2023 Meetings

NORTH SCARLE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on 12 July 2023 at 7.30pm in North Scarle Village Hall

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting at 7.30pm.

PRESENT

Cllr D Jennings                                                 Cllr S Walsh

Cllr K Coram                                                     Cllr R Pullen

Cllr A Walsh                                                      Cllr K Ward

Mrs H Broderick (Clerk)

1 parishioner attended.

Open Session:

There were no comments.

593        APOLOGIES

None.

594        TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

595        MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 MAY 2023

It was resolved to adopt the Minutes as a true record and they were signed by the Chairman.

596        PLANNING having already been circulated to Cllrs, were read aloud:

               Applications - comments submitted to NKDC after collation of email responses due to timescale and in accordance with Standing Orders

               23/0512/FUL - relocation of already approved oil tank room and addition of tank.  Grove Pet Foods, Lodge Farm, Wigsley Road.  There were no objections, all in favour.

               Applications - resolution required

               23/0675/FUL - operational development in connection with caravan site (permitted development, schedule 2, part 5, class A) - land between 29 and Old Oak Cottage Swinderby Road. Chairman suggested that the development so far was permitted under the licence from the Caravan and Motorhome Club but any further development will need planning permission. Was also felt that the application was retrospective and some of the answers on the application were erroneous. After considerable discussion it was felt that the requirements of 'Permitted Development' had not been met and Cllr S Walsh proposed to object to this application.  This was resolved, all in favour.

597        FINANCES

A schedule of payments made between 1 May 2023 and 30 June 2023 was circulated to the Parish Councillors ahead of the meeting.  Invoices paid via BACS were signed and countersigned. The rising costs in relation to the Post Office/Heritage Room were noted. There were no other queries.

Individual payments made in the period which exceeded £100:

598        SMART METER AT POST OFFICE

Correspondence had again been received from Eon suggesting that a smart meter will be obligatory from March 2024. The Chairman had read an article claiming this to be untrue and companies are using strong arm tactics to force people to use smart meters and that they are not compulsory. It was proposed and resolved that we would not have a smart meter at this stage. The Chairman and Cllr Alan Walsh will look into the matter.

599        OVERGROWN HEDGES, FOOTPATHS, PINFOLD, JUBILEE WOOD

Cllr Coram had spent time in the Jubilee Wood clearing it and it is now a mess again. Does anyone use the wood? Is it worth clearing it? Chairman suggested using a cutter to tidy it up. Cllr Coram suggested leaving it to go wild but clearing near the bench. The fence is broken and there is rubbish in it that needs clearing. This needs consideration. Pinfold is without volunteers to tidy since the WI folded. Cllr A Walsh proposed asking the handyman to look after the Pinfold and other ad hoc tidying and this was resolved. Mill Dam Dyke is the responsibility of the Environment Agency (EA) and they are reluctant to pass responsibility to the Drainage Board.  Cllr S Walsh proposed writing to EA and this was resolved.

600        CHURCH YARD GRASS CUTTING

The Chairman proposed leaving a relatively unused area behind the church to grow. This was not supported. The Chairman proposed an increase in the handyman's hours to keep the entire area tidy and this was resolved.

601        LINCOLN AND DISTRICT MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY

The Society had asked for sight of the contract to allow them to use the playing field.  After correspondence with our solicitors which stated that the Society was allowed to use the field being a "body organised for recreational purpose" and so no sub-lease would have been necessary, the Society had been informed of this.  No sub-lease is known to exist. Resolved to agree.

602        FIRE ON CHAPEL LANE

The fire occurred at a property on Chapel Lane on 27 June 2023.  The fire brigade (FB) and police had attended.  FB incident ref 8041 and they had reported it to the Environment Agency. The Chairman had attempted to obtain more information but FB wouldn't divulge more details. Chairman tried to speak to Environmental Health at NKDC (Sara Yeowell) ref 756230. Chairman proposed PC write to Environment Agency and NKDC (planning and environmental health) to ask what the situation is regarding planning at that site and can a change of use/cessation of dumping of waste be made? This was resolved.  He asked NKDC Cllr Goldson for his support. There have been 3 fires in a little over 12 months. Chairman will try to speak to police too. Chairman proposed following up on Facebook comments, this was not resolved and commented that parishioners should contact the Parish Council through the correct channels and Meeting Minutes are available to everyone. Chairman will include an update in next North Scarle Matters.

603        WORK TAKING PLACE ON CLOD BRIDGE LANE (CBL)

Parishioner had contacted PC re work on CBL. Cllrs ratified the agreed response - CBL isn't PC's responsibility, and any dispute arising is a private matter between interested parties who use the road for access. No other comments.

604        DAMAGE TO HEADSTONE IN CEMETERY

Parishioner had contacted PC alleging our contractor had damaged a headstone in the cemetery. Following the clerk's and chairman's visits to the cemetery and conversations with the contractor and stone mason a reply had been sent to the parishioner stating that an insurance claim was inappropriate.  This action was ratified.  A copy of the reply will be sent to the contractor.

605        DIGITISATION OF NORTH SCARLE MATTERS

The Chairman asked for opinions and ideas. Chairman suggested it be delivered by email and paper copies. Email addresses would need to be obtained. Cllr S Walsh suggested adding it to the website instead of emailing. Some debate about how we would know who wants paper copy. Money made from adverts would have to be considered - shouldn't be used for profit as PC not VAT registered.

606        D-DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Information had been received regarding a national beacon lighting event on Thursday 6 June 2024.  It was proposed and resolved that our beacon would be lit (subject to agreement from the White Hart Public House).  Suggestion was made that the event could be extended to include food or a separate event on Saturday 8 June.  Cllr Pullen volunteered to supply memorabilia.  Chairman to provide the Village Hall Committee with details and Cllr Coram to speak to the committee.

607        LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Cllr Briggs had sent his apologies.

608        NKDC COUNCILLORS

Cllr Johnston had sent his apologies.

Cllr Goldson suggested that funding may be available from LCC for D-Day celebrations - Clerk will find out. 

NKDC involved in planning of Anglian Water reservoir 2x solar farms. Nearest one is Fosse Green solar farm located at Thorpe on the Hill - public consultation planned for Sept/Oct.  Secretary of State makes decision on this planning.

609        DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was resolved to agree the date of the next meeting as 13 September 2023 at 7.30pm.

610        CLOSED SESSION

It was resolved to move into closed session.

611        EMPLOYEE MATTERS

Clerk had drafted new "job sheets" to be sent to the handyman ahead of any agreed work.  It was proposed to use these and this was resolved. Small increase in hours for cutting church grass will be advised to the handyman.

612        AGRICULTURAL LAND

We are still aiming for a start date of 1 September but are awaiting the solicitor. Land will be treated as set-aside until tenancy is agreed. Clerk will chase the solicitor. Chairman suggested using a standard Farm Tenancy Agreement with provision for our specific items.  Clerk expressed concerns re the timescale for contacting interested parties, obtaining tenders, scheduling an extraordinary meeting and finalising the agreement. Parishioner had asked to purchase the land. This was discussed, Cllr S Walsh proposed that the land shouldn't be sold and this was resolved.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.56pm.