2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Notes from Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 16th March 2023 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: P Morris (PM), J Smith (JS), I Goodall (IG), J Newby (JN), P Thompson (PT), N Brigginshaw (NB), K Skalka (KS), M Brown (MB)

Also present ten members of the public, D Cllr D Andrews and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.

The public forum began at 7.32 pm

Public Forum:  The Public forum began with residents talking about an alleged public footpath over private land and expressing their views on the application which has been made to LCC, they wished it to be known that the alleged path had not been opened up by them. 3 members of the public left the meeting at 7.37pm.  Signs on private land asking for walkers to stop using the land have been knocked down many times and further signs are to be installed, MB.  If these are damaged then it will be referred to the Police.

Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.45 pm

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – R Short has sent apologies but Z Henden has not.

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.  MB for item 10 b) on the agenda.

3.   Chairman’s remarks – JS apologised for not being present at the last meeting.  There is a problem on the River Waring with the invasive plant that is Himalayan Balsam.  An iradication scheme is being undertaken by the Environment Agency and there is to be a working party in June to remove, please contact JS if you are interested in getting involved.  Potholes – JS asked if there was any interest in tackling them ourselves.  We must let the authorities know of every pothole, it is noted that many complaints have already been submitted.  D CLlr Mr Andrews suggested contacting our C Cllr Mr H Marflteet.  The clerk will try another contact at LCC highways, R Fenwick to express our frustration.  It is also noted that the gritters are still spreading too much salt on the rural roads.

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd November 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, Chairman signed and dated.

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

a.   Fulletby Bin – the slab has been laid and the bin is to be fixed in place on Monday and added to the ELDC rota for emptying.

b.   Annual Parish Meeting 2023 – Due to the period of purdah the meeting must take place after 4th May.  A date was agreed for 20th May at 11am and will take place in Belchford Church.

c.   Matters Outstanding: IG advised that he is still working on the Fibre Broadband project.  The new key safe for the noticeboard has been installed.  Is planning permission required for the proposed play area on the village green.  Coronation plans will be shared later under agenda item 14.

6.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) – District Councillor Mr David Andrews was present and provided a brief report, he confirmed that he is standing for one more term.  The new hub at Horncastle is open and he is able to give guided tours for anyone who is interested.  The old ELDC offices at Manby have been sold including 11 acres of land.  There is funding for families or small businesses who are struggling with high energy costs and more information can be found via ELDC.  Three councils are represented at the hub – ELDC, South Holland and Boston.  There was no report from Police or County Councillor.  [D Andrews left at 8.12pm]

7.   Parish Council Elections 4th May 2023.  Nomination papers were handed out to all councillors present and information on how to complete the forms and how to submit the forms to ELDC was provided.

8.   To renew Website Maintenance Agreement 23/24 – This is the service provided through LALC and council agreed they did not wish to continue with this but wished to use a local person instead, N Sorenti.  The clerk will arrange a handover of the necessary access information.

9.   To review any potholes & other Highways matters – the clerk was requested with the help of the chairman, to write a strongly worded letter to express our frustration as using fix my street does not seem to work.  There is a pothole outside Mrs Murfin’s home.  JN confirmed that the speed signs are due to be installed next week.  PT requested that we ask for the Police speed camera to visit. 

10.   To consider rights of way & Footpaths 

a.   Proposed reinstatement of RoW (P Morris).  PM provided a background that the deadline of 2026 had been scrapped and ramblers groups are heavily involved in this process, the parish council are a legal consultee.  For the parish council to be actively involved it is necessary to form a sub-committee to find out the back story as we are representing all residents, in order for the parish council to be ready when we are asked for our opinion.  JN, PT and PM are all prepared to be on the sub-committee.  There may be costs involved in this process for copying and accessing the archives.  It was proposed seconded and resolved to set aside a £200 budget for this.

b.   Alleged footpath between the Ford on Ings Lane and public footpath no., 27.  MB had declared an interest in this item and as such is required to leave the room whilst this matter was discussed, MB refused to leave the room.  This matter could therefore not be discussed. The clerk noted that there is no written parish council evidence on this matter.  The clerk was asked to investigate the rules with regard to councillors and DPI’s.  At this point in the meeting Item 10. b. on the agenda was halted by the Chairman and no further discussion took place, due to contravention of Standing Orders.

11.   Tree Preservation Orders – KS is having an ongoing conversation with the ELDC Tree Officer about the Pig Hanging Tree and a meeting is being organised to inspect it.

12.   Play Area – A scheme is available for a climbing wall which can be fully funded however we need to provide evidence of need.  A report from the village green committee – apologies from the committee for the delay.  Funding is at the start of this process and 6 events are being planned to be held on the village green in 2023, including the Coronation picnic.  It is hoped that this will reinvigorate the community.  Events will include yoga, dance, car boot and social events.  PT asked if we can explore the proposal for a car park with the committee.  Who is the village green rep on the parish council? ZH or PT?  Is planning permission required for the proposed play area? Mixed messages are coming from ELDC.  The village green committee currently have £3,346 funds available.  A new treasurer has been appointed.

13.   Neighbourhood Development Plan – IG provided an update, lots of work has been done and the draft document is now on the website.  2 open evenings are being held, the next one on 18th May.  A feedback form is available.  A regulation 14 check is being done by ELDC.  JN, once ELDC have checked it, it can be amended before final submission and referendum.  JS, thanked all involved.

14.   Village Green Committee – This has been covered under item 12.

15.   Coronation 2023 – There are no plans other than the Community Picnic at the village green on Saturday 6th May at 1pm organised by the village green committee.  [one member of the public left at 9.12pm]  

16.   To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: There is none.

17.   Belchford Public Purposes Charity:  JN confirmed that all documents/signatories are now registered with the Charity Commission.  Access to the bank account has been confirmed.  There is approximately £900 available, however the amount of capital is unknown.  It is suggested that at the APM (20th May) applications are received for the money available.

18.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.  The RFO, NB has provided a financial report for this meeting.

a)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, NB provided a spreadsheet for the meeting via email earlier today.  The account balance is £6,505 all cheques have been paid out.  The Precept of £3,100 is due in April.  NB also provided an future projection.

b)   To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting.

c)   To note appointment of external auditor.

19.   Planning Matters: 

a.   S/130/00390/23 Environmental Impact Assessment @ Poachers Hideaway Holiday Cottages.  We are not consultees at this stage of the process and this is for information only.

b.   S/055/00343/23 The Old Rectory, Fulletby.  Deadline for comments is 17th March.

20.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: Please send articles to the clerk.  The date and venue for our APM, Village Green Events, NDP Survey and website for comments, 50 for 50 events within the AONB, Article for Rights of Way (PM) and Play Area (PT).  JN confirmed that she is available to produce the document and the clerk will request articles from councillors.  MB asked for dog walkers who use footpaths to keep dogs on leads to be included in the newsletter.

21.   To agree agenda items for the May 2023 meeting – The meeting will be held on 18th May 2023 in Belchford Village Hall.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.31 pm.