September 2021
Present: Cllrs C. Charlton (Chairman), J. Petch, A. Vaughan & Parish Clerk L Davies
In Attendance: Wendy Gray, Angela Adams, Lawrence Pancutt, David Knibbs,Kevin Martin & Derek Diess. Cllr M Hill, Leader Lincolnshire County Council, Attended for item 4.1.
There were no Press in attendance.
Public Forum
- Chairman’s Opening remarks. All were welcomed to the meeting.
- Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
Raised by David Knibbs regarding the uneven cut of the allotment hedge, Clerk is liaising with contractor as cut was monitored by Cllr Petch and Cllr Vaughan.
The Chairman closed the Public Forum and opened the Council Meeting at 7.08pm
Agenda
- To receive Apologies for Absence
692. Cllr J Howard sent her apologies; due to work commitments reasons she was unable to attend.
- To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
- There was no new Declarations of Interest to be recorded.
- To approve the Minutes of the last meeting held on 12th August 2021 (All).
694. The previously circulated draft minutes from the meeting of the meeting 12th August 2021 were considered and the Council unanimously resolved to accept them. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
- County & District Council Reports.
695. Cllr Hill updated that there is no longer a requirement to book at the Bourn Recycling Centre, there has been issues on queuing but mainly on weekend days. It had been noted there had been increased attempted use by commercial vehicles; CC is looking into issuing a season pass for bonified vans, 4x4 and trailers. Dovecote road has been resurfaced. Lincolnshire remains in medium status for COVID.
4. Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
696. Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Charlton - The consultant has begun commencing drafting of Regulation 16 documentation to allow the Plan to be forwarded to SKDC. An invoice has been received for initial cost.
697. RGAG –; it was raised by D. Knibbs that the padlock to the small gate is missing since the hedge was cut. Parish Clerk to liaise with SK Environmental to locate. The RGAG continues to liaise with its members to gain agreement to equally apportion annual water costs to individual ground rents.
698. HCS –The HCS has been up and running in September completing 3 trips. D. Diess has requested that HCS passes are updated. Clerk to update and provide approximately 12 passes.
699. VHMC – The Village Hall has opened its doors to the following groups in September, Bowls, WI, Loose Ends Crafting group, Friendship group and Bingo (Sunday only currently) Future bookings are planned such as a Guide Sleep over and 3 parties. The Comedy Night that has been rescheduled 3 times is now planned for the 20th November. There are plans to refurbish the stage curtains to add a more theatrical feel and to finish the remodelling of the Hall. The Committee has remained the same due to Covid, the AGM has been planned for the 27th March 2022. Finances are stable due to the COVID grants and with income resuming.
5. Parish Matters
5.1 To receive updates & resolve comments on Planning Applications:
- S21/1606 Outline planning for conversion 2 agricultural buildings, North side road Drove Road, Rippingale Fen.
- . No Objections raised.
- S21/1463 Outline permission for 3 house residential development 83 Station Street. 700. Due to lateness of letters being issued to the adjoining properties, comments to SKDC has been extended to the 8th October. 2 adjoining residents raised concerns that the positioning of proposed house number 2 is less than 0.5m from 81 Station Street and would be overbearing. Additionally, there were concerns on the blocking of daylight and intrusive lights at night. The issue of flooding was raised. Objections to be raised
5.2 To review requirement for updated Defibrillator Training.
702. Email from Cllr Howard indicated contact made with EMAS paramedic responsible for the village defibs, to clarify training sessions.
5.3 To consider and resolve co-opting Kimberly Palmer as a Parish Councillor.
703. To move into closed session once all items covered.
5.4 To receive update on water supply for RGAG
704. No cost to survey, no objections to proceed, Cllr Petch to be point of contact. Clerk to put application in with Anglian Water.
5.5 To review allotment holder’s actions prior to contract renewals.
5.5.1 Beehives
705. The Beehives were allowed on site in 2014 according to records. This matter will be taken forward into the contract as no objections raised.
5.5.2 Ponds
706. Ponds no objections raised. A limited number of ponds will be included in the contract. As the current pond is there to encourage natural predators to come to manage slugs and snails.
5.5.3 Fruit Trees
707. Current height is 2.5m, needs to review and included in the contract as different fruit trees require different heights to produce well.
5.5.4 Orchard Maintenance
708. On the annual inspection, it was raised and discussed that the orchard, is part of the Parish’s responsibility for maintenance. D Knibbs has agreed to cut back and tidy the area to be completed around Christmas. He also requested permission to access the allotments with 2.5 tonne digger in the winter for maintenance; agreed, if relevant training and insurances in place, Clerk to follow up.
5.5.5. Request for Shed and boundary fencing Plot 40.
709. No Objections, resolved.
5.5.6 Overgrown Plot.
710. Letters to be sent out to plots where overgrown, understanding that it has been a difficult year, with ill health maybe a factor. Clerk to distribute letters to the relevant plot holders.
5.6 To review Hedge Cutting tender 2022
711. Under closed session.
5.7 To review Poppy Wreath for 2021 Remembrance service.
712. Agreed and Resolved, in line with previous years Type C, with RBL emblem in centre and a donation of £35.00 was concluded.
- Financial Matters:
- FY2020/21 Update on Audit.
- . No material points, AGAR is now complete and available on website and notice boards.
- FY2021/22 (Accounts to Date & Approval of Expenditure – All).
714. Payments, which included the Clerk’s salary, and the Neighbourhood Plan consultation costs were processed. A bank reconciliation, once the mandate was updated, was required to confirm the accounts position.
- To received update on Bank Mandate (Clerk)
715. Parish account; all Councillors’ names have been updated and Clerk is now requesting online access.
- Admin Matters
- Clerk Report & Correspondence.
716. Covered in meeting.
- To Receive any Urgent Reports.
717. Clerk has received information regarding a road closure, which may affect residents, advised to inform Cllr Petch for publishing in Newsletter.
- Items for Inclusion on next Meeting Agenda.
718. None
- To review Clerk’s initial 3 month performance – Closed session
The Parish Council resolved to move into closed session due to the confidential nature of the previously highlighted agenda items. The Chairman then closed the Public Forum at 7.35pm
5.3 To consider and resolve co-opting Kimberly Palmer as a Parish Councillor.
719. The application received from Kimberly Palmer discussed, she was seen as an ideally qualified and co-option was resolved and unanimously approved. Clerk to send out acceptance documents.
5.6 To review Hedge cutting Tender 2022.
720. 4 Contractors invited to tender, two declined to tender (Bytham Trees & Hurst Arb) the remaining contractors SK Environmental and Glendale bid. The locations to be cut are JPF, Footpath and Allotments. It was unanimously agreed that the Allotment hedge would not be required to be cut in the spring due to being delayed in cutting this year. Therefore, cost for the footpath and JPF to be considered.
It was felt a third tender was more appropriate to ensure competitiveness, standards, and value for money. It was agreed to contact a previous engaged contractor, E C Charlton and Sons for a bid. Clerk to make contact.
10 To review Clerk’s initial 3-month review.
721. No issues raised, aware that Clerk is learning the role. Meeting the challenges and asking for help where necessary. Next review is at 6-month interval (March 2022) at end of probationary period, upon completion reviews return to yearly.
Next Meeting: Parish Council Meeting Thursday 14th October 2021 in Village Hall at 7.00pm