Minutes of the Laceby Parish Council Meeting held at the Stanford Centre Cooper Lane Laceby on Tuesday 7 July 2015 at 7.00 p.m.
11176Present: Chairman - Councillor M. Greenbeck.
Councillors: Mrs. B. Metcalf – Vice Chairman. Mrs. S. Turner.
P. Schofield. Mrs. S. Greenbeck. D. Marshall.
Mrs. R. James.
Also Present: Mr. Matthew Grove – Police & Crime Commissioner for Humberside
Sergeant N.Magson – Humberside Police
Ward Councillor – David Hasthorpe
Nine Members of the Public.
Debbie Weatherill – Clerk.
11177Apologies: Councillors: Mrs. C. Grimley and Mrs. J. Howells.
11178Presentation by Mr Matthew Grove – Police & Crime Commissioner for Humberside
The Chairman, Councillor Greenbeck, welcomed all present including Mr Grove and invited him to sit at the table to address those present. All Parish Council members then Introduced themselves and Mr Grove stated he had been to Laceby twice previously, and that he had really come along to get local residents views.
Mr Grove gave a brief update informing those present that:-
Coping with the reduction in funding meant a reduction within the Police force
It had to be run cheaper and had been redesigned how the county was policed
They looked at demands from the public for Police assistance
Found that officers were not on duty when needed most
That there were 60% fewer staff on a weekend and busiest month was August
They didn’t have police officers on duty at the right times
He felt that Grimsby was cronically under policed
Chief Constable had designed a new model of policing to reflect needs
Police officers needed to be on duty and located in areas at times of need
This meant completely changing the shift systems
Police Officers not being able to go on holiday during school holidays for which Mr Grove offered his gratitude
New Command Centre – but noted that not enough people were getting through and often having to wait an hour or more, which he appreciated was not good enough
Big change in the command Hub and issues being address
Chief Constable wants to protect Neighbourhood policing
Named Detective for each Ward in the area and PCSO
Mr Grove stated he had come along to get feedback and concerns raised were:
- Visibility of policing during the day had gone down – Mr Grove felt that there were fewer Police officers on duty during the day because they were on evenings and nightshifts when needed most.
- St Francis Grove Play Area vandalism mentioned – Mr Grove stated he had sold a luxurious gentleman’s club and used money for funding for Crime Protection Grants for items such as video surveillance and could possibly offer up to a 50% grant. He stated he would welcome an application from the Laceby Parish Council; stating that police officers were not always the way.
- Member of the Public mentioned Butt Lane Play Area and Councillor Greenbeck stated that the Parish Council were to meet with a representative from NELC regarding the lease of the area.
Mr Grove stated that nationally crimes had fallen but were up by 10% in Grimsby. He felt there was a north south divide and that crime was going up in North East Lincolnshire. He was determined that criminality was not acceptable and that he wanted to get to grips with this.
One Councillor was of the opinion that policing in the area of Laceby and in respect of a bullying case had been poor. He felt that Inspector Andy Parsons had been great and that he was disappointed that Inspector Parsons had now moved.
The Chairman thanked Mr Grove for attending and Mr Grove then retired from the meeting.
11179Minutes of the Laceby Parish Council Meeting held 19 May 2015 – proposed by Councillor Turner ; seconded by Councillor S. Greenbeck that the minutes should be signed as correct. Resolved unanimously.
11180Minutes of the Laceby Parish Council Annual General Meeting held 19 May 2015 – proposed by Councillor James; seconded by Councillor Turner that these minutes should also be signed as correct and resolved.
11181Minutes of the Laceby Parish Council Meeting held 3 June 2015 – the Chairman requested that wording should be altered in minute no. 11163 – the word ‘parents’ should be changed to ‘people’. The Clerk stated she would amend the wording as requested.
11182Minutes of the Laceby Parish Council Meeting held 23 June 2015 – proposed by Councillor Schofield; seconded by Councillor Metcalf that these minutes should be signed as correct – resolved unanimously.
11183Declarations of Interest
Councillor Schofield declared an interest in item 8 – Financial Matters having provided new posts for signs at the play area and invoiced the Parish Council for them.
11184Dispensation Requests
None received.
Public Forum – concerns raised by several members of the public regarding rats on the allotments. Also concerns expressed regarding activities at 148 Caistor Road Laceby. One member of the public raised concerns regarding the Nature Area off Butt Lane adjacent to his home.
11185Police Matters
Police Newsletter had been circulated. Resolved to put a copy on noticeboard and web site. Police contact details to be put on noticeboard and web site too.
11186Planning Matters
Letter from Larkfleet Homes noted – proposed by Councillor Schofield that a meeting with them in September or October should be held; seconded by Councillor Metcalf and resolved that the Clerk organise this.
Councillor Greenbeck suggested that street names might also be discuss with them and it was proposed by Councillor Metcalf that the Clerk writes to Larkfleet Homes making this suggestion; seconded by Councillor S Greenbeck and carried.
A letter regarding the dangerous road use made of the gap off the bypass onto CaistorRoad was received and noted. Councillor Metcalf proposed that the Clerk contacted Highways to request that the gap should be closed; seconded by Councillor James and carried unanimously.
Two NELC Decision notices for Irby House on Caistor Road Laceby and Land adjacent to East Mount, Barton Street Laceby – noted the planning applications had been granted.
DM 0565/15/FUL – Variation of Condition 3(Time Restrictions) following grant of DC/68/13/WOL – (Change of use from motorhome showroom to warehouse and storage facility) class B8 at 148 Caistor Road Laceby
Members of the Laceby Parish Council having listened to concerns raised by members of the public living close to the business being conducted at 148 Caistor Road held the following objections to the application:
- Members felt that they had been misled in respect of what Commercial activities were originally put forward under the originalplanning application for change of use (DC/68/13/WOL.); whereby the site was originally uncluttered, free from any use of the outside yard area for commercial pallet repairs, storage of caravans etc.
- Part 22 of the original planning permission stated“premises would be used to house an internet retail business. The main use of the premises would be for storage as a warehouse. The main activities within the building are office work, and packaging products for dispatch in the post. No machinery will be installed, there will be no ventilation or air conditioning required.” At no point was there any mention of a pallet business being undertaken outside the main building in the yard. The work on the pallets we understood from residents, took place until late evening (8 or 9pm), causing noise, nuisance to neighbouring properties; and we feel that the existing opening hours are being flaunted. The gates are closed but work within the yard area continues.
- Part 22 of the original planning permission also stated “Comings and goings:
We currently have 6 members of staff which would be on site Monday to Friday arriving at 0900 and leaving at 1800.” Why then are staff still working as late as 9 pm within the site outside, when the gates to the site have been closed?
- Part 22 of the original planning permission stated “We have a collection from a courier every day at 15.30 in a transit van or similar. We have a collection from Royal Mail every day at 17.30 in a transit van or similar. We have deliveries on a Thursday and Friday between 0900 and 1200 which arrive either on a transit van or Luton van. Why is there a flatbed lorry backing into the site (we believe to collect the pallets which we understand have been repaired on the site in the yard), when there was no mention on the original planning application about such vehicles being used?
- Part 22 of the original planning permission stated “Processes involved: all processes other than loading and unloading are internal to the building and do not make any noise.” Why are pallets being stored and repaired on site in the yard area causing noise, and nuisance to neighbouring properties? We were originally led to believe this was going to be a quiet business taking place within the confines of the warehousing premises itself.
- The site is located next to residential properties and the rear of the site backs onto residential properties that are not shown on the plan provided. E.g. Bailrossey House and Drury Lodge now renamed Bluebell Lodge.
Caistor Road is largely a residential road but those residents at the end of it adjacent to the site, are now being subjected to more vehicle movements than originally stated, and parking congestion.
The Laceby Parish Council are extremely concerned that any extension to the opening hours of the site would only exacerbate the time allowed for work to be carried out in the yard area; along with vehicle movements being earlier and later. Members feel that residents at this end of Caistor Road and those living to the rear of the site already suffer enough inconvenience due to the pallet work carried out on the site in the yard, without extending the opening hours. They would most certainly not wish to see weekend opening at the site either.
Noted that DM/1049/14/FUL – Change of use of and to touring caravan site for 30 pitches at the Willows, Barton Street Laceby was going to appeal.
Opportunities for StrategicHousing Sites Grimsby West Urban Extension Workshop notification received for 10 July 2015 – no Councillors available to attend.
DM/0483/15/FUL – Installation of a 21MW solar photovoltaic (PV) development including ancillary development, landscaping and temporary access to the site during construction at Low Farm Bradley Road Bradley
It was noted that the application site was close to the boundary with Laceby. Proposed by Councillor Turner that no objections should be raised; seconded by Councillor S. Greenbeck and resolved unanimously.
DM 0548/15/FUL – Erect single storey extension to an existing bungalow to form entrance porch and disabled access at Keepers Cottage r/o 7 Gibraltar Lane Laceby
Proposed by Councillor Marshall that no objections should be raised; seconded by Councillor James and carried unanimously.
11187Matters Arising
Nature Area – Councillor Marshall stated prior to discussions commencing that he wished to take no part in respect of any discussion regarding this item.
Councillor James reported that she had arranged for a bin to be placed at the entrance to the Nature Area site, where the tree had been cut back. This had been put in place by NELC and the new black bin had been placed on a concrete plinth. She had been informed that within a few hours of NELC supplying and putting in place this bin; it had been dragged to the Butt Lane play area site, and then had completely disappeared.
A member of the public living adjacent to the nature area site then stood and complained about the smell of the bin and about a Parish Councillor. The member of the public stood and shouted at the Parish Council, and at this point, the Chairman had to stand and call for order – the member of the public then left the meeting.
Councillor Greenbeck informed those present that a member of the public had reported that there was Japanese Knotweed on the nature area site and the Chairman had organised for this to be inspected; he had a report stating that there was no Japanese Knotweed on the site at all.
A quotation from another contractor to clear the entrance of the site from weeds etc was noted. This quotation was less than that of the other contractor. Councillor Metcalf proposed that the first 75m of the site should be cleared; seconded by Councillor S. Greenbeck and carried.
Signage – The Clerk had managed to obtain several quotations for the Nature Area signage and it was proposed by Councillor M. Greenbeck that the quotation at £35.00 plus VAT should be accepted (being the cheapest quotation); seconded by Councillor James and carried.
Councillor Schofield was to look at the lock and check the access to the site for the contractor to carry out the work requested.
11188Finance
It was proposed by Councillor S. Greenbeck and seconded by Councillor M. Greenbeck that the following accounts should be paid:-
Bell Waste Control – cemetery waste collections to 30 Sept. 2015 Paid 23 June 2015 / 143.05Wages total for 3 staff members plus 3 hours o/t for groundsman included in total / 1,429.05
P Schofield – supplying and fitting new higher posts at St Francis Grove Play Area / 18.40
D Weatherill – re imbursed for telephone and broadband via BT / 42.25
M Greenbeck – Chairman’s Allowance for the month of June 2015 / 10.00
National Insurance & Income Tax Payment / 121.26
A Ringrose – Groundsman’s Petty Cash / 35.00
D Weatherill – Clerk’s Petty Cash / 75.00
N Finch – cutting back tree canopy to west side of Church to boundary / 250.00
Staples – Ink cartridges for printer, 2 reams paper, envelopes / 83.82
N Finch – cutting church hedge/trimming tree at Butt Lane Nature Area/ Play Area laurels cut back / 170.00
M F Strawson Ltd – allotment field rent from LPC to farmer / 303.50
Total Payments for the month of July 2015 = £2,681.33
11189Allotments
The Clerk had brought extra tenancy agreements for Councillor Marshall and had purchased 8 allotment gate keys costing £52.00 from petty cash.
The Clerk reported that there was one rent for £13.00 outstanding for last year along with thattenant’s first quarter rent too - notification of tenant was given to the allotment sub committee.
Rats on the allotments – Councillor Marshall stated he had just let 7 allotments and that there would be rats on the allotments if chickens were kept and horse manure was used. Councillor James agreed in respect of the horse manure she stated that having kept horses she knew that the manure attracted rats.
Member of the public stood and questioned why no. 5 & 7 of the tenancy agreement was not adhered to and why the Parish Council had let several of the allotments grow rough for several years. A photograph being produced.
Several members of the public offered comments regarding rats on the allotments and untidy allotments, with one member of the public stating that it was not a vendetta against Councillor Marshall; and a letter was produced giving details of the untidy plots. Councillor Marshall noted the allotment numbers and agreed he would tidy his plot up, but stated he did not want rat poison being put down on his allotment and would only allow the rat catcher to come onto his allotment.
Again several allotment holders started making comments and the Chairman had to call a point of order again in respect of public speaking when the main meeting was being held.
Councillor M Greenbeck, stated that the allotments were the responsibility of the Parish Council and that they had a duty of care and would help with the rat problem.
Councillor Marshall stated that he would accept a letter from the Parish Council regarding clearing up of the allotment providing it was sent to other people as well.
Councillor James explained to the public that comments were unfair and that the Parish Council had requested allotment holders tidy up their allotments – she went on to state that if the Parish Council took the allotments off those that were not keeping them tidy more plots would then be overgrown.
The Chairman agreed that strimming could be done and that the groundsman could be made available.
Councillor Metcalf proposed that the Parish Council allow the Allotment Association onto overgrown allotment plots to clear the rats; seconded by Councillor S. Greenbeck and resolved. Councillor Marshall stated that he would only allow the Rat Man onto his plots numbered 1 & 2.
Councillor M. Greenbeck proposed a donation of £50.00 be given to the Allotment Association towards the costs of rat poison; seconded by Councillor Turner and carried.
Councillor M. Greenbeck asked Councillor Schofield to look at which allotment plots were overgrown – Councillor Schofield stated he would do so if another Councillor came with him.
11190Cemetery/Churchyard
Churchyard – the churchyard wall had been put on the agenda as requested – Councillor Metcalf proposed that this should be left for another year since she could not see any difference in it; seconded by Councillor Marshall and carried unanimously.