BOLINGBROKE PARISH COUNCIL.
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Bolingbroke/
DRAFT NOTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN THE RAMSDEN HALL OLD BOLINGBROKE
ON MONDAY 23rd JANUARY 2012 AT 7.30PM.
PRESENT WERE :- Cllrs. M. Brennand ( Chairman ), J. Clayton, S. Dawson, D. Makins, N. Nash, N. Paterson and K. Richardson, and about ten members of the parish.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN.
Cllr. Brennand indicated that the council still required a chairman, and a debate followed regarding potential candidates. Cllr. Nash proposed, Cllr. Richardson seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that the position of Chairman be debated at another meeting at a convenient date to suite the Council.
2. OPEN FORUM
Mrs. Phillips Wilson indicated that in her view the starting time of the Childrens Christmas party was too late at 6.30 pm, and that she was disappointed that photographs were not available.
Children from the village who were at the meeting and had been at the party said that there were about 12 – 15 children at the party and that a good time was had by all.
The committee agreed to take note of Mrs. Phillips Wilson’s comments.
Mrs. Phillips Wilson questioned the positioning and security of the newly assembled playground equipment and also that there appeared to be no equipment for younger children.
Cllr. Nash responded that the assembly of the equipment on site had yet to be completed and that other equipment had yet to be brought to the site. He also explained that the equipment had been located in its current position due to the due to the variation in ground levels at the original planned location.
Cllr. Richardson reported that he had visited site the previous day to look at site safety and confirmed that the site was secured around the perimeter with Heras fence and was placarded appropriately in accordance with industry norm.
Mrs. Creedy spoke on behalf of Neighbourhood Watch and spoke of trouble with children. Issues of concern included children playing in private gardens, riding bicycles at night without lights, and unknown children knocking on doors and asking various questions. The children in the meeting explained that problems were not always caused by children from the locality. All agreed that the situation required monitoring closely and that any problems should be phoned in on the 101 emergency number or to the police through the normal channels.
Mr. Farrow suggested that in view of the number of items on the agenda the council should meet on a monthly basis. Following a debate the council resolved to carry on meeting every two months but would review the situation regularly.
3. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT ANY APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN.
None.
4. TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2000.
None.
5. TO CONSIDER Cllr. NASH’S AMENDMENTS AND AGREE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 21st NOVEMBER.
The previous minutes were read and amendments were tabled by Cllr. Nash, all of which were approved and annotated by the Chairman.
6. TO RECEIVE REPORTS ON PROGRESS OF MATTERS OUTSTANDING RAISED AT THE LAST MEETING (AND NOT OTHERWISE COVERED BY THIS AGENDA).
a/ Old Bolingbroke and the Drainage Board. It was reported that all flooding in the county would be investigated by Lincolnshire County Council.
b/ Unsightly plot in Moat Lane. The Council had not received a reply from Mr. Batten, but Mr. Lumb had spoken to him and had been told that issues were being dealt with.
c/ Parking by Rose Garden. Cllr. Nash had spoken to the owners of the cars about the Council’s concern. A log was being maintained.
d/ Gas supply to village. It was reported that the Gas provider would require 70% of home owners to commit to a scheme; the information was available to all interested parties.
e/ Archiving of minute books. It was agreed to archive minute books for 1945-68 with Lincolnshire County Council.
f/ Cllr. Makins confirmed that the form indicating no increase in the precept had been filed with ELDC. One parishioner had commented that he thought there should have been a small increase.
g/ Blocked footpath by Horncastle Hill. It was agreed to check whether the footpath had been unblocked, if not it would be reported to the relevant authorities.
• Allocation of specific responsibilities to Councillors. It was noted that two areas had not yet been assigned. It was also clarified that Cllr. Nash understood “Communication with other village groups” to mean groups from other villages not other groups within Old Bolingbroke.
7. TO RECEIVE A FINANCE REPORT FROM THE RESPONSIBLE FINANCE OFFICER Cllr. D. MAKINS.
1/Monies at the Bank
The Current Account £ 231.60.
The Deposit Account. £5,000.00.
The Ramsden Account £1,099.92.
2/Refund of Training Costs
Cllr. Nash proposed, Cllr. Dawson seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that the offer of the former parish clerk Mrs. Simpson to refund her training costs of £24 be declined.
8. TO NOTE PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND WORK TO TREES RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING.
The following planning matters had been dealt with:
a/ Bolingbroke House
b/ Vine Cottage
c/ Vine Cottage – amendments
d/ Application to fell trees at the Meadows
e/ Water pipe across the Wolds
All information was available on East Lindsey District Council web site.
9. TO CONSIDER ANY HIGHWAY MATTERS
Road resurfacing works had been finished.
A faulty street light was reported on West Keal Road.
10. TO DISCUSS CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED CONCERNING FINGERPOSTS IN THE VILLAGE.
Lincolnshire C.C. had reported that no further funding was available for signage, and further finance would have to come from the village.
11. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE / REPRESENTATIVE.
Cllr. Brennand reported that the equipment had been moved closer to the hall than planned and she felt it may be too close.
Cllr. Nash indicated as previously that the location was the only viable position due to the flat levels required.
It was agreed that further landscaping was required and that Cllr. Makins would obtain prices from Lincolnshire County Council under their current scheme for tree and hedge replacement.
12. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE FROM THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE / REPRESENTATIVE.
Cllr. Brennand reported that the planning application for the village hall extension had been approved. The Village Hall Committee had been advised that windows should be incorporated into the design and the Hall required being DDA compliant. Plans were available for scrutiny. The Council were also advised that the accounts had been produced, showed a surplus of £311 after some major repairs had been undertaken, and were also available for examination.
It was reported that the unlawful tree felling issue was ongoing and that Mr Cullum had given a statement to the Tree officer at East Lindsey District Council.
13. TO DISCUSS CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT FUNDING OF CHILDRENS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY.
A letter was read from Mrs Phillips Wilson which concerned the funding of the children’s Christmas party. The issue was debated and as also referred to in the open forum. The Council agreed that the issue had been approved by due process and that no further action would be taken.
14. TO DISCUSS THE BEHAVIOUR OF SOME OF THE CHILDREN IN THE VILLAGE
The issues were dealt with in open forum.
15. TO DISCUSS THE LEASE OF THE VILLAGE HALL AND THE PLAYGROUND.
A debate took place regarding the Village Hall Lease and the need to review it in line with current legislation. Cllr. Nash pointed out that the current lease could be revoked for non payment of the rent and lack of consultation with the Parish Council over the recent planning application. The Council discussed the history of the Village Hall and Play Ground leases. The Council standing orders were discussed and the relevant legal obligations the Village Hall committee had to the Parish Council.
Cllr. Clayton proposed, Cllr. Nash seconded, and it was unanimously approved that quotes should be obtained from two lawyers with a view to reviewing both the Village Hall and Play Ground leases to make them robust for future generations and equitable to all parties.
16. TO DISCUSS THE ADOPTION OF THE TELEPHONE KIOSK.
The village telephone kiosk was discussed and it was decided that the matter be referred to the next meeting.
17. TO DISCUSS A 20MPH SPEED LIMIT THROUGH THE VILLAGE.
Cllr. Paterson brought up the issue of excess speed in the village and suggested that a 20mph speed limit may be appropriate to enhance village safety. It was unanimously agreed that Cllr. Patterson approach Lincolnshire Highways in order to discover how this can be achieved.
18. TO DISCUSS A BEACON FOR THE DIAMOND JUBILEE.
It was agreed that this be discussed at the next meeting.
19. TO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PIN AND CANDLE AUCTION.
It was agreed that Cllr. Brennand liaise with Robert Bell.
20. TO DECIDE DATES OF MEETINGS IN 2012.
Further discussions ensued regarding having monthly meetings and it was reiterated that the Council would continue with meetings every two months, and the situation would be reviewed regularly.
21. TO CONSIDER THE RECRUITMENT OF A PARISH CLERK.
The LALC have referred two contacts to Cllr. Makins and it was agreed that he organise interviews with prospective candidates with other members of the committee in order to recruit a new Clerk.
22. TO DISCUSS THE CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
a/ Lincolnshire Wolds Facilities Guide
b/ Draft Single Plot Exceptions Supplementary Planning
c/ NALC Briefing – Prayers at Council Meetings
d/ Oil Buying Groups
e/ Public Sector Efficiency Expo
All the above were discussed and information made available to interested parties.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was agreed to hold this on Monday 26th March 2012 at 7.30p.m..
The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.
Signed as a true record of the Meeting...... Date ......