January 2019 Minutes
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY 21 JANUARY 2019 7.15PM AT THE FOX AND HOUNDS.
A Public Forum was held at 7pm as published. 13 members of the public were present.
PRESENT: Cllrs Lowndes (Chairman), Jonason, Stephens, Skelton and Wilson together with Parish Clerk David Holmes.
1. APOLOGIES:
SKDC Cllr P Stephens had indicated he may not be able to attend. LCC Cllr B Adams had indicated he may be late because of other meetings. He arrived at 7.50pm
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION:
None were declared.
3. DRAFT MINUTES
a) 26 Nov 2018- with amendment relating to accuracy approved:
b) 5 Dec 2018 approved and both sets of minutes signed by the Chairman.
4. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS’ ACTIONS/UPDATES:
a) Registration of land around the Well Head – the boundary being the existing fence to the East and South of the structure. – the clerk reported progress. AGREED: to proceed but not to include the pathway just the land upon which the structure is situate. Fee £40. Cllr Skelton had already indicated his agreement to the registration. The land to be registered adjoins his land.
b) Access Rights of Way – The clerk read out an email dated 16 January 2019 from Lincolnshire Countryside Access. An email from member of the public was also referred to. AGREED: no further action at this stage but the issue may be raised again in future.
c) LCC Grit – No grit had yet been delivered. Clerk to action.
d) Litter Pickers – The Clerk reported several people had now offered to help. A meeting would be called shortly after a risk assessment had taken place. The council’s insurers had confirmed such volunteers were covered by the existing insurance. It was essential volunteers wore High Viz and gloves. It was recommended they work in pairs on busy roads. These issues to be emphasised at the meeting.
e) Red Cross Training: Cllr Stephens reported she had set up a training session to be held at the pub on Thursday 25 April 2019 at 6pm. The meeting to be publicised.
f) Street Lighting default: Resolved.
g) Speed Indicator: The Clerk reported together with the operator they had been unable to find any other suitable pole or post to enable to Speed Indicator to be repositioned. AGREED: noted and no further action required . Data to be available at the next meeting.
h) Lincs Fire & Rescue texting alert: Everything was now in place.
i) Parish Walk: The clerk reported this was now set up for Monday 11 March 2019 at 9.30am- to rendezvous at the pub car park. Cllr Adams gave his apologies.
5. SPEED INDICATOR:
See 4 (g) above.
6. FINANCE:
a) Payments over £100 – i) £135.30 Steering Group Printing ii) £270 defibrillator new battery and pads iii) £1037.04 SKDC Election 6 Sept 2018.
b) The meeting considered the following documents:
i) proposed budget for 2019-2020b prepared by the Chairman
ii) latest bank reconciliation prepared by the clerk
iii) details of the amount paid to a previous clerk during the year ended 31 March 2018; and
iv) an estimate of the time the present unpaid clerk had spent on parish council duties since his appointment and projected to the 31 March 2019.
AGREED: The Precept for the year 2019/2020 would increase to £3,500 from £2322. This would likely increase parish council tax payers on Band D by around £1 per month. The increase was necessary to ensure the financial stability of the parish council. The Clerk to obtain details relating to Pay Authorisations to a previous clerk year ended 31 March 2018.
7. SKDC LOCAL COUNCILLORS:
Cllr Stephens unable to attend.
8. LCC LOCAL COUNCILLOR:
Cllr Adams had contributed during the meeting. He had been in touch with a LCC officer who had offered to attend a future meeting. Noted.
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
a) S18/0944 Cold Harbour – still pending
b) S18/2187 The Old Rectory – Consent granted 15 January 2019
c) S18/2247 The Old Quarry – The following was noted:
i) there seemed little if any difference between the current application and that which was refused by the Planners on May 2018;
ii) there were drainage issues as the Quarry was lower than School Lane when water ran off; iii) there were existing drainage issues existing on the Main Road;
iv) the Quarry had previously flooded with photograph available;
v)The Core Strategy indicates that development in “less sustainable villages” will be restricted and the Emerging Local Plan states that in”smaller Villages it is the intention to allow small, sensitive infill developments (generally expected to be no more than 3 dwellings”. Residents are entitled to make their own representations to the Planners.
AGREED: The response from the Parish Council would include the above.
d) S18/2007 Harrowby Lane Travellers site – still pending.
10. HIGHWAYS:
Provision of footpath: The obvious dangers for foot passengers on School Lane, which included school children, were noted. They had to cross the road when the footpath ceased on the south side to the road and cross back over at the top of the road against fast flowing traffic. Cllr Adams offered to make enquiries and report back.
11. POLICIES:
A document entitled “Old Somerby Parish Council Recording of Council Meetings Policy” had been circulated to councillors.
AGREED: To adopt it and publish it on the website. To be reviewed periodically.
12. CORRESPONDENCE:
a) 7/12/18 regarding the publishing of notices in respect of the Southern Growth Corridor. Noted
b) 14/12/18 EnvironmentSk offer of services. Noted.
c) 15/12/18 Donation of £250 from Mitchells and Butlers (owners of the pub) for a village project. The clerk had thanked them for their kind donation. The Chairman indicated a Parish Meeting could be called to ask for suggestions.
d) 10/1/19 – Invitation to Buckingham Palace garden party for chairmen. Noted
e) 14.1.19 email from a resident regarding i) the Quarry being designated a Public Open Space. The councillors detected no local appetite for this action it having been previously considered by the Steering Group and ii) Consideration to the Wellfield being subject to a claim in accordance with the Commons Act 2006. The councillors detected no local appetite either for this action.
f) 14/1/19 Email from resident regarding the Precept. Dealt with under 6 above.
g) 14/1/19 email from resident regarding footpath on School Lane. Dealt with under 10 above.
13 REPORT FROM THE NDP STEERING GROUP:
So far 19 responses had been received of which 10 since the parish meeting on 7 January 2019.
14. FOI COMPLAINTS:
It was agreed unanimously to deal with this issue in closed session during which the Complainant was present for some of the time:
AGREED: A Councillor offered to undertake a thorough review of process which led to the supply to the Complainant on 17 Sept 2018 of the folder containing 200+ documents. The Councillor to report back. It was noted the deadline was 12 February 2019 for a response.
Emails dated 18 January 2019 from the same Complainant were noted.
AGREED i) a draft response would be prepared and circulated for approval. The deadline was also 12 February 2019: Noted that the Chairman had arranged a meeting with the Complainant for 29 January 2019. Other Councillors invited to attend.
15: DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Thursday 28 March 2019 at 7.15 pm