January 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 30th January 2023 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), P Baumber, C Kerrigan, D Nelson, and P Frost; County Cllr R Kendrick and District Cllr A Bailey.
Parish Clerk - J Sargent.
3 members of the public in attendance.
Public Session
Resident 1 mentioned issues with Anglian Water tankers at the pumping station. The resident mentioned that when it rains heavily, they are unable to use their facilities. The resident asked for help from the Parish Council to liaise with Anglian Water to improve the situation. The resident also understood that there are issues caused by the tankers to properties close to the pumping station.
Resident 2 confirmed that they were advised to contact Anglian Water when issues arise, however, suggested that managers at Anglian Water do not return calls.
Cllr Baumber advised that there has been significant rainfall in October and early in the new year which will have contributed to the issue along with the groundwater and surface water levels being affected. Cllr Baumber also mentioned that there has been almost double the amount of rain compared with the annual average.
Resident 1 mentioned a representative had tried to pass blame on to global warming, Highways, the farmers but insisted on the need for a resolution.
Cllr Nelson sought clarification on when issues occur. Resident 1 advised issues were exacerbated during Storm Babet, and the pumping has helped ease the problem, but it is not a long-term solution.
Cllr Williams advised that the Parish Council will contact Anglian Water again.
Resident 3 queried the availability of the November minutes. The Clerk advised that they should be on the Parish Council’s website - the Clerk to follow up. Minutes are also posted in the noticeboard and will be post on https://www.scopwickparish.co.uk/.
Report from North Kesteven District Councillor A Bailey
Councillor A Bailey updated Councillors on a range of issues, mentioning the Springwell Solar Farm protest signs that had been put up and the investigation from NKDC officers regarding this. Cllr Bailey mentioned that the Springwell Solar Farm consultations had been well attended by residents and noted receiving plenty of feedback. Cllr Bailey also mentioned concerns over footpaths around Springfield being in a poor state. Cllr Kendrick offered to liaise with Cllr Bailey on this issue.
Cllr Bailey also mentioned that at full Council, it was resolved unanimously to object to solar farms within the district.
Report from Lincolnshire County Councillor R Kendrick
Cllr Kendrick issued a monthly bulletin via email, circulated to Councillors. Cllr Kendrick mentioned budgeting process at LCC, maintaining essential areas such as Highways and adult social care. The devolution consultation concludes imminently.
Cllr Kendrick also mentioned Dr Caroline Johnson MP met with the Prime Minister to discuss the Springwell Solar Farm project, how it was one of seventeen applications within Lincolnshire alone.
Cllr Kerrigan asked about funding available for cycle path to Blankney and the missing bridge, within the neighbourhood plan. Cllr Kendrick to double check on availability of funding.
With no further matters, it was resolved to move into session.
93. Chairman’s Welcome
Cllr Williams opened the meeting welcoming everyone and thanking them for their attendance.
94. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllr Davies.
95. Declaration of Interest.
None received.
96. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 28th November 2023.
Cllr Kerrigan queried the numbering; the Clerk to investigate.
It was resolved unanimously to adopt the minutes as a true and accurate record with the Clerk to clarify on numbering of items.
97. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the extraordinary Council meeting held on 16th January 2024.
Cllr Kerrigan asked for confirmation for an allocation in the budget for the defibrillator that is not recorded in the minutes. The Clerk advised it has been included in the budget as requested. It was resolved unanimously to adopt the minutes as a true and accurate record.
98. To approve the record of accounts for:
a. November
b. December
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the accounts for November and December.
99. 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.
100. To receive reports from:
a. Village Hall Committee
• Cllr Flett advised the WiFi had been fixed.
• The insurance issues had been sorted.
• YMCA/Community Lincs
• No new plans for D-Day commemoration, to be decided.
• Daffodil weekend coming up in March.
• Some groups who had booked the hall agreed to change their booking in order to accommodate a wake.
• Quiz night in March.
• Orchestra returning for another concert in October.
b. Playing Field Committee
Cllr Nelson advised that there were some moles on the playing field. Some small repairs have been made to tables. Cllr Baumber confirmed that the bark has arrived for the play area. Cllr Williams offered to help transport the bark to the play area.
c. Community Speed Watch
Cllr Frost advised there had been 8 sessions since the last Parish Council meeting, including two at the new site near RAF Digby. RAF personnel visited the speed watch team and have asked for volunteers to join the speed watch team for that location.
The flashing speed sign has had a positive impact on the number of speeding vehicles on the B1188, seeing a 2% reduction. All speed watch locations have also seen a reduction. Cllr Frost advised they’d received positive feedback for the flashing speed sign. Cllr Frost provided a report of the data downloaded from the speed sign, to be included in the minutes and to be posted on the website.
Councillors noted the number of vehicles travelling through the village at 90mph and suggested with further evidence from the speed sign, it would be worth asking the Police to return with a speed camera.
d. Environmental Report
No report submitted.
e. The Chairman
Cllr Williams advised of a not much activity but will try to attend more village events.
f. The Clerk
The Clerk advised of some enquiries for allotment gardens. Councillors advised there had previously been a location for allotment gardens, but it was not pursued due to a lack of interest. Councillors suggest the nearest location for allotment gardens would be in Digby.
The Clerk also mentioned issues with Anglian Water, the company that deliver the Christmas tree will no longer be offering delivery, but collections will be available. The Clerk mentioned having a lengthy conversation with a representative from Springwell.
Cllr Williams offered to look into a new supplier that could provided a living tree - a tree that can be returned and replanted.
Cllr Kerrigan asked for an update on flying tipping issue. The Clerk confirmed no update had been received.
101. To consider a D-Day commemoration event.
Cllr Flett confirmed that the time requested to light the beacon on 6th June will be 9:15pm. The Village Hall committee to discuss plans for a commemoration event with a small allocation in the budget decided at the previous meeting.
102. To consider the annual subscription to LALC and annual training scheme.
The Clerk provided the costs, and it was resolved unanimously to continue with the annual subscription and training scheme.
103. Springwell Solar Farm:
a. To consider a response to the latest Springwell Solar Farm project consultation.
b. To consider forming a committee to respond to current and future Springwell Solar Farm project consultations.
Cllr Williams mentioned attending the consultation event in Scopwick and suggested the vast majority of the community are not in favour of the project, highlighting the importance of capturing that feeling to add credibility to the Parish Council’s standpoint. Cllr Williams confirmed that he had an open mind to the project but could not support it in its current form.
Cllr Nelson mentioned how this project might include up to £300,000 of support in the communities around the project site. Cllr Nelson advised this is a request for feedback to the latest updates not just whether there is support for or objections to the project and recommended including in the feedback items that the Parish Council would like to see in the plans.
Cllr Williams invited a member of the public to speak, who queried the £300,000 figure and requested that the Parish Council’s response be posted on the website. Cllr Nelson advised this figure was based on the current proposals and the Clerk confirmed that the reply would be posted on the website.
Cllr Baumber cited the difficulty in responding due to the large amount of information supplied, however, stated the need to provide an unbiased view as to the impact of the project on the community.
Cllr Frost questioned what methods are available to request feedback from the community. The Clerk clarified options to include an informal leaflet drop or a parish poll, which would incur costs as it would be administered by NKDC. The Clerk also advised that Councillors have already been voted for in a recent election; Councillors are already able to act on behalf of the community.
Cllr Williams suggested hosting another Parish Meeting but also citied issues that it would be informal and perhaps residents who were for the project might not attend. Cllr Williams requested a written response from Councillors to be collated into a document to form a response. The Clerk recommended following advice from Cllr Baumber to have an unbiased view on how the project affects the community in formulating a response.
The Clerk mentioned that the representatives from Springwell advised of a site in Essex called Longfields that had been successful its planning application, however, was smaller than the proposed project at Springwell.
104. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
No comments.
105. To receive the correspondence log since the previous meeting.
The Clerk provided a record of the correspondence log for Councillors information.
106. 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.
107. To consider future meeting dates for 2024-25.
Cllr Nelson queried the Annual Meeting of the Council and the Annual Parish Meeting dates, suggesting that there should be an ordinary Council meeting in May as well as an Annual Meeting of the Council, so there is more opportunity for the community to engage with the Council.
Cllr Flett advised that the Annual Meeting of the Council is to appoint a Chair of the Council and members to committees and then the ordinary May meeting is to conduct normal business.
The Clerk advised normal business can be conducted at the Annual Meeting of the Council and there was no need for two meetings in May.
It was resolved unanimously to hold the Annual Meeting of the Council and the Annual Parish Meeting on 7th May 2024 and a full Council meeting at the 28th May 2024, as well as accepting the other dates listed.
108. To confirm the date of the next meeting as Tuesday 26th March 2024.
It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 26th March 2024.
109. To resolve to exclude the public and the media to discuss confidential matters in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
It was resolved unanimously to move into closed session to discuss contracts.
110. To consider the grass cutting contract quotes.
The Clerk advised of only one further quote had been received. Councillors requested the Clerk get a reference for the proposed contractors. The Clerk compared previous years expenditure to the proposals.
Councillors compared the contracts on offer with the requirements and the previous years contractor and requested further information before making a decision. It was resolved unanimously to defer until more information has been received.
Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 9:03pm.