Present:                       Cllr Catherine Lack, Cllr Lucy Robb, Cllr Anne Booth, Cllr Martin Smith, Cllr Nathan Roe

Also Present:               Nicky Bush (Clerk), Cllr Murray Turner (SKDC)

Public Forum:              Two residents

Public Form

A resident raised an issue of a whole in the middle of the road where a resident had a fall due to a wheel becoming stuck in the whole.  It was agreed that Cllr CL would take a photo of this and report it on Fix my Street as a priority.

Meeting started 7.30 pm

23/085 Chair’s remarks.

Cllr CL welcomed Cllr NR to his first meeting.

23/086 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr Nickey Pretty and Cllr Hannah Weston Smith gave apologies. It was resolved to accept the apologies.

23/087 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

23/088 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 13-07-23 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes.They were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

23/089 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 14.09.23.

The Clerk also confirmed that she has received an invoice from Parish Online.  As the Parish was insured last year there was a free subscription to this portal.  It was resolved that as this service is not something that was used, and the clerk can see no benefit then this would not be renewed.

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment. 

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments.

23/090 Planning:

S23/1607 – Tree reduction at The Old Bakehouse, Market Place

No comments or concerns

S23/1615 – Approval of details for previous conditions 22 Market Place

Support the replacement of current glass and timber door.The door has an odd 8 panel subdivision. To match other doors in the Market Place, a more conventional 6 panel Georgian solid wood door would be preferable.

Action: Clerk to pass comments onto the planning dept

22/091 Correspondence

LALC e-news was received on Monday and there are details of changes to the 23-24 external audit with regards to all Councils having an email address with .gov.uk.  This is normally linked to the website domain name which is provided through Lincs County Council which does have a gov.uk address.  The clerk has contacted Lincs County Council to see if the email address can be via the current website domain provider before taking it further.

The clerk also advised of training dates for new councillors in October that are to be held via zoom

The clerk advised that she had received an email from Quickline communications a broadband company asking for permission to park their trailer on the car park while they are promoting broadband to rural areas.  The Councillors advised that permission would be required from Lincolnshire County Council as the carpark is part of the highway.

The clerk has also received an email from a resident with regards to dead trees at the top of Wilkie Drive.  Cllr AB confirmed that herself and John Kirby had walked around the village and these had been identified along with another hanging low over the pavement.  It was resolved that the John Kirby would cut back or remove these as they are not in a conservation area.  Another tree was identified however it is in a conservation area so planning permission would need to be obtained for this one.  It was resolved that permission for this would be applied for along with the Cherry Trees in the Market Place

Action: Clerk to notify Quickline that they need to speak to Lincs County Council, arrange training for Cllr NR

22/092 Clerks report.

The clerk raised the installation of the new bench by the phone box which has not yet been installed.  There are also two benches that need to be replaced in the play area as well.  It was resolved that a contractor would be sourced to install a bases and the bench.  Cllr MT agreed to send over a contact that he has.  He suggested that an application should be made to the Levelling up fund to cover the costs of these. 

It was agreed that Cllr’s CL, LR and NR would meet at the play area to look at what is needed on Saturday at 10.30.

Action: None

23/093 Updates from LCC/SKDC

Cllr MT updated the councillors on the direction of the district council since the recent election.  The new council are a progressive council and have taken £1m out of reserves to assist with the shortage of housing stock.  There is a lot to rebuild and they have a balanced budget with full approval. They are trying to get a rural voice into SKDC.

Cllr MT also advised that there is an upgrade to the street lights coming soon

Further discussion took place with regards to the possibility of lighting for the alleyway between West Road and Churchfields.  He is still trying to progress this however alternative options were discussed such as a solar/wind turbine light.

Action: None

22/094 Playing field

Pavilion/CCTV –  Cllr CL reported that the key to the football club is not currently working, she also informed the meeting that the football club has now folded. There is a possibility of the club reforming or amalgamating with another club.

As the CCTV is housed in the pavilion it was resolved that a locksmith would be sourced up to the value of £300 to enable the lock to be changed so that the CCTV could be accessed.

Allotments - The repairs to the allotment fence are due to be completed in the next couple of weeks.

Play area – Cllr LR reported that the signs are now more visible and that there has been a box of glass bottles and jars left by the waste bin which has been reported on fix my street. She confirmed that most of the items on the ROSPA inspection were areas that we are aware of.  It was resolved that Cllr LR would contact Creative Play to come and give us a quote for works and a budget of £1,000 was agreed.  It was also discussed that potentially the Levelling up fund may also give a grant towards these works.

Action: Cllr CL to source a locksmith for Pavilion, Cllr LR to obtain a quote for corrective works to be done.

22/095 Cherry Trees Planning application.

The clerk reported that the Cherry Trees do need planning permission as they are in a conservation area and that she has set an account up on the planning portal but will need support in completing the application.  It was resolved that Cllr MS and the grass contractor John Kirby would assist with this along with the one for the Manor House.

Action: Clerk to meet with Cllr MS and John Kirby to apply for the permissions needed

22/096 Salt Bins

The salt bin that had been moved has now been moved back.  The bin with the broken lid is to be reported on Fix my street by Cllr CL

Action: Cllr CL to report salt bin on fix my street

22/097 Lincs Highways - Survey

The clerk presented the Lincs highways survey – It was resolved that Cllr MS would complete this on behalf of the council.

Action: Cllr MS to complete the survey

22/098 SKDC – Consultation on Council Tax Support System

The Clerk presented the consultation received from SKDC with regards to the Council Tax Support System.  It was resolved that Cllr CL would meet with other councillors to discuss and completed the survey.

Action: Cllr CL to arrange for the consultation to be completed and submitted

22/099 Other village matters.

Christmas lights

Cllr CL reported that the yard in front of the Old School house has been offered as an area to place a Christmas tree and lights with the Council providing the tree, lights, and a contribution towards the cost of electricity.  It was resolved that a quote for a tree would be obtained from Aswarby Sawmill and the cost of lights, and a banner researched, and an application be made to the levelling up fund.

Big Clean – the state of the gutters and curbs was discussed, and it was resolved that the clerk would make contact with the highways department to make a request for this to be done.

Action: Clerk to Contact Lincs County Council regards gutters and curbs.  Costs for lights, tree and banner be obtained and application to levelling up fund be made.

Meeting Closed 8.57 pm

Date of next meeting:  16 November 2023 7.30 pm

Signed:                                                                                       (In the chair)