December 2022 minutes
Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 7th December 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 December 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.
Cllr Gilbert declared an interest in 11b 3 Expenses and would leave the room when this was being discussed.
4. Meeting opened to the public at 7.31pm.
A representative from the Village Hall committee informed the Parish Council that the village hall was offering free heating and rent to support the warm space group up until the month of March. Donations were being relied on to support people getting together and interacting through cards/bingo in a warm space.
The representative then referred to the grant procedure. It was noted that the Recreation Field had put their utility costs on the Grant form. The question was asked if running costs should be covered as this is not a project. Will PC look at the grant form again? Cllr Gilbert confirmed that the grant form will be looked and any adjustments will be considered prior to the next application round.
Council to revisit before the next grant applications are due.
Meeting Closed to public at 7.35pm
5. To approve minutes from November’s Meeting. There were some amendments -
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be approved
6. Matters arising
Cllr Gilbert met with Vicky and Emma from Bransby Horses Home regarding a new footpath from Saxilby Road to Cowdale Road (Bransby Crossroads). The possibility of creating additional footpaths was discussed. Both parties are going to keep communication going to see if we can come to a solution. Bransby Horses Home were particularly interested in our role of the Riparian Project as Bransby has been subjected to a lot of flooding affecting the Bransby Horses Home in the past.
Light Fleets Rd- Placed on Fix My Street and the status is under investigation.
The Clerk has written to the Quaker’s regarding the Friends Burial Ground – no response received as yet.
West Lindsey has informed the clerk that the road sweeper visits Sturton by Stow every 18 weeks. During the Autumn after the leaf fall a second road sweeper is hired.
Lights competition is in order Cllr Hoyland to drive Chairman of Willingham by Stow Parish Council round to judge - 7.30pm on 10th December.
Mid Winters Lunch- £6 a head.
The letter box for the old schoolroom has been purchased and has been personalised. It will soon be attached to the Old Schoolroom ready for use.
Cllr Taylor asked if somebody had thanked the bugler on Remembrance Day. Cllr Gilbert assured us she had. Clerk to contact The British Royal Legion for wreath invoice.
Cllr Taylor questioned the use of the old Defib casing asking if it could be of use in the OSR for the clerk or the postman.
7. Correspondence received -General correspondence circulated in bag
8. Planning Applications:
Application reference 145766- 25 Ashfield- Loft conversion and alterations to existing conservatory. The pitched roof can accommodate the extension. Policy 5 of the neighbourhood plan delivering good design and it makes better use of roof space.
Application reference 145832- 23 The Glebe- Proposed extension and alteration to existing dwelling. Policy 5- Design appropriate for area. Council questioned low-cost housing in this area and to raise this concern in WLDC in the comments.
9. Planning Granted
Application Reference 145252- Rear of 20 Queensway- Construction of a detached single storey 2 bed bungalow with driveway and turning head.
Application Reference- 145550- 21 High Street- Erect two storey rear extension including new pitched roof.
10. Other Planning Matters.
Application Reference 145308- Land to the rear of 22 A Saxilby Road. Planning application to erect 2 dormer dwellings being variation of condition 1 of planning permission 143327 granted 1st October 2021- addition of 2 high level roof lights to plot 1. Granted August
The Ash tree on Fleet’s Road that was dying back has been felled. The Parish Council was not consulted. However, the correct planning was sought and granted under a 5 day notice to fell. The contractor was surprised to find numerous nails had been hammered into the tree. The tree was partly dead on the inside and had Ash die back. It will be replaced with an Oak tree within the next 12 months by the County Council.
11. Accounts: Cheques to be issued
a) Payments agreed
i) Salaries-Clerk/trainee clerk and expenses/litter picker /handyman/OSR Cleaner
ii)Masons Electrical, lights OSR £285
b) Payments to be agreed
i) Grass clearance dyke behind The Glebe Andrew G Deague £50 plus vat
It was RESOLVED to pay
ii) Jewson £9.26 plus vat- materials
It was RESOLVED to pay
Cllr Gilbert left the meeting 8.07pm
iii) C. Gilbert Expenses £174.26 Fuel, ink, materials village sign
It was RESOLVED to pay
Cllr Gilbert returned to the meeting 8.07pm
iv) S. Hoyland Expenses £149.33 Letterbox, Office Program, ink, cleaning supplies
Cllr Hoyland abstained from voting
It was RESOLVED to pay
v) R. Hill Expenses £56.00-materials for playpark surfacing
It was RESOLVED to pay
vi) RBL wreath and donation – It was agreed to pay £40 to cover the Wreath and donation to the RBL
It was RESOLVED to pay
vii) Y. Clark Newsletter/flyers £89.40
It was RESOLVED to pay
c)Direct Debits paid Multidata £43.91
d)Monies received OSR Post Office hire £250
Bank Balances following all payments:
C/A £5,580.12 D/A £6198.27 Nat Savings £26,853.18
12. Accounts November 2022 accounts: It was noted the amount of CIL money had increased as it had previously been placed in the wrong category.
It was RESOLVED to agree the accounts.
13. To agree to transfer bank account to Unity Bank
The cost of Unity bank will be £6 per month, it will be cheque less and will be able to be used online after meetings for payments. We apply online and Unity bank provide a switching service. They are covered by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to switch to Unity Bank
14. To agree the purchase of a mobile phone for the clerk on a monthly contact maximum £25 per month – to include data for use in the OSR
It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase a mobile phone for the Clerk.
15. To agree the final budget 23/24
Changed imposed by NALC has increased the Clerk’s pay scale by £1 an hour - this was to be backdated to April 22. The increase has been forecast in the proposed budget.
The final budget was agreed and RESOLVED
16. To agree the final precept 23/24
It was agreed and RESOLVED to increase the precept by 4% to £30437.
17. Reports from Local Organisations
Cllr Taylor- Village Hall- The Christmas market was well attended but the numbers were down. It went well.
Cllr Hawke- Jubilee wood had a working party, lopping and clearing up the path. 9 people attended and made great progress. A contractor from Stow has been strimming and has a bush cutter to clear the brambles. We are scheduled to have another working party.
Cllr Hoyland- Youth Club- the bonfire was a success and the Youth Club managed to make a profit on items they were selling. Jack was very pleased to switch on the lights at Christmas Light Switch on. Next Meeting January.
Cllr Gilbert- Speed watch- There was a situation with abusive and threatening behaviour from a member of the public. This has now been dealt with.
18. General Maintenance in the Parish
The hedging on Eastfield and Upper Close has been reported on Fix my Street- Clerk to check its progress.
Clerk to check progress of the old signpost post on Fix my Street.
We have been asked by the church warden for a letter of support in relation to the brown tourist sign for Stow Minister located near the Co-op. Council agreed that we would be happy to support this.
Litter Bin in front of the village hall is damaged and needs replacing- Clerk to find quotes for a replacement litter bin and to assess the use of CIL money to cover the cost. To communicate with the village hall representative.
19. To discuss no parking lines painted across on the High Street near the Village Hall
When visiting the Village Hall in an evening people are parking in front of residents’ driveways. Mainly the semi-detached houses and bus stop. Cllr Gilbert to contact Cllr Butroid to add this onto his meeting with highways in January 2023.
- To discuss ROSPA report and agree any works needed.
Cllr Christie and Cllr Gilbert have prepared a synopsis to outline work needed in line with the recent Rospa report. Standing orders state that we need 3 quotes. Unfortunately, companies are wanting to charge to come out and quote the repair work. Some equipment needs removing and other pieces repairing and maintaining. Clerk to contact Gainsborough Town Council and Stow Parish Council to source contractors that maintain other playparks. Cllr Christie to contact EKM. Update in January.
2 Members of the public left the meeting 9.18pm
- To agree how much to invoice the Rec Field for ROSPA
It was agreed to invoice the Recreational Ground Committee £100 to contribute towards the cost of the Rospa report. Clerk to invoice and send copies of their two reports in order the committee agree a plan of action to report back to the council with how the issues are going to be addressed.
- To agree a proposal to be put to the trustees about potential allotment land
Clerk to contact the church warden for an update at our next meeting in January.
- To discuss Old Schoolroom quotes for repairs and to agree contractor
Flat roof- Clerk to accept the quotation to replace the flat roof and schedule with Mark Rose and the neighbour.
Repointing of external walls- Clerk to accept the quotation and ask if the quote included the window hole next to the driveway and schedule in for better weather.
- Lincolnshire Riparian Project
Cllr Cook and Cllr Gilbert attended a meeting with officers from Lincolnshire County Council and The Wildlife Trust regarding Riparian Rights and Responsibilities – this is often misunderstood. The project team are looking for ideas how to communicate with and help residents to understand what rights and responsibilities mean. It is more than getting ditches cleaned. Cllr Gilbert suggested a meeting in the village hall to discuss what rights and responsibilities encompass. Homeowners may not be aware of watercourses/culverts next to or under their land. Cllr Gilbert will liaise with Mr Davies of LCC to help with information so that he can create a visual map with overlay to aid this. The date of the meeting will be decided early next year. Residents will be invited to help form a better understanding of where problems may occur and hopefully offer suggestions for solutions.
- Solar Farm- Update from 7000 acres meeting.
The Solar Farms increase to 4 proposed locations is now equivalent to the size of the City of Lincoln. Documents circulated. To be revisited and agree at January’s meeting. Deadline 8th January.
- Update on registration of recreational field.
The names and email addresses of the Trustees have been sent to the solicitor.
27.To discuss and agree a donation from the Parish Council towards the ‘warm space group’.
A virement of monies from the planters of £200 to purchase goods towards the warm space group. This will be an ongoing winter-time activity. It was agreed and RESOLVED to budget £200 to purchase soups, rolls, teas and coffee.
- To discuss and agree xmas vouchers for volunteers.
S106 monies cannot be used for xmas vouchers however monies from the Chairman’s allowance can be used to give gifts to volunteers.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase 2 x £20 xmas vouchers to the two volunteers who un/lock the Village Hall playpark, Newsletter Editor £20, Mr Tindall £20, Mr R Timmins £20 and the Bugler £20. A total of £120.
Clerk to source xmas vouchers.
- To agree to enter Grass cutting Agreement with Highways for 23/24.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to enter a grass cutting agreement with Highways for 23/24.
- To agree cost and update on Mid-winter Lunch to be held in village hall.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to pay the cost of £6 a head for the Mid winters Lunch in January.
- Items to be noted for the next meeting
To confirm with the previous booking clerk that she no longer wishes to do this role.
31.To agree to go into closed session to agree bank signatories. If agreed press and public will be asked to leave.
It was agreed to go into closed session.
Meeting closed to the public at 10.03pm
31.To agree bank signatories
It was agreed for Cllr Taylor, Cllr Christie, Cllr Gilbert carry on their duties to be bank signatories and Stacey to oversee as Clerk.
Meeting Closed at 10.04pm