2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUDBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER 2019 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SUDBROOKE.

PRESENT: Councillors Peter Heath (chairman), Bob Waller (Vice Chairman), Andy Cottam, Mrs Lyn Etheridge, Stuart Hewson, Ian Russell, Mrs Christine Myers (Clerk), Mrs Bridget Solly (Treasurer)

131 – 19/20 PARISHIONERS ITEMS

• A resident had stated that the dyke to the rear of his property on Scothern Lane had become high with the recent wet weather, and whilst it had not flowed over it was noted that the culvert on Maple Drive was too small to take the additional flow causing a backup. The Parish Council asked the Clerk to refer the matter to LCC Highways.
• A resident had kindly cut back brambles on the footway on Church Lane. However this had revealed that the farmers’ boundary fence was now impeding the footpath. The Clerk had reported this to the landowner.
• A resident had reported standing water on the field on the southern side of Wragby Road and had been advised to contact LCC or the landowner.

132 – 19/20 APOLOGIES

Councillor Mike Turnbull.

That the apologies be accepted - unanimously Resolved.

133 – 19/20 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

Councillor Bob Waller declared an interest in Item 15a on the Agenda, ‘To consider/agree revised rates for Employers contribution rates for Lincolnshire Pension Fund three years – 20/21 – 22/23’ as the District Council representative for Pensions.

134 – 19/20 POLICE MATTERS

Incidents circulated.

135 – 19/20 COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT

County Councillor not present.

136 – 19/20 DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT

DC Bob Waller reported that the Parish Charter was currently under review and that a draft was currently being prepared.

137 – 19/20 REPORTS ON MATTERS OUTSTANDING

     a)     Upgrading of CCTV at Village Hall – Consideration of revised draft CCTV Policy – Members reviewed the Policy prepared by Councillor Stuart Hewson and instructed the Clerk to forward it to the Village Hall Committee for their approval prior to adoption.

     b)     Christmas Tree Switch on – Sunday 1st December 2019 – The Chair reported on the event in that although successful there appeared to be less residents attending which could have been due to a Christmas Fair being held at Nettleham.

             It was suggested that it would be useful for the Parish Council to own gazebos for events in the village and this to be further considered next spring.

             The Chairman thanked all those helping including Mr Roger Adams, Kate Buckley for the making of the mince pies, Martin Dickie and to Pat Wright for the choice and siting of the Christmas tree.

     c)     Work to beck carried out by the Rivers Trust – Councillor Ian Russell reported that volunteers had planted trees and shrubs in the Stuart Curtis Play Field during November.

     d)     FP159 – Diversion – Following a request to the landowner a reply had stated that as a gesture of goodwill they would be returning the footpath to how it was; there will be a kissing gate at either end and no stiles; the electric fence would be moved from the field edge; there will be no cattle in the field until May. The Parish Council had thanked the landowner.

     e)    To consider a regular maintenance plan for the wildflower area, Jubilee Garden – Councillor Mrs Barbara Bingham offered to contact the Lincolnshire Trust for Nature Conservation for advice on managing the plot.

     f)     Overhanging branch, Church Lane - Tree branches from two resident’s gardens had been broken and left hanging over the highway in Church Lane. The residents had been notified and although one of the branches had been dealt with by the owner the second remained. That this be reported to LCC Highways - unanimously Resolved.

     g)     Community Speedwatch – To receive interest shown by residents in participating and to consider whether to proceed with the initiative – Following this being mentioned in Sudbrooke News it had attracted no interest there that the initiative not proceed - unanimously Resolved.

138 – 19/20 TO CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF THE TENNIS COURTS/MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS AREA

• It was reported that wooden panels had again been kicked out of the Tennis Courts area. Members felt that continued public spending on this underused facility should be reviewed.
• The Treasurer was asked to report on expenditure for the last three years at the next meeting.
• That residents be advised that if the area was not used over the next few months an alternative use for it might be considered, eg car park – unanimously Resolved.

139 – 19/20 TO CONSIDER EITHER REGULAR MAINTENANCE OR REMOVAL OF THE HEDGE FRONTING THE VILLAGE HALL

That the hedge be cut to a height of one metre in January and August, the Clerk to obtain quotation to be included in the grounds maintenance contract - unanimously Resolved.

140 – 19/20 TO CONSIDER/APPROVE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE CONTRACT FOR 2020

Members agreed that they were satisfied with the current Grounds Maintenance Contractors, being local and having a good knowledge of the village.

The contract for the 2020 season was reviewed noting a 3% increase. That this be accepted proposed by Councillor Andy Cottam, seconded by Stuart Hewson - unanimously Resolved.

141 – 19/20 BENCHES

     a)     To consider removal of seat at rear of Village Hall – The seat being beyond economical repair to the Parish Council and had been replaced. That a note be placed in Sudbrooke News asking if any resident wanted to remove it for the wood - unanimously Resolved.

     b)     To consider request for provision of a picnic bench in play area of Village Hall – Following consideration members were doubtful that there was sufficient room in the Play Area for this addition. However that the suggestion be made to the Village Hall Committee that they provide one to the rear of the Village Hall as an asset for lettings - unanimously Resolved.

142 – 19/20 SUDBROOKE NEWS – TO CONSIDER APPOINTING AN ADVERTISING MANAGER FOR THE MAGAZINE

It was felt that this would assist the Editor if a separate person could take over the seeking of advertisers and the issuing of bills. That this voluntary position be advertised locally - unanimously Resolved.

143 – 19/20 PLANNING MATTERS

     a)     Neighbourhood Plan – Notification received that the Referendum will be held on 13 February 2020 in the Village Hall, Sudbrooke.

            That information be made available to residents to encourage them to come and vote at the Referendum - unanimously Resolved.

     b)     Central Lincolnshire Local Plan - The Village Check Sheet completion appeared correct save for a change of wording from ‘views’ ‘to Policies’. The Policies being designated in the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.

     c)     Park Development – That an update be requested on the opening up of the footpath through the woods and Main Drive - unanimously Resolved.

     d)     Application 140180 – 30 Wragby Road – Additional comments for consideration – It was reported that this application would be discussed at the WLDC Planning Committee on Wednesday 11 December 2019. That Councillors Peter Heath and Stuart Hewson speak on behalf of the Parish Council and residents - unanimously Resolved.

144 – 19/20 FINANCE

     a)     To consider/agree revised rates for Employers contribution rates for Lincolnshire Pension Fund three years 20/21 – 22/23 – That the new rates be accepted - unanimously Resolved.

     NB Councillor Bob Waller declared an interest as at the commencement of the meeting and took no part in the discussion.

     b)     Accounts for payment

• K Buckley – Mince pies - £12.50
• PKF Littlejohn LLP – Audit - £200 net, £40.00 VAT, £240.00 gross
• Parish Magazine Printing – November Sudbrooke News - £221.63
• LALC – Lunch on First Aid Training Course – 3 delegates - £27.00 net, £5.40 VAT, £32.40 gross
• Glendale Countryside Ltd – November cutting - £697.62 Net, £139.53 VAT, £837.15 gross.
• SLCC – Membership fees - £140.00
• Todds Office Solutions Ltd – paper - £20.66 net, £4.13 VAT, £24.79 gross
• Mrs C Myers – expenses November - £26.10
• Mrs C Myers – expenditure for Christmas hamper - £25.35
• Mrs C Myers – expenditure for Christmas tree event - £50.28
• Mrs C Myers – Purchase of fire extinguisher and blanket - £30.05
• Mrs C Myers – toner cartridges - £37.11 net, £7.42 VAT, £44.53 gross

That the above accounts be paid – unanimously Resolved.

     c)     Precept 2020/21

The budget/Precept for the next financial year was considered in detail as follows:-

That Sudbrooke Parish Council Precept £26,900.00 upon West Lindsey District Council - unanimously Resolved.

It was noted that this had not increased from the current financial year.

145 – 19/20 CLERKS REPORT

The Clerk reported that the Clerks Networking Day held at Cranwell on 27 November had been informative and useful.

Following the appointment of the new Play Equipment Inspector a list of works required had been received. This would be an agenda item for the next meeting of the Council.

146 – 19/20 CHAIRMANS COMMENTS

The Chairman stated that he was surprised at how much litter was in the Northfield Park Play area and urged users to put their litter in the bins provided.

147 – 19/20 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING AND CIRCULATED TO MEMBERS

* Circulated to residents email list

8.11.2019 – News from the ICO
14.11.2019 – Flooding update from WLDC
14.11.2019 – Community Lincs – Facilities News
18.11.2019 – LALC Weekly News
21.11.2019 - Lincolnshire County Council Policy Consultation Information 2021-2022 – Admissions
24.11.2019 – Letter re Lincolnshire County Council Pension Fund – Employer monthly contributions
*28.11.2019 – Call Connect Christmas promotions
*1.12.2019 – Notification of theft of quad bikes, Sudbrooke
2.12.2019 – LALC News
4.12.2019 – WYPF Pension Fund Matters November
5.12.2019 - Latest news from the ICO

148 – 19/20 DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Thursday 2 January 2020 – 7.30pm, Village Hall