2019-20 Minutes

No Meeting

MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD BY ZOOM

THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2020 AT 7PM.

PRESENT: Cllrs: Lowndes, Percy, Stephens and Burrows. Parish Clerk David Holmes.

Also present LCC Councillor Bob Adams, SKDC Councillor Sarah Trotter and 2 members of the public.

The Chairman read out a statement concerning Public Forums and referred to advice from the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils. The Chairman proposed “That public forums should be suspended and that we use the free version of Zoom as being sufficient for purpose for our meetings. This is envisaged as a temporary measure whilst meetings are held remotely.” The proposal was seconded by Cllr Burrows and unanimously approved.

1. APOLOGIES:  The clerk had circulated a report for consideration regarding “Approval of Reason for Absence of a Councillor from Meetings”.  The Chairman proposed acceptance of the report and of the recommendation contained therein. Seconded Cllr Stephens and unanimously approved.

 An apology had been received from Cllr North which was accepted as being an acceptable reason. ACTION: The Clerk. The report to be published.

2. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS OR APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS:  None.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the last meeting held 4 June 2020 were accepted as a correct record and a copy signed by the Chairman.

4/5. REPORT concerning a Police Investigation leading to charges for theft against a previous clerk. On advice from the Police the clerk read the following statement “64 year old Paul Adrian Illingworth has been charged with a series of thefts against a number of Lincolnshire parish councils involving an estimated £15-£20K. Mr Illingworth is due to appear next at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court in October.”  The amount in relation to this parish council is significantly lower than some other councils and likely in the end result to be in the low 100’s involving issues between March and September, 2017. However, we are not aware yet of the pleas entered to the charges.

a) Bus shelter: The clerk advised that the renovation of the bus shelter was in hand by the approved contractor.

b) Flooding: The clerk reported he was still awaiting a report from the Area Manager LCC of his proposed meeting with the landowner which had been delayed because of COVID-19.

c) New Website: The clerk reported that the LCC required all parish councils using an LCC websites to set up a new website provided by the LCC. An offer of help in the task had been received from a reputable contact at no cost to the council which had been accepted. The transfer of data and the setting up of the new website was progressing. Deadline 31 Dec 2020. An action plan to publish the required Accessibility Statement was also in hand and the statement would be incorporated into the new website.

d) Speeding: i) Cllr Stephens had reported that the new signs had already begun to fade. AGREED: To contact LRSP about the issue and if necessary purchase a better alternative. Likely cost circa £100.  ACTION: CLLR STEPHENS   ii The clerk reported the volunteer had supplied recent speeding data. The data showed the average speed of speeders had remained fairly consistent with previous data. However, the maximum speeds gave cause for concern. The volunteer had suggested the bracket on Lamp post No.6 be able to be moved to face both ways and that Lamp Post No. 8 be brought into use  as an alternative site to catch speeders entering the village rather than, as now,  once they are in the village. The Clerk had contacted LRSP and both suggestions had been approved. AGREED:  The clerk to contact the volunteer regarding the Councillors’ approval.  ACTION: THE CLERK.

6. LCC LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE: Cllr Adams gave a resume of LCC’s current financial position. There is a proposal from Government for discussion regarding the formation of a Lincolnshire Unitary Authority. He felt it would be put on hold for the time being in the current circumstances.

7. SKDC LOCAL COUNCILLOR UPDATE:

Planning Application S18/0944 : Cllr Trotter informed the Councillors there was nothing further to report.

Planning Application: Proposed Chicken Farm Great Ponton. Cllr Trotter referred to a forthcoming appeal against the SKDC refusal in this case.  The deadline for representations was 6 October, 2020. The appeal hearing to start in January 2021. The Woodlands Trust have objected on the grounds that historic woodlands in the area could be adversely affected and caused irreparable damage.  AGREED: To instruct the clerk to write to the Inspector’s Office supporting that view.  Voting: 3 councillors in support and one Councillor abstained.  ACTION: THE CLERK.

Funding: Cllr Trotter offered to send an application form to the clerk with a view to providing funding for the proposed purchase of 2 dog bins in item 10 d). She was thanked for the offer.

8. PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

a) S18/0944: Appeal against planning refusal for traveller site at Cold Harbour. See item 7.

9. THE WELL HEAD:  Prior to the meeting a draft letter to the Landowners had been circulated to the Councillors. Proposed The Chairman and Seconded Cllr Percy to instruct the clerk to send the letter to the Landowners. AGREED: ACTION the clerk

10. FINANCE:

a) Payments over £100: i) 2/6/20 Grass Cutting £130. Ii) 19/6/20 Zurich Insurance renewaL £273 iii) £ 19/6/20 Speeding signs £146.58 iv) 29/6/20 Provision of Covid Masks etc locally £485.55 (£250 funding kindly received from Cllr Bob Adams’ Covid funding scheme).

b) Finance Update: Circulated to Councillors which showed a balance at £9808.88. Copy to be published. ACTION: The Clerk

c) Asset Register: The Clerk suggested he consult with Cllr Burrows and bring back a proposed update to be considered at the next meeting. AGREED: ACTION The clerk.

d) Dog Bins:  There is a continued issue of dog fouling within the parish including filled bags being left by dog owners. 2 volunteers had offered to empty the bins which are suggested to be located on the Public Right of Way post near The Orchards and on Main Road. Cost circa £221.90 plus VAT and also to purchase 5 Dog Fouling Signs to replace existing which have faded - cost £107.85 plus VAT. . AGREED: ACTION The Clerk.

e) Audit:  The clerk reported the publication of the required Public Rights Information had been undertaken within the timescale required.

11. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN UPDATE:  The clerk reported there was nothing yet to report regarding the Referendum which had been delayed to 2021 under COVID -19 legislation.

12. RISK ASSESSMENT: The clerk had circulated a copy to all councillors. The purpose of the risk assessment was to minimise risk to the public in regarding to the parish council’s Assets. AGREED: ACTION: The Clerk

13. CORRESPONDENCE:

a) Recent email regarding a Parish Scarecrow Competition. The Clerk to write to the young girl who organised the competition and thank her for her efforts in brightening up the village.

b) Correspondence regarding fly-tipping in the parish.  Cllr Burrows had circulated correspondence from a resident. It was noted that the new website will contain a link to the front pages of both the LCC and the SKDC which provided further appropriate links such as FIX my Street etc. AGREED: Resident should be encouraged to use those pages to report fly tipping or report the matter to the parish clerk.

c) Enquiry regarding concern over broad band speeds. Cllr Stephens had already been making enquiries and would have further information for the next meeting. ACTION: Cllr Stephens.

14. To review a Determination made pursuant to the Policy relating to Abusive, Persistent etc Complaints. It was proposed by the Chairman that the review should take part in closed session on the grounds of confidentiality. AGREED.

15. Date of next Meetings:  AGREED: Tuesday 1 Dec 2020 and b) Tuesday 12 January 2021 both at 7 pm by Zoom subject to confirmation.   

The meeting ended at 7.42pm

CLOSED SESSION:

ITEM 14. After a discussion it was unanimously AGREED to renew the Determination. To be listed on the agenda for the next meeting. ACTION: The clerk.