April 2023 Minutes
SUDBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SUDBROOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 6 APRIL 2023 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SUDBROOKE
PRESENT: Peter Heath (Chairman), Mrs Tracey Bowman (Vice Chair), Sandra Clayton, Andy Cottam, Simon Crampton, Paul Fido, Bhikhu Mistry
District Councillor Bob Waller, Clerk Christine Myers, Treasurer Bridget Solly, 1 resident
1 – 23/24 PARISHIONERS ITEMS
• A resident of Holme Drive expressed concern about the slow broadband speeds in the village. He was informed that Virgin Media was available on the Parklands Estate but not elsewhere in the village and when enquiries had been made the Council were informed that there were no plans to extend the service. BT fibre broadband is also available in Sudbrooke. The Parish Council agreed to look into what speeds are available in the village.
• A resident had expressed concern that although signage had indicated footpath works on his road no dates had been stated leaving him unable to get from his drive for several hours whilst the work took place.
It was agreed that County Councillor Sue Rawlins be asked to take this up with LCC Highways in that they be more specific for notifying residents of planned works.
• A resident had mentioned at the Annual Parish Meeting that the pathway to the rear of the shop/Elm Drive was still uneven. Members further discussed this and felt that compared to last autumn the condition of the path had improved and agreed that no further works regarding flattening of the path was required.
• A tree on Parish Council owned land on Northfield Avenue was reported as needing either felling or cutting back. Clerk and Councillor Paul Fido to liaise with arranging for quotation for work required.
• Nettleham Football Club had approached the Parish Council for use of the Stuart Curtis Field. Councillor Peter Heath agreed to meet the Chair of the Football Club to discuss requirements.
2 – 23/24 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS GIVEN
Apologies received from County Councillor Sue Rawlins, Councillor Dave Scott.
That reasons given be accepted unanimously Resolved.
3 – 23/24 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None declared.
4 – 23/24 NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2 MARCH TO BE APPROVED AS MINUTES
Amendment – Minute 168 - Amend 7 June to 7 May.
Save for the above amendment the notes were approved for signature as minutes.
5 – 23/24 COUNTY COUNCILLOR/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
District Councillor Bob Waller reported as follows:-
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 have 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 CAB and certain elements of Social Services are using office space. Where offices are not being used energy saving measures are in place. The opposition are saying that the Guildhall should be sold – then what?
As a member of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Joint Strategic Committee I am attending a meeting on 13th 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 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.
Thanks were unanimously extended to District Councillor Waller for his support to the Parish Council.
6 – 23/24 REPORTS ON MATTERS OUTSTANDING
A Burial Space/New Cemetery – It was noted that preference would be given to an extension of the existing churchyard/burial ground if it was possible to obtain the land.
B Overgrown hedge/grass encroachment, Wragby Road – A report had been received that the hedge had been cut back.
C Scothern Lane – To receive report re speeding survey by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership – Nothing further to report.
D Coronation Celebrations in the village - report from Working Group – Arrangements were coming together for the event, but more volunteers were needed to assist on the day.
Additional attractions were ‘Name the Corgis’ (soft toys), Coconut shy run by the Beavers.
Bates Sound had quoted £250 for a sound system and provision of music for the afternoon. That this be approved unanimously Resolved.
E Bus Service for Scothern – Councillor Simon Crampton had attended Scothern’s Annual Parish Meeting when the bus service through Scothern was discussed. The concern was not getting into Lincoln but that the buses do not now pass through Scothern or Welton, hence there being no transport to shops and doctors surgery. It was understood that there were currently no additional funds available for the bus services.
7 – 23/24 TO CONSIDER SUITABLE AREAS FOR THE LOCAL BEAVERS TO SITE A BUTTERFLY GARDEN(S)
Members considered that the wildflower area in the Jubilee Garden could either be extended or additional plants set. It was understood that The Parklands had been approached to establish if there was a small area to use. A reply was awaited.
8 – 23/24 TO CONSIDER THE DEVISED POLICY FOR THE MEMORIAL WREATHS PLACED AT THE MILLENNIUM STONE
Members considered the policy circulated and agreed that it be adopted subject to the date of the wreaths being changed to ‘end of February’.
9 – 23/24 FINANCE
A Accounts for payment
Imprint – Printing Sudbrooke News March - £314.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee – Hire of Hall for Neighbourhood Plan Review Meeting - £13.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee – Hire of Hall for Parish Meeting - £18.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee – Hire of Hall for Parish Council Meeting - £18.00
LALC – LALC Membership - £412.96
LALC – Training Scheme Membership - £168.00
LALC – Cllr P Fido – Allotment Training – Net - £69.00, VAT - £13.80, Gross - £82.80
Mr O Rhule – Eradication of moles – Northfield Park play area/open space - £170.00
Glendale Countryside Ltd – March cut – Net - £467.00, VAT - £93.40, Gross – £560.40
Mrs C Myers – Refreshments for Annual Parish Meeting - £19.45
Mrs C Myers – Purchase of Corgi toy for Coronation event - £15.91
Mrs C Myers – Purchases for Coronation event - £33.95
Imprint – Printing Sudbrooke News April - £314.00
Salaries = £998.66 - will be paid via BACS on 28 April 2023
That the above payments be made unanimously Resolved.
Bank Account position
Current Account - £33,427.83
Instant Access Account – £30,029.45
14 Day Account - £4,459.51
Fox Covert Account - £2,171.93
Northfield Park Account – £19,286.95
Sportsfield Account - £3,946.61
Total in Accounts as of 6th April 2023 - £93,322.28
Monies Received
Lincolnshire County Council – Precept – £32,480.00
SAS Body Repairs – Advertising Sudbrooke News - £100.00
Bank Interest - £272.42
West Lindsey District Council – Grant for Coronation Community Picnic - £200.00
B Ratification of mole treatment at Northfield Park – This was ratified unanimously.
C Internal/External Audit 2022/23 – to appoint an Internal Auditor – That DE Accounting be appointed Internal Auditor for the 2022/23 financial year unanimously Resolved.
10 – 23/24 PLANNING
A Neighbourhood Plan Review – Report from Working Group - Deferred until May meeting of Parish Council
B To ratify comments re Preliminary Inquiry – Barfield Lane Farm, adj Barfield Lane Farm, Barfield Lane re EE and Hutchinson upgrade of site to make 5G. - ‘No objections’. That the comments be ratified unanimously Resolved.
C Application 146317 - erect entrance porch - Orchard House 51 Wragby Road - The Parish Council had no comments to make on this application.
D Notification of Appeal - Egmont 23 Wragby Road - Planning inspectorate appeal ref: app/n2535/w/22/3313280 - 145619 - 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 3 of planning permission 139843 granted 24 October 2019, amended drawings to alter the carport off the east elevation of the dwelling - This was noted by the Parish Council
E Application Number: 146353 - TPO - T1 Oak tree - Fell and replace, due to concerns about recent root damage by fence installation, 14, Sibthorpe Drive - Resolved that the following comments to be forwarded to WLDC:-
‘Sudbrooke Parish Council discussed this application at its meeting on 6th April and object to the felling of this mature oak tree for the following reasons:-.
The age of the tree would indicate a huge root system and as such the erection of a fence should not impact on the health of the tree.
If the tree has been damaged during the fitting of the fence, which should not have happened by a professional company fitting a fence, it is considered that stabilisation support could be constructed to prevent the collapse of the tree.’
11 – 23/24 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING
*Sent to residents email list
22.2.2022 - WYPF – Link to Employer meeting
22.2.2023 - YMCA Lincolnshire News & Updates Bulletin - January/February 2023
27.2.2023 - Notice of LALC Extra General Meeting 16.3.2023
27.2.2023 - LALC Weekly News
*28.2.2023 - What’s on in West Lindsey
*3.3.2023 - WLDC News
3.3.2023 - Civility and Respect Newsletter
13.3.2023 - Play Equipment Inspection Reports from EKM
16.3.2023 - Press release - Healthwatch Lincolnshire latest report - Improving Dental Services across Lincolnshire
*16.3.2023 - Call Connect / ConnectBus Saturday operating hours- 1st April
*17.3.2023 – West Lindsey Business Brief
20.3.2023 - LALC Weekly E News
20.3.2023 - Fix My Street notification that no action will be taken over tyre marks on Jubilee Garden
22.3.2023 - Notice of reconvened LALC Extra General Meeting
12 - 23/24 CLERKS REPORT
The Clerk reported as follows:-
• IGas Grant approved of £1374, this amount along with the Cils monies will now fund the painting of the play equipment on both the Village Hall and Northfield Park site. Local painter Dave Lenton will be carrying out the work.
• Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Inspectors Report received – noted that there were no items relating to Sudbrooke in the Report.
• A resident had reported an increasing amount of litter down Barfield Lane along with receipts with address on – this had been referred to WLDC Street Team.
• A completion of a survey request had been received from Lincolnshire Police asking ‘how good a job is Lincolnshire Police doing?’ The Clerk was instructed to complete the survey stating that this parish council was not satisfied with the job that the police were doing in Lincolnshire, with the cutting back of PCSO’s and no Officers to investigate reports.
13 – 23/24 CHAIRMANS REPORT
The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Councillor Andy Cottam who was not seeking re-election. Andy had been a member since 2015 and had led Litter Picks and acted as Distribution Manager for Sudbrooke News.
The Chairman also stated that he would like residents to be aware of whether they had a TPO on a tree(s) in their gardens.
West Lindsey District Council Trees Officer would always be willing to confirm whether trees were covered by TPO’s.
14 – 23/24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
7.30pm – Thursday 11 May – Bramham Lounge, Sudbrooke Village Hall.