March 2025
NETTLEHAM PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT THE SMALL HALL, THE OLD SCHOOL, NETTLEHAM ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025, AT 7.30PM
Present: Councillors: Cllr Mrs A. White (Chairman), Cllr P. McNeill (Vice-Chair),
Cllr D. Newsam, Cllr A. Simpson, Cllr A. Crook, Cllr C. Payne, Cllr C. Johnson
Also in attendance: Claire Ward (Assistant Clerk), Carl Thomas (RFO), 1 member of the public.
Councillors not present: Cllr J. McGuire and Cllr K. Swain
.
The public session commenced at 7.15pm
A member of the public made comments in relation to agenda items 13 and 14 which were to be discussed under the confidential session.
The meeting commenced at 7.20pm
1. To RESOLVE to receive apologies and accept reasons for absence received by the Clerk, prior to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Councillor J. McGuire
It was RESOLVED to accept apologies and accept reasons for absence.
Members also noted apologies from Councillor J. Brockway (LCC), Councillor F. Brown and Councillor J. Barrett (West Lindsey District Council)
2. To RECEIVE disclosure of interests in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations.
None received.
3. To RESOLVE to approve the notes of the Parish Council’s Meeting held on 25/2/2025 as the minutes of the meeting.
It was RESOLVED to approve the notes with a minor amendment to item 8, of the Parish Council’s Meeting held on 25/2/2025 as the minutes of the meeting.
ACTION POINT- CLERK to remove “if required” from the approved minutes (including on the website) and to arrange the purchase of the relevant signs.
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 application(s):
- WL/2025/00163 LINELANDS, ALL SAINTS LANE, NETTLEHAM, LINCOLN, LN2 2NT - Planning application for demolition of existing vacant building and erection of 16no. dwellings and all associated works
It was RESOLVED to submit No objections
However, the Parish Council make the following comments: -
They query the requirements for and siting of visitor parking bays at the front of the site alongside All Saints Lane because of existing school traffic on this road.
Although the developer is following the guidelines for delivering Biodiversity Net Gain, there is currently no net gain within the site. While some of the existing trees are to be retained this is not compensated for by proposed new hedging and other planting
The native tree species proposed are not yet confirmed and there may be a need for the BNG calculations to be reassessed which should be reassessed in the growing season.
So the offsite BNG proposals should be made clear and BNG recalculated when there are any changes to the proposed landscaping/site layout.
If there is external lighting it should be discreet and pointing down.
· WL/2025/001678 NORTH STREET NETTLEHAM LINCOLN LN2 2PA Planning application for proposed loft conversion including roof lift & installation of dormer windows, side and rear extensions, and facing brick to be reclad.
It was RESOLVED to submit No objections
Although in the conservation area it is surrounded by modern properties.
- WL/2025/0020742 SUDBROOKE LANE NETTLEHAM LINCOLN LN2 2RP Planning application for front bay extension.
It was RESOLVED to submit No objections
- WL/2025/00249 2 CLIFF AVENUE NETTLEHAM LINCOLN LN2 2PU Planning application for removal of existing front porch, new roof covering, windows, fascias and soffits, new rear single storey extension, and the installation of roof mounted solar panels and a new air source heat pump
It was RESOLVED to submit No objections
- WL/2025/00254 34 LODGE LANE NETTLEHAM LINCOLN LN2 2RS Planning application for replacement rear single storey extension, including external rendering of existing bungalow
It was RESOLVED to submit No objections
- WL/2025/00256 BECKSIDE PRE SCHOOL AND NURSERY LINCOLN ROAD, NETTLEHAM, LINCOLN LN2 2NE Planning application for extension to existing pre-school / nursery to provide additional accommodation.
It was RESOLVED to submit No objections
However, the Parish Council highlighted that an increase in children attending would lead to increased traffic and therefore increased risk on a stretch of A46 which is already hazardous. It is extremely difficult to turn right from this site.
b). Any other planning matters, including any applications received after the agenda was published.
Members noted the West Lindsey District Council decision to approve application WL2025/00072 (4 Sutton Close) and asked queries be raised with the appropriate officer regarding the interpretation of Flood Risk assessment.
ACTION POINT – Chair to contact the Planning Officer
6. Financial Matters
a). To NOTE AND RATIFY the pre-approved payments made since the last meeting and to RESOLVE to approve the schedule of accounts for payment.
It was queried if the process for issuing specifications was sufficiently robust and whether payment could be withheld until jobs have been completed to the Council’s satisfaction.
In addition, it was reported that the new gate at the tennis courts is difficult to open/close.
ACTION POINT – RFO/Clerk to review process for issuing specifications and authorising payment and follow up tennis court gate.
Members noted and ratified the pre-approved payments made since the last meeting and RESOLVED to approve the schedule of accounts for payment attached as APPENDIX A of these minutes.
b). To NOTE the Full and Summary Income & Expenditure Reports as at 28.02.25 and to NOTE the Council’s Bank Account & Earmark Reserves balances at 28.02.25
Members noted the Full and Summary Income & Expenditure Reports as at 28.02.25 and noted the Council’s Bank Account & Earmark Reserves balances at 28.02.25.
A query was raised regarding budget codes103 (Burial Ground) and109 (Parish Office)
ACTION POINT – RFO said he was thinking of removing code 109. Code 103 indicated
increased income.
c). To authorise expenditure for legal costs in relation to the transfer of the new allotments site of up to £5000.
Councillors considered expenditure to date.
It was RESOLVED to approve expenditure of up to £5000for legal costs in relation to the transfer of the new allotments.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to progress transfer of new allotments
7. Proposed by Cllr A. Simpson that Nettleham Parish Council appoint one (or more) Councillor/s to be Publicity Councillor/s.
Members discussed the appointment of a Councillor/s to focus on publicity in order to promote the work of the Parish Council and potentially attract more residents willing to become Councillors. It was noted that the Clerk would continue to check/submit all items generated by Councillors before publication.
It was RESOLVED to appoint one or more member/s to be Publicity Councillor/s.
ACTION POINT – Cllr A. Simpson to approach member/s who expressed an interest in the role.
8. Working Groups
a). Highways – to note the notes of the meeting and RESOLVE any action to the recommendations of that meeting:
i). NPC writes to LCC and asks that cases of illegal engine idling are prosecuted as road traffic offences.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to write to LCC
ii) NPC write to Lincolnshire Coop asking for a sign saying ‘Car park’ is erected at the entrance to their Car Park
ACTION POINT –Clerk to write to Lincolnshire Coop
iii). NPC allow a letter to be written to PC Coaches and Stagecoach encouraging them to complain about the parking outside the soft play area which we believe to be dangerous.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to write to PC coaches and Stagecoach
iv) Inter Parish meeting
ACTION POINT –Chair to liaise with local Parish Councils with a view to arranging a meeting to take place after the local elections in May 2025.
It was RESOLVED to accept all the proposals from the Highways working group and to undertake the associated actions.
9. Correspondence to be noted or for response:
a). Central Lincolnshire Authority Wide Design Code (survey)
It was RESOLVED to approve recommendation that members respond individually if they wish to.
ACTION POINT – Councillors to respond individually if they wish to
b). Nettleham, various roads – proposed waiting restrictions consultation, LCC
Members noted that white ‘no parking’ lines outside 5 Scothern Rd were also recommended.
ACTION POINT –Chair to check what was discussed with Brian Gault (LCC) following initial site visit.
It was RESOLVED to support all the proposed waiting restrictions
ACTION POINT –Clerk to confirm support for proposed waiting restrictions to LCC
c). Request to use The Green
Members raised safety concerns about a theatre group using the village green and suggested that Bill Baileys would be a more suitable location.
It was RESOLVED to recommend that Bill Baileys would be a far more suitable space for the performance.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to respond to request and suggest Bill Baileys as a more suitable location
d). Request from Hall Hirer for additional tables
It was RESOLVED to approve the purchase of two new folding bridge tables for the Large Hall.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to arrange the purchase of tables
e). Church request for letter of support
It was RESOLVED to write a letter of support for All Saints Parish Church to submit with their bid for national lottery funding.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to write a letter of support from the Parish Council.
10. Risk Management (No decisions to be made)
Members noted concerns about a raised drainage channel cover (Beck footpath) and a potential trip hazard on the Village Green footpaths.
ACTION POINT – Clerk to continue actions to resolve / investigate which were already underway.
11. Date of Next Meeting of the Parish Council and Any Future Agenda Items –This has been arranged for Tuesday 15th April 2025, commencing at 7.30pm (Public session from 7.15pm), in the Large Hall at The Old School, Nettleham. This will follow the Annual Parish Meeting start time TBC (Submissions of council agenda items / reports by no later than close of business 31/03/2025)
12. 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.
13. To conduct an Internal Review of a Freedom of Information Request and to RESOLVE a response/any action. (Exclusion of Public and Press recommended due to confidential data)
Following extensive discussion, a proposal and failed counterproposal it was RESOLVED to respond to uphold the original response to the Freedom of Information request.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to respond to requester
14. To NOTE further correspondence from the Objector to the 2023/2024 AGAR and to RESOLVE any action/ response. (Exclusion of Public and Press recommended due to confidential data, commercially sensitive data and risk of defamation.)
Members noted further correspondence from the Objector. Following extensive discussion, it was RESOLVED to respond to the Objector to the 2023/2024 AGAR and decline any contact on this matter until after the conclusion of the official audit process.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to respond
15. Staffing matters. (Exclusion of Public and Press recommended due to staff data)
- To note the draft minutes if the HR Committee held on 10.03.25 and to RESOLVE any action in relation to the recommendations of the draft minutes.
a). Flexible working request
It was RESOLVED to approve the confidential recommendation of the HR Committee in relation to the flexible working request and it was noted that the Clerk would make arrangements with a member of staff for 5 hours of overtime per week during the absence of a Facilities Manager.
ACTION POINT –Clerk to respond / arrange Overtime
- To RESOLVE if any further action is required during the temporary staffing shortfall/ Recruitment.
No further action was considered necessary at this point
Meeting closed at 9.10 pm