2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Minutes from Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 17th March 2022 held at Belchford Village Hall.
(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), I Goodall (IG), J Newby (JN), M Brown (MB), N Brigginshaw (NB), P Thompson (PT) and P Morris (PM).  Also present the clerk, Mrs K M Elliott and 2 members of the public.

The public forum began at 7.30pm

Public Forum:  It was brought to the attention of the parish council that some residents are concerned about flooding, in particular outside No. 5 Church View on the Main Road – a drain may be blocked.  It was also raised that Chapel Lane also flooded recently.  This will be reported to LCC Highways.  A resident also raised concerns about the situation in Ukraine and the empty houses in Belchford.  Could the empty properties be registered as a community group and would people be able to assist with funding.  This has also been discussed in Fulletby.  There are two potential hosts and four people prepared to assist in Fulletby.  It was suggested that a formal support group could be set up so that individuals could register their willingness to provide help and the type of help available.  The resident concerned is willing to act as coordinator.  Finally the condition of a damaged safety barrier, and several corroded road sign posts in Belchford were discussed and it was advised that a Council worker had inspected these recently.

Meeting:

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – N Brigginshaw and Z Henden 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.  None were made.

3.   Chairman’s remarks – JS, we should never forget to say thank you.  Lots of people have worked hard over the winter to create the community woodland and Fulletby Glebe Field, plus the Neighbourhood Development Plan and Full Fibre projects.

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on January 2022 – 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.  It is noted that the clerk should receive the Belchford Public Purposes Fund Documents from the Charities Commission and following this the approved authorised signature changes can take place.

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

a.   The date for the Annual Parish Meeting was agreed as Saturday 23rd April 2022, 11am.  This will be held in Belchford Church.

6.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) – No representatives were present and therefore there were no reports.

7.   To receive an update from the Village Green Committee – Simon Miller is unable to attend and no report or proposal has been submitted.

8.   To discuss/decide on visitor car parking opportunity at the village green site – Possible options were discussed however, we cannot make progress without input from the Village Green Committee.  A suggestion was made to have a site meeting with the VG committee on 23rd April at 10.15am.

9.   To review any potholes & other Highways matters – The drainage issues discussed earlier are to be reported to LCC.  Problems with the road between Fulletby Water Tower and the top of Nab Hill have been reported.  The application for a bin at the Fulletby Glebe Field is ongoing.  The ford on Ings Lane was raised, a silt trap upstream of the footbridge is full of silt and has not been cleared for a number of years however on site discussions with a surveyor indicate problems restricting flow lie downstream of the ford.

10.   Community Woodland – A quantity of large trees have been received from LCC Tree Scapes scheme, alongside young trees from Mr/s Murfin.  The tree for Mrs Abbott was planted on Sunday.  It is noted that some trees have been planted in random places despite requests for villagers to contact councillors to agree locations.  We have also received further fruit trees from ELDC.  It was suggested that we fund the costs of a contractor to mow the rides/grass paths.  RS has completed making the reclining benches for the observatory and they will be fitted next week.  Members then discussed installation of a bench from a resident.  An ideal site for this would be in Brown’s field near the water tower and JS agreed to contact the landowner.

11.   Footpaths – JN advised that she has heard that Ings Lane will be designated a Bridle Path and we can clear it.  Could we fund the clearance?  The Viking Way – we have the stone and will get it to site as soon as possible.  There are also concerns about a section alongside Belchford Wood close to the parish boundary with Scamblesby.

12.   Swift Boxes – These are to be considered as part of the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

13.   Belchford & Fulletby Wombles – This was raised at the last parish council meeting and two people have volunteered and the parish council have agreed we would support them in forming a group.

14.   Neighbourhood Development Plan – A public meeting is scheduled for Saturday 26th March between 10am and 12 noon.  Photographs of the open views that we want to preserve will be taken and included in the NDP.  The Character Assessment is being worked on by a contractor.  It is planned to have the draft NDP finished by the date of the meeting.  IG indicated that the NDP committee would lie to see more stakeholder responses to the survey.

15.   Full Fibre Broadband – IG advised that he has recently received a further quote from Openreach for 1 GB fibre installation.  The initial quote was for £575,000, removal of remote properties reduced this to about £360,000.  IG then discussed a further reduction of scope with Openreach for properties that would only be included if they agreed to self-trench.  A quote has now been received for this at £415,000; this makes allowance for further upgrade of the backbone of fibre network.  The quote is only valid for one month.  We are a long way from having the funds available from the grant scheme.  Our max grant would be £340,000 a shortfall of £75,000.  However the max figure assumes greater uptake than we have currently.  Options are

a.   Decide we don’t proceed

b.   Wireless broadband – new main fibre cable currently being installed from Tetford exchange to Fulletby mast.

c.   Project Gigabit – Government initiative aimed at provision of Gigabit broadband to rural communities.

d.   Openreach are committed to provision of Gigabit broadband to larger settlements, but will not provide non-economic services.

After discussion, all councillors agreed Gigabit Broadband would be desirable.  IG will investigate option b. and decline the offer from Openreach.

16.   Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Mrs Murfin and Mr Black will be village hall representatives on any organising committee.  JN has applied for grant funding and the outcome should be known on 1st April.  Village groups will liaise to organise an event.  The parish council was asked to consider contributing £500 towards this event.  It was agreed in principle to support this event financially but a budget is needed to give more consideration.  There will be a meeting in the village hall on Tuesday 5th April 7.30pm.

17.   To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: none received.

18.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.  All councillors were also asked to provide information required by our bank as part of their safeguard review.

a)   LALC Subscription – No decision was made and JS will discuss with the clerk to see whether any benefit is gained from this membership.

b)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, as provided by NB – received and attached – Appendix 1 below.  The current balance is £ 10,165.49

c)   Payment of accounts – To consider and resolve payments since last meeting including clerks’ salary and HMRC and village hall hire.  Proposed, seconded, Voted and Resolved.

d)   BACS payments – this is to be deferred to the next meeting.

19.   Planning Matters: 

a.   S/013/00345/22 – no objections were raised.

b.   S/184/00198/22 – no objections were raised.

c.   FPP given S/013/0002483/21 – The Retreat, Dams Lane.

Blue Bell – ELDC have asked for a character assessment.  JN has also suggested a historic assessment.

Also, a new application for a single storey extension at Holly House has appeared on the planning portal recently.  The clerk will be asked to circulate this to all councillors when received.

20.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: Please send articles to the clerk.  Ukrainian Refugees, Observatory, NDP, Queens Jubilee events for Belchford and Fulletby.  Ings Lane and Date of Annual Parish Meeting.

21.   To agree agenda items for the May 2022 meeting – Queen’s Jubilee, LALC Subscription, BACS, Village Green and Car Parking.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.

Appendix 1.