April 2025 DRAFT Minutes
MINUTES OF OLD SOMERBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD TUESDAY 8 APRIL, 2025 7pm AT THE FOX AND HOUNDS OLD SOMERBY. DRAFT
PRESENT: Cllrs: Vicky Lowndes (Chairman) Nigel Percy (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Peter Burrows, Cllr Vron Stephens, Parish Clerk David Holmes. Also present SKDC Councillor Sarah Trotter, Internal Auditor Nick Craft and 8 members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM.
During the Public Forum the following issues were raised by residents present: The 6 Bungalow Site on School Lane, Old Somerby the footpath not yet completed, the road leading into the site not yet topped off and likely issues for buggies and disabled users not being able to pass the Give Way Sign in its present position. Also the encroaching of the footpath on Grantham Road by overgrown hedge ACTION: The Clerk.
1. The Chairman welcomed everyone present to the Parish Council Meeting.
2. APOLOGIES: Cllr Betty North had given her apologies due to illness: Her explanation was noted and accepted.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS/APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS: None.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Minutes of the meeting held 27 January, 2025 had been circulated. They were unanimously accepted as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. ACTION: Clerk.
5. CLERK AND COUNCILLORS’ ACTIONS AND UPDATES/LATEST.
a) The Bus Shelter frontage: repair is in hand and contingent upon the pathway being tarmacked: ACTION the Clerk to pursue the issues with the Planners.
b) Community Emergency Plan. The Clerk reported the progress to date. A Joint Meeting with other local Councillors and Clerks had been arranged by the Clerk which had taken place on 24 February 2025. The Vice-Chairman Cllr Percy and the Clerk now to meet next week to progress the issue: ACTION: Cllr Percy and the Clerk.
c) The Hazard signs on the first bend into Old Somerby from the Roundabout had had the ivy removed. Councillors agreed the signs are old and disfigured and needed to be replaced to be effective. The Clerk had been informed by Highways that they were placed there mainly for the benefit of motor cyclists. Councillors agreed all motorists needed warning of the sharp bend. ACTION: The Clerk
6. LOCAL COUNCILLORS UPDATES: a) Cllr Trotter was present and gave her report.
The Chairman raised with her the garages area in Middle Path. The site was untidy and unsightly with some empty garages. The SKDC had indicated previously that the area might be re-developed. The Chairman hoped that could include more parking especially for visiting Carers or Nurses to attend local people. Cllr Trotter agreed to pursue the matter. ACTION: The Clerk.
b) Cllr Trotter referred to the empty Traveller Site in Cold Harbour. SKDC Enforcement Team are involved as the developer is not adhering to building regulations as Planning approval was granted for a Traveller Site. Currently there were some empty caravans for sale. There is some fencing also that has been erected incorrectly. Cllr Trotter agreed an on-site meeting could be beneficial.
Cllr Trotter referred to the pending Devolution in Lincolnshire generally with voting for LCC Councillors and for a new Mayor.
Cllr Trotter was thanked by the Chairman for her helpful comments.
LCC Cllr Charlotte Vernon was not in attendance.
7. POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF LAND NEAR MIDDLE PATH: The Clerk had circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting a document outlining the history of this issue and how the issue was now progressing. It dealt with the following:
a) 1. The issue of the possible purchase of the land was first muted in September 2021 with representatives of the SKDC.
b) There had been various meetings and consultations since resulting in the SKDC agreeing to the Old Somerby Parish Council being offered the site for £1 plus legal fees of all parties. It was determined those fees would amount to some £4,000.
c) An application to SKDC Prosperity Fund for a grant in that sum was successful and the money was paid into the Parish Council’s account on 12 December, 2024.
d) A Public Parish Meeting was held on 17 February 2025 with a leaflet being hand-delivered to every household in the parish over the weekend of 7-9 February 2025. The leaflet explained the purpose of the meeting to discuss the possible acquisition of the piece of land in Middle Path for a New Community Space which could include a Community Garden, Relaxation Area, for Small Village Events. All Parishioners were invited to attend or submit their thoughts on a form included in the above leaflet prior to the meeting.
Some 31 people attended the meeting in addition to the Councillors, their Clerk and the Local LCC Councillor. After a full and frank discussion by a show of hand 25 people indicated their support for the acquisition of the land and its likely use as mentioned. In addition of those who responded by notice to the Clerk 6 were also in favour of proceeding.
The Clerk asked the Councillors to indicate their agreement to i) the matter now proceeding to a conclusion, ii) the Solicitor being engaged by the Parish Council; iii) the payment of his fees as required in advance for all parties’ Solicitors. PROPOSED The Chairman, Seconded Cllr Burrows and approved unanimously. A further Parish Meeting would no doubt be held.
ACTION: The Clerk to proceed with the payments and to progress the matter as above.
8: FINANCE:
a) The End of Year Financial Report was circulated by the Clerk prior to the meeting to the Councillors. It had been signed off by Lead Councillor Finance Cllr Peter Burrows and the Internal Auditor Nick Craft on the 27 March 2025. The Report was accepted by the Councillors; Proposed by The Chairman, Seconded Cllr Burrows and approved unanimously. The Chairman signed off the cash book entry.
The Internal Auditor, Nick Craft, had signed a report of his visit indicating he had no issues of concern and had considered the financial practices of Old Somerby Parish Council to be sound, safe and reliable. ACTION Clerk –Copies of both reports to be attached to these Minutes and published.
The Clerk informed the Councillors that their grass contractor had insurance with £10 million Public Liability cover to match the same cover the Parish Council had with their insurers. Noted.
b) Budget 2025/2026: The Budget had been provisionally set at £13,750.93 at the previous meeting. The Chairman indicated it may need to be revisited if there is to be further expenditure in connection with the Piece of Land mentioned above. AGREED: To confirm the provisionally set budget as above. ACTION: The Clerk.
c) Approval was given for the Clerk to attend the LALC Annual Conference on 16 July 2025.
d) The Clerk reported that there is an expectation that Email Accounts for Parish Councils should be generic (eg .gov or .org). It will become compulsory this time next year. To be revisited in due course.
f) The Chairman had previously mentioned that the 30 mph signs around the village were showing signs or fading and require replacing. The Clerk reported he had secured an offer from Lincolnshire Road Safety for a newer version which should not fade. They cost £20 each but he had managed to get 6 Free of charge leaving 6 to be paid for. Approved. ACTION: Clerk
9. PLANNING:
a) 6 Bungalow Site, School lane. The Clerk reported on a planning application to vary an existing condition regarding drainage. The implications seemed unclear. Cllr Trotter said she was awaiting the Enforcement Officer’s report. The clerk to pursue. ACTION: Clerk
b) The Conifers, School Lane: The Clerk reported that work had commenced on the rear of the property to erect an extension without planning permission. A member of the SKDC Enforcement Team had visited the site and advised building working should now cease. If the work carried on it would be at the risk of the occupiers.
c) S25/0510 related to an application to erect an extension on the bungalow 30 School Lane. The Clerk had canvassed neighbours and no one had raised any objections. AGREED: Clerk to report to the Planners the Councillors also had no objections. ACTION: Clerk
11. CORRESPONDENCE: a) The LCC had canvassed opinions concerning their Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan by 9 June 2025. ACTION: Cllr Stephens to consider.
b) SKDC Design Code Workshop had been postponed;
c) LALC News had been circulated to Councillors;
d) Volunteer(s) were sought to help wash down road signs around the village.
d) Full Fibre BroadBand: The Clerk reported that QUICKLINE were holding local meetings to discuss their plans to bring full fibre broadband to the locality. The Clerk had replied and was awaiting details.
f) CORONATION COPSE: The Clerk reported that on a recent visit by both him and Cllr Stephens little evidence of growth could be found. ACTION: The Clerk to contact Ropsley Farms.
12: DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING:
a) The Annual Parish Meeting was fixed for Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 7pm
The Parish Council Annual Meeting fixed for the same date to follow the above meeting.
The Meeting closed at 20.14.