden
e. Chapel Field Future Use – neighbours contacted re trees 22/1/24 – response still awaited, school to be contacted re growing project – outstanding, land cleared but suckers/trees still need dealing with
f. Defibrillators – location map of each one in the parish to be done/check registration with EMAS – met to discuss 21/2
g. Louth Canal lack of maintenance – further images sent to MP as bridge/Poulton drain still blocked with weed as at 4/1 and 18/2.
h. Public Toilets – work is underway, Steve Smith Security asked to proceed with installation of new CCTV and removal of old equipment.
i. Swimming pool roof – started looking for additional funding
j. litter bins and benches – to note the proposed amendment to the replacement bench being changed to refurbishment owing to potential installation issues
k. South Rd – overhanging branches – have been trimmed back
l. Hedges/Trees overhanging the roads and footpaths – Clerk has put a note in Communication magazine regarding trimming back before bird nesting starts
m. Flood Forum – held by Victoria Atkins MP – this is oversubscribed as insufficient room at the location.
26/2/24-5 Policies and Procedures – following brief discussion it was RESOLVED to adopt the following:
a. Risk Management – It was RESOLVED to adopt the Clerk’s updated Risk Assessment Review for 24/25.
b. Disciplinary Policy – It was RESOLVED to adopt the updated Disciplinary Policy and it was also agreed that a Personnel Committee will be appointed on an ad hoc basis as appropriate and required.
c. Complaints Handling – It was RESOLVED to adopt the updated Complaints Policy.
d. Freedom of Information – it was RESOLVED to adopt the updated Policy Statement and Publication Scheme
e. 2024/25 Investment Strategy – it was RESOLVED to adopt the updated Investment Strategy
26/2/24-6 To consider Planning applications received/RESOLVE the way forward on these/other Planning matters
a. Planning applications for approval – Sandy Nook, Willerton Rd - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation and erection of a detached double garage with driveway. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to support the application
b. to note planning applications granted – none.
c. Enforcement Issues/Actions – none.
d. Any other urgent planning matters/applications – National Grid Grimsby to Walpole Proposed Pylons
i. Following discussion it was RESOLVED to object to the proposals and
ii. it was RESOLVED to approve the Clerk’s expenditure on banners and supporting leaflets/postcards of £244 to support the objection activities including the market stall to enable people to easily object.
26/2/24-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting:
a. verbal update on problem log, including:
i. South Rd - should be programmed for 24/25 but no date yet
ii. Warren Rd drainage – date for investigation and design awaited
iii. Warren Rd – trees/hedge opposite the primary school – some have been done by Cllr McNally, but others still in need of removal by LCC
iv. Woolpack Meadows and Churchill Rd junctions with A1031. Some suggestions have been made regarding possible changes to the Woolpack Meadows junction but it is difficult to see that anything could be done to the Churchill Rd junction.
b. any additional issues/other urgent matters to be reported
i. South Rd – post office corner poor state of carriageway has been reported
ii. School Lane to Kenlea, and Church End corner – numerous potholes and poor state of carriageway
iii. FP37/38 – Millfields to Shoalwater – ploughed field and FP not reinstated within 14 days reported to Lincs Highways Footpath Officer
26/2/24-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley - the Playing Field are also having a big problem with people not picking up behind their dogs and are considering banning people from exercising dogs off lead on the playing field. The new cctv will have wide angle cameras that will be able to see anyone not picking up behind them. The Clerk will look again at the Dog pooh bag/glove dispenser. Party in the Park is being arranged for the end of June.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – Cllr Newman noted that she recently attended the quarterly Independent Advisory Group, and Paul Gibson has been appointed as the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire. The Police and Crime Commissioner – Marc Jones - is up for re-election in May this year.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no current action
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
f. Youth Club – Cllr David Wallis – the Youth Club have had their AGM – discussion on whether to separate out the younger/older children to have either some time each on the same night, or to split over two nights but this would involve additional room hire and volunteers. There are the costs of Safeguarding/DBS checks, which the parish council can look to assist with, and the Youth Club are also looking for volunteers to help with football.
26/2/24-9 Finance and Audit
a) the bank reconciliation for February 2024 had been circulated and it was checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £650 and payments of £3,303.02 for February 2024
c) The NS Football Club donation request for £3,028.13 was discussed but it was suggested that the priority should be to fund the replacement roof on the swimming pool in the first instance, and then the Clerk will examine the reserves to see what funds could be provided to assist the Football Club with the new goals, for Councillors to consider at a future meeting.
d) NS Bowls Club donation request for £140 for a new fridge - offers of an available fridge freezer were made. Clerk to let Bowls Club know to see if this is of interest.
e) to deal with any urgent financial/audit matters
i. The Internal Auditor’s Report dated 13/2, which had been circulated following the review on 13/2/24, was received and noted.
ii. Defibrillator - Following discussion it was RESOLVED to fund the current replacement battery for the Axe/Cleaver Defibrillator of £245 and to allow for future replacements in the annual budget along with the pads for this machine. The Clerk is also investigating the possibility of including some of the other machines around the village as part of the review the Clerk is currently doing on Defibrillators and their locations/availability.
iii. Swimming Pool Roof - Following the discussion in the public session, further discussion took place regarding the replacement of the swimming pool changing room roof. Following the very generous offer from Cllr Walmsley to provide the materials for the roof, it was RESOLVED to proceed with the work subject to confirmation of the revised price in the first estimate received.
26/2/24-10 Annual Parish Meeting 10th April 2024 – there were no changes suggested to the Clerk’s proposed agenda, so this will be placed on the website and Noticeboard. The Clerk noted that she would be on leave so would not be present to take notes of the meeting.
26/2/24-11 To receive/note general Correspondence for February, Website Updates and Communication
The Flood Forum with MP Victoria Atkins to be held on 1 March 2024 is oversubscribed, National Grid Grimsby to Walpole information has been circulated, the Valuation Office has requested information on the Cemetery size, number of Burials etc.
26/2/24-12 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 25th March 2024 in ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL
Grievance Policy/Procedure, year-end budget v forecast, Asset List and External Audit preparation, National Grid Pylons Proposals.
26/2/24-13 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council would move into closed session by reason of the confidential personnel matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present in the meeting at this point.
a. To discuss any updates on the action being taken following the recent spate of Anti-social behaviour/Criminal damage. It was noted that a suggestion of Litter Picking on the Playing Field had been put forward for community reparation.
b. Chairman to report back on the action taken following the recent complaint regarding social media content. The Chairman noted the action that had been taken in accordance with the relevant procedures and that the matter was now closed.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.56pm.
Sheila Pearce
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer