May 2024 Minutes Annual Parish Council Meeting
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY 20 May, 2024 7pm AT THE FOX AND HOUNDS OLD SOMERBY
PRESENT: Cllrs: Vicky Lowndes (Chairman) Nigel Percy (Vice-Chairman), Veronica Stephens, Peter Burrows, and Parish Clerk, David Holmes.
Also present 2 members of the public and SKDC Councillor Sarah Trotter.
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Clerk called for nominations. One Nomination was put forward – Proposed by Cllr Stephens who nominated Cllr Vicky Lowndes; seconded by Cllr Burrows. Carried. Cllr Lowndes signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed by the Clerk. ACTION: Clerk.
2. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. The Clerk called for nominations. Proposed Cllr Burrows and seconded Cllr Stephens that Cllr Nigel Percy be appointed. Carried.
3. Suspension of the Meeting to allow for the Chairman’s Remarks and to hold a Public Forum. No-one wished to address the Council.
4. APOLOGIES: Cllr Betty North had given her apologies to the Clerk explaining she was ill.
The apology was accepted.
5. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS/APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS: None.
6. REVIEW OF OTHER APPOINTMENTS and existing Policies, procedures etc.
a) Lead Councillor Finance: Cllr Peter Burrows agreed to stand and was duly appointed.
b) Internal Auditor. This Post currently held by Nick Craft. It was noted the Council were fortunate to have his valuable services for which he makes no charge. He had agreed in his absence to be re-appointed and his appointment was confirmed. ACTION: Clerk.
b) The SKDC Local Plan has not yet been published. It was agreed that the annual review of the Neighbourhood Plan be left to the next meeting.
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: i) The draft minutes of the meeting held 2 April 2024 were accepted as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman. Prop Cllr Burrows and seconded by Cllr Stephens. Carried. ACTION: Clerk.
8. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS’ ACTIONS AND UPDATES/LATEST:
a) Cold Harbour: It was noted that recently the site had be sold on and the new owner proposed to use it for a site for 12 Mobile Homes. The site had been upgraded. It was noted
that the local Planners were not likely to agree to the change of use as it had been designated as a Traveller Site.
b) Next Parish Newsletter – left to the next meeting.
c) Bus Shelter frontage repair. The Clerk reported he now had three quotes. The latest involving a sub-contractor working on the “6 Bungalow “site on School land. His offer of £400 was noted with interest. ACTION: Clerk and Cllr Burrows for further enquires.
d) Flooding on Main Road: The Clerk reported he had written to Anglian Water on 15 April 2024. In reply Anglian Water had written that an C CTV survey of the surface water sewer would take place and that they would report their findings to the Clerk. He was awaiting their reply.
9. LCC LOCAL COUNCILLOR REPORT: Cllr Vernon was not present.
10 .SKDC LOCAL COUNCILLIR UPDATE: Councillor Sarah Trotter was present and gave her report. A copy is attached to these minutes. Cllr Trotter was thanked for her attendance and report. ACTION: Clerk
11. FINANCE:
a) The clerk produced the up-to-date Financial Report showing funds held, all expenditure to-date this financial year and the bank reconciliation. (Copy attached to these Minutes and to be published on the Website.) The Report had been signed off by Cllr Burrows – Lead Councillor for Finance. Finance Report accepted. ACTION: Clerk.
b) Annual Audit 2023/2024 – The Internal Auditor’s Annual Report was read to the meeting and accepted. The Annual Audit had been completed and signed off by the Lead Councillor Finance. Accepted and Agreed. The Chairman signed off the required forms and cash book. The Council then perused each of the AGAR forms and they were accepted and signed off by the Chairman and Clerk. All of those forms will be the subject of Public Notice on local notice boards and on the website and available for inspection between 3 June and the 12 July 2024. ACTION: Clerk
12. PLANNING:
S24/0705 6 Bungalow Development School Lane: To vary a previous variation regarding the positioning of a soakaway. It would need Planning Control permission. The nearest local resident had indicated his consent. No action needed.
13. CORRESPONDENCE INCLUDING ISSUES FOR INFORMATION ONLY:
a) Hedgehog Highways Project. Hedgehogs R Us had written to the clerk offering Hedgehog Highway boxes which could be invaluable for hedgehogs locally. Anyone interested to contact that organisation.
b) FT/EA/2024/0135. This was an appeal by a Resident to the Upper Tribunal against a decision of the Information Commissioner IC-259298 KOW4 which involved this parish council. It was noted that the Resident has so appealed. This Parish Council had indicated to the Upper Tribunal and the Information Commissioner that as a third party they will not be involved in the appeal.
c) SKDC Economic Development 2024-2025. Noted
d) SKDC – update on recycling. Noted.
e) Renewal of Insurance. The clerk indicated the cost was £311.57. Agreed. ACTION: Clerk
14. DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING: Fixed for Monday 5 August, 2024 at 7pm
The Meeting closed at 20.23 hrs.
District Council Report – May 2024
From Monday 13th May, SKDC waste operatives were doing a round of tag and collect. The tag has been redesigned to be gentler and easier to understand, as well as being more consistent in its application. These ‘ooops’ tags will be placed on bins containing contamination, with the waste still collected. Data will be recorded to allow more targeted approach to households with significant contamination, to help with education ahead of the next mixed dry recycles round, starting June 10th. Any residents that leave wheelie bins blocking pathways need to make sure these are moved, this will be monitored and action will be taken if these continue to be left blocking pathways.
Visit to depot, tracker CCTV, missed bins.
Church Farm Solar Farm in Planning process, objections subjected/PS Renewables 114 Acres
Island Green (was 245 acres) – reduced in size & Ash Tree Solar Farm 355 acres
The local plan consultation has now closed. With over a thousand representatives received. They will be collated and reviewed by the planning team.
Tuesday 7th May 2024 a consultation on the Councils draft economic development strategy was launched. Visit the home page of the SKDC website and have your say.
Work has started on a major transformation of Grantham Market Place into an accessible, public open space fit for the 21st Century. The improvements will drive footfall in Grantham town Centre and the market area – and create a multi-use, social space for local people and visitors in the heart of Grantham. This is expected to last around 22 weeks.
And finally, the Council celebrated a very special milestone last month. The Council’s golden anniversary commemorates 50 years since the authority was officially formed as part of the Local Government Act of 1972.
Penny Robins
District Councillor