January 2024 Minutes
MINUTES OF COLEBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Held at The Village Hall on Tuesday 16th January2024 7.30pm
19.58 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Earnshaw, Cllr Vivian and Cllr Long declared interest in Item 4 c) relating to request by Village Hall Committee for funding for grass cutting as all are members of the Village Hall Committee
19.59 Present: Councillor Alan Vivian Councillor (Chair) Barry Earnshaw (Chairman), Councillor Andrew Long, Cllr Theresa Brewer, Cllr Robert Hall, Cllr Jens Pedersen and Sue Makinson-Sanders Clerk.
Apologies: County Councillor Ian Carrington (covid), District Councillor Matthew Cooper, Councillor Lance Pennell and Councillor Leigh Sanders (Attending other meetings).
19.60 Public Forum:
Thanks were expressed to David O’Connor for the well organised Coleby Neighbourhood Plan Review Workshop held on the 9th January. Residents present had found the meeting very interesting and much discussion took place.
RAF: Concerns raised again regarding low flying of the Red Arrows over the village. What has changed that allows them to practice displays over the village? Concern also raised as to the safety record of the new Protector Drones flown out of Waddington which have a 72 ft wingspan and a terrible safety record in the USA Clerk to contact the Station Commander at Waddington as no response received from enquiries at the station.
19.61. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of Meeting held on the 7th November 2023 proposed by Councillor Earnshaw and seconded by Councillor Vivian. Councillors approved the Minutes.
19.62. Clerk’s Reports: For Discussion Decision and Noting
a) Co-option of Parish Councillor: No applicants at present. Clerk to send out an email to the village.
b) Neighbourhood Plan Revision following Adoption of Revised Central Lincolnshire Local Plan: David O’Connor reported that tasks for the CPNP review on target subject to Aecon who are taking up to 4 months to develop a design plan. Councillors have received monthly reports and a report on the workshop held on the 9th January. Thanks were given to Steve of Open Plan, Marianne and the clerk for assistance relating to the workshop. The workshop report set out a list of actions to be undertaken. Councillors approved the actions as set out subject to correction of some minor typos identified by David. Discussion took place on affordable housing with Harriet Earnshaw requesting a minute be made to the effect that she had not asked for affordable housing but diversity of housing. Discussion ensured as to the definition of affordable housing and the meaning of the term. David reported that he had made enquiries at Leadenham and that further work was required as to the options available to the Parish Council and will report further for the May meeting of the Parish Council.
C) Budget, Grant Funding and projects: Councillors have seen budget proposals from Councillor Earnshaw collated with Councillor Brewer and the clerk. As part of the budget proposals the issue of a contribution to the Village Hall Committee for grass cutting was considered. Councillor Earnshaw, Councillor Vivian and Councillor Long were advised by the clerk that they could not discuss this issue or vote on it as advised by the North Kesteven Monitoring Officer. Councillor Long disagreed with the advice received from the NKDC Monitoring Officer and considered it unacceptable that those members of the Parish Council who are also members of the VHC were not able to vote on an issue that is for the benefit of and in the best interests of the Village as a whole. The Parish Council has already in effect donated £440 to the Village Hall funds being the share of the Coronation Event costs due to the Parish Council from the Village Hall and not claimed. A proposal to fund the grass cutting for the village hall was not approved, with 2 councillors voting against the proposal and one voting for the proposal. Councillors approved a review of this on an annual basis. A vote having been held the Parish Council considered the precept for 2024/2025. Councillor Pedersen questioned the reasoning behind the 5% precept proposal rather than increasing the precept further the reason for the proposal was given 'to be frugal' and in line with the Lincolnshire County Council’s increase. Councillors approved an increase of 5% with 4 approving and 2 against the proposal of 5%. Councillors approved the proposed projects excluding the wellhead repairs and to consider grant funding to assist in upgrading the street lighting in the village to lanterns as already installed in some areas.
d) Appointment of Internal Auditor: Councillor Long proposed and Councillor Brewer seconded a proposal to appoint Andrea Smith, Welbourn Parish Clerk, as the internal auditor at a cost of £17.50 per hour. Councillors approved the appointment.
e) Councillors Attendance: The clerk reminded councillors of the rule regarding non attendance at Parish Council Meetings i.e. if no attendance in six months automatic disqualification as a councillor applies unless that councillor has attended other meetings as a Parish Council representative in that period.
19.63 Miscellaneous and Finance Reports:
a) Agenda sent to all on email list and posted on website and noticeboard
b) Fosse Green Energy Solar Park and Springwell Solar Farm: Residents are invited along to presentations for the Springwell Solar Farm at various locations, the nearest being at the Venue Navenby on Friday 26th January 2024 between Midday and 4pm. Consultations ongoing. The County Council concerned these are using food producing agricultural land. This view is not mirrored by North Kesteven District Council. Fosse Green Energy second stage of consultation will be in February/March.
c) Cllr Volunteer Schemes 2024: Councillors approved purchase of 2 x 5 litres of Ronseal Wood stain or similar and 2 x 3” paint brushes and accepted the offer of the scheme operators to clean and treat the bus shelter on the A607 western verge and to clean the 2 glass bus shelters on the A607.
d) Signage re parking on grass on greens: Lincolnshire County Council has approved installation of signage on the Tempest Green,. Councillors approved the purchase of 4 signs, 2 to be installed on the southern verge of the green and 2 to be installed on the western edge of the green. Councillors approved the wording for the signs “NO PARKING”. Councillors approved the purchase of 4 signs from Ridgequest Ltd oval shape signs as per the quote obtained. Clerk to check stakes are suitable so as not easily removed.
e) Offer of Restoration of Cemetery Gates: Ongoing. Clerk to follow up.
f) The Bell: S 215 Notice served on the 17.11.2023. Site has now been cleared. It was noted that someone is living in the Bell.
g) RAF Report: Concerns raised in public forum. Clerk has attempted to get a reply to concerns without success. Clerk to contact Station Commander.
h) Street Light Blind Lane: Clerk reported legal issue continue regarding land ownership. Awaiting Lincolnshire County Council Highways on this matter.
i) Village Roads:
Temporary Road Closures: There are a number of road closures with diversions signed relating to Heath Road and Broughton Lane.
Traffic on Hill Rise/Lowfields: The road closed signs at Navenby (as requested by the Parish Council) do appear to be helping reduce the amount of traffic coming through the village due to the Broughton Lane closure although there is still more traffic than normal. Councillor Hall reported that the repair on Hill Rise had washed out again in the last heavy rains. Clerk to report.
North Hykeham Relief Road : This is now set to go ahead.
j) Act of Remembrance: This was held on a bright sunny day on Saturday 11th November at the War Memorial. Thanks go to Hazel Curtis, who officiated and Margo Nelstrop who provided refreshments. 75 villagers attended the Act of Remembrance.
k) Devolution of Greater Lincolnshire: Consultation is taking place and residents can respond with their comments online, via facebook or email. Deadline for comments is 29th January 2024.
Finance Report:
a) Payments to be made:
i. Clerks Salary £ Jan/Feb 2024
ii. Anglian Water Lowfields Cemetery Jan/Feb 2024 @ £4.00pm Total £8.00
iii. Coleby Village Hall Meeting Hire £20.00 x 2 Total £40.00
iv. Bank Charge Stopped Cheque £5.00
v. Reimburse David O’Connor Coleby Parish Neighbourhood Plan Review Cost of Paper £8.30, Printing £121.75, Stamps £37.50 total £167.55
vi. Coleby Church Lighting £100.00
vii. Christmas Trees £135.00
viii. Reimburse S Makinson-Sanders refreshments Neighbourhood Plan Review Workshop £92.82
ix. Autela Payroll Services Ltd £45.48 + £9.10 VAT total £54.58
Councillors approved the above payments. Litter picking payments were not approved due to lack of contact with litter picker and any invoices for payment.
b) Payments received :
i. Groundwork UK Grant for Revision of Neighbourhood Plan £7521.00
ii. Grant Litter Picking £95.34
iii. Wayleave Pole at Lowfields Cemetery £8.31
c) Payments due:
i. None
d) Balance held at Co-Operative Bank as at 31.12.23 £15869.42
19.64 Planning:
a) Tree Works Reduce Cherry 1 Dovecote Lane – approved
b) Tree Works Fell Cotoneaster The Old House High Street – approved
c) Tree Works Crown reduce Walnut trees x 2 21 Blind Lane – approved
d) Planning Application Extensions to rear and side of property, conversion of roof space to living accommodation and erection of front wall 9/10 Avenue Villas – refused
e) Planning Application two storey side extension 4 Chestnut Paddock – pending.
19.65 Police Reports:
a) Police: Nothing to report.
b) Neighbourhood Watch: Usual warnings about scams both telephone and email.
19.66. County & District Councillor Reports: No reports.
19.67 Cemeteries:
a) Lowfields Cemetery: Councillors approved the proposed memorial stone for the Reverend Clifford Knowles. 2 burials to take place on the 25thJanuary, Mr William Alvin Bradford and Mrs Ann Pilsworth.
b) Far Lane Cemetery: Nothing to report.
19.68 Reports from village organisations:
a) All Saints Church: Katherine Swynford event on 26th April. Open Gardens 23rd June. Clock not working. Electrics checked and ok so repairer contacted.
b) Village Hall: AGM 21 February 7.30pm at the Tempest.
c) Coleby School: Clerk to circulate report.
19.69 Correspondence: None.
Meeting closed 9.35pm
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 5th March 2023 at7.30pm
Sue Makinson-Sanders
Tel: 01522 810509
email: colebyparishclerk@googlemail.com