2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

DRAFT MINUTES of the Meeting of DEEPING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 27th July 2020 at 7:00pm, at Deeping St Nicholas Church

Present:          David Branton (Vice Chairman), Andy Croyle, Deborah Croyle, Nicholas Watts, Louise McGuiness, Charles Sly, Paul Barrett, Richard Ivatt, Barry Hopkins

Angela Harrison (Clerk)

County Cllr Elizabeth Sneath

County & District Cllr Nigel Pepper

District Cllr Jim Astill

District Cllr Bryan Alcock

                        Winston Brown (Press Officer)

1.    Apologies

At the time of the meeting, apologies had been received from:

William Rodwell (Chairman) who is recovering from illness

2.    Declarations of Interest (in accordance with the LGA 2000)

A Croyle, N Watts & D Croyle declared a non-pecuniary interest as members of the Community Trust Committee.

Richard Ivatt declared an interest in item 7 as his wife is one of the candidates to be considered for the vacancy in Tongue End

3.    Public Speakers (Max 3 mins each)

None

4.    Minutes of the Parish Meeting held on Monday 1st June 2020

Proposed:       R. Ivatt

Seconded:       N. Watts

It was resolved to formerly adopt the Minutes and for the Chairman to sign them as a true record.

5.    Matters Arising from the Minutes

A Croyle asked if the Chairman had any further information regarding the Churchyard grass cutting quote.

D Branton stated that he hadn’t yet.

6.    Reports from County & District Cllrs

•   E. Sneath said that she thought it was fantastic news about the cranes at Willow Tree Nature Reserve at Tongue End, which even made the National daily press.  A great success for Tongue End!

•   N. Pepper - Attended the Transport meeting regarding the reopening of Littleworth Station which was hosted by L McGuinness.  Great support from the local MP who was also in attendance.

•   B. Alcock stated that he’d like to speak about the Home Farm Development under the Planning agenda item.

•   J. Astill stated that he had nothing to add

7.    Application for vacancy on Parish Council (Tongue End)

Regarding the list of 4 possible candidates, the Chairman stated that the applicant from Campain’s Lane had removed his application following the death of his wife in February.  Also, the applicant from Hop Pole was unable to be considered as a ward Councillor for Tongue End, as he lives beyond the 3-mile radius.  He would however, be considered should a seat in the Deeping St Nicholas ward become vacant.

•   There were 2 remaining candidates, both of whom are current residents of Tongue End

•   It was agreed that face-to-face, socially distanced interviews, would be arranged by the Clerk, with a subcommittee of at least 3 Councillors

•   PB stated that the Church is available anytime and has all Covid-19 mitigating measures in place

It was agreed to use the Church

•   Those wishing to take part in the interviews were:

P Barrett, A Croyle, N Watts and L McGuinness

The Clerk stated that the Chairman, W Rodwell had also expressed an interest in attending the interviews, via a telephone call prior to the meeting, so his name was added with the Vice Chairman, D Branton, on ‘standby’ should the Chairman be unable to attend due to his health.

It was unanimously agreed, to give executive powers to this sub-committee, to appoint a Councillor, with either the Chairman or the Vice Chairman having the deciding vote, if required.

7. Report from the Playing Fields & Bus Shelters Committee

•   CS Stated that during a recent inspection, he noticed that the bus shelter at the top of Carrington Drive, opposite the pub at Hop Pole, requires a hole knocking in the back as the rain water and sludge accumulates at the back

•   Hop Pole playing field

DB stated that he is in contact with the land agents regarding the access, as it appears to direct pedestrians onto part of the driveway of the adjacent residential property.

•   Apparently, the access has existed for at least 40 years, so it may be allowed to stay as it is.

•   It could easily be changed if necessary, but the reason for the current design, was to prevent children from running straight onto the busy main road.

•   Bus shelter at Hop Pole

CS reported that the Bissell Post is loose

·         LM will follow up this up

Tongue End Playing Field

•   Spalding Youths under 8s and under 16s are looking for land to train at least once a week.  The FA would mark it all out for them

-     They are currently paying £500 per month

-     The field has been cut and the bales were carted last night

-     CS raised issues regarding the uneven ground and car parking

-     RI added that as long as the benefits outweigh the costs then it could be a win-win for the Council and the people of Tongue End

-     PB stated that goal posts would need to be erected with the nets removed each time due to health and safety

•   The Chairman invited Cllr Sneath to comment

-     Cllr Sneath thought that it would be a great idea, adding that I t would open up the village and be a win-win for everyone

The Chairman asked LM to get in touch with them to investigate and report back to the Playing Fields & Bus Shelters Committee

•   NW asked about the progress on whether we will be able to reopen Littleworth Station

•   LM replied that John Hayes has put a holding letter in and we are getting everything prepared ready for the next funding bid

•   LM Looking at 2 bids:

1.    a more up to date feasibility study

2.    for the reopening of the station.

The company that are currently using the site, is on board and will be included in all future meetings

8. Report from the Finance Committee

9. Report from the Planning Committee

A vote was taken and all Cllrs, (apart from A Croyle, D Croyle and N Watts who abstained),  voted in favour of both applications.

10. Correspondence

The Clerk reported that a lady had put a post on the Deeping St Nicholas Chatter Facebook Page, asking who to contact regarding using the triangular piece of land off New Road, for fitness classes. DC had passed on the Clerk’s name and although the lady then sent a ‘friend request’ to the Clerk, (which she duly accepted), no further communications had been made.

It was agreed to wait for the lady to make contact with more details.

11.  To discuss any information which the Chairman my legally bring to the Council’s attention

NW mentioned the potholes along North Drove Bank which are getting worse

-       The Chairman agreed that it was becoming extremely dangerous and asked Cllr Pepper if he would chase this up.

-       Cllr Pepper agreed to put pressure on the relevant department to get it done.

LM spoke regarding the Parish Plan Questionnaire

-       She is now in the process of getting quotes for publishing and wished to be given the power to get them printed at a cost of up to £500

-       Previously it had cost £750 but with herself, AD & DC working on the questionnaire, they had managed to remove all irrelevant questions, which had reduced the size by half

LM asked for addresses to use for the residents to drop off their completed questionnaires

-       NW offered to use Vine House Farm,

-       BH offered the use of his address on the new estate

LM also asked that, as done previously, she would like the PC to offer a £50 prize draw, in order to incentivize people to complete the questionnaires

Everyone agreed

Local Transport update – L McGuinness

The extended 203 service; Stamford to Market Deeping, (now to Spalding), was growing steadily pre Covid-19 and school movement had increased. The service is currently running at 30% capacity which is national across the Country.  The service will benefit from an hourly off-peak service, which is on hold while on lock down. Ticket sales have shown DSN residents are changing at Market Deeping to join connecting 102 services to Peterborough with the rover ticket purchases.

Littleworth Re Opening Project

Zoom meeting took place on Friday 17th September with Sir John Hayes MP, to re-ignite the benefits of having a station / Halt at Littleworth Deeping St Nicholas. The Government are really enthusiastic on Rail reopenings and have committed £500 M including £20 M for a new station fund, via several rounds of bidding.

Sir John Hayes MP has written a ‘holding letter’ to the Transport Minister for DSN and Donnington Stations and a working party has been formed to support LCC progress with a bid into the funds available. Next meeting will involve local, district and county level Cllrs, before the next stakeholder meeting.

The Chairman thanked LM and all those involved for their continued efforts on this project.

Crime

BH spoke about his observations whilst walking around the new estate.  He stated that on the Haybarn Road side of the estate and by the triangular piece of land, he had spotted 3 lads in a car, they put the bonnet up of their car and were allegedly drug dealing. Another gentleman spotted them and the Police have also spotted them in Harrow Road.  It would appear that by putting up the bonnet, passers by would assume they had broken down and therefore not be suspicious.

PB stated that there is drug dealing going on in the village and in the street where he lives.  There has been a greater Police presence due to this and they are collating information and evidence.  He also stated that there is a Metropolitan Police officer residing in the area, who the local Police are liaising with.

The Chairman encouraged everyone to report any incidences to the Police in order to assist them with their evidence.

With no other items to discuss, the Chairman declared the meeting closed.

Meeting ended at 8:30pm