2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Notes from remote Parish Council Meeting Thursday 18th March 2021.

(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), J Leedham (JL), J Newby (JN), Z Henden (ZH), P Thompson (PT), P Morris (PM), M Brown (MB), N Brigginshaw (NB).  Also present via Zoom the clerk, Mrs K M Elliott.

Meeting

1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – RS has sent apologies.
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 noted that the railings have been repaired, repainted and replaced at the bottom of Glebe Hill and also thanked the volunteers for all the work done to the village furniture.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2021 – 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.  [JL joined the meeting at 7.38pm]
5. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding: 
   1. The resumption of face to face meetings – this is to be confirmed by LALC & NALC but should be in place for the May meetings.
   2. To consider Zoom subscription – this matter is to be deferred to the next meeting.
   3. Annual Parish Meeting – Saturday 22nd May from 11am was the suggested date and time.
6. To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) – The Police and County Councillor were not present and the District Councillors report will follow later in the meeting. Mr Andrews joined the meeting at 7.55pm and provided his report; the District Council will start their Horncastle headquarters project this year and open next year.  There is a 2 year plan to recoup finances after Covid.  Towns fund money has been awarded to Skegness and Mablethorpe and Small Business grants are still continuing.  Cllr Andrews advised that his community grants/funds are once again available this year.
7. To receive an update from the Village Green Committee on the proposal for a children’s play area – JS noted that the questionnaire and newsletter from the village green committee was excellent and ZH advised that responses are starting to come in.  It was also confirmed that meetings with and quotes are to be obtained from 3 playground providers.  Some old concrete is to be removed as it is unsightly.  Social media is being used to encourage conversation and communication for feedback on the play equipment plans.  A large log has been donated and will be used to create some interest at the back of the green.  The dangerous tree branch is to be removed next week and Anglian Water are to replace the fence soon.  PM asked if the village green was separately insured, NB confirmed that the land is covered by the parish council insurance.  PT will review the policy and report back at the next meeting.
8. To review any potholes & other Highways matters:
   1. Fulletby Road drains and flooding – this matter needs reporting as the pipe does not cope with the rainfall.
   2. Potholes
   3. Lowfield Lane – the condition of this road is to be reported again.

Councillors noted that there are several street sign posts rotten and the clerk requested that locations are provided so that they can be reported to LCC.  [D Cllr D Andrews joined the meeting at 7.55pm]

9. Footpaths – The section of the Viking way including Dams Lane.  PT suggested putting some stone down ourselves and a discussion followed about the Footpath Officers comments on this matter.  It was resolved to put 3-4 tons of small limestone down and a budget was agreed of £100.  One member abstained from this decision but all others were in favour.  The zoom meeting was restarted.
   
   A document has been circulated by JN with a proposal to contact landowners for permitted paths of short circular routes access to which could be paid for with daily or yearly passes.  All councillors were asked for their views on this proposal and although most are keen to encourage landowners to support local community involvement there are lots of free other public paths available, there were concerns as to how this could be managed.  In conclusion JS asked councillors to review this proposal before resubmitting for further consideration.
10. To receive a report on the work planned for the village furniture – ZH advised that over 3 or 4 Saturdays RS and ZH Have rubbed down and oiled all village furniture.  All items are looking a lot better.  Teak Oil was the only purchase.
11. Belchford Public Purposes Charity – The clerk has been able to confirm that JN and Simon Miller are the current signatories.  PT will take over managing and responsibility for this account.
12. Neighbourhood Plan – There is a meeting tomorrow afternoon with ELDC to discuss the concept of setting this up and a report will follow.  This will take lots of work, thanks to those who have volunteered.
13. Provision of Car Park for visitors – JS advised that there were 20 to 30 cars parked on the verges over the last weekend and asked if we could think about a small area of the village green which might be available to visitors for parking.  Could the village hall car park be used?  JS asked for thoughts at the next meeting.
14. Community Woodland – 18/19 trees were delivered by ELDC as part of their Community Orchard project and are to be planted on Sunday.  Thank you to the team who have planted and are continuing to plant trees.  The new arch at the entrance is excellent.  Plant a tree scheme is to be included in the newsletter.
15. Full Fibre Broadband – IG advised that lots of effort has been put in to get 77 households to respond.  The momentum has now dispersed and the response has dropped to 54.  We are still waiting for a response from Openreach.  COVID has damaged the communication with residents.  IG would like to get a quote for the entirety of the two parishes and encouraged everyone to respond.  JS thanked IG for his hard work on this project.
16. Parish Council email addresses – the clerk has circulated information from the ICO on this matter and it was resolved that these should be set up for all councillors.
17. Councillors and Technology – This is to be discussed at the next meeting.
18. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting:
    1. Annual Subscription to LALC - £142.68 it was resolved to pay this subscription.
    2. LALC Annual Training Scheme – it was resolved not to sign up for this training scheme.
19. Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.  NB advises that the financial situation is still very buoyant and there is no other large expenditure anticipated.
    1. To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, NB – received and attached – Appendix 1 below.  The current balance is £4,115.43 and there are four outstanding cheques.
    2. The precept of £2.940 will be received in April plus a grant of £1,000
    3. Payment of accounts – To consider and resolve payments since last meeting including clerks’ salary and HMRC, Arch and other Community Woodland Expenses.
20. Planning Matters:
    1. S/013/02288/20 – refusal of outline planning permission.
21. To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: the last newsletter was great and all members are asked to contribute.
    • Broadband – a reminder
    • Defibrillator
    • Chip Van Visit
    • Representing views of parishioners on the neighbourhood plan.
22. To agree agenda items for the 20th May 2021 meeting – Neighbourhood Plan, Broadband Fibre update, Zoom subscription, Footpaths, Potholes on Lowfield Lane, Councillors and technology.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.00 pm

Appendix 1: see below