Minutes September 2018
Middle Rasen Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 18/9/18
Present:- Mr M Stamp (Chairman), Mr D Pattison, Mrs G Dennis, Mr T Smith, Mrs J Ranby, Mr P Dawson, Mr M O’Connor, and Mr J Padley
Also Present: Mrs J Trotter (Clerk)
Visitors:- Mrs K Whitfield (WLDC), PCSO Harrison and Cllr L Strange
The Chairman welcomed Cllr Strange and Mrs Whitfield.
1) Apologies for Absence:- Cllr S Smith (Ill).
Resolved: That apologies be accepted from above Councillor.
2) To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:- None.
3) Notes of last meeting on 21st August 2018, to be approved as minutes:-
Resolved: That the minutes be signed as a true record.
4) To discuss and resolve on WLDC consultation regarding the proposed dry leisure facility (Item 4)
Mrs Whitfield outlined the proposals to the Council, following on from her first meeting with the Council in January 2018.
She stated as follows:
• Procurement exercise completed.
• Everyone Active awarded the contract who are long term partners to WLDC.
• The contract started on 1st June 2018.
• Plans to date outlined and Council shown the proposed buildings and site layout.
• Sequential assessments undertaken and WLDC are currently in the process of securing an option on the site opposite the Catholic Church on A631.
• Currently no viability to build a swimming pool, however site has been designed with 2 possible expansion zones, if financial viability in the future allows.
• The site sits in the green wedge, but under planning leisure development is allowed. The design of the site ensures that there will be a green band around the site, and the building will be sympathetic to the surroundings as well as the heritage of the buildings in the locality.
• Facilities proposed: gym, sports hall, dance studio and 3g pitch, and the centre has been planned to accommodate a wealth of activities for all stakeholders.
• The commercial market could not deliver a centre – it is being funded by WLDC through cross-funding to ensure that it is cost neutral.
Councillor Queries:
• How many staff will the site employ?
20 – however given the nature of the leisure industry, many of these are likely to be part-time.
• Is there a footway?
Mrs Whitfield confirmed that a pedestrian access is planned to allow stakeholders to travel to the centre from the all areas of Market Rasen.
• When will planning be submitted?
Planning to be submitted by end of October following the period of consultation: 10/9/18 – 22/10/18. Members of the public are encouraged to review the information and complete consultation documentation by using the following website link: https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/mrleisure
• What is happening to the existing facility at De Aston School?
Whilst WLDC are now not involved in running the De Aston site, Everyone Active are independently running the centre (with the permission of the school) until the new centre opens in 2020.
• What about changing facilities?
There are going to be dedicated facilities and lockers.
• Have you considered treatment of the wood cladding?
The wood will be either weatherproofed or there is an alternative cladding which will not require treatment, but will have the appearance of wood.
• Have you got funding for the 3g pitch from FA?
The decision to cross-fund by WLDC ensures that the centre did not need funding from any source.
• Will meet the criteria for hockey?
It is hoped to be a combined pitch to ensure that it can be used by many sports.
The Council agreed that it is going to be an exciting project.
Mrs Whitfield left the meeting – 7.44pm.
5) Chair and Council’s Comments:-
The Chair commented on the speed of the traffic using the parish as a cut through due to the road closure. These drivers have a lack of manners to local residents.
Cllr Dawson commented as follows:
• Traffic management requested by the Parish Council has been ignored by project team.
• All streets in parish on first morning of works were closed.
• Highway signs have been posted in various random areas and then moved.
• The gatemen are not particularly helpful
• Traffic management on the scheme continues to be poor despite Clerk and LCC Councillor intervention.
• Market/Middle Rasen junction is an accident waiting to happen given the signage.
PCSO Harrison commented on the poor traffic management issue, and confirmed that regular speeding checks are being undertaken given the number of complaints received.
All councillors commented on the rise in traffic using Mill Lane.
The Council were all agreement with Cllr Dawson comments.
6) Reports from District and County Councillors:-
LCC Report:
Cllr Strange reported on Flood Alleviation Scheme as follows:
• He will be in attendance with LCC project team on Wednesday 19/9/18 – Cllr G Dennis to attend on behalf of Council.
• He will raise the issues from Item 5 above.
• He confirmed that he asked for both a speed restriction and additional signage for Skinners Lane but notes that the additional signs are all facing the wrong direction.
• He further commented at 3pm today there were no gate people on site.
• Very concerned for residents and hopes that scheme will be finished quickly to put the flooding fears to rest.
LCC news
• SERCO will continue with the LCC contract for a further 2 years.
• Audit Commission have given a clean audit.
• It is hoped that Government will rebate business rates directly to LCC.
• Unitary Council not out of the question.
• Bypass progressing well despite additional expense of £120m due to the collapse of Carillion. £20m will be taken out of LCC reserves to cover the additional costs.
WLDC Report:
• EMAS meeting at WLDC with Cllr Strange with verbal update on EMAS issues.
• Other matters dealt with: complex safeguarding cases, RAF Scampton, highways and armed forces matters.
• Submission of concerns re CLLP to Leader of the Council. Any concerns with CLLP forward to Cllr Smith.
Cllr Strange left the meeting – 8.10pm.
7) Crime
PCSO Harrison reported on an RTA on A46 which took place earlier in the day. This prompted a discussion with regard to the response time of ambulances. Cllrs L Strange and T Smith had attended a WLDC meeting with EMAS and were able to outline the plans to improve the service with a further additional 19 ambulances and crews.
PCSO gave out the last 3 months of statistics for the parish – crime numbers in the parish almost at zero. He outlined incidents of interest to the Council within the restrictions of regulations.
PCSO Harrison left the meeting – 8.13pm.
8) Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-
• Highways issues reported
• Planning comment relayed to parishioner and Market Rasen Mail
• Definitive Map Modification Order confirmation sent
• Snow Clearance letters sent to contractors
• Grant application information requested
• Flood Alleviation Works complaints and concerns
9) Planning:-
138262 - Moorby Fields, Skinners Lane ,Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, LN8 3JD
Planning application for extension of existing general purpose agricultural building.
138227 – The Farmhouse, Church Street, Middle Rasen, LN8 3TR
Planning application to remove conservatory, erect single storey rear and side extension, convert the garage and erect detached car port
138327 - 11 Hoe Drive, Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, LN8 3DJ
Planning application for two storey side extension with wider front porch
138092 - High Harbour Cottage, Caistor Road, Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, LN8 3JF
Planning application for change of use of cow shed from residential to commercial use
Resolved: That a submission of “No objection” be forwarded by clerk to all above planning applications.
10) Correspondence:-
LALC – Annual Report, LALC News, Armistice Silhouettes Funding, NALC Payscales Information
TSG – Bus update
LCC – Definitive Map Modification Letter, Flood Alleviation Updates information
Emergency Planning e-mail
Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine
WLDC – Councillor E-brief, Precept Forms
- Invitation to Budget Consultation – 2/10/18 – Caistor – 6.30-8.30pm
11) Finance and Accounts for Payment
Income:- Burial Ground Maintenance Rebate £100.00
Invoices:- Green Grass Contracting – Grass Cutting £ 43.20
Lincolnshire Landscapes – Grass Cutting £550.00
Salaries £516.59
Resolved: All Invoices were passed for payment.
12) Reports from Meetings
None attended.
13) To discuss and resolve on outstanding maintenance costs following Parish Asset Inspection
Quotes received from contractors as follows:
• Lincolnshire Landscapes:- Burial Ground – weedkilling of driveway – £25.00
• AC Gibson:- Burial Ground – Gate re-alignment – no quote received - The Chairman will speak to Mr Gibson to secure quote.
It was proposed by Cllr P Dawson , seconded by Cllr G Dennis and
Resolved: That the weedkilling be undertaken by contractor.
14) To discuss and resolve on repair to noticeboard on The Furlongs
The Council discussed the use of public funds to keep repairing the noticeboard on a regular basis.
It was proposed by Cllr G Dennis, seconded by Cllr T Smith and
Resolved (by majority): The noticeboard to be removed from The Furlongs and agenda item for next meeting regarding siting of removed board within parish.
15) To give further consideration and resolve on Grant Application:- Community Spirit - £500.
Discussion ensued with regard to the accounting information sent.
It was proposed by Cllr D Pattison, seconded by Cllr M O’Connor and
Resolved: That application be granted at £250.00.
16) To discuss Council concerns regarding bus service during flood alleviation project
Cllr Padley commented as follows:
• There was a distinct lack of information on bus service at the beginning and during works to detriment of passengers.
• Noticeboards have now been updated after contact with bus company and LCC.
• Middle Rasen could have been better served by using different routes.
The Council agreed that it is a failure on behalf of LCC – the public transportation issue had been raised by the Parish Council to the project team in advance of scheme approval. A discussion ensued with regard to the bus service and lack of planning by the project team prior to the works starting. It was further noted that using Call Connect is not a realistic alternative to the usual bus service.
Resolved: that a letter should be written to LCC to outline their views on traffic management and failure of co-ordination of the bus service.
17) To discuss and resolve on parishioner request to support permanent signage on corner of Skinners Lane
Given that the road has been utilised during the flood alleviation works, the Council agreed that it is likely that this cut through will be used more in future and given the rural location, many local users are either on foot or on horseback.
It was proposed by Cllr P Dawson, seconded by Cllr D Pattison and
Resolved: To support a double bend sign for the locality. Clerk to contact Highways Officer and RSP.
18) Items for next meeting
To discuss and resolve on outstanding maintenance costs following Parish Asset Inspection
To review Budget 2018-19 and proposed 2019-20
To consider parish bulb planting and approve expenditure as necessary
To discuss and resolve on new site for Council Noticeboard
To discuss and resolve amenity grass cutting decisions
To discuss and resolve on staffing matters
19) To discuss and resolve moving into closed session (if resolution is passed, press and public
will be asked to leave at this point)
It was proposed by Cllr T Smith, seconded by Cllr D Pattison and
Resolved: To move into closed session.
20) To receive information pertaining to burial matters
The Clerk reported on a now resolved issue with regard to exclusive rights of burial paperwork.
21) To discuss and resolve on parishioner request regarding placement of headstone
It was proposed by Cllr G Dennis, seconded by Cllr T Smith and
Resolved: To allow request.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.13pm.
Date…………………….....…. Signed…………………………………… (Chairman)