2023 Annual Parish Meeting

UNAPPROVED NOTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF SUDBROOKE HELD ON TUESDAY 4TH APRIL 2023 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SUDBROOKE

PRESENT: Mrs Tracey Bowman (Chair), Mrs Christine Myers (Clerk), Mrs Bridget Solly (Treasurer), Ben Martin, Project Manager at The Parklands development.

County Councillor Mrs Sue Rawlins, 40 residents

APOLOGIES:  District Councillor Bob Waller

1  APPROVAL OF THE NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7 APRIL 2022 TO BE SIGNED AS MINUTES

That the notes be signed as minutes proposed by Andy Cottam, seconded by Paul Rignall.

2    CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR 2022/23 - COUNCILLOR PETER HEATH

The last year has seen a relaxing of the Covid procedures but its impact is still being felt. 

During the last year we have continued to have discussions with the Parklands development Manager about progress and issues that have arisen. We welcome the new footpaths in Sudbrooke woods and the provision of benches and picnic tables. Their installation did not go unnoticed by the hooligan community causing damage to them. Similar problems occurred in the Village Hall playing field where illegal drinking and lighting of fires took place.

The use of Main Drive by unauthorised vehicles continues to present problems for those residents entitled to use this strip of Private Land. The Parish Council are hoping that a condition of the Planning Appeal, to install a rising bollard, will go ahead and thus prevent unauthorised use.

We note the near completion of the third house in Poachers Lane and are pressing for the S106 agreement to be implemented. This is the construction of a footpath from Two Corners, Church Lane to the parish boundary. Your PC is also liaising with Nettleham PC to complete the footpath to Nettleham. The existing footpath by the church will be extended by the S106 agreement from Sudbrooke Place. The path will link the existing footpath with the new footpath to the parish boundary

The village cemetery in St Edwards Church is nearing capacity.  The PC has been actively seeking an alternative site. So far we have been unsuccessful but we will continue to pursue a new site. 

Recent planning applications in the village have highlighted unforeseen minor problems with the current Neighbourhood Plan.  PC members have engaged an expert to help restructure the policies in the plan to remove ambiguities and reflect the new National Policy Framework recently adopted by Lincolnshire County Council.  It will be submitted to our community for approval once the work is completed.

Our Litter Pick in October was very successful collecting many bags of rubbish. Our thanks go to Chris Chapman for organising the Pick and to all who were involved and our hopes that the exercise will be repeated again this year.  We hope that a new organiser will come forward and that a Pick will be held after the April elections.

The Christmas Tree Lighting was again a success. We obtained donations of the mince pies from Nettleham Co-op along with chocolates from Waitrose. The gas fire for the hot wine gave problems and I apologise to those kept waiting for their cup of mulled wine. 

Our sports day had to be cancelled due to the passing of the Queen. It is hoped that the Coronation weekend will provide a village gathering for a mass Picnic, and Fun Day on Sunday 7th May.  Further details nearer the time but we do hope that volunteers will come forward to help with the organisation.

3  CLERKS REPORT - MRS CHRISTINE MYERS

The Parish Council has had a busy year and members have worked closely together as a Team.  

Police – A new Police Inspector for Communities has been appointed.  He has introduced himself to local Parish Councils and hopes to develop a closer working relationship with Councils.  This is welcomed.

Footpaths – Many footpaths in the village have been resurfaced including the area near to the Millennium Stone.  Although the work has encroached on the grassed area, this has now been reseeded, many daffodil bulbs planted as a donation from a local resident and in a few months the area should look much improved.

The daffodils along the verge on Scothern Lane, some planted over 30 years ago by local residents, continue to make a splendid show when driving through the village.

Events - The Parish Council continues to arrange events in the village, Funds made available for the cancelled Sports/Fun Day last September have been put towards a Coronation Event to be held on Sunday 7th May 2023 between 12 midday and 4.00pm.  These events take time, effort and manpower to put on and help from residents who have a few hours to spare would be welcomed by the organising working group. 

Play equipment – The play equipment on both the Village Hall site and Northfield Park continues to be regularly inspected by a qualified Inspector and repairs recommended are carried out.  The Council has been successful again in a bid to IGas to receive funds from their Community Grant Scheme and has been awarded £1374.00 towards the repainting of both sets of play equipment.  Together with monies received from Community Infrastructure levies the cost of the painting will be at no cost to the Parish Council (or your Council Tax).

The Parish Council continues to comment on planning applications in the village and since last year has received 29 invitations from the District Council to comment.  As mentioned in the Chairman’s Report the Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan is currently under review by a Working Group.

This year the Parish Council says ‘Goodbye’ to Councillor Andy Cottam who has been a member since May 2015.  Whilst being on the Parish Council Andy has assisted with events, including the Litter Picks and with wife Fiona has been the Distributor Manager for the Sudbrooke News.  Thank you to both Andy and Fiona in their efforts with this.

Members of the Parish Council, the Treasurer and myself continue to attend training sessions run by the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils as legislation is constantly changing and the Parish Council is required to keep up to date.  Bridget and I work closely together so that the Parish Council administration and finances run smoothly.

4   TREASURERS REPORT - MRS BRIDGET SOLLY

The Council received a Precept (Budget) of £29,800.  The Council have worked hard to ensure that invoices have been paid in a timely manner using BACS payments for all invoices this year, with two being placed on Direct Debit.  All payments have been agreed by members of the Council as per our Standing orders and Financial Regulations.  

This year the Council spent £6,206 on grass cutting and received a contribution of £1,580 from the County Council – our net spend on grass cutting was £4,626.

The Council spent £2,790 on printing and preparing Sudbrooke News with £474 generated in advertising revenue, which is slightly up from last year.  As in previous years, the Council recognises the importance of the Sudbrooke News and continues to support it financially.

The Council had a very successful Christmas tree event this year, raising £296 on the day.

The Clerk has been very successful in applying for grants this year with a total of £3,367 coming into the Council.

A full copy of the accounts will be available to members of the public in due course as per instructions from the External Auditors.

The Council has lived within their budget this year.

5  COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT

A     County Councillor Mrs Sue Rawlins

The County Council Budget was reported on and the impact the current economic situation is having on the budget.  All areas have been under scrutiny. Funding has been identified from reserves to support some specific highway projects.

There are implications for Social Care and funding for elderly adults and children services.

B     District Councillor Bob Waller

Not received in time to be read out at the meeting but included in the minutes for information

General

WLDC has continued to deliver services and still maintain a balanced budget. This is due in part to the income received from the commercial portfolio.  Although some residents have expressed surprise that not all the investments are in West Lindsey, I think that our policy of getting the best returns must outweigh the choice of location, especially in the current economic climate.

The Council has continued to get back to full delivery of services across the board. The Council is still encouraging some workers to operate from home.  It is proving to be very practical and cost effective in a lot of cases. This means that the Guildhall is not being fully used by the Council (only about 70%), however, many other organisations such as Citizens Advice Bureau and certain elements of Social Services are using office space.  Where offices are not being used energy saving measures are in place.  

As a member of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Joint Strategic Committee I am attending a meeting on 13 April where we will be voting to adopt the plan.  It has passed the full examination phase and with a few minor recommendations will be adopted in full.  It is encouraging that so many people and organisations submitted reports and comments that were subsequently included.

The situation concerning RAF Scampton is well documented both locally and nationally. The Council were very disappointed by the Government’s decision despite a huge amount of opposition.  We are still hopeful that the £300m investment programme will go ahead but of course it all depends on how long the site is used by the Government. The Council has launched an injunction against the decision and of course this will cost money.  It is felt that money spent in trying to protect the inward investment is worth it.  The Council are not saying Asylum seekers are not welcome in the district but that the site is not suitable and does not have the sufficient supporting infrastructure.

The Parklands development is still ongoing but has had many variations and changes over the six years that I have been involved with it as Parish Councillor and then as a District Councillor. Changes have included the widening of the West Drive being cancelled, the pub/bistro being cancelled, more trees than stated being lost, use of 10 acre covert being changed. The latest situation is that the developer is now taking legal action against the erection of bollards on Main Drive stating that it is illegal. This condition was imposed when the developers won an appeal against the West Lindsey District Council. The Government inspector imposed the condition as part of allowing the appeal.  It seems very strange that having agreed to the condition and thus started to build the developer is now saying it doesn’t agree and it is illegal.  WLDC is taking legal advice. The application is pencilled in for the Planning meeting at the Guildhall on 29th April.

I am not standing for re-election in May and would like to thank all residents and members of the PC for support over the last 6 years.

6   LOCAL ORGANISATIONS REPORTS

A     Village Hall – Mrs Gill Rignall, Secretary

The last year has seen a period of stability for the Village Hall. Regular users: Preschool, kickboxing, Pilates and Coffee Club continue and private bookings include family parties and meetings.

The monthly quiz remains a popular event.

The Management Committee continues with 6 Trustees and 3 representatives from user groups, one of the Trustees also representing a group. This means the hall is managed by only 8 volunteers. Help is still needed with some administrative roles.

The licensed bar continues to be an asset and a revenue stream.  It became too wasteful to stock draught beers as the breweries discontinued the smaller kegs. The Bar Manager has sourced locally produced beer from Ferry Ales Brewery. This can be on draught for larger functions. A resident has come forward to assist the Bar Manager with stock collection and volunteer bar staff continue to be an asset.

The hall is managed according to the Trust Deed and the requirements of the Charity Commission. Charities have recently been warned not to exceed their remit.

The hall is affiliated to Community Lincs, now part of Lincolnshire YMCA, and this is a valuable source of advice and information.

The current Management Committee is a good team with every member having something to offer towards the management of this excellent community facility.

B     Sudbrooke Walking Group – Report from Mike Halliday read out to the meeting

The group was set up in 2007 and has met regularly since then.

Membership has increased over the past year with welcome additions from residents of the Parklands development and elsewhere.  Our numbers fluctuate between eight and eighteen walkers with a good age mix.

Apart from the benefit of good exercise, members enjoy some splendid views and visit areas of historical interest in Lincolnshire.

We use the parish website, Sudbrooke News and e mail to communicate with members and potential new walkers.

We meet on the first Saturday of every month at the village hall at 9-30am.

We aim to walk between 6 and 8 miles and return to Sudbrooke around 1-30pm unless members decide to eat out afterwards at a walk venue or go elsewhere.

The group is run on informal lines with no membership subscriptions and members can volunteer to lead walks if they wish.  Everyone is welcome to join in our walks.

PRESENTATION FROM THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE PARKLANDS DEVELOPMENT – UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT TO DATE AND FUTURE PLANS

Mr Martin reported as follows:-

That the woods had been landscaped and along with the ponds were now developing well.

Sales for the new properties had dropped at the end of last year due to the mortgage increase but these were now picking up again.

The proposal for a pub with restaurant seating for 120 had not responded to marketing and there had been an offer to convert the site into a care home.  However the company were still looking to build a small pub/bistro on the site with parking for 18 cars.

The site for the allotments (50 plots) had been suggested next to the pub with an area also possibly being considered for a graveyard for the village.  However it was noted that the suggested graveyard site was too near to the stream.

There will be 25% social housing on each phase of development.

There will be 25 apartments built, hopefully in 2025.

Questions/comments were offered to Mr Martin, including:

That Sat Nav takes traffic down Main Drive – how could this be managed - item for Parish Council meeting agenda.

That the bollard should be fitted as per the original planning conditions – noted that this was now under Appeal.
A resident praised development but asked how the developers were to manage the traffic on Manor Drive.  Mr Martin stated that he could only manage construction traffic.

TO CONSIDER ANY POINTS WHICH PARISHIONERS WISH TO MAKE

A resident of Holme Drive expressed concern about poor broadband connection on Holme Drive – it was suggested that he bring this matter to a future Parish Council meeting for discussion.

Ruts on the footpath to the rear of Elm Drive/shop – a resident mentioned that this footpath was still in poor condition due to vehicular use a year ago.  This would be brought to the attention of the Parish Council.

The Chair thanked residents and Mr Martin for attending the interesting meeting.