Minutes 2019

Middle Rasen Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 19/11/19

Present:- Mr M Stamp (Chairman), Mr D Pattison, Mrs G Dennis, Mrs J Ranby, Mr P Dawson,

Mr M O’Connor, Mr J Padley, Mr T Smith and Mr J Oxley

Also Present: Mrs J Trotter (Clerk)

Visitors:- 8 Members of the Public, Cllr S Bunney and Cllr L Strange

A member of the public made a speech to the Council regarding the flooding in the gardens of the houses in front of the proposed development site on Caistor Road. Comments were made regarding the likelihood of WLDC planning department stipulating considerations on the approved planning application to mitigate the current flooding situation prior to building. The members of the public asked if there was possibility that the planning permission could be over turned.

The Council agreed with members of the public that the application was ill conceived, and comments were passed with regard to the flooding within the parish of late with the heavy rains. Cllr Bunney commented on the aspects raised and stated that the flooding would be a Local Authority matter, with planning matters under the remit of the District Council. Cllr Bunney and other WLDC Councillors are preparing a directory of flooded areas in the locality to share with District and County Council. Cllr Strange has spoken with the Leader of WLDC to look into the judicial review process. It was suggested that a local solicitor may look over the paperwork on a gratis basis. The Council were in agreement that the re-zoning of the flood plain was a matter of concern. The Parish Council asked the WLDC Councillor present to answer the queries raised.

The Council agreed that they would write to the WLDC planning authority to re-iterate that this is a flawed planning application, that WLDC must bear the cost of any ramifications on the parish of Middle Rasen. Parish Councillors also stated that the planning authority completely ignored the parish boundaries.

1) Apologies for Absence:- Cllrs McCartney, Cllr McNeill and PCSO Harrison.

Resolved: To accept apologies as listed.

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

3) Notes of last meeting on 15th October 2019, to be approved as minutes:-

The minutes were signed as a true record.

It was proposed by Cllr P Dawson, seconded by Cllr G Dennis and

Resolved: That the minutes are approved as a true record of the meeting.

4) Chair and Council’s Comments:-

• Councillors reported on broken streetlights as follows:

Middle light on footpath between Church Street and Dovecote – already reported by Clerk.

Low Church Road near stocks.

Dovecote - Lampost No 3.

Corner of Lancaster Drive and Walesby road.

Corner of Church Street near the Church.

• Cllr Oxley reported that he had received numerous complaints regarding the public footpath which has been left in a state by the developer who has bought the property Church Street.

Cllr Dawson commented on the report which has been issued regarding the flooding assessment for the recent planning application on Church Street, and it was noted that the water will be drained into the watercourse which is actually dyke, which is owned under riparian rights. The Flood Risk assessment is not fit for purpose and does not accurately represent the locality of the area. The Council’s opinion is that the flood risk assessment unfit for purpose and it was agreed that the flood risk assessment report is materially and factually inaccurate and the Parish Council officially asks that the Planning Authority requests that the land be re-assessed, and any new report be forwarded for re-consultation. The developer has also allowed the public footpath to deteriorate and this has become a danger to pedestrians. It was agreed that these comments be submitted under the planning item to WLDC planning department.

Cllr Bunney stated that he will look into this matter and ask if it can be called into a planning meeting.

• Cllr Dawson commented on the flooding on Low Church Road, which has receded now after a week, however a car broke down in the middle of the road and stuck in the flood.

• Cllr Pattison reported that he had received a letter from a parishioner who has lodged a formal complaint with Highways following 16 years of flooding outside her property.

After discussion Cllr Strange commented that he would support any e-mail from the Clerk to the Highways Department.

Council agreed that the Clerk would write to both Highways Department (cc Cllr L Strange) and also to the parishioner to support her complaint.

5) Reports from District and County Councillors:-

WLDC:

• Planning issues and inappropriateness of system, and it has been agreed that the process needs to be reviewed for Parish Councils and parishioners and this is under advisement.

• Climate Issue – motion discussed and it was agreed that climate change needs to be discussed and a working group is going to be set up and look at what can realistically be achieved by WLDC.

• Discussion undertaken at meeting the importance of ensuring that economic development needs to be in the same bracket as planning.

LCC:

• Finances are currently sound.

• 50 new police officers promised for Lincolnshire.

• The Government have extended the blue badge scheme for hidden disabilities.

• 6 journeys to Louth to Market Rasen and back on Call Connect service.

• Kier contract now ended and new contractor is Balfour Beatty Group - £762M to be spent over next 4 years.

• All members of neighbouring authorities are working together more closely to look at how services can be delivered more economically.

Cllr Strange left the meeting at 8.45pm.

6) Crime

Report submitted which Clerk read to Councillors and will be in the correspondence bag.

Cllr Padley reported on parking issues near the junction of Walesby Road, which is causing obstruction and visibility of the Waterloo Road junction.

Cllr Bunney commented that this is a particular issue in Market Rasen.

7) Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-

• The blocked drain at the shop has now been cleared.

• Horses had been found on the burial ground having escaped their enclosure. Immediate steps were taken to ensure that this situation was resolved.

The Clerk and Council thanked Cllr Stamp for his assistance with this matter.

It was noted that there is a large amount of dog excrement on the field. The Chairman reported that the gate posts have moved and that a solution needs to be found via Mr Gibson.

• A meeting with Chair regarding flooding in the parish had been arranged (reported under Item 11).

• Letter sent to WLDC regarding Climate Change via WLDC Councillor Bunney.

• Pension Re-declaration of Compliance undertaken.

• The concrete block in the river has been reported and the environment agency has confirmed that they are aware and taking action.

8) Planning:-

139996 - Lemon Tree House Old Gallamore Lane Middle Rasen Market Rasen

Planning application for the addition of a garage to the carport - no objections or observations made.

139845 - Land adj Rosslyn, Church Street, Middle Rasen

Flood Risk Assessment & Outline Sustainable Drainage Document forwarded by WLDC for Council consideration – see above item 4 for submission.

140240 – Ingledene, Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen

Planning application for external insultation and alterations to window arrangements – no observations.

Permission Granted:

139544 – Land adjacent Gig Cottage, Gainsborough Road, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3JU

Application for approval of reserved matters, considering appearance and landscaping-following outline planning permission 138387 granted 23rd March 2019 to erect 2no. dwellings.

139698 - Harthill Lodge, Church Street, Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, LN8 3TR

Planning application for proposed conservatory to side of dwelling

9) Correspondence:

LCC – Adoption of the LCC Statement of SCI 2019, E-Brief, Temporary Traffic Restriction Information, Flooding update

Parishioner e-mail regarding fence erection

Thank you letter from CAB for grant

WLDC – Volunteer for Standards Board Invitation, Notice of Meetings, Invitation to Planning Committee, Community Awards Nominations Information

Thank you e-mail from MR Horticultural Society for grant

E-mail copy of Highways response to Planning Application 139845

Notice of Public Local Inquiry for DMMO

Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine

PCSO Team e-mail

10) Finance and Accounts for Payment

The Clerk outlined a statement from HRMC regarding Q2 payment for Councillor information – Clerk outlined that payment was expected by HMRC in October hence the letter.

Invoices:- Lincolnshire Landscapes – Grass Cutting £570.00

AMS – IT Services £168.00

MN Stamp – Bulbs & Padlock & Chain £130.80 Royal Legion Poppy Appeal £ 50.00

Salaries £674.33

Resolved: All Invoices were passed for payment.

11) Reports from Meetings

Cllr Stamp reported on his meeting with the Highways Officers and Cllr Pattison regarding flooding in the parish and potholes on North Street/Stockmoor Lane along with ongoing flooding on road. The potholes will be repaired and investigations into the source of the leak of the water. It was noted that the water is collecting at the end of the road and near the bridge, and it is a health & safety issue during winter weather.

12) To discuss and resolve on costs to move bench from Gods Acre to Ernie’s Garden and maintenance to gate of Ernie’s Garden

C M Robinson - Bench - £174.80. Gate - £30.00.

Cllr Oxley reported that a bench may be donated free of charge, and gate only maintenance proposed.

It was proposed by Cllr M Stamp, seconded by Cllr D Pattison and

Resolved: That the gate maintenance be undertaken as quoted (£30.00).

13) To discuss and resolve on estimate Precept for 20/21

£18,000.00.

It was proposed by Cllr P Dawson, seconded by Cllr G Dennis and

Resolved: To submit estimate precept 20/21 for £18,000.00.

15) To resolve on burial headstone request

Approved in line with request.

It was proposed by Cllr P Dawson, seconded by Cllr G Dennis and

Resolved: To approve the headstone request as provided.

16) Items for next meeting

To review Disciplinary and Grievance Policy and Procedures

To discuss and resolve on burial gates repair

To discuss flooding issues in the parish

To discuss street cleaning issues

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.21pm.

Date……………….....…. Signed…………………………………… (Chairman)