Minutes July 2020
Middle Rasen Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 21/07/20
Present:- Mr M Stamp (Chairman), Mr D Pattison, Mr T Smith, Mr J Oxley, Mr M O’Connor
Mr P Dawson and Mrs G Dennis
Also Present: Mrs J Trotter (Clerk)
Visitors:- Cllr S Bunney
1) Apologies for Absence:-
Cllr J Padley, PSCO Harrison and Cllr J McNeill
Resolved: To accept apologies from Councillors listed above.
2) To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:-
Chair and Clerk – Item 12.
The Chair formally announced the passing of Jane Ranby, and thanked Cllr Dennis for sending a card to the family on the Parish Council’s behalf. The Parish Chairman paid tribute to the contributions of Mrs Ranby to the Parish Council, and a minute of silence was observed by attendees of the meeting.
Cllr Dennis read Mrs Ranby’s obituary as printed in the paper, and read a thank you letter from the partner of Cllr Lewis Strange.
3) Co-option of Councillor
The Clerk had forwarded 2 applications received. The receipt dates were noted by Councillors, and after consideration, it was agreed that it would be undemocratic to accept the late application. In light of COVID19 it was agreed that the Clerk would visit the successful applicant to deliver the Declaration of Acceptance form and witness the signature on said form.
Resolved: Mr Antony Longmate be co-opted to the Parish Council.
4) Notes of last meeting on 16th June 2020, to be approved as minutes:-
Resolved: Notes be signed as a true record.
5) Chair and Council’s Comments:-
• Cllr Stamp reported that potholes are still prevalent in the parish.
• Cllr Bunney is investigating road marking issues in the parish.
• Cllr Dennis reported that the EA are undertaking works behind Mallowfield.
• Cllr Stamp reported that the block of the concrete has not yet been removed from river.
• Cllr Pattison has written to the Highways Officers regarding the water leak on Stockmoor Lane.
• Cllr Smith reported that Willingham Car Park is property of Forestry Commission for the reporting of anti-social behaviour on the site.
6) Reports from District and County Councillors:-
WLDC:
Cllr S Bunney reported:
• LCC executive have appointed an interim LCC Councillor – Cllr I Fleetwood.
• Speed watch training available in 11th August.
• Allocations of speed watch sites to be undertaken after training.
• Sports Centre is to opened by the Leader of WLDC on Saturday 25th July 2020 from 12-6pm.
• There will be an official opening ceremony in October.
• The recycling plant will continue to operate under a booking system for the foreseeable future.
• Fly tipping is becoming more common place.
• COVID 19 recovery discussions at WLDC, with discussions with regard to associated financial ramifications.
• Regional devolution discussions are being undertaken, and there is a move to a unitary authority model.
• Fourth tier discussions are being undertaken as part of the devolution discussions – there is no suggestion that Parish and Town Councils will disappear.
• Flooding – being raised by WLDC Councillors to LCC to mitigate concerns prior to winter due to the significant impact on the parishes that they serve.
7) Crime: - No report submitted from PCSO Team.
8) Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-
All matters raised as per the actions on the Clerks Report to Councillors.
External Audit paperwork confirmed as received by the External Auditor.
Insurance payment confirmed.
9) Planning:-
141249 - Braemar Farm, North Street, Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, LN8 3TS
Planning application for conversion of existing storage barn to 1no. dwelling, including extensions to rear.
No objections to the application.
10) Correspondence:-
TSG Publicity Team – Bus Information
Red Cross – Acknowledgement of e-mail regarding grant funding approval
E-mail from Parishioner regarding overgrown hedging
WLDC –WLDC Council meeting agenda, Register of Interests Form, Climate & Environment Consultation
E-mail from Secretary of Village Hall regarding benches repair
Marie Curie – Acknowledgement of e-mail regarding grant funding approval
SBA – Acknowledgement of Exempt Status 2020
Zurich – E-mails regarding insurance premium payments
EA Confirmation of log regarding fallen tree on Naylors Drive Bridge
LALC E-brief 43 & 44
Marie Curie – Thank you for Grant Funding Letter
LCC E-brief – Cllr Marfleet, Road Closure Notice
Speed Watch Training Confirmation
11) Finance and Accounts for Payment
Income:- HSBC – Interest £ 8.09
HMRC – VAT Rebate £291.28
Invoices:- Lincolnshire Landscapes – Grass Cutting £570.00
Green Grass Contracting – Grass Cutting £ 60.00
Time Assured – Clock Service £144.00
Salaries £460.82
Resolved: All Invoices were passed for payment and Reconciliation Q1 approved.
12) To discuss and resolve on:
Cllr Stamp left the meeting – Cllr Pattison took the chair.
a) Chairman’s Expenses 19/20
A brief discussion ensued regarding previous expense payments.
Resolved: Chairman’s Expenses to remain at £325.00.
Cllr Stamp returned to the meeting and the chair, and the clerk left the meeting.
b) Clerk’s Expenses 19/20
The Council discussed the recent issues dealt with by the Clerk, two proposals were put forward. The Council voted on each proposal and a decision was reached.
Resolved: Clerks expenses to be raised to £200.00 for 19/20.
The Clerk returned to the meeting.
13) To Discuss and resolve on consultation response to NALC Proposed Code of Conduct
Resolved: The Survey was submitted by the Council.
14) To discuss and resolve on WLDC budget consultation response
Resolved: Agreed that Councillors will complete separately after the meeting as appropriate.
15) To discuss and resolve on encroaching hedges and trees in the Parish
The Clerk has reported identified hedges to appropriate sources. It was noted that a tree has been pruned to stop encroachment on Dovecote.
16) To discuss and resolve on ownership of 2 benches at Village Hall in need of repair
Cllr Dawson reported that these are in need of refurbishment. A discussion ensued with regard to the likely purchaser (referencing the ties to service of the individuals on the Parish Council), and on balance the Council were minded that the Village Hall Committee may not have had sufficient funds to make such a purchase.
Resolved: Clerk to contact Mr Robinson for quote for repairs to consider at August Parish Council Meeting.
17) To Discuss and resolve on naming request for new Development off Gainsborough Road
A discussion ensued to the disappointment of the Council with regard to the response of the developer to the Parish Council’s suggestion, which fails to recognise the historic heritage of the site.
Resolved: Clerk to inform developer that the Parish Council will not support the proposed name, given that the Council feel that it does not accurately reflect the heritage of the site.
18) To discuss and resolve on response to WLDC Draft Licencing Policy
Resolved: No comments to make.
19) To discuss and resolve on WLDC Sustainability, Climate Change & Environment Consultation
Resolved: That Parish Councillors will submit an individual response, and the Clerk will submit this as a response to the champion Councillor.
20) To discuss and resolve on burial ground issue
The clerk outlined the issue for the Council’s consideration. Recommendation that funeral directors are informed that mechanical machinery should dig within the markers, bucket size of digger must not exceed 600mm, and must be tracked on boards so that the ground is not marked.
Resolved: Clerk to write to Funeral Directors with parameters for usage of mini digger.
21) To discuss and resolve on Tree Survey for God’s Acre
The Chair and clerk outlined concerns regarding inaction and liability issues.
Resolved: That the Clerk contact recommended surveyor and commission a report.
22) Items for next meeting
To discuss and resolve repair costs of 2 benches at Village Hall
To discuss and resolve decisions as appropriate following Tree Survey (God’s Acre)
To discuss and resolve on winter maintenance contracting arrangements
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.53pm.
Date……………….....…. Signed…………………………………… (Chairman)