November 2020 Parish Council Minutes

MINUTES OF THE REMOTE MEETING OF SUDBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2020

PRESENT: Councillors Peter Heath (Chairman), Bob Waller (Vice Chairman), Andy Cottam,
Stuart Hewson, Ian Russell, Mike Turnbull 
County Councillor Mrs Sue Rawlins
Clerk Mrs Christine Myers
Treasurer Mrs Bridget Solly
2 residents

31 – 20/21  PARISHIONERS ITEMS

* A resident explained that he was proposing to submit a planning application for a small development on Scothern Lane and referred to the Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan in which it stated that a Consultation Statement should be submitted with such applications.  The resident was advised that this would be discussed later in the meeting under Planning.

* A report of a stone trail being left on the grassed area to the rear of Maple Drive.  For safety the Clerk had informed the grass cutting contractors.  The Chairman would take a look to confirm if removal was required.

* A resident had complained of increased dog fouling on St Edwards Drive.  The Clerk would arrange signage to be placed in the area. The same resident reporting increased overhanging hedges in the area – a note to be made in Sudbrooke News regarding this.

* A report of a new business being carried out in West Drive was made. WLDC would be notified.

* Drain Cover damaged on Manor Drive – Clerk reported to LCC Highways with request for urgent repair.

32 – 20/21  TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS GIVEN

Councillor Mrs Lyn Etheridge – That her reason be accepted unanimously Resolved.

33 – 20/21  TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA

None declared.

34 – 20/21  NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 1 OCTOBER TO BE APPROVED AND SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN AS MINUTES

That the notes be signed as minutes unanimously Resolved.

35 – 20/21  POLICE MATTERS/ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE VILLAGE

Problems with anti-social behaviour in areas of the village had been reported to the Police and were being monitored by them.

36 – 20/21  COUNTY COUNCILLOR AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

CC Mrs Sue Rawlins reported that the works on the A46 roundabout was progressing well although there would be traffic disruption in that area until mid-December.  

That Devolution had been put on hold by Central Government.

37 – 20/21  DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT

DC Bob Waller reported that there had been a new Leader for WLDC appointed – Councillor Owen Brierley.

WLDC were currently tackling the increased level of fly tipping seen during Lockdown.  The Council will work closely with DEFRA to reduce litter from fast food outlets, become a member of Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, Parks Campaign and the Charity Bin sponsorship scheme.

The Local Government Secretary had announced further Covid funding support of £1bn for Local Authorities.  WLDC will receive £333,060 bringing the total grant to £1,496,322.  This grant is supporting the additional costs being experienced in supporting communities, the vulnerable, ICT costs in enabling staff to work from home securely.

DC Waller was questioned about the recent felling of trees on Wragby Road following a TPO being placed.  It was noted with disappointment that their had been no input from the WLDC Enforcement Department with the offender only being asked to plant replacements. That the Parish Council enquire with the local Arborist undertaking the tree felling on behalf of the owner of the trees for his version of the events unanimously Resolved.

38 – 20/21  PLAY EQUIPMENT WORK – QUOTATIONS FOR REMOVAL OF OBSOLOTE EQUIPMENT

Quotation received for the removal of the balance beams at the Village Hall play area in the sum of £50.  That the quotation be accepted unanimously Resolved.

Councillor M Turnbull had inspected the Climbing Tower and overhead rings and suggested that it be left in place for a further six months, with continual monitoring.  This action was unanimously Resolved.

39 – 20/21  TREE WORKS – CONSIDERATION OF QUOTATIONS

a.     Jubilee Garden – Quotations received in the sums of £280.00, £350.00, £350.00
That the quotation be accepted in the sum of £280.00 from Marks Tree Surgery, unanimously Resolved.

b.     Village Hall – Quotations received in the sum of £375.00, £620.00, £590.00.
That the quotation be accepted in the sum of £375.00 from Glendale Countryside, unanimously Resolved.

c.     Manor Drive – That there currently be no work carried out to trees on Manor Drive unanimously Resolved.

40 – 20/21  TO CONSIDER INSURANCE COMPANY ADVICE THAT AN ANNUAL INSPECTION OF TREES, FOR WHICH COUNCIL HAS RESPONSIBILITY IS CARRIED OUT

Councillor Ian Russell suggested, and it was agreed, that two members of the Parish Council could walk around the Village Hall playing field, Northfield Park and Jubilee Garden for a visual inspection of trees and make a report accordingly. This to be done on an annual basis. 

41 – 20/21  CHRISTMAS TREE 2020 UPDATE

The tree had been ordered, Glendale would site and two volunteer residents would put the lights on the tree. There would be no switch on event this year due to the Covid 19 situation.

Mr Roger Adams had stated that he would be willing to continue to maintain and store the lights.  

Councillor Andy Cottam and the Clerk to compile a Risk Assessment for the erection of the tree and whilst in situ.  

The above unanimously Resolved.

42 – 20/21  REQUEST BY TAKAWAY PIZZA COMPANY TO SIYTRE TAKEAWAY VAN ONE NIGHT PER WEEK IN THE VILLAGE

A request had been received to site a takeaway pizza van on the Village Hall car park.  Whilst the Parish Council had no objections, providing that litter was removed, the views of the Village Hall Committee would be sought.  It was also felt that a more central area in the village would be more appropriate and suggested sites would be looked at.  

43 – 20/21  NEW NOTICEBOARD – UPDATE

This had been ordered and a resident living near to the Park Gates had kindly offered to receive delivery and store the noticeboard until it was able to be fitted.

44 – 20/21  FINANCE

a.     To consider the Estimate of Precept for 2021/22 – The Treasurer briefed Councillors on expenditure required but this would be finalised at the December meeting of the Parish Council.  That the estimated amount for the next financial year be £27,400, unanimously Resolved.

b.     Accounts for payment

Glendale Countryside Ltd - Grounds maintenance Northfield Park / October cut - £1,324.60 net, £264.92 VAT, £1,589.52 gross 

LALC – Annual Training Scheme membership - £70.00 net, £14.00 VAT, £84.00 Gross 

Mrs C Myers – expenses October 2020 – Phone / Broadband £13.00, Postage £6.29, Mileage £16.20 = £35.49

Salaries – November = £1,000.29

That the above payments be made unanimously Resolved.

45 – 20/21  PLANNING

a.     Report by members able to attend meeting with Project Manager at The Parklands - Cllr Stuart Hewson reported that he along with Councillors Cottam and Waller had attended the site meeting on 7th October 2020 with the Project Manager and Project Liaison Officer.

A tour of the site was provided, with those attending wearing face protection and social distancing. They toured the site and were informed that the 43 home first phase of the project is now targeted to be completed by next year.  Several homes were either occupied, or reserved.  The 10 affordable homes which are to be managed by a Housing Association called Halo Homes – seven had been reserved for people who have an association with either Sudbrooke or Scothern as per the terms of the tenure.

The main observations were that the site appears to be better managed now that another construction company is undertaking the development.  There are now 30 – 50 workers on site every day.  

It was clear that the developers, through the Liaison Officer, would like to have a greater dialogue with the village and it was agreed that they could possibly submit an article for the Sudbrooke News.

It was noted that Anglian Water would adopt the Retention Pond.

b.     Application 141550 – 30 Wragby Road – update – This application had been refused permission at the WLDC Planning meeting held on 15 October 2020.

c.     To consider a Planning Policy linked to the Neighbourhood Plan – The Chairman suspended Standing Orders to allow a resident of Scothern Lane to join in the discussion.  This was further to his enquiry under Parishioners Items.

The resident was advised that in accordance with the Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan, Policy 1: Additional Residential Development:-

1.  Proposals for additional residential development in Sudbrooke will be supported provided that clear support from the local community can be demonstrated. Applicants are encouraged to agree the scope of the consultation with Sudbrooke Parish Council prior to it taking place. A Consultation Statement should accompany the application for planning permission and consideration should be given to the guidance provided in Appendix 1 when preparing the statement.

2.  Development proposals will be encouraged which seek to provide smaller homes catering for younger people and specialist homes for the elderly population, for those with disabilities and for self-build projects.

A requirement would be consultation with the whole village giving residents the opportunity to decide if they wanted additional development in the village due to the village having already met its quota.  Replies should be collated by an independent analyst which could then be submitted with a planning application. 

A written guidance would be formulated and forwarded to the Resident.

Standing Orders were resumed.

46 – 20/21  CLERKS REPORT

The Clerk reported that it had been an extremely busy month.

She had attended two Funding Workshops held by LALC which it was hoped would be useful if an application was to be made for funding for play equipment in the future.

Groundwork, who had provided the funding for the Neighbourhood Plan, required further information on monies spent and what the remaining £1132.00 could be spent on.  The Treasurer would furnish them with the information required.

Members suggested that following expenditure on additional copies of the Neighbourhood Plan it would be useful to enquire if the funds could be used towards any replacement play equipment required.  The Treasurer would make enquiries about this when supplying Groundwork with the additional information required.

A resident had enquired about the need for painting the Park Gates – The Clerk was asked to obtain some prices due to the Council being let down by the Lincoln College Painting Department.

A resident had loaned some interesting old photos and historical documents for inclusion on the new website.  This would make interesting reading when the website became Live.

47 – 20/21  CHAIRMANS REPORT

The Chairman reported that he also had attended two LALC Workshops on Funding on differing dates to the Clerk.

It had been brought to his attention that there were abandoned vehicles on West Drive and that an enquiry be made to the landowner to ascertain if he was aware they were on his property.   Members agreed unanimously that a letter be sent to the landowner.

Information had been received that bulb planting would be undertaken by Rivers Trust volunteers on the embankment in the Stuart Curtis Playing Field on Scothern Lane.

48 – 20/21  CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING AS LISTED BELOW
*These items circulated to the Clerk’s residents email list.

6.10.2020 – LALC Weekly News
7.10.2020 – WLDC Measures regarding dog fouling
7.10.2020 – Invite to Virtual Planning Meeting 14.10.2020
8.10.2020 – LALC Weekly News
12.10.2020 – Photograph of Sudbrooke Holme 1912 staff received from a person finding it in some old belongings
12.10.20 – Royal British Legion info on Remembrance Services
*16.10.2020 - WLDC Business Brief
*16.10.2020 – WLDC News for residents
21.10.2020 – Came & Co newsletter

49 – 20/21  DATES OF MEETINGS FOR NEXT YEAR

To be held remotely until further notice and in line with government guidelines, on Thursdays at 7.30pm, on the following dates:-

14th January, 4th February, 4th March, 1st April, 13th May, 3rd June, 1st July, August – No meeting
2nd September, 7th October, 4th November, 2nd December

50 – 20/21  DATE OF NEXT MEETING

7.30pm, Thursday 3rd December 2020, by Zoom.