2018 Meetings

NORTH SCARLE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting held on

10th January 2018 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall

PRESENT

Cllr Mr David Russell (Chairman)

Cllr Mr D Jennings

Cllr Mr A Walsh

Cllr Mrs B Baker

Cllr Mr R Honey

LCC Cllr Mr M Thompson

Mrs H Broderick (Clerk)

4 Parishioners

APOLOGIES AND DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Cllr Mr C Dixon

Cllr Mrs L Nearn

There were no Declarations of Interest.

WELCOME

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2017 were approved and signed as a correct record.

CHAIRMAN'S TRIBUTE TO COUNCILLOR MRS BARBARA WELLS MBE

At the Chairman's request, his tribute to Barbara was read to the meeting by Cllr Baker:

I would like to pay tribute to Mrs Barbara Wells who died suddenly on 14th December at the age of 83. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say Barbara will be sadly missed.  She devoted her life to all aspects of life in North Scarle from the very young to the more senior parishioners.  Barbara was involved in getting the Toddlers group started, Youth Club, the Sunshine Club, monthly Luncheon Club and the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch to name but a few. 

Barbara was very involved with all Church activities; Sunday School, Christingle Service, the May Queen annual event.  Barbara has touched many children's lives; she will be remembered for the Methodist MAYC weekends which the young people took part in annually at the Albert Hall in London, Barbara accompanied and stayed overnight in London with them in temporary accommodation provided in local Church Halls.

It was her dedication to serving others that was recognised by the Queen when she was given an MBE in 1997 for Services to Education and the Community.  I am sure you will all be aware Barbara was very honoured to receive this award, especially as she was a true Royalist.

Barbara also served as a School Governor at Robert Pattinson School for 40 years and a Governor at North Scarle School from 1956 until recently.  These positions included her taking the Office as Chairman at both schools. Barbara, together with Douglas Hogg MP, the Headmaster Mr Tony Holland and the support of many parishioners, managed to keep North Scarle School open when it faced closure in 1982.

Barbara was also an elected District Councillor representing Eagle, Swinderby and Witham St Hughs ward from 1991 to the present day, she was the Chairman of the Council from 1999-2000 and again from 2006-2007.

Barbara was Clerk to North Scarle Parish Council from 1968 to 2017.  I have worked with her closely over the last 30 years on all aspects of Parish Council work.  We must also remember she was the one who had the idea to do North Scarle Matters and she collated information and produced the book 'Taking a Look at North Scarle' in the year 2000. 

I am sure I speak for everyone when I say Barbara will be sadly missed.

OPEN SESSION

          1.         The following suggestions were made as ways to commemorate Cllr Mrs Barbara Wells MBE:

• the Parish Council fund, source and plant a tree in her memory

• the Parishioners are given the opportunity to purchase and plant trees in her memory

• memorial fund in Barbara's name to raise funds for village amenities

          The replanting of the hedge (as trees) in the cemetery was suggested as a site.  If this location is agreed the planting could be done as part the potential work to improve the cemetery car park.

          2.         Complaint made about rubbish in Mill Dam Dyke.  Clerk to contact Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board to request the Dyke be cleared.

          3.         Accidents at Wigsley Road cross roads and Chapel Lane. Junctions need reporting to Highways Department.  Clerk to take photographs of the area (signs and road markings).  Cllr Thompson suggested setting up the Parish Council with its own login details so that we receive updates of any progress.

Clerk to also photograph and report potholes outside the school on School Lane to LCC.

Clerk to action and include the highways website details in the parish magazine.

4.         The location of the defibrillator was questioned.  Linda Kemp has updated the Chairman. It has been taken away by the ambulance and requires servicing.  Should be returned after servicing and location details included in the parish magazine in due course.

5.         Parishioner thanked the new Clerk for updating the Parish Council website.

6.         Cllr David Jennings expressed concern regarding the number 67 Saxilby-Newark-Saxilby bus service provided by Travel Wright.  There are no timetabled stops in North Scarle, only a Demand Responsive Timetable (DRT) whereby residents effectively have to book the bus to stop.  Clerk to contact Council/bus company for more information.

7.         Question was asked about whether any planning has been received for land on Church Lane.  Nothing received by the Parish Council.

PLANNING

            a.         Ref: 17/1771/FUL

                        Erection of 1 dwelling

                        Land adjacent to 47 Eagle Road

                        The Chairman read a letter from the applicant's son in law to support the application.

                        Application was agreed.

                        Proposed by: Cllr David Jennings

                        Seconded by: Cllr Roger Honey

            b.         Ref:17/1174/OUT

                        Land to rear of No's 27 to 37 South Scarle Lane

                        Additional information - Sequential Test

                       Concerns were again expressed about the need for more affordable housing and bungalows.

                        Application was agreed.

                        Proposed by: Cllr David Jennings

                        Seconded by: Cllr Roger Honey

            c.         Ref: 17/1606/FUL

                        Clodbridge Farm, Swinderby Road

                        Construction of menage for private use, together with erection of new post and rail fencing and entrance gate.                     

                        Application was agreed.

                        Proposed by: Cllr Alan Walsh

                        Seconded by: Cllr Beryl Baker

MATTERS ARISING

 a.      Surface water on School Lane.

          Resident was contacted with suggestion he contact the Council with evidence

b.      Chairman's update regarding the situation at Lowfields.

          Three lakes are finished, landscaping is complete and next week they will begin to plant 900 trees.

c.       Large dogs roaming on public footpaths off Eagle Road.

         Correspondence was noted.

d.      Chairman's update regarding the situation on Meadow Lane.

The Chairman read an email received from NKDC, Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader (Michelle Hoyles).  Her team will commence a new investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of the land for residential accommodation.  They will contact the land owners to confirm they still have permanent accommodation in Newark and contact the Parish Council when the investigation is underway.

The Chairman then read a letter received from the NKDC, Planning Enforcement Officer (Abbie Coy).  An officer will aim to visit the location before 18th January 2018.  They will then write to the Parish Council again with their intended course of action.

 e.      Chairman's update following planning sub/committee meeting re land on Eagle Road 17/1199/FUL (gypsies' site). 

The application was rejected, and they have 6 months to reapply.

f.       Chairman's update on hedge cutting at cemetery.

A section of the top of the hedges is outstanding.  Cllr Jennings to follow this up.

CORRESPONDENCE

 a.      Notice of Decision 17/1121 - Land off Eagle Road, demolition of existing bungalow and erection of new bungalow - Approved.  Noted.

b.      Notice of Decision 17/1231 - 4 Chapel Lane, change of use to shop - Approved.  Noted.

c.       Notice of Decision 17/1422 - 30 High Street, Installation of air source heat pump - Approved.  Noted.

d.      Notice of Decision 17/1572 - Wigsley Road, erection of oak framed garden room - Approved.  Noted.

e.      Email from Martyn Snell (Gainsborough) requesting to tender for grass cutting etc.  Details to be kept on file.

 f.       Email from Ian Swallow re Community Speed Watch.

         It was commented that our main speeding problem areas are Swinderby Road and Chapel Lane.  Our initial course of action will be:

          Clerk to obtain a price and numbers required for wheelie bin stickers.

          Clerk to place notice in parish magazine requesting volunteers to be trained and man the speed gun.

g.      Letter from LCC re grass cutting 2018/19.

          Contents noted.  Clerk to obtain more information/clarification from LCC.

h.      Request from Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire for 2018/19 donation.

          A £100 donation was proposed by Cllr Beryl Baker and seconded by Cllr David Russell.

i.        Renewal summary from E-On - Fixed Price Business Electricity Plan regarding the Heritage Room.

          The Clerk had phoned E-On and been quoted improved figures.  She had also phoned USwitch who couldn't improve on E-On's quote.  Clerk to renew the E-On 3 year contract.

FINANCE

a.         The Clerk read out the cheques written since the meeting on 15 November 2017:

Payment of these expenses was agreed and approved.

b.         2018/19 Precept and Budget.

            Discussed. 

Cllr Jennings expressed concern that the cost of printing the parish magazine far outweighs the income from advertising and that the magazine is lacking in content other than adverts.  Suggestion was made that we should increase cost of adverts to address this.

The Chairman mentioned reasons for quoting for the Parish Council notice board.  Agreed.

The Chairman explained reasons for quoting figures for 2019 Elections.  Noted.

The Chairman explained grass cutting figures.  Noted.

 Precept application forms were signed by the Clerk.

PARISH ITEMS

Clerk requested agreement from the Parish Council to attend a New Clerk's Training Day in March in Wragby.  This was agreed and suggested that she should claim for fuel costs.

Clerk suggested the Parish Council has a Facebook page.  This was agreed.  Clerk to action.

             Cllr David Jennings proposed that the cemetery car park be improved.  He and Cllr Roger Honey to obtain quotes.

            Clerk has been advised by LALC that we should advertise for an Internal Auditor.  Agreed.  Clerk to advertise on the Parish Council notice boards and in the parish magazine.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on 14th March 2018.

There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm.