May 2023 Minutes Annual Parish Council Meeting
MINUTES of the Annual Meeting of DEEPING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 22nd May 2023 at 7:00pm, in Deeping St Nicholas Primary School.
Present: Paul Barrett, Andy Croyle, Deborah Croyle, Barry Hopkins, Rob Jarvis and David Strudwick
Clerk/RFO: Angela Harrison
District Councilor: Bryan Alcock
County Councilors: Liz Sneath and Nigel Pepper
In the Chair: Deborah Croyle (Vice Chairman)
1. Election of Chairman and signing of the Acceptance of Office
Both P Barrett and L McGuinness were proposed and seconded.
A secret ballot was taken and votes counted by the Clerk.
• With 3 votes each, the Chair used her deciding vote for L McGuinness, so it was resolved to elect L McGuinness as Chair for the ensuing year.
It was agreed that LM could sign the Acceptance of Office for the position of Chairman later.
a. DC read out the following statement on behalf of LM.
Louise McGuinness Chairman’s address
I was voted as chair at the Parish Council AGM on 30th May 2022
My service began week commencing Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It was my pleasure to support the CTC community day event. A big vote of thanks to Debs and Andy Croyle, David Strudwick and all those involved in the community for bringing this project into fruition.
It was with sad news Charles Sly left the Parish Council and I would like to put on record another big vote of thanks for all his work, especially the work that is not always recorded and done behind the scenes such as bus shelter inspections, support for men’s shed and donations to children’s services community allotments. Thank you, Charles. Which leads me onto another vote of thanks to Nicholas Watts who supports villagers, parishioners and the wider community, again the support for Children’s services community allotments. A big thank you to Nicholas and to David Branton for arranging their own farm workers to take part in a litter pick along the village verges to keep it looking tidy. A thankyou to David Branton for efforts in highlighting the issues of hare coursing in our village and fly tipping which is an ongoing nuisance; for those that are caught it can be up to a £5,000 fine.
A big thankyou to Paul Barrett for all his work as editor for the village news and Sue Titcombe for arranging the articles. Paul continues to coordinate the volunteers for delivery of the village news and delivers some himself. We have a new editor, Andy Croyle, another big thank you to Andy for taking over the role and arranging the articles following Sue’s retirement. Well-earned and deserved after almost 15 years of voluntary services. A thankyou to Barry Hopkins for continued support of delivering village news and keeping an eye on dog fouling and the parks on the new estate.
We sadly lost Ric Chapman as our Tongue end representative a big thankyou to Ric for all his hard work and efforts for the Tongue End community wildlife project which is ongoing and being featured on Country File; the 1st episode was aired on TV Sunday 16th April.
In October we welcomed Rob Jarvis who is our Neighbourhood watch lead. At our March 2023 meeting, Rob reported 0 % crime reported in 20 weeks where the project had initially been rolled out. We look forward to the scheme rolling out throughout the village and become a crime free area. Thank you, Rob.
We will be losing both William Rodwell and David Branton who have decided to retire and will not be standing in the up-and-coming elections. A big thank you to both for all their years of service and wisdom brought to the Parish Council.
I would like to put on record a huge vote of thanks to both Andy and Deborah Croyle who, without their efforts and enthusiasm, we would not have made the progress we have with volunteers to support the Village Hall, Good Neighbour Scheme, Gardening Club, Book Boxes, Village News and FoLSS (Friends of Littleworth Station and Signal Box).
Nicholas Watts for putting such an amazing farm shop and café venue in our village.
Thank you to all our Parish Councillors over the past year where it has been my privilege to be Chair.
You the Parishioners of our village have told us how you would like to see the village and what facilities you would like in the village, and we are still working towards achieving all of those wish lists. Some projects take longer than others, but we will continue until we have achieved everything we set out to do. We cannot do it alone and do need your involvement so if you would like to take part, please contact us or come along to one of our meetings.
There are lots of exiting events happening through the village. The launch of Friends of Littleworth Station will be the next community project to start. The launch meeting will be held Tuesday 9th of May at the church 6.30pm to 8.30pm to restore the signal box into a museum and the old station buildings into a community hub. If you have missed the launch don’t worry, there will be other meetings. Please check our PC website and notice boards for more information alternatively you can contact Louise McGuinness 01775 630354.
Louise McGuinness Chairman of the Parish Council
2. Election of Vice Chairman
• D Croyle was nominated and seconded
There was a unanimous vote in favour of DC who was duly elected as Vice Chair for the ensuing year.
DC signed the Acceptance of Office for the position of Vice Chairman.
a. DC thanked members for their vote of confidence and thanked all the volunteers who give up their time and for their efforts throughout the village.
3. To resolve to co-opt Mr Nicholas Watts onto Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council.
The motion was proposed and seconded.
Following a unanimous vote, it was resolved to co-opt Nicholas Watts onto the Parish Council.
Public Forum
The Chair read out the following letter, received from Mr David Branton.
“My apologises for not writing before but I have not been too well recently (hopefully on the mend now) but as you will be aware I have not stood for re-election to Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council recently.
Having been a local councillor continuously for the last 50 years I felt it was time to retire from the role. I was born in the village, have lived here all my life and hope to continue to do so for the rest of my time, therefore if the Parish Council feel I can help with any issue that may crop up I am always available to try if required.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fellow councillors past and present for all their input and cooperation in working towards enhancing life in our village in whatever way over the years.”
Retired member, William Rodwell, was invited to speak.
William addressed the members, stating that he had served for approximately 25years and had really enjoyed it. He had only stood down as he has moved away from the area.
The Clerk read out a letter from Mr Tinsley, regarding the Cricket Bat Willows that were cut down when access was put in for his field.
The letter explained that the trees had come to the end of their life and were not used by the birds for nesting. New saplings have been planted and the increased light will help them to thrive.
A note was passed to the Chair by a parishioner; the note read as follows.
‘Questions to the Parish council from the residents with regard to the proposed reopening of the station.
When was a survey completed, how many leaflets were delivered and what was the return percentage?
What will be the financial benefit to the community be?
Is a footbridge proposed for the safety of the public/passengers?
What will the cost to the residents be?
Will the crossing be closed at all times when trains are in the station?
Who will manage and profit from the car park?
Thank you for your time, please minute these questions so that the answers can be included on the record of the next meeting.’
The Chair advised that the reopening of Littleworth station was part of the Parish Plan questionnaire which went out to all residents.
- The reopening of the station is being promoted through South Lincs Connected, (SLC), which Louise McGuinness is the Chair.
- These meetings are held independently, with progress reported back, via Ms McGuinness, to the Parish Council at their bi-monthly meetings, as can be seen in past Minutes.
Resident of Hop Pole, Susan Chappell, raised concern for Hop Pole and stated that the speed limit of 50mph was inappropriate for the area.
“Why was the 30mph reduction from the school to the village shop prioritised over reducing the 50mph limit in Hop Pole?”
Members advised that it is not permissible to carry out Community Speed Watch in a 50mph zone.
Cllr Pepper was invited to speak.
- Cllr Pepper spoke of occasions where, as a fire fighter, he had attended terrible road traffic accidents and sadly, fatalities at Hop Pole.
- He stated that he 30mph reduction that has just been agreed between the school and the village shop, has taken 2 years to go through. It was deemed a borderline case and only just met the criteria. If the case for Hop Pole meets the criteria the PC can send a request to Cllr Pepper and he also advised that the PC write to Staying Alive, at the Road Safety Partnership.
A full and frank discussion ensued, with the following suggestions made.
• Request Archer Strips to put across the carriageway to gather data.
• Request that the Police use the layby to record the speed of the traffic.
• Request that the speed camera near the Market Deeping turn-off be moved to Hop Pole.
The following course of action was agreed.
Data to be collected to support the request for a speed reduction.
Parish Council to make an official request to the Road Safety Partnership to reduce the limit from 50 to 40mph.
ACTION
4. To receive and approve apologies for absence.
Apologies had been received from Louise McGuinness and District Councillor Jim Astill.
It was resolved to approve the above apologies.
5. Election of Committees:
The existing membership list had been distributed prior to the meeting and it was resolved to approve the following.
a. Finance Committee
L McGuinness (Chairman), A Croyle, N Watts and D Strudwick
b. HR Committee (3 of which will make up an interview/grievance panel)
D Croyle (Chairman), A Croyle, B Hopkins, L McGuinness and D Strudwick
c. Planning Committee
A Croyle (Chairman), L McGuinness, R Jarvis and D Strudwick
d. Playing Fields & Bus Shelters Committee
P Barrett (Chairman), B Hopkins, R Jarvis and D Croyle
e. Community Wellbeing Committee
(Chairman), A Croyle, D Strudwick, L McGuinness and R Jarvis
6. To receive Declarations of Interest, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 being any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Member’s Register of Interests
There were none.
7. To approve the Minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting
It was resolved to approve the Minutes and for the Chairman to sign them.
8. Matters arising from the Minutes, (not included on this Agenda)
Item 12
AC advised that the PAT testing equipment has arrived and is ready to use.
Item 20
The new notice board at Campain’s Lane has been installed and is in use.
DC stated that the turning circle at the bottom of Carrington Drive is progressing thanks to the help from Cllr Pepper.
- Area has been marked out.
- Test holes have been dug.
- Homeowner is happy and there is a degree of co-operation from the neighbours who are allowing vehicles to park on their driveways when required.
9. Finance Matters
a. To receive finance reports from the RFO.
The Bank Reconciliation, Net Position and Summary reports were received.
b. To approve Invoices for Payment (separate sheet).
The motion was proposed and seconded and resolved to make the payments as listed.
c. To formerly approve Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2022/23.
Each section was read out and the motion was proposed and seconded and resolved that the Clerk and Chairman sign the Annual Government Statement.
d. To formally approve Section 2 – Accounting Statements of the AGAR 2022/23.
- The Accounting Statements had been signed by the RFO prior to the meeting.
- The motion was proposed and seconded, and it was resolved that the Chairman sign the Accounting Statements.
e. To resolve to approve the Annual Insurance premium for 2023/24.
- A motion to renew the Parish Council’s annual insurance with Zurich Municipal was proposed and seconded.
- It was resolved to renew the policy for 2023-24 and pay the premium of £1,112.92.
10. To receive the Clerk’s Report.
- The report was received.
- The Clerk was asked to add the cutting of the hedge on Haywain Drive to the report. ACTION
11. Planning Matters.
There were 2 applications received since the last meeting.
1. H03-0345-23 Received: 11/04/23 Address: Castle Roofing Supplies Six Score Road Deeping St Nicholas PE6 9QF - Conversion of existing independent dwelling (formerly annexe) to garage and home office, erection of new detached dwelling and change of use of existing industrial unit into garage/home office.
2. H03-0334-23 Received: 06-04-23 Address: 23 CHAPPELL ROAD DEEPING ST NICHOLAS SPALDING PE11 3ER - Garden room to rear of dwelling.
It was resolved that there were no comments to be made on either of the above applications.
12. To resolve to adopt the Holidays, Sickness and Absence Policies.
The motion was proposed, seconded and it was resolved to adopt all three policies and to upload them onto the PC’s website.
ACTION
13. To receive an update from the Community Committee
Good Neighbour Scheme
- Monthly ‘Cuppa and Cake’ and ‘Chatter Natter’ table in Vine House Farm Café.
- Lots of new users – lifts to hospital and doctors’ appointments.
- 1 year anniversary in April this year.
Community Trust Committee – Village Hall
- Awaiting to hear if there is a new developer for Home Farm.
Community Gardening
- Replanting the containers along the sides of the roads.
o Replacement planter required for Spearpoint junction towards Market Deeping end of the Main Road.
- Woodland area on the triangle needs a tidy up.
Village Fete to celebrate the King’s Coronation
- 9am to 4pm Saturday the 3rd of June.
- Volunteers required for the putting up and taking down of the marquee.
- Resignations received from members of the committee, so looking for new members to ensure that the fete goes ahead next year.
14. To resolve the use of the Triangle for the Summer Fete.
- The motion was moved and seconded.
- It was resolved to allow the use of the Triangle for the annual Summer Fete.
15. To receive an update from the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
- RJ advised that there had been no crime in the area that the scheme is currently operating.
- There are currently 5 Co-ordinators but looking for volunteers specifically for Hop Pole, the Main Road and Harrow Road.
- Only 5 crimes reported for DSN; 3 by a gentleman with dementia, 1 was domestic and the other was drugs found in the boot of a vehicle.
- Looking into launching Business Watch.
- NWS stickers will be handed out at the village fete and hand delivered to resident’s homes.
- Article in the Village News.
- Hope to have the whole of the Parish covered by the end of the year.
16. To receive an update regarding South Lincs Connected (SLC).
- There was no update available.
17. To receive an update from the Friends of Littleworth Station.
- The group was set up to investigate the gifting of the old railway building, to the local community, from the current owner.
- A site meeting has been organised with The Right Honourable Sir John Hayes MP and members of the SLC.
- A feasibility study will be required, regarding costs.
- Sponsorship from Network Rail may be an option.
- The building was last used in 1980 so may be in a poor state.
- PB asked that it be recorded that the PC errs on the side of caution with this.
18. To resolve the siting of a new dog waste bin on the corner of Chappell Road/New Road/Coronation Avenue.
It was resolved that the Clerk should consult with SHDC with regards to the location, acquisition and emptying of the bin.
ACTION
19. Agenda items for the next meeting.
• Matting underneath the children’s play area in St Nicholas Park.
• Speed awareness.
• Report following the Village Fete.
• Steering Group for future Village Fetes.
• To resolve the future of the Community Committee.
Meeting ended at 21:00
Next Meeting will be held on the 24th of July 2023