2023 Minutes

Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 6th September 2023 in the Old Schoolroom. The Meeting started at 7.30pm.

Meeting chaired by Cllr Gilbert.  Present: Parish Clerk, Cllr. C. Christie, Cllr Hoyland, Cllr Taylor, Cllr. S. Christie and Cllr Hawke and 3 members of the public.

Cllr Gilbert welcomed everybody to the September Meeting.

1. Recording of Meeting

It was noted that no one from the public was recording meeting. It was disclosed to the public that the Parish Council were attempting to record and transcribe the meeting.

2. Apologies

Cllr Cook

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

Cllr Gilbert declared a financial interest in item 11b) 4. Expenses for attending Gate Burton hearings.

Cllr Gilbert left the room when this item was discussed.

4. Meeting opened to the public at 7.33pm

Three members of public wished to speak

The new priest from Saxilby church sent her thanks to the council for her invitation to come and introduce herself. The priest is based in Stow and Saxilby as well as having a role in Gainsborough. Having been in post for two months the priest has been getting to know the churches under her care. She is hoping to visit the primary school in the up coming weeks. The Priest confirmed that she would be leading the Remembrance Service by the Cenotaph on Sunday 12th November at 3pm. The Parish Council offered the priest the opportunity of turning on the lights at this year’s Christmas Light Switch on Saturday 4th December at 4pm on the village green. The priest agreed. Clerk to liaise with the Priest regarding both upcoming events.

A resident highlighted that there had been enough interest in seeking for allotment land in and around the village. The resident has a background in Horticulture and has owned allotments for over 10 years. She has a wealth of knowledge regarding the smooth running of allotments. The resident asked whether farmers or Bransby Horses Home had been approached for suitable land. She suggested whether the proposed community fund linked to the solar farms could help to facilitate finding land. The Chair informed the resident the Parish Council had been seeking land in the local area and are being proactive in looking for land suitable for allotments. The solar development applicants will not be able to allocate land for allotments since, as far as we are aware, the intention is to lease the land (not own) for solar panels.. If we are ever in a fortunate position to have allotments the knowledge of the resident would be especially useful. Clerk to liaise with Bransby Horses Home about any possibility of land for allotment spaces.

A resident highlighted there was a sewage smell on Tillbridge Road opposite the new estate. His concern that some of the developments are on the sewerage system whilst others are on digestors. He informed the Council that if a digestor isn’t in a healthy condition from being used incorrectly it can cause a smell. The Chair ensured the resident that the smell has been reported previously to environmental health of which we have had no outcome. It was discussed to find out where waste tankers disposed of the waste from the housing development in Sturton by Stow and Saxilby. Clerk to re report and with mention of the digestors and contact Anglian water with the queries.

The resident also raised a concern regarding the potential use of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within the primary school and other community buildings in the village and the importance of checking these buildings are safe.

Cllr Taylor to liaise with the Village Hall Committee regarding this concern. Cllr Hoyland and Clerk informed the resident that the Primary School has sent out an e-mail stating that a survey has been conducted and there is no RAAC used within the school buildings. Given the age of the Old Schoolroom it will not contain RAAC.

 Meeting Closed to the Public 7.52pm

5. To approve minutes from August Meeting.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to approve the August Minutes.

7.55pm a member of the public left the meeting

6. Matters arising from minutes.

We have received and signed the contract for the FFC Funding and have placed the purchase order for a blue basket swing with Kompan. The proposed date for installing the basket swing is October half term. An article will be sent to West Lindsey, published in the village newsletter, the website, social media and posters on the village notice boards.

Fix My Street- The Close and Upper Close signs have not been replaced. The Lichen has not been cleaned off the speed limit sign. Clerk to re report on Fix my Street and log with LCC.

Bransby Horses Home have agreed to installing the notice board permanently on the outer wall of one of the stables on either side of the road. Clerk to liaise with the facilities manager and Council to agree on the position. Clerk to inform the handyman of the new position. . Help to re position the notice board volunteered by Cllr Taylor.

Cllr Christie confirmed that the hedge on the Ashfield footpath has been cut.

Cllr Hoyland has circulated the newsletter draft ready for approval and to be sent for printing. Article regarding warm space has dates to add. Starting 9th October on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month 1-3pm. Clerk to ask for a quote for coloured printing before sending.

Cllr Taylor informed the Council that a collapsed drain has been reported on Fleets Road whilst jetting the drains.  CCTV will be used to investigate.

Clerk has sent the application form regarding funding from WLDC towards keeping the rockers in the village hall playpark and building up the ground around them. There has been no update. Clerk has e-mailed Cllr Mullally and WLDC funding contact.

The re investing of the maturing bond Green Space Funds and interest to the 1-year bond at 5.01% has been instructed. No written confirmation has been received as of yet.

The land registry titles have been completed and updated via the solicitor.  Address showing on title to be checked as previous and not current. Invoice to pay next month.

The Clerk has successfully used the new accounts package for this month’s bank reconciliation.

Cllr Taylor to confirm sizes of the remaining holders for this year’s Christmas trees.

Cllr Hoyland reported that the Elder situated behind the OSR has already been removed.

The relevant paperwork for the newly appointment Cllr has been sent to WLDC.

The Chair of Willingham by Stow Parish Council has agreed to judge this year’s Christmas Light Competition on Saturday 16th December. Cllr Hoyland volunteered to drive the judge. Clerk to contact Willingham by Stow offering our Chair to judge their lights if needed.

The Clerk has contacted the primary school with regard to the choir attending the switching on of Christmas lights event. There has been no feedback. Clerk will contact again.

Unfortunately transcribing the meeting has not worked today due to technical issues. Cllr Hoyland to look into an alternative.

The handyman has fixed the bench on Saxilby Road and the toilet in the Old Schoolroom. The Clerk has reported the multi play equipment in Rectory Gardens needs cleaning to the handyman and graffiti on the Eastfield sign which was highlighted on the circulation sheet. Clerk to contact WLDC about the over full bins in the playparks.

Clerk has been notified that ROSPA have visited the playparks and we can expect the reports soon.

7.  Correspondence received.

Playpark inspection sheet

It was noted that a case officer had been assigned to deal with the complaint with Santander. Despite changing details, the bank has sent more correspondence to the former clerk.

At 8.10pm one member of public left.

              8. Planning Applications

For information only no discussion required. Application- 146723- 8 Davey Close- Lawful development certificate for rear extension.

For information only no discussion required. Application- 147036- Butlerbus Technik LTD, Tillbridge Road- Request for confirmation of compliance.  This is now showing as granted.

with conditions 7 (drainage) & 8 (hardstanding) of planning permission 144064 granted 1st February 2022.

It was noted that the above two planning permissions are solely the decision of West Lindsey.

Application- 147098- Eastfield Cottage 23 Tillbridge Road- Planning application for a single storey extension to front.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to make a general observation regarding the non-standard proposed extension to frontage which is out of character with the existing and surrounding properties. It was noted to add to the comment restricted working hours. Monday- Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 8am- 12pm, no Sundays and no bank holiday Mondays.

Full comments for the above applications are available to view on West Lindsey planning portal.

8.20pm a member of the public left the meeting

• Planning Granted

Application- 146595- Land  Obam Stairlift Services Ltd- Planning application for non-material amendment to planning permission 137000 granted 25 May 2018- Walling to the side garden boundaries at 1800mm high to be changed to 1800mm cedar slatted fence panels.

10. Other Planning Matters

It was noted that there is a development happening on Fleets Road of which we have had no notification from WLDC. Clerk to contact the planning officer.

Cllr Gilbert gave a brief update from the solar farm hearings. Gate Burton dDCO specifies 60 years. Capacity for generation is not capped however there is a cap on the connection grid. Our written representations will be on our website and Planning Inspectorate website for view.

Cottam dDCO does not have a time limit for operation. Some of the applicant’s documentation suggests 40 years with no cap on the capacity for generation. Our written representations will be placed on our website after uploading to Planning Inspectorate at the next opportunity.

11. Accounts: cheques to be issued/bank transfer

 a) Payments agreed                 i) Salaries-Clerk/Former Clerk and expenses/ litter picker/OSR Cleaner/Handyman/PAYE

  b) Payments to be agreed       i) Continental Landscapes – Grass cutting £601.50 including VAT

                                                    ii) Jewson’s- £81.36 including VAT

                                                    iii) Jewson’s- £59.78 including VAT

                                      iv) Cllr Gilbert expenses for Gate Burton Hearings £23.60

         c) Direct Debits paid               Multidata £46.05 (August)

                             British Gas OSR £13.50 including 

                             British Gas Village green £10.68 including VAT.

                             ID Mobile £23.92                                             

d) Monies received            West Lindsey Multi Data reimbursements £138.15 (April,  May, June)

                           West Lindsey Multi Data reimbursement £92.10 (July and August)

                                                                                                                                                  e) Bank Fees                                     Quarterly account charge £18

                                  Multi Charge Card monthly charge £3 

Transfer £4,203.89 Agreed in July meeting.

Bank Balances following all payments:

C/A £921.01      N-U-C/A £10,324.94        N-U-D/A £267.72      Nat Savings £26,878.17

12.Accounts September 2023 summary –circulated.

It was noted that the payment for the multi charge card for the Jubilee Wood tools stated on the agenda had not left the account.

It was noted that the quarterly bank charge for the new bank account had not been charged this month and therefore is not on the accounts.

The £4,203.89 agreed last month was transferred to the new account via the cheque from the old bank account.

There has been no movement from the new deposit account this month.

It was noted that it may be beneficial to alter the dates of which employees are paid to make a simpler process for the accounts. It was suggested that employees are paid from the 1 to the end of the month and receive payment on the meeting day.

13. To discuss and agree cost limit for a new notice board to be installed next to the cemetery.

More detail was needed to obtain an exact quote. Clerk to liaise with the church. It was agreed to a bring this item back to the agenda next month for discussion with an exact cost to see if the Parish Council can contribute. Clerk to check the cost can be covered with CIL money.

14. To discuss and agree moving NS&I Savings to a savings account with current bank account.

Clerk to check the interest rate which NS&I are currently offering in comparison with interest rate from a savings account with the new bank. It was agreed in principle to move the NS&I monies for a better interest rate. Clerk to check how to facilitate closing the account if needed.

15. To agree £200 for strimming works to Jubilee Wood

It was agreed and RESOLVED to increase the proposed cost to £600 to cover three days strimming at Jubilee Woods.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to ask the contractor for a quote for regularly maintaining Jubilee Woods.

Council is aware of the need to keep the footpaths accessible. We recently received a request for a group activity to take place. This was agreed and the group to be notified when works are complete.

16. Update on Scampton

Cllr Gilbert updated the Council on former RAF Scampton project. The arrivals at former RAF Scampton are expected to begin to arrive at the end of September and is expected to be at full capacity by December. The buildings are currently non-inhabitable and require extensive works to bring to standard. The individuals can volunteer but may not work or receive any form of payment. There is little information available.

17. To agree to trim the tree on village green as it is now starting to obscure the lighting column and needs reduction in height and sides.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to obtain a quote for trimming the tree on the village green to the contractor’s judgement so that the streetlight is not obscured.

18. To agree to advertise grass and hedging tenders for year 24/25

It was agreed and RESOLVED to advertise for grass and hedging tenders for the year 24/25.

19. To discuss LCC Gulley records.

Cllr. S. Christie has had the task of locating gulley’s within the village to help update drainage record documents used for maintenance by the LCC. Once completed the LCC can begin an investigation into the ‘missing’ drains and ensure that they are included in forward maintenance schedules, where appropriate. Cllr. S. Christie to update live document and forward correspondence to the Clerk.

20. Reports from local organisation.

Village Hall- Cllr Taylor- The bowls club has been awarded the Co-op Community Champions. The handrail is almost completed and is beginning to be used, A new chiller has been purchased for the kitchen. The numbers for the market are staying level. Straw was being given away at the last market for those signing up for the scarecrow competition. It has been decided by the village hall committee to increase the hire charge from the  November to help with other increasing costs.

Youth Club has offered to clean the Cenotaph prior to this year’s Remembrance Service.

21. General maintenance in the Parish

Clerk to report the bus shelters need washing and cleaning.

To report to Fix My Street- gulley on the High Street.

22. Items to be noted for the next meeting.

Revisit quote for new notice board.

Revisit grass specification.

Meeting ended at 9.55pm to go into closed session.

23. To agree to go into closed session to discuss staffing. If agreed press and public will be asked to leave.

We have received one application for the litter picking vacancy. Clerk and Cllr. C. Christie to organise and meet with applicant for a formal interview.

The Clerk has been in post for one year. She had a very positive pay and performance review with the HR Committee involving Cllr Cook and Cllr. C. Christie. It was agreed and RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s pay by one scale point.

Meeting closed at 10.01pm

Smoke alarm tested and