2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Minutes from Parish Council Meeting 19th September 2019
(These notes are a record of the meeting and are not accepted as formal minutes until duly signed on behalf of the Parish Council)

Present: Councillors: M Brown (MB), J Newby (JN), J Leedham (JL), R Short (RS), P Thompson (PT), P Morris (PM), N Brigginshaw (NB) J Smith (JS), I Goodall (IG), Z Henden (ZH).  Also present four members of the public.

Public Forum:  Those present discussed the recent planning application for Ryehill Farm.  The members of the public wished to express their strong objections to this resubmitted application noting the rural character of the village which will be changed by this development and which will have a significant impact on the view and amenity.  It is felt that the elevated site will result in this development dominating the site.  The location of the parish council’s previous objection on the ELDC planning portal was also queried.

Other matters discussed included the Call Connect bus timetables for both parishes and the news that the parish council are to receive a £1000 grant from Anglian Water.  A new volunteer representative for the village hall committee is required and this is to be put onto the next agenda.

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – Apologies were received from our District Councillor Mr D Andrews.

2.   Declaration of interests and requests for dispensations - To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider granting dispensation(s), as per written requests received by the proper officer, to councillors under section 22 of the Act.  There were none.

3.   Chairman’s remarks – JS wished to note the condition of the roads in our parish.

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11th July 2019 – it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED unanimously that the official minutes of the last meeting having been previously circulated were approved as a true and accurate record of the minutes, Chairman signed and dated.

5.   To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:  

a.   There were none.

6.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) – D Cllr D Andrews and Our C Cllr are not present and Police have also sent their apologies.

7.   To review potholes – there are issues with drainage in Fulletby still and the clerk was requested to escalate this matter and involve our County Councillor.  Also, Lowfield Lane to Bluestone Heath Road there a number of potholes and the surface is deteriorating.  The clerk was requested to find out if a highways officer could visit our parishes.  JS advised that he will contact H Marfleet.  The meeting also discussed the Village Green Sign, Anglian Water have provided two new spikes for this sign however it was recommended that SM requests a new sign from Anglian Water.

8.   To consider any other Highways Matters – as in item 7.

9.   To provide an update on the Community Woodland – the lease has been signed and the registering of the lease is yet to be completed.  It is noted that the Forestry Commission would like to be engaged with this project.  This is a good community project opportunity for planting.  The working group will need to discuss with LWT what the site is going to look like and what is in the interest of the community.  Suggestions included wildflower meadow, formal and informal woodland areas with open spaces and access paths, a pond and an orchard.  It was RESOLVED that an independent meeting of interested parish councillors and residents will be convened in the next month to agree a plan and way forward.

10.   To Consider Broadband Gigabit Voucher Scheme – IG provided background to this topic and that there is currently fibre to the village exchange and then copper to homes.  Details of the Government Grant scheme were outlined and IG explained that an expression of interest from each resident or business is required in the first instance.  There is an economic case to use this scheme and future proof our villages.  A survey will be included in the next newsletter.  A question was raised about the level of disruption should this scheme go ahead.

11.   To consider correspondence received since the last Council meeting –

a.   Clarke Telecom – as per the letter received this is a pre-application consultation letter.

b.   3 Wolds Walks – comments included the poor state of the entrance boards and sections of the footpaths, with some markers also missing.  On the whole the leaflets are OK.

c.   Anglian Water Donation – has been discussed earlier.

12.   To report on Barn Owl Box Scheme – it was confirmed that there are already boxes in Fulletby and there are no other suitable locations.  Therefore it was RESOLVED to go ahead with the proposed scheme in Belchford which will cost £555.90 and the clerk will apply for a grant of up to 75% of this cost form LCC Community Wildlife Grant.

13.   Belchford Public Purposes Charity – Applications for these funds will be considered at the November meeting and details of how to apply will be included in the next newsletter.

14.   Proposal to plant more daffodils – following discussion it was RESOLVED to purchase some native varieties of Daffodils, PT to investigate varieties and the budget for this was agreed at £50.  Some will also be planted in the community woodland.

15.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.

a)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form RFO – received and attached – Appendix 1 below.

b)   Payment of accounts – members were advised of the list of payments and it was then proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that payments were made for solicitors costs, daffodils, barn owl boxes and election expenses.

It is noted that at the November meeting the parish council will need to approve a budget for the financial period 2020-2021 and also approve a precept for the same period.

16.   Planning Matters:

a.   S/013/00676/19 – Ryehill Farm amended planning application – following full discussion from all councillors, it was proposed, seconded, voted and unanimously RESOLVED that the council objects to this planning application.  The clerk noted that comments included; the development is not in alignment with the ELDC strategic and national planning policies, there are plenty of brown field or conversion sites available, the view is being spoilt, neighbouring properties will be overlooked owing to the size, the design and size is not in keeping or suitable for a village location, site access has not been taken into consideration sufficiently, the site is within the AONB and is not therefore suitable for development, the development is inappropriate to a Wolds village.  The clerk was requested to include these comments in the parish council response alongside those of our previous objection.

b.   S/013/01525/19 – Keepers Corner has been withdrawn.

c.   S/013/00889/19 – FPP Given at Glebe Farm

d.   S/013/00888/19 – FPP Given at Glebe Farm.

17.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter 

-   Tree planting
-   Daffodil planting
-   Belchford Public Purposes Charity applications
-   Call Connect Timetable
-   Fibre Survey (IG)

18.   To agree agenda items for the 14th November 2019 meeting and the venue for this meeting will be Belchford Village Hall.

•   Community Woodland draft plan
•   Village Green
•   Highways
•   Village Hall Representative

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.20 pm

Appendix 1: see below