2025 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of the North Somercotes Parish Council held in St Mary’s Church Hall on Monday 24th March 2025 At 7.00 pm

There were no members of the public present.  Cllr Paul Rickett was in attendance for part of the meeting.  In the absence of Cllr Stephen Brooks (Chairman) the Vice Chairman, Cllr Neil Drewery, was chairing the meeting and thanked everyone for attending, opening the public session at 7.30pm.

 

Public Session

a. Comments/updates from District and County Cllrs

i. Cllr McNally - updated on the position of the Pylons/GDF facility: LCC have produced a letter regarding the alleged lack of proper procedure being followed and requesting the provision of the financial information of the different options and are looking at whether to request a Judicial Review.  In respect of the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) at Theddlethorpe/Gayton – Formal support is being withdrawn by both the District and County Council so it will not reach the stage of the Test of Public Support.  County Council reorganisation proposals have been submitted, these would cost c£30m to accomplish the proposed changes, with an estimated saving of c£50m per annum.  ELDC have been involved in developing the new Flood Defence Strategy - Humber 2100+ which among other things looks at property values and the impact on carbon costs of any proposals (in partnership with 11 local authorities from around the Humber, the Environment Agency, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Natural England and Internal Drainage Boards.  The aim is to develop a strategy that will reinforce the long-term ambition for a prosperous Humber with a world class economy and a world class environment, which is a safe and sustainable place to live, work and visit.)

 

ii. Cllr Rickett – updated on the actions being taken in respect of the salvaging and clean-up of the two tankers after the incident off the Lincolnshire coast, and the Mablethorpe Wellbeing Hub is being used again to provide access/training for using the internet.

 

b. Comments from members of the Public on agenda items or issues for consideration for future agenda

i. Concerns regarding the impact on farm and holiday traffic if Warren Road drainage works done in July – see item 7 below.

ii. Request for bench on Marsh Lane – the Clerk noted that a request has been received for a memorial bench and the feasibility of the proposed location is being checked with LCC Highways.

iii. Fibre Optic Broadband delay – it was confirmed that any queries on this should be raised directly with the provider as the parish council has no jurisdiction or information on this matter.

 

The Chairman closed the public session at 7.25pm and commenced the formal meeting.

 

24/3/25-1 a. Present: Cllr Neil Drewery (Vice Chairman – in the Chair), 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, District Cllr Paul Rickett (part of the meeting). b. Apologies for Absence – It was RESOLVED to accept Cllr Stephen Brooks’ (Chairman) absence for the reasons given.

 

24/3/25-2 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.

 

24/3/25-3 Minutes of the 24th February 2025 Meeting– it was RESOLVED to adopt the notes as accurate minutes, and they were signed and dated by the Chairman.

 

24/3/25-4 Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding – for information only

a. Cemetery - Chapel Doors – chased updated quote b. .gov work Email Addresses – technical issue outstanding 

c. Coastal Path – route has been cut through the buckthorn and signage for the King’s Coastal Path has now been put up d. Chapel Field Housing Garden – turf now replaced and drainage improved e. Chapel Field Future Use – see 13a below f. Defibrillator Maps – still on hold pending errors and omissions on The Circuit being corrected g. Orchard area – selecting replacement varieties h. Dog Fouling/Public Space Protection Order – details of other local councils who wish to participate passed to ELDC i. Bench opposite bus garage – wood arrived, being stained/dried, and wood from the bench next to the Noticeboard/bus stop is being removed for refurbishment as unusable at present 

 

 j. National Grid Projects – see 6g below k. Climate Change Report and Action Plan/LCC – results of comments still awaited l. Policies and Procedures – schedule of updates to be prepared, including new Statutory Duty to prevent Sexual Harassment at work m. Cemetery and other Title deeds – change of address underway n. Flower Planter – compost purchased, to be sited and planted shortly o. Biodiversity Action Plan – met with LWT 25/2 re initial Biodiversity Audit of the Cemetery and playing field p. Study for community energy project – on hold q. CCTV monitor/access issues – has now been completed r. Cemetery – Statutory Records – work continues, archives to be retrieved 30/4 to see if they contain information on the gaps between 1973-early 80s. Cemetery Burial Ledger- taking to the bookbinder to repair in April along with the layout plans and looking at the purchase of a further book so all interments/scattering are recorded in numerical order to match the digital system Christmas Wreaths – floral tributes removed as per rules and deconstructed into green waste/other waste s. Records Management – archiving, shredding and recycling of old paper records continues t. Bowls Club – ELDC confirmed funding from District Cllrs, and two sets of Junior Bowls ordered u. Oil Scheme – over 40,000 litres at 3p per litre off the 500 litre price in the last delivery

 

24/3/25-5 Village Flagpole – Consideration of the proposal to erect a flagpole in the parish

Discussion took place regarding the principal of whether or not the parish council should install a flagpole in the village.  Following which the Clerk was asked to investigate the proposal and produce a report regarding the issues to be considered including viability and costs involved for the council to discuss and RESOLVE the way forward.

 

24/3/25-6 To consider any Planning applications received and RESOLVE the way forward on these and other Planning matters 

a.  Planning applications for consideration: Ossian, replacement overhead power line information has been sent out for information only.

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) – see the information in the public session above.

g. National Grid Grimsby-Walpole Pylons proposals – LCC are proposing to call for a Judicial Review of the overhead pylons and substations proposals, as noted in the public session above. EGL 3&4 - second stage, statutory consultation is awaited.

h. Any other urgent planning matters/applications:

 

24/3/25-7 Highways, Paths and Lighting:

a. verbal update on problem log, including outstanding issues:

i. 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.

ii. Warren Rd drainage works – a request has been made to consider a change of date for the works from July 2025 to October half term owing to the considerable impact on farm activity and tourism traffic at Oasis Lakes and elsewhere.  If it is not feasible in terms of changing the programme date, it could be possible to do the works under traffic light control rather than long diversions. A definitive response is required ASAP.

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 adjacent to/close to the entrance to ensure safe access/exit for caravans and farm/other vehicles.

iv. Culvert/drain - Millfield Road off School Lane – this has now been checked by ELDC and appears to be ok inside although the end of the culvert has deteriorated it is not affecting the drainage

v. Memorial Bench – looking into the feasibility of the proposed location on Marsh Lane

b. any additional issues/other urgent matters

i. Changing the 40mph speed limit on Conisholme Rd to 30mph up until West View Farm after Eau Bank turning as has previously been suggested when the 40mph was introduced and now there is housing on Tulip Way

ii. introducing 20mph advisory speed limit outside both schools – It was RESOLVED that Cllr McNally be asked to look into whether these two proposals would fall within the LCC technical requirements, and if so then a formal request can be made from the Parish Council.

 

24/3/25-8 To receive reports from councillors who are representatives on Village Organisations/Committees                

a. Playing Fields Association - Cllr Walmsley – Party in the Park will be held on 16 August 2025, discussions have taken place with the Bowls Club re support, and dog fouling on the playing field and bottom field remains an issue.  The old container has now been removed, and the play area has been repaired. The additional CCTV camera and improvement to access playback has now been completed.

 

b. Police Panel – Cllr Newman – the 6-monthly parish meeting (online meeting with local police) is being reorganised.  Lincs Alert will be used instead of the Next-Door app going forward for general police communications from 1st April.  Priorities for the area are to be ascertained by survey with the quarterly priorities meeting held next month.

 

c. Emergency/Flood Planning – Cllr Newman/Clerk – nothing to report.

 

d. Hall Committee – Cllr Plater – The new alarm has been fitted.  Lorraine/Elane are sorting out the space for Meals on Wheels, and there is a Craft Fayre in the Hall on May Bank Holiday.

 

e. DTE Wildlife Group – Cllr Newman – The extent of the environmental damage arising from the incident in the Humber is unknown at this stage, but there is already plastic noodle debris being washed up on the beaches, and details of how to report this have been publicised.  Comment was made about the absence of barn owls now in the Donna Nook Realignment site when previously they were abundant; presumably owing to the negative impact on numbers of water voles since the realignment site changes and salinity of the site now.

 

f. Youth Club – Cllr Wallis – the two separate evening sessions on Wednesday and Thursday for different ages are still proving successful, with around 30 attending on the Thursday evening for example.  Discussion took place regarding the climbing wall in the play area and the artwork to be added to it.

 

24/3/25-9 Finance and Audit

a) the bank reconciliation for March 2025 was checked and signed by the Chairman.

b) It was RESOLVED to approve the schedule of receipts of £854 and payments of £4,433.60 for March 2025.

c) it was RESOLVED to approve the updated list of Assets for year end 31 March 2025 for 24/25 Audit.

d) Any other/urgent financial matters – the display of daffodils and narcissi at the Cemetery was commented on and it was RESOLVED to approve the Clerk’s purchase of further bulbs/plants for the cemetery to continue the scheme of planting.

 

24/3/25-10– Annual Parish meeting – Village Hall 9th April 2025 6.30pm start – unfortunately the police are unable to attend so the proposed agenda and Chairman’s report on parish council activities was confirmed, and the Clerk has put up notices on the noticeboard and shops as well as in the Communication magazine and village Facebook page.

 

24/3/25-11 The general correspondence for March 2025, Website Updates and Communication entry – these were noted, including the circular on the importance of Lithium-ion battery safety, for which posters are awaited, because of the danger of sub-standard batteries.

 

24/3/25-12 Agenda items for the meeting to be held on 28th April 2025 NB in the Village Hall.  

Chapel Field future use, policy and procedure list, Flagpole Report, any items arising from the Annual Parish Meeting.

 

24/3/25-13 Confidential Matters – it was RESOLVED that the Council would move into closed session by reason of the confidential property matters to be transacted – there were no members of the public/press present in the meeting at this point.

 

a. Chapel Field valuation and consideration of future uses/disposal – discussion took place on the potential options for future use and/or sale/donation of part/all the retained land at Chapel Field, and the question of costs involved for marketing and clearance works.  The Clerk noted that LALC have been asked for an opinion on the options, and process to be followed, and this is awaited.  There has been no response as yet from LALC solicitors regarding the previous query on the boundary trees/nuisance issue.

 

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 8.39pm

 

 

Sheila Pearce

Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer