Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting Held at the Woodcocks Inn

Minutes of the Burton-by-Lincoln Annual Parish Meeting

Held at the Burton Estate Club on Tuesday 22 May 2012, Commencing at 7.30pm

Present: Fred Myers (Chairman),LisaNaughton (Parish Clerk), Maureen Wheeldon (Assistant Clerk to the Parish Council),Steve Chadderton (Vice Chairman),Parish Councillors Eric Bell, Peter Cook and Ian Marriott.

District Cllr D Cotton.

Age UK Lincoln and First Contact Field Co-ordinator Gary Burr (arrived 8.10pm).

5 Members of the Public.

The Chairman welcomed all parishioners to the meeting. Parish Councillors had learned of the recent sudden illness of County Councillor Ray Sellars and wished to record their good wishes

1. Age UK Lincoln and First Contact

Presentation by Gary Burr – Age UK First Contact – Field Co-ordinator.

Followed by a Question & Answer Session – a chance to have your say.

As Mr Burr had been delayed, The Chairman deferred item 1 and moved to item 2.

2. Apologies for Absence:

Councillor Vine, County Cllr Ray Sellars and District Cllr Jackie Brockway.

3. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 24 May 2011

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 24 May 2011 were accepted as a true record;

proposed by Cllr Cook, seconded by Cllr Marriott and signed by the Chairman.

4. Matters Arising

4.1 New Parish Clerk – On the resignation of Maureen Wheeldon, the Council had advertised the vacancy and candidates had been interviewed for the post. Mrs Sue Jones had become the new Parish Clerk on 01/11/11 but resigned on 31/01/12 for personal reasons. The new Parish Clerk is Mrs Lisa Naughton from 01/02/12. Mrs Naughton is experienced in local authority work. Maureen Wheeldon will provide support as Assistant Parish Clerk until after July 2012.

4.2. Illegal Advertising Signs - Burton Waters

Much work has been done over the past year to try to alleviate this problem. The Parish Council had taken the initiative when the Clerk had written (06/03/12) highlighting concerns to the Burton Waters’ businesses. ‘Quays Beauty’ had responded by letter, promising to remove their signs. Although other signs have been removed and some remain, the roundabout looks much clearer. A next step could be that the problem be addressed on the basis of ‘Neighbourhood Clean-Up’ by the Communities & Neighbourhood Wardens. District Cllr Cotton suggested the possibility of a by-law enabling the swifter removal of the signs i.ebefore the 28 day period of grace allowed following the serving of notice. The Parish Council is empowered to request a by-law, working together with the Home Office and local government. Clerk to look into this.

4.3. Unpleasant smells - Burton Waters – David Hutchinson, Environment Agency, has been monitoring the liquid waste spread on adjacent fields. Although there had been no recent complaints about noxious smells,a concern remains in respect of nitrates infiltrating the Fossdyke water course. Mr Hutchinson could be invited to speak at a future PC meeting. Ongoing.

4.4 Burton Waters Cycleway

4.4.1 Road Layout at Odder - There had been much public concern over the dangers of the new road layout. LCC had hosted a Public Information Event at The Woodcocks (18/05/11). At that time it was hoped, and Odder residents had been notified by letter, that remedial work on the A57 would commence on 31/05/11 and be completed by the end of June 2011. Following these improvements, the Clerk had emailed Les Outram, LCC Technical Services (11/07/11) giving the Council’s concerns about excessive traffic speeds and the warning road markings prior to the cyclepath crossing at Odder. It was felt that the double white lines should begin 200m either side of the central refuges. No alterations had been made.

4.4.2 Dog Fouling on Cyclepath at Burton Waters/The Woodcocks – WLDC had provided 2 dog waste bins in December 2011.

4.4.3 Cyclepath Surface Break-up at BW – Assistant Clerk had been enquiring of Les Outram, LCC Technical Services (most recent email sent 22/05/12) to ascertain if remedial work might still come under the maintenance contract. Ongoing.

4.4.4 Rubbish Bins at Odder – To counteract litter problem at the bridge over the River Till. Assistant Clerk will request the bins from WLDC.

4.4.5Cyclepath Access for Burton Waters Residents – Requests have been made about additional access to the cycleway where its route passes Burton Waters along the towpath. This could be through the existing (padlocked and chained) gate, currently restricted to maintenance vehicles. Mr Costall, Beal Homes, had advised (08/03/11) that he was awaiting a decision from his directors. There has been no progress on this. It was considered that a further request could be made once the estate is finished. Ongoing.

4.5 Provision of Parish Facility – At the Parish Meeting (24/05/12 item 1) it had been suggested that the Burton Estate Club might consider changing its status in order to benefit from either Section 106 money or National Lottery money. The Chairman and Cllr Bell, a trustee of the Club, had taken forward this suggestion, but Cllr Bell reported that,after consideration, the Club Committee are against turning the Club into a Parish Facility.

4.6 The ‘Smiley Sid’ Vehicle Activity Sign–‘Smiley Sid’ is following the rota of contributing villages. Thanks are due to Gordon Hickmore who had been in charge of putting out ‘Smiley Sid’ in Burton village at the end of March 2012.

4.7 Discharge of Sewage within Burton Village – A public foul sewer is to be provided to Burton village within a defined area. WLDC are finalising the Business Plan with Ofwat, for the period April 2011 to March 2015 – Ongoing. Assistant Clerk has been liaising with Amie Lill, Anglian Water First Time Sewerage Manager, who has confirmed (22.05.12) that the scheme construction anticipated start date of July 2013 remains unchanged with a completion date of early 2014. Ground investigations will begin the village in June 2012; this work will lead to the detailed design stage. An open day will happen approximately a few months in advance of the July 2013 start date. It is at this stage that individual connection queries will be discussed. In response to Burton PC’s invitation for an Anglian Water representativeto attend a PC meeting, it is felt that a presentation would be more beneficial at the final design stage.

4.8 A57 Bus Stops – Cllrs Sellars, Myers, Chadderton, Vine and the 2 Clerks had met with LCC – Elizabeth Hanger, Principal Accessibility Projects Officer Transportation and Highways Manager, Alan Brown, on 04/11/11. It has not been possible to restore the A57 bus stop at BW because of safety issues and Stagecoach is not prepared for its buses to call in at BW unless additional funding is forthcoming from LCC. LCC cannot meet this demand. Three extra buses daily (PC Coaches) are calling at BW. A cased timetable is to be placed at The Landings and at The Woodcocks, BW. County Cllr Sellars had been monitoring the situation to ensure residents needs are met. District Cllr Cotton is concerned that the timetable is complex and difficult to understand. Assistant Clerk is in liaison with Ms Hanger on this ongoing issue.

4.9 Fen Lane

4.9.1. Fen Lane Road Improvement - Work on the trial reinforced stoned verge ‘over run strip’ had started on 05/03/12, Highways Manager, Alan Brown had advised (email 13/03/12) that, if the trial technique proved successful after a winter season, he hoped to adopt it for the full length of Fen Lane. He has been reluctant to reconstruct as carriageway all the material mistakenly used in the past to fill pothole areas where vehicles have run off the edge of the road as the resulting good, widened road would lead to more vehicles ‘rat-running’ between the B1398 and the A57. Ongoing.

4.9.2 Cycle Race–Lincoln Grand Prix Cycle Race – 13 May 2012 – Mr Ian Emmerson, the Race Organiser, had passed media releases to the Assistant Clerk, who had in turn emailed the information to Cllrs and other interested persons. Mr Emmerson had expressed his concern about the state of Main Street, Burton and Fen Lane and had corresponded with Highways Manager, Alan Brown regarding these issues. LCC Highways had worked on the potholes in Burton village and Fen Lane before the cycle race. Mrs Helen Metson pointed out that houses on the B1378 had not received letters advising of the race. Complaints had been made about the stewards’ non/poorly spoken English. Assistant Clerk to contact Mr Emmerson and Peter Odam, who organises the stewards.

4.9.2 Kews Holt Bridge - Work is currently underway to repair the bridge.

At this point (8.10 pm), the Chairman, adjourned the meeting for refreshments as Mr Gary Burrhad been delayed and had arrived later than expected. The meeting resumed at (8.25 pm) with the deferred item 1. The Chairman introduced and welcomed Mr Burr.

1. Age UK Lincoln and First Contact

Presentation by Gary Burr – Age UK First Contact – Field Co-ordinator

Followed by a Question & Answer Session – a chance to have your say.

Mr Burr explained that Age Concern had amalgamated with Help the Aged and re-named Age UK,and is now based at Park St, Lincoln, working together with LACE Housing Association. Age UK Lincoln is a leading provider of practical support and advice for those aged 50+ who live in and around the City of Lincoln. Its mission is to enable and support older people to confidently lead healthy, active and independent lives. Help in the home, shopping, laundry, gardening etc can be organised at £9.50 per hour. 150 workers (CRB vetted through LACE) look after 200 people in Lincoln. The Park Street Centre offers many facilities, like art and zumba classes, indoor bowls, computer courses and a Wii machine. Trips are organised to such destinations as Torquay and Skegness. Trained staff provide support forbenefit claims, housing, grants and advocacy. There is a café and a lunchtime restaurant which open daily.

Mr Burr has 210 volunteers, without whose help the organisation would not be able to achieve so much. Social isolation for the elderly is a problem and volunteers play a crucial role by befriending lonely and vulnerable people. An example given was of a lady who is 105 years old and has outlived her own family. Age UK First Contact’s mission is to improve the lives of old people; it aims to enable the elderly to lead an independent life, in their own homes, for as long as possible. Working with Lincs Trading Standards and Lincs Police, a register of vetted Preferred Traders is held to combat cold calling, A sticker is available – ‘We do not buy from cold calling’. Responding to a question on funding, Mr Burr explained that national funding is supplemented by local fundraising for local people, for example table top sales and sponsorship for the London Marathon. The Park Street Centre is hoping to obtain a minibus in the future. A Hospital Discharge Service, advertised in hospitals, takes a person home safely at a cost of £9.50 an hour. Cllr Cotton asked if subsidies were available to offset the £9.50 per hour services if an elderly person had a low income. Mr Burr answeredthat, as a charity, this was not possible but advice is given as to where monetary support might be obtained. The organisation works in partnership with the Alzheimers' Society, the Stroke Association and the British Legion.

The Chairman suggested that a donation to Age UK Lincoln be included in the agenda at a future PC meeting.As there were no further questions the Chairman thanked Mr Burr for an interesting presentation.

5. Annual Report of the Parish Council 2011/2012

The Chairman presented the Annual Parish Council report for 2011/12. A copy of the report is attached - Paper A. ighways

6. Parish Council Accounts for the Financial Year 2011/2012

6.1. The Assistant Clerk presented the Income & Expenditure Accounts for the year ended 31/03/12 - see attached - Paper B. Mr Chris Hewis had internally audited the accounts.

Parish finances showed an annual expenditure of £5868; income over expenditure of £402. Income for the year was £6270 and included the parish precept (£6198); a VAT refund (£70) and £2 bank interest.

6.2. The PC had made grants, under Section 137, of £750 – made up of £250 to the Churchyard; £250 to the Burton Waters’ Residents Association and £300 to the Burton Estate (this includes an amount of £50 to cover room use for PC meetings).

6.3 Assistant Clerk was pleased to report Council had spent £402.00 less than its income. An election had not been necessary which left a residue of £1490.00 which had been precepted to cover the election. This meant that it had been possible to buy new IT equipment for the Clerk £809.00. The increase for Clerk’s salary (£2186 to £2706) contained payment for Maureen Wheeldon to keep the work flowing until Lisa Naughton took up the post on 01/02/12. The new Clerk’s hours had also increased on 01/02/12 from 5 hrs to 6 hrs a week. VAT of £230 will be re-imbursed which will boosts funds. The Council enters the new financial year with a healthy but not excessive reserve. The current account balance at 04/05/12 is £5485.80; the deposit account balance at 13/04/12 is £2814.77.

6.4. The annual accounts will be displayed on the notice boards and attached to the minutes. The accounts will be available for public inspection for 21 days prior to the external audit date of 10 August 2012.

6.5. The Council is registered with HMRC as an employer. HMRC software is being used to maintain Payroll records.

6.6 Relocation of existing Burton Waters’ Notice Board

On behalf of the BW Leaseholders’ Company, Mr Mike Hukin had asked (on 13/12/11) about the possibility of parish council funding towards either resiting the Burton Waters’ notice board nearer to the Landings or providing an additional notice board. At the PC meeting on 13/03/12, Cllrs felt that more factual information was needed about the proposed relocation and that Beals could begin the financial initiative. It had been agreed that the PC should not pay fully for the relocation but offer to consider a contribution of up to £450.00. This consideration to be subject to scrutiny and the approval of proper costings and required consents. Assistant Clerk had written to Mr Hukin (14/04/12). Mr Hukin advised that the BW Leaseholders’ Company were due to meet next week. Ongoing.

7. Parish Website

Mr Gordon Hickmore, the former Parish Clerk, continues his work as Webmaster. The website includes Parish Council information, current and archived minutes, a history of Burton Parish and other items of interest to parishioners. ighways

8. Parish Update

8.1 Vacancy for Parish Councillor–Despite WLDC’s Notice of Vacancy dated 01/02/12 and the PC’s Notices of Co-option dated 16/02/12 and 25/04/12, a casual vacancy still exists on Burton Parish Council due to the resignation of Cllr John Copeland.

8.2 BT Broadband – Poor Service – This remains a problem.

8.3 British Gas–The Chairman and Cllr Bell had investigated the provision of a mains gas supply for Burton village. They reported that despite time consuming enquiries there seemed little possibility in the foreseeable future.

8.4 Burton Waters Marina – Planning application 127355 for single storey extension to chandlery building – WLDC consent received 19/07/11. It had been noticed that a large green fuel tank was close to the marina’s petrol and diesel pumps. To ascertain if planning permission had been granted, Assistant Clerk had emailed WLDC on 08/12/11 and again on 08/03/12. A response had been promised. District Cllr Cotton had advised that the petrol pump and pipe should not be above ground. These fitments are within 25 yards of the public cycle way. A visit is needed by the appropriate planning officer. Assistant Clerk to contact WLDC to arrange a visit by the appropriate Planning Officer to meet with Cllrs Cotton, Marriott and Vine. The Public Protection Officer will also be made aware of this issue. To be dealt with in conjunction with following item 8.5.

8.5 The Quays at Burton Waters - There is a conflict of information in that the original plans for a lake at The Quays at Burton Waters had been amended to become a ‘grassed’ area. Also a plan in Beals’ office appears to show a fountain in the ‘grassed’ area and also free standing garage blocks. Situation to be checked with WLDC Planning Officer when the visit is made to view the fuel tank item 8.4 above.

9. Suggestions for matters to be considered by the Parish Council during the forthcoming year.

9.1 That consideration be given to the purchase of a new clock for the Burton Estate Club; possibly to be purchased under Section 137 as a benefit to the community.

9.2 That a concerted effort be made to combat the speed of traffic from Odder to the Pyewipe corner. The A57 is a prime location for speed cameras; as is the B1398. Concerns should be passed to the Lincs Highways and the Lincs Road Safety Partnership.

9.3 District Cllr Cotton advised that Burton PC should produce a Neighbourhood Plan.

Fred Myers

Chairman, Burton-by-Lincoln Parish Council

22.05.2012 Signature………………………………..Page 1