2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ScopwickandKirkbyGreen/

Parish Council Meeting Minutes: 1st October 2019, Scopwick Village Hall

51/2019 Welcome and Public Forum

Chair of Parish Council Philip Baumber welcomed Councillors and six members of the public to the meeting.

The public forum included the following:

Architect Guy Forman attended with his client Mrs Middleton who wished to consult the Parish Council before submitting an application for planning permission for a bungalow on land opposite and just past the entrance to Acre Lane at Kirkby Green. Mr Forman circulated a plan showing the site for the proposed dwelling using existing vehicular access to the current field from Main Street.

No other details were given and the Chair of the Parish Council said the Councillors would look at the plan and respond via email through the Clerk.

The Parish Council were asked to thank Lincolnshire Highways Department for the recent works to the bridge outside the pub. They were asked when the works to improve the verge outside the village hall were to go ahead. The Clerk reported that the Highways department had yet to confirm that the works would be added to the programme for 2020.

The Parish Council were asked when work would begin on installing the mobile phone mast which was the subject of a recent successful application for planning. The Clerk agreed to look into this and put details on the Parish Council website.

A resident asked that the Parish Council look to improve the bus shelter on Heath Road, addressing in particular issues of rain water flowing into the shelter and poor visibility due to the hedge. He also asked that the Parish Council consider installing a shelter at the bus stop on the opposite side of the road.

52/2019 Apologies

Attending:

Cllr Philip Baumber (Chair), Cllr Janet Flett, Cllr Alistair Brackenbury, Cllr Tim Banks, Cllr David Nelson, Cllr John Money, Cllr Owen Davies.

District Cllr Steve Clegg.

Apologies received from: County Cllr Rob Kendrick.

Officer: Jill Moran (Parish Clerk).

53/2019 Report by Stephen Flett on broadband speed and strength in the parish

Stephen had looked into the above issue at the request of the Parish Council to see whether the parish could benefit from either of the Government schemes to improve broadband in rural communities. He had surveyed residents and contacted the broadband suppliers.

He found that Open Reach, as the body responsible for provision to this area, had already upgraded the service to Kirkby Green and at least four residents now have access to full fibre broadband. Any resident of Kirkby Green who wishes to access full fibre broadband (FFB) should contact BT for details.

Scopwick does not have access to FFB at the moment. He found that the properties nearest to the two green cabinets had the highest speeds. However, with enough interest from the community Open Reach will do a survey and provide quotes for installation of FFB. Stephen has collected details from 23 Scopwick residents and has requested a survey. He will keep the Parish Council informed of progress and details of his full report are available on the Parish Council website.

54/2019 District Council Report

Cllr Clegg reported that the pilot scheme to improve paper recycling in the county has been well received by the parish with all but 6 households taking part. The paper waste will be sold to raise revenue.

The issue of bikes and motorbikes using the pavement on the Springfield estate has been raised with Lincolnshire Highways Authority with a request to install signs and/or a physical barrier where the pavement exits onto Vicarage Lane.

55/2019 Declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations

Cllr Banks and Cllr Davies declared an interest in item 9 (c) on the agenda relating to the maintenance of Kirkby Green Churchyard as members of Scopwick Parochial Church Council.

56/2019 Minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 30th July 2019 were approved and signed by the Chair as the Minutes.

57/2019 Reports

(a) Clerk’s Report

1. Defibrillators - The defibrillator on the front of the village hall required attention recently after a resident who went to access it found that the area at night was too dark to see the unit, and on phoning the emergency services the operator did not have the code to access it. Fortunately, the person who was incapacitated did not need the defibrillator, but the incident highlighted problems which have since been rectified.

Since the last meeting further enquiries have been made regarding a defibrillator for Kirkby Green. NKDC planning confirmed that although the red phone box is not listed, it is subject to an application for planning to use as housing for a defibrillator. The cost of this would be £231. This takes the initial costs up to £1731 for planning application, machine and cabinet (includes installation, paint and sign for box); cost of painting and cleaning box. Ongoing cost would be approximately £50 per year maintenance and insurance. The Clerk is to look for funding to take this project forward as soon as possible.

2. A resident of the Springfield estate complained about motorbikes and cycles using the pathway to and from Vicarage Lane. The incident has been reported to LCC Highways and the police to take action.

3. The audit for 2018/19 has been completed, notice of completion of audit appears on the website and notice board.

Planning applications received/decided since last meeting:

1. Erection of brick chimney (Retrospective) - Watermill Farm Cottages The Mill Main Street Kirkby Green Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PE Ref. No: 19/1232/FUL | Received date: Tue 03 Sep 2019 | Status: Pending Consideration

2. Application to discharge conditions 4(Tree Protection Plan) and 6(Planting) attached to application 17/1735/FUL - Erection of 1no. bungalow. - Springfield Estate Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire Ref. No: 19/1176/DISCON | Received date: Fri 16 Aug 2019 | Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application

3. Tree works application 19/1046/TCA | Received date: Wed 24 Jul 2019 | Status: decision - TPO not required T1 Cypress - fell; T2 Holly - reduce height to 3m; T3 Rowan - reduce height by 1m - Jasmine Cottage 27 Beckside Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NX

4. LCC REFERENCE: PL/0118/19 DEVELOPMENT: TO VARY CONDITION 2 OF PLANNING PERMISSION N53/1134/00 TO ALLOW THE CONTINUATION OF RECYCLING OPERATIONS FOR A FURTHER 10 YEARS LOCATION: LONGWOOD QUARRY, LONGWOOD LANE, BLANKNEY GRID REFERENCE: 506207 358695. Status: approved | Parish Council response: no objections.

5. Installation of a 15m monopole supporting 3 no. shrouded antennas, 2 no. equipment cabinets & ancillary development thereto including 1 no. GPS module & 12m Armco barrier. - Grass Verge Of Heath Road Scopwick Lincolnshire LN4 3JB Ref. No: 19/0895/PNTEL | Received date: Tue 18 Jun 2019 | Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application | Parish Council response: no objection.

6. Erection of single storey rear extension 11 Heath rd Scopwick LN4 3NU Ref. No: 19/0897/HOUS | Received date: Wed 19 Jun 2019 Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application | Parish Council response: no objection.

(b) Playing Field Committee Report

The annual inspection of the play equipment by RoSPA took place in September. Their inspector highlighted the general deterioration of the timber supports and some maintenance issues. The Playing Field Committee will consider the report at their next meeting on the 15th October 2019.

The group are currently looking at designs for replacing/renewing items of play equipment before moving to a funding application.

(c) Village Hall Committee

Minutes of the last meeting of the Committee had been circulated.

Cllr Flett as Chair of the Committee gave a report as follows:

The kitchen has been painted. The Committee are looking into the purchase of a screen and projector.

The Macmillan coffee morning in September raised over £300.

(d) Neighbourhood Planning Group (NPG)

The group are due to meet with the Planning Consultant Helen Metcalfe (Planning with People) on Saturday 5th October.

The group are considering an application to Locality for funding to appoint a specialist to report on the availability and demand for more affordable housing in the local area. This would support any findings in the Neighbourhood Plan as to the need for housing of this type in the parish. The Parish Council said that the NPG survey earlier this year identified a perceived need for such housing and as such the Parish Council were in favour of work by the NPG to support this need.

(e) Community Speed Watch

The letter to Cllr Kendrick asking for speed reduction measures for the B1188 was passed by him to LCC Highways for consideration. The letter requested that the following measures be actioned/considered:

1. A reduction of the current speed limit of 40mph on the B1188 to 30mph.

2. The introduction of double white lines on the approach to the village along the B1188 from both directions to discourage overtaking.

3. Changing the junction of the B1188 and Main Street Scopwick to improve visibility for vehicles pulling out onto the B1188.

CSW volunteers continue to record and report speeding motorists. They last met on the 26th September on Heath Road where in 40 minutes 12 motorists were recorded doing over 35mph in the 30mph area.

Vehicles recorded over the speed limit (35 in a 30mph zone and 46 in a 40mph zone) have received letters from Lincolnshire Road Speed Partnership in association with the police.

58/Correspondence

A correspondence log was circulated by the Clerk and general correspondence noted.

59/2019 Matters considered

(a) Internet

The Parish Council thanked Stephen Flett for his thorough report and for taking action on behalf of residents to improve broadband in the parish. The Clerk will continue to liaise with Stephen and to keep the Parish Council and public updated via the website.

(b) The Best Kept Garden Competition

It was decided that in future the judging would be done by the Parish Council and the cup awarded by the Chair. The Clerk will write to the village show committee to advise regarding the changes, and to this year’s winner to advise that the cup needs to be returned to the Parish Council by the beginning of July to allow for engraving prior to the show.

(c) Village maintenance:

 Highways and footpaths. Work on the bridge on B1188 now complete. The Environment Agency were called in by a resident concerned that the work being done was damaging the floor of the beck and polluting the watercourse. LCC Highways took immediate action to stop pollution and agreed to reinstate the beck to an acceptable standard subject to approval of the Environment Agency.
 Grass cutting. Nearing the end of the season the standard of work from the contractor has improved with input from Cllr Baumber. The contribution paid by LCC highways has increased to include Kirkby Green.
 Trees and hedges. The hedges in the village meadow and the playing field will be cut this autumn.
 Other. The Diocese of Lincoln have written confirming that they will as a voluntary gesture attend to the repair of the churchyard wall and the cutting of the grass in the churchyard at Kirkby Green. The ongoing maintenance of the churchyard is still uncertain as the church building is to be closed and the churchyard is to remain open for burials.

In the absence of a Parochial Church Council or church warden the Parish Council considered what could be done by the Parish to ensure that the churchyard was maintained to an acceptable standard. The Clerk advised on their limited powers to provide assistance from the precept.

Many Parish Council’s do contribute to the cutting of the grass in their local churchyard/cemetery by either arranging for the grass to be cut directly or making a grant to the PCC. The Clerk will obtain quotes for the cutting of the grass next year for consideration at the next Parish Council meeting in November and will continue to press the Diocese to arrange for the grass to be cut and cleared before the end of this season.

60. Finance

(a) Accounts summary as at 29/9/19:

• Co-operative Bank current account: £10 259.34
• Co-operative Bank deposit account: £21,873.92
• Total available funds: £32,133.26

Copy pc accounts and budget attached.

(b) Payments to be approved:

Payments made since last meeting:

• J Moran – Clerks expenses June/July 2019 £ 48.41 (Postage: £7.13; Other –Instant Ink £15.98; administrative £10; travel £15.30 )
• J Moran salary July 2019 £428.76
• SKGVHC hall hire invoice 37 PC £15.00
• SKGVHC hall hire invoice 34 NPG £15.00
• J Moran salary August 2019 £428.76
• P Ingamells (CB Ground Maintenance) grass cut inv 578 £465.00
• P Ingamells (CB Ground Maintenance) grass cut inv 594 £480.00

For payment before next meeting:

• J Moran – Clerks expenses Aug/Sept 2019 £ 101.45 (Postage: 0; Other –Instant Ink £15.98; Microsoft annual subscription £59.99; stationery £15.48; Administrative £10; travel 0 )
• J Moran salary September 2019 £428.76
• P Ingamells (CB Ground Maintenance) grass cut inv 612 £345.00
• C Kerrigan (NPG) volunteer travel expenses £35.10
• RoSPA playpark inspection invoice £120.00

For payment before next meeting (cont.):

• Sprint signs sign for village hall carpark £96.00
• PKF Littlejohn annual external audit fee £240.00
• LALC training event lunch 18/9/19 £10.80
• SKGVHC hall hire PFC £15.00
• J Moran salary October 2019 £428.76

50/2019 Date of next meeting

Tuesday 26th November 2019 – Parish Council meeting at 7pm in Scopwick Village Hall.

Minutes submitted by:
Jill Moran, Parish Clerk. Dorset House, Vicarage Lane, Scopwick. Tel: 07512 234965.
Email: clerkscopwick@gmail.com