CRANWELL AND BYARD’S LEAP PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, August 3rd, 2009

in Cranwell Village Hall.

PRESENT: Councillors R Bett, (Vice Chairman), MrsD Fisher,Mrs Y Hudson, Mrs K Cairns, R Blankley, Mrs H Morris, the Clerk, D/Cllr G Whittle, DFM,PCSO C Ironmonger, and 2 members of the public.

The Chairman was not present; the Vice Chairman took the chair and opened the meeting at 7.30pm

  1. APOLOGIES:Cllr Smith and Cllr Pye – personal reasons – their apologies and the reasons for them were accepted.
  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.None.
  1. THE SIGNING OF THE MINUTES. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Fisher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Morristhatthe Clerk’s notes from the meeting onJuly 6thbe accepted as Minutes, resolution passed, the Minutes were signed.
  1. CO-OPTION OF COUNCILLOR. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Morris and seconded by Cllr Mrs Hudson that Mr Dean Harlow be co-opted as a councillor. All agreed, resolution passed. Cllr Harlow signed the declaration of acceptance and took his seat. He was given a copy of the declaration of interests for completion.
  1. COUNTY/DISTRICT/POLICE MATTERS.

PCSO Ironmonger said there were concerns about the parking alongside the Mace development, the reduction of the footpath and the visibility from Rauceby Lane – they will be speaking to Highways about this. The Children’s activity days on 4 consecutive Mondays had been well supportedand well organised by the Church committee. He said that their shifts are being changed as from September and some Monday evenings and weekends will be included in their rota of duties.

CDO Jenny Withers is leaving her post on August 7th. She invited PC members to an informal coffee morning on Tuesday August 4th from 10am.

D/Cllr G Whittle said that July had been a mixed month and they were starting to look towards the precepts and the possibility of a General Election. After a recent Standards Committee meeting, the Declarations of Interests have come under scrutiny and there will be random examinations of these later in the year. They have had some briefing about the swine ‘flu epidemic, and GranthamHospital is the designated distribution point for the drugs. The National line is 0800 1 513 100 and the information line is 0800 1 513 513. D/Cllr Cartwright and he hope to share attendance at parish council meetings.

  1. PARISH COUNCIL SURGERY. Report from July surgery – Cllr Smith – no report. Next surgery October 17th – Cllr Mrs Fisher will be on duty.
  1. PLANNING MATTERS.

a)Manor Farm development – a reply was received about the suggested mix of housing on the site. Councillors asked about the results from the recent housing survey – how strong were the figures? They commented on the “later development”. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hudson and seconded by Cllr Mrs Fisher that the original plan be examined and that Mr Priestly be asked to attend at 7.10pm before the next meeting. (7/09)

b)Planning permission has been granted for demolishing a single storey extension at Daedalus House RAF Cranwell, and replacing it with an extension which matches that on the north face. Also for a new PVCu conservatory on the west face and various internal modifications and welfare facilities inside the building.

c)Planning application for the erection of a single storey rear extension at 73 College Road – no comments from the planning team. It was proposed by Cllr Bett and seconded by Cllr Blankley that this be the view of the council. All agreed, resolution passed.

d)Sleaford Southgate regeneration document – details to be circulated for September meeting.

  1. CLUSTER MEETING – Thursday July 30th, Digby VH 7pm.RB and KC attended.Cllr Mrs Cairns said the Wheels to Work scheme provided feedback from the use of last year’s Devolved Fund .Councillors were asked to think of projecta for Fund for the September meeting. The Clerk also raised the issue of the cost of the Clusters and whether the cluster idea was progressing and proving useful. The chairman said he and Cllr Mrs Cairns were attending an NKDC meeting on September 15th and they may obtain more details from this meeting. PCagenda October.
  1. LIGHTS;
  • Social club and village hall car parks. Cllr Smith told the Clerk that the Social Club car park lights will have starters fixed and he is organising a metal cover. The glass is being measured and replaced by the builder, Mr Scott. No further progress on the light in the village hall car park, but the electrician will be checking this.
  1. ACTIVITIES – Reports.
  • Youth outreach – Cheerleading sessions – no reply from the School or from the RAF youth club or uniformed organisations. Also no interest from the Guides. Only a couple interested from the Drop In. It was agreed not to progress this offer.
  • Go For It programme – July 20th.No reports from this.
  • Extreme Festival – July 27th – successful, many young people attended throughout the day. The climbing wall out of action, but lots used the skate park and the gymnastic course. The Clerk was asked to write to Extreme NK about Parish Council’s play equipment being used by over 12’s.
  1. PARISH PLAN.Cllr Mrs Morris presented a Parish Plan leaflet of statistics presented as a double sided triple folded A4 sheet. She was thanked for this by all councillors. It was agreed that the results should go to every household. Cllr Mrs Morris will make enquiries about the printing costs and the Clerk will ask the parish magazine editor about distribution in a future magazine and any costs involved. September meeting.
  1. FREE TREES. The scheme this year has been changed to ‘Trees for Lincolnshire Communities’ and targets public open spaces. The residents of Byard’s Leap would like some larger ones for along the line of the old A17 from where it leaves the existing A17 going in to the farm development. After publishing the details, any other requests will be looked at in the September meeting.

8.20pm D/Cllr Whittle left the meeting.

  1. PORTACABINS.Cllr Blankley has promised to arrange a meeting before the next meeting. Glenn Cartledge from the Social Club team has also been in contact with Cllr Blankley. There were discussions about the way forward with this. September meeting.
  1. MINUTE BOOKS. Minute books from before 1992 were missing. Now all the Minutes from December 1894 to the present are all together. It was suggested that these might be on display in the next Annual Parish meeting – maybe some old photographs from parishioners could be requested for a ‘Cranwell from 1894’ display. The Clerk was asked to find out more details about archive storage and about the costs of binding the typewritten Minutes into hard Minute books. September meeting.
  1. PROVISIONOF A DOGPARK. Ashley Ball, aged 11, has asked if a dog park could be provided, alongside the children’s play area. Councillors thanked Ashley for the interest, but felt that there would be problems of clearing the fouling and dogs of all sizes and temperaments mixing. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Hudson and seconded by Cllr Bett that the council should not progress this request. All agreed, resolution passed.
  1. REGISTER OF INTERESTS. NKDC asks that the Register of Interests be checked and updated if appropriate – copies circulated to all councillors.
  1. TRAINING/SEMINARS
  • Power of Wellbeing July 9th at Pointon. YH, HM and the Clerk attended, report circulated. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Cairns and seconded by Cllr Mrs Fisher that Cranwell PC asks LALC to stage a training evening at Cranwell, but other parishes are welcome to attend. All agreed, resolution passed.
  • SLCC quarterly meeting at Ancaster July 17th, the Clerk attended – report circulated. Councillors agreed it was a good idea to promote the use of the Garden of Remembrance via the magazine and the web site.
  1. GROUNDSMAN –items from and for the groundsman. The groundsman to be strongly requested to submit his invoices monthly on time. Grass treatment in the Garden of Remembrance – it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Fisher and seconded by Cllr Mrs Morris that Greenthumb be asked to effect one treatment. All agreed, resolution passed.
  1. CLERK’s REPORT

a)Council web site: Report from Cllr Mrs Morris re web site and training to manage it. She said the training was interesting and she will have a look at the web site for the next couple of months and see how it goes.

b)RAF Cranwell – Issue of night flying mentioned in Annual Meeting – reply received from RAF (Circulated).

c)RAF Cranwell – forthcoming flypasts – (circulated)

d)LCC Sustainable Development Guide – how to access this.

e)NKDC – Governance toolkit for town and parish councils – nowavailable.

f)Collapsed sewer Thorold Avenue – This was reported to NKDC and they inspected and confirmed collapse and have referred this to their contractors. The chairman closed the meeting at 8.58pm to speak to the member of the public. The meeting re-opened at 8.59pm The Clerk to monitor any progress on this sewer.

g)Overgrowing plum tree – St John’s Close leading in to Crane Close – reported to NKDC Tree Officer.

h)Councillors’ responsibilities – look at ‘vacant slots’ – also, reports from councillors to be included in future agendas. Cllr Harlow agreed to take over the ‘Bowling Green’ and ‘Finance Liaison’ spots. Cllr Mrs Hudson – ‘New Projects’ and Cllr Bett – ‘Parish Partnerships’.

i)Disciplinary and Grievance - procedures changed from this year, this will be checked and brought to the September meeting for adoption.

j)Street Numbering College Road – Details received of numbering at The Sidings.

k)Age Concern – Fit as a Fiddle activities – would there be any interest?

  1. LALC CORRESPONDENCE ETC. The training evenings for the rest of the year were looked at. Cllr Blankley and Cllr Batten were booked for “Engaging with young people” on Sept. 23rd – Cllr Harlow agreed to replace Cllr Batten. Cllr Harlow to see if he would be available for Councillor training on October 21st at Louth.
  1. MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT.
  • Monthly/end of year Finance Report. This was presented by the Treasurer.No invoice in time from M Allen last month so two this month. Powergen is now £37 monthly. The Oxenford paths are still not done.The Groundsman had not submitted invoices.
  • Signing of Cheques. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Cairns and seconded by Cllr Mrs Fisher that the finance report be accepted and that the below listed cheques be signed.
  • Audit – Audit for 2008/9 is now closed and signed off by the Auditor. All the councillors thanked Cllr Mrs Hudson for her work.

Mrs N T Smith - Litter Grabber / 1051 / 4.24
Maurice Allen - Maintenance of RemGarden / 1052 / 20.00
Mrs S McIntyre - Tax / 1053 / 74.62
Mrs S McIntyre - Exps / 1054 / 46.68
Viking Direct - Stationery / 1055 / 163.57
Anglian Water - Playing Field / 1056 / 82.52
Anglian Water - Bowling Green / 1056 / 22.28
Clement Keys - Annual Audit / 1057 / 460.00
Rick Webster - Village Green & Play Area x 2 / 1058 / 46.00
Rick Webster - Playing Field x 2 / 1058 / 138.00
Rick Webster - Verges x 2 / 1058 / 195.50
Parish Dog Warden Services / 1059 / 87.92
Digley Assoc Ltd - Annual Play Equip Check / 1060 / 51.75
Maurice Allen - Maintenance of RemGarden / 1061 / 20.00
MrsSK McIntyre - Wages / DD / 298.49
Powergen / DD / 37.00
Total / 1748.57
  1. ITEMS FROM PUBLIC SPEAKING: There were none.
  1. URGENT MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION: Cllr Bett said that Digby employed a teenager to do the litter picking and this has had a remarkable effect on the village. It may be something to consider when the groundsman’s contract expires.

Councillors asked the Clerk to write to all involved abut the parking alongside the Mace development, the possible encroaching of the front building line onto the foot path, possible double yellow lines and the visibility when emerging from Rauceby Lane.

  1. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Monday September 7th, 7.30pm.

At 9.19pm, there being no further business, the chairman closed the meeting.

Monday, August 3rd, 2009 1-2009 Signed: