2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Notes from Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 23rd November 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), P Thompson (PT), N Brigginshaw (NB), R Short (RS), K Skalka (KS), P Morris, (PM).

Also present two members of the public and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.

The public forum began at 7.31pm

Public Forum:  Hedge cutting in Belchford; hedges have been cut and the contractor has not cleared up, leaving branches etc. in the road which is a hazard to cyclists and an obstruction to the highway.  Members discussed what to do about this matter and it was requested to write to the landowner.

It was also noted that the Jubilee embroidery has now been completed and where should it be displayed.  A proposal for the village hall to display it was put forward and this request will be considered at the village hall meeting next week.

Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.41pm

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – PT chaired the meeting.  J Smith, Z Henden and M Brown have provided 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 are none.

3.   Chairman’s remarks – PT noted that there is no access to the Belchford notice board.  Should we install a key safe?  There are 4 keys available for Fulletby and new locks have been ordered for Belchford which will be fitted by RS when they arrive.  

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 29th September 2022 – it was proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED unanimously that the official minutes of the last meeting having been previously circulated were approved following amendments as a true and accurate record of the minutes, Vice Chairman signed and dated.  It is requested that the notes of the meetings are produced sooner.  A bin for Fulletby is to be ordered and installed as soon as possible.  Members discussed producing a newsletter and it was agreed to go ahead for December & January.  The increase in the clerk’s hourly rate is subject to the minutes being produced in a more timely manner.

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

a.   Meeting dates 2023 – were agreed as the third Thursday of every other month.

b.   NDP – IG provided an update.  The document has been critically reviewed and policy documents re written and circulated yesterday for responses.  Several key issues are outstanding to cover technical matters, protected view assessment and 2 others.  It can then be taken forward in 2023.  There are 18 items of local interest to go on a local listing document and the next stage is to ELDC for Regulation 14 check.

6.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) –  There are no Police, County or District Councillors present, however D Cllr Andrews says he will help with anything as required.

7.   To review any potholes & other Highways matters – Chapel Lane continues to flood in spite of being cleared recently.

8.   Pensioners Christmas Lunch 2022 – This has been organised for 15th December at the Blue Bell and there are 30 plus people attending.  Traditionally it is funded by the parish council and local charity.  It is open to over 60’s from both villages.  Members were asked to agree a financial contribution of up to £200, this was proposed, seconded RESOLVED unanimously.

9.   Brown Tourist Signs – The landlord at the Blue Bell Inn has requested council opinion on the brown tourist signs as LCC are reviewing them.  All present agreed that they have no objection to them remaining.

10.   Tree Preservation Order – There is a large sycamore tree in a prominent position and it is commonly known as the Pig Hanging Tree.  Members wish to have a TPO put on this tree.  The clerk will contact the district council to start the procedure.  It was suggested that trees in both villages are assessed for trees of significance, IG and KS offered to attend any site meeting required.  An information plaque could also be installed providing information once the TPO has been approved.

11.   Parish Gateways – this matter will be discussed at the next meeting and the clerk will chase quotes.  Members also discussed the current signs and whether highways approved contractors are required for such installation on non A roads.  It was also suggested that a second speed sign be purchase and this is to be agreed at the next meeting.

12.   To consider rights of way & Footpaths – details of the email sent to the clerk were shared and members discussed.  Do we actively engage in this process, do we support this in principle or not.  An article for the next newsletter should be produced to encourage residents and landowners to comment.  This will be on the January agenda for further discussion.

13.   Play Area – No meeting has as yet been held to move this matter forward.  Members discussed the number of children in the parishes and the disproportionate cost of the proposed play equipment.  How is it going to be maintained and funded going forward?  Sustainability was considered and how much does it cost to maintain annually.  The clerk was asked to find out information from a neighbouring parish.

14.   Village Green – There is no report.

15.   Full Fibre broadband – IG is still waiting on the onlincs report and there is no report.

16.   Coronation 2023 – The date for the Coronation is 6th May 2023 and this will be included in the newsletter, what would residents like to do for the coronation.

17.   To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: 

a.   Belchford Public Purposes Charity – has had a fund request from a community group, this was postponed from 2021 and will be on the January agenda.  JN and PT have tried to deal with this.  What funding is available?  An article will be included in the agenda for a volunteer(s).

18.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.  The RFO has not provided a financial report for this meeting.

a)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, NB provided a spreadsheet for the meeting outlining the NDP funding received and spent and also the parish precept funds.  No large expenditure is due.

b)   To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting including no details provided for this meeting.

c)   Budget and Precept for 2023/2024 – members discussed the finances and a 5% increase was proposed taking the precept to £3,100

d)   Delegated powers were discussed and it was proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED that outside of parish council meetings the Chairman could authorise urgent or essential repairs of up to £100 per item.

19.   Planning Matters: KS requested information on how planning applications which are received outside of the parish council meeting schedule are dealt with and responded to.

a.   S/013/01841/22 FPP Given Lane End Oxcombe Road.

20.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: Please send articles to the clerk.  This will include dates and articles appropriate for Christmas and January and those matters raised during this meeting.

21.   To agree agenda items for the January 2023 meeting – The meeting will be held on 19th January 2023 in Belchford Village Hall and items for the agenda include footpaths and TPS’s.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.21 pm.