West Fen Parish Meeting
Minutes
Thursday 29th September 201619.30 @ Carrington Village Hall
Attendees
District Councillors
Cllr Neil Jones, Cllr Thomas Ashton
Electors
Mr Lee Edney (Clerk), Mrs Louise Edney (Chair), Mr David Bottomley, Mr John Dawson, Mr RichardLenton, Mrs JaniceLenton, Mr AnthonyEverall, Mrs JuneEverall,Mr David Goodland, Mrs Carol Goodland, Mr Phil Todd,Mr Stephen Kinselley, Mrs Susan Kinselley.
Apologies
Mrs Margaret Dawson, Mr John Lenton , Mrs Amanda Lenton,Mrs Lucy Edwards, Mr Timothy and Mrs Sarah Hopper, Mr Colin and Mrs Susan Pennells.
Minutes
The minutes of the APM on 15.03.2016 were produced and approved with no objections; and were duly signed by the Chair.
Vote of Thanks
Mr R and Mrs J Lenton were formally thanked for their efforts over the years in managing the West Fen Parish Meeting in addition to help and support they have provided for the reinvigorated West Fen Parish Meeting.
Mr A Everall was thanked for his voluntary funding of the meeting hall for this meeting.
Declarations of Interest
No interests were declared at this point in the meeting.
It was explained that should, during the course of the meeting, an issue arise that would warrant a declaration of interest to be made, then such an interest could be declared at that point by the individual concerned.
Matters arising from last meeting
a)Introductions made to local Parish Councils
Our Chair has attended the APM of Carrington and New Bolingbroke Parish Councils with introductions made.
Our Clerk has additionally received a welcome email from Frithville Parish Council.
b)Update of Lincolnshire Highways correspondence over West Fen Lane and Follys Lane
Our Clerk has had email correspondence with the Highways Department which was discussed. The latest emailed response from them dated 29.09.2016 was read out.
Follow up is needed with regards to the Follys Lane pledge for next year and possibly on West Fen Lane verge should it cut up badly again this winter.
c)Community Benefit Fund from the Solar Farm.
Our Chair discussed her findings about this fund which is operated by a third party known as Grant Scape. There is currently £9527 available for local projects. They tend to favour sustainable eco-friendly projects or those with an educational aspect to them. There is a website that can be viewed. Examples of former projects were given.
A discussion was entered into about suitable projects for West Fen or even Stickney. Mr J Dawson declared an interest at this stage as to his position as a Governor of Stickney Primary School, as did the Chair as her children attend the school. Mr J Dawson did say that he would notify the school of the availability of the fund for educational purposes.
Mr A Everall expressed concern about the speed of vehicles travelling down West Fen Lane, as well as the size and weight of some vehicles. Weight restrictions may apply to local bridges, plus it was dangerous for the school to have such wide and heavy vehicles passing; and the Clerk could make enquiries of the Highways department about these issues. Cllrs Jones and Ashton gave advice on communicating with the Road Safety Partnership with regards to speed cameras. Account would have to be taken of the cost of acquiring the cameras (circa £3000), feasibility of fixing and positioning them and ongoing cost of maintenance and insuring them. This brought up a discussion about raising a precept for the Parish, and it was still considered desirable not to do so if possible.
The Clerk suggested a Parish Notice Board, perhaps near the post box at the entrance to Follys Lane. Mr R Lenton said that it could be positioned near to his property on a grass area that was council owned. Some queried how much it would be used. Mr A Everall said that a village sign /name could be written above the board.
Cllr Jones suggested a defibrillator for public use would be a good idea. This was well received and a number of attendees commented. The question was where it would be sited in West Fen on an external wall? It was agreed we should liase with Stickney to see if they have one, or are getting one, as that may be a better location for a defibrillator (unless both parishes acquire one).
Mr R Lenton suggested a community bench that could be sited next to the notice board; again mentioning the council owned land near to his property as a possible site. Alternatively he said there was a small area of land around the corner from the Follys Lane road junction. Concern was expressed about whether the bench would be used and the lack of a footpath to it.
The Clerk proposed and the Chair seconded the following motions for voting purposes (abstentions unless otherwise stated):
-Should West Fen have a community bench?
1 in favour and 3 against. Motion declined.
-Should West Fen have a Notice Board?
8 in favour. Motion approved.
-Should West Fen Lane have a speed camera?
9 in favour. Motion approved.
-Should West Fen have a public defibrillator and/or should Stickney have one?
10 in favour. Motion approved.
-Should Stickney Primary School be notified of available project funding by West Fen Parish Council?
9 in favour. Motion approved.
d)Update on additional Council Tax rate for West Fen
Cllrs Jones and Ashton confirmed there is no additional specific contribution from West Fen as opposed to Stickney as no precept is collected.
An example of a Band E local property at £1340pa was given, with £126 to ELDC, £220 to the police and the balance to LCC. Stickney properties pay an additional £54 as a parish.
51% of the ELDC contribution goes to the drainage board; and a comparison was made between areas managed by the Environment Agency and the drainage board. The quality of flood defence work carried out by the drainage board was stressed. Cllr Jones said that this area is 8 miles from the coast and has very good flood defences, yet is classed as high flood risk; which is unfair and can have a negative impact on house prices and insurance costs. ELDC are looking in February 2017 at pressing the Environment Agency to take a parish to parish approach (to get a fairer and more accurate picture). Our help in writing correspondence in support may be required then.
Planning decisions and notices
There was only one matter to report, and that was the refusal of anappeal to the Secretary of State against a refusal of aplanning application to erect 3 dwellings on land adjacent to Holme Farm (S/203/02196/15 dated 10th November 2015).
No other planning applications had been reported in the parish.
Power cuts in West Fen
A general discussion was had about numerous recent power cuts in West Fen. Mr P Todd said that Western Power recently found a defective insulator and fixed it, so hopefully that is done with now. It was agreed that Western Power do follow up on customer complaints/reports well.
If we have another spate of abnormal power cuts, then our Clerk will write to Western Power to raise the issue as appropriate.
Viking Link power line consultation
A general discussion was had about the proposals and effects. Those who had attended a consultation explained what they had been told. Mr J Dawson said it would affect land owners rather than householders. Mr D Bottomley and Mr P Todd said that there were 2 different potential routes. Cllr Ashton said the final route was undetermined and issues were yet to be resolved, such as lowering the underground cables further to assist with farmers` requirements. He said there is no real reason for concern. He said that the cables would not be visible, but Mr D Bottomley said inspection chambers would be visible.
Mr R Lenton said that a route through grass fields would leave a visible scar that would not return to the original condition. Cllr Ashton said he would raise that issue. Mr D Bottomley said wild life and eco surveys were being undertaken.
Our Chair said she would attend a public consultation next week.
A.O.B
Our Chair explained our new parish website and encouraged use of it.
Richard Lenton requested that a letter be sent to Lincolnshire C.C Highways department to complain about the condition of potholes on the edges of parts of the road between Stickney and New Bolingbroke. The tarmacking dropped off substantially in places, and this has effectively narrowed the road. He said that this was dangerous. Our Clerk would include this issue in correspondence with the Highways department.
Cllr Jones referred to a fund raiser at a service in Frithville at 1.30pm on Sunday 2nd October 2016 at which the Lancaster bomber would fly over at circa 2.30pm.He also referred to hare coursing in the area; and the telephone number to call if coursers are spotted is 80800.
Cllr Ashton said the delegation of funding of footpath lighting to parishes is not going ahead as it is not feasible. Investing in LED lights may give long term savings. He also said that consultation is ongoing on the ELDC local plan, and there is no proposal to extend the Stickney development area in to West Fen due to proximity to services, so there is little prospect of planning applications for new dwellings succeeding in West Fen for the foreseeable future.
Mr D Bottomley raised the poor broadband coverage in the parish, and Cllr Jones explained that ELDC recently committed £1.2m to upgrades as an ongoing process, but 2mb download speed is considered fast speed! Second phase is looking at boosting radio transmissions from high buildings. Third phase is to put a £230 dish on houses without high speed internet. Unless you are within 1500m a green box you are unlikely to get broadband on fibre. It`s in the hands of BT as to when and how this is achieved.
Matters for the next agenda
-Appointing of new Officers for West Fen Parish Meeting:
Chair b. Clerkc. Other positions to be discussed
-Matters arising from previous meeting
a)Update on correspondence with LCC Highways Department.
b)Update on potential projects funded by solar farm grant.
c)Update on power cut issues.
d)Update on Viking link consultation.
e)Update on consultation with Environment Agency on flood risk assessment.
Date and time of next meeting
It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would take place at 7.30pm on 23rdMarch 2017 at Carrington village hall. Our Chair said that she would book the venue.
Mr J Dawson and Mr D and Mrs C Goodland gave voluntary pledges in advance to cover the cost of hall hire.
The meeting was closed at 8.55pm.
Signed: ………………………………………………..
(Mrs Louise Edney – Chair of West Fen Parish Meeting)
Dated: …………………………………………………
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