2020 minutes

Sturton by Stow Parish Council met remotely via Zoom on Wednesday 2 September 2020 at 7.30pm hosted by Chair Cllr Dennis Taylor.  Present:  Parish Clerk, District Councillor Tracey Coulson and Parish Cllrs Mrs Gilbert, Mr Pickering, Mr Hellen, Mrs Banham, Mrs Christie, Mr Moore, Mr Butroid and 1 member of the public.

1. Apologies for absence and reasons given

 It was noted that Cllr Timmins was now automatically disqualified as a councillor due to the 6 month rule not having attended a meeting since February 2020.

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

Cllr Mrs Gilbert declared an interest in Planning Application 141511 to be discussed under Other Planning Matters.

3. To approve minutes of previous meeting

Proposed by Cllr Mrs Gilbert to accept.Seconded by Cllr Hellen.All agreed.

4. Meeting opened to the public –

The member of the public expressed their concerns re the access to planning application 141447 and advised she had attended the meeting to answer any questions on Planning Application 141359.The Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board had recommended they improve the drainage and the Woodland Trust had also sent recommendations, hence the change to planning conditions.Councillors had no questions.

District Councillor Coulson thanked Cllr Mrs Christie for taking her on a tour of the village.

Meeting closed to the public.

5. Planning Applications

i)141359 –Land between Saxilby Rd and Mill Lane-change of use from equestrian land to tourism purposes plus 3 holiday cabins, variation of condition 4 and 6-No comments.

ii)141497-Land adj Fleets Rd-approval of reserved matters for Plots 3 and 4-objections returned re access/egress after bad bend, single track road, overlooking of adjacent properties.  Cllr Butroid still to push for footpath.

iii)141443-Land adj 33 Saxilby Rd-erect 1 dwelling, amendment to previously approved scheme-No comments.

iv)141447-Land r/o 56 Saxilby Rd-erect 1 single storey dwelling-comment returned re increase in flooding.

v)141365-81 Saxilby Rd-remove existing rear conservatory, erect single storey extension, new front fence and gate-No comments.

6. Planning Permission

141186-Land r/o 25 Saxilby Rd-erect 1 dwelling, variation of condition 2

7. Any other planning issues

i)Planning Application 141511-no comments

ii)It was noted the Tastery had been given a temporary licence for pavement licence for 3 tables and 12 chairs.

8. Matters arising from minutes

Diverted footpath Ashfield, issues with nails-issue now sorted

Blocked Gullies-Cllr Butroid has chased this

Trees Stow Rd-Power Company have agreed to cut trees

Playparks-it was noted that the inspection will not take place until around October.  Clerk to contact keyholder who closes gate to ensure that the playpark is checked before closing as there had been an incident of some children being locked in.

Remaining hedges- List to be sent to councillors to check if work had been undertaken.

Fleets Rd, planning issue-sent to Highways as there may be some verge encroachment

40mph sign twisted, Tillbridge Rd-job raised

Footpath, east side High St-clerk to chase

No cycling signs-clerk to chase

Map of responsibility Twitchell being drawn up

TPO Ashfield-It was noted that no works could be undertaken on the tree unless there was a health and safety issue, disease with the tree.  It was agreed to just undertake work possible on the branches overhanging the road sign, remove dead wood and remove tree growing out of bottom, all possible without applying to WLDC.

Outfall Bransby-it was noted the water colour had returned to normal.

United Trust Bank-It was noted that due to an error at the bank the funds had been paid back into the parish council account and not reinvested.  Cheque had to be sent for £25,000 to reinvest monies, interest would be back dated and it was also noted that the interest rate had now increased to 1.3% for a 3 year investment.

Emergency Planning Group reconvening-procedure would be the same if second lockdown like the first, if more localised the group would take guidance from the local authorities.

9. Jewsons-materials for handyman £121.99 plus vat

Proposed by Cllr Butroid to pay,  Seconded by Cllr Mrs Banham.  All agreed

10. Continental Landscapes- grasscutting £429.52

Proposed by Cllr Pickering to pay.  Seconded by Cllr Butroid.    All agreed.

11. Zoom-payment for extended meeting time £11.99p plus vat

It was noted this payment was to the clerk and that no vat could be reclaimed as clerk not locate a vat invoice on the site.  Proposed by Cllr Butroid to pay.  Seconded by Cllr Mrs Christie.   All agreed.

12. Direct Debits paid: British Gas Electric OSR £10.36 plus vat  Multidata £38.92-info only
13. Accounts summary –including clerk and village litter picker salary-circulated

Proposed by Cllr Butroid to pay.  Seconded by Cllr Pickering.  All agreed.

14. Procedure for dealing with future general maintenance issues

It was agreed that any issue raised would photographed and sent to all councillors and could then be discussed at council meeting.

15. General maintenance issues i)-to include repairs to ruts on grass at The Glebe ii)Request from resident for extension of footpath from east side Sax Rd down to Bransby Crossroads

i)ruts The Glebe, Cllr Pickering to draw up spec and obtain a quote.

ii)Request for footpath-Cllr Butroid advised Highways budget is limited and it was suggested that residents are made aware of Widen my Street and asked to vote on and input new locations they would like new/widening of footpaths.  To be placed on social media and the newsletter, if possible.

iii)The Glebe, play equipment, bolts missing-handyman to be contacted

iv)Moss on Allen Close playpark-handyman

v)Litter bin not emptied Allen Close Playpark-WLDC to be made aware

vi)Large loose branch, village hall playpark-handyman

The Bransby Village sign and reactive speed sign on Saxilby Rd still not repaired.  Clerk to chase.

16. CIL money/small business grant monies uses-it was noted that £10,000 had been received from WLDC in the form of a Small Business Grant as the council received small business rate relief for the Old Schoolroom.

Suggestions to be sent to clerk who will collate ideas for future consideration.

17. New website from LCC-to agree content

Clerk explained the complexity of the new website and council agreed just to upload items from 2020 to start with.  Help could be provided to the clerk by a member of the youth club.

18. Horticultural Society request for some of grant monies to be used for prizes for scarecrow competition

It was reported by Cllr Moore this was not now required, all prizes had been sourced.

19. J Wood update-to include repairs to gate

Cllr Pickering, Cllr Hellen and Cllr Moore to undertake repairs, building a metal box to concrete in and adding the gate post.  Clerk to establish who has keys to the gate.

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

Clerk advised:

i)Noticeboard had not yet been picked up-it was suggested to contact Andy Gelder to collect and install.  Price to be obtained.

ii)Newsletter agreed

iii)Councillors to think about Remembrance Day and Xmas lights switch on and what arrangements could be made for this year.

iv)Budget for 21/22 to be started in November so council need to think about any projects to budget for next year.

v)Grant forms to be sent out to all organisations and a poster to be put up in village.

vi)Chairman reminded of Annual Report to be drafted shortly.

vii)The audit for 19/20 had been returned from the auditors with no issues.  Closure notice to be placed on noticeboard.

Viii)It was reported the village hall is available for council meetings.  Clerk advised Lalc recommendation is still to continue with remote meetings.

Meeting closed at 21.57pm.