Parish Council minutes & agendas 2020

 NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL                                                                                                                                                    

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

HELD REMOTELY ON TUESDAY 16 JUNE 2020, AT 7.30PM.

PRESENT:  Councillors: J Evans (Chairman), P Jenkinson, Mrs J Clayton, Mrs A White, P McNeill, D Newsam, Mrs C Appleton, C Higham, J Barrett, J Radcliffe,

Cllr Henderson joined the meeting at 8.31pm.

Also in attendance remotely: Mrs D Locker (Clerk)

Councillors not present: - None.  Cllr Mrs Brockway (LCC) and Cllr G McNeill (WLDC) sent apologies

Commencing at 7.34pm

The Chairman welcomed those in attendance remotely and explained the process:

• Should attendees experience internet, power or IT failures during the meeting e.g. if no recovery after 5 minutes then the meeting will be reconvened at a later date;
• Being moved into the virtual waiting room for items where a declaration of interest had been declared by a Councillor; 

Public Forum

Councillor Mrs White (WLDC) advised:

• Following reports made to LCC of youths entering the site at Linelands, LCC had erected 4 cameras; since that time there have no further reports of youths at the site;
• WLDC have commenced consultation on development of their budget for 2021/22;
• She has reported the poor condition of the footpath on Scothern Rd and edge of the road around 11  High St, to LCC, via Fix my Street;
• She has been advised that elective surgery cases from Lincoln Hospital are being diverted to Grantham Hospital for treatment as it is Covid-19 free; however concerns have been raised about these measures, from local residents in the Grantham area.

The Chairman sought feedback about the progress of the planning application for development of 38 new houses off Deepdale Lane that had been called in by WLDC Councillors - Mrs White and G McNeill.  Cllr Mrs White advised that the public consultation period had been extended due to effects of Covid -19.

Police Report – No incident report having been received, from the Police.

The Meeting opened at 7.40pm

061/20.  TO RESOLVE TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT REASONS FOR ABSENCE

No apologies received.

062/20. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 AND TO CONSIDER ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS

Councillor C Higham declared an interest in respect of item 6(a)(2) on the agenda.

063/20. TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE NOTES OF THE PARISH COUNCil MEETING HELD ON 16 JUNE 2020 AND TO AUTHORISE THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN OFFICIAL MINUTES

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  That the notes of the meeting of the Parish Council, held on 26 May 2020, be approved as a correct record and be signed by the Chairman.  Unanimous - (by those that had been in attendance at the meeting.

064/20.  CLERK’S REPORT  (for information only)

• The Speed indicator device is due to be delivered on 17 June 2020. Formal agreement to site the posts is awaited from LCC;
• The notice advertising the Councillor vacancy will be filled by Co-option expires on 2 July 2020 for consideration by Council on 14 July 20. No applications have been received, to date;
• The Clerk submitted an application for a Discretionary Business grant to WLDC and was subsequently been advised that precepting authorities are not eligible for a grant;
• LALC have confirmed that virtual training has been delivered; are also working with their training providers to arrange further sessions, via video conferencing, in line with the training programme;
• Council awaits feedback from LCC in response to requests to:
• Install a new bus stop(s) nearer to the new development at Baker Drive (off Deepdale Lane);
• To review the arrangements at the junction of Deepdale Lane and A46;
• Consideration for a reduced speed limit to take effect on Lodge Lane nearer the Rugby Club;
• The Parish office has received a number of reports about increased levels of litter being discarded and that bins require more regular emptying.  The Clerk to liaise with WLDC to discuss options for additional bin emptying; also an article for Nettleham Matters about use of bins or taking litter home;

065/20.  FINANCIAL MATTERS

(a)  To ratify Payments made – 01/05/20 – 31/05/20

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  That Council ratify payments made during May 2020.  Unanimous

(b) To consider the Income & Expenditure report at 31/05/20

The contents of the report were noted.

(c)  To consider Bank Account balances at 31/05/20

The bank account statement balances were checked and signed off as a true record by the Chairman.

066/20.  PLANNING MATTERS

To agree/ratify comments received from the Planning Liaison Panel and submit to WLDC,

a) To receive/ratify recommendations or observations on the following planning applications:-

Nettleham parish council wishes to ratify (or agree) these comments against recent planning applications in the parish submitted (or to be submitted) to WLDC planning Department.

1)  21 Beckside                                                       Mrs F Buckle                                              141035

     Planning application for a single storey sun room extension

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  That the Council has no comments or objections to make.   Unanimous

2)  Nettleham Methodist Church, High St        Methodist Church                          141060

Planning application for proposed extension and alterations, including demolition and replacement of existing flat roofed extension to front.

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  That the Council has no comments or objections to make.  For 9;   Abstention 1

(b) Appeals, Consents, Refusals and Withdrawals, Decisions received

 i)   Appeal Decisions - None

ii)    Decisions

• 22 Cherry Tree Lane                                   Mr D Leather                                     140879

Front extension over existing garage and rear extension.  19.05.20 - Granted with time limits

 (c) Tree Application – None

 (d) Update on outstanding planning

Council were advised that WLDC Planning have made the decided that the application for erection of 7 new houses, on Scothern Road, cannot be supported and was refused 15 June 2020.

067/20.  PROPERTY COMMITTEE MATTERS

(a)  To note the draft minutes of the Property Committee meeting held on 2 June 2020

The contents of the minutes were noted.  The Chairman of the Property Committee provided a further update:

• Works to the access area into Mulsanne Park, from the new Lodge Lane development path have now been completed by Council and were undertaken because of health and safety concerns  e.g. the ground was uneven where the areas met and the potential for trips and falls was identified;
• The new cycle racks, for Mulsanne Pavilion car park area have been ordered, following receipt of the LCC grant, and will be installed once received;
• The internal decoration works to the Pavilion at Mulsanne Park are progressing well;
• In line with Government guidance, the cricket nets will be used for teams of up to 6, for practice.  The football club will then seek feedback from the cricket club and then consider arrangements for football practice;
• The Swathe Working Group met virtually with the Council’s consultants (CDS) to discuss concerns raised that a full archaeology survey may be required before Council’s plans to extend the burial ground into the Swathe can be agreed.  A response is awaited from English Heritage.

068/20.  NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REVIEW

(a)  To receive an update from the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) review group (CH)

It was raised that as the Central Lincs Local Plan (CLLP) is also under review, it has been suggested that Council undertake a ‘light touch’ review of the existing NP.  The review group to progress development of a consultation document to commence consultation with residents.  It was raised that Council will also need to engage external expertise promptly to help progress the review within this short timescale.

At 8.31 Councillor Henderson joined the meeting.

During discussion Council heard that the main components of the review document are planned for completion by the end of the year; with more detail to be progressed during early next year.  Further discussion is also needed to agree the range of methods required to consult effectively with residents.

069/20.  COUNCIL MATTERS

a) To approve and sign the Council's Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2019/2020

    Annual Return for the financial year ended 31 March 2020, prior to submission to the External

    Auditors

It was proposed, seconded and

RESOLVED:  The Council approve section 1 and then section 2 of the Council’s Annual Governance Accounting statements on the annual return, for the period 2019/20, and that they be signed prior to submission to the External Auditors.  Unanimous

The Chairman and Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer proceeded to sign the Annual Governance and Accounting statements for the Annual Return 2019/20, as appropriate.

b) To receive a report about Walkers Welcome (JB)

The report submitted by Cllr Barrett was considered and the contents noted.

c) To consider a request to plant a commemorative tree at Bishops Meadow, from resident

During discussion it was raised that the area allocated for planting of memorial trees, at Bishops Meadow was now planted up to capacity. Alternative proposals were put forward including it had been noted that an existing Cherry Tree located on LCC land, around Church Street appeared to be decaying. 

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  To advise the resident that Council are unable to agree to the planting of a tree at Bishops Palace. Subject to their feedback, the Clerk to liaise with LCC to ascertain their plans for the cherry tree at Church Street and if due to be removed discuss the option for a resident to provide a replacement for planting.  Unanimous

d) To review Council’s publicity matters

Council were advised that a draft Communications Plan was in development and would be included on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. Cllr Radcliffe to prepare an article for Nettleham Matters and Council communications relating to recent concerns expressed about litter, in the parish.

e) Responses to Covid-19 update

The Clerk advised that Government Covid-19 related guidance is regularly reviewed and appropriate actions introduced e.g. to enable measures to be put in place: to operate safe working arrangements for staff, for social distancing, technology to hold remote meetings and in the use of Council buildings and recreational facilities.  During discussion it was raised that permission had previously been granted to hold a Nettleham Carnival on the Village Green during July 2020; however it was now considered impractical for the Carnival Committee to put measures in place to hold such an event, within current government guidelines. 

Proposal 1 was received and seconded: To withdraw permission for the Carnival Committee to hold an event on the Village Green during July 2020;

A second proposal was received and seconded:  To retain permission and then review the Government guidance, two weeks’ prior to the proposed event and check that guidance has been relaxed to enable the event to proceed.

Proposal 2 was put to vote.  The votes For: 4; Against: 7

Proposal 1 was put forward, seconded and put to the vote and it was

RESOLVED:  To withdraw permission for the Carnival Committee to hold an event on the Village Green during July 2020;  For: 7; Against: 4

070/20.  CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED

The Clerk advised that the following correspondence had been received:

• Notification from WLDC that they have commenced budget 2021/22 consultation process;
• Notification from WLDC that they will be installing social distancing signage to public highways near to retail premises, within the Parish.

071/20.  COUNCILLOR REPORTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

• Communication and Publicity Plan

072/20.  DATE OF NEXT REMOTE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

A virtual meeting, via Zoom has been arranged for Tuesday 14 July 2020 commencing at 7.30pm.

073/20.  TO RESOLVE WHETHER TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION AND EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC AND PRESS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSIONS TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960, DUE TO THE SENSITIVE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED

At 9.40pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  To move into closed session.  Unanimous

074/20.   CLOSED SESSION ITEMS          

(a)  Staff vacancy

Following discussion about Government ongoing plans for gradual lifting of Covid-19 related restrictions and the potential for Council premises to be opened up in the coming months, 

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  To advertise the post of Assistant Clerk to commence recruitment to the vacancy.  Unanimous

(b) To engage Consultancy Services for Neighbourhood Plan Review

Following receipt of Government grant funding to undertake the review of the Neighbourhood Plan and consideration of quotations for consultancy services.

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:  To appoint L.A.B. Planning Services to provide consultancy services to assist the Council with the Neighbourhood Plan Review.  Unanimous