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Minutes of a meeting of Crowland Parish Council held on Monday 9th January 2017 at 7.30pm in the Parish Rooms, Hall Street, Crowland.
Attendees:Coun B Alcock, Mr M Atkinson, Mr P Bird, Mr J Boor, Mr R Boot, Mr P Cooper,
Miss C Elphee, Mr P Haselgrove, Mr D Kempton, Mr J Parnell and Mr G Quince.
In The Chair:Mr D Ringham
Clerk:Mrs B Stanojevic
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2017 and wished everyone a happy and healthy New Year.
307) Apologies for Absence
Mr D Ancill, Mrs T Croxford, Mrs J Head, Councillor J Astiil and A Harrison.
308) Police Matters
PCSO Pusey attended the meeting despite not being on duty.
Crime figures – 2 commercial burglaries, 2 vehicle damage, 1 arson, 2 vehicle nuisances and 5 youth problems.
She reported that warning letters had gone out to the youth’s parents, Deeping School had been visited and patrols had been happening around Crowland late into the evening. This has been seen by members and is most welcome.
German shepherd dog has been repoted for biting people and PCSO Pusey is dealing with this.
Hare coursing has been a big problem in the area and the advice is if you can see a hare being chased then call 999. This information to go in Town Magazine. Much damage is being caused – criminal damage. The law on trespass is not clear and PCSO Pusey will seek clarification on this.
The Parish Council is to continue to push the police for more resources.
Drones been on the Snowden – no Parish Council policy on this and the police have not received any complaints.
309) Declaration of Interests as per the LGA 2000
Mr Atkinson – Crowland Abbey and Crowland Cares
Mr Boor - Land
Mr Boot and Miss Elphee – British Legion
Mr Cooper and Mr Haselgrove – Allotments
Mr Ringham – Crowland Cares
310) To Agree as a correct Record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting
Letter 12 re the telephone box should read - noted.
The minutes were proposed a true record by Mr Haselgrove, seconded by Miss Elphee. All agreed.
311) Reports on matters outstanding of the previous meeting not on this agenda
Manure for the new allotment site is due to be delivered. There is a volunteer to provide biofertilizer on the site.
Further complaints have been received about the chemists and instances to be put in writing to their customer services department. Problems are – repeat prescriptions not ready, long queues etc. It would appear that no systems/procedures are being followed.
The Fire Brigade have no budget to assist warning of dangers of fire.
There is a bin in the Lakeside area – currently we do empty 66 such bins.
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Access has to be left for the drainage board machinery to get into the area so more bollards are not practical.
The B1040 signage appears to be working better now. Coun Pepper suggests asking for police presence will help. A large temporary sign just before the weight limit occurs would also help. Action Clerks - to contact Highways and the police
Letter 14 to Bloom – response not yet done. Action - Clerks
312) Assets working party – Update
Nothing further to report.
313) Report from the Finance Committee
Coun Alcock waiting for a response from SHDC re any differences that would affect our Precept.
Action Clerks to do next week
314) Report from the Farms & Gardens Committee
No meeting
The tractor been serviced. Small Kubota doesn’t need to be serviced.
Large kubota and large grass cutter both to be serviced.
Flailing all done.
Roadways still open to allotments – being monitored.
Tree programme being looked at.
The area not required for the new allotments is being let on a short- term lease.
315) Report from the Planning Committee
Minutes circulated – one amendment, should read Mr not Mrs J Parnell. Action - clerks
Guttering in Hall Street to be discussed again at next week’s planning meeting.
316) Report from the Amenities Committee
Mr Ringham is meeting with various play equipment suppliers to have a plan ready when required.
Letter has been sent from our solicitors to LCC solicitors re the Sports Hall - reply awaited.
317)Report from the Health & Safety Committee
Action Clerks - Mr Boot did attend.
Now discovered that use of a chain saw and chain saw loppers is not covered under the Parish Councils insurance policy for our workers to operate. Use of hand tools is covered. Discussion as to what to do with the chain saw. Referred back to the Farms & Gardens Committee.
The large padlock at the pavilion is to be put back. Looking into what can be done to the large Pavilion shutter.
318) A16/Highways Matters
Keep left sign outside Parish Room still not been repaired. Similar with the sign at the end of Peterborough Road. Large pot hole needs repairing. Action clerks to report and to get a
Map of streetlight areas being turned off at midnight to be circulated to members.
The bridge at Dowsdale map is on the border with Whaplode. There is a public right of way there. The parapet is crumbling and becoming dangerous.
The pavement between the former wine bar and Crowland mini-mart needs repairing – a trip hazard.
The road surface outside Decoy Farm is poor. Action clerks to report
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319) West Street Toilets
The toilets are being closed by our workers overnight and no further problems occurred. Continue to monitor.
320) Standing Orders
Mr Quince still dealing with.
321) Firework Display
Very good event and a very good Risk Assessment by the fireworks company. We just need further communication with the event organisers on lighting in the dark, dykes and toilet facilities – we want to support the event and ensure it is enjoyed by all.
322) Correspondence
1. Neil Watson - Copy of an e-mail to Neil Watson from LCC Highways in response to his second e-mail about unclear Parking bays in North Street, it suggests that he contact SHDC regarding this matter. Noted.
2. CPRE Lincolnshire - E-mail regarding the Best Kept Village and small town competition, advising us that registration packs will be sent out in February. Noted
3. Lincs Road Safety Partnership - Details of “Mileage for Life” Adding mileage to your life, if you are over 60 and want to keep your licence for longer and continue to enjoy driving call them for free on 01522 805800 to book a place. It is a friendly and relaxed environment with no testing and no examination just sound advice for free. Noted.
4. Peterborough Local Plan - E-mail that Peterborough City Council is consulting on the Further Draft Local Plan. This is the second stage of the Local Plan for Peterborough. Consultation will take place between 16 December 2016 and 9 February 2017, full details are available on www.peterborough.gov.uk/local plan. Noted.
5. LCC - E-mail with an update on the Street Lighting Transformation Project. This project expects to save £1.7 m per year and reduce LCC’s carbon footprint. It currently costs approx. £5m per year to operate and maintain the counties 68,000 street lights. They expect the project to be completed by March 2017. Faults will be considered on a case by case basis and are mainly dealt with when the programme visits the area to introduce LED or part night lighting. They are aware that some residents may fear increased crime but point out that Warwickshire CC has specifically analysed crime data since the introduction of part night lighting and report that domestic burglary has reduced by 24% and ASB has reduced by 29%. See item 318.
6. LCC - Email and letter with details of proposed Highways Grass Cutting. Apologies for the delay in updating us but explains that Grass cutting falls in 2 categories being 1) Safety Cutting - which involves 1 metre wide verge cut (Mainly in rural areas) adjacent to the carriageway and visibility areas such as junctions and bends which happen 3 times a year and is undertaken by LCC Contractors. 2) Amenity Cutting - This is carried out in areas of amenity value 7 times a year; this has been carried out by a mixture of providers including District and Parish Councils. In February 2016, the budgets were curt and safety cuts were reduced to twice a year. The amenity cuts were maintained at the current level, however a further cut in the budget was highlighted a number of
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Parish Councils have indicated a desire to maintain a higher standard and fund from their precept receipts. The County Council will provide technical assistance in relation to specification and risk assessment where this is the case. In relation to Parish Councils that currently carry out this work and receive funding from the County Council there will be a transitional relief of 20% of the previous payment, where the Parish Council decide to carry on delivering the grass cutting. All other areas will be cut by the County Councils contractors in accordance with the highway safety cutting regime. Noted.
7. Coun J Astill – Email concerning the consultation on the removal of 3 telephone boxes in Crowland. There is a group that would like to retain the West Street Box. This is a K6 version and BT are giving the community the chance to adopt this box for £1 but is only available to the landowner, local authority/Parish Council or a registered charity. There are several ideas of what to do with the box and Coun Astill has pledged some of his SHDC Ward money to have the box refurbished and repainted. The group have 2 options they would like the Parish Council to discuss a) to adopt the box with a community group managing its future use to or b) a local registered charity to adopt and work with the managing group. The Parish Council have also had a copy of an email from Coun Pepper to the local newspaper giving his support to the idea of adopting the box but he would prefer it to be moved to a more prominent position. It was agreed that the Parish Council will facilitate the adoption of the telephone box at a cost of £1 with no further financial contribution at this stage and will work with the group who are trying to save the box. Action Clerk – to ask for an update for next week’s planning committee meeting and to ensure that the telephone box is included on the Parish Councils insurance should this adoption go ahead.
8. Elston Environmental – Site visits in 2016. Signs of activity found in 24 inspections – 57 follow-up visits. Activity was originally all over the Snowden but after intense trapping campaigns this has been pushed back to the outer edge of the field - mainly along the dyke side of the old A1073 and the other two dykes coming up from that road. Clerks to checks costs etc from other councils.
9. Lynne Seymour – Visit to Crowland Abbey on 28th January 2017 by David Maile – talk on the Norman Conquest and Mia Hanson who is recreating the Bayeau Tapestry. Noted.
10. Pinders Circus – Email received thanking the Parish Council for their help but they are unable to visit Crowland in 2017.
323) (i) Accounts for Payment
CREDITOR / VOUCH / DETAILS / Total / Net / VAT / CodeNO
EON / 135 / Trinity Bridge flodlights / 28.22 / 26.88 / 1.34 / M
DMJ Drainage / 136 / Allotment land drainage / 6373.42 / 5311.18 / 1062.24 / Y
NJ Electricals / 137 / Electrical work - Xmas Lights / 302.40 / 252.00 / 50.40 / W
Lincoln Diocesan / 138 / K/Ground Annual Rent / 10.00 / 10.00 / O
Broadway Garage / 139 / Misc - Oct/Nov / 140.10 / 116.75 / 23.35 / M
Johnsons / 140 / Tractor Service / 458.89 / 382.42 / 76.47 / Q
Total Gas & Power / 141 / Electric pavilion / 35.55 / 34.65 / 0.90 / S
Anglian Water / 142 / Water - P/Field, P/Rm,K/Gd / 139.97 / 139.97 / S&T
Elston Environmental / 143 / Mole control / 359.10 / 299.25 / 59.85 / M
BT / 144 / Telephone bill / 118.09 / 98.41 / 19.68 / M
ESPO / 145 / Cleaning Materials / 27.42 / 22.85 / 4.57 / M
MA Cleaning / 146 / P/Room window clean / 12.00 / 12.00 / M
Fenland Fire / 147 / Fire ext serviced / 204.60 / 170.50 / 34.10 / M
JE Harris / 148 / Contract Flailmowing / 336.00 / 280.00 / 56.00 / P
GBSG / 149 / Alarm S/Hall / 396.90 / 330.75 / 66.15 / U
Crowland PCC / 150 / Abbey Floodlights / 427.98 / 427.98 / 0.00 / M
PAYE £922.98
Wages £4,189
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(ii) S137 payments - None
324) Matters to be considered for inclusion on a future Council Agenda
Parking in Crowland Town Centre
Thanks to be send to all those that helped put the Christmas Lights up and to the Christmas Lights fundraising committee.