WEST DEEPING PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2011
PRESENT: Parish Council Cllr Iain Stowe - Chair
Cllr Robert Hall
Cllr Grace Marsden
Cllr Maggie Ashcroft
Cllr Sue Latham
Mr David James - Clerk
Cllr Paul Cosham (SKDC), Cllr Ken Otter (Tallington PC), PCSO Chris Clark, David Ward, Elizabeth Noble, Paul Bragg, Anne Davidson, Roger de Toney, Annette Morton.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Peter Robinson (Lincs CC)
2. DECALARATION OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS
Cllr Iain Stowe declared an interest in the agenda item 7 as an objector on a personal level.
3. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2011
The minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2011, previously circulated, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Cllr Iain Stowe attended a site meeting at Lafarge Aggregates on 6 September 2011. He reported that sales for the operation were down by 50% and that there would be a review of the mineral extraction consents for West Deeping in 2015.
5. CHURCH YARD WALL
The council agreed to allot a further £1500 in the year 2012/2013 for the continuation of the refurbishment of the wall that forms the boundary of the Churchyard along Church Lane..
6. NOTICE BOARD AND WASTE BINS
Options for replacing the notice board will continue to be investigated. Clarification would be sort from SKDC regarding their public litter bin emptying policy and schedule.
7. FOOTPATHS AND CLOSURE OF TALLINGTON FOOTPATH CROSSING
The council discussed the closure and diversion of the footpath crossings of the rail line south of the A16 (A1175) crossing. These crossings had been temporarily closed earlier this year by Network Rail, who will be looking to extend the temporary closure.
Cllr Ken Otter stated that he considered the footpath closures to be unlawful. There was insufficient signage, the proposed alternative route was not created before the closure and consequently, there was no route from the point of closure to the road crossing. Previous support for the closures, on safety grounds, by Tallington PC and West Deeping PC had been on the assumption alternative routes would be provided. Mr Otter stated that Network Rail were refusing to move from their position. Cllr Otter stated that land adjacent to the railway line (belonging to Mr Thurlby) was been used in an unauthorised way to reach the road crossing from the closure point. It was suggested that the now filled in canal tunnel should be considered as an alternative to the crossings and a public enquiry should be called.
Cllr Iain Stowe stated that to make the closures permanent, the Highways act would have to be used and this would require a public enquiry or an inspectors hearing. This should be used instead of the temporary closures being currently employed.
Elizabeth Noble raised the issue of safety along the A1175 as there is no footpath along the road between West Deeping and Tallington.
Cllr Robert Hall stated that Network Rail had surveyed the tunnel and Cllr Ken Otter confirmed he had recently been informed that the works had been carried out.
It was stated that the two MP’s for the affected villages were aware.
The council then considered what action it should take. Cllr Grace Marsden objected to the closure of the footpath crossings. Cllr Maggie Ashcroft asked for a means of crossing to be provided and for the council to object to the legal process being used. Cllr Robert Hall supported the underpass route and whilst not objecting, agreed that a path should be provided. Cllr Sue Latham objected to the legal process being used, whilst respecting the safety grounds for the closure.
It was agreed that a letter objecting to the process and communicating the disquiet in the village regarding this matter would be sent to Lincolnshire County Council.
8. VILLAGE HALL
Mr Roger de Toney gave an update on the activities of the PCC regarding the West Deeping Education Foundation. The Rector was to obtain the draft document from the solicitors and expedite the document. The trustees were invited for a discussion regarding the way forward for the document and also the School House. The House needs maintenance work, with the issue of a new resident to be decided. The maintenance work was due to be carried out. On 2 November 2011 an offer had been made to the rector to help with the document. At the same time the archdeacon had written regarding the shortfall of the parish share. It was stated that there was no money for more than 50% of the share and the issues of the School House and Village Hall to be sorted out. The next PCC meeting would be on 29 November 2011 and would discuss the single issue of the West Deeping Education Foundation.
David Ward regarded this as unacceptable, and as there had been no action by the Rector on this matter, he had no option but to contact the Charity Commission himself.
Cllr Iain Stowe said the council was still of the opinion that the original course of action stated in May 2011 should stand.
9. CORRESPONDENCE
SKDC – request for information for the villages plans regarding beacon burning and other planned celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee weekend
Lincs CC – Map of the counties Gritting Routes for the winter 2011/2012
10 PLANNING
Site Allocation and Policies DPD.
The council has no objection regarding being assessed providing the council is kept informed through the process.
11. FINANCE
(1) Budget Precept 2012/2013
The council agreed to maintain the precept at £3,800 for the year 2012/2013
(2) Current financial position as at 21 November 2011
Expenditure. It was noted that the following expenditure had occurred since the last meeting.
7-Nov / Gary’s Gardens / Amenity contract & Tinsley Field / 243.00 / Chq no 1006157-Nov / Gary’s Gardens / Boaty tree clearing / 200.00 / Chq no 100616
7-Nov / SKDC / Election Fee / 67.00 / Chq no 100617
Income. It was noted that the following income had occurred since the last meeting.
28-Oct / Morton / 167.5028-Oct / Cemetery Fees / 285.00
Current Account balance: 1537.32
Deposit Account balance: 2414.23
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) SKDC had been in contact regarding the asbestos in the Stamford Road layby.
2) Cllr Robert Hall stated that the West Deeping Charities had made 9 grants to elderly residents of the village and had granted £500 to the village hall for the purchase of staging and other costs.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Dates Parish Council Meetings for 2012 were agreed as follows
Monday 13 February 2012 at 7:30pm
Monday 26 March 2012 at 7:30pm
Monday 14 May 2012 at 7:30pm
Monday 9 July 2012 at 7:30pm
Monday 10 September 2012 at 7:30pm
Monday 12 November 2012 at 7:30pm
The next meeting of the Parish Council would be held in the Village Hall on Monday, 13 February 2012 at 7.30.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:07 pm.
Chairman:______Date: ______
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