September 2023 DRAFT Minutes
Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council
Minutes from Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 21st September 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: J Newby (JN), P Thompson (PT), K Skalka (KS), M Brown (MB), P Morris (PM), N Sorenti (NS), I Goodall (IG) also present J Smith (JS), 5 members of the public, District Councillor D Simpson and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.
The public forum began at 7.30 pm
Public Forum: At the start of the public forum the Chairman welcomed everyone and invited members of the public to raise matters for discussion, which included, 3 blocked drains which are full and have grass growing out on Main road from Fulletby Road to Church. Also there is a drain grill broken outside Southview. These will be reported to LCC Highways via Fix my street. A report was received from Horncastle Biodiversity Group regarding a chalk streams project for the rivers Bain and Waring. Also discussed was the Ings Lane Bridleway and the matter of opening it up for use. There is a strength of feeling to have a volunteer led community clear up. If it needs clearing lets clear it. Discussion also followed regarding funding for the hire of machinery required to undertake this task.
Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.55 pm
1. Apologies for absence and reasons given – K Marris & N Brigginshaw, reasons provided and accepted.
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. JS for item 10 and MB for item 11.
3. Chairman’s remarks – PT noted that we are making progress and he thanked everyone for a positive response and for working hard for this community.
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2023 – 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: An incident with the Fulletby Sign, IG and JS are resolving this.
6. To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) –Police and County Councillor not present. D Cllr D Simpson advised that the local plan is being reviewed and consultations will be available during 2024. Planning Policy committee at ELDC have made recommendations. Members then discussed Wi Fi at the village hall and Mr Simpson advisee that there is a community grant opportunity which could contribute towards this.
7. TPO update – KS advised that there is nothing further to report until the ELDC officer returns next month. However it has been acknowledged that the Pig Hanging Tree is worthy of being recorded as a specimen.
8. Village Green Play Area progress & next steps – NS advised that a video has been submitted to Space Hive Hub for access to funding. Hemingby village have provided useful information based on their experience. A staged approach is being used with a National Lottery Community fund application. The rounder’s match was a success and a Christmas Party is to be held in the Bluebell, date to be confirmed. There is a lot of work for a small organising group and more people are need to share the workload.
9. LCC Highways matters – a site visit has taken place with PT in attendance and LCC Highways representatives plus LRSP. The village was walked to inspect drains and road edges and road condition. The road is in a poor state and eroded. A thorough Survey is to be carried out. Roads status reflects the vehicles that use it. Once the officer’s report has been done he will get to us and the Council. Gritters are to be asked to calibrate accordingly. LRSP colleague noticed out signage and will arrange for speed recording equipment to be placed in the village. The clerk was requested to get information and prices on the EVOLIS solar powered speed devices.
10. Ings Lane Bridleway: The proposal discussed in the public forum for a volunteer group to clear a 1 or 2m wide pathway through Ings Lane was discussed further. D Urry is to be contacted by PT to discuss hire of machinery and costs and a target month of November for carrying out this work. JS requested expenses to be covered for his machinery. There may be potential firewood available also as a result of this clearance.
11. Footpaths: DMM0421 & DMM011 – [MB left the room 8.30] A consultation will take place probably in October lasting 42 days. A supporting parish council response to the consultation was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved. [MB Returned 8.34pm]
12. Drainage Map – Councillors will rake a road each and the clerk will respond within the deadline.
13. London Plane Crown Lifting – JS, The London Plane was chosen as it is happy to be crown lifted. A Bond is to be asked to carry out this work professionally. A price will be obtained first and please note that the Christmas Lights are in the tree. JS to action.
14. Community Woodland – It is starting to look like a woodland, the ragwort has been attacked strongly this year – well done. Hedgehog shelters are being added too. The deer damaged and dry summer in 2022 has seen of a lot of trees. The land drain will be actioned by JS and more trees are needed. It would be nice to plant a small arboretum of small coniferous trees (20 yew, scots pine, leylandii trees) – it would give the woodland another point of interest. This would be fenced. A grant is available from Wolds Countryside Scheme. This was proposed, seconded, voted and resolved. PM has seedling apple trees, a work party is to be organised in the autumn. JS and PT are available to meet with the ELDC representative regarding free trees. IG asked about hedge cutting.
15. Welcoming new people – This is to be deferred to the next meeting.
16. Signage for Defibrillators – A simple weatherproof sign was suggested so that people know where they are in both villages. A reminder will be put in the newsletter too. The clerk asked what service agreement is in place for them, who services them and changes the pads etc. This information is not known and JN will try to find out what if anything is in place. The village hall committee are to be asked if they would be happy for the Belchford Defib to be relocated from the rear of the pub to the village hall.
17. Website: NS advised that she wishes to hand back this responsibility, she has taken on too many tasks, now as a parish councillor has a conflict of interest and proposed that we set up an agreement with LALC to maintain the website as previously done. Proposed seconded, voted and resolved.
18. Funding for NDP Regulation 14 Consultation: IG, there have been meetings in March & May and informal input from ELDC. The document has been edited and the next step is Regulation 14 consultation. Every householder and business plus statutory bodies are to be contacted. Consultation will start on 1st October for 2 months to 1st December. There are 2 things to be paid for, 2 hard copies one in each Church. And an online version is also available. The printing of a 2 page advert / form for every home. This will cost approximately £250 and needs to be done before 29th September. How are the forms collected / returned? Responses can be submitted online. Paper copies can be returned to the clerk or to parish council representatives. A timed delivery of a letter and the forms will be sent by the clerk after discussion with IG. Maximum budget approved £300, proposed, seconded, voted and resolved.
19. To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: There are none.
20. Financial matters: No paperwork or data has been circulated by NB.
21. Planning Matters: There are none.
22. To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: The last newsletter has only just been delivered and the next one will be constructed from the November meeting.
23. To agree agenda items for the November 2023 meeting – The meeting will be held on 16th November at Belchford Village Hall. Items for the agenda will include, Community Woodland, Bridleway clearance, Bain Valley Project. PM and JS advised of apologies in advance for the November meeting.
There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.27 pm.