November 2024 Minutes
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ScopwickandKirkbyGreen/
The minutes of the full Council meeting of Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council, held on Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was held in Scopwick Village Hall. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true record.
Present:
Cllrs M Williams (Chair), J Flett (Vice-Chair), O Davies, P Frost, C Kerrigan and D Nelson; County Councillor R Kendrick and Parish Clerk - J Sargent.
There were two members of the public in attendance.
Public Forum
Resident 1 expressed concerns regarding the applications for the Springwell Solar Farm, substations and battery storage facilities. The resident thought a solar farm on agricultural land was a waste and thought that the solar farm would not generate the amount of electricity suggested due to the number of hours of sunlight. The resident requested the government consider this project carefully, as it may lead to further projects in the area.
Cllr Williams thanked the resident for their input and advised that it would be a standing item on the agenda for future meetings, until a decision has been reached. Cllr Williams reassured the resident that the Parish Council are closely monitoring the project and encouraged residents to share their views on the proposals.
Cllr Williams mentioned attending a number of events relating to the proposals and advised that Springwell are due to submit a revised proposal. After this, the Parish Council will try to get feedback on the proposals to inform the response.
Resident 2 also expressed concerns regarding the solar farm proposals and the potential issues relating to flooding, particularly as Scopwick has suffered from flooding recently.
Cllr Williams advised that there has been some modelling done measuring water run off which shows an increase in the risk of flooding. This issue has been raised with the developers.
County Councillor R Kendrick
County Councillor R Kendrick provided a monthly report, circulated via email.
Cllr Kendrick added that the County Council are strongly opposed to solar farms on agricultural land. The Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning - Colin Davie has been in the media recently discussing these proposals as well as the National Grid’s proposals to install pylons across Lincolnshire from Grimsby, south to Walpole in Norfolk. Cllr Kendrick advised the decision will be made by the Secretary of State.
Cllr Kendrick acknowledged the strength of feeling in the parish, referring to a previous Parish Meeting where almost all in attendance expressed their opposition to the proposals. Cllr Kendrick advised that he and other senior Councillors will continue to oppose the proposals.
Central Government will be conducting a review of Local Government with the likelihood of moving to unitary authorities, meaning that district councils in Lincolnshire will be abolished. Cllr Kendrick attended the Lincolnshire growth summit, where a greater Lincolnshire authority was discussed which would mean having a Mayor for Lincolnshire, along with increased funding for a combined county authority.
The County Council are waiting for their annual settlement and are still financially stable, despite pressures from special education needs, adult social care and highways.
Cllr Kendrick advised that a section 19 flood report from Storm Babet is due to be released soon, which will help guide future planning for flood events.
Lincoln Castle has had a successful year, particularly with new acts which has had a positive impact on tourism in the area. There are various acts already booked for 2025 such as UB40, Olly Murs and the Stranglers.
District Councillor A Bailey
District Councillor A Bailey was not in attendance, and no written report received.
With no further matters, if was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
79. Chairman’s Welcome.
Cllr Williams opened the meeting welcoming everyone, thanked Councillors for their attendance, reminded Councillors to turn phone off or on silent and of emergency exits.
80. Apologies.
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllr P Baumber.
81. Declaration of Interest.
None received.
82. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 24th September 2024.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to adopt the minutes as a true and accurate record.
83. To approve the record of accounts for:
a. September
b. October
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the accounts for September and October. A copy of the Accounts Report included as an attachment to the minutes.
84. To receive the bank reconciliation for:
a. September
b. October
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation to keep Councillors up to date with the financial status of the Council, for information purposes only. A copy of the bank reconciliation included as an attachment to the minutes.
85. To receive an Income and Expenditure Summary for the second quarter of the financial year for:
a. Treasurers Account
b. Reserves Account.
The Clerk provided an Income and Expenditure Summary for the second quarter of the financial year to keep Councillors up to date with the financial status of the Council, for information purposes only. No questions were raised. A copy of the bank summary included as an attachment to the minutes.
86. To receive a Budget Review for the second quarter of the financial year.
The Clerk provided a Budget Review for the second quarter of the financial year to keep
Councillors up to date with the financial status of the Council, for information purposes
only. No questions were raised. A copy of the budget review included as an attachment to the minutes.
87. Financial Planning 2025-26, to receive:
a. A draft budget.
b. Precept Calculations
c. Draft earmarked reserves budget.
The Clerk provided a draft budget, examples of the precept request and a draft earmarked reserves budget for Councillors to consider ahead of the next meeting. This budget was provided for information purposes ahead of a discussion in January, with a view to receive feedback or suggested amendments prior to the January meeting.
The Clerk recommended increasing the general contingency fund to £9,500.00 to cover 9 months average expenditure, which would comply with the Financial Regulations.
Cllr Frost suggested including an allocation to hold a poll in the parish regarding the Springwell Solar Farm proposals to legitimise the response of the Parish Council. Councillors considered other options such as an informal survey or a Parish Meeting, the validity of an informal survey, and the potential response. Councillors expressed concern over the cost implications of holding a parish poll and how much weight it would carry in a formal response to the developers. Cllr Nelson suggested that the cost of a parish poll would not be the best use of Council funds and was concerned with potential turn out as well as the significance it would have in a response.
Cllr Flett suggested it was important to capture the feeling of residents to help inform the Parish Council’s response but thought a meeting would not represent the village as a whole and advised that some parishioners suggested they would not attend another meeting as the previous meeting was hostile. Cllr Kerrigan supported the idea of a survey sent to every home in the parish but was concerned about the timeframe.
Cllr Nelson advised that a response submitted must meet the correct criteria similar to when responding to planning applications.
Cllr Williams noted the significant increase in proposed costs for the grass cutting contract and asked if companies had been contacted to quote. The Clerk confirmed that companies were being asked to quote for the contract, with few responding and commented that colleagues working for other Councils were facing similar challenges.
Cllr Kerrigan wanted to note for the minutes thanks to Cllr Baumber for his efforts cutting the hedges and the excellent job done.
88. To receive reports:
a. Village Hall Committee
Cllr Flett report that the Village Hall held an annual art exhibition in October, which had more visitors and sales than ever before. An upholstery course was held in the hall and have booked for 2025. An orchestra played in October and raised £400 for a music charity. Richard Durrant - guitarist and composer played in the hall in September and will be returning on 20th December 2024 to play songs of the solstice. Discounted tickets will be available to residents. The annual warm-up to Christmas event will be held on 17th December 2024 at 18:30. The military wives’ choir will be performing in the hall on Sunday 8th December 2024 at 17:00. The flood forum held a meeting in October which Cllr Nelson attended. The Hall will be closing on 21st December 2024 to 5th January 2025 for maintenance work. The committee will be looking to improve signs for access for people with disabilities and plan for VE Day 80 in May 2025.
b. Playing Field Committee
Cllr Nelson reported the hedges had been cut by Mark Gash and finished off by Cllr Baumber. Cllr Nelson reported issues with moles in the playing field and will install a sign warning those using the field of the uneven surface. Cllr Nelson suggested putting some traps down or using a pest control service in the interest of safety.
c. Community Speed Watch
Cllr Frost reported holding some speed watch sessions and noted that there seemed to be an increase in speeding vehicles than in previous sessions. Statistics from the speed sign have been uploaded to the Council’s website.
Feedback has been provided to LCC regarding the lowering of the speed limit along the B1188 through the village.
d. Environmental Report
Cllr Davies reported that the Beck greens have recovered from the damage and wet period last winter, and a tree survey is due in March 2025 from NKDC.
Cllr Davies mentioned the help received from residents in tidying up Vicarage Lane cemetery for Remembrance Sunday and a mole problem in the Churchyard as well as the village greens around the Beck.
Cllr Flett offered to plant daffodil bulbs in the community.
Cllr Kerrigan mentioned the dead tree which backs onto Vicarage Lane is within the boundary of a property on Willow Close. Parts of the tree had fallen into Vicarage Lane causing a danger on a popular walking route. The Clerk advised that NKDC’s Tree Officer attended and confirmed that it was the responsibility of the property owner on Willow Close, but Planning Enforcement advised they would not contact the owner. Cllr Williams asked the Clerk to write to the property owner to see if some maintenance can be carried out to ensure the tree is safe. Cllr Kerrigan stressed that the tree needs maintenance or cutting down on the grounds of safety.
e. The Chairman
Cllr Williams reported attending events relating to the proposals for the solar farms and substations for the area and attending a meeting in Navenby to gauge activity in their community.
f. The Clerk
The Clerk advised of a government consultation on hybrid meetings and proxy voting, which Councillors can respond to individually but also welcomed feedback to form a response from the Council as a whole. The Clerk advised of the positives and negatives of both hybrid meetings and proxy voting. The Clerk mentioned the Lincolnshire Police and Crime survey which will be circulated via email and asked for feedback to be able to respond as a Council.
89. To approve the Sills & Betteridge invoice for the voluntary land registration of title deed number LL421712, land on the south side of Main Street, Scopwick.
The Clerk mentioned receiving a land registration title deed from Sills & Betteridge and invoice, which was organised by the previous Clerk. The invoice total was above the Clerk’s delegated powers and sought approval to pay the invoice.
Cllr Davies recalled that Cllr Baumber helped arrange the registration with Sills & Betteridge. Cllr Flett advised this was arranged as no one knew who owned the land and to register it as belonging to the Parish Council. It was resolved unanimously to agree to pay the invoice.
Cllr Kerrigan queried the address listed on the deed belonging to the previous Clerk. The Clerk advised he would write to Sills & Betteridge and the Land Registry to update the address.
90. To approve the payment of the Tudor Grounds Maintenance invoice.
The Council asked the Clerk to calculate the costs of the work completed in comparison to the contract and the amount invoiced for by Tudor Grounds Maintenance. The calculation included as an attachment to the minutes. It was resolved unanimously to pay £323.85 to Tudor Grounds Maintenance for 30% of 2 months’ work, which was carried out.
91. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. Planning Application: 24/1114/FUL | RAF Digby, Cuckoo Lane, Scopwick | Demolition and like for like replacement of a 20-year fibreglass redone structure | AWAITING DECISION
b. Notification of Decision: 24/0097/HOUS | 6 Manor Farm Barns, Church Lane, Kirkby Green | Installation of solar panels and air source heat system (part retrospective) | PLANNING APPROVED
c. Planning Application amendment: 23/1283/FUL | Land At Heath Road, Scopwick | Hybrid planning application seeking full planning for use of land as public open space and outline planning permission for residential development with details of means of access | AWAITING DECISION
d. Planning Application: 24/1122/DISCON | 87 Main Street Scopwick | Application to discharge conditions 4 (Arboricultural Method Statement), 6 (Landscaping Scheme) and 8 (Construction Management Plan and Method Statement) attached to planning permission 22/0417/FUL - Demolish existing buildings and erection of five detached dwelling houses | AWAITING DECISION
e. Planning permission: 24/1301/FUL | Land Off Vicarage Lane Scopwick | Erection of two detached dwellings | AWAITING DECISION
The Clerk confirmed all had been circulated via email.
Cllr Kerrigan spoke against planning application 24/1301/FUL as it does not comply with the Neighbourhood Plan to remain within the visual aesthetic of the village and will circulate an email with Councillors citing the references.
Cllr Williams expressed concern regarding issues with flooding which is exacerbated when more housing is added in the community.
Cllr Nelson reported attending a Flood Forum meeting where parishioners had raised concerns with flooding issues, but that James Stevens hosting the forum was not particularly co-operative, nor welcoming of a representative from the Parish Council being in attendance. Cllr Nelson advised that the Flood Forum would like to arrange a walk around the village with professionals to highlight where concerns are with ground water flooding. Cllr Nelson recommended having residents also attend with knowledge of the area. No date has been set. An invitation will be sent via email.
92. To receive an update for the kerbing project around the village green.
Cllr Kerrigan confirmed that some preliminary assessments have been conducted in relation to the levelling as yellow markings appeared on the road but had not received an updated via email from Rowan Smith.
93. To receive an update an update on:
a. Fosse Green Energy Solar Farm Proposals
b. Springwell Solar Farm Proposals
c. Navenby Substation
d. Battery Storage, near Navenby
Cllr Williams advised that Navenby substation and battery storage will be decided by NKDC whereas Fosse Green and Springwell are NSIPs to be decided by the Secretary of State.
Cllr Williams suggested that if the Navenby substation is declined, then the likelihood of Fosse Green and Springwell applications being successful diminishes considerably. However, there could be an appeal. Campaign groups are focusing on responding negatively to the Navenby Substation to help support the campaign against the solar farms. Cllr Williams suggested the Navenby substation and battery storage and the Fosse Green and Springwell solar farms are intrinsically linked despite being separate applications. If the applications are approved, it could possibly lead to more solar farms in the area.
Cllr Williams suggested that generally the Secretary of State goes with the decision of the Planning Inspectorate and stressed the importance of lodging a response with the Planning Inspectorate. Cllr Williams asked for the Parish Council to object to the Navenby Substation. Cllr Kerrigan asked for the relevant paperwork to be circulated with Councillors but suggested that perhaps the Parish Council have not been asked to comment by NKDC as a consultee due to the location of the substation. Cllr Williams asked the Clerk to investigate when a response is required.
94. To consider a location in the parish to install a new radar flashing speed sign.
Cllr Frost suggested the Parish Council install on a 30mph speed limit sign on the north side of the village on the B1188, a location which was supported by the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. A picture of the location circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting and included as an attachment to the minutes. It was resolved unanimously to install the sign at the location suggested. The Clerk to arrange.
95. To receive the correspondence log since the previous meeting.
The Clerk provided a record of the correspondence log for Councillors information.
96. To receive a record of previous resolutions and action points.
The Clerk provided a record of previous resolutions and action points that were ongoing and complete.
97. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 28th January 2025.
It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 28th January 2025.
Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 9:06pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Chair of the Council - Cllr Marc Williams
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Parish Clerk - Jack Sargent
Tuesday 28th January 2025