2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Notes from Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 27th July 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: I Goodall (IG), J Newby (JN), M Brown (MB), P Thompson (PT), J Smith (JS) and P Morris (PM).  Also present the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.

The public forum began at 7.30pm

Public Forum:  There were no matters discussed in the public forum.

Annual Parish Council meeting

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – M Brown and I Goodall 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, advised that J Leedham has resigned from the parish council and asked the clerk to send a letter of thanks.  It will be possible to co-opt a new person to the council at the September meeting.  JS is frustrated by the condition of the roads, there was an accident on Oxcombe Road last week.  PT suggested that passing places would be a solution.  The clerk was asked to write to the highways officer at LCC to request action on Oxcombe Road and see if it can be made into a clearway.  JS noted that now harvest is underway there will be lots of large farm traffic moving about.

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19th May 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.

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

a.   Vere Cup engraving – a budget for this was agreed at £20 any inscription should be in keeping with previous wording.

b.   Website – following discussion it was RESOLVED to take up the 20 hour LALC website management option.  Documents needed on the website are minutes, agendas, newsletters, a link to the NDP, planning applications and links to our responses plus links to the village hall, the village green and both Churches.

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 – There has been no contact from the village green committee and a lack of progress in the last 3 years with regard to the proposed play area and equipment.  Members discussed who is on the committee and what can the parish council do.  JN offered to contact S Miller with PT’s support and that of the whole parish council to assist with grant applications and moving this project forward.

8.   To discuss/decide on visitor car parking opportunity at the village green site – This matter will be addressed at a later date and probably in conjunction with the play area proposal.

9.   To review any potholes & other Highways matters – Oxcombe Road as mentioned earlier in the meeting.  The whole length of Lowfield Lane, Main Road, Fulletby Road are also of concern.  Paradise Lane is in an appalling state.  There is a proposal to clear Ings Lane this will cost in the region of £650.  Stone is to be put down on Dams Lane.  Bridle path Main Road to Flint Hill Farm.  Members then discussed how to resolve the muddy path on Dams Lane.  There is a 100m stretch and a 30 to 40m section at Hills & Holes.  Ings Lane needs to be cleared to 3m wide.

10.   Speeding – Top Street in Fulletby is very fast with mainly cars.  The proposed speed sign figures are £190 each and the RFO confirmed that this expense could be undertaken.  Other options were discussed including a SiD and parish Gateways.  JN will organise for one speed sign figure and gateways will be discussed at the September meeting.

11.   Paint for Village Signs – JN is applying for approximately £100 of paint for the village signs, this was agreed and RESOLVED.  JS will chase the new legs for the village signs which have been previously ordered and agreed.

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

13.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.  The RFO provided a financial report which was circulated to all.

a)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, as provided by NB – received and attached – Appendix below.  The current balance is £12,341.19 which includes £4,200 of NDP funds.

b)   To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting including clerk’s salary, speed sign figure £200, LALC website management £300, Paint for signs £100.
The expenditure for the Jubilee is all within budget.  Well done to everyone who organised the 2 jubilee events.

The Chairman and Clerk were asked to sign the forms required by the bank.  The Parish Council accepts that JS and JN are account signatories and that the bank documents have been signed to the satisfaction of the parish council.

It is noted that we may lose a lot of trees planted this year in the community woodland due to the current lack of rain.  JS also advised that the AONB has its 50th Anniversary and our woodland may be used to host one event.

14.   Planning Matters: 

a.   S/013/01166/22 – Poachers Hideaway Holiday Cottages.  Members discussed this proposal in line with our developing NDP, the light pollution and potential increase in traffic using the access road.  We should use ELDC’s reason for the “Bonnett” planning application.  Also public right of way, bridleway, the AONB and the public visual amenity in our response.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to object to this application.

b.   S/013/01257/22 – Arromanches Villa – following discussion it was RESOLVED to support this application.

c.   S/013/00567/22 – FPP Given.

d.   S/055/00741/22 – FPP Given.

e.   S/013/02283/21 – FPP Given.

15.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: Please send articles to the clerk.  This will include a vacancy for one councillor, the proposed play area and volunteers to help with this project, Plaques for trees plus requests for potholes to be reported on fixmystreet.

16.   To agree agenda items for the September 2022 meeting – Thank you to Fulletby for hosting this evenings meeting.  Agenda items for September are to include – Rights of Way Ings Lane and Footpaths; NDP; Speed Reduction Gateways; Play equipment; Lowfield Lane (Highways); Bulbs; New Councillor for Fulletby and Woodland.