2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

MINUTES of a Meeting of DEEPING ST NICHOLAS PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 25th September 2023 at 7:00pm, in Deeping St Nicholas Primary School

Present:    Louise McGuinness, Deborah Croyle, Andy Croyle, David Strudwick, Rob Jarvis, Nicholas Watts, Sue Levitt, Paul Barrett and Owen McGuinness

Clerk:       Mrs Harrison

County Cllr: Nigel Pepper
District Cllr: Bryan Alcock 

12 parishioners 

In the Chair:   L McGuinness

48.   Chairman’s welcome and Public Forum.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked that members stand to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Barbara Camps, a previous Clerk for Deeping St Nicholas Parish Council who, following illness and retirement, sadly passed away on the 11th of September at home with her family.

Public Forum

•   James Mitchell, a relatively new parishioner residing at East Reach Farm, asked whether the Parish Council were responsible for a slip of paper that had been put through his door, stating, ‘On behalf of the parish council please could you restore the footpath in front of your property to its full width so that it is safe for people to walk on.’
-   Mr Mitchell explained that he was waiting until after the bird nesting period before cutting back his hedge, but with no contact details on the slip, he questioned whether it was official.
-   The resident was quite angered that a flail mower had been taken to his hedge later in August and stated that there were dead birds seen on the ground afterwards.

It was established that the slip had been put through by one of the members, but not on official PC headed paper.

It was stated that all future correspondence must come via the Clerk.

•   Katherine Warden of Hop Pole asked what progress had been made with regards to the speeding in Hop Pole.

The Chairman advised that it would be discussed under item 11 on the agenda.

•   The Clerk raised an issue on behalf of a resident that couldn’t attend the meeting, that was posted on Facebook.  The issue was regarding regular bonfires at the rear of a property opposite Harrow Road.  The resident had washing out on her clothesline as it was a nice day, but had to take it all down and wash it again because of the smoke.

The Chair suggested that the rules be included in these minutes.  Rules can be found on South Holland District Council’s website and read as follows. 

•   site your bonfire away from fences, hedges or buildings
•   only burn dry material
•   never burn rubber, plastic or paint. Don't be tempted to use petrol or other inflammable liquids to start a bonfire
•   inform neighbours that you are planning to have a bonfire
•   take account of wind direction to prevent smoke blowing into neighbours’ gardens or across roads
•   avoid burning during periods when neighbours may be spending time in their gardens
•   supervise the bonfire at all times and contact the Fire and Rescue Service if there is a risk to the safety of people or buildings.

49.   To receive and approve reasons for absence.

Apologies had been received from County Councillor Liz Sneath and District Councillor Jim Astill.

-   The Clerk advised that she had received no apologies from Barry Hopkins and that this was now the second meeting he had missed.  Should he not tender apologies at the next meeting, he will be automatically disqualified due to non-attendance for a 6 month period and lose his seat on the Parish Council.

50.   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.

51.   To approve the Minutes of the previous Parish Council meetings.

The Minutes were proposed by RJ, seconded by DS and approved through a show of hands and were signed by the Chairman.

52.   Matters arising from the Minutes, (not included on this Agenda).

There were none.

53.   To receive the Clerk’s report on matters outstanding.

The report had been circulated prior to the meeting and was received by members.

Bus Shelter at Littleworth

PB stated that it was put up around the year 2000.

-   The issue with the subsidence may cause problems with the buses.
-   RJ stated that he was awaiting 2 quotes to shore up the plinth underneath the shelter.
-   The bus pull-in needs to be 2.4 meters.

Cllr Pepper agreed to attend a meeting with RJ to look at the situation.

ACTION: RJ & Cllr Pepper

Welcome Gates

It was suggested that the Clerk contact Sutton St Edmunds Parish Council to find out where they got theirs and how much they cost.

ACTION: Clerk

54.   Finance Matters: -

a.   To receive Finance Reports from the RFO 

A bank reconciliation, Summary of Receipts and Payments reports had been circulated prior to the meeting.

The Chairman signed the Bank Reconciliation.

b.   To approve Invoices for Payment (separate sheet)

A list of receipts and a list of payments had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Clerk also requested that 2 invoices received from Savills after the list had been circulated, be approved.

1.   Shillaker’s Farm 0% VAT £963 

2.   East Reach & Chapel Farms 0% VAT £50.00

The Clerk’s expenses claim was moved to “in Committee”.

Payments were moved by AC, seconded by DS and approved unanimously.

55.   To receive the notes from 2 meetings of the Finance Committee and to resolve whether to approve the recommendations.

LM went through the notes and referenced the following.

WP meeting 14.08.23

Item 4. Quotes for the fencing at Littleworth playing field.

Although one quote has been received, it is not for the right type of fencing, as the PC is looking to replace the existing chain link fence with green, steel, curve top fencing.

-   The Clerk advised that she had contacted LCC, (via Cllr Pepper), and clarified that the bus shelter and plinth is on PC land.

ACTION: RJ to seek quotes for fencing.

Item 5. Gateway signs/repairs for the village.

The repairs to the existing gateway signs were proposed by RJ, seconded by SL and agreed unanimously.

Item 6. Christmas decorations/tree.

It was suggested that a Christmas tree be sited on the triangle at the top of Harrow Road.

-   The tree will need to be a minimum of 20’ tall and require an electric feed for the lights.
-   AC stated that the tree at Crowland cost approx. £500 which was donated by a local company.
-   The Chair asked for a proposer and seconder, that provided the PC do get a tree, the cost of electric and lights, etc be approved.

OM proposed, RJ seconded and all agreed.

NW offered to gift a tree to the PC.

Item 10. CSW: Additional speed gun(s).

The parish now have an additional 14 people trained.

RJ proposed that the PC purchase an additional gun and associated items, PB seconded and all agreed.

-   The volunteers would also need long sleeved Hi-Viz advisory signs, bag and a clicker. 
-   PB stated that there were a couple of volunteers that had brand new Hi-Viz with sleeves in XL that had never been used.
-   RJ agreed to speak with them to see if they are still available.

ACTION: RJ

Item 11. Playing field inspections – RoSPA vs Zurich.

Zurich required too much information and would be more expensive, so the Clerk has booked an inspection through RoSPA.  Unfortunately, the PC has missed the discounted period.

-   RJ confirmed that he would be accompanying the RoSPA inspector on the 4th of October.

Item 14. Playing fields maintenance budget and liberty to spend.

The Chairman proposed that the PC provide a £250 contingency spend between the bi-monthly meetings, rolling throughout the year.

Any spend would need to be approved by 3 members to include the Chair or Vice Chair.

AC seconded the proposal and all agreed.

WP Meeting 06.09.23

Item 3. Matters arising from the notes, (of the August meeting).

It was resolved to move items d. and g. into closed session.

Item 4. Grant Funding, (Windfarm/Grass roots).

OM advised that he had researched the following funding pots.

1.   Up to £2,500 via LCC (Bishop funding)

2.   UK shared prosperity, up to £24,999.

Friends of Littleworth Station, (FOLS) and Tongue End rewilding project could benefit.

-   Household support funds, no benefits or cost of living payments up to £300 in vouchers.
-   RJ advised that he has quotes from Wickstead for new play equipment and that Screwfix and Tesco’s have grant funding.  He agreed to send details to OM.

ACTION: RJ

-   OM advised that he had also been looking at lights for the Christmas tree.
-   AC advised that the PC could put in an application to the Windfarm towards the cost of new play equipment, but not the fencing due to the subsidence issue and lack of quotes.

It was confirmed that the next Finance Committee working party meeting would be held on the 6th of November to focus on zero budgeting.

56.   To resolve the purchase and siting of a new defibrillator on Coronation Avenue, following a request.

RJ spoke of a recent incident where a defibrillator was needed, but the nearest one was too far away, at the village shop.  With a lot of elderly people living on Coronation Avenue, RJ proposed that a new defibrillator be purchased and sited on the side of his property.  He would be happy to fund the cost of the electricity.

-   Members believed that St Nicholas Way would be the ideal location, but an electric supply would be needed.

After discussion, it was resolved that an additional defibrillator be purchased and sited on RJ’s property.

Proposed RJ, seconded OM and all agreed.

ACTION: RJ to find out cost.

57.   Planning Matters and to receive the report of the Planning Committee.

The report below had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Planning Committee Report for meeting 25/9/23

As is customary the committee has not met since the last meeting and applications have been circulated by email to elicit committee member’s responses. I summarise below the applications received since just before the last meeting and the responses obtained.

Also:

The Old Vicarage, Main Road, DSN

It has been suggested that this property was suffering from subsidence and has been sold to a developer. We may expect an application for several dwellings on the grounds.

Jubilee Hall / Car storage area / Blue Bell, Main Road, Hop Pole

I have heard from two sources that this land has been sold to a developer.  Again, we may expect an application for several dwellings on the grounds. This may strengthen the case for a speed restriction through Hop Pole.

Question of SHDC Planning

The second access to the Littleworth Park housing development at the eastern corner of the site is being used by residents of the four or five houses now occupied at that end of the development. Two more are marked Sold and will doubtless be occupied soon.

Action

Monitor, contact SHDC Planning if this access is not closed when the development is complete.

Since receiving the report, notification has been received from SHDC which states application H03-0708-23 has been approved.

58.   Highways Matters and to receive the Community Speed Watch, (CSW) report.

The following report had been circulated prior to the meeting.

11th August 

0800 to 0900 Harrow Road 40MPH zone 

-   5 speeders caught. 
-   traffic count of 439 vehicles 
-   worst offender 51MPH. 

18th of August  

aborted due to one volunteer taken ill. 

7th September 

1600 to 1700 Harrow Road 40MPH zone 

-   10 speeders caught. 
-   traffic count of 566 vehicles 
-   worst offender 61MPH. 
-   Abuse from a Spalding based tree and garden maintenance company. 

9th September 

0800 to 0900 Harrow Road 40MPH zone 

-   8 speeders caught. 
-   traffic count of 416 vehicles 
-   worst offender 48MPH 
-   1 vehicle with an illegal number plate. 

PB added that the group go out at different times and days, but not during the hours of darkness.

-   RJ asked why there were no reports from November 2022 to August 2023 and stated that following his recent CSW training, the abusive driver should have been reported to 999 and the team should pack up immediately.
-   PB advised that there were no previous reports due to volunteer sickness.

LM reported that she had raised the Highway issues at a recent South Lincs Connected (SLC) meeting regarding the Archer Strips and speed reduction for Hop Pole, plus welcome gates and was advised to write to individual departments.                                                                                                

59.   To receive an update regarding the passing place on Campain’s Lane.

No parking signs need to be replaced with Passing Place signs.

ACTION: Clerk

60.   To receive a report from the HR Committee.

DC advised that the committee had not yet met, therefore recommendations will be put forward at the next PC meeting.

61.   To receive an update from the Playing Fields and Bus Shelters Committee.

A comprehensive report had been circulated prior to the meeting.

-   RJ advised that the Committee will be purchasing 5 new swings, which should come within the £250 maintenance budget.
-   He thanked the Clerk for the thank you letters sent out to volunteers and said that the volunteers had been overwhelmed to receive them.

3 quotes for new equipment have been received this evening, just awaiting quotes from Kompan.

Ideas for Littleworth Park

-   Community orchard and allotment.
-   2 quotes are being sought for a Tennis Cour t/ 5-a-side pitch / Basketball Court (MUGA).
-   LM advised that the PC did look at the idea of a skate park on that site several years ago, but the cost was prohibitive and there were issues with young children crossing the busy road.

RJ asked the PC to authorise the immediate removal of any items of equipment if deemed necessary by the RoSPA inspector.

SL moved the proposal, AC seconded, and it was approved unanimously.

62.   To receive a report from the Good Neighbour Scheme.

DC gave the following verbal report.

-   Tonic Health Care, LCBS and Talking Therapies are keen to work with us through the Chatter Natter table.
*   This will be big growth for us, but they will support us with advertising.
-   We are advertising more ourselves, now that we know who’s going to be there.
-   The VHF Café manager suggested that someone on the door would be good to signpost people to the table.
-   This also opens other doors for funding.
-   AC added that they had received more calls for assistance in the last couple of months.
-   One resident had been scammed for £8,000 but with help through the GNS volunteers, has now got their money back.

63.   To receive an update from the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

-   RJ advised that the area covered by the NWS is still crime free.
-   However, there had been an attack on a bus driver and Police officer by a known resident of Harrow Road.
-   Still looking for more co-ordinators to cover Harrow Road and the Main Road.

64.   To receive an update regarding South Lincs Connected (SLC).

LM advised that she had taken the list from the previous Council meeting.

-   Working with Cllr Sneath regarding the reopening of the station.
-   Working with Donington who are also looking to reopen their station.
-   DSN now has a Saturday bus service going from Springfields to Stamford.
-   Peterborough got £48M from the Levelling Up fund which we could tap into.
-   Will follow-up with Sir John Hayes MP.

65.   To receive a report from the Gardening Club.

DC gave the following verbal report.

-   Entered the village into the ‘In Bloom’ competition for the second year running.
-   Vine House Farm and Café won the best retail premises in East Midlands – Gold Award!
-   The village won Silver this year, up from Bronze in our first year.
-   The Sensory Garden on the Triangle won the Judges’ Award.
-   The ethos of the Gardening Club is to improve and brighten the place we live.
-   Progressing well with the woodland area, with mulch, ferns, Bluebells and Cyclamens.
-   Desperate for more volunteers to join the team.
-   Tongue End want to enter separately, and we have agreed that planters that have been replaced will be refurbished and re-used in Tongue End.

Members congratulated the Gardening Club for all their work and achievements.

66.   To receive an update from the Friends of Littleworth Station following their recent meeting.

LM advised that there had been no meeting yet, but that architectural surveys would be needed urgently.

67.   Agenda items for the next meeting.

1.   CSW

2.   Footpaths (Highways)

3.   Hop Pole (Highways)
 
“In Committee”

The Public & Press to be excluded from the meeting in accordance with the provision of Section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings Act 1960).  The items to be discussed being of a confidential nature.

Item 8.  Finance Committee WP meeting 06.09.23

Item d. Christmas Do

i. Chairman’s Allowance

Recommendation from the Finance Committee that the Chairman’s Allowance be set at £250 for the remainder of 2023-24

Proposed by DC, seconded by AC and voted unanimously.

ACTION: AC to put something in the VN to commemorate Centenarians within the village.

ii. Venue

Recommendation from the Finance Committee to book the Woodlands Hotel, Spalding for the evening of the 11th or 12th of January 2024

RJ proposed Thursday the 11th, seconded by DS and voted unanimously.

ACTION: Clerk to book.

g. Service Recognition policy and associated costs.

Recommendation from the Finance Committee that the PC adopts the amended policy.

DC Proposed, NW seconded and voted unanimously.

68.   To receive an update regarding partnership working with the M.O.J. following a recent site visit.

Work will start in the next few weeks, with the following works.

-   Bus shelters cleaned.
-   Strim around existing Gateway signs and planters.
-   LM has asked if LCC will fund the new Gateway signs.

Meeting ended at 9.05pm