Minutes 2019

Middle Rasen Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council on 18/06/19

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

Also Present: Mrs J Trotter (Clerk)

Visitors:- Cllr S Bunney and Cllr J McNeill

1) Election of Chairman

Cllr M Stamp.

It was proposed by Cllr P Dawson, seconded by Cllr D Pattison and

Resolved: Cllr M Stamp be elected as Chairman.

2) Election of Vice Chairman

Cllr D Pattison.

It was proposed by Cllr M Stamp, seconded by Cllr P Dawson and

Resolved: Cllr D Pattison be elected as Vice Chairman.

3) Apologies for Absence:-

Cllr M O’Connor and Cllr T Smith.

Resolved: To accept apologies from Councillors listed above.

4) Co-option of Councillor

Mr J Oxley – (who had given apologies due to a longstanding appointment on this date).

Resolved: Mr Oxley co-opted as of tonight’s meeting.

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

6) Notes of last meeting on 14th May 2019, to be approved as minutes:-

Cllr Dawson was thanked for chairing the meeting at short notice.

The minutes were signed as a true record.

Resolved: Notes be signed as a true record.

7) Chair and Council’s Comments:-

• The chair reported that potholes have been repaired in the village.

• Flood alleviation scheme has been a success over the heavy rains.

• A parishioner has reported that weeds are growing in the gutters – a short discussion ensued. Clerk to contact Highways and WLDC officers

• Public gate repair required.

• Traffic sign damaged by a vehicle at Dovecote still in need of repair.

• Streetlighting have removed the broken light on Mill Lane – no number although reported.

Clerk to report to Highways

• Cllr M O’Connor had reported overgrown hedging to clerk on North Street by Bridge.

8) Reports from District and County Councillors:-

WLDC:

Cllr S Bunney reported:

• All new WLDC Councillors have completed training.

• Attendance at area Highways meeting with LCC portfolio holder. A Pothole Warden scheme is being considered following success in another local authority.

A short discussion ensued with regard to the localised flooding in the parish following the heavy rains.

Cllr J McNeil reported:

• WLDC continue to progress matters as prior to election.

• Exciting and interesting plans being considered, although not much this side of A15.

• Likely that an electoral boundary review will be undertaken.

• Light touch review of conservation/heritage areas to be undertaken.

Cllr Dawson enquired as to the reported views of WLDC Councillors regarding the possible amalgamation of Middle/Market Rasen boundaries and the implementation of one Parish/Town Council.

Cllr Bunney stated that comments made were in respect of the developments that abut Market Rasen.

The Parish Council were in agreement with views expressed by Cllr Dawson regarding the review of parish boundaries, and Cllr Bunney acknowledged that Section 106 monies have been allocated to Market Rasen from the proposed new Caistor Road Development due to the likely impact on the town’s resources.

Cllr Bunney informed the Council that the Town Council are under pressure to undertake a neighbourhood plan for Market Rasen, and the complex parish boundaries may complicate allocation of development sites.

Cllr McNeil gave a brief precis of the variations in neighbourhood planning, and also a clarification of the proposed boundary review.

The Chair thanked the WLDC Councillors.

9) Crime

• Noted that there had been an altercation on the main street.

• Cllr Padley reported on police presence in the parish of late.

10) Clerks Report on Matters Outstanding:-

• Highways matters reported and some resolved (see item 14 for further details)

• Receipt of grant rebate confirmed

• WLDC Councillors invited to June PC Meeting

• Audit Paperwork submitted and receipted. All paperwork available on PC website.

• VAT claim for 18-19 submitted.

• Clock Service arranged with Parish Warden.

11) Planning:-

PL/0093/19 – Middle Rasen Primary School, North Street, Middle Rasen

Extension to permission for new mobile classroom – No objections

139403 – Ingledene, Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen, LN8 3UB

Application to retain additional work to existing brick barns – No comment

139552 – Land adj The Limes hotel, Gainsborough Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3JW

Planning application to vary conditions 4, 11 & 15 of planning permission 138607

Councillors noted that the application falls within the Market Rasen purview and agreed that it would be scrutinised by the Town Council.

A copy of a proposed development within the parish had been forwarded for Councillors’ attention. It was noted that developers may not apply for housing for up to 2 years.

Cllr Pattison addressed the District Councillors regarding the lack of WLDC Planning Department acknowledgement of the views of the Parish Council on planning applications, and the continued frustrations of approved planning permissions in direct opposition to the Parish Council’s comments to the planning department.

Cllr McNeil stated that this has already been raised as an issue with the Planning Department, and that further support will be given to both Planning Department and Parish Councils in order to improve this matter. Considerations are also being given to “call in” procedures for Parish Councils to WLDC Planning Committee.

A short discussion ensued regarding the lack of acknowledgement of local knowledge by the planning department and it was again re-iterated that a response utilising the CLLP planning policies would be the most effective. It was acknowledged by WLDC Councillors that the audits on the planning department in 2017 & 19 returned a “limited” judgement – however there is clear progress being made to improve matters. A further short discussion ensued with particular regard to enforcement issues.

12) Correspondence:-

DMMO Letter and correspondence from respondent

Cllr Ranby to try and find information in relation to query from Cllr Padley.

CAB – Thank you letter

LALC – E-newsletter, AGM information, LALC news

LCC – Councillor Newsletter, notification of Highways Meeting

IDB – Response re flooding query (Brimmer Beck)

13) Finance and Accounts for Payment

Invoices:- Green Grass Contracting – Grass Cutting £ 86.40

Landscapes – Grass Cutting £570.00

AMS No-Dig Ltd – IT services £ 24.00

CM Robinson – Maintenance £114.00

Middle Lincolnshire Rasen PCC – Hall Hire £ 93.00

Salaries £479.60

Resolved: All Invoices were passed for payment.

14) Reports from Meetings

Clerk met with Highways Officer to discuss:

• Potholes – now filled

• Parking on pavement on A631 – bollards discussed

• Footpaths to be surveyed for repairs

• Drain to be cleared outside shop

• Broken gate on field path to Nags Head discussed – permissive path – therefore not purview of Highways/Countryside team

Councillors disputed this assertion and Cllr Padley to check DM and report to Clerk.

• Hedging at shop junction scheduled to be cut

• Junction resurfacing – Church Street and Low Church Road (North Street end)

• Removal of dead tree on North Street agreed

It was agreed that the Clerk would also contact Highways with regard to the re-surfacing of Wilkinson Drive, following the flood alleviation scheme.

15) To discuss and resolve on CLLP Review Consultation Responses

Consultation response circulated prior to meeting, courtesy of Cllr Smith. Clerk asked for amendments/additions. Council agreed that it was an excellent response and asked that thanks be passed to Cllr Smith.

Resolved: That responses be submitted in line with circulated document.

16) Items for next meeting

Review of Bank Mandate.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.

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