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DEEPING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DEEPING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2011 AT THE COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL COMMENCING AT
7.00 P.M.
PRESENT Coun. Mrs. G. Scholes (In Chair)
Coun. Mrs. L. McGuinness
Coun. Mrs. E. Williams
Coun. P. Barrett
Coun. W. D. Branton
Coun. G. Fitzgerald
Coun. B. Hopkins
Coun. R. Ivatt
Coun. W. Rodwell
Coun. N. Watts
together with the clerk Mrs. B. Camps,
Also in attendance:
County Coun. S. Williams
District Coun. Mrs. A. Harrison
PCSO Kirsty Taylor (Attended only for Agenda Item No. 5 – Police Matters)
10 members of the public
1. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence received from Coun. I. McDonald, District Coun. B. Alcock
2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
None were registered
3. TO APPROVE MINUTES OF MEETING
The following meetings was approved and agreed as follows:-
Parish Council Meeting – 26th September 2011
Proposed Coun B. Hopkins/Seconded Coun. P. Barrett
4. POLICE MATTERS/VANDALISM TO NOTICE BOARD/LITTLEWORTH SHELTER
PCSO Kirsty Taylor presented details of the reported crimes/incidents for September/October 2011 as
follows:
September2011 / October
2011
Violence / 1 / 1
Criminal Damage / 3
Linked to Domestic Issue / 1
Theft / 1 / 1
Vehicle Interference / 1 / 0
Wildlife Crime / 0 / 2
Other / 1 / 0
PSCO reported that there had in the past few days been a theft of heating oil.
Damage had been sustained to the Littleworth Bus Shelter (2 Panels) and to the notice board adjacent to
New Road. Coun. Barrett was hopeful that a member of his family would be able to repair the notice board but it would not be without costs.
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The police had interviewed a young person for both the noticeboard and the bus shelter damage but currently the person was only a suspect and not the confirmed perpetrator.
Copies of Lincs Alert and Neighbourhood Watch Scheme leaflets, stickers etc were passed to Coun. B. Hopkins for him to take back to the Community Led Plan Committee.
Before Kirsty left the meeting, the Chairman thanked her for attending.
5. CORRESPONDENCE
An email received from Mrs. Sue King, Deeping Fen Wind Farm Advisory Committee advising members of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting together with a copy of minutes of their meeting of the 14th September 2011.
Clerk advised that she had some information regarding commemorative items relating to the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations during 2012. Clerk to bring this information back to the Budget Meeting.
Another leaflet received relating to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, relating to the country’s participation in the lighting of beacons.
Thank you card received from Maralyn Robinson for the cheque sent to her in recognition of the Internal Audit work that she carried out on behalf of the Parish Council
A letter received from Deeping St. Nicholas Ladies Guild, thanking the Parish Council for the £50 cheque that was recently sent to them.
Letter from Lincolnshire County Council advising that when applications for brown tourism signs are submitted, that a letter of support from the parish council in support of the application be sent.
‘Left on the Table:’
Clerks & Councils Direct – November 2011 issue
LALC News – Autumn 2011
6. COMMUNITY LED PLAN UPDATE
Unfortunately Rachel Clough had been unable to attend the meeting to give an update of their recent meeting held on the 10th October 2011. Discussion ensued regarding a questionnaire being sent to each property in the parish. Coun. P. Barrett concerned that Stowgate and Tongue End are not being included in the discussions of the CLP Committee. The CLP Committee very interested in resurrecting the possibility of a community centre on the Parish Council land off New Road. Coun. W. D. Branton advised that the money, invested for the community centre would not be redeemable until September 2012.
7. ST. NICHOLAS PARK
(i)_Transfer of Ownership
Legal Services Lincolnshire is acting on behalf of South Holland District Council and as such had forwarded documents for the transfer of ownership of the land on St. Nicholas Park.
Clerk advised that as she was requiring an expedient legal transfer, and following consultation with the Chairman, she had instructed Legal Services Lincolnshire to act on behalf of the Parish Council. It was therefore proposed by Coun. B. Hopkins and seconded by Coun. P. Barrett that Legal Services Lincolnshire is appointed to act on behalf of the Parish Council.
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(ii) Play Equipment
Clerk advised that she had completed an application for funding for the selected play equipment for St. Nicholas Park. Breakdown as follows:
Double Arch Swing £3,692.00
Rota Web Climber £8,760.00
Carriage 744.00
£13,196.00
Funding obtained from 3 x £1,000 District Councillors £3,000
Donation received Going Digital £200
Awards for All Application – Funding Requested £9,996
£13,196
Clerk advised that by applying for funding, this would not guarantee success and there was about a 2 month turn around on the funding application.
Coun. Mrs. L. McGuiness asked if the parish council were considering a bench seat and she was advised that seating and other play equipment would be considered in the future, following the outcome of the funding application for the two pieces of play equipment. Suggestion made to apply for funding from the Wind Farm Committee in the future.
8. STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Clerk advised that she was approximately 30% through the writing of the Standing Orders. As and when these were completed they would be emailed to all councillors, with a hard copy being sent to Coun. G. Fitzgerald.
9. RAIL HUB UPDATE
Coun. Mrs. L. Mcguiness gave an update regarding the proposed Rail Hub. Network Rail is currently in talks with an investor, but to-date no proposals have been put on the table regarding the financing of the Rail Hub.
10. SPALDING & PETERBOROUGH TRANSPORT FORUM UPDATE
The Forum is still campaigning hard for the re-opening of the Littleworth Station. Still trying to get funding for the required Feasibility Study, and it may be necessary to apply to the Wind Farm Committee for the short-fall required. General concensus being that the re-opening of Littleworth Crossing will put a halt to the Rail Hub proposal.
11. ALLOTMENT LAND
Clerk advised, during late March 2011, a letter had been received from Savills on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council. Letter advised of a rent review of the allotment land Holding No. 234E, Shillaker’s Farm. Upon receipt of this letter clerk had advised the parish council allotment tenants that their allotment land rent would be reviewed. Clerk unfortunately had failed to advise the parish council of the receipt of the letter from Savills.
Regarding the allotment land on Chappell Road, clerk had sent a letter to South Holland District Council quoting a passage out of a book Local Council Administration. Clerk had received a reply from SHDC which advised that they were taking legal advice. Clerk expected a reply within the next week from SHDC.
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12. PLAYING FIELDS INSPECTION REPORTS
A copy of the Playing Field Inspection Reports were circulated to all present.
CAMPAINS LANE FIELD
Swings / Concern over unauthorised use of ropes. / No concerns by Parish Council –Unable to attach with a rope
Igloo Climber / Recommendation for removal of
this equipment. / No concerns by Parish Council –
This piece of equipment over 35 years old
Overall appearance / No presence of dog faeces
LITTLEWORTH CROSSING FIELD
Swings / Extensive ground erosion / No concerns by Parish Council –Seats will be removed from site
as soon as any new play equipment secured for St. Nicholas Park.
Fencing / Has been vandalised / Parish Council aware – has been repaired.
Overall – Padlock to be purchased for this site
HOP POLE FIELD
Swings / Recommending some parts are replaced. / No concerns by Parish Council –Risk is Low to Medium
Overall – Padlock to be
purchased for this site.
Coun. B. Hopkins very kindly agreed to be responsible for visual and closer inspections of the three playing fields. Clerk to issue Coun. Hopkins with some Inspection Report Sheets so that all visits to site can be documented.
13. HIGHWAY MATTERS
Map presented, received from Highways, Lincolnshire County Council of their Plan B Severe Weather Secondary Network route for winter maintenance
Leaflet received showing the gritting route for the 2011/2012 winter
Letter received from Lincolnshire County County Council, Technical Services Partnership advising of resurfacing and reconstruction of existing carriageway 900m from Boundary House to 80m east of Stonehouse Cottages. Work should take approximately 3 weeks, commencing beginning early
November 2011
Letter received from a resident of Counter Drain Tongue End regarding traffic and road issues they are encountering at Tongue End. Clerk to request an Archer survey strip in the vicinity of this property. Also to request a reduction in the speed limit down to 40 miles per hour. A request to be made to the Police Community Beat Team for some speed radar test to be taken along Counter Drain.
Evidence of some traffic survey strips along the old A.16 (now A.1175) but do not know who has organised this.
Clerk advised that she had requested that Lincs Road Safety Partnership that new Archer surveys be carried out near Stone House Farm and near Campains Lane during January/February 2012.
Letters sent out to 4 property owners along the A.16 with overgrown hedges and the information sent through to the Highways Department.
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A letter to be sent to Lincolnshire County Council requesting that the Highways Committee reconsider the removal of the bollards in the middle of the road towards New Road.
Various letters received from Highways regarding the inspection of areas in the parish, with Coun. W. Webb, Coun. W. D. Branton and Coun. W. Rodwell together with the clerk.
14. BYE-LAWS – REQUESTED AT MEETING OF 26TH SEPTEMBER 2011
Main concern raised was the fouling by dogs and encroachment of dogs on open spaces which encompassed play equipment. Discussion ensued regarding owners and their dogs and generally agreed there were many places that dogs could be taken other than play areas and playing fields.
Clerk to investigate the possibility of a dog bin near to St. Nicholas Park. District Coun. Mrs. A. Harrison indicated during the meeting that she could possibly assist with the funding for a dog bin. Clerk to contact her. Clerk to request Dog Warden to visit the area and to organise some ‘No Dog Fouling’ signs.
15. GOAL POSTS – REQUESTED AT MEETING OF 26TH SEPTEMBER 2011
Agreed, that the matter of goal posts would not be investigated now or in the immediate future.
16. STORAGE OF PARISH COUNCIL RECORDS
Storage of records is still ongoing. The Chairman, and the Clerk to meet with Coun. W. E. Branton at a mutually convenient time, to assess the parish council historical records. Once the volume of the records has been determined clerk may approach the Methodist Church to ask if they have any storage space.
17. LAND OFF NEW ROAD
Concern raised by residents and Coun. B. Hopkins that the land Off New Road could be an invitation to travellers. Agreed that prices to be obtained for presentation at the Budget Meeting for 5’ high 3” diameter pointed wooden stakes to be set along the road side boundary. Stakes to be drilled 2’6” in the ground, therefore leaving 2’6” above ground level.
18. FINANCIAL REPORT/TO PASS ACCOUNTS – TO INCLUDE RECEIPT OF 2010-2011 ACCOUNTS RETURN FROM EXTERNAL AUDITOR
Clerk advised that she had received the accounts back from Clement Keys and that it had been a successful audit with no questions asked other than a comment made regarding an incorrect date on the Notice of Audit notice.
A copy of the Income & Expenditure account for 2010/2011 was circulated to members present and no comments were made.
The Financial Report presented by the Clerk was accepted. Coun. B. Hopkins proposed and Coun. Mrs. E. Williams seconded that the following accounts are approved and cheques signed; Agreed
Cheques paid since meeting of 26th September 2011Bettaland Products (Bark Chippings) / 66.00
DSN Ladies Guild (Donation) / 50.00
S.O. Clerk Salary / 191.80
S.O. Clerk Salary / 191.80
499.60
Cheques presented for payment:
Lincs County Council (Room Hire) / 21.35
T. N. Sneath (Grass Cutting) / 948.00
Clement Keys (External Auditor) / 162.00
B. Camps (Expenses) / 96.72
1,228.07
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19. QUESTIONS WITHOUT DISCUSSION
There were no questions without discussion
20. PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION RELATING TO DELPH WIND FARM PROPOSAL
The following planning application was recommended for approval:
H03/0857/11 – C. R. Richardson, Church Farm – Agricultural storage building
The following two planning applications comments to be that no observations to be made:
H04/0859/11 – Lark Energy Ltd., Hospital Farm, Main Road – Installation of photovoltaic solar panels on roof of farm building
H03/0860/11 – Lark Energy Ltd., Vine House Farm – Photovoltaic solar panels to roofs of 2 barns
The following planning application to be commented upon that the roof line was not in keeping with the other properties and was out of character with the rest of the street scene:
H03/0876/11 – Mrs. E. Beeken, 8 Campains Lane – Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension
Members of the public in attendance at the meeting had requested that the Chairman speak on their behalf objecting to a planning application at the forthcoming planning meeting at South Holland District Council scheduled for Tuesday 29th November 2011:
H03-0762-11 – N. Woodroffe & Sons, Bell Bush Farm, Main Road – Proposed 50 kw Wind Turbine
21. NEXT AND FUTURE MEETING DATES
A list of scheduled meetings until November 2012 was circulated to all present. Dates as follows:
Monday 16th January 2012 - Parish Council Meeting
Monday 19th March 2012 - Annual Parish Meeting & Parish Council Meeting
Monday 14th May 2012 - Annual Meeting of Parish Council
Monday 16th July 2012 - Parish Council Meeting
Monday 24th September 2012` - Parish Council Meeting
Monday 26th November 2012 - Parish Council Meeting
22. NEXT MEETING DATE – MONDAY 16th JANUARY 2012
The meeting concluded at 9.35 p.m.
Chairman...... 16th January 2012