March 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 29th March 2022 at 7pm. The meeting was held in the Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Baumber (Chair), Cllr Flett (Vice-Chair), Cllr Davies, Cllr Money, Cllr Nelson, County Cllr Kendrick, District Cllr Clarke, Sqn Ldr Ian Partridge (RAF Digby), Mr Paul Yeoman (new Parish Clerk)
In attendance Jules Wilkins (Clerk and Proper Officer)
15/22. Chairman’s welcome
The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed the new Parish Clerk and Squadron Leader Ian Partridge who was present to discuss the bus shelters outside RAF Digby.
Sqn Ldr Partridge put forward a request from the RAF for the Parish Council to replace or refurbish the two bus shelters on the B1191 outside the main entrance to RAF Digby. This was discussed and it is unclear whether the Parish Council is responsible for both shelters and what could be expected from LCC Highways.
Cllr Kendrick agreed to follow this up with LCC Highways on behalf of Sqn Ldr Partridge.
Sqn Ldr Partridge agreed to explore whether the RAF infrastructure section could inspect the shelters and provide a report for the Parish Council and also identify whether the RAF have undertaken any work on them previously.
It was RESOLVED that this would be discussed further at the next meeting following receipt of updates from Cllr Kendrick and Sqn Ldr Partridge.
There being no further members of the public present this section of the meeting was closed.
16/22. Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given
Apologies were received from Cllr Banks (out of the country) and Cllr Brackenbury (at work) and accepted by those present.
17/22. 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.
18/22. Minutes of previous meetings
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on the 25th January 2022 were accepted and it was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record.
19/22. Clerks Report
(a) District and County Councillor(s) Reports
Cllr Kendrick reported that East Midlands Railway have proposed to reintroduce parking charges at Metheringham train station. Concerns regarding the impact of this have been discussed with Caroline Johnson MP and a response from EMR is awaited. Cllr Kendrick noted that consultation on pharmacy services in the county opens on 19th April and a new partnership between the county and district councils and the NHS has commenced regarding integrated care services.
Cllr Clarke provided an update on North Kesteven District Council activity including the review of meeting structures. He also informed the group that the boundary changes coming into effect in 2023 will result in a reduction from 2 to 1 district councillor for the Scopwick and Kirkby Green parish.
(b) Matters Outstanding
(i) It was RESOLVED to make enquiries regarding levelling up the ground to prevent flooding and undertake general upkeep before any discussion regarding a replacement shelter.
LCC Highways have submitted a report which has been referred to Transport Services for evaluation.
(ii) The council will sign up for the LALC parish council basic website support service from April 2022.
Since the budget was set a new Parish Clerk has been appointed and will need a higher level of support for website maintenance. It was therefore proposed by Cllr Baumber that the enhanced support offer of 10 hours (£150) would be suitable. This was seconded by Cllr Davies and RESOLVED by all present.
(iii) Consideration will be given to a contribution to costs of plants for the village sign planters in 2022/23. Cllr Baumber will discuss with volunteer.
Cllr Baumber to obtain costs from the volunteers.
(iv) Cllr Baumber agreed to obtain a quote for laying of aggregate material on the affected area and would circulate to members
There was a discussion on the most suitable approach to addressing this problem. Cllr Baumber proposed that a number of different approaches should be tested before deciding on a solution and will commence that work within two weeks to ensure the Meadow is prepared ahead of the Jubilee weekend. Cllr Davies suggested that the use of an alternative grass may help and agreed to research this and report back to Cllr Baumber. Cllr Baumber AGREED to undertake work within the next 2 weeks.
(v) It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would make the contribution (to the Queen’s Jubilee celebration event on 2nd June) and Cllr Flett will report details at the next meeting.
Cllr Flett requested that in addition to the contribution for the event the Parish Council considers a contribution to a commemorative gift for children. Cllr Davies proposed a donation of £200 towards the cost of Jubilee commemorative gifts, seconded by Cllr Money and AGREED by all those present.
(vi) It was proposed by Cllr Davies, seconded by Cllr Brackenbury and RESOLVED that the Parish Clerk explore lead times for the items (picnic tables and bench) and align these with the funding decision.
The lead time for the equipment is 3-4 weeks. The Clerk requested a decision regarding whether the Parish Council would commit the funding for this before the outcome of the grant application is known. Cllr Baumber proposed that this be agreed and it was RESOLVED to order the equipment as soon as possible.
The Clerk also informed the meeting that NKDC has no record of the bench on Springfield Estate and therefore has given permission for the parish council to take responsibility for it. Cllr Fleet noted that a resident of the Estate has offered to undertake maintenance and it was agreed that she would check this maintenance could address the issues created by the tree over the bench.
The timing and position of the planting of the tree purchased to commemorate the Jubilee was discussed and it was RESOLVED that it would be planted by Cllr Nelson at 11am on 2nd April in the meadow area next to the pumping station.
(c) Neighbourhood Planning Group
Following on from the consultation required under regulation 14 of the The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, the draft plan was reviewed with the assistance of the retained consultant and amended as necessary.
The plan along with consultation statement and other required documents have now been submitted to North Kesteven District Council for regulation 16 consultation and formal examination. This process is anticipated to take 2 to 3 months. Should any amendments be required they will be made prior to the referendum which is likely to take place in the late summer. The responsibility for organising the referendum rests with NKDC.
The submitted documents have been placed on the PC website (these include redacted comments and remarks made by the Reg 14 statutory consultees and parishioners) . Notices have been placed on the boards in the two villages and will be circulated using local electronic newsletters and periodicals in the usual way.
The work of the NPG is now largely completed and once the referendum has taken place it is recommended that the NPG be dissolved and responsibility for the application of the plan and its maintenance be undertaken by the appropriate sub-committee of the Parish council.
(d) Village Hall Committee Report
Cllr Flett provided a report on activity at the Village Hall including the receipt of £2667 Omicron Hospitality and Leisure grant and the raising of over £400 for the Ukraine appeal and Marie Curie as a result of the Daffodil Day.
Cllr Flett asked the members whether it was appropriate to raise the Ukraine flag outside the Village Hall and it was RESOLVED to raise the flag for a week.
(e) Playing Field Committee Report
Cllr Nelson provided an update from the most recent Committee meeting. The Committee is seeking new members having lost two recently. One volunteer has responded to the request from the newsletter.
The Race Night held in December raised £1600.
Fresh playbark will be needed for the toddlers park and the Clerk AGREED to organise this.
(f) Community Speed Watch Report
The Clerk provided a verbal report on the activities of the Community Speed Watch volunteers who have carried out 22 sessions since the last meeting and have observed about 10% of traffic travelling over 35mph during those sessions.
The report was noted and Cllr Baumber requested the Clerk pass on the thanks of the Parish Council to the volunteers.
(g) Police Report
The Clerk reported that the latest crime figures show 50 offences were reported in January in the Sleaford Rural North area, one of which was in the Scopwick and Kirkby Green parish.
The report was noted.
(h) Clerks Items for Noting
(i) Newsletter
The Clerk informed the group that the Spring newsletter had been delivered to all residents over the weekend and provided a copy for noting.
(ii) Defibrillator
The Clerk reported that the launch event for the Kirkby Green defibrillator was held on 14th March and a Defibrillator Awareness Session is to be held in the Village Hall on 13th April.
20/22. Financial Matters
(a) Accounts summary as at 21st March 2022:
Co-operative Bank current account: £ 1539.03
Co-operative Bank deposit account: £20017.88
Total funds: £21556.91
Receipts and payments from 18th January to 21st March 2022 were noted:
31/01/22 J Wilkins (Salary January 22) £ 423.36
31/01/22 J Wilkins (Expenses Dec 21-Jan 22) £ 53.64
14/02/22 VAT reclaim (Aug 21 – Jan 22) +£ 654.21
21/02/22 Ornamental Trees Ltd £ 92.33
21/02/22 Salary correction +£ 3.20
28/02/22 J Wilkins (Salary February 22) £ 420.16
08/03/22 Onyx Trophies (village show) £ 120.00
14/03/22 Transfer from savings account +£2000.00
14/03/22 Planning with People (NP) £3625.00
It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments to be made before the next meeting:
28/03/22 Grass cutting (Mar 22) £ 225.00
31/03/22 J Wilkins (Salary March 22, incl backpay for
pay increase) £ 510.84
31/03/22 J Wilkins (Expenses Feb-Mar 22) £ 51.83
01/04/22 LALC/NALC membership £ 235.02
01/04/22 LALC Annual Training Scheme £ 110.00
01/04/22 Village Hall grant £1340.00
01/04/22 Cemetary grant £1650.00
01/04/22 CPRE membership £ 36.00
07/04/22 ee phone contract £ 17.00
30/04/22 NKDC Tree Survey £ 334.00
30/04/22 P Yeoman (Salary April 22) £ 414.00
30/04/22 Grass cutting (April 22) £ 465.00
(b) Budget 2022/23
A number of changes that have arisen since the budget was set in January were discussed and AGREED by those present. The Clerk informed the group that a revised budget will be issued following this decision.
21/22. Planning Matters
The Council noted planning applications received or decided since the last meeting:
Golden Leylandii - fell; 2 x Cypress - fell; 2 x Leylandii - felll; Chestnut - fell; Ground cover shrubs - remove - Brook House 30 Brookside Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PA Ref. No: 22/0389/TCA | Received date: Mon 14 Mar 2022 | Status: Pending Consideration | Case Type: Planning Application
Four Junior Ranks Single Living Accommodation (SLA) Blocks with associated car parking, fencing and landscaping works. - RAF Digby Cuckoo Lane Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3LH Ref. No: 21/0447/FUL | Received date: Mon 22 Mar 2021 | Status: Pending Decision | Case Type: Planning Application
T1 Silver Birch - fell - 3 Farriers Court Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PL - Ref. No: 22/0301/TCA | Received date: Fri 25 Feb 2022 | Status: TPO Not Required (22/03/22) | Case Type: Planning Application
T4 Spruce - reduce by one third in height and reshape (approx 4.3 metres) - 36 Brookside Scopwick Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3PA Ref. No: 22/0163/TCA | Received date: Tue 01 Feb 2022 | Status: TPO Not Required (24/02/22) | Case Type: Planning Application
22/22. Correspondence
The correspondence log was provided to the meeting. There were no items for discussion.
23/22. Matters for Resolution
(a) Speed Indication Signs
There was a discussion regarding the proposed installation of a fixed speed indication device on the B1188. It was RESOLVED to carry this matter forward to the next meeting when Cllr Brackenbury is present and has been able to undertake a survey of traffic in the area.
(b) Brookside Verge Works
There was a discussion regarding the lack of response from LCC Highways regarding the Council’s request regarding the project plans and maintenance costs for the Brookside verge works. Cllr Baumber stated the Council are unable to approve any increase in budget for this work as they cannot sanction public funds when the works are unspecified. It was AGREED that the Clerk would communicate the Council’s decision to LCC Highways.
24/22. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be the Annual Parish Council Meeting on 10th May 2022. The meeting will take place in Scopwick Village Hall.
Minutes submitted by:
Jules Wilkins, Clerk and Proper Officer. Email: clerkscopwick@gmail.com