2021 minutes

Sturton by Stow Parish Council met remotely via Zoom on Wednesday 3 February 2021 at 7.30pm hosted by Chair Cllr Dennis Taylor.  Present:  Parish Clerk,  Cllr Pickering, Cllr  Christie, Cllr Butroid, Cllr Hawke, Cllr Gilbert, Cllr Banham and District Councillor Coulson.

1. Apologies for absence and reasons given. None.  It was noted the Cllr Moore had offered his resignation.
2. To receive declarations of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 -
3. To approve minutes of previous meeting

Proposed by Cllr Butroid to accept.Seconded by Cllr Hawke.All agreed.

It was noted thatin Itemin Dec 2020 minutes, the successful quote from Ian Moore Contracting does not contain vat.

4. Matters arising from minutes

Fleets Rd, planning issue- Cllr Butroid to look into.

Map of responsibility Twitchell being drawn up-in progress

Ruts The Glebe grass- List of contractors to be sent to Cllr Butroid who enquire as to whether this work requires a streetworks accredited company.

Bransby Road sign damaged-replaced

Meeting re flooding-Clerk advised that Steve Hudson had contacted her and has replaced Trevor Hines. He had visited the village and was approached by a resident who advised that the dyke behind Manor Farm Drive would solve some of the flooding issues in the village.  Clerk advised history and spoke to Mr Moore from Anglian Water who had not had a response from the IDB.  He has therefore advised he would email Paul Brookes from LCC, the Flood Risk Manager.  Waiting for update on this.

Streetlights junction High St/Tillbridge Rd-Highways are pursuing the repairs with Northern Power

Streetlight The Close/High St- repaired

Flooding drive Tillbridge Rd-Highways advised can occur in extreme weather and to report again if it occurs in less extreme weather-Cllr Butroid to look into this

Jubilee wood hedge/gate-nearly complete 

Replacement electric cabinet and works-Mr Moore had advised he would do this-it was agreed to get certification of works once complete.  Pat testing of xmas lights and OSR to be completed at same time

Bus sign Saxilby Rd broken-clerk advised this had been repaired but it was reported that this is not the case and the sign had gone from the site.

FP72 bridge in need of repair-being investigated

Cowdale Lane Hedging-cut

Village handyman-not currently working due to pandemic

Trees overhanging light Ashfield-cut

Potholes 9-13A High St-reported

Report Rec field re ramp-report circulated it was noted once they can fundraise again, they are looking at replacing the ramp with a concrete one.

School Lane house extension-WLDC planning to visit site.

High Street block paving-photos passed onto clerk to report

Bt Fibre-clerk still to contact resident to arrange meeting

Reg of rec field land-information and evidence still being gathered.  It was noted that the advice from the solicitor was to go for adverse possession that the pc had maintained and occupied the land-even though this is being done by the rec field committee on behalf of the pc.

5. Meeting opened to the public 8.12pm

District Councillor Coulson gave an update on the issue of the speeding tractors/tankers through the village following a meeting held with the clerk, Willingham PC clerk  and Stow PC clerk.  A site visit had been carried out following complaints of smell and speeding.  With regards to the speeding the issue had been passed onto the contractors and it was noted that the bulk of the traffic is through Dec/Jan. It was noted that more care is needed as some of the driving seemed to be erratic.  Council acknowledged the speed possibly was perceived to be faster than it actually was.  The operating manager at the farm was happy for any registrations to be passed onto him to be looked into.  Clerk to send reg observed by Cllr Gilbert.

It was noted that the company seemed to be going above and beyond what was expected re the smell.

Cllr Coulson was thanked for her update and the meeting was closed to the public at 8.21pm.

6. Accounts:Cheques to be issued

a)Payments already agreed-

b)Payments to be agreed:  i)Salaries:  Clerk and expenses/OSR caretaker/village litter picker

c)Information only:   Direct Debits paid: British Gas Electric OSR £17.64 plus vat,  village green £8.87 plus vat   Multidata £38.92,  Anglian Water OSR £36.89

d)Income received:  Interest Nat Savings £118.15

7. Accounts summary –Proposed by Cllr Mrs Christie to pay.  Seconded by Cllr Mrs Gilbert.  All agreed.

8. General maintenance issues

i)Dog bin corner of The Close/High St lid rusted

ii)Entrance to rec field very muddy-could this be repaired along with the grass ruts on The Glebe

iii)Continuing issue of pots holes through Bransby-Cllr Butroid advised Highways are looking into resurfacing this in 2021, budget permitting

iv)Cllr Butroid advised that the junction at Queensway is scheduled to be repaired and the footpath from Manor Farm Drive to the Rec Field along Fleets Rd has been authorised.

v)Flagpole to be put back up when manpower available

vi)Cllr Mrs Christie advised she would like to see the trees/bushes down the Ashfield/Fleets Rd footpath, where the land has just been sold, to be included in their boundary as their responsibility.

9. To agree end of year internal audit fee-currently maximum £120

Proposed by Cllr Butroid to agree.  Seconded by Cllr Mrs Gilbert.  All agreed.

10. To discuss grasscutting tenders received and appoint contractor-quotes circulated

Quotes received as follows: all ex vat.

Company A  year 1-3       Section 1-9   £190.70            Hedges £615.20              Footpaths £77.42

Company B  year 1-2 (year 3 +3%)     Section 1-9   £262    Hedges £565            Footpaths £185

Company C (1 year only)                       Section 1-9  £390    Hedges £500            Footpaths £100

Current contractor prices remain same for 2021 as 2020 if one year contract picked.

Proposed by Cllr Butroid to go with current contractor for one further year to iron out any further irregularities and then to consider a 3 year contract.  Seconded by Cllr Mrs Christie.  All agreed.

11. To discuss amendments to grant policy.

Policy circulated for councillors to make their suggestions.

12. To discuss CIL money expenditure-litter bins available from WLDC £250 plus vat

Several locations suggested for 3 new litter bins, clerk to send map with locations to council.Locations to be looked at for exact locations and a decision to be made next month.

13. Update on issues of speeding tractors/slurry tankers through village

Following on from update by Cllr Coulson, it was agreed to take no further action.

14. Planning applications

142060-Land rear of 22A Saxilby Rd-vary condition to design-no comments

15. Planning Permission

141833 1 Red Roofs, Thorpe Lane-rear and side extension

16. Other Planning Matters

142060 land rear of 22A Saxilby Rd-vary condition to fencing-no comments

17. Items to be noted or dealt with at next meeting

i)Letter received from a contractor re the awarding of the contract for clearing the dyke behind The Glebe requesting justification.  Cllr Taylor to draft reply and circulate for agreement.

ii)Newsletter was approved with a couple of amendments

.Meeting closed at 9.37pm