2022 Minutes

Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 2nd November 2022 in the Old Schoolroom.  Meeting started at 7.30pm.

Meeting chaired by Cllr Gilbert.  Present:  Parish Clerk, Parish Clerk Trainee, Cllr Christie,

Cllr Hoyland, Cllr Taylor, Cllr Hawke, Cllr Cook and 2 members of the public.           

Cllr Gilbert welcomed everybody to the November Meeting.

1. Recording of Meeting

It was noted no one was recording meeting.

2. Apologies

No apologies- All Cllrs present

3. To receive declarations of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011. 

Cllr Hoyland declared an interest in Item 11. It was previously resolved that he would abstain from voting but would not have to leave the room as the payment was already agreed.

4. Meeting opened to the public at 7.31pm; no-one wished to speak. Meeting closed at 7.32pm

5. To approve minutes from October Meeting

It was RESOLVED that the minutes be approved

6. Matters arising

To remove History Society from further agendas until they have been in touch.

Light Fleets Rd- Placed on Fix My Street and the status is under investigation.

New bank account-Clerk to sort next month- looking at Unity Bank.

Quaker site- Council agreed to write to previous address to make them aware that the site looks unkempt.

Bransby Horses have security and legal concerns. There are tall dense hedgerows to protect the horses. Bransby Horses are concerned about legal implications with creating a public right of way and maintenance of it; potential poisonous weeds which could be fatal to the horses, but would be happy to meet with parish council to explain.  Council are happy to meet and discuss. Clerk to set up a meeting.

Highways intend to treat some footpaths with the micro asphalt in the next financial year subject to budgeting.

Dog bin on Ashfield has been cleaned

Rospa has been completed and we have the reports.

PCSO has been visiting the school to observe parking at pick up times. Still looking into placing posts on the grass to deter parking

West Lindsey are trying to obtain a schedule of the road sweeper to see when it visits Sturton By Stow.

Weeds are treated twice a year. Both visits to treat weeds took place June and September. Email to be circulated about the treatment of weeds. Any weed related problems can be reported on Fix My Street.

Handyman has cleaned and painted the notice board on the front of the Village Hall.

Re-siting of dog waste bin on Saxilby Road to grass on Queensway entrance - A resident had requested that WLDC remove the dog bin on Saxilby Road as it appeared to be sticking out of his driveway.

Gulley reported on Fix my Street has been cleared.

Clerk to get Handyman to have a look inside to bus shelter to see what needs doing.

A quote has been obtained for the village signs to discuss in the agenda.

The Christmas tree has been chosen and will be delivered along with the smaller trees on 2/12/22. Cllr Taylor to volunteer to assist with delivery.  Clerk to communicate with Fillingham Christmas Trees about delivery times.

Lights competition is in order Cllr Hoyland to drive Chairman of Willingham By Stow Parish Council round to judge - 7.30pm on 10th December.

Remembrance Day- Drop off mince pies and sausage rolls to Cllr Christie in the village hall at 2.30pm. Ceremony starts at 3.00pm. Same bugler, representative of RBL to bring the wreath on arrival. Cllr Taylor to read out names and time the 2 minutes silence.

Cllr Gilbert to lay the wreath.

Mid-Winter Lunch- a poster will be made to accompany the newsletter. Meal options- Shepherd’s Pie and vegetables, chicken pie, mash and Vegetables, Vegetable lasagne or chicken breast, mash and veg. Pudding- Apple Pie/crumble or Jam roly-poly and custard. Clerk to discuss with caterer for a quote for 50.

The letter box for the old schoolroom is slightly more complicated: look into a more specialist anti-theft letter box or a through the wall option where the post drops into a locked box on the other side.

7. Correspondence received -General correspondence circulated in bag including formal resignation letter of clerk.

8. Planning permissions granted:

Application reference 145207 Butlerbus Technik Ltd Tillbridge Road- to reduce hard standing material and inclusion of fire escape windows

Application reference 145349- J Bradshaws- High Street Sturton by Stow- Change of use of two dwellings for commercial use with rear extension. Character of the front of the houses to be restored to keep in with the street line.

9. Planning refusal

Application Reference 145293- Kelloway House, Marton Road- Erection of a new commercial storage outbuilding. WLDC has refused due to the business not being run from this address. It is not an operational site.

10. Other Planning Matters.

Application Reference 145252- Rear of 20 Queensway. This application will be discussed at WLDC planning meeting which coincides with our council meeting.  Written representation has been sent and will be read out at the meeting.

The Enforcement officer visited St Hugh’s and noted unauthorised alterations. The developer has to apply for planning permission for change of use as well as any alterations.

There will be a Planning Inspectors Inquiry into the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. Council have commented extensively on matters concerning Sturton by Stow.

11. Accounts: Cheques to be issued             

a) Payments agreed                    

i)Salaries-Clerk and expenses/litter picker /handyman

ii) Continental Landscapes-grass cutting £276.38 plus vat

iii)Rospa inspection £350 plus vat

iv)Lincs Ground care (gatepost Village Hall) £250 plus vat

b) Payments to be agreed               

i) Jewson’s £46.53 plus vat

It was RESOLVED to pay

Lincoln Web Design LTD £90.00

It was RESOLVED to pay

c)Direct Debits paid                  

British Gas-electric OSR £13.27 plus vat

British Gas-electric Village Green £9.86 plus vat

                                                         Multidata £43.91

                                                         Wave-water/sewage OSR July to October £42.74          

d)Monies received                    

WLDC internet village hall £43.91   Interest £0.49 (Oct)

WLDC-CIL £1,194.62

LCC Grass cutting £829.62

Bank Balances following all payments:  C/A £8,315.11 D/A £5,948.27 Nat Savings   £26,853.18

12. Accounts November 2022 accounts: It was RESOLVED to agree the accounts.

13. To discuss and agree grants for 23/24

£2000- Village Hall. To supply and fit fibre-glass and insulation above the kitchen. Cllr Hoyland recommended looking into expanding foam. This is another method of insulation at a similar cost with better therm rating. It was agreed and RESOLVED to accept the grant from the village hall.

£3000- Youth Club. A very valuable service to the village. Many projects; To provide a flight experience, interior improvements such as paint and new furniture, an art project like previous graffiti project in the hall also Zumba, food hygiene and first aid lessons for the children.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to accept the grant for the youth club.

£4000- The Recreation Field. To cover costs for ground-care, insurance, kissing gates and repairs/utilities.  As discussed with the committee, any gates would restrict access for pushchairs, bicycles and motorised disability scooters.  An alternative solution will be looked into.  Therefore, decrease the requested grant to £2350 which will cover insurance, repairs, utilities and ground-care. Council agreed and RESOLVED to accept a grant of £2350 for the Recreation Field.

£1250 – Fossa. New library refurbishment to flourish the children’s love for reading. Cost of the project £2000. Grant application of £1250. It was agreed and RESOLVED to accept the £1250 grant for FOSSA.

14. To discuss draft budget 23/24 and agree precept estimate.

The draft budget was discussed, and it was agreed and RESOLVED for an additional £250 towards Mid-Winter Lunch and to budget £400 for 2023 election.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to increase the precept figure from the previous year by 4%.

15. To discuss the Rospa Report.

It was RESOLVED that a working party of 2 Cllrs will go through the report and assess the risks of low, medium or high which have been highlighted and draft a scheme of works. Once completed clerk to contact Playdale and Wicksteed for quotes to repair equipment.

16. To discuss advertising of the old school room hire.

It was discussed to see if an article could be added into the newsletter to promote the use and hire of the old school room. Clerk to create a poster and post on Facebook.

17. Reports from Local Organisations

Cllr Taylor- Village Hall- The village hall as decided not to extend a storage room. The monthly market is taking its time to pick up

2pm-4pm on a Monday afternoon the village hall will be open for a Warm Space.

Cllr Hoyland- Youth Club has their next meeting 23/11/22

Cllr Hoyland- The Recreational field- No update.

Cllr Hawke- Contractor to cut pathway around site to make it more accessible.

Cllr Gilbert- Speed watch on the new site in Bransby will be effective and the new recruits are on the rota.

18. General Maintenance in the Parish

Streetlight is out on the High Street at the end of the junction on Fleets Road. Poor visibility around the junction as it is very dark. Clerk to report on Fix my Street.

Gulley blocked at the bottom of school lane near the dog bin- Clerk to report to Fix my Street.

Sand bin near Bradshaw’s Entrance is property of the Parish Council. Clerk to arrange lettering by Elite signs for the bin.  SBS PC Emergency sand bags.

2 Public left the meeting at 9.11pm

19. To agree for LALC providing internal audit 22/23.

It was agreed and RESOLVED for LALC provide internal audit.

20. Update on village gateways and signage quotes

It was agreed and RESOLVED to dismantle village gateways on Marton Road Saturday 5th November 2022.Wooden debris will be disposed of on the village bonfire. Northern side to be replaced with same specification size posts and crossbar as previously agreed with Highways to hold the village sign. Cllr Gilbert to order materials.

21. To discuss and agree new signage for the rec field. Dogs must be on leads, no motorised vehicles or motorbikes allowed. It was noted that the Recreational Field Committee are responsible for signage not the Parish Council.

22. To discuss Civility and Respect pledge and to sign up to this.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to take the pledge.

23. Update on allotment land

It was agreed and RESOLVED for the clerk to communicate with the church to contact current tenant as we are interested in this ‘poor land’ to use for allotments for the village.

24. To agree and purchase a new useable computer program for accounts/budgets for around £60 and ink subscription £35.88 for 12 months. Ink included (50 pages).

It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase a new computer program and ink subscription.

25. Was not on the agenda.

26. Lincolnshire Riparian Project- To discuss and agree to take part in the pilot scheme.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to help spearhead the campaign along with two other villages to make land/home owners aware of their Riparian ownership and responsibilities.  Point of contact Cllr Gilbert.

27. Update on registration of recreation field

The Recreation Field Committee are happy for the land to be registered in the name of the charity trustees first and then transferred to the Parish Council. Clerk to forward trustee names to the solicitor. This will not impact on the current use of land.

28. To agree menu and cost. To confirm date and time for Mid-Winter Lunch to be held at the village hall.

Clerk to discuss with the caterer. The event is booked with the village hall Saturday 21st January 2023 12- 4pm to eat at 1pm. Possible options- Vegetable Lasagne, Shepherd’s Pie, Chicken Pie or piece of chicken with mash and veg.  Puddings- Apple Crumble/Pie or Jam Roly-Poly and Custard.

It was agreed and RESOLVED for the clerk to create an A5 poster to accompany the newsletter to reach all residents.

29.       Items to be noted for the next meeting.

Old School Room repairs to roof and repointing to be put on next month’s agenda. Quotes have not yet been received.

Tree behind Old School Room to be taken down; agreement from the neighbour.

Any funding available for the warm spaces £100/150? Cllr Gilbert to contact Cllr Butroid to discuss.  Any surplus tea/coffee/biscuits from Remembrance Day to be donated.

Cllr Hoyland 9.53pm left the room to take a phone-call

30.  To agree to go into closed session to discuss appointment of new Cleaner If agreed press and public will be asked to leave

It was agreed to go into closed session

Meeting closed to the public at 9.53pm

Cllr Hoyland returned 9.54pm

31. To discuss applicants and agree appointment of OSR cleaner.

An applicant for OSR cleaner was unwell and unable to meet prior to the Parish Meeting. Deferred. Clerk to rearrange interview.

32. To agree salaries/hire charges for 23/24

It was agreed and RESOLVED to make a few amendments to the salaries/hire charges document.

To replace the Old Clerks Salary with the outline of the New Clerks Salary as stated in new clerks’ contract, Cleaner Bi-Weekly clean.  Handyman in line with all current employees.

To date at the end and add a review date for 2023.

Meeting Closed: 10.02pm