2021 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

• Enquired whether the Council had a Health & Safety policy and about the Council’s response in relation to a staff related absence.  The Clerk confirmed that the Council has a Health & Safety policy and staff related matters are considered sensitive in nature and therefore discussed under closed session.

• Advised that local residents had not been notified by the WLDC Planning Department about a planning application and therefore had been unable to make comment about changes, already introduced at the Hub on East Street.  They expressed serious concern, particularly as the Hub is sited within the Conservation area and local residents will be affected by the new operating arrangements.  These changes include the introduction of a new style café/coffee shop, with takeaway service, and customers will also be able to use new external seating areas.  This business will operate 7 days per week and it is anticipated that local residents will be affected by noise emitted, particularly from customers using the new seating areas, which are in close proximity to residential properties (and their garden areas).  The Chairman advised that this matter was already included as an agenda item for discussion, later in the meeting.

• He has been contacted by residents about the physical changes to the building and new café/takeaway service, at the Hub.  These concerns had been passed onto WLDC and a response is awaited. The re-opening of the Hub is welcomed, but acknowledged that it may not be in a way residents wanted;
• Reports received from residents about noise and animal welfare issues had also been signposted to the relevant authorities;
• WLDC Planning Committee considered the Truelove planning application last week for 3 additional housing units, to be added to the original planning approved for 68 units at the Scothern Road development site.  Despite Parish Council objections submitted, the 3 additional housing units were approved by WLDC.

• Her written report had already been circulated;
• Concerns received from residents about the changes, at the Hub, had been reported to WLDC and a Planning Enforcement Officer had been appointed to investigate;
• Details about UPVC windows having been fitted to properties within the Conservation area, have been reported to the WLDC Enforcement team. The Enforcement Officer will investigate whether or not the relevant Planning approval had been granted and take associated enforcement action, as required;
• She had contacted the Police HQ Asset Manager to discuss the issue of smokers discarding cigarette butts near the path through the Police HQ, particularly outside the former HQ gymnasium building, despite a ‘no smoking’ sign being in place.  There has also been discussion about WLDC issuing ‘on the spot’ fines for this behaviour;
• Feedback suggests that there has been a 50% increase in fly-tipping in the district, during the Covid-19 pandemic;
• There continues to be concern expressed about how some non-area specified serious crimes are being reported as having been committed in Nettleham, on the National online Police crime figures;
• The meeting of the WLDC Prosperous Communities Committee will be held on 29/7/21 to consider the Central Lincs Local Plan and the public can attend to give feedback, subject to prior notice being given.

• Feedback received from the Police & Crime Commissioners Office local Coordinator, advised that when an incident is reported and the exact location of the incident isn’t available, the Officer dealing with the incident, if based at Police HQ, is required to report it as having occurred in Nettleham.  It was suggested that the Clerk write to the Chief Constable advising of Council’s longstanding concerns about crimes being recorded in the parish when in reality they had been committed elsewhere;
• At the meeting of the Parish Council 29.06.21 it was agreed to submit a request to LCC to consider use of three temporary active travel interventions around the village centre, using funding available under the LCC Active Travel Fund.  A favourable response was received from LCC on all 3 proposals put forward.  LCC have confirmed, that before agreeing the measures, they will launch a formal consultation process and associated publicity coverage, to seek local views about the proposals.

• Traffic appears to flow well, following LCC Highway changes at the Riseholme roundabout, although due to traffic speed, pedestrians and cyclists are experiencing difficulty in crossing the carriageways – including students travelling to Riseholme campus.
• At a recent LCC Governance meeting it was raised that Councils, including Parish Councils, are having to deal with an ever increasing number of complex cases because some individuals continually challenge or complain about decisions or policy.  This has resulted in an ever increasing amount of litigation and the associated costs e.g. Officer time and legal costs, and is considered very concerning;
• Some Nettleham residents have reported that water flows down their driveway, following rainfall.  A contributing factor appears to be as a  result of the road and footpath levels being raised with additional tarmac, during resurfacing works;
• She has been contacted by a number of residents about the recent changes, at the Hub and the provision of new café style seating in their garden areas.  Also of a report of a yew tree in the new Hub garden which is considered poisonous, should fallen parts be ingested;
• Another housing company has expressed an interest in developing the Lineland’s site for Older Person housing units.

• 32 Sudbrooke Lane – Mr C Bowles – 143242.  Application for non-material amendment to planning permission 139074 granted 16 April 2019 - amendment to car port materials.  Granted 05/07/21
• The Old Barn – Mr & Mrs Tallentire – 142923.  Planning application for single storey flat roof rear extension.  Granted 25/06/2021

ii)  Withdrawn

• The Granary House, Kingsway – 142632 – withdrawn 23/06/21

• Currently there are 2 vacancies on the Beck Working Group which are being advertised;
• The experimental berm had now been installed and planted up, in the beck, with more to be considered. 
• The draft Beck Management plan will be reviewed at the next Beck Working Group meeting, scheduled for October 2021; 
• During enquiries made with the Environment Agency, feedback was that fees to submit an application to undertake remedial works and to vary the weir licences would cost £1,500.  This application is now on hold and will be discussed at the next Working Group meeting.

• Neighbourhood plan review drop in public consultation sessions were held, at the Old School on Friday 25th & Saturday 26th June 2021 from 9am to 5pm, with approximately 150 persons attending over the two days; with a further session arranged for Tuesday 27 July 2021, from 7pm to 10pm, at the Old School.  This event will be publicised on notice boards, Facebook sites, via leaflet drop to properties and on the website;
• A lot of feedback questionnaires have been completed and returned, to date, and there has been overwhelming support for the proposals put forward; also for areas identified for development;
• Feedback received, to date, suggests that development south of the village (e.g. migrating towards Lincoln), be resisted with areas north-west and at the eastern extremity of the village being considered more favourable for future development.  

• Unresolved LCC Highways issues (RP)