4 August 2020
Navenby With Skinnand Parish Council
Meeting Minutes
Date/ Time: Tuesday 4th August 2020 at 7.00 pm.
Location: via Video Link (Zoom).
Present (Cllrs): Mr B O’Sullivan, Chairman; Mr K Gunning, Vice Chairman;
Mr G Morris; Mr M Burt; Mr A Watts; Mrs L Taylor, Mrs C Hall; Mr S
Woollas & Mr C East.
In Attendance: Ms S Letham (Parish Clerk)
Absent/Apologies: Mrs J Thompson-Burt & Cllr K Lamyman
1. Chairman’s - Welcoming Remarks
The Chairman welcomed Councillors to the Zoom Video Link and thanked the Clerk & Assistant Clerk for their efforts over the last few months.
2. Public Session
One resident attended the meeting and raised the following point: Reopening of Play Areas – the resident expressed her concerns regarding both the Play Areas remaining closed and the effect it had on mental and physical health. Speaking on behalf of a number of residents in the Village she advised that parents were absolutely desperate to get themselves and their children back out into the open and enjoy these recreational areas once more. With the Methodist Chapel Play Group also closed this meant that residents were having to travel to Wellingore and Lincoln. The resident offered to assist the Council with the reopening the Play Areas and mentioned that they would be happy to look at crowd funding for a possible new third Play Area. Cllr Taylor explained to the resident that the Council is bound by the Govt Regulations and that a Risk Assessment was in the process of being carried out and only when that was complete and all identified actions taken would the Play Areas be able to reopen. Cllr Taylor asked that a notice regarding the current situation with the Play Areas be produced and displayed on the front gates. The Clerk advised that she would provide the Chairman with an update at the end of the week regarding what progress had been made with grounds maintenance and the power washing of equipment and surfaces, so that he could post on Facebook. The Council advised that this issue was down to be discussed in more detail later in the meeting at Item 14e.
Actions: (1) Cllr Taylor to complete Risk Assessments for both Play Areas. (2) The Clerk to put up Advisory Notices at both Play Areas and to advise the Chairman on progress in respect of reopening activities by the end of the week. (3) Chairman to post update on Facebook.
Purchase of a temporary/permanent Flag Pole and Union Flag – further to the Chairmans proposal to purchase the latter items, Cllr Gunning proposed that the matter be forwarded to the Venue Trustees as an Agenda item for their next meeting.
Action: The Clerk to forward the Chairman’s proposal to the Clerk to the Trustees.
3. Apologies for absence and declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011. Consider any applications for dispensations in relation to disclosable pecuniary and/or prejudicial beneficial interests.
Apologies received from Cllrs Mrs J Thompson-Burt & Mr K Lamyman.
4. To consider and sign the minutes from the previous Parish Council Meeting (EGM), held on Tuesday 7th July 2020.
It was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr Taylor and therefore Resolved that the minutes from the previous Parish Council meeting, held on Tuesday 7th July 2020, should be accepted as a true record of the meeting.
5. To consider the financial report and authorise payments (Appendix A).
Discussion took place regarding the transactions listing presented for the month of July 2020. It was proposed by Cllr Watts, seconded by Cllr East and therefore Resolved, that all expenses listed in Appendix A should be authorised to be paid. Cllr Gunning confirmed that he would approve the payments on-line the following day.
Action: Cllr Gunning to approve on-line Bank Payments 5 August 2020.
6. To consider the Clerk’s report.
The Chairman invited observations & comments from Councillors in respect of the Clerks Report (Appendix B). There was an action in respect of the following:
Ser No 3 Police Report – following an update from the Chairman regarding his general discussion with Sgt White, the Chairman advised that he would re-engage to discuss the current format of the Police newsletter and its limited content & value to Navenby Village.
Action: Chairman to re-engage with Lincs Police (Sgt White)
7. To consider updates from District/County Councillors.
Cllr Overton’s Newsletter submission had been distributed to all Council members. Cllr Hagues was in attendance and briefed the Parish Council: Planning Applications for premises that were used for dining would be able to apply to use pavements for tables & chairs. The process for dealing with such applications was to be speeded up.
Navenby Primary School (NPS) Safety Zone = the Chairman asked Cllr Hagues if she could enquire at LCC as to progress on the application to extend the time frame on the Safety Zone?
Action: Cllr Hagues to hasten progress on NPS Safety Zone request.
8. To consider updates from local police.
Already discussed at Item 6.
9. To consider planning Applications
Please see Appendix C:
No observations or comments in respect of the Planning Applications detailed at Appendix C.
10. To consider correspondence.
Please see Appendix D:
There were actions arising from the Correspondence received:
Ser No 7 Doncaster Gardens Right of Way – Cllr Woollas advised that Clerk that Mr Overton (the landowner) could be contacted and advised of the resident’s concerns regarding grounds maintenance. Cllr Woollas had walked the Right of Way and advised that it was currently passable.
Ser No 13 Overgrown Tree at North Lane impacting power cable – the Clerk advised that Western Power Distribution had been in touch and that they would be cutting back the tree.
Ser No 21 Cliff Carnival Committee Update – Cllrs Hall & Taylor advised that they would be interested in finding out more about the 2021 Carnival. In respect of the Carnival utilising the football pitch and extending the event up to 9pm – the Council members asked that this be forwarded to the Clerk to the Venue Trustees for discussion at the next meeting.
Actions: (1) Clerk to pass on Cllr Hall & Taylors details to Cliff Carnival Committee. (2) Clerk to forward Carnival Committees request to Clerk to the Venue Trustees.
Ser No 39 Anti Social behaviour in North Lane – the Clerk advised that another report had been received from a resident. Advice from the Parish Office was to independently report the incident directly to the Police.
11. To approve & sign the Annual Governance & Accounting Return for FY 19/20.
After consideration, it was agreed that Cllr Burt (as Finance & Admin Portfolio Holder) would check the proposed submission prior to the Clerk despatching to PKF Littlejohn. It was proposed by Cllr Hall and seconded by Cllr Taylor and therefore Resolved that the FY 19/20 AGAR be approved and signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
Action: Cllr Burt to check AGAR submission and advise Clerk prior to forwarding to PKF Littlejohn.
12. To consider an update from the Parish Caretaker.
After consideration of the current Caretakers update, it was agreed that a decision on when it would be best to recruit a replacement Parish Caretaker should be delayed until the next meeting. This would allow the Council to see what tasks remained following a visit from Cllr Overton’s Highways Gang in August 2020.
Action: Item to be discussed at the next meeting.
13. To consider & discuss Parish Office E Mail Communications.
The Clerk advised that the amount of e mail traffic over the past 6 weeks had been “unprecedented”. She asked that e mails only be sent when absolutely necessary and that care be taken when inputting the Chairman’s e mail address ie its “.co.uk” and “.com”. The issue of e mails to third parties was also addressed and the Clerk asked that anyone wishing to contact a Contractor do it thru the office in the first instance.
14. Updates from Portfolios Holders:
a. Cemetery
The Clerk advised the Council that “The Tree House” Contractor will be undertaking the “desirable” works in the Cemetery on the 28 August 2020 and the more extensive works in the weeks commencing 14 & 21 September 2020.
b. Highways
Road Safety Issues – due to the growing number of complaints being received from residents and non-residents’ in respect of the following issues:
Speeding thru Navenby Village on the A607
Nuisance parking on double yellow lines and at junctions
Poor visibility at the Pedestrian crossing
Damage to roads by heavy haulage traffic
Use of Church Lane as a short cut by heavy haulage traffic
40 MPH zone between Navenby & Wellingore it was decided that the Parish Council will look to undertake another Road Safety review in conjunction with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, Highways & Cllr Marianne Overton. It was agreed that the Clerk would write to the various stakeholders and invite them to a meeting to discuss the road safety issues and what could be done to make the village roads safer.
Action: The Clerk to write to Stakeholders.
Letters from Navenby Residents – Cllr Woollas agreed to provide the Parish Clerk with a formal response that could be sent out to those residents that had recently expressed their concerns.
Action: Cllr Woollas to prepare a formal response to forward to residents.
The case of the Missing Sign Post = Cllr Woollas advised that a footpath sign on the High Dyke (relating to Turner Close) had vanished. It was agreed that the Clerk would report the incident to Highways.
Action: The Clerk to write to Highways.
Passive Speed Signs – after discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should place another order for signs. It was proposed by Cllr Woollas and seconded by Cllr Taylor and therefore Resolved that Qty 10 Passive Speed Signs be purchased at a cost of £100 from LRSP or another Supplier.
Action: The Clerk to purchase Qty 10 Passive Speed Signs.
c. Youth Club
Cllr Hall updated the Council on the latest news regarding ACTS & the Youth Club. Whilst it was not possible to hold a Summer Club, there was the possibility of holding 2 sessions later on in the year for different age groups. ACTS had expressed an interest in running a Club in October 2020, however the Venue Manager had advised that the big hall was not available. It was agreed that the situation would be reviewed again at the next meeting.
d. Navenby Car Scheme
Service suspended due to COVID 19 restrictions. Cllr Woollas advised that all the Volunteer drivers were over 70 years of age and therefore unlikely to be able to offer up their services this month. The situation would be reviewed again prior to next month’s meeting.
e. Play Areas
Twenty Row & North Lane Play Areas – required repairs identified prior to Lockdown. The Clerk advised that she had arranged for Playdale to visit the areas on the 10 August 2020 and provide a quotation. The GM Contractor had now completed the tidy up of both areas and a Contractor would be visiting on the 5/6 August 2020 to pressure wash equipment and surfaces. Cllr East advised that he had also arranged for a Contractor to visit the Play Areas and provide a quote by the end of the week.
f. Schools House Trust.
No comments.
g. Cliff Cluster
The Chairman advised that whilst no Cliff Cluster meetings were taking place, the Lincs Resilience Forum meeting was being held instead. Recognition of individuals outstanding efforts were being made and there was to be a follow-on meeting.
h. Library
Cllr Watts advised that the Library would be reopening on the 2 September 2020 for the collection of pre ordered books only. A meeting to discuss was scheduled for the 4 August 2020 and a Risk Assessment would have to be completed. A Volunteer ROTA was also being produced.
i. Finance & Administration
Already discussed at Item No 11.
j. Website/IT
Website – the Clerk advised that she had attended the LCC refresher training and had managed to obtain a better User Guide which she had forwarded to Cllr Morris. LCC had advised that the existing Website would no longer be supported by them and that it would be switched off at the end of December 2020. Parish Councils needed to submit their “Accessibility Plan” to LCC by the 23 September 2020. Currently LCC only have 1.5 members of staff available to support 200 Parish Councils with the implementation of the new WEBSITE.
The Clerk advised the Council that a decision needed to be made regarding the documentation that was to be transferred to the new site and how far back they wished to go in respect of the meeting minutes. It was agreed that Minutes for the current FY and the previous year be loaded initially.
Action: The Clerk to liaise with Cllr Morris regarding the information to be transferred from the old Website to the new one.
k. VENUE Trustee Chairman
After discussion, it was agreed that the proposals received in respect of: the provision of a Projector & Screen for use by Customers. charging for use of WI-FI. the provision of “for profit” and “not for profit” cinema nights be forwarded by the Clerk to the Clerk for the Venue Trustees for inclusion in the Agenda for the next meeting.
Action: The Clerk to forward all proposals to the Clerk to The Venue Trustees.
l. Mrs Smiths Cottage
The Chairman advised that the Cottage was now up and running (Sat, Sun & Mon 12-4 pm). Bookings can be made in advance at a cost of £3.50 via the NKDC Website.
m. Speed Indicator Device (SID).
The Chairman thanked Cllr Morris for his continued weekly efforts in respect of keeping the SID operational.
Discussion took place regarding the purchase of a second SID and whether it was to be a battery or solar version. It was proposed by Cllr Burt and seconded by Cllr Woollas and therefore Resolved that a second SID (SOLAR version) be purchased (at a cost of £1795) and located on the post outside URBAN Angels on the A607. The Clerk was to contact ELANCITY in respect of placing a second order.
Action: The Clerk to contact ELANCITY and place a second order.
Cllr East advised that whilst the SID post outside Urban Angels was of the correct diameter, the one opposite Odlings shop was not. However, an outer sleeve could be manufactured to correct the diameter. It was agreed that this solution should be investigated further.
Action: Cllr East to look into the manufacture of an outer metal sleeve for the SID post opposite Odlings the Butchers.
The Chairman thanked all present for their participation and declared the Video Link meeting closed at 21.30 pm.
15. Date & Time of next meeting is the 1st September 2020.