May 2021 Minutes
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ScopwickandKirkbyGreen/
Minutes of the meeting of Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council held on 25th May 2021 at 7pm. The meeting was held in the Village Hall and online.
Present: Cllr Philip Baumber (Chair), Cllr Janet Flett (Vice Chair), Cllr Tim Banks, Cllr Alistair Brackenbury, Cllr David Nelson. County Cllr Rob Kendrick joined the meeting remotely at item 28/21. Cllr John Money did not attend and no apologies were received. Note: Cllr Money submitted apologies prior to the meeting but these were not picked up before the start of the meeting.
In attendance: Jules Wilkins (Clerk and Proper Officer)
21/21. Chairman’s welcome
Cllr Baumber opened the meeting and welcomed members to the first Parish Council meeting in the Village Hall for over a year.
22/21. Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given
Apologies were received from Cllr Davies who could not attend due to work commitments. District Cllrs Clarke and Clegg also sent apologies.
23/21. Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Banks and Nelson declared an interest in agenda item 5(c) due to family members being on the Village Hall Committee.
24/21. Minutes of previous meetings
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 30th March 2021 and the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 4th May 2021 were accepted and it was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record.
25/21. Clerks Report
(a) Matters Outstanding
Noticeboard maintenance - Cllr Flett reported that a volunteer had offered to carry out maintenance work on the Scopwick noticeboard and that she would continue to seek a volunteer for the Kirkby Green one.
Footbridge refurbishment - Cllr Nelson reported that he had met with a representative from LCC Highways to discuss the materials to be used and they had agreed on a sustainable and suitable design and material.
(b) Neighbourhood Planning Group
Cllr Nelson reported that the Group had been successful in their bid for further funds to complete the Neighbourhood Plan. The Clerk confirmed that the offer letter had been received on 25th May and, following the appropriate authorisation, funds should be in the Parish Council account and available to commission further work in due course.
(c) Village Hall Committee Report
Cllr Flett provided the following report to the meeting:
We were delighted and grateful to receive a government restart grant of £8,000. The mortice lock on the front door had become unpredictable and sometimes difficult to open. We have had this replaced with a better 5 lever one and new handles.
The wooden hand rails have been temporarily removed in order to dry out before being sanded, varnished and replaced. The metal railings will also be painted.
We have purchased motion sensitive lights for the east side of the hall making the one way exit and entry from the car park better lit.
We were pleased that our Risk Assessment was acceptable to both NKDC and the police and we were able to host the recent local elections.
We are now able to open the hall for meetings and events and our regular users are
gradually restarting. We have offered two weeks free to encourage attendance and, should groups remain financially stretched, a further two weeks at half price. Our aim is to get the hall back in use but we are not accepting any casual bookings until after the final unlocking.
(d) Playing Field Committee Report
Cllr Nelson provided the following report for the meeting:
Arrangements for the Grand Opening and Sports Day are progressing with invitations sent to organisations and individuals involved or interested in the development of the play park. The event will be hosted by Cllr Nelson and officially opened by one of the organisations that provided funding for the project (Lincolnshire Coop). Parish, District and County Councillors have been invited to the event. The Clerk confirmed that Cllr Kendrick has accepted the invitation.
Cllr Banks asked the Clerk to note his and his wife’s acceptance to the event invitation received.
Cllr Nelson also informed the meeting that the Committee is considering erecting some netting between the goal and hedgerow to prevent balls being lost/damaged by the blackthorn hedge and have identified a need to replace the litter bin (see item 29/21).
(e) Community Speed Watch Report
Cllr Brackenbury reported that there had been no change since the last meeting. The Speed Indication Device has been left in place on Heath Road for longer than usual due to concerns raised by a resident regarding speed of traffic entering the village on Heath Road. It is hoped that Community Speed Watch will resume soon and he would like a session to be undertaken on Heath Road. Cllr Baumber agreed with these concerns and the need to focus attention on Heath Road.
(f) Police Report
Lincolnshire Police have ceased to provide specific data for the Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish. A quarterly newsletter is issued and statistical crime data is available from the www.police.uk website. This data relates to the Sleaford Rural North area (which spans from the west side of the A15 across to Kirkstead and Dogdyke). In March 2021 a total of 96 crimes were reported of which the most commonly reported were Anti-social behaviour (48), Violence and sexual offences (33), Other theft (7) and Criminal damage and arson (2).
(g) District and County Councillor(s) Reports
The monthly reports and the annual report from Cllr Kendrick have been circulated to members and published on the website.
Cllrs Clarke and Clegg have supplied a joint report on achievements in 2020/21 which was provided for the meeting and published on the website.
26/21. Financial Matters
(a) Audit of Accounts 2020/21
(i) The Annual Internal Audit Report 2020/21 was noted by members.
(ii) The Annual Governance Statement 2020/21 was approved and signed by the Chairman.
(iii) The Accounting Statements 2020/21 were considered, approved and signed by the Chairman.
(b) To approve accounts summary and payments
The members noted the budget statement and payments made since the last meeting:
Co-operative Bank current account: £ 9,173.08
Co-operative Bank deposit account: £22,014.36
Total funds: £31,187.44
Receipts and payments from 23rd March to 19th May 2021:
01/04/21 Clerk’s salary March 2021 £ 406.80
01/04/21 Clerks expenses Feb & Mar 2021 £ 45.76
01/04/21 LALC/NALC annual membership £ 231.62
01/04/21 Precept payment £15,212.00
06/04/21 Village website (Calico) £ 52.80
06/04/21 CPRE annual membership £ 36.00
07/04/21 LALC annual training scheme £ 120.00
19/04/21 Playing field works (AC Walker) £ 500.00
19/04/21 Play park equipment (Creative Play) £ 7,411.00
30/04/21 Clerk’s salary April 2021 £ 406.80
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments to be made before the next meeting:
17/05/21 SPCC donation £ 1,100.00
17/05/21 Grass cutting April (CBGM) £ 225.00
26/05/21 Internal Audit (J Wood) £ 50.00
26/05/21 Insurance renewal (BHIB/Aviva) £ 422.00
31/05/21 Clerk’s salary May 2021 £ 406.80
31/05/21 Clerk’s expenses Apr-May 2021 £ 45.76
31/05/21 Grass cutting May (CBGM) £ 330.00
30/06/21 Clerk’s salary June 2021 £ 406.80
30/06/21 Grass cutting June (CBGM) £ 225.00
01/07/21 Tree works (B&B Tree Specialists) £ 932.55
27/21. Planning Matters
The following planning applications received and/or decided since the last meeting were noted:
Application for a non-material amendment (change of colour of proposed window from cream to grey) following the grant of planning permission 20/1205/HOUS- Proposed rear single storey extension, loft conversion, internal alterations, repairs/rebuild sections to boundary wall and demolition of the existing conservatory - 1 Farriers Court Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PL Ref. No: 21/0709/PNMAT | Received date: Fri 07 May 2021 | Status: Prior Approval Not Required | Case Type: Planning Application
Application for a non-material amendment (change of colour of proposed window from cream to grey) following the grant of planning permission 20/1205/HOUS- Proposed rear single storey extension, loft conversion, internal alterations, repairs/rebuild sections to boundary wall and demolition of the existing conservatory - 1 Farriers Court Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PL Ref. No: 21/0709/PNMAT | Received date: Fri 07 May 2021 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
T0D9Q Acer platanoides - Reduce northern co-dom stem by 3m; T0D9V Salix x sepulcralis 'Chrysocoma' - Re-pollard; T0DAC Prunus avium - To stream edge by 5.2m in height; T0DAX Malus domestica - re-stake leaning tree; T0DB7 Acer campestre - Height reduction by a maximum of 2m. Radial reduction by a maximum of 1m - Various Sites As Detailed In Maps Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PA Ref. No: 21/0531/TCA | Received date: Thu 08 Apr 2021 | Status: TPO Not Required | Case Type: Planning Application
Replacement windows to rear elevation of property - 5 Main Street Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NR Ref. No: 21/0152/LBC | Received date: Tue 02 Feb 2021 | Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application
Replacement windows to rear elevation of property - 5 Main Street Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3NR Ref. No: 21/0152/LBC | Received date: Tue 02 Feb 2021 | Status: Approved | Case Type: Planning Application
28/21. Correspondence
The members noted correspondence since the last meeting. One item of note was received:
An email received on 29th April 2021 from a resident living on the bend near the village signs on Heath Road. The resident has concerns regarding speeding vehicles on the bend and potential for accidents / injury, especially as he enters and exits his driveway. The Clerk forwarded his concerns to Cllr Brackenbury and made the resident aware that he could raise the issue at the next council meeting and that the Clerk would raise it as part of this update. The speed indication device is already located near the corner and it has been suggested that the CSW team do a session there.
Cllrs Baumber and Brackenbury agreed that Heath Road should be a priority and all members were concerned about traffic speed. Cllr Brackenbury informed the meeting that he had met with the resident and discussed his concerns.
29/21. Matters for Resolution
(a) Brookside Verge Works
Cllr Nelson reported that he had met with LCC to discuss options for kerbing and drainage. The Parish Council can opt for a non-standard kerb that may be more in keeping with the environment and this would add £2000 to the Parish Council’s financial contribution (which is currently £4000). A discussion took place and members concluded that they were not well informed enough to make a decision at the meeting and the cost appears to be getting out of control. Cllr Kendrick offered to make enquiries about the cost on behalf of the Parish Council once the Clerk had sent through details. The Chair requested that the latest plan be circulated to members and once this has been considered and Cllr Kendrick’s response received, the Parish Council will be in a position to make a decision.
(b) Playing Field Litter Bin
Cllr Nelson informed the meeting that the bin in the Playing Field is no longer fit for purpose and needs replacing with something more suitable. The Playing Field Committee considered several options and identified the most suitable which is weatherproof, can be fixed into soft ground and is visually in keeping with the environment. The Clerk added that the supplier is one recommended by NKDC and other councils.
It was unanimously RESOLVED to fund the purchase from the Parish Council Village Improvement reserve.
(c) Insurance Policy Renewal
The current Parish Council long term insurance agreement with Zurich is due for renewal in June 2021. The following quotes were provided by the Clerk:
Current Annual Cost £574
Zurich (current supplier) - 5-year LTA £544
Zurich - 3-year LTA £563
Zurich - Annual £583
Aviva - 3 year LTA (via BHIB) £422
Aviva - Annual (via BHIB) £448
The Clerk informed the meeting that the policies were ‘like for like’ and BHIB is a broker used by numerous councils nationally. The Clerk therefore recommended the Aviva 3-year LTA as the best value for money for the Parish Council.
It was unanimously RESOLVED to accept the Aviva 3-year LTA quote from BHIB.
(d) Parish Clerk Confirmation in Post
Cllr Baumber stated that in view of councillor feedback received he is happy to approve confirmation in post. It was unanimously RESOLVED to confirm the Clerk in post.
30/21. Next Meeting
Cllr Flett requested three items to be included in the agenda for the next meeting – the condition of the bus shelter on Heath Road, the condition of Scopwick church wall and the Queen’s Green Canopy scheme. It was RESOLVED to include these items on the agenda for the July Parish Council meeting.
The next meeting will be held on 27th July 2021 in the Village Hall.
Minutes submitted by:
Jules Wilkins, Clerk and Proper Officer. Email: clerkscopwick@gmail.com