March 2023 Minutes
COLEBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING held at the Village Hall Coleby 7th March 2023
Declarations of Interest: None
Present: Cllr Barry Earnshaw (Chair) Cllr Alan Vivian(Vice Chair), Cllr Theresa Brewer, Cllr Robert Hall, Cllr Patrick Varley, DCllr Lucille Hagues, DCllr Marianne Overton, S Makinson-Sanders (Clerk).
Apologies: Cllr Andrew Long
19.02 Public Forum:
A resident attended and noted that the school bus route was on the agenda. He was concerned that the Parish Council may be seeking rerouting of the bus. His own son had been hit by a car when crossing the A607. Cllr Earnshaw advised that the Parish Council was not seeking rerouting of the bus but that speed was something to be monitored. An email from a resident was read out which summed up the safety issue and the reasoning behind the bus route.
19.03 District Councillor Report
Cllr Lucille Hagues has nothing to add to her recent newsletter apart from details of grant funding available from the Co-Op of £500-£1000 under the Community Champions Scheme.
19.04 Approval of Minutes of Meeting held on the10th January 2023. Councillor Vivian proposed and Councillor Brewer seconded approval of the minutes. Minutes Approved.
19.05 Clerk's Reports:
a) Agenda: sent to all on email list and posted on the website and noticeboard.
b) Elections: District and Parish Council elections on May 4th 2023. All nomination packs for candidates to be hand delivered to the election office at NKDC by 4pm on 4th April 2023. NKDC offer service to check nomination papers for errors to avoid invalidation of forms.
c )King Charles 111 Coronation Joint committee: A meeting was held on the 15th February and another is to be held on the 22nd March. Caroline and Graham Brown have offered to host the event at the Temple. Toilets are booked. Band and marquees organised. Bring your own picnic.
d) Emergency Plan: NKDC seeking information on local council emergency plans. Clerk to obtain a template for consideration.
e) Renewal of LALC subscription and training scheme membership: Councillors approved renewal of membership and renewal of the web maintenance service through LALC.
f) School Street Light – this is now working.
g) Signage for School: Lincolnshire County Council Highways cannot assist with this. Village Hall would accept a banner on the railings. Clerk to advise school.
h) Lowfields Road Surface: Clerk reported state of road to fix my street. LCC Highways have advised no actionable work necessary. Members of the public raised safety concerns, Clerk to contact Cllr Carrington to visit and view.
i) School Bus Route: Clerk contacted provider of school bus service. Providers raised concerns over safety if bus route taken out of village. Parish Council accept status quo.
j) Viking Way Signage: The footpath officer confirmed that rerouting of the footpath has taken place in a number of places to enhance the walkers’ experience. This was not a matter requiring public consultation. Cllr Vivian expressed concern over the cost involved for all the new signs.
k) Projects and Grant Funding: Cllr Earnshaw reported there are 4 areas for projects, the village hall, communications /broadband, the church and the cemetery at Lowfields. An application has been made for grant funding and there are further schemes available to consider.
l) Cost of Living Survey: Deadline for completing is the 31st March 2023. Clerk to send reminder email.
m) Parish UK Network: The council had received and invitation to join this network. It collates information on the parish. Councillors agreed not to do so as the current Parish Council website has all the relevant information on it.
n) Parish Council Printer: The clerk reported problems with the current Parish Council Printer. No longer supported by manufacturer and eating ink as evidenced by the costs incurred over recent months. New printers now use ink wells rather than cartridges at less cost. Councillors approved purchase of a new printer up to £200.00.
o) NKDC Parish Newsletter: This has been circulated for information.
p) Cllr Volunteer Schemes: Clerk to see if volunteers can repair the wooden bus shelter on the A607.
q) Clerk’s Salary: Cllr Varley proposed and Cllr Vivian seconded a proposal to increase the clerk’s salary to £13.45 an hour backdated to January 2023. Councillors approved.
r) Wellhead Repairs: Clerk chasing Eastfield Joinery. Cllr Vivian to make contact.
s) Signage re parking on grass on greens: Councillor approved signs “No parking on grass” for Tempest Green. Clerk to source appropriate sturdy signs for the western and southern edges of the green.
19.06 Planning:
a) ) Tree works Application Ovington House Far Lane Coleby – approved.
b) Appeal against refusal of Planning Permission site off Dovecote Lane- Parish Councils responses to the appeal submitted and decision from Inspector still pending.
c) Tree works application 2 Chestnut Paddock – approved.
d) Tree Works 9 Dovecote Lane –approved.
e) Tree Works 18 Blind Lane – approved.
19.07 Police Reports:
a) Police: Latest areas of priority are anti-social behaviour, scams and drugs. Reduction in number of PCSOs is concerning.
b) Neighbourhood Watch: Clerk to obtain new posters. Clerk notifying villagers of scams Useful burglary prevention checklist sent to all on mailing list.
19.08 Cemeteries:
a) Lowfields Cemetery: nothing to report.
b) Far Lane Cemetery: Councillors approved a request for the interment of ashes of Mrs P Rowett into the grave of Sarah Jane Rowett.
19.09 Financial Matters:
Councillors approved the following payments:
i. Clerk's salary £ (Mar/April 2023)
ii. Litter Picking Dean West Mar/APril 2023 @ £30 per month Total £60.00
iii. Anglian Water Lowfields Cemetery Mar/Apr 2023 @ £4.00 per month. Total £8.00
iv. Anglian Water Far Lane Cemetery Qtr Oct/Jan 2023 £29.15
v. Coleby Village Hall Hire Meeting £20.00
vi. LALC Annual membership Renewal £151.63
vii. LALC Website Maintenance Service renewal £170.00 + £40.00 Vat Total £204.00
viii S Makinson-Sanders reimburse cost of stationary ink etc 01.04.22 -07.03.23 £258.91 + £48.73 Vat Total £307.64
ix) S Makinson-Sanders reimburse dog waste bags £26.64 + £5.34 Vat Total £31.98
x) LALC Election Posters £2.40 + Vat £0.60 Total £3.00
xi) SRP Hire Solutions Toilet Hire for Coronation Big Lunch £285.00 + £57.00 Vat Total £342.00
b) Payments received: £493.17 Grasscutting Grant
c) Payments due: Memorial Fees £40.00
Balance held at Co -operative Bank as at 07.03.2023 £9762.54
19.10 Reports from Village Organisations:
a) All Saints Church: Mothering Sunday service with breakfast is to be held on 19th March 2023. Church clock repairs were due to start on 10th March, this is now delayed and new start date awaited.
b) Village Hall: Nothing to report.
c) School Report: Received and to be circulated.
19.11 District Councillor Report
Cllr Overton reminded the council and members of the public of the need to take photo ID to vote on the 4th May. Postal voting is from the 16th April. Ward changes mean Coleby is now with Harmston and Waddington. Cllr Overton was keen to encourage people to stand as Parish and District Councillors .
The number of PCSOs is being reduced to about 50 from 91. Police to concentrate on highest areas of population to detriment of rural areas. Parish Council may wish to write to the Police Commissioner to raise its concerns over this.
Cllr Overton stated that both the District Council and the County Council had seen costs increase with inflation, salary rises and the need for social care for children and adults increasing hence the maximum council tax rise.
The consultation about a solar park covering 4200 acres of farmland at Blankney expires at midnight. This is good agricultural land. There are three more being considered in the area. CPRE are fighting this loss of farmland to food production.
The Council has obtained extra money for highways and Cllr Overton recommended contacting Cllr Carrington regarding Lowfields and one other local road to get works done.
There is a new 40mph speed limit on the A607 through Welbourn.
19.12 Correspondence: None
Meeting closed 20.55pm
Next Meetings: Annual Parish Meeting Tuesday 9th May 2023 at 7.00pm
Annual Meeting of the Parish Council Tuesday 9th May 2023 at 7.15pm
Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 9th May 2023 at 7.30pm