2023 Meetings

NORTH SCARLE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on 13 September 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)

3 parishioners attended.

Open Session:

Parishioner expressed concerns that the planning application at Grove Pet Foods would cause smell.  They were advised that NKDC had already approved the application but should contact Environmental Health if there are problems in the future.

613        APOLOGIES

None.

614        TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr S Walsh declared an interest in item 11.

615        MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 JULY 2023

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

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

               Decision Notices

               23/0512/FUL - Grove Pet Foods, Lodge Farm, Wigsley Road.  Application approved.

               23/0505/LBC - Glebe Farm House, 44 High Street.  Application approved.

               22/1569/FUL - Noble Foods, Hives Lane.  Application approved.

617        CARAVANS ON SWINDERBY ROAD

This item was at the request of the applicant to reply to the PC's objection to this application.

He responded to points raised and apologised to a parishioner present that he had not made more effort to contact her before the work started.

618        FINANCES

A schedule of payments made between 1 July 2023 and 31 August 2023 was circulated to the Parish Councillors ahead of the meeting.  Invoices paid were signed and countersigned. There were no queries.

Individual payments made in the period which exceeded £100:

619        SMART METER AT POST OFFICE

Cllr A Walsh had looked into this matter.  The meter currently fitted, model Number 5246C, has a built in clock plus date, therefore does not need the Radio Tele Switch signal for it to function. We will still have to submit readings as normal. The meter box is fitted on an outside wall so it might be able to pick up smart communications if we decide to have one fitted.  Therefore, the planned switch-off of the Radio Tele Switch on 31 March 2024, will not affect the operation of the meter fitted at the Post Office. He proposed that we keep our current meter and this was resolved.

620        HERITAGE ROOM ELECTRICITY

Our Business Flexible plan had ended with Eon and they had contacted the Clerk with prices for a 1 or 2 year Fixed Business Plan.  It had been decided to accept the 2 year figures and it was proposed to ratify this and this was resolved.

621        LITTER PICKING GRANT FROM NKDC

Now that we employ someone to do our litter picking we are able to apply for the Grant available.  Clerk had prepared a short application/report and it was resolved that this should be sent to NKDC.

622        REPLACEMENT OF 2 STREETLIGHT BULBS

Clerk had a quote for the work from Eon Maintenance of £700+VAT.  This had been budgeted for in the precept.  Chairman proposed that the Clerk should contact Eon to check whether there are any old bulbs or any in need of maintenance.  If not, replace 2 on the High Street.  This was resolved.

623        DONATION TOWARDS FLAGPOLE FOR SCHOOL

The school had requested a donation towards a flagpole. Cllr S Walsh had looked at some information:

more than 6m requires planning permission.

4.5m is available and doesn't need planning permission.

range from "value" flagpole = £88 to £200 for a better one.

flags cost extra.

Clerk will confirm with LALC that PC can donate for this.

Cllr Pullen proposed a donation of £200 subject to LALC's reply, to cover the cost of the pole and its installation.

Cllr S Walsh reported that the school are interested in having more involvement in the village.  As previously agreed, the pupils have designed the "dog fouling" posters.  It was agreed that they should laminate them and put them up. 

624        CEMETERY MAINTENANCE

The Chairman confirmed that the ride-on mower used to cut the grass in the cemetery had caught fire and is a write off, fortunately without any injuries.

Insurance company have requested a scrap value - this was discussed, Chairman proposed £50 and this was resolved - and a replacement value - Chairman will look into this and let the Clerk know.

The contractor has decided to step down at the end of this season.  Do we want to purchase a new mower as well as a licence and insurance for the road, or employ a new contractor? Current contractor has a mower which needs repairing and would then be able to provide a final cut.

Approximately £4,100 for a replacement mower depending on the model. Also need to consider storage of a new mower. Chairman requested all Cllrs look into cost of a contractor (April - October).

Chairman had asked Chennells to cut their side of the cemetery hedge but would like it to be cut lower to make it easier to cut the inside of the hedge.  Waiting for Chennells to get back to Chairman.  Jones' will cut the cemetery hedge, around October.

625        REVIEW OF CEMETERY PRICES

Clerk read out the current costs (£80 for a parishioner plot) compared to equivalent costs in North Hykeham (£900).  Our prices haven't been reviewed since 2017.  Cllr Ward had looked at costs of other cemeteries and they were similar to Hykeham.  After discussion Cllr Coram proposed that all prices should be raised by 50% and reviewed again annually and this was resolved.  The price rise will be advertised and commence from 1 April 2024.

626        REQUEST TO DEDICATE FOOTPATHS IN/THROUGH THE CEMETERY

Request had been received from The Ramblers Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire.  After discussion the Chairman proposed that this would be an expensive exercise with no benefit to the Parish Council or the village and that we should turn down their request and this was resolved.  Clerk will reply to this effect.

627        COST OF NEW VILLAGE NOTICEBOARD

The total cost of the notice board, including delivery, VAT, posts and fixings was approximately £1,000 with CIL being used to off-set against this  This information was emailed to PC on 20 July.  The Chairman proposed this and this was resolved.

628        D-DAY CELEBRATIONS

Confirmed so far – Thursday 6 June 2024 fish and chips and beacon lighting at the White Hart. Potential for an event on the Saturday still under discussion.

629        HIGHWAY MATTERS

Chairman commented that LCC had done a very good job on Eagle Road and we should thank them, this was resolved.

Chairman commented that other roads need attention. He had had a “drive round” previously with our previous LCC Cllr and Highways.  Chairman proposed we should email a list of problematic locations and request a “drive round” and this was resolved.

Residents should report highways problems on FIX MY STREET so that LCC have to follow it up.

630        COMMUNITY LITTER PICK

We have been given some equipment by LCC.  A litter pick would be restricted to the 30mph zone for insurance reasons and this area is covered by our handyman anyway. Cllr Ward proposed that for these reasons we shouldn’t arrange a pick and this was resolved.

631        SEWERAGE WORKING PARTY

Cllr S Walsh reported: An informal meeting was held by the members of the working party on 7 September to discuss the latest high rainfall/ pumping station incident. On 4 August mitigation was again called into action after the heavy rainfall. After a telephone conversation between Karl Wilson (Severn Trent) and a member of the working party it was noted that all incidents should be reported to the official complaints department 0800 783 4444 to provide evidence for further expenditure of the sewage infrastructure. Severn Trent were not aware of any issues as they had received no complaints. It was agreed that an item, with telephone numbers, would be included in North Scarle Matters as a reminder. An e-mail has been sent to Karl Wilson to arrange a meeting, however at present he is on leave. This will be followed up.

632        LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Cllr Briggs had sent his apologies.

633        NKDC COUNCILLORS

Cllrs Johnston and Goldson had sent their apologies.

634        DATE OF NEXT MEETING

It was resolved to agree the date of the next meeting as 8 November 2023 at 7.30pm.

635        CLOSED SESSION

It was resolved to move into closed session.

636        AGRICULTURAL LAND LEASE

Solicitors’ responses were discussed, noted and resolved.  Clerk will respond to solicitors and request a draft FTA before our November meeting to be discussed so that it can be issued to interest parties.  Another farmer had expressed an interest verbally to the Chairman but it was resolved that no more interested parties should be accepted as the deadline has passed.

The land needs “topping” soon to keep it in good condition.  The Chairman is trying to contact a farmer who might be able to do his for us and this was resolved.

637        ALLOTMENT HEDGES/ROOTS AND COSTS

Hedges will be cut back considerably at a cost of c£60.  Chairman will contact allotment holders to tell them the work will be done.  Once the hedges have been brought back to a manageable state, they will be tenants’ responsibility as per the agreement.

It was also suggested that we should have an allotment inspection.

Tree roots need consideration. Chairman and Cllr A Walsh will have a look prior to getting quotes.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.37pm.

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