September 2022 Minutes
SUDBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUDBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2022
PRESENT:
Councillors Peter Heath (Chairman), Mrs Tracey Bowman (Vice Chair), Mrs Sandra Clayton, Andy Cottam, Simon Crampton, Paul Fido, Bhikhu Mistry, Dave Scott
Christine Myers (Clerk), Bridget Solly (Treasurer)
District Councillor Bob Waller, One resident
65 – 22/23 PARISHIONERS ITEMS
The resident attending stated that he had received correspondence from LCC regarding cutting his hedge back to the boundary, this being in order to facilitate footpath repairs. The resident was advised that as the matter was being dealt with by the County Council the Parish Council were unable to intervene.
66 – 22/23 APOLOGIES
None received.
67 – 22/23 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
Planning Application 145205, The Hawthorns, Church Lane – Councillor Andy Cottam had declared an interest as a resident of Church Lane.
68 – 22/23 NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 7 JULY 2022 TO BE APPROVED AND SIGNED AS MINUTES
That the notes be signed as minutes unanimously Resolved.
69 – 22/23 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
County Councillor Report not received.
County Councillor Bob Waller stated that it had been a quiet summer but District Council meetings commence again on 5 September and that he would bring any necessary items to the attention of the Parish Council.
He pointed out that there was nothing in the Local Plan Consultation that affected Sudbrooke.
70 – 22/23 REPORTS ON MATTERS OUTSTANDING
A Burial space/new cemetery – A possible location had been identified on the village hall field. This would require further enquiries, lifting of the covenant on the field and the sale of a small area of land. The site meets with the guidelines laid down by the Environment Agency and had been approved by the Archdeacon. It was emphasised that using this land would ensure the parish did not incur an additional loan to purchase land.
The Clerk was instructed to obtain further information from neighbouring parishes responsible for cemeteries with regard to policies/fees, and contact the District Valuer.
B Speed indicators in village – to be combined with item ‘C’.
C Request for lowering speed limit on Wragby Road to 40mph – Report of Archer Survey carried out by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership - The following received from the Data Collection Analyst
‘The technical data recording equipment was located on a 50mph Repeater post opposite number 45, which commenced on the 6th July 2022. It continued for a full seven-day period. An average of 17127 vehicles travelled through the survey area.
Analysis of the speed data showed that the average speed of vehicles was 43.6 mph in a 50 mph limit. The speed data showed evidence that some vehicles were exceeding the speed limit at a speed that would make the drivers liable to action or prosecution by the Police.
I have researched the collisions involving personal injury for the last 3-year period up to a data date of 30/04/2022 and there have been 3 recorded collisions.
Highways engineers within the Road Safety Partnership have assessed the area and inform me that no engineering casualty reduction measures were identified.
The Government is committed to ensuring that the process for deploying speed cameras is transparent and that cameras are only used at locations where they can make a demonstrable reduction in speed related casualties. The only form of speed enforcement that the LRSP can carry out is with the use of speed cameras; however, the site selection process has to comply with the criteria set out by the Department for Transport. This criterion includes locations where there are a history of speed related injury collisions supported by evidence of a high degree of non-compliance with the speed limit. In that respect Lincolnshire Police through the Road Safety Partnership adheres to the site selection criteria set out by the Department for Transport to ensure that the process is completely transparent and that cameras are only used as a casualty reduction measure. The results of the survey together with an analysis of the collision data show that the criteria required for either fixed or mobile speed camera enforcement is not met.
Speed cameras are only one part of Lincolnshire Police Speed Enforcement Strategy and the details of the surveys have been shared with the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Safer Roads Team and the newly formed Roads Policing Unit for them to undertake enforcement when resourcing allows of which we have no control over.
The 85%ile refers to the 85th percentile speed at or below which 85 percent of the drivers will drive with open roads and favourable conditions. The assumption underlying the 85th percentile speed is that most drivers will operate their vehicle at speeds they perceive to be safe.
The ‘SAW’ refers to those drivers that would fall within the option of receiving a Speed Awareness Course instead of prosecution.
Members felt that Sudbrooke still warranted a 40mph limit along Wragby Road, to continue from North Greetwell and on to Langworth both of which currently were 40mph. Councillor Dave Scott would pursue this with the LRSP.
D Proposed closure of Nettleham Lane by LCC – reply to complaint - the following had been received from the Assistant Director of Highways, Place Directorate:-
‘I have now had the opportunity to look into this subject further with colleagues and below are my findings to the points you raise.
In your communication to Debbie Barnes, Chief Executive officer you make reference to only receiving an acknowledgement for the documents you provided from Cllr Sue Rawlins and Sir Edward Leigh. When we engage with Parish and Town Councils on matters such as this, it is customary for all communications to go through the local County Councillor, in this instance Cllr Rawlins. It should therefore be noted that Cllr Rawlins’ acknowledgement of receipt is representative of Lincolnshire County Council. I wish to reassure you that Lincolnshire County Council officers would not deliberately avoid the issue but ensured that Cllr Rawlins was keep informed of progress. It is our understanding that Cllr Rawlins kept Sudbrooke Parish Council fully informed of the progress with this scheme.
To conclude I wish to reassure Sudbrooke Parish Council that its residents’ responses are of great importance to us which is why the scheme did not go ahead and we will continue to listen to the residents’ views received via the local County Councillor Rawlins.’
The Parish Council noted from this reply that LCC Highways items/requests should be directed through the County Councillor, something that they were unaware of until this notification.
That this matter not be discussed further unanimously Resolved.
E FP 159 – response from landowner if received – Although no reply received from landowner it was understood the electric fence warning signs had been erected.
F To consider quotations for levelling of the footpath behind the shop to the woods – It was agreed to ask the LCC Footpaths Officer if LCC could arrange any levelling of this area.
71 – 22/23 SPORTS EVENT - SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2022
A To confirm Risk Assessment – Add to the Risk Assessment – ‘Bouncy Castle – That this should be supervised at all times by a member of the Parish Council’ – Subject to this addition unanimously Resolved that the Risk Assessment be approved.
B To confirm members attending/First Aiders – Councillors Peter Heath (First Aider), Sandra Clayton, Andy Cottam, Paul Fido, Clerk Christine Myers (First Aider).
72 – 22/23 PARISH COUNCIL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A To review Communications Policy – The Communications Policy was reviewed without amendment.
B To review Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures/Policy – The Council considered both the NALC Policy and LALC Policy – That the LALC Policy be adopted for Sudbrooke Parish Council unanimously Resolved.
73 – 22/23 TO DISCUSS CONTRACTOR PARKING AND BUILDING MATERIALS ON PUBLIC FOOTWAYS
This matter had been drawn to the attention from a resident not being able to access the footpath on Holme Drive due to bricks being stored on the footway and contractors vehicles parked alongside them on the footpath.
The problem had been referred to CC Sue Rawlins who had passed this to the Enforcement Officer at LCC Highways who it was understood was dealing with the issue.
It was agreed that a note be put in the Sudbrooke News requesting that residents employing contractors respect the use of the footpaths by fellow residents.
74 – 22/23 TO CONSIDER COMPLETION OF THE POLICY SURVEY
A survey had been received from the District Chief Inspector for Lincoln and West Linsey Tactical Lead for Neighbourhood Policing on Lincolnshire Police Neighbourhood Policing.
Members felt strongly that the parish was not being served by the Police and that there was little communication with the local Police Team.
That Councillor Paul Fido complete the survey on behalf of the Parish Council unanimously Resolved.
75 – 22/23 TO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING REPORTS
A Tree Inspection - Councillor Paul Fido had inspected trees in areas for which the Parish Council was responsible. He reported that no work was required other than some minor trimming which he had done himself, for which he was thanked by the Chairman.
B Village Furniture inspection – Councillor Bhikhu Mistry had carried out an inspection. The following were noted:-
• That the parish noticeboard on Scothern Lane required a coat of preservative – Clerk had obtained a costing of £45 for this work.
• The village map board on Scothern Lane was requiring either repair or replacement
It had also been brought to the Council’s attention that cracks had been noticed in the village sign in the Jubilee Garden. These would be monitored.
Councillor Mistry had framed a replacement village footpath map for the wall outside the Village Hall doors. Councillor Mistry was thanked for this by the Chairman.
76 – 22/23 CHRISTMAS TREE SWITCH ON 27 NOVEMBER 2022 – TO CONSIDER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EVENT
The following was agreed:-
That the tree be ordered through Glendale Countryside and that works for a new collar for the seating of the tree be authorised. Councillor Simon Crampton to liaise re fitting of lights.
It was considered that the Council may be able to obtain some sponsorship for the event and the Clerk was asked to contact some local supermarkets.
That the event start at 4.00pm with mulled wine and mince pies, and that Santa attend (Councillor Andy Cottam) with sweets for the children, Clerk to organise a family hamper for the raffle.
Clancy Docwra be contacted to ascertain attendance for the lighting. Chair to arrange licence for the event if required.
77 – 22/23 TO CONSIDER OBTAINING QUOTATIONS FOR THE LOWERING THE HEDGE(S) AT THE STUART CURTIS FIELD
Following graffiti to the sign and the container and glass and litter to the rear of the hedge it was Resolved that quotations be sought to lower both the front hedge and the hedge between the car park to one meter.
78 – 22/23 FINANCE
Bank Account position – Wednesday 31st August 2022
Current Account - £11,866.94
Instant Access Account – £34,842.22
14 Day Account - £4,434.48
Fox Covert Account - £2,159.74
Northfield Park Account – £19,178.69
Sportsfield Account - £3,924.46
Total in Accounts as of 31st August 2022 = £76, 06.53
Accounts paid during August 2022:-
ICO – Data Protection Renewal - £35.00
Tesco Mobile – Parish Council Mobile Phone Bill Direct Debit - £7.50
West Lindsey District Council – Defibrillator Maintenance Service Charge – Net £83.33, VAT £16.67, Gross £100.00
Todds Office Solutions Ltd – A4 Paper – Net £19.95, VAT £3.99, Gross £23.94
Parish Magazine Printing – Printing Summer edition Sudbrooke News - £265.79
Glendale Countryside Ltd – July Cut – Net £750.12, VAT £150.03, Gross £900.15
E.on – Electricity at Millennium Stone - £17.00
Accounts for payment (to be paid via Bacs):-
Mrs C. Myers - Clerks expenses July/August - £56.85
E.on – Electricity at Stone monthly payment – £17.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee – Hire of Hall for PC Meeting - £17.00
Tesco – Mobile Phone Bill – Direct Debit - £7.50
Mrs E Chapman – PC contribution to Stuart Curtis memorial event - £75.00
Mrs E Chapman – Bouncy Castle Hire for Sports Event - £80.00
ROSPA – Playsafety Ltd – Annual Play Equipment Inspection – Net £150.50, VAT £30.10,
Gross £180.60
Mrs C Myers – Purchase of banner for Sports Day Event – Net £50.00, VAT £10.00, Gross £60.00
Salaries September - £897.68 - will be paid via BACS on 30th September 2022
That the above accounts all be ratified for payment unanimously Resolved.
The Treasurer brought it to the attention of the Parish Council that an option to opt out of the SAAA Central External Auditor appointment arrangements had been given. Resolved that Sudbrooke Parish Council do not opt out.
79 – 22/23 PLANNING
A Application 145226 – Egmont, 23 Wragby Road Sudbrooke - Planning application for demolition of existing house and construction of a new self-build replacement two and a half storey dwelling and detached garage with accommodation at first floor level - being variation of condition of planning permission 139843 granted 24 October 2019, amended drawings to raise ridge height of carport roof and install velux windows - To ratify comments ‘Sudbrooke Parish Council Parish Council has been unable to meet formally to discuss the above application but under delegated powers the Clerk has contacted all members individually and those able to view the application have passed their comments.
There are objections on the following grounds:-
• It is considered that the alterations to the garage roof create a habitable space that overlooks the neighbouring property.
• The Parish Council’s original objections to this development were that the 3 storey house would cause considerable lack of privacy to the neighbour. The design was changed to the existing one with the garage replacing the three storey end. The higher roof line and provision of roof lights make this unacceptable due to the proximity of the house next door.
• It is considered that the application lacks a site plan showing how close the building is to the neighbouring property.’
B 145111 - Land at White Gates 14 Scothern Lane - Planning application for 1no. replacement dwelling and detached garage being variation of condition 2 of planning permission 144370 granted 30 March 2022 - amended roof tile materials, bin store added, amendment to windows & addition of velux windows – to ratify comments:- ‘No objections’
C 145176 - 11 Holme Drive Sudbrooke Lincoln LN2 2QL - Planning application for single storey rear/side extension - To ratify comments ‘The Council has been unable to meet formally to discuss the above application but under delegated powers I have contacted all members individually and those able to view the application have passed me their comments. There are no objections.’
D 145183 - 6 Northfield Avenue Sudbrooke Lincoln - Planning application for proposed two storey side/rear extension - To ratify comments – ‘Sudbrooke Parish Council has been unable to meet formally to discuss the above application but under delegated powers the Clerk has contacted all members individually and those able to view the application have passed their comments. There are no objections to this application.’
E 145205 - The Hawthorns, Church Lane - Planning application for conversion of existing outbuilding (former stables) to 1no. separate dwelling, including widening of existing drive - To ratify comments – ‘The Council has been unable to meet formally to discuss the above application but under delegated powers the Clerk has contacted all members individually and those able to view the application have passed their comments. There have been no objections raised.
Please note Councillor Andrew Cottam has declared an interest as a resident of Church Lane, and although not knowing the applicant, has not made any comments on the application.’
F LCC reference: pl/0086/22 - Development: For the construction and use of battery storage facilities on land at and in support of the operations at the Welton Gathering Centre, Sudbrooke - grid reference: 504647 374788 – To ratify comments sent to LCC :-
On the face of it, an application for the installation of battery packs to store surplus energy, to manage and balance in-house use and import/export to the grid, does not seem an unreasonable proposal, particularly at current/trend levels of electricity pricing. If this also helps to extend the period of viable oil extraction, all well and good.
However, Sudbrooke Parish Council has a number of observations on the covering letter:-
1. It is the battery packs themselves that represent the actual change to the industrial processes at the Gathering Centre, it is surprising that these are not specifically the subject/focus of the application, rather-than the Containers in which they will be housed. The real issue here are the batteries, that may or may not, enhance the risks associated with the overall operation.
2. The Gathering Centre is without doubt, a major industrial activity managing volatile hydrocarbons and toxic elements, and operating in close proximity to residential areas; it is not without considerable risk. This new electricity storage activity appears to be squeezed tightly within the curtilage of the existing site, and every change to process must be taken seriously by the community.
3. It is not clear from the letter whether 3MW of energy capacity is per battery or in total, but either way it is a large amount of energy. It is not clear in terms of quantum, how much this represents in terms overall energy usage on the site, and how much is already received from Western Power and how much is exported back to the grid. It is not clear how much and how often energy will be cycled through these batteries, and what are the circumstances that create the apparent surplus. There appears to be an assumption here that a specific planning approval already exists for generating electricity for the ancillary activity of exporting to the grid, rather than just for in-house use?
4. IGas has consulted with County Planning who have noted the dual functionality of the proposal. For the avoidance of doubt, is this therefore a new Joint Planning Application to increase the efficiency of electrical use, and for the balanced provision of more electricity off site? What is the quantum of this activity? How does this affect Planning considerations and processes, and considerations of the safety of the community.
5. It is important to emphasise that this activity will not continue beyond the viable extraction of oil (para. 32), which is the primary purpose of the activity, and the scope of existing Planning Consents in place to operate on/in agricultural land. It is important that there will not be consent for any power generating activity after viable oil extraction is complete?
6. In terms of the impact on local amenity (para. 28) and the quality of life in the community (para. 48), it has not noted the two applications in the period 2001-2006. The first for 14 very large wind-turbines (withdrawn 2004) and a proposal for a large gas storage in strata under residential areas, which was refused by the County Council in 2006; submitted to Appeal, it was withdrawn some months later. It cost the County Council £108k to defend; money well spent. In relation to the latter, it was established during the Planning process, that “Public Fear” was a material Planning Consideration. It is not therefore true to say that that the scale and nature of the existing site has already been proven acceptable through previous phases of decision making, or that since 1984, there have been no known concerns raised by local residences relating to matters of health or well-being? The gas storage proposal generated a great deal of concern, and the community still has a memory of an accident at a well site in May 1994, which involved the local Scothern Primary School. There have been a number of incidents over the years, the most recently reported in the last few weeks involving hydrocarbon smells coming from the Gathering Centre and detected as far as Scothern. Happily, the complaint was dealt with quickly, with not only an apology and a request to publish details locally, but an indication that IGas had already reported themselves for a spillage, to the Environment Agency.
That all comments on applications A – F be ratified unanimously Resolved.
G Reepham Draft Neighbourhood Plan – This had been received for comment. Members had nothing to add but congratulated the Reepham Neighbourhood Plan Team on its level of information.
80 – 22/23 CLERKS REPORT
The Clerk reported as follows:-
• That she had attended training on the new LALC Website on 26.7.2022
• That Mrs Coral Evans and her team had treated the posts/wood carvings.
• A local resident had kindly cleaned off graffiti on a sign in the village.
• Councillor Mrs Tracey Bowman would attend the LALC AGM in October.
• That the Chairman and Clerk were booked on to the First Aid training arranged by LALC in November.
• That an iPad had been left on the play area by the Play Equipment Inspector. Following a report on social media of someone finding an iPad in the village, Councillor Mistry and the Clerk had made further enquiries and the iPad had been returned to the Play Equipment Inspector.
In gratitude to the iPad being recovered he had not charged the Parish Council for the play equipment inspections for August which resulted in a saving of £100.00.
81 – 22/23 CHAIRMANS REPORT
Councillor Peter Heath reported as follows:-
• That he felt that the condition of the highway on West Drive was deteriorating with the use of heavy traffic and that it would be appropriate for the developers to repair the surface and install a footway for pedestrians, particularly children going to school.
That a letter be sent to Mr Dominic Jackson requesting this, copying to the WLDC Planning Department, unanimously Resolved.
• That he felt that the Civility and Respect Pledge recently published was covered by the Code of Conduct. Resolved that no further action be taken.
• That he had cleaned graffiti off the slide on Northfield Park and would be trying to remove it from other items of play equipment.
82 – 22/23 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING AS LISTED BELOW
4.7.2022 – Play equipment reports 30.6.2022
11.7.2022 – Presentation documents from LALC Networking Day
*13.7.2022 – Cherry Willingham Children’s Centre activities
15.7.2022 – Lincs Police – information re Lincolnshire Strong Voices Project
18.7.2022 – Social Change UK - Lincolnshire Care Association proposes “bold ambition” for future of region’s social care sector
20.7.2022 – Groundwork UK – Acknowledgement of end of grant report for NP grant
20.7.2022 - LALC Weekly News
20.7.2022 - Invitation to WLDC Celebration of Life service 31.7.2022
26.7.2022 – LALC Weekly News
26.7.2022 - letter in relation to the submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for examination, and the Regulation 22 (3) Notice of Submission.
27.7.2022 - Invitation to rearrange LIVES event – 15.9.2022
*27.7.2022 - Lincolnshire Good Homes alliance project
28.7.2022 - LALC News
28.7.2022 - YMCA News
*29.7.2022 – WLDC Leaders update
*1.8.2022 – WLDC Parish Newsletter
4.8.2022 – WYPF Pension Matters
7.8.2012 – Play equipment inspection checklists
9.8.2022 - Civility and Respect Pledge
10.8.2022 – ICO Registration Renewal Certificate
11.8.2022 – LALC Weekly News
*11.8.2022 – WLDC Business Brief
83 – 22/23 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 6 October 2022, 7.30pm Bramham Lounge of the Village Hall.