November 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 November 2022 at 7pm. 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 P Baumber (Chair), J Flett (Vice-Chair), T Banks, O Davies, J Money, and D Nelson.
District Cllr J Clarke and County Cllr R Kendrick.
Parish Clerk - J Sargent.
Public Forum
A resident advised a statue is rotting been in situ since 1992. Cllr Davies advised the area is continually wet. Cllr Baumber clarified with the resident that the statue doesn’t need replacing, but rather raising, sitting on stone for example. Cllr Banks volunteered to investigate.
Cllr Flett advised the layby in Kirkby Green has large potholes. Cllr Baumber requested that the Clerk report on the Fix My Street website. Cllr Kendrick advised putting it on fix my street and to let him know of the reference no. Cllr Flett also mentioned that the pavement on Springfield are in disrepair. Cllr Kendrick to investigate.
With no further questions from members of the public, it was resolved to move into full session.
55/22. Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman opened the meeting welcoming everyone and thanking them for their attendance, reminding everyone of safety protocols and emergency exits.
56/22. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies received from Cllr A Brackenbury and District Cllr S Clegg.
57/22. Declarations of Interest
None Received.
58/22. To receive a presentation from Paige Donnelly of East Mercia Rivers Trust - Bringing the Limestone Becks Back to Life Project.
Cllr Baumber welcomed Paige Donnelly to Scopwick. Paige is the Resilient Rivers Officer for East Mercia Rivers Trust, leading the programme of bringing the Limestone Becks Back to Life. Paige outlined that the main mission is to restore the Limestone Becks, prevent further deterioration whilst engaging with the local community.
In Paige’s presentation she explained that Limestone Becks have been modified, deepened, and widened throughout the region, taken off their natural course, disconnected from their flood plain resulting in the water quality being very low. In good condition, the Becks are considered a priority habitat in the UK biodiversity action plan. Paige detailed how the habitat had degraded, and the flora and fauna is not what it should be. The Rivers Trust have come up with 6 reasons why the Limestone Becks are important, these include: biodiversity, water security, water quality, rich heritage, community and tourism.
This in turn led to 6 main project objectives: improve and restore ecological habitat diversity, identify the presence of plant and animal non-native invasive species, increase public awareness of the Limestone Beck’s heritage, increase public awareness of habitat significance of the Becks, increase landowner engagement of the long-term restoration and conservation of the Beck.
The timeline for the Rivers Trust outlined a focus on landowner and community engagement, and site visits to collect baseline data. Next year the Trust intend on applying for heritage lottery funding. Paige presented pictures of projects that are ongoing in Welton and Riseholme with examples of how the Becks have been improved.
The Trust are hoping to get more funding from the Environment Agency to continue and expand work further. The Trust are going to deliver projects in Dunston and Branston with help from funding from Anglian Water as well as engaging with the community volunteers to help deliver projects.
Cllrs explained the main issues seem to be around water quality and that the Scopwick Beck has many different owners. Problems such as pollution issues regarding sewage and road water are out of the landowner’s control. Paige advised she would be interested in doing a site visit to find the best location to begin a project in Scopwick. Councillors would be willing to go along and share their knowledge.
59/22. Minutes of Previous Meetings
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held on the 27th September 2022 were accepted and it was resolved unanimously to adopt the minutes as a true record.
60/22. To discuss community matters that need referring to the District and County Council representatives for a response.
District Cllr Jim Clarke submitted a written report distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting. Cllr Clarke explained licensing issues are still ongoing and advised that the work from home arrangement at the District Council will be continuing for the foreseeable future. And it looks like RAF Digby is going to expand, more details will be forthcoming.
61/22. Reports:
a. Neighbourhood Planning Group
There is a date for the referendum - 19th January.
b. Village Hall Committee Report
Cllr Flett reported that there’s a new caretaker for the hall. The Hall hosted an art exhibition and a MacMillan coffee morning, raising over £300.00. Scopwick would qualify for the Good Neighbours Scheme which will be discussed at the next Village Hall meeting. The Secretary is sending in a grant request to the Parish Council. A Wrinkly Rockers evening is scheduled for 25th February 2023. For the Daffodil weekend in March, does the Council want to do anything for it? A newsletter will be issued in the Spring. Need thoughts from Councillors on what needs to be advertised in the newsletter. Free broadband is being investigated.
c. Playing Field Committee Report
Nothing to report. No further meetings. A survey has been submitted to FCCC as a requirement for the grant funding.
d. Community Speed Watch Report
A written report was submitted by Matthew Frost - a volunteer with the CSW and distributed via email by the Clerk. The worst place for speeding is outside the Royal Oak Pub on the B1188. Sessions have been conducted at varying times of the day; most speeding occurs in the morning. There were 200 vehicles caught speeding over a 6-month period.
Cllr Davies asked if Matthew could include the mode to show the number of drivers who are observing the speed limit, for a comparison.
Matthew mentioned the possibility of lowering the speed limit, increasing the size of the 30mph signs to make them more noticeable.
The CSW group are lacking in volunteers. It would be more beneficial to be out in the community more often. Cllr Baumber thanked Matthew for coming along.
e. Police
Police report distributed via email.
f. The Clerk
The Clerk issued a written report provided to Councillors prior to the meeting.
Cllr Baumber requested a planning log. The Clerk to issue for the next meeting.
62/22. Financial Matters
To approve accounts for:
a. September
b. October
The Clerk explained CB Ground Maintenance had issued an incorrect invoice and was waiting for CB Ground Maintenance to issue the correct invoice. With no other matters arising, the accounts for September and October were resolved unanimously.
63/22. To receive the bank reconciliation for:
a. September
b. October
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation for Councillors.
64/22. To receive a budget review for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the financial year.
The Clerk provided a budget review detailing income and expenditure for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the financial year. It was resolved unanimously to allocate £100.00 to the Chairman’s allowance.
Cllr Flett asked if the Council would like to continue donating to the Christmas bags distributed to vulnerable people in the community. It was resolved unanimously to continue, allocating £100.00 in the budget.
65/22. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
There was only one notification received by the Clerk - planning permission granted for the extension at the Royal Oak Pub.
66/22. To consider a resolution to sign up to the Civility and Respect Pledge from the National Association of Local Councils and The Society of Local Council Clerks.
After a brief discussion, it was resolved unanimously to sign up to the Civility and Respect Pledge.
The Clerk to check how the NKDC code of conduct differ.
67/22. To consider the priorities regarding the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Councillors discussed issues within the local community, establishing the requirements to be greater police presence, Priorities were detailed as:
1. Community engagement and the
2. Implementation of traffic law
3. Better response times
The Clerk to respond with these priorities via email.
68/22. To consider gov.uk email addresses.
Using these emails addresses has been recommended by LALC, it looks professional and provides better security regarding data protection laws. Councillors were concerned with ease of use and the additional costs compared with gmail which has no cost. It was requested that the Clerk do further research on costs and report back.
69/22. To consider an event to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.
Councillors discussed the type of event they would like to host to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, wanting it to be a community event for all in the village. Cllr Flett advised that they had already provisionally booked a band for the weekend. It was discussed that as the coronation is on the Saturday, perhaps Sunday is a more suitable day.
Cllr Flett discussed the possibility of providing food and wine. Cllr Banks suggested attendees bring their own food and wine and beer will be provided. Cllr Banks suggested the flexibility of hosting the event outside and with the option of bringing it inside in the event of inclement weather was the best option.
Cllr Flett suggested the event should run from midday onwards.
Cllr Baumber asked if the Council would like to give away coronation mugs to children in the village. Cllr Flett thought it would be good to mark the occasion.
Cllr Banks offered to supply some refreshments. Cllr Baumber asked Councillors to email ideas to Cllr Flett and that a monetary donation will be discussed in January.
70/22. To receive the Correspondence Log since the previous meeting.
The Clerk provided the Correspondence Log since the previous meeting.
71/22. To receive a record of previous resolutions and action points.
The Clerk provided a record of previous resolutions and action points the were ongoing and complete.
Cllr Baumber confirmed with the Clerk that the actions points list from the previous Clerk is complete.
72/22. To approve the date of the next Full Council Meeting.
It was resolved unanimously to hold a Budget and Precept meeting on Wednesday 11th January 2023 and to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 31st January 2023.
73/22. To consider meeting date for 2023-24.
It was resolved unanimously to accept the proposed meeting dates for 2023-24.
74/22. To resolve to move into closed session.
It was resolved unanimously to move into closed session.
Closed Session
75/22. To receive a confidential report on staffing matters.
The Clerk provided a report on staffing matters. No resolutions were made as the information was provided by NALC and the Local Government Association.
Cllr Baumber Closed the meeting at 8:45pm.