Annual Parish Meeting
Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe Parish Council
21st April 2015
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Present : Cllrs Thornton, Jacques, Neil, Dunning, Helliwell, Hollingworth, 1 member of the public, 2 police, Cllr Woodman MBE
Apologies : Janet Guest, Parish Clerk / Cllr Sheppard
APM 1 Parish Councillors gave reports in their area of responsibility
a. Cllr Neil – reported on the transportation of straw which is causing damage to roads, pavements. 2 lorries overturned recently and lorries seemed to have increased recently. Having spoken to the local MP the planning application was based on straw being carried within a 30mile radius. Fulbeck is being used as a stop off to meet this condition. Turbines and other plans are concerning and speed is still an issue. A member of the public raised concerns about the footpath.
b. Cllr Helliwell – reported on the speed indication devices being installed in the parish. The post is now up and waiting for the final installation. The parish also has part of the portable speeding device which will be used at the Lincoln end of Brant Broughton.
On financial matters the parish will have noticed the reports carried out and checks on payments verses ledger and the bank account. Oct / Dec time the Parish Council considers grant applications, Jan looks at the precept. As Cllr Champion for finance he assists the clerk to ensure transparency. The Parish Council takes its responsibility for managing public finance seriously
c. Cllr Hollingworth – reported on the work around the Parish assets. Every year all assets will be viewed for any repairs or maintenance required which will be factored into the precept as necessary. A spreadsheet for repairs and maintance has been developed and a maintaince scheduale developed. The biggest assets in terms of cost is the rectory field wall. We currently spent £2400 to make it safe but there will need to be a 10 year plan to continue with the upkeep.
d. Cllr Jacques - Unfortunately in the last year the broadband speed and service has not improved in Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe. Despite superfast broadband being promised to be delivered to us by Summer 2014, this has not materialised. As most will be aware, BT secured the countrywide contract to provide superfast rural broadband and there have been significant delays in it being delivered.
The average speed for broadband in BB&S remains at between 0.7Mbps and 1.3Mbps. This means that a standard definition movie would take about 1 hour 30 minutes to download. At the minute, the only alternate option to get "faster broadband" is through local wireless suppliers. This offers up to 10Mbps broadband. This means that a standard definition movie takes about 11 minutes to download.
I have today spoken to BT about their "infinity superfast rollout." The update is that a new cabinet has been installed on the High Street and this will be linked into the Fullbeck exchange via Fibre Optic cables. However, most house connections will still remain via old fashioned copper wire to the cabinet. BT say that BB&S is due to be enabled at some point within the next 6 months, so orders cannot be taken at this time. They quote speeds at upto 76Mbps, this would mean a standard definition movie download time of about 1 minute 30 seconds. However, BT currently say that BB&S should be getting 8Mbps speeds! So, we will have to wait and see what the precise speed will be!!
There was no enthusiasm for any events during Lincolnshire Online week - so none were run in BB&S or surrounding villages. There remain weekly drop-in clinics at the Hammond Hall in Bassingham every Thursdays between 10am and 4:30pm for anyone wishing to learn the basics of using a tablet / laptop.
e. Cllr Sheppard - The publication of The Transparency Code in 2014 has been put in place to allow local communities full visibility of decisions being made and the underlying decision making processes, therefore allowing local residents to contribute and play a bigger part in community decisions. In Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe all residents are encouraged to attend parish council meetings, the parish annual meeting and public meetings and during the past 12 months we have continued to see residents at the parish council meetings and especially the public meetings.
The village website along with the village magazine- The Sandback - continues to be the channels for villagers to find information on meeting minutes, parish and other village contacts and village activities. We are currently in the process to ensure the website and the Sandbeck meet the full requirements of The Transparency Code.
The village website does not see much traffic i.e. visits to the site, and is currently going through a review of all content to ensure it is upto date. Opportunities to drive traffic to the web and expand the information on the pages will be explored in 2015. The Sandbeck continues to be published monthly and all households in the parish receive a copy.
In 2014 a village Facebook page was launched, bringing social media to Brant Broughton and Stragglethorpe. The Facebook page sees increasing "likes" on a weekly basis and is providing a real time in your pocket status of village activities. Neighbouring villages are also using social media to promote viallge activities.
f. Cllr Dunning – The Village Hall Committee has recently arranged 2 fundraising events, Celich which raised £700 and the film club which raised £161. The committee is also planning an event alongside the Produce Show in Sept 15. The constitution is in the process of being updated.
APM 2 Report by VETO, Roger Kingscott
The turbines at Temple Hill have been refused and its 6mths to appeal the decision. Fulbeck was 13 turbines now they are looking at 10 x 110m turbines and moved slightly back from Brant Broughton. We are urging people to object.
There are ongoing concerns about traffic flow whilst building work happens. Temple Hill was looking at 125 vehicles a day. 100+ trucks a day extra through Stragglethorpe if Fulbeck goes ahead. There has been no formal application as yet. Planning application would be made in SKDC only though Fulbeck neighbourhood plan is due to go to referendum soon as is Stubtons which addresses the issue of visual impact. We are urging people to write into SKDC objecting.
APM 3 Open forum
The Chair asked for comments and encouraged debate from the floor but there was nothing raised.
The meeting closed.