March 2023 Minutes
Sturton by Stow Parish Council met on Wednesday 1st March 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 and three members of the public.
Cllr Gilbert welcomed everybody to the March 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 7.31pm
One member of public wished to speak.
A resident highlighted concerns about cars parking upon the grass verge on the high street near the millennium tree and new planter. The resident informed the Council that the cars park on the verge when collecting children from the school and then drive along the verge before coming off the pavement back to road. It was noted that this is on Parish Council land. Parish Council to contact the PCSO to come and monitor the area and place on next month’s agenda for discussion.
Meeting Closed to the Public 7.35pm
5. To approve minutes from February Meeting.
Amendment made to include number of members of the public on list of attendees. It was agreed and RESOLVED that the minutes be approved.
6. Matters arising
The light on Fleets Road has had the ivy cut back allowing light to now shine down onto the pavement without it being obscured.
Street light 3 has been reported to the electricity board regarding power supply and it will be reinspected when it has a power supply.
The next stage off the bank is to apply for a charge card, to be discussed on the agenda item 28.
Clerk forwarded the power point from West Lindsey for those that could not attend or access the elections training. Clerk has election papers for councillors to take away. Upon completion they must be handed in by appointment to West Lindsey between the 13th March- 4th April 23 by 4pm.
The handyman was coming to look at the strip on the OSR door. It does not seem to have been repositioned- Clerk to chase.
The Riparian meeting will take place in the village hall on Friday 10th March 3.30-6.15pm.
The clerk has applied for the Co-op Champions nomination.
The FCC Community Funding will be discussed on the agenda, item 21.
The playpark hedge behind Village Hall has been cut, it has made a big difference.
Clerk has received an e-mail from a resident about a proposed dropped kerb on Stow Road. Concerns have been raised. The Clerk has made highways and resident aware that Parish Council will only discuss relocation of the bus shelter when the appropriate planning permission for the dropped kerb is sought.
7. Correspondence received -General correspondence circulated in bag.
8. Planning Applications
146061- Kelloway House- Planning application for erection of new commercial storage outbuilding.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to support the planning application under
Policy 7- Business development.
Full comments for the above applications are available to view on West Lindsey planning portal.
9. Other Planning Matters.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to organise an extraordinary meeting on the 15th March 23 at 7.30pm to discuss a planning application 146282 which cannot be extended.
10.Accounts: Cheques to be issued
a) Payments agreed i) Salaries-Clerk/trainee clerk and expenses/
newsletter £71.50/litter picker/OSR Cleaner
ii) Good Lookin Cookin £262.50 excluding VAT
iii) Heathers Property Services £750
b) Payments to be agreed i) Continental Landscapes – Hedges £709.61
excluding VAT
ii) LALC- Annual Subscription Invoice £380.92
All payments were agreed and RESOLVED
c)Direct Debits paid Multidata £43.91 (Feb)
British Gas OSR £30.54 excluding VAT
British Gas Village green £125.86 ex VAT
ID Mobile £20.99
d)Monies received.
Interest (March)- £2.97
Sturton By Stow Recreational Field- Rospa £100
The Sturton and Stow History Society Committee-
OSR Hire- £10
Bank Balances following all payments:
C/A £2,182,29 D/A £1,473.21 Nat Savings £26,853.18
11. Accounts March 2023 accounts:
It was RESOLVED to agree the accounts. The payment to Continental Landscapes will be held until confirmation of hedge cutting near St Hugh’s is resolved.
Meeting reopened to the public at 7.55pm, A member of the Village Hall committee was asked for comment regarding the hedge near St Hugh’s being cut. The comment was that they felt the hedge in dispute looked okay. Council still queried whether the hedge had actually been cut.
Meeting closed to the public 7.56pm.
It was noted that registration of the land known as the Recreation Field with Land Registry has highlighted that the Parish Council are not the legal Title owners. VAT from the installation of new car park on the recreational field could have inadvertently been reclaimed when it shouldn’t have. This has been flagged to HMRC and will be dealt with as necessary when we have had a response.
12. To agree to suspend financial regulation of Financial Standing order number 11 (h) requiring three quotations above £3000 in order to facilitate discussion for repair of playpark equipment.
Council has managed to obtain two like for like quotes for the playpark works. In order to agree a contractor it was agreed and RESOLVED to suspend the financial regulation of financial standing order 11 (h) to facilitate proper discussion of these quotations only
There was much discussion as 4 quotes were received.
Two which would have resolved all issues, regardless of urgency, in the ROSPA reports.
Two other quotations were from each manufacturer of the equipment.
It was agreed and resolved to allow Wicksteed and Playdale to repair their own equipment Once completed any residual problems will be assessed and quotes sought.
- To agree a short statement for Cottam Solar.
A statement was agreed and RESOLVED to upload to National Planning Inspectorate regarding Cottam Solar farm. Parish Council will have registered as an interested party.
- To agree to purchase of an accounts package. To discuss options- clerks preference- Easy PC Accounts £7.50 a month- (£90 a year).
It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase the Easy PC accounts package.
- Reports from local organisation.
Cllr Taylor- Village Hall- The committee are trying to encourage more people and stall holders to the market.
Warm space has become very popular with approximately 20 people including a few of the younger generation attending.
It was noted that the Village Hall AGM clashes with the Parish Council meeting in April.
Cllr Hoyland- Attended the youth club AGM. It was a very positive meeting. Changes in leadership. The numbers of children attending is increasing, Cllr Hoyland has become a permanent member of the committee. There will be a memorial for Marcus in the upcoming months.
- General maintenance in the Parish
Issue raised about the cars parking on parish council land on the high street will be reported to the PCSO.
The gulley between High Street and The Close is blocked- Clerk to report on Fix my Street.
Footpath from the crossroads near the Co-op up to Stow and including The Close are being repaired, possibly repatched, hopefully resurfaced.
A resident living in the 40mph zone on Tillbridge Road has raised an concern regarding speeding traffic and the potential to extend the 30mph zone out of the village. This is an issue which has been raised by Council before. There was a speed survey conducted on Tillbridge road the average was 34mph (council is unsure whether this was conducted along the 30 or 40mph zones). The issue is to be revisited however there is a huge backlog in traffic related orders.
Cllr Gilbert to locate and reshare findings from the black box installed on Saxilby Road from the Road Safety Partnerships Data.
It has been noticed that the speed watch signs seemed to be loose and rotating. Clerk to ask handyman to fit securely and tighten using cable ties and jubilee clips.
Brambles on the left side as you come into Saxilby Road near the village sign need cutting back. Clerk to report.
3 members of the public left the meeting 8.59pm
- To discuss and agree risk assessments page 3 of Parish Council Risk Management document.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to make no amendments to page 3 of the risk assessment.
- To agree to pass over to Rec field charity for vesting purposes of land registration.
The Parish Council never had responsibility or liability of the recreational ground. The land is better protected being left with the Charity Commission in the name of the Trustees. It was agreed and RESOLVED to continue registration in the name of the Recreation Field charity and for vesting to take place with HM Land Registry for the purposes of land registration.
- To discuss tenders for grass and hedge cutting and to agree contractor.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to accept the quote and assign the hedge contract to Mr Gilbank for the year 23/24.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to accept the grass cutting quote and to assign the grass cutting contract to Continental Landscapes for the year 23/24.
- 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 Community Foundation Funding to fund a basket/viking swing for the village hall play park. This is an inclusive piece of equipment that could be used by children of all ages regardless of ability.
- To agree for another Councillor to reconcile the bank account each month (Excluding Chairman).
It was agreed and RESOLVED for Cllr Cook to reconcile the bank account each month. Clerk to provide six months bank statements.
- To agree process/hiring of the OSR.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to ensure all hires of the OSR are booked through the Clerk. The Clerk will write on the notice board when the OSR is booked.
- To agree a judge for the Best Kept Coronation Garden 7th May 2023.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to ask a representative from the Horticultural Committee to judge the Best Kept Coronation Garden 2023.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase a new Coronation Cup. Silver plated up to £120 max.
- To agree purchase mugs for the Coronation for 180 school and preschool 40 children. Max £1500.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to purchase Coronation mugs for the school and pre-school children. 250 mugs at £4.55 each from Cauliflower Cards.
- To agree to fund new clerk training £60 a day for a two-day course. Or £140 + VAT to cover all training at a discounted rate with LALC- ATS (Annual Training Subscription) for a year.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to subscribe to the Annual Training Subscription provided by LALC for £140 + VAT.
- To agree a one off £50 fee for a charge card linked to the new bank account and an ongoing fee of £3 a month.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to sign up for the charge card to use with the new bank account to limit expenses claims.
- To discuss annual walkabout and asset update.
It was agreed and RESOLVED to defer item 29 until the next meeting.
- Items to be noted for the next meeting.
Discussion regarding Duke of Edinburgh volunteer.
Smoke alarm tested and passed. Meeting Closed at 10.00pm