January 2022 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 Tuesday 25th January 2022 at 7pm. The meeting was held in the Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Baumber (Chair), Cllr Flett (Vice-Chair), Cllr Brackenbury, Cllr Davies, Cllr Nelson, County Cllr Kendrick, District Cllr Clegg
In attendance: Jules Wilkins (Clerk and Proper Officer)
6/22. Chairman’s welcome
The Chairman opened the meeting. There being no public present the public section was closed.
7/22. Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given
Apologies were received from Cllr Banks (conflicting engagement) Cllr Money (unwell) and District Cllr Clarke.
8/22. Declarations of Interest
Cllrs Banks, Nelson and Flett declared an interest in agenda item 5(d) due to their own or relatives’ involvement with the Village Hall Committee. Cllr Nelson declared an interest in agenda item 5(e) as Chair of the Playing Field Committee.
9/22. Minutes of previous meetings
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on the 30th November 2021 and 11th January 2022 were accepted and it was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record.
10/22. Clerks Report
(a) District and County Councillor(s) Reports
Cllr Kendrick provided updates about the Fix our funds to fix our roads campaign and specials schools.
The Parish Clerk raised the matter outstanding relating to kerbing (see (b)(iv) below). Cllr Kendrick agreed to investigate why LCC Highways are unable to provide the requested information. Cllr Kendrick left the meeting.
Cllr Clegg provided an update on NKDC activity including peer review activity. Cllr Clegg left the meeting.
(b) Matters Outstanding
(i) Cllr Baumber to speak with Linda regarding budget requirements for village planters – not yet resolved.
(ii) Cllr Baumber to obtain quote for laying of aggregate materials on the affected area (Village Meadow) and circulate to members – not yet resolved.
(iii) Members to consider request for installation of lockable storage until behind Village Hall (Village Hall Committee) ¬– Cllr Flett informed the group that this matter can be delayed as the Tiddlers group is not currently due to restart. Cllr Baumber requested Cllr Flett to bring the matter back to a future meeting when relevant.
(iv) Clerk to write to LCC requesting a breakdown of costs, including the amount to be retained in reserves for future maintenance and confirmation that this reserve would be ringfenced for this purpose (Brookside kerbing)
Information not yet received. Cllr Kendrick to follow up with LCC Highways.
(v) Cllr Money to research cost of standard kerbing
Cllr Money provided costing information prior to the meeting and concluded that the cost is not far off that quoted by LCC Highways, although difficult to assess without the project cost information requested from LCC Highways.
(vi) to submit a funding application to Future Biogas Community Fund for benches
The funding application was submitted in early January 2022 and a decision expected in May 2022 (also see item 5(h) Clerks Items for Noting).
(c) Neighbourhood Planning Group
A written update was received from Peter Reeds, Chair of the Neighbourhood Planning Group:
The Regulation 14 consultation exercise was concluded on the 10th December. There were a total of 26 responses from residents. The policies in the draft plan were generally well supported and some helpful observations and remarks were submitted. Only one respondent was critical of the public consultation which had taken place, a criticism which is not accepted by the NPG and which will be rebutted in writing in due course. A summarised version of the comments have been complied and will be placed on the PC website in the near future. A total of 11 statutory consultees responded. NKDC carried out a full appraisal of the draft plan and submitted a lengthy document which the consultant is currently considering. With the exception of the Environment Agency the responses from the other statutory consultees were restricted to broad and non-specific observations. A summary of these responses will also be placed on the PC website.
A meeting with the Consultant is scheduled on the 27th January at which changes to the draft plan will be considered. The amended draft will then be submitted to the District Council for Reg 16 consultation and examination. Hopefully following this and the making of any further amendments a referendum will be organised by NKDC . A time line will be forwarded to the PC following the meeting with the Consultant on the 27th but, at present it is anticipated that the process will be completed in early to mid spring.
It is likely that the current funding available to the NPG by way of grant will be exhausted before the plan is finally adopted and consequently I would ask that the PC make provision for funding the balance in next years budget. An anticipated shortfall figure will be provided to the PC after the meeting on the 27th .
(d) Village Hall Committee Report
Cllr Flett, Chair of the Village Hall Committee, thanked the Council for the £100 small grant allocated towards the Christmas Cheer bags. Together with £150 from the village Hub and £50 left over from a grant for Friendship club the Committee were able to distribute 20 bags which benefitted a total of 28 people. The recipients included those with disabilities, health problems, safeguarding issues and others who are just lonely and isolated. The little boost was much deserved in every case. Many touching thank you messages were received expressing how extremely grateful they were and speaking of the difference it made to think the village cared and thought about them.
The Christmas Warm Up evening with seasonal songs and carols was much enjoyed and the event raised over £130 for Cancer Research. The Committee are now exploring possible activities and interest for the traditional Daffodil Weekend.
There were problems with the alarm and the securing light recently and as a result the code has been changed for the alarm the Committee are investigating the possibility of another security light on the East side to compliment the car park light.
Plans are underway for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations including joining the national events on Thursday 2nd June with lighting of the beacon at 9.15pm. It is hoped there will also be an evening of music from each decade of her reign, a presentation highlighting major events and changes and an appropriate supper. The Committee would like to make this event free or at a very subsidised cost and Cllr Flett asked for the Council’s thoughts on this. Cllr Davies proposed a Parish Council contribution of £100 towards the event. Cllr Brackenbury seconded. It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would make the contribution and Cllr Flett will report details at the next meeting.
On the Sunday the event will join the national community lunch with invitations to use the meadow for picnicking. The Committee is very concerned about the condition of the meadow and hope there will be enough time to recover from its present state.
Cllr Flett is currently trying to access a government Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant for which village halls seem to be eligible.
(e) Playing Field Committee Report
Cllr Nelson reported that the next Committee meeting is in two weeks and the main discussion will be arrangements for the rescheduled Grand Opening event in May.
(f) Community Speed Watch Report
Cllr Brackenbury circulated the Speed Indication Device data prior to the meeting. The data covered 2 months up to 17th January 2022 and showed the average speed in the 30mph areas was 25mph.
The Parish Clerk provided an update on Community Speed Watch activity including new volunteers, new equipment and regular sessions at all Speed Watch locations.
(g) 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). The latest statistical data available is for November 2021 during which 51 crimes were reported. The most commonly reported were Violence and sexual offences (23), Anti-social behaviour (9), Burglary (5) and Other theft (5).
The report was noted.
(h) Clerks Items for Noting
(i) Funding Application
The Parish Clerk requested that the Council decide whether it wishes to order the benches prior to the funding application decision, as it was intended to install the equipment in early Spring. It was proposed by Cllr Davies, seconded by Cllr Brackenbury and RESOLVED that the Parish Clerk explore lead times for the items and align these with the funding decision.
(ii) Newsletter
The Parish Clerk updated the meeting on planned content for the newsletter due for publication in March. Cllr Flett requested a feature on the Village Hall Committee’s plans for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and Cllr Nelson requested an item on the playing field Grand Opening.
11/22. Financial Matters
(a) To approve accounts summary and payments
The members noted the budget statement and payments made since the last meeting:
Co-operative Bank current account: £ 4,908.49
Co-operative Bank deposit account: £22,017.88
Total funds: £26,926.37
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments to be made before the next meeting:
31/01/22 J Wilkins (Salary January 22) £423.35
31/01/22 J Wilkins (Expenses Dec 21-Jan 22) £ 65.26
31/01/22 LRSP (wheelie bin stickers) £ 75.00
31/01/22 CSW equipment (bag) £ 50.00
28/02/22 J Wilkins (Salary February 22) £423.35
20/03/22 Newsletter printing £100.00
12/22. Planning Matters
New and updated planning applications received since the last meeting were noted by members – 21/1988/TCA, 21/1789/PNND, 21/1767/TCA, 21/1668/DISCON, 21/1297/HOUS. All planning applications can be viewed at North Kesteven District Council or online (via https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/planning-and-building/planning/planning- applications/planning-online/).
There were no comments on the applications
13/22. Correspondence
The meeting noted correspondence received since the last meeting.
14/22. Matters for Resolution
(a) Parish Clerk resignation and recruitment
The Chairman noted the letter of resignation received from the Parish Clerk and it was accepted by the meeting.
The Clerk informed the meeting of the recruitment timeline and requested confirmation of the interview panel. Cllr Baumber reminded the meeting that the last panel was made up of the Chairman and the two most experienced Councillors (Cllrs Flett and Nelson). It was RESOLVED that the interview panel would consist of Cllr Baumber, Cllr Flett and Cllr Nelson.
15/22. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council is scheduled for 7pm on 30th March 2022. The meeting will take place in Scopwick Village Hall.
Minutes submitted by:
Jules Wilkins, Clerk and Proper Officer. Email: clerkscopwick@gmail.com