Minutes 2023

MIDDLE RASEN PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 21/11/2023

Present:-

Cllr M Stamp (Chair), Cllr D Pattison (Vice Chair), Cllr P Dawson, Cllr O’Connor, Cllr A Longmate, Cllr G Dennis, and Cllr A Miller

Also Present:  Mrs A Harrison (Clerk)

Visitors:-  Cllr S Bunney, Cllr E Bennett (WLDC) and multiple parishioners 

Chair opened the public forum

The parishioners came to the meeting to express their concerns with the new planning application 147267 on the Land adjacent to Heath Court more specifically around the issue with flooding in the area.  They all feel this development will increase the flood risk to the surrounding properties.  The Chair explained that the Parish Council had already taken these concerns to the Planning Department at WLDC.  The Parishioners are not happy that the development has already been approved by the Environmental Agency and Highways who they believe are still using data from ten years ago. Cllr Bunney explained the flooding issues in the village, that it is three-fold, water running down from the hills, dykes not big enough and the pipework needs updating to improve capacity.  Cllr Bunney also stated he has asked for this planning application to be pulled, this means it will be brought in front of the whole Council and not just a Planning Officer.  At this point the concerns of the community can be brought up and we can request a hold on all future developments in the area until the drainage system has been greatly improved.  One parishioner explained that the drainage ditch at the bottom of his garden has only been dredged once in the 23 years he has lived here and is not big enough now without further building in the area.  Cllr Dennis explained that an act of parliament was brought in stating that if a waterway runs alongside your property it is your responsibility to maintain. There has a been a response from the developer who has stated that the recent flooding was due to the River Rase bursting its banks and not the previous development at Heath Court.  A Parishioner suggested a public meeting with the Environment Agency and Drainage Board. Cllr Bunney stated he is in discussions with the Environment Agency on this issue.

Chair opened the Parish Meeting

1.   Apologies for Absence – Cllr P Sexton

Resolved: That apologies be accepted from above members of the Council

2.   To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:- none

3.   Notes of last meeting on 17th October 2023, to be approved as minutes:-

     Resolved:  Notes be signed as a true record.

4.    Chair and Council’s Comments:- 

• Cllr Stamp updated the council on the fitting of the notice board on the Brambles, the post has been concreted in and we are just waiting for the Perspex to be fitted
• Cllr Dawson stated when the gully emptier came to the village he drove past the drains with the main problems.  He also noted that the road sweeper had still not been even though requested – Clerk to chase road sweeper and request gully cleaner comes back and clears all drains
• Cllr Dawson not happy with notification for pavement works in the village and the works vehicles being parked on verges messing up the grass – Clerk to contact highways and request repairs to verges

5.   Reports from District and County Councillors:

WLDC Matters: 

• Cllr Bunney let the Parish Council known the Emergency Box is available to be stored in the shed in the graveyard
• Planning Application 147276 – 10 dwellings off Church Street – Market Rasen. Cllr Moira Westley and I have called this application in for determination by committee rather than by an officer.  The planning officer has noted the request. If the matter is presented to committee residents and councillors will have an opportunity to address the committee with their concerns.   Photographic evidence can be submitted beforehand.  The developer will also be able to present their case.
• PC Rachel Turner [part time] and PC Simon Percy now in post.  For the next three months their priority will be:

Motoring Fatal Four: inappropriate speed, using a mobile phone, not wearing a seat belt, drink/drug driving

Anti-Social Behaviour [working in partnership with WLDC]

We had asked for drug dealing to be included but the number of reported in the area are not high enough for it to be included as a separate category from ASB. It is therefore very important to report crime and suspicious behaviour – the local police appreciate that 101 and online can take time and is off putting – and are constantly lobbying the powers to be to improve these services!

• CCTV- WLDC held a consultation process on suitable sites for extra cameras in the town.  As it was not well promoted not many residents attended.   WLDC are now currently finalising the plans – again the cameras should be in situ by the end of the financial year.

·       New tool for reporting Fly Tipping

• A631 Rasen Emergency Plan - Flooding Phone Numbers etc.

Procedure for Individual Households

In the event of a flooding emergency, you should focus on the safety of yourself and your family. 

In an emergency - imminent risk of water entering the property/ life is at risk Dial 999 or 101 

Non-emergency

Phone: Lincolnshire Flood Line 01522 782082 or Environmental Agency Flood Line 0345 988 1188   

Record on Fix My Street

Procedure for Control

Phone: 1: West Lindsey Duty Officer 01427 676676 Office hours 01427 613960 Out of office hours

             2: Lincolnshire Resilience Forum 01431 979363   Out of Hours Emergency No

LCC Matters:

• Cllr Bunney mentioned that a meeting is to be held on 1st December 2023 to discuss Lincolnshire having a Mayoral Authority.  This would mean WLDC would not have a seat if this was agreed.
• Questions that need asking On Flooding:

Environmental Agency: Were the Flood Prevention Reservoirs used during Storm Babet and its aftermath?  If not was this because of system failure or because they were not needed?   

Anglian Water: The foul/surface water sewer that runs behind the terraced cottages in Dear Street and then into the road sewer via the alleyway between no 15 and 17 appears to have been blocked.  There is a manhole at the back of the alley which residents reported was blocked – indeed on the day they cleared significant amounts of sludge/debris form the pot.  How often is this sewer checked? When was it last checked and cleaned out?

Lincolnshire Flood Management: Once again there was significant flooding across the road where Lincoln Lane [A46] joins the A631.  Several questions are being asked by the residents, a number of whom experienced an ingress of water into their properties.  

Is the pipe under the road – which takes storm water from the southern side of the A631 to the North large enough to take the levels of surface run off – especially now that houses have been built at Corner Farm Close.    The questioners were particularly concerned about this as the dykes on the Northern side of the road were below capacity whereas those to the south were at brim-full.

Were the entrance and exits to the pipe blocked because of inappropriately cleared dykes?

Lincolnshire Highways: Mill Lane continues to flood.  The drains at the top of the hill by The Nook are definitely not working.  The problem has not changed.  What is happening?

Flooding on Church Street and Low Church Road

6.   Crime and Vandalism

• Latest reported crime statistics on Police Website for September were 55
• Correspondence received from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire
• Neighbourhood Policing Commitment 2023
• Police Surgery Drop-in Poster
• Neighbourhood Policing Remodel

7.   Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-

• Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership contacted to request “Beware Children” and Beware Horses” signs for Manor Drive and North Street
• I have liaised with the head of Middle Rasen Primary School to get the message out to all parents to be more considerate when dropping off and collecting children regarding where and how they park and not to leave motors running
• Request sent via Cllr Bunney to chase issue with water running down Mill Lane 
• Mr Robinson contacted to repair the broken bench at the paddock near Mallowfield, North Street
• Green Dolphin could not clean the wooden bus shelter apart from the small Perspex windows so contacted Lincolnshire Landscapes to see if it is something they could do as needs clearing and grass cutting back
• The blocked drain near the vicarage on North Street reported and the Road Sweeper requested from WLDC 

8.   Planning:- 

147024 – Land off Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3HZ

Planning application to erect 71no. dwellings with associated car parking, gardens, roads, home-zones, pathways (foot and cycle) and public open space being variation of conditions 12 and 15 of planning permission 145946 granted 14 February 2023 - minor amendments to house types, inclusion of new house type and a change in materials being variation of condition 2 of planning permission 146670 granted 17 July 2023 - amended construction plan to change working and delivery hours – No Comments

9.   Correspondence:-

LCC                 Town and Parish Council October Newsletter

LALC            E-news 27/10,10/11,

WLDC              Request for a Copy of Register of Electors

CLLP               Central Lincolnshire Plan Team Talk Planning Information

Clerks and Councils Direct November Issue    

Mr Beer            Website statistics for October

Various Emails from Parishioners regarding flooding

Various Emails from Parishioners regarding Planning Application 147367 – Land behind Heath Court

10.  Finance and Accounts for Payment

Income:-          Alpha Memorials                                  £     75.00

                        Coop Funeral Services                        £   100.00

                        Coop Funeral Services                        £     25.00

                        Leakes Masonry                                  £     75.00

                        Leakes Masonry                                  £     75.00                    Total Burial Fees £350.00

Expenditure:-   

Lincolnshire Landscapes                     £   625.00

Middle Rasen PCC                              £  130.00

David Beer Web Management             £  100.00

Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal      £    60.00

A Harrison                                           £  924.74

C.M. Robinson                                     £  691.22

Resolved: All Invoices passed for payment on 21st November 2023

11.  Reports from meetings: none

12.  To Discuss and Implement NALC Pay Increase Backdated to April 2023

NALC National Pay Award has been agreed and to be backdated to April 2023

Proposed by Cllr Pattison and seconded by Cllr Miller

Resolved:  That pay award be implemented

13.  To Discuss and Resolve the Purchase of Security Cameras 

Council to discuss using CIL Funding to purchase cameras for Stockmoor Lane to help prevent or prosecute fly-tippers

Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Dennis

Resolved:  That it is left to WLDC to supply cameras if required 

14.  To Discuss and Resolve on Donation to British Legion Poppy Appeal

Proposed by Cllr Pattison and seconded by Cllr Dennis

Resolved:  That £60 be donated in total, £20 for cost of wreath and £40 donation

15.  Items for next meeting - None submitted at present

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9:00pm.