Old Leake Parish Council

2017/09

MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2017AY 1 AP AY1 APRIL1

Present: Cllrs L Wildman (Acting Chairman) M Culley, M Banks, P Smith, and B Hornby

Also Present: County Cllr Colin Davie, Dist Cllrs Paul Hibbert-Greaves and Mel Turton-Leivers plus 4 members of the public.

PUBLIC FORUM

Comments and questions from the public were as follows:-

· It was suggested from the floor that the playpark should be taken over by the Parish Council. There had not been any reply from the Charity Commission in answer to the question of trustees by a member of the public. See item 12 for discussion.

· Regarding the hearse parking at the church, the clerk confirmed that there had not so far been any developments with ELDC Planning.

1. COUNCILOR VACANCIES

Three resignations had been received since the July meeting – Cllrs Graham, Al Newcombe and Hazel Newcombe.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Cllr Wildman would be appointed Acting Chairman in place of Cllr Graham until the next AGM. A notice of vacancies had been posted in the Notice Board and two people had applied, and if permission is given by ELDC these two persons could be co-opted at the next meeting.

2. APOLOGIES – None

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – None

4. APPROVAL OF NOTES OF MEETING

It was unanimously resolved that the notes of the Meeting of 5th July 2017 be accepted as a true record of the proceedings and were duly signed by the Chairman.

5. CLERK’S REPORT

The clerk’s report, having previously been distributed was noted:

1. Resignations of councillors

2. Volunteer who had offered help with the heritage project and playpark had not been contacted again yet.

3. Emergency evacuation complaint from school was being looked into

4. 106 agreement money had been applied for

5. As the church would not apply for a faculty for the cemetery wall, it had been agreed not to pursue the matter further.

6. Waste emptying at the church was now working well.

7. Parking for hearse – letter sent to ELDC together with sketches

8. Audit of graves had revealed that there were headstones on graves where it was previously thought only reservations applied.

9. The tree officer from LCC had looked at the church trees and we were awaiting his report.

10. Waste bin at corner of Langham Lane – Cllr Wildman agreed to re-site the bin from the corner of Thames Street and High Street to that area.

11. Nothing further on yellow lines – Cllr Davie suggested writing again to Andy Ratcliffe.

12. Sign on Langham Lane – Nothing had happened with this request – take up with Andy Ratcliffe again

13. ELDC had confirmed there was no time limit to alteration work being done at Thames Cottage Restaurant – Cllr Culley believed that this would be completed over the winter.

14. No reply from Lincs Housing regarding untidy properties in Thames Street – Clerk to write to Cllr Hibbert-Graves for him to take up.

15. Overgrown trees on A52 have now been cut back.

16. Large hole in churchyard has been filled in.

17. Road Safety Partnership have been contacted with regard to installing a speed monitoring camera.

18. The car repairs at 41 Mill Lane appears to be escalating – Clerk to write to enforcement demanding action to back up Cllr Hibbert-Greaves’ complaint against ELDC stating that no further action would be taken.

19. The clerk questioned the address for the untidy property on Thames Crescent – clerk to be shown property in question so that it could be reported.

20. It would appear that no litter picking by ELDC was taking place – clerk to take up with Waste Dept again.

Also noted were points from discussion meeting on 9th August – copy enclosed.

6. TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES & OTHER MEETINGS

Cllr Banks reported that the three monthly Charity Farm meeting had been held – there were no issues. She would check as to whether a further Councillor was required to replace the past Chairman.

Dist Cllr Hibbert-Greaves reported on 41 Mill Lane that Planning Enforcement did not believe there was any case to answer. However, this was not considered a satisfactory answer for the disruption and danger which was being caused – see also item 5.18.

County Cllr Davie reported that grass cutting on verges had been a month late which had resulted in high growth. There would be a scrutinising review of what had happened and they were currently piloting a biomass project to collect and dispose of the grass. More equipment is being purchased for Highways and surface dressing of roads was being undertaken to reduce the deterioration any further. There has been a massive response to the consultation on the Louth Cattle Market and LCC are responding to that to keep it open. Good progress is being made on Chapel Point and it is expected to open in February next year. The Environment Agency consultation process was in place of how the coastline is to be defended in the next 100 years. Lincshore beach replenishment runs out in 2021 and they are looking for a sustainable way of using the funds.

7. CORRESPONDENCE

Letter from the Planning Inspectorate addressed to the clerk who held post in 1989 was received via that clerk’s family. This would appear to concern a modification order dated 1989 to Definitive map of public right of way. A reply was expected before 14th September. Clerk to look into this.

8. FINANCIAL MATTERS

(a) Payment of accounts was approved for £485.70 o R Aldrich for grasscutting, £120 to Grant Thornton for Audit fees, £6 to Anderby Parish Council for emergency planning booklet and £150 to JWB for cemetery work.

9. PLANNING APPLICATION

(a) Full Planning Permission had been given for change of use of land at Chestnut Farm.

(b) Withdrawal of application for erection of wind turbines at Croft Farm, Bradshaws Lane

(d) Thames Cottage Restaurant – see note on Clerks Report, item 5.

(e) Saracens Head application – after visiting the site and satisfying themselves on what it entailed, the councillors had agreed to support the application. However, there were reservations with regard to lack of parking spaces.

(f) Old Joiners Shop building work application for new housing was approved.

10. HIGHWAYS AND VILLAGE MAINTENANCE

a) The broken grit bin at the corner of Thames Crescent had been reported but nothing had been done. It was agreed that clerk should inform LCC to remove the bin altogether.

b) Untidy properties – see item 5.14 and 5.19

c) The clerk brought the council’s attention to the fact that Triton Knoll cable laying would be crossing the A52 which would cause disruption to Hogsthorpe area.

d) Speeding through the village - see item 5.17.

11. CHURCH AND CEMETERY MAINTENANCE

a) The churchyard was in a general state of untidiness. The front wall needed stripping of ivy and certain trees and bushes needed to be cut back. The Chairman agreed that he would take the churchyard and cemetery under his wing and gradually work at making the area more attractive. A note had been received from Robert Aldrich (grasscutter) quoting £275 to cut epicormic growth from lime trees, pollard top growth back and cut back tree saplings and elderberry bushes. He had also offered to take away any garden waste. The Chairman to liaise with Robert on these matters. Clerk to inform him that he is to go ahead with his quote.

Also of note was dog fouling in the churchyard grounds, and a corner of the churchyard which was being used as a meeting place for youths. Both of these issues would be worked on in the coming months.

b) Regarding tree management, the clerk had looked round the churchyard and cemetery with the tree officer from LCC. Various work would need doing but this would be prioritised in a report to be sent from the officer. Firstly, two trees in the cemetery near the stables wall were leaning and would need to be cut down by a qualified tree surgeon. The owner of the stables had also agreed to cut down a further tree on his property which was in danger of falling into the cemetery.

12. PLAY PARK

A further complaint had been received about the state of the playpark. Discussion took place on whether the Parish Council should take over responsibility and what the cost would be. Cllr Hornby suggested that a circular be designed for the schoolchildren to take home to see if any response was forthcoming from any of the parents to their taking on the playpark as it may otherwise be lost. Cllr Banks was adamant that the responsibility for the playpark should remain in private hands or be closed as she believed that the children of the village had their own play equipment at home and did not use the playpark. The clerk would draft a letter to be delivered to the parents of the schoolchildren in the hope that someone would come forward. To be discussed again at the next meeting when two more councillors would be co-opted.

13. HOGSTHORPE HERITAGE PROJECT

The clerk confirmed that the 106 money would shortly be received from ELDC. The project could now be actioned. Cllr Hornby and A.N.Other who had applied for co-option to the council would look further into what was required. A meeting with the clerk was arranged.

14. VILLAGE COMMUNICATION / SURVEY

It had been mooted that further communications and surveys with the villagers to get their opinions should take place. It was agreed (see item 12) that a letter be sent to parents of schoolchildren.

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was agreed that the next meeting be held at Hogsthorpe Village Hall on Wednesday 4th October 2017 at 6.45 p.m.

16. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

No other business

Meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.

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