2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Minutes from hybrid Parish Council Meeting 10th September 2020.
(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 in person: Councillors: J Smith (JS), I Goodall (IG), N Brigginshaw NB), R Short (RS), J Newby (JN), Z Henden (ZH), P Morris (PM).  Also present via Zoom PCSO Wass and J Leedham.  One member of the public was also present along with the clerk, Mrs K M Elliott.

The public forum began at 7.34pm

Public Forum:  There has been lots of speeding chat from residents and PCSO Wass advised that he is carrying out targeted patrols as often as possible and he confirmed that he is willing to do targeted patrols with the speed gun and parish councillors if they are available.  PCSO Wass asked if there were any particular times of the day when speeding traffic was of concern and asked for possible dates to be booked in with the clerk.  Those present also discussed the damaged road and verge, Oxcombe Road this is to be reported once again to LCC Highways.  If anyone has any information on poaching in the area please forward it to 101, even after the event.  Please can the long term empty houses be on the next agenda.

Meeting – Agenda

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – Apologies were received from M Brown and P Thompson.

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 apologised that there was no August newsletter.

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9th July 2020 – it was proposed, seconded, voted 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.   Report from August Site meeting with ELDC tree officer – as per PM’s email previously circulated to all, we are a prime site following their initial visit and we should be receiving approximately 20 fruit trees.  They are in the early stages of their plans and we may not receive these trees this winter.  An orchard is 6 or more trees.  This has been a good connection to make.

b.   Purchase of more daffodils – following discussion it was resolved to purchase one more bag of daffodils for planting around the parishes.

c.   Thanks to N Marwood – background to the voluntary work undertaken was provided and it was resolved for the clerk to write and thank Mr Marwood for his efforts.

d.   Condition of village furniture – members discussed the condition of the bus shelters, should we employ someone to maintain them.  The notice board in Fulletby needs a new top and RS will carry out this work, it is noted that it also needs oiling.  Following further discussion it was resolved to carry out a full inspection of the items, make a list of work that was required and get it done before winter.  ZH and RS will work together on this matter.  A budget of up to £200 was approved for sundry expenses for these tasks.

IG raised the subject of Superfast Broadband, no action has been taken due to Covid and IG has tried unsuccessfully to contact Steve Brookes at OnLincolnshire.  IG has concerns with regard to the change in regulations whereby you have to sign up to a 12 month contract.  There are potential penalty clauses for individuals and businesses and financial penalties may be inevitable.  IG comments that clarification is required and it is also noted that the scheme potentially ends in 2021.  JL feels that this is a different scheme to the one that was explained to us earlier in the year.  This is to be on the next agenda.

6.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) – District and County Councillors are not available.  As discussed earlier in the meeting please report anything seen that is suspicious.

7.   To receive an update from the Village Green Committee on the proposal for a children’s play area – The report was provided by ZH.  There is not a lot of progress with the play area due to Covid and the original plan is now with Ed Morton and 2 other companies have been contacted.  The committee is seeking grant application advice from JN as she has experience in this area.  ZH is unsure if the planning application has been submitted yet.

a.   Painting of the container – this is to be carried out over the weekend 10/11 October and will have some welding done first.  Daffodils are also to be planted.  The two posts and rails that have been damaged are not worth claiming on the insurance for and will be replaced by the committee.

8.   To review any potholes & other Highways matters: 

a.   Oxcombe Road – as per the photos circulated by JS

b.   Volumes of traffic - This is a “c” road.  It is felt that our requests are being ignored and that a meeting with Highways Officers would be beneficial.  There are 62 sizeable potholes and the clerk is requested to contact Cllr Davies who is the portfolio holder for LCC.

c.   Parking on the Highway – as per the circulated email with regard to nuisance parking.

9.   To agree a draft plan for planting up the Community Woodland – PM has circulated details with two options; the grant option would get everything done as one big job or we could choose the long term option with a little bit of work over a number of years.  A strategy needs to be decided tonight and a budget needs to be allocated tonight so that the management group can plan, take action and report to the parish council periodically.  All councillors were asked for their view and it was unanimously resolved to choose the long term option.  A budget of £500 was resolved.  PM noted that if the parish council have any particular request for this area they need to make it clear to the management group for strategy, planning and budgeting.  The working group is made up of JS, PM, PT and NB plus Mark Bibby.  A strategy is to be presented at the November meeting.

10.   To choose a name for the Community Woodland – the clerk will include this voting opportunity in the next newsletter.

11.   To consider correspondence received since the last meeting:

a.   There has been no other correspondence.

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

a)   PM provided an update on the Glebe Land acquisition, which was withdrawn from auction and the local group are in negotiation with the Diocese.  A large amount of private money has been pledged and grants are being investigated but with little success.  There is a reasonable war chest to make this purchase and a price has yet to be agreed.  This agenda item is to formalise the commitment previously suggested by the Parish Council.  Those present discussed the proposal for £2,500 which is thought to be affordable.  The S137 amount is currently set at £8.32 per head of population and there are 288 on the electoral roll which amounts to £2,396.16.  This amount was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved.  PM noted that the Diocese would like to close this transaction within 6 months.

b)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, NB – received and attached – Appendix 1 below.  The current balance is £9,018.27  There is one outstanding cheque and we have received the District Councillors Grant of £500.

c)   Payment of accounts – To consider and resolve payments since last meeting including clerks’ salary and HMRC.  Funds have also been allocated to the woodland £500, to the Glebe Acquisition Group £2,500 and for village furniture repairs £200.  The precept and budget will need to be set at the November meeting.

d)   It is noted that a grant of £500 has been received from District Councillor Andrews towards the Potatoes for Parishes scheme.  

13.   Planning Matters: 

a.   S/013/01491/20 – those present discussed this application and the background to the situation was provided by JS.  There were no comments in connection with this matter.

14.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter:

•   Names for the Community Woodland
•   No water in Fulletby – thanks to Anglian Water (PM will draft the letter)

This evening’s meeting has been possible because of using a 4G Wi-Fi Router and the clerk provided details of the contract and costs for this facility and following discussion it was resolved that the parish council will not pay for this facility.  The clerk was asked to contact the village hall committee to see if they will take on this expenditure.

•   Peter Hughes is to be asked for a resume of the Belchford Public Purposes Charity funds.

15.   To agree agenda items for the 12th November 2020 meeting, this will also be held by Zoom – Fibre Broadband and village furniture.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.11 pm

Appendix 1: see below