October 2024 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the North Somercotes Parish Council held in St Mary's Church Hall on Monday 28th October 2024 at 7pm
There were 2 members of the public present. District Cllr Paul Rickett was in attendance until 7.35pm.
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and opened the public session at 7 pm
Public Session
a. Comments/updates from District and County Cllrs
i. District Cllr Rickett commented on the various fake app sites and QR codes that are about including one for Universal Credit and referred to the Digital Inclusivity Training for older people that is being delivered at Sutton on Sea on 8 November.
ii. County Cllr McNally confirmed that South Rd repairs have now been done and the investigations for the work required on Warren Road has been done. Firebeacon Lane Grainthorpe will be shut for 3-4 weeks from 11 November for Roadworks. There is a £10m ELDC fund for local community projects in inland villages and coastal areas, which would include North Somercotes.
b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda
i. South Road – Query over planning permission enforcement – it was noted that the site has now been cleared, but no action can be taken unless there is any evidence of use inconsistent with the planning permission.
ii. Bench on Jubilee Rd – query received from member of the public regarding its possible removal to deal with its misuse by those committing Antisocial Behaviour – this was discussed following a complaint and also a report of drunken behaviour both at the bench and in the Co-op the previous weekend. Councillors noted that any reports of ASB should be reported at the time to the police and any cctv kept with diary of events so that the police can include the area in their patrols and deal with the individuals accordingly.
iii. Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) - A member of the public referred to the continuing problems with ASB the latest incident being the deconstruction of the partially erected new climbing wall in the childrens’ play area at the playing field, which people had taken time off work to install, only to have it taken apart before it was finished. Following an appeal on the village Facebook page most children involved had apologised except one. Despite investing time and effort arranging activities for 12 – 16-year-olds, only 2 had attended this week’s Magna Vitae organised session.
iv. Public footpath behind Locksley Way – a comment has been received that the new fence which has been put up has narrowed the path – Clerk to check with LCC footpath’s officer.
v. Lincs Wildlife Trust – Donna Nook Realignment Site – Matt Blissett was welcomed to the meeting and confirmed that the Lincs Wildlife Trust has been appointed to manage the Realignment Site and the grazing area for the next 10 years to 2034. Initial works to repair fencing and rotten posts will get underway as part of the maintenance, monitoring and reporting and there is no intention to actively promote the site. The responsibility for the maintenance of the flood banks will remain with the Environment Agency.
The Chairman closed the public session and opened the formal meeting at 7.45 pm
28/10/24-1 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 David Wallis, Cllr Shaun Smalley, Cllr Paul Walmsley, Sheila Pearce – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
b. Apologies for Absence – none.
28/10/24-2 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.
28/10/24-3 Minutes of the 23rd September 2024 Meeting– It was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes and they were signed by the Chairman.
28/10/24-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only
a. Cemetery – Outcome of Planning Application for doors awaited, checking gate repair situation b. .gov work Email Addresses – technical issue outstanding c. Coastal Path – meeting on 25/9 confirmed route to be cut through buckthorn d. Chapel Field Housing Garden – Outcome awaited e. Chapel Field Future Use – see 13a below
f. Map of village Defibrillators – on hold pending errors and omissions on The Circuit being corrected g. Public Footbridge damage -cctv now passed to Pollice, see13b below h. Levelling up funding – continuing to look for additional funding for various community projects i. Orchard area – replace broken/ damaged trees shortly j. Dog Fouling/Public Space Protection Order – collating comments from parishioners on problem areas. Posters from KBT to be put up k. 2024 Public Rights of Way annual survey – ongoing. l. Bench opposite bus garage/bench on Conisholme Rd – ongoing m. National Grid Projects – ongoing n. Environment Agency – as noted in the public session, management of Donna Nook has been taken on by Lincs Wildlife Trust o. South Road – now done/being completed p. Climate Change Report and Action Plan/LCC – comments by end of October 24 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 – draft produced for comment. s. Cemetery Title deeds – change of address to be actioned t. Flower Planter – to be installed as agreed u. Biodiversity Action Plan – chased response from LWT re initial Biodiversity Audit v. Free Trees – a further 500 free trees have been applied for to continue hedging around the bottom playing field and any replacements at the cemetery w. Playing Field Footbridge Handrail – this has now been replaced by LCC.
28/10/24-5 Remembrance Observance – 10th November 2024 – traffic and other arrangements were confirmed by the Clerk.
28/10/24-6 To consider any Planning applications received and RESOLVE the way forward on these and other Planning matters
a. Planning applications for consideration: N/132/01322/24 – Cemetery Doors – outcome awaited
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)/Pylons – there is a meeting taking place at 7.30 on 7th November at Theddlethorpe which the Chairman and the Clerk will attend.
g. Any other urgent planning matters/applications:
28/10/24-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting:
a. verbal update on problem log, including:
i. South Rd – works should now have been completed or will be shortly.
ii. Warren Rd drainage – investigation done date for works now awaited
iii. Footpath reviews – analysis of walks and issues arising now completed, to b sent to LCC
iv. 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
28/10/24-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees
a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – the removed planks have been put back in the new Climbing Wall which will continue to be erected as soon as possible.
b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – nothing to report
c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – nothing to report
d. Village Hall Committee – no report
e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman/Clerk – the usual traffic management arrangements will be in place for seal season.
e. Youth Club – Cllr Wallis – suggestions have been made for more lighting needed for the dark evenings and the snooker table has a problem with the legs. Advised that if there is a makers name on the table then they could be contacted, or try and find a joiner to quote for repairing the table. Discussion took place and concerns were expressed that some children may not be using the play area, owing to not wishing to be associated with those committing ASB, or don’t stay to use the facilities because of the behaviour of a minority. The Clerk noted that the police were expecting to issue formal ASB letters to the individuals involved in breaking the handrail on the bridge shortly.
28/10/24-9 Finance
a) The bank reconciliation for October 2024 was checked and signed by the Chairman
b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £3,191.60 and payments of £3,03.59 for October 2024
c) Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to purchase a Christmas Tree for display at the Axe and Cleaver subject to checking if St Mary’s Church Hall would like/be able to host it.
d) to deal with any urgent financial matters – none.
28/10/24-10 Budget Setting 25/26 – the Clerk will now begin preparing the budget requirements for the next financial year based on the RPI rate of inflation (2.7% as at September 2024) and requested that councillors raise any specific projects or issues that should be included. Following discussion, the Clerk will discuss the remaining year of the contract (making a total of 5) with Alford Garden Services, with a tendering exercise to then be carried out during 2025 with a start date of 1 April 2026).
28/10/24-11 General Correspondence for October, Website Updates and Communication entry
The Clerk referred to the LCC questionnaire, which has been circulated, following the Climate Change Adaptation Workshop and which needs to be completed so any comments should be returned before the end of October.
28/10/24-12 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 25th November 2024 in St Mary’s Church Hall
Cemetery Management and Waste Plan, Chapel Field future use, 25/26 budget narrative, Sexual Harassment Policy and Training
28/10/24-13 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council would move into Confidential closed session by reason of the confidential property and security matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present at the meeting at this point.
a. Chapel Field valuation and consideration of future uses/disposal
Following discussion, it was RESOLVED that:
i. the Clerk should proceed to take legal advice on the matters as discussed
ii. the Clerk should proceed to discuss the potential availability of funding for a feasibility study for a community energy project, which would include community buildings as well as the land areas discussed
b. Police action on Criminal Damage/Antisocial Behaviour incidents
i. Following discussion, the Clerk will discuss the publication of the Defib incident footage on the village Facebook page with PC Ford to see if anyone recognises the culprit.
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.32 pm
Sheila Pearce
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer