June 2024 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Monday 24th June 2024 at 7.00 pm
There were no members of the public present. Cllr Rickett was not in attendance having given his apologies. The Chairman thanked everyone for attending, and referred to the need to be mindful of the rules regarding purdah for the forthcoming election, and opened the public session at 7pm
Public Session
a. Comments/updates from District/County Cllrs - Cllr McNally noted the results of the consultation by the Louth Transport Board which include an amendment to the Traffic Regulation Order which will prevent parking on the narrow section of Eastgate, leaving the parking in the Corn Market and Market Place as is. Further details can be found at https://www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/louth. Discussion took place that some councils don’t charge for parking, eg Alford, and that many people don’t want to or cant access parking apps which seem to be the norm now in some areas.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. Electricity substation graffiti – the Clerk noted the action that had been taken regarding this matter; NPower arranged for the doors to be cleaned, but the police are unable to take it further.
ii. Parking outside primary school opposite Warren Farm/Oasis Track – following some difficult incidents with vehicles towing caravans trying to access or exit the track to Oasis Lakes at school drop off/leaving time, a request has been made for some form of road markings to stop people parking in the entrance or directly opposite the track entrance so as to enable vehicles to enter or exit safely.
iii. applications for alcohol licence – a query had been raised as to whether the parish council is consulted regarding alcohol licence applications. Cllr McNally will ascertain the current process.
iv. Untidy empty properties – following discussion the Clerk will look into the status/owners of the properties referred to as being untidy/neglected to see if ELDC can help by issuing an order, as previously done with Aranmore on Churchill Road, which is also again looking overgrown with brambles and very untidy.
v. Untaxed/untested vehicles using the public highway – this was discussed and should be reported to the police at the time it is observed.
The Chairman closed the public session and started the formal meeting at 7.16 pm
24/6/24-1 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 Lynda Plater, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
24/6/24-2 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 – none.
24/6/24-3 Minutes of the 20th May 2024 Annual Council Meeting and Monthly Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt and sign the notes as accurate minutes and the Chairman signed and dated them accordingly.
24/6/24-4 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 awaited, quotes sought for fence replacement see 15 below, letter format agreed with Chairman to deal with unauthorised plaque/vases and other items being removed to the chapel store
b. Setting up Work Email Addresses – completed new email for Clerk, training to be done before switch over, councillors to be done later
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 – see 12a below
f. Defibrillators – location map of each one in the parish to be done/check registration with EMAS
g. Public Toilets – additional camera installed and access on laptop sorted, Police investigation of recent Criminal Damage – see 12b below
h. Environment Agency – list of issues provided – comments received and circulated
i. Levelling up funding – still looking for additional funding for various community projects – working with YMCA to identify and progress – more responses to questionnaire sought
j. litter bins – One has gone to the playing field, one has been moved to Conisholme Rd, ELDC are sorting out the two at the bus stop/noticeboard
k. Orchard area – has been mown and now needs strimming, prune trees and then identify and replace broken/damaged ones in autumn
l. Dog Fouling/Public Space Protection Order – ELDC information received for the 2024 review/Clerk has asked ELDC to consider providing a service level agreement for wardening, reply awaited
m. wire netting on Cradle Bridge on Wembley Rd/Ark Road public footpath – this has now been repaired
n. 2024 Public Rights of Way annual survey – Clerk to print off review sheets for the Chairman/Cllr Plater.
o. Cemetery Fencing – Clerk clarifying basis for quotes
p. Village Planters – the plants in the Axe & Cleaver crossroads planter have been refreshed and the others are being done in the coming weeks, including replacing the small planter on South Rd with the larger one
q. Bench opposite bus garage - now fallen apart/broken so needs to be repaired asap
r. Donations – Youth Club informed of the £1k available, paperwork and request details still awaited from Garden Group and Can’t Sing Choir, other payments actioned as appropriate.
s. Horse Slow Signs – Clerk to collect from South Reston.
24/6/24-5 Cemetery –
a. Action plan for the Biodiversity Duty and the Cemetery Management and Waste Plan is being progressed
b. Date for Annual Cemetery Meeting confirmed as 15th July at 7.00pm and agenda circulated
c. it was noted that the second draft of the digitised map of grave plots is now being checked and worked on.
24/6/24-6 To consider any Planning applications received and RESOLVE the way forward on these and other Planning matters
a. Planning applications for consideration: none.
b. To note planning applications approved: none – Pigeon Cottage still awaiting decision.
c. To note planning applications refused: none.
d. Planning Applications appealed: none
e. Enforcement Issues/Actions: none
f. National Grid Pylons/Substation Proposals – National Grid EGL3 and EGL4 - two new primarily offshore high voltage electricity links and associated onshore infrastructure between Scotland and England for homes in the Midlands and South of England but that will make landfall at Theddlethorpe/Anderby Creek and thence to Walpole. The Council’s objection to the proposals, based on the fact that the infrastructure should continue offshore until it reaches the wash, nearer its transmission destination, is in preparation.
g. Theddlethorpe Nuclear Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) – test of public support is due by 2027.
h. Any other urgent planning matters/applications: none.
24/6/24-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting:
a. verbal update on problem log, including:
i. South Rd - 24/25 programme date still awaited but anticipated Aug/Sept 24
ii. Warren Rd drainage – date for investigation and design still awaited
iii. South Rd, South Somercotes – post office corner – outstanding potholes should now have been done.
iv. Footpath reviews – Clerk to issue forms for 2024 review
v. Horse Slow down signs – signage to be collected from South Reston by the Clerk as noted above
b. any additional issues/other urgent matters to be reported
i. Parking opposite Warren Road Track to Oasis/Warren Farm near Primary school – a request has been made for double yellow lines/white line or exclusion box to prevent parking as safe access/exit for farm vehicles and towed caravans is being compromised by parking outside of the school and at the entrance of the farm track. Cllr McNally will look into the situation/possible solutions.
ii. Amenity Area end of School Lane – the Clerk was asked to chase Platform re tidying up the area – removing the saplings and weeds from the borders and paving.
24/6/24-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – no report
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – survey for priorities to be discussed in July.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
d. Village Hall Committee – to note copy of the annual accounts received as per the VH constitution see 9d below
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – no report
f. Youth Club – Cllr Wallis – Clerk has informed Youth Club Leaders of the £1k donation for items or events they wish to request the monies for. The two different nights is working well, but more volunteers needed.
24/6/24-9 Finance and Audit
a) the bank reconciliation for June ‘24 was received and checked by Cllr Walmsley and signed by the Chairman.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £764 and payments of £3,954.18 for June 2024 which includes the agreed amounts for Donations as agreed at the May 2024 meeting.
c) to note that the Annual Audit paperwork was submitted on 23 May 2024
d) to receive and note the copy of the Annual accounts from the Village Hall in line with the VH Constitution
e) it was RESOLVED to approve the Clerk’s proposals for purchase of posters to deter dog fouling. The Clerk was also asked to contact the school principals to see if they could assist with the design of posters to try and encourage people to clean up after their dogs.
f) The possibility of introducing a new post of Neighbourhood Warden duties under the ELDC Public Space Protection Order due for renewal November 2024 to enforce dog control/dog fouling in the parish was discussed. The Clerk was asked to pursue the option of a service level agreement with ELDC for some hours of the Dog Warden and/or investigate if there is any other parish/town council that employs their own and could assist.
g) to deal with any urgent financial matters – none.
24/6/24-10 General Correspondence for June, Website Updates and Communication entry – have all been circulated.
24/6/24-11 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 29th July 2024 in the Village Hall
Draft Cemetery Biodiversity Action Plan and Cemetery Management and Waste Plan (carried forward to Sept), Chapel Field, Toilets Investigation/Actions update, actions arising from the Cemetery Meeting.
24/6/24-12 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council would 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.
The following was then discussed:
a. Chapel Field future use/disposal
The Clerk reported that the person undertaking the valuation update is not at work at present owing to a bereavement, so this will be carried forward to the next meeting.
b. Toilets Investigation – the Clerk updated on the position with the investigation and proposals to identify the perpetrator if the police were unable to. The Clerk will liaise with the PCC to ask them to comment on the situation before the council determine whether or not to formally complain about the matter.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.35pm.
Sheila Pearce
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer