July 2024 Minutes
North Somercotes Parish Council
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 29th July 2024 at 7.00 pm
There were no members of the public present. District Cllr Paul Rickett was in attendance.
Public Session
a. Comments/updates from District and County Cllrs
District Cllr Rickett – noted that he is chairing the Carbon Reduction group at ELDC looking at the Councils net zero Carbon emissions achievements versus targets and the outcome will be shared once the Scrutiny Panel is complete.
County Councillor McNally – noted that there is an Anti-social behaviour consultation exercise current underway from Lincs County Council.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. issues with bin emptying from property on Chapel Field – Cllr McNally is looking into this for the tenant.
ii. concern re overhang from trees at Fire Station – Clerk is looking into this for the householder.
iii. Horse Riders riding, and leaving dung on, pavements – Clerk to be asked to put a note in Communication magazine.
The Chairman closed the public session and commenced the formal meeting at 7.10 pm
29/7/24-1 a. Present: Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman), Cllr John Kennedy, Cllr Roger Maidens (until 7.10pm), Cllr Danny McNally, Cllr Patricia Newman, Cllr Lynda Plater, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr David Wallis, Cllr Paul Walmsley
b. Apologies for Absence: Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer. It was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman), and Cllr Stuart Arundel’s absence for the reasons provided.
29/7/24-2 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.
29/7/24-3 Minutes of the 24th June 2024 Monthly Meeting – it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes and they were signed and dated by the Chairman.
29/7/24-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery – repair to the metalwork on the bell to be done 30/7, first draft mapping of grave spaces being checked, rear fence to be done in September. Actions from the 15/7 cemetery meeting- see 5 below.
b. Setting up Work Email Addresses – trying to resolve technical issue
c. Coastal Path – confirmation of route awaited
d. Chapel Field Housing – Platform have reneged on November agreement to replace the poor quality turf, see item 10 below
e. Chapel Field Future Use – see 13a below
f. Defibrillators – location maps using the information on The Circuit being investigated but errors and omissions need addressing first
g. Public Toilets – email sent to PCC re lack of action by the police - see 13b below
h. Levelling up funding – still looking for additional funding for various community projects – working with YMCA to identify and progress – more responses to questionnaire sought
i. Orchard area –strimming, and pruning trees to be done, and replace broken/ damaged ones in autumn
j. Dog Fouling/Public Space Protection Order – waiting to discuss ELDC response to request for Dog Warden service with D Dodds.
k. 2024 Public Rights of Way annual survey – Clerk has printed off forms.
l. Bench opposite bus garage/bench on Conisholme Rd – requested Dave Hobson to measure wood required so that this can be purchased, and the repair undertaken
m. Donations – still no reply to emails to Gardening Group and Can’t Sing Choir, other payments have been actioned
n. National Grid EGL3 and EGL4 – objection has been registered via the website form
o. Amenity Area corner of School Lane/Clarkes Court – Platform have removed the saplings from the amenity area but minimal work has been done on the paving and the thistles at Clark’s Court were still there
p. Swimming pool – letter of thanks received from School
29/7/24-5 Cemetery – to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward on actions required following the Annual Cemetery Meeting on 15th July 2024.
a. Replacement of Cemetery Chapel doors – Listed building consent form now needs to be completed, and once this is received an updated quote for the replacement doors will be sought. Clerk to proceed as previously discussed regarding materials and complete replacement of front wood as this is completely rotten now.
b. Repair of gates/resiting of gates – clerk has asked Macdonald’s to get in touch to discuss requirements.
c. Columbaria/vault/Sundial feature for Garden of Remembrance - to be reconsidered once doors dealt with
d. Any other action arising from the meeting/discussions – none, priority should be to replace the rotten wood on the doors and revisit other items, including the gates (other than to ensure they are safe) once this work has been completed.
29/7/24-6 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
c. To note planning applications refused: none
d. Planning Applications appealed: none
e. Enforcement Issues/Actions: none
f. Theddlethorpe Nuclear Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) – no report
g. Any other urgent planning matters/applications: none
29/7/24-7 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 – large area patched but still left some rough areas/cracking on Town Street. Cllr McNally to check/report.
iv. Footpath reviews – forms handed out to Cllr Plater/Chairman
v. Parking opposite Warren Road Track to Oasis/Warren Farm near primary school – outcome of request for double yellow lines or exclusion box or solid white line to prevent parking each side and directly opposite the entrance to ensure safe access/exit for all large farm vehicles/Lakes and caravan site towing vehicles is currently being looked at.
b. Remaining Flower Planter – the decision on whether to site the remaining planter on Keeling St near Woolpack Meadows entrance, next to brick seat, making sure not to impede visibility of traffic emerging from WPM was postponed.
c. any additional issues/other urgent matters to be reported – Former Vicarage – a query was raised regarding the height of the hedge and the status of apparently empty properties and their surroundings.
29/7/24-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – Magna Vitae will be running a one day per week Schools Out Programme on the playing field over the summer and the recent social event raised £1,400.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – Neighbourhood Policing – the priorities are Anti-social behaviour and vehicle nuisance, Drugs and associated vulnerability, and Antisocial Behaviour. Louth Town has been a hotspot of Antisocial Behaviour, and people are asked to use the Police.uk App if wanting to check crime figures.
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – the Environment Agency are encouraging people to sign up to the Flood Alert notification scheme.
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – date awaited in September for the annual pre-Seal Season meeting.
f. Youth Club – Cllr Wallis – Clerk has informed YC of £1k funds and so far, provided four sets of batteries/chargers as requested from the monies set aside. The separation of age groups to two nights is working well with 27 people one night and 20 the other.
29/7/24-9 Finance and Audit
a) the bank reconciliation for July 2024 was received and checked and signed by the Chairman.
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £1,246 and payments of £3,704.95 for July 2024
c) to deal with any urgent financial matters – none.
29/7/24-10 Chapel Field Housing – it was RESOLVED that the Parish Council should formally write to Platform on behalf of the tenant now that Platform have allegedly reneged on the earlier agreement to replace the poor-quality soil/turf.
29/7/24-11 To receive/note general Correspondence for July, Website Updates and Communication entry – these have been circulated by the Clerk.
29/7/24-12 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 23rd September 2024 in the Village Hall
Action plan for the Biodiversity Duty and the Cemetery Management and Waste Plan, Chapel Field, Toilets Criminal Damage Investigation
29/7/24-13 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.
a. Chapel Field future use/disposal – the Valuation report is now awaited following the site inspection last Friday.
b. Toilets Criminal Damage Investigation – comments were made to the PCC regarding lack of action by the police on the matter, and the Clerk is waiting to speak with PC Nathan Ford from Louth Town Police.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.05pm.
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer