April 2023 Minutes
Date/ Time: Tuesday 4th April 2023 at 7.00 pm.
Location: The Parish Office @ The Venue, Navenby.
Present (Cllrs): Mr M Burt (Chairman), Mr K Gunning (Vice Chairman); Mr S Woollas; Mr K Lamyman; Mrs E Carless; Mr A Watts; Mrs H McFaul & Mrs G Delves.
In Attendance: Ms S Letham (Parish Clerk)
Absent/Apologies: Mr C East & Mrs E McRitchie
1. Chairman’s - Welcoming Remarks
The Chairman welcomed all present.
2. Public Session
There were 3 residents in attendance.
Mrs Croft & Mr Hildrith updated the Council on the Walking Wombles recent activities. Exit routes from the village seemed to be a favourite spot for litter louts to dump their food packaging. Mrs Croft asked if the PC could help with sourcing a deterrent as it had taken 3hrs to clear one road and resulted in 15 bags of rubbish being collected. A request was also made for another 10 litter picking sticks. After discussion, the Chairman advised that the Council would consider possible options for deterrents and update the group in due course.
Mrs Parker endorsed the requirement for a litter deterrent and for engagement with local food outlets. She also thanked the Chairman for his recent article in the GRAFFOE LINK and that Cllr Carless attended the community tree planting meeting.
Action: The Clerk to obtain a quote for the purchase of Qty 10 litter picking sticks for the Walking Wombles.
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.
Absences -Cllrs East & McRitchie.
Declaration of Interests – none.
4. To consider and sign the minutes from the previous Parish Council Meetings, held on Tuesday 7th March 2023.
It was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr Watts and therefore RESOLVED that the minutes from the previous Parish Council meeting, held on 7 March 23, should be accepted as a true record of the meeting. NB All Cllrs voted in favour of the motion.
5. To consider the financial report and authorise payments (Appendix A).
It was proposed by Cllr Gunning and seconded by Cllr Lamyman and therefore RESOLVED that all expenses listed in Appendix A were authorised. NB All Cllrs voted in favour of the motion.
6. To consider updates from District/County Councillors.
Both Cllr Hagues & Overton were in attendance and briefed as follows:
Cllr Hagues:
Heckington Biodiversity – Cllr Hagues took an action to e mail Mrs Parker details of the groups involved and points of contact.
Police resourcing cutbacks – Cllr Hagues advised that NPC needed to write to the Lincolnshire Chief Constable expressing concerns about the cuts to PCSO numbers.
Cllr Overton:
Police resource cutbacks – Cllr Overton advised NPC to write to the Home Office as the Chief Constable needs letters to back his case.
Rippon Homes Headland Way Development – Cllr Gunning raised the issue of a possible breach of planning regulations in that the land level had increased by 1M at the back of a Chapel Lane property. Jane McMath of NKDC was looking into the original drawings and would send out an Inspector and then eventually a surveyor to take levels. Jane had promised to sort out the issue the issue and advise NPC in due course. Cllr Gunning asked that the Clerk speak with NKDC regarding the proposed picket fence & new hedge that was planned adjacent to the open space.
Planning Applications iro Manor Farm – Cllrs Overton & Hagues advised that even though the application was approved they were investigating a possible H&S issue with the wall.
Action: The Clerk to contact Jenny Bailey at NKDC and obtain an update on the proposed new picket fence & hedge for the open space adjacent to 2nd phase of the Rippon development.
7. To consider updates from local police.
The Clerk advised that the monthly police newsletter had been distributed.
8. To consider Planning Matters
a. Planning Applications – None.
b. Correspondence – None.
c. Tree Conservation – No comments.
9. To consider correspondence.
Anglian Water pipeline – a request from Mountjoy Rural had requested that NPC confirm acceptance of the 7M width and 2.5 hrs for administration man hours. After discussion the Clerk took an action to respond confirming 7M & 2.5hrs.
Tenter Lane parking issues – after discussion it was agreed that the chairman would meet with the Heritage Court Management Committee to better understand the problem.
3 Clint Lane Door Step H&S issue – after discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should write to the owner advising that the protruding doorstep was proving to be a H&S issue and could they look at improved outdoor lighting.
Actions: 1. The Clerk to e mail NPC response to Mountjoy Rural. 2. The Clerk to arrange a meeting between the Chairman and the Heritage Court Management Committee. 3. The Clerk to contact the owner of 3 Clint Lane and ask that they review their outside lighting over the front doorstep.
10. 2023 Coronation of King Charles – the Council to consider engaging with residents in respect of organising an event to celebrate the coronation.
Cllrs Burt & McFaul gave an update on the progress made so far in respect of organising an event for Sat 6 May 23. Cllr McFaul thanked Cllrs Delves, East, Watts, Carless & Lamyman for their support with organising the event and handed out packs of raffle tickets to be sold prior to the event.
11. 2023 NKDC Tree Survey – to consider and approve a quotation for the essential & desirable tree works at a cost of £700 exc VAT.
After discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Gunning & seconded by Cllr Carless and therefore RESOLVED that the tree works remedials quotation for £700 exc VAT be authorised. NB All Councillors voted in favour of the motion.
12. Updates from Portfolios Holders:
a. Cemetery
Repair of Lych Gate – the Clerk advised that she had hastened the Contractor for his quote and had been advised that one would be sent in by the end of the week.
b. Highways
Pot holes – Cllr Woollas advised that he had provided the Clerk with details of the pot holes in Maidenwell & Tenter Lane. The Clerk took an action to report the faults on Fix My Street. Cllr Delves raised concerns about the road surface condition of the junction at the High Street with Church Lane. Over the last month there had been quite a deterioration and it was proving a problem for mobility scooters and wheelchair users. After discussion, Cllr Overton agreed to speak to Highways regarding the high volume of lorries that used that junction.
Proposed new Bus Shelters adjacent to Top Farm development - Cllr Woollas advised that NPC will remain on the LCC list for new bus stops.
Actions: 1. The Clerk to report the potholes on Maidenwell & Tenter Lane 2. Cllr Overton to speak to Highways regarding the condition of the road surface at the High Street/Church Lane junction.
Community Speed Watch (CSW) – the Chairman advised that 3 new volunteers had recently received their training.
c. Navenby Car Scheme
Cllr McRitchie advised (via e mail) that 2 new drivers had been recruited.
d. Play Areas
Cllr Lamyman raised the issue of children gaining access over the top of the gate to North Lane play area after the gates were closed in the evening. After discussion, it was agreed that M Tech should be approached in respect of the feasibility of fabricating an extension to the top of the existing gate. The Clerk was to contact M Tech and enquire if the proposal was feasible.
Action: The Clerk to e mail M Tech regarding a height extension to the North Lane play area gate.
e. Schools House Trust (SHT).
No comments.
f. Library
Cllr Watts advised that he had applied for the 2023/24 library grant.
g. WEBSITE/IT
Cllr Delves advised that NPCs Social Media page had seen an increase in followers. She also asked the Chairman if he could provide a statement iro the Parish Council PRECEPT element of the Council Tax, explaining that the Parish Council had chosen not to increase the amount payable by residents.
A discussion took place regarding the rise in Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) being experienced in the village and it was agreed that the Chairman would provide Cllr Delves with a narrative to post on social media.
Action: The Chairman to provide Cllr Delves with narratives for the PC Precept Element & the ASB issue.
h. VENUE Trustee Chairman
The Chairman advised that the Venue had made a £6200 profit in FY 22/23. The latter was in part due to the NHS making a forward payment to cover bookings for FY 23/24. The Venue Manager was currently looking at the purchase of some new IT equipment and would be advising in due course of the next Trustee meeting date.
i. Community Wellbeing
No comments.
j. Speed Indicator Device (SID).
Cllr Watts advised that data collection for the previous 2 months showed that 75% of drivers were keeping within the speed limits.
k. Defibrillators.
No comments.
l. Street Lamps.
No comments.
The Chairman thanked all present for their participation and declared the meeting closed at 20.30 hrs.
13. Date & Time of next meeting is the 23 May 23 at 7pm for the AGM and 7.30pm for the monthly meeting. The Annual Parish meeting would be held at 7pm on the 25 May 2023.
Minutes Accepted: Original Signed M J Burt Chairman Date: 23rd May 2023