2017 Meetings

Minutes of North Scarle Parish Meeting

13th September 2017 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall

PRESENT

Cllr Mr David Russell (Chairman)

Mrs B Baker

Mr D Jennings

Mr R Honey

Mr A Walsh

Mrs B Wells District Councillor

Miss J Kitchen (Clerk)

7 Parishioners

APOLOGIES

Cllr Mr C Dixon

Cllr Mrs L Nearn

WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING – minutes were approved and signed as a correct record

MATTERS ARISING –

David Russell spoke to James Cook regarding the sewage situation unfortunately there is still no update.

The issue that was raised regarding the speeding and parking through the village was put in the last NSM. No one contacted the parish council regarding the speed gun, J Kitchen to speak to Bob Durham again to see what he suggests.

The concrete outside the post office has been fixed.

A thanks to Steve Titterton for fitting the new chairs – one bench can still be purchased from the Parish Council and have a name plaque put on – J Kitchen to put in the NSM.

Cllr Roger Honey has laid the new bark at the play park.

OPEN SESSION –

Peter Merrick came to speak on behalf of the School Governors, presentation below:

North Scarle School – Parish Council 130917

Mrs McCann our Head left due to family commitments and pressures of work April this year. In position at school 10 years

Nicola Lang handed in her notice at the same time wanting to further her career – perfectly understandable.

Some instability to overcome due to two senior members of staff leaving and assumptions that we as a school and governing body, won’t be able to cope. I invited all staff and parents to school and told everyone what was going on, the challenges we faced and that much was unknown. In my opinion, it’s important to be honest in this kind of situation.  School numbers were a concern as was the school’s direction and leadership and an up and coming OFSTED was imminent – No pressure...!

Nicola Lang rescinds her notice and takes on a Temporary acting head teacher role. – In school for 14 years from NQT – senior lead teacher now Head teacher.  A huge amount of experience not just in teaching and education but, in our school and our village.

Ofsted arrive and we are proud to say we continue to be a GOOD school. OFSTED REPORT. Our thanks go to our leave Head Mrs McCann for playing a key role in achieving such a good Ofsted report with only one recommendation for improvement. This is a team effort and everyone counts!

We sought support from the local schools group and the education dept via Lincoln City Council

The correct support has been put into place, we have been told by County there is NO threat of closure!  There are schools in the county with 20 or less in roll.

Numbers at school were 46 – large year group left this summer (10)

Numbers now - 43 

What’s happened since all this:

Breakfast club and After school club – More than 25% of the school use these facilities on a regular basis.  More and more families need extended care for the children, we now provide this.

Little learners – we now take 3&4 year olds on a flexible five days 15 or 30 hour funded basis + an option to add hours if required (charged) We have re structured classes to cater for a group of children who we hope will continue their education through to year 6 prior to leaving for secondary school.

Three children leave Swinderby School to come to North Scarle.

School is investigating the option to academise. There are a number of options we are actively looking into.

We are back to full strength within school, have re structured the teaching staff and appointed new teachers to avoid the necessity to bring in expensive temporary staff regularly.

New fitness and play area at school - £10k grant funded

We won the county small schools football final at Sincil Bank in front of a huge crowd – managed by one person and not two...!

Fantastic Duck race raised £1535

Summer fete raised £ 1745 + £704 additional match funding

Unbelievable support from the village and, Friends of the school who are a massive and much valued asset to School.

New links to another important village asset, our church and new vicar Andrew Vaughan who has agreed to join our governing body.

The challenge is to ensure our ever-reducing school budget is spent, prioritised and used in the most important areas initially, then stretched with the addition of contributions from the local and wider community in addition to applications for grants in some specialist areas, to maximise the learning opportunities offered to our pupils. Thanks to the Parish Council for the £250 they have again provided this year.

Example of spend no longer taken up by our illustrious council/government – Bins are now no longer collected by the Council. This is a paid for service which comes from our school budget. It’s not just bins – if we need trees trimming, grass cutting, roof repairs, heating repairs, a plumber, an electrician... the list goes on!

School wish to be an important part of the village community. If there is anything School can do to help the Parish Council, please ask. If you can offer anything further to school, please let us know.  It doesn’t have to be money....

We have a school council and have elections – would someone from the parish council like to talk to the children about the parish council and elections?

What we need moving forward is a further and continued bout of positivity, we shouldn’t assume or be negative and we must support a hugely beneficial and valued part of our village and wider community, OUR SCHOOL.

School has been a part of the village since Jan 1878 and 20 pupils started their education on this date!

Wells, Hopkinson, Jones, Roe, Smith, Baker, Patchett, Buttery, Baker, Croft, Moorby, Hennell.

First entry into the log book – Wilson Atkinson, who later became a monitor.

 Miss Simms came in for sewing and W Wells was a pupil teacher who took over in the absence of the teacher.... How times have changed!

There are lower numbers of children and toddlers in our village which makes the challenge greater still but, this is nothing new! Affordable housing would help, if the opportunity arises in the village....

Come and see the children’s project based learning by attending the next exhibition 29th November 1.30. My daughter at first wasn’t sure about the last project she was faced with last term – Fishing. Mrs Nolan and our new Miss Wallace delivered the project, she enjoyed it and now knows more about a gill, fin and swim float as well as the contents of a fisherman’s pocket...! They all have a fantastic time and the results are evident at the exhibition.

Who of the council visits school events?

What events do the Parish council organise?

What does all this tell us?

Change is good! Our team is committed, driven and determined to deliver the best possible education to our children. We should all continue to support and encourage our school and, understand how important it is to have the school in our village. The building blocks of our children’s future are determined by their primary education!

Parishioner asked about parking outside the school, Peter responded to this question by explained that the school had approached the Council they offered the grass verve to the school for £35,000. The school offered to just put a hard surface down but the council would not agree to this.

David Russell to speak to Michael Chennells again regarding the tractors again.

Another parishioner asked about the animals getting out and the large dogs on Eagle road coming from the Gregory’s property. J Kitchen to write a letter with the concerns of the parish.

The parishioner also raised concerns of the land on Meadow Lane and the animals getting out, they also claimed the land owners are living there full time and may have exceeded the planning they have with what they have built. David Russell to speak to the enforcement officer.

Concerns were also raised regarding the Electric that has been put in in the new Lowfields site, as parishioners thought that the bund and screening trees needed to be planted before any work could be carried out. They also expressed their concerns of the new volume of traffic that the site will create. Council advised to express their concerns to the District Council. They also raised that now Lowfields had brought a further field that more caravans would be sited.

Regarding planning concerns that work is being carried out before planning is granted for example the footings on School Lane where put down before planning was granted. David Russell will have a chat with enforcement officer but if any parishioners have any concerns contact the District Council Planning department.

It was also raised about the dyke being cleaned out in sections – J Kitchen to contact the drainage board.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Parish Council received a letter from Michael Jarvis regarding the WI/ North Scarle Church JCC Christmas Carol Service. The letter is asking for a donation of £100 from the Parish Council to go towards the food for the event. The Parish Council agreed we will give a donation of £100 PP Alan Walsh SC David Russell.

PLANNING

17/1116/FUL Kingfisher Cottage, Meadow Lane

Change of use from Holiday Home to Permanent Residential

Proposed DR Seconded BB

17/1121/FUL Land off Eagle Road, demolish bungalow and erect new bungalow with vehicle access

Proposed DJ Seconded AW

FINANCE

The cheques that have been paid since the last meeting:

DATES OF MEETINGS

The next meeting will be held on 15th November 2017 (This is a provisional date)

PARISH ITEMS –

Cllr David Jennings asked about the street lighting beginning very dull, these have just been change in the last year to more energy efficient.

The Village hall are planning to put a bar back in.

Barry Quibell is the new chairman of the Planning Field Committee.

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