September 2020 Minutes
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ScopwickandKirkbyGreen/
Parish Council Meeting Minutes: 29th September 2020, virtual meeting via Zoom.
Attending:
Cllr Philip Baumber (chairman), Cllr Janet Flett (vice chairman), Cllr Tim Banks, Cllr John Money, Cllr Owen Davies.
Officer: Jill Moran (Parish Clerk).
Apologies received from Cllr Alistair Brackenbury and Cllr David Nelson.
28/2020 Welcome
Chairman of Parish Council Philip Baumber welcomed Councillors and Matt Moore from Anglian Water to the online meeting. Two members of the public joined to watch the meeting.
29/2020 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Banks declared an interest in item 7(c) on the agenda (34 (c)(ii) below) as a Director of Blankney Estates.
No requests for dispensations had been received.
30/2020 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 28th July 2020 were approved and signed by the Chairman.
31/2020 Reports
Written reports were received and noted as follows:
(a) Parish Clerk’s report.
(i) Planning applications received/decided since last meeting:
T1 Conifer - fell - The Vicarage Vicarage Lane Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NT Ref. No: 20/1294/TCA | Received date: Mon 28 Sep 2020 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
T1 Sycamore - fell - 47A Main Street Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NWRef. No: 20/1296/TPO | Received date: Mon 28 Sep 2020 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
Proposed rear single storey extension, loft conversion, internal alterations and demolition of the existing conservatory - 1 Farriers Court Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PL Ref. No: 20/1205/HOUS | Received date: Tue 15 Sep 2020 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
Erection of a two storey extension and double garage - 46 Main Street Kirkby Green Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PE Ref. No: 20/1100/HOUS | Received date: Fri 21 Aug 2020 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
Proposed replacement commercial workshop/garage. - 19 Heath Road Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NU Ref. No: 20/1156/FUL | Received date: Mon 24 Aug 2020 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
Erection of a conservatory - 11 Braemar Residential Park Kirkby Green Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PD Ref. No: 20/0959/HOUS | Received date: Tue 28 Jul 2020 Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application
Application for a non-material amendment (inclusion of Air source heat pumps and retention of meter boxes) following grant of planning permission 18/1115/FUL - Demolition of storage shed and erection of 2no. detached dwellings - Land Adjacent To Main Street And Church Lane Kirkby Green Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PF Ref. No: 20/0878/PNMAT | Received date: Tue 14 Jul 2020 | Status: Prior approval not required
T1 Norway Maple - reduce height by 10/12ft, reduce width by 6/8ft all round - Corner House 6 Farriers Court Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PLRef. No: 20/0868/TCA | Received date: Fri 10 Jul 2020 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
Erection of detached dwelling with integral garages and new access - Land West Of 67 Main Street Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NW Ref. No: 20/0777/FUL | Received date: Wed 24 Jun 2020 | Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application
Erection of chalet bungalow and detached garage.Land To The West Of Aisling House 69 Main Street Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NW Ref. No: 20/0820/FUL | Received date: Fri 26 Jun 2020 | Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application.
(b) Village Hall Committee
Cllr Flett reported that:
“The Committee met in August to discuss procedures for reopening the hall in October. Regular user groups were asked to submit a form indicating if and when they would like to restart. We held a socially distanced meeting in the hall on September 8th and, having checked that the building is covid secure, we thought we could reopen for all groups in October in line with guidance. Unfortunately the news that night introduced the ‘rule of 6’ which meant plans had to go on hold. Further guidance issued said ‘community facilities following covid secure guidelines can host more than 6 people in total but no one should visit or socialise in a group of greater than 6. Whilst activities may have 6 or more people participating it is important to maintain social distance.’ I sought confirmation from Community Lincs that this meant halls were ok to open up and have had no reply except to be patient whilst they seek further information.
Since then there have been more rules re no indoor sports which seems to rule out Pilates Zumba and Fun Fit as well as the Hub and Friendship which would be classed as social events. As ‘educational’ events are ok I have sought advice on whether some of our ‘classes’ ( Pilates Zumba Fun Fit Art ) can start. I am still waiting for a reply and for the guidance to be updated.
We have all the necessary safety measures in place - pedal bins, paper towels, 1 way system, signage, sanitiser stations, and guidance for use of tables , chairs and cleaning after use. Hedges have been cut and windows cleaned. We are ready to go when it is clear we can.
Our WiFi contract had to be renewed and new router installed and working. The hall will be eligible for free WIFI if the proposed fibre to the premises gets 25 final sign ups. “
(c) Neighbourhood Planning Group (NPG)
Cllr Davies reported that:
A discussion of roles in the group has led to a major reorganisation. Chairman of the group is now Peter Reeds, Vice chairman is John Woodward, Secretary continues to be Charles Kerrigan and financial officer is Owen Davies. The group welcomed David Nelson as representative from the Parish Council to replace John Money who has stood down.
We have now received the draft of the last of the three AECOM reports, the design codes report.
This is an excellent report which pulls together a lot of the work in the previous two reports. The three reports are: AECOM housing needs survey, AECOM Site assessment report and AECOM design code report.
At their last meeting the NPG discussed the Site Assessment report which has been adjusted in the light of our responses. We agreed to accept the second draft unaltered. The sites put forward as a result of our call for sites letter, together with sites offered to the District Council have been considered for suitability into red, yellow and green. There are three sites in the best, (green group). However, more sites than this are needed and the yellow group will be considered at the next meeting in order of suitability, using criteria put forward in the draft design codes report and having regard to the agreed objectives and vision statement.
When the NPG has done this and sought comment and advice from Helen Metcalfe, and as appropriate the planning authority, it will put forward a proposal to the Parish Council for ratification prior to preparation of the final report due to be presented to the village. The draft proposal for the Limes site has an impact on this consideration as it could be seen as 18 properties which would fulfil the whole need for housing for the village. The meeting proposed the site be treated as one property which potentially meets a social need for a specific sector and age group unless informed to the contrary by the planning authority.
We sent in a number of minor alterations to the Design Code report and since the meeting we have received the final report. The prospect of the report being more than just as housing document was discussed and J Woodward offered to bring forward a plan to implement improved walking and cycle routes.
The group is hopeful of adhering to the time line for completion of the plan as previously advised, subject of course to additional constraints imposed by Covid 19 restrictions.
(d) Playing Field Committee
The annual RoSPA inspection of the play areas took place in August 2020 and highlighted the deterioration in the timber uprights but there were no issues that required immediate attention.
(e) Community Speed Watch
There have been no community speed watch sessions since the start of the year, to date volunteers are not prepared to restart as social distancing would be difficult.
Cllr Brackenbury presented the statistics from the Speed Indication Device from the B1188 Scopwick in September. These are available to download from the parish council website.
32/2020 Correspondence
A list of general correspondence received by the Clerk was noted.
33/2020 Finance
(a) Accounts summary as at 25/9/20
- Co-operative Bank current account: £9,720.98
- Co-operative Bank deposit account: £27,983.92
- Total funds: £37,704.90
Copy budget circulated.
(b) Payments approved:
(i) Receipts and payments from 26th July 2020 to 25th September 2020
- 03-Aug-20 SO J Moran Salary July 2020 £428.76
- 03-Aug-20 SO J Moran Clerks expenses Jun/July 2020 £25.98
- 03-Aug-20 SO CB Maintenance Grass cutting invoice 771 £450.00
- 28-Aug-20 SO J Moran Salary Aug 2020 £428.76
- 02-Sept-20 BACS Lincolnshire CC Grass cutting contribution 2020 £888.36
- 07-Sept-20 SO CB Maintenance Grass cutting invoice 787 £330.00
- 07-Sept-20 SO S&KGVHC Grant for 2020/21 £1250.00
- 14-Sept-20 SO Planning with People Invoice 409 (NPG) £250.00
- 14-Sept-20 SO RoSPA Playpark inspection inv 51177 £120.00
(ii) To be paid before next meeting:
- J Moran clerks expenses Aug/Sept 2020: HP instant ink £15.98; stationary £45.88; Zoom £14.39; Admin costs £10.00; postage £4.60 £90.85
- J Moran salary Sept 2020 £428.76
- Sills and Betteridge payment on account for registration of village green and hall £250.00
34/2020 Matters considered
(a) FCC grant and new play equipment funding
The final terms of the grant had been agreed by FCC Community Funding who issued a contract for the Parish Council to approve. A copy of the funding contract and associated documents had been sent to Councillors who resolved to approve the contract which was signed by the Chairman.
The Parish Council further resolved to pay and reclaim any VAT payable on the equipment and materials.
(b) NPG membership
Following the resignation of Cllr Money from the NPG the Parish Council resolved to confirm the appointment of Cllr Nelson as a Parish Council representative on this committee.
(c) Village maintenance
(i) Grass cutting.
The Clerk reported that the current grass cutting contract comes to an end this year. Following consultation with Cllr Baumber as grass cutting representative, the Clerk had sent an updated specification and maps with a request for quotes to three local contractors whose quotes will be considered at the November meeting.
(ii) Following correspondence with Blankney estates as the owners of the village green at Kirkby Green the Councillors resolved to continue to maintain this area between the road and the bridge.
The area is registered land and further protection will be afforded by its inclusion as a nominated ‘Local Green Space’ under the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.
(iii) A contractor had been instructed to cut the hedges in the playing field on Vicarage Lane. No instructions have been given regarding the village meadow due the unsuitability of the grass grid for heavy machinery. Cllr Baumber agreed to inspect the meadow hedges and trees and report to the Parish Council. He also agreed with Cllr Banks to look at the 2019 NKDC tree report and identify necessary tree works.
(iv) Cllr Flett reported that the Village Hall Committee is arranging for outside lighting on the side of the village hall. She will liaise with Cllr Nelson regarding putting up of the new carpark sign.
(v) Sewage system.
Matt Moore from Anglian Water (AW) addressed the Parish Council on the work to be done to help prevent future ground water infiltration overwhelming the sewage system.
He said that AW had produced a draft ‘Infiltration Reduction Plan’ for Scopwick. This plan is for the relining of the foul water sewage system in the village and includes work on both public sewers and private laterals as well as checking the existing liners. This plan has been agreed by the AW Head of Asset Planning and the funds assigned. Contractors have been appointed and dates for completion of the work were the end of the year for the new relining works, and March 2021 for completion of checking existing liners. These dates may have to be revised due to the Covid restrictions and he agreed to advise the Parish Council of any changes.
Matt reported that a ‘task and finish’ group had been set up by Lincolnshire County Council to look at the impact of relining the sewers in the longer term. This group will meet on the 9th October for the first time and their remit will include looking at other ‘solutions’ including new boreholes, groundwater catch systems and rainwater harvesting with the intention of lessening the strain on the sewerage system. They will also look at other areas of the country where similar challenges with groundwater infiltration have been addressed. Group members include representatives from AW, both the County and District Councils, the drainage board and Environment Agency. The Parish Council were invited to send a representative to take part.
In answer to questions raised by the Councillors, Matt confirmed that if circumstances required and the sewage system risked being overwhelmed, AW would return to tankering as a first step to prevent flooding and damage to property. If necessary they would also apply to the Environment Agency for permission to over-pump into the beck as they did in 2019. He confirmed that this permission would only be sought if sampling showed that the discharge was mainly groundwater and that if they had to over pump again they would filter both at the inlet and the outlet to help prevent solids entering the beck. In response to observations by Councillors that some homes discharge surface water into the foul sewer, Matt said that AW were able to test for this and looking at the impact of surface water drainage would be part of the remit of the Task and Finish Group.
35/2020 Date of next meeting
24th September 2020 venue to be confirmed.
36/2020
Finally, the Chairman welcomed the new clerk, Jules Wilkins. Jules takes up post on the 1st October 2020. The Parish Council then went into closed session to discuss employment terms and the contract for the new clerk.
Minutes submitted by:
Jill Moran, Parish Clerk. Email: clerkscopwick@gmail.com