2023 Minutes

Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 1st February 2023 in the Old Schoolroom.  Meeting started at 7.30pm.

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

Cllr Hoyland, Cllr Taylor, Cllr Hawke and Cllr Cook.    

Cllr Gilbert welcomed everybody to the February 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. 

None

4. Meeting opened to the public at 7.30pm

Two members of public wished to speak

A resident had concerns about litter being thrown into grounds of St Hugh’s Church and  the immediate vicinity. He also reported builders working anti-social hours and requested that work should stop at 6pm. Council suggested that unfortunately the working hours of the builders is not a Parish Council matter, and advised the resident to contact West Lindsey.

A resident highlighted his concern about  the pavements and road conditions  on Queensway. He stated that the area was supposed to be resurfaced the after the building works had been completed. The Chairman assured the resident that the council were fully aware and had  already sent photos and been in consultation with Cllr Butroid regarding the condition of the road and path. Clerk to chase for an update.

Meeting Closed to the Public 7.43pm

5. To approve minutes from January Meeting. 

It was RESOLVED that the minutes be approved.

6. Matters arising

Light Fleets Rd- Placed on Fix My Street and the status is under investigation as of 21/12/22

The representatives of the Quaker Burial ground have been in touch stating that they have hired a contractor to attend the burial ground from March to October and under new management the grounds will be visited on a regular basis. With input from people with an interest of biodiversity it is being maintained for nature conservation and wildlife.

The clerk has started the process of switching banks. There is submission form to be signed by the bank signatories.

The new phone seems to be working well and the Clerk has been updating the number on various paperwork and websites.

No action is to be taken regarding the hedge on Upper Close and Eastfield. It is not seen to be causing a problem. If anything changes then please re report.

Clerk sent letter of support for Stow Minister.

Cllr Gilbert met on Monday 9th January with Highways and Cllr Butroid. They discussed  inconsiderate parking on School Lane as well as parking problems on High Street. Highways  are going to look at the possibility of placing bollards along the grass between the road and pavement on School Lane to stop vehicles parking on the grass. Parish Council could potentially offer a sum from CIL money.  We shall have to wait for the costings and timescale.

Highways  are also going to ask for a study to be done for traffic calming on Stow Road.  There is potential for enforceable double yellow lines to create passing places so that there is somewhere for cars to pull in instead of expecting someone to reverse for considerable distances.  The timescale for this is potentially two years.

The recreational Field Committee has responded to the ROSPA Report invoice, and we can expect a cheque.

The warm space is going well. The organisers have  been liaising with the Clerk regarding posters at the school, sure start and pre school to involve the younger generation. Another soup order has been collected. The Warm space is to finish at the end of March.

Those who have requested have been signed on to the Elections Training on the 13th February 23 at 6pm on Teams.

Cllr Hoyland has filed down the door lock. The lock is still sticking. Clerk to arranged Handyman to look at repositioning the plastic strip. Cllrs Gilbert and Cook  met with the Riparian team. Together they have created a leaflet to be finalised and printed by a stakeholder of the Riparian Project. A meeting has been scheduled in the village hall for the 10th March 3.30-6.15pm. The project team will bring maps to display. There is a possibility of a flood action group (FLAG) This may release funding to help with green traffic calming which also helps reduce standing water.

7. Correspondence received -General correspondence circulated in bag. The owners of St Hugh’s have given permission for a neighbour to keep the area tidy.

8. Planning Applications

146060- Westwood Farm- Removal of existing out buildings and erection of a new butchery. This is a re submission. The peak of the roof is not exceeding other surrounding properties. It was agreed and resolved to support this application with additional comments.

146099- Tizzy’s Barn 9a High Street Prior Approval to extend dwellinghouse 7.8 metres from rear wall of original dwellinghouse, 2.4 metres to height of eaves of enlarged part of dwellinghouse and 3.7 metres to highest point of enlarged part of dwelling house. It was agreed and resolved to support this planning application

146121- 8 High Street- Prior approval to extend dwellinghouse 3.96m from rear wall of original dwellinghouse, 2.4m to height of eaves of enlarged part of dwellinghouse and 3.53m to highest point of enlarged part of dwellinghouse. It was agreed and resolved to object to this planning application until more detailed information can be provided.

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

9. Planning Granted

145766- 25 Ashfield- Loft conversion and alterations to existing conservatory.

10. Other Planning Matters.

The Central Lincolnshire Plan. The plan is still being assessed. When adopted the steering group will need to review within 6 months of the plan being made. To discuss in May if the CLLP has been adopted.

11. Accounts: Cheques to be issued      

1. Payments agreed

i) Salaries-Clerk/trainee clerk and expenses/litter picker/OSRCleaner

                                                                                                                  ii)Mark Rose- OSR Damp- £1775 +VAT

                                                                                                                  iii) Royal British Legion- Wreath £40

b) Payments to be agreed             i) Ben Usher – Bush Cutting- Jubilee Wood- £800

c)Direct Debits paid

                                                     Multidata £43.91

                                                          British Gas OSR 27.76 excluding VAT

                                                          British Gas Village green £10.18 excluding VAT

                                                                ID Mobile £20.99

                                                      Wave £36.14

d)Monies received                         Multidata West Lindsey- £87.82 (Oct and Dec)

                                                      Interest (Feb) £2.45

Bank Balances following all payments:

C/A £238.94                      D/A £6,360.24                    Nat Savings £26,853.18

12. Accounts February 2023 accounts:

 It was RESOLVED to agree the accounts.

One member of public left the meeting at 8.46pm

13. To agree a virement of money to cover the former clerks’ expenses and to rename category.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to move £1000 from Drainage and Maintenance to the Clerks’ category and rename Former Clerk.

14. To agree and purchase a replacement bin from Highways for £470.48 +VAT

It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase the bin from Highways and to fit to the left-hand side near the yellow lines of the current bin. Highways to fit. Clerk to order.

15. Reports from Local Organisations

Cllr Taylor- Village Hall- The warm space are enjoying the soup and the village hall have contacted Ed Timmins to quote for an  additional hand rail.

Cllr Hoyland- Youth Club- With the sad passing of Marcus Needham on New Year’s Day the Youth Club held an emergency meeting to organise themselves. Eddie Gelder will be temporary Chairman. The AGM is still planned for April  where a few from the Youth Club Committee will step down and retire.

Cllr Hawke- Jubilee Wood- Unfortunately the last working party was cancelled due to the weather. We are trying to organise another working party for mid-February.

Cllr Hoyland- There has been no communication with the Recreational Field Committee.

16. General Maintenance in the Parish

17. To discuss celebration of the King’s coronation (Big Picnic)

It was agreed and RESOLVED to put a notice in the upcoming newsletter to launch an early Best Kept Gardens competition in celebration the Coronation of King Charles III and  to encourage residents to have a picnic on their drive. Garden displays could have a coronation twist and will be judged on the Sunday 7th May 23. Winner to be engraved on the new Coronation Cup.

18.To discuss change of May meeting to 10th May 2023 (to include Annual meeting of the Parish) date to comply with May; 14 Day post-election rule.

It was agreed and RESOLVED to move the May meeting to the 10th May to comply with the 14 Day post-election rule.

19. To discuss Sturton by Stow Parish Councils’ nomination for Co-op Community Champions Deadline 17th February

It was agreed and RESOLVED to apply for the Co-op Community Champions to fund renovations in the playpark or to purchase Coronation Mugs for each child in the primary School. Clerk to apply.

20. To discuss Highways Volunteer Day

Highways are offering a Volunteer day, where if we have a project and supply the materials, highways will supply the bodies. It must be a defined project on a defined day. It was agreed and RESOLVED not to go ahead with the Volunteer day but to think about project that we might need help with in the future.

21. To discuss application for FCC Community Foundation Funding for Play park- Deadline 8th March 23

It was agreed and RESOLVED to apply for the FCC Funding to help purchase a new slide and a piece of equipment to replace the rockers which need to be removed. Clerk to source quotes and apply for funding. Clerk also to resend FCC Community Funding e-mail to the Recreation Field Committee.

22. To discuss quotes for hedging at playpark and agree contractor

It was agreed and RESOLVED to accept the quote from Mr Heather £750.00

23. To discuss playpark works and agree contractor

Awaiting a further quote scheduled Friday 3rd February. Item to be deferred until next meeting.

24. To discuss community defibrillator grant funding

Cllr Taylor bought to the Councils attention that the men in sheds were in need of a defibrillator. It was agreed and RESOLVED to forward the email on to The Men in Sheds.

25. To discuss and update potential dropped kerb, movement of bus shelter and notice board.

 Council will discuss when the appropriate planning permission for the dropped kerb is sought.

26 To discuss assets on Insurance.

The assets on the insurance were discussed with a couple of amendments needed. It was agreed and RESOLVED for the Clerk to remove gateway structures, add the new mobile and village name sign, and adjust sum insured on the Christmas lights, printer and laptop.

27. Items to be noted for the next meeting

Cllr Hoyland to e-mail potential funding available from DHL Foundation Funding.

To discuss and agree a new accounts package.

Clerk to contact the school to find out how many King Charles III Coronation mugs would be needed to cover all children in the school.

Smoke alarm tested and passed.

Meeting Closed at 10.10pm