Minutes November 2023

NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THEMEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ATMULSANNE PAVILION, NETTLEHAM ON TUESDAY 21NOVEMBER 2023, AT 7.30PM

 

Present: Councillors: Cllr Mrs A. White (Chairman), Cllr A. Henderson, Cllr P. McNeill,

Cllr D. Newsam, Cllr J. McGuire, Cllr T. Crook, Cllr C. Johnson, Cllr. C Payne and Cllr A. Simpson

Also in attendance: Cllr Mrs Jackie Brockway (Lincolnshire County Council), Cllr F. Brown& Cllr J. Barrett (West Lindsey District Council), Lucy Waller (Clerk), Carl Thomas (RFO)*, 3membersof the public. 

Councillors not present: Cllr J. Healy

 

The public session commenced at 7:15pm 

Councillor Mrs Jackie Brockway provided a verbal update including information relating to recent flooding, Emergency Plans and Declarations of Interest training she had recently attended. 

In addition to the previously circulated written update received from Councillors Barrett and Brown, Councillor Barrett provided a verbal update on recent flooding and raised a query regarding public preference in relation to Item 7 (The Swathe Working Group). 

A member of the public highlighted the issue of sewage backing up in private residences during the recent flooding. 

In relation to Item 7 (The Swathe Working Group), a member of the public highlighted that the Parish Council had issued a clear instruction to the Working Group in September 2023 and that the working group had to date failed to provide the requested report. The member of the public additionally questioned the need for a Tree Survey.  It was highlighted that a Tree Survey was required in accordance with the Council’s Tree Policy.  

 

Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman thanked all involved in the Remembrance Day events.

 

The meeting commenced at 7.35pm 

 

1.    To RESOLVE to receive apologies and accept reasons for absence received by the Clerk, prior to the meeting.

None received. 

 

2.    To RECEIVE disclosure of interests in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations. 

Councillors D. Newsam and A. Simpson declared nonpecuniary personal interests in Item 12, as nominees/ nominators were known to them. 

 

3.    To RESOLVE to approve the notes of the Parish Council’s Meeting held on 17/10/2023.

It was RESOLVED to approve the notes of the Parish Council’s Meeting held on 17/10/2023 as the minutes of the meeting subject to the removal from Item 9 of “Councillor P. McNeill was APPOINTED as Lead Councillor on a temporary basis”.

 

 

4.    To NOTE the Clerk’s report. 

Members noted the report. 

 

5.    Planning Matters  

       a) To RESOLVE responses to West Lindsey District Council in relation to the following planning applications: -

147514 -Planning application for erection of 38no. dwellings, Land off Cricketer’s Drive Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2GS:

It was RESOLVED in principle to strongly object to the application on various grounds including (but not limited to) density and adequate provision of affordable housing. It was RESOLVED to delegate the duty for the final response to the Clerk.

147575 - Planning application for the demolition of front & rear projections, erection of part 2 storey and single storey rear extension, single storey open porch and other alterations.5 The Crescent Nettleham Lincoln LN2 2SW.

It was RESOLVED to submit no objections but to highlight that the site is within the Nettleham Conservation area and as such would be expected to comply with Policy E4 of the Nettleham Neighbourhood Plan, “. development proposals will be expected to preserve or enhance the character of the area.” It should also comply with Historic England guidance in terms of the impact of new development which it requires to be positive or neutral. 

The proposed floorplan is considerably larger than the current floorplan.

The extreme proximity of this property to properties within High-Risk Flood Zones, coupled with the increased floorplan could cause increased flood risk to at risk properties within the Conservation Area.  It is therefore requested that suitable flood attenuation measures be put in place.

 

       b)  To NOTE the responses submitted to West Lindsey District Council under delegated duties since the last council meeting.

Members noted the reports.

 

       c). To NOTE the notes of  two recent informal meetings with developers regarding potential development in the Parish. 

       Councillor Mrs A. White provided a verbal introduction and members noted the reports. 

 

6.   Property Committee & Recommendations

      To NOTE the contents of the Property Committee meeting notes 8 NOV 2023 and to CONSIDER the recommendations contained within those notes:

      a). Fee increases

It was RESOLVED to adopt the fee increases as recommended by the Properties Committee from 01/04/2024:

Burial Fees - Introduction of Transfer Fee£50, Fee for resident purchase of a burial plot increased to £350. Other fees remained unchanged.  

Allotment Fees - (A46 site) fees remained unchanged at £1 but a new fee structure would apply to the new allotment site, once available. 

Room Hire Mulsanne Park Pavilion and The Old School - a 50p per increase to all hourly rates with the exception of one off/ infrequent charges which were increased by £2 per hour. 

     The sports field and pavilion one off rate (£200) remained unchanged.

 

      b). Emergency Plan Review/ Lead Councillor 

It was RESOLVED to purchase a Pay as You Go emergency contact mobile phone. 

 

Action Point: Clerk to arrange purchase of a Pay as You Go mobile phone. 

 

      c).  Adoption of the CCTV Policy and CCTV impact Assessment.

      It was RESOLVED to adopt the CCTV Policy and CCTV Impact Assessment subject to rectification of a minor typographical error. 

 

     d). Adoption of the Memorial Policy

      It was RESOLVED to adopt Memorial Policy

 

      e).  Adoption of the Biodiversity Strategy 

      It was RESOLVED to adopt the Biodiversity Strategy.  The Chairman thanked Councillor C. Johnson for her work. 

 

Action Point: Clerk to publish newly approved documents. 

 

      f).  Replacement Fort Bill Baileys (Including to RESOLVE to pursue Grant Funding) 

      It was RESOLVED to pursue grant funding for replacement of the fort. 

 

 

7.   Working Groups:

Field Paths: Matters for Full Council DECISION:

Proposed expenditure of up to £15 for refreshments linked to Winter Walks (Expenditure:  LGA1972 s145 & s144)

It was RESOLVED to approve expenditure of up to £50 for refreshments linked to Winter Walks. 

 

Swathe: Matters for Full Council DECISION:

Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to defer any decision on the below until such time as the working group had provided fully costed plans for Phase One of The Swathe Burial Ground Extension, both in line with the current,ly approved Architect's design and a design incorporating a central straight path as per the approved planning permission. 

          a). Application for a non-material planning amendment

          b). Addition of a yew hedgerow 

          c). Moving the existing kissing gate 

          d). Expenditure on additional plans of Phase 1 

 It was additionally requested that an update on available burial space in the existing cemetery be brought to the next meeting.

Action Point: Working group to supply fully costed plans for Phase One of The Swathe Burial Ground Extension, both in line with the currently approved Architect’s design and a design incorporating a central straight path as per the approved planning permission.  Working Group to provide an update on available burial space in the existing cemetery.  

 

Carl Thomas RFO joined the meeting. 

 

Conservation: 

It was RESOLVED to adopt the draft Committee Terms of Reference. 

 

      8.  Correspondence received requiring a RESPONSE, or to be NOTED:

      a). Archer survey results Scothern Road, Nettleham

      Members noted the report.  It was also highlighted that the installation of the brackets for the movable Speed Indicator Devices near the old Quarry and on Sudbrooke Lane was outstanding.

     Action Point: Facilities Manager to arrange installation of the brackets as a priority. 

     b). Local list validation consultation

     Councillors were invited to respond on an individual basis. 

     c). Race Notification: Friday 1 December

     Members noted the correspondence. 

     d)  Church View communication. 

     Members noted the correspondence and thanked Doe Herrick. 

 

    9. Financial Matters  

At the Chairman’s discretion this item was considered prior to item 8.

    a). To RESOLVE to ratify payments made – 01.010.23 – 31.10.23.

It was RESOLVED to ratify payments made – 01.010.23 – 31.10.23 as set out in Appendix A of these minutes.  

    b). To NOTE the Full and Summary Income & Expenditure Reports as at 31/10/23

Members noted the report.

    c)  To NOTE the Council’s Bank Account & Earmarked Reserve balances at 31.10.23.

Members noted the report. 

    d)  To NOTE the draft budget 2024-2025 and RESOLVE the estimated precept request to be submitted to West Lindsey District Council.

The RFO introduced the report and following discussion it was RESOLVED to submit an estimate precept request of £ 195,000. It was noted the precept figure may change between the estimate submission and the final precept request. 

    Action Point:  RFO to submit estimate precept, All Councillors to feed in any additional financial need/ Earmarked Reserve requests to the RFO prior to the next meeting. 

 

     e). To CONSIDER adoption of the Draft Updated Financial Regulations and Internal Control Policy.

It was RESOLVED to adopt the Updated Financial Regulations and Internal Control Policy, with the addition of a change to level of the Clerk’s authority to spend on the Debit Card from £500 to £1000. 

Action Point: RFO to publish the adopted documents.

 

 

      f). To NOTE that the NJC national pay awards 2023 have been agreed and back dated to 1/04/23. (£1925pa added to each pay scale)

Members noted the pay award. 

 

      g). To AUTHORISE S137 expenditure of up to £15 to contribute to the cost of producing the Remembrance Sunday Order of Service / Leaflet

It was RESOLVED to authorise S137 expenditure of up to £15 to contribute to the cost of producing the Remembrance Sunday Order of Service / Leaflet.

 

      h). To AUTHORISE the Clerk to make a Debit Card Payment exceeding £500 (£540.46) to procure previously agreed staff uniform and PPE. 

It was RESOLVED to approve a Debit Card Payment exceeding £500 (£540.46) to procure previously agreed staff uniform and PPE.

 

     i). Proposed by Councillor Newsam the Parish Council funds £50 for a Lives Defib Training Course (20 places, open to Councillors and representatives of local groups) Expenditure: Public Health Act 1936 s.234 in conjunction with LGA 1972, s.111

 

The Council RESOLVED to fund £50 for a Lives Defib Training Course

 

The RFO and members of the public left the meeting.

 

 

10.  Date of Next Meeting of the Parish Council/ any Future Agenda Items –arranged for Tuesday 19December 2023, commencing at 7.30pm (Public session from 7.15pm), in the Mulsanne Pavilion, Field Close, Nettleham. (Submissions of agenda items / reports by no later than close of business 11/12/2023)

 

Members noted the date of the next meeting. 

 

11.  To RESOLVE whether to exclude the public and press for the following item/s, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, due to the commercial or sensitive nature of business to be discussed.

 

It was RESOLVED to exclude the public and press for the following item/s, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, due to the commercial or sensitive nature of business to be discussed.

 

12.  To CONSIDER nominations for the Ray Sellars Award 2023 and to CHOOSE a winner. (Exclusion of Public and Press recommended due to personal data)

 

It was RESOLVED to award the RAY Sellars Award 2023 to LULU WOOD for services to Buddies Dementia Café 

Action Point:  Chairman and Clerk to make arrangements for the presentation and to congratulate all nominees. 

 

 

13.   HR Committee (Exclusion of Public and Press recommended due to confidential data related to Staff)

To NOTE the contents of the HR Committee meeting notes 14 NOV 2023 and consider the recommendations: 

  • Request to work over the Festive Break 

Members noted the draft minutes and RESOLVED to enforce leave over the Festive Period for Health and Safety reasons, other than for home workers. 

Action Point:  Clerk to inform Staff Members. 

 

The Meeting closed at 9.38pm