2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Notes from remote Parish Council Meeting Thursday 22nd July 2021 held at Belchford Church.

(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: R Short (RS), J Smith (JS), I Goodall (IG), J Newby (JN), P Thompson (PT), P Morris (PM), M Brown (MB), N Brigginshaw (NB).  Also present the clerk, Mrs K M Elliott, District Councillor D Andrews and 2 members of the public.

Meeting:

1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – ZH and JL have 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 roads ae very busy especially at weekends.  He wondered if signs saying not suitable for coastal traffic would discourage any vehicles.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 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.
5. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding: 
   1. The Notice Board in Fulletby – no one is looking after it, who is prepared to do this.  JL will be asked if he can take responsibility for it.  Members then discussed the location of the keys for both the Fulletby and Belchford Notice Boards, it is noted that one is missing for Fulletby and two missing for Belchford.

JS advised that following advice from Simon Ellis with regard to planting Mrs Abbott’s tree, this is to be delayed until the autumn.  The clerk will liaise with the family and this will be put on the September agenda for discussion.

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 reported that the new ELDC offices hub in Horncastle will be complete in August 2022.  This venue will also be home to Boston College.  A strategic Alliance was set up last year with Boston Borough Council and this is to be expanded to the South Lincolnshire Partnership to include South Holland DC.  A committee has been formed to revive Horncastle Town Centre including councillors and business people who are looking to increase visitors and improving the public toilets.  Car parking was discussed and how to encourage new business and traders at the market.  A question was raised about the size of the tractors being used to cut the grass verges, Mr Andrews confirmed that this was a question for the County Council as they employ highways contractors.
7. To receive an update from the Village Green Committee on the proposal for a children’s play area – JN provided this report of ZH.  62.9% of responses from the questionnaire were interested in the play area and 14% in a pop up café.  There has been no movement on the village green and there will be no fete this year.  There may be a party at the end of the summer.  The car park proposal was considered but no final answer has been given.  PT asked if we could allocate funds to encourage a car park area to be considered further.  [DA left the meeting at 8pm].
8. To review any potholes & other Highways matters:
   There is a pothole outside Splash Cottage, which has been filled twice previously; also in Winn Lane and Paradise Lane Fulletby and in Chapel Lane and Ings Lane Belchford.  The clerk is to report these again.
9. Footpaths – Paul Barnes, Estate Manager from the South Ormsby Estate gave a short presentation on what approach is used in South Ormsby to open up access to the estate for public health and well-being, using public and permissive footpaths which steer visitors to go where we want them to go.  Car Parks have been created in the old sheep dip with track matting and other areas are being investigated for cycle paths and horse riding routes.  These are all self-funded by the estate and styles are being replaced with kissing gates.  Footpath guides tell the story and link with local pubs, accommodation and cafes making the experience user friendly.  Have there been any issues with litter or dog fouling?  Mr Barnes was thanked for his time and this information.

It is noted that the recent tractor run made £1500 and also that the Dams Lanes to Viking Way grass has been cut today.  96% of people would like more circular walks in and around Belchford.  How can we supply what people want?  Can we write to the landowners to see if they are prepared to allow use of private tracks?  How many questionnaires have been returned?  Following further discussion it was RESOLVED to discuss this matter further at the September meeting when the full questionnaire results can be considered.

10. Neighbourhood Development Plan – JN provided a brief update and the initial response is that development of individual houses would be welcomed over larger developments.  This matter will be discussed further at the September agenda.
11. Provision of Car Park for visitors – There is a proposal for an area to be used at the village green and as landlord we should make this suggestion to the village green committee.  This matter will be put on the September agenda and Simon Miller will be asked to attend to enable further discussion.  It is noted that Fulletby could also benefit from a car park.
12. Full Fibre Broadband – IG advised that his knowledge improves all the time as the conversation continues towards full fibre broadband.  The grant funding will pay Open reach to install fibre from cabinets to distribution points.  It is important to plan this and to make the quotations viable.  The first quote is £574,000 which is an average of £3,375 per property and this is too high.  Several properties have been removed as they are too far away which has reduced the quote but the average is still too high.  A third quote is to be investigated and a self-trenching option for certain properties.  168 properties and 44 businesses.  We will see what quote 3 brings and also what can be done to increase the take up.  This will potentially future proof our internet provision for business and home.  There are a lot of older residents who do not see that this is a requirement.
13. Belchford Public Purposes Charity – this is to be discussed at the September meeting.
14. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting:
    1. Letter received about car parking in Belchford, this matter has already been discussed.
15. Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.
    1. To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, NB – received and attached – Appendix 1 below.  The current balance is £7,715.64 and there are no outstanding cheques.
    2. Payment of accounts – To consider and resolve payments since last meeting including clerks’ salary and HMRC, LALC, village hall hire.
16. Planning Matters:
    1. S/013/00599/21 – Refusal of Section 73 application.  An appeal may be submitted for this matter.
    2. S/013/00731/21 – Approval of Section 73 application.
17. To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: Please send articles to the clerk.
18. To agree agenda items for the 20th May 2021 meeting – Belchford Public Purposes Charity, Mrs Abbott’s tree and the Community Woodland.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.12 pm

Appendix 1: see below