Minutes 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 15/10/2024

Present:-

Cllr M Stamp (Chair), Cllr D Pattison (Vice Chair), Cllr P Dawson, Cllr G Dennis, Cllr J Padley, and Cllr A Miller

Also Present:  Mrs A Harrison (Clerk)

Visitors:-  Cllr E Bennett (WLDC)

1.   Apologies for Absence – Cllr P Sexton and Cllr O’Connor

Resolved: That apologies be accepted from above member(s) of the Council

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

3.   Notes of last meeting on 17th September 2024, to be approved as minutes:-

       Notes be signed as a true record.

4.   Chair and Council’s Comments:- 

• Cllr Padley asked if the Council could write to the Methodist Church on Gainsborough Road and ask their thoughts on bollards being placed at the roadside to stop vehicles parking there and blocking the view of the road from the junction with Mill Lane – Clerk to write to the Church
• Cllr Dawson informed the Council that the trees belonging to Walnut Cottage are blocking the streetlights on the footpath from Dovecote to Church Street blocking lights – Clerk to write to homeowners to request they cut back the trees
• Cllr Stamp commented on poor condition of paintwork of Parry’s Bridge, Low Church Road – Clerk to write to highways maintenance to request the bridge be repainted
• Cllr Dawson and Cllr Dennis mentioned the difficulties in using the new WLDC Planning Webpage – Clerk to pass the concerns to the Planning Team

5.   Reports from District and County Councillors

WLDC Matters: 

• Cllr Bunney stated that he had noticed the bus shelter is now in place at the end of Manor Drive.  Congratulations to all for getting this initiative underway.  The Parish Council also thanked Cllr Miller for her work in getting the bus shelter finished  
• Police  -  I have had several conversations with Inspector Michael Head about Neighbourhood Policing in the Market Rasen.  Despite the commitment from the Chief Constable to make Neighbourhood Policing and Safety a force wide priority no extra resources will be coming Market Rasen’s way.  This has left the team woefully short of staff.  The matter is not helped by the fact that as result of the recent decision to abandon the Asylum Centre proposal for Scampton has led to the removal of the top up police funding.  I have written to The Chief Constable on the matter but have yet to receive a reply on his future plans for policing in the area.  This has been copied to Edward Leigh who has replied and discussed the situation with me.  Inspector Head has agreed to hold a public Meeting on Wednesday January 22nd 2025, to meet with councillors, business owners and residents to discuss the Neighbourhood Issues and to help develop effective crime reporting schemes including a shop watch scheme.  Invitations will be issued before Christmas
• Banking Hub  -  Cash Access UK have started promoting the service in the area.  All going well the facility should be up and running by the end of November.
• Aldi and Starbucks on Gallamore Lane  - The developers have gone out to tender for the construction phase.  The plan is to start building in January for an opening later on in 2025 
• Drainage and Flooding  - The Flood Risk maps have been updated and submitted to Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.   I am looking to hold an Emergency Plan Refresh meeting at 6.30 pm on Wednesday October 30th at The Festival Hall.  All people interested are welcome in attending. The Section 19 Reports into the various flooding incidents since August 2022 should be published by then – information from them will form part of our discussions.

LCC Matters:

• Road Surfaces  -  I notice that recently there have been several comments placed on Fix My Street about the condition of the road surface on Manor Drive and North Street. The general request is for the road to be rebuilt or top dressed.  The local Highways Manager has confirmed that they are on the ongoing work schedule but as yet, no date has been allocated.  It is unlikely to be before 2026.
• Road Safety  -  Initial discussions have taken place regarding safety outside the school, the A46/A631 Junction and parking by the Methodist Chapel.  They have all been placed on the agenda for my next meeting with Michelle Toyne – the new interim Highways Manager.

6.   Crime and Vandalism

• Crime statistic received from Inspector Head 
• Cllr Padley informed the Council of a vagrant camping in Tealby Woods which is causing issue to Dog Walkers/Walkers using the area – Clerk to inform the Neighbourhood Policing Team
• Cllr Padley suggested adding Neighbourhood Watch onto heading of item 6 so items like above can be discussed – Agreed by all Councillors

7.   Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-

• Landowners contacted regarding issues with hedges/signs obscuring views for traffic at junctions
• Updated burial fees published on Parish Council Website

8.   Planning:- 

None

Planning Granted:-

WL/2024/00636 – The Nest, Mill Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3LE - Planning application for two storey replacement dwelling with integral garage and workshorp, including temporary siting of static caravan and storage container being variation of condition 8 (access and parking area) of planning permission 143769 granted 2 February 2022 – section of hard standing – Granted with conditions

9.   Correspondence:-

LCC                 TTRO – Low Lane on 14 -15 October

                        Town and Parish Council September Newsletter

LALC            E-news 20/09 and 04/10

WLDC              Devolution Joint Letter of Thanks

                        50th Anniversary of WLDC Invite 20th Oct

10.  Finance and Accounts for Payment

Income:-          

Expenditure:-   SES Business Water                            £      8.05 (Paid by Direct Debit)

Lincolnshire Landscapes                     £  720.00

Shelters4Less                                      £  654.00

A Harrison                                           £  632.08

Resolved: All Invoices passed for payment on 15th October 2024

11.  Reports from meetings: none

12.  To Discuss and Resolve on Bus Shelter for Gainsborough Road

The first bus shelter has been fitted on Gainsborough Road and the Council discussed fitting the second one opposite

Proposed by Cllr Pattison and seconded by Cllr Dawson 

Resolved:  That Cllr Miller take on the task of placing and purchasing the second shelter and discuss further at November Meeting

13.  To Discuss and Resolve on Donation and Wreath for Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal

Proposed by Cllr Dawson and seconded by Cllr Dennis

Resolved:  That a total of £50.00 be donated, £20.00 for the wreath and a donation of £30.00

14.  To Discuss and Resolve Ways to Help Parishioners with Winter Fuel Costs

Proposed by Cllr Stamp and seconded by Cllr Miller

Resolved:  That the Council will discuss further at next meeting

15.  To Review Budget for 2024

Budget sheet provided prior to meeting for information 

Proposed by Cllr Dawson and seconded by Cllr Miller

Resolved:  That the budget is on track with proposed amounts 

16.  To Discuss and Resolve on Proposed Budget and Estimate Precept for 2025-26

Proposed by Cllr Dawson and seconded by Cllr Miller 

Resolved:  That the precept be increased by £454.00 to £19,800.00

17.  Items for next meeting

• To Discuss and Resolve on Bus Shelter for Gainsborough Road
• To Discuss and Resolve Ways to Help Parishioners with Winter Fuel Costs

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.15pm.