2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Present:               C Karen Cartwright, C Georges Cornah, C Mike Brookes, C Alan Hughes, C Chelcei Sharman, C Ray Butler, .C Keith Osborne: C Roy Hilton C Roger Welberry,

Also Present:      

Public Forum       5 members of the public were in attendance, 4 of which spoke on various topics

Meeting started at 7.30 pm

19/132   Chairman’s Remarks:    

     None

19/133 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr P Parnell gave apologies due to work commitments.   It was resolved to accept apologies for absence and reasons given.

19/134     To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

None

19/135   Police report.

No police report or police present

19/136 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 11.11.19 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

The Clerk read out a revision to 19/131 of the minutes following a clarification from Cllr MB. Cllr RW proposed to accept the revision, seconded by Cllr KO with all in favour. It was resolved to accept the revised minutes and the minutes were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

19/137    Financial matters: Financial report, accounts for payment and budget figures up to 03/12/2019.

The Clerk informed the Councillors that the mobile phone contract was due for renewal and proposed that as the phone was in good order, a case and memory card be purchased, and the contract changed to a Sim only contract to reduce the ongoing costs.  It was resolved that this was a good idea and that the clerk to present costs at the next meeting.  It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment.

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments and investigate phone costs

19/138 Planning Applications –

B/19/0436 – Proposed new access to Station Road at The Blue Shed, Station Road

Following on from the additional information received for this planning application is was resolved that there were no comments or concerns

Action: Clerk to feed back to the Planning Department

19/139 Correspondence

19/140 Councillors reports.

Cllr KC commented on how nice the Market Place looked with the lights and Xmas tree and proposed that a letter of thanks be sent to Nick & Sue Fountain and David Andrew for the donation of the tree and their time and staff in erecting it.  In addition, it was proposed that the letter of thanks go to Denis Arthur and Mick Baxter for giving up their time to assist in putting up the lights.  It was resolved that the Clerk would send out letters of Thanks.

Cllr RH also commented on how great the lights looked in the Market Place but also on how festive the village looks.  He proposed that a message be placed on Facebook thanking the residents for making the village look good and encourage them to assist neighbour’s if they are struggling to put their lights up. It was resolved that the clerk would put the post on Facebook.

Cllr KO reported that the broken manhole he had previously seen was outside the Band Hall.  It was resolved that the Clerk would report this.  In addition, he asked that a letter to chase up Network Rail regarding the repair to the Crossing at Swineshead Bridge.  It was resolved that the Clerk would chase up Network Rail.

Action: Clerk to write letters to Nick & Sue Fountain and David Andrew for the Donation and installation of the Christmas Tree and to Denis Arthur and Mick Baxter for assisting to put up the lights.  The Clerk to put a post up on Facebook to congratulate the residents on how festive the village looked.  The Clerk to chase up Network Rail regarding the crossing.

19/141 Clerks report.

Cllr RB confirmed he had tried to contact Barry Poll at Scania but he had not come back to him – It was resolved the Clerk would follow this up.

It was resolved that Cllr GC would follow up with Richard Tweddell regarding the Wheatsheaf Inn.

Action – The Clerk to contact Barry Poll regarding the Memorial and Cllr GC would contact Richard Tweddell regarding the Wheatsheaf Inn.

19/142 Parish Agreement – Urban Highways Grass Cutting 2020-21

The Clerk presented the Parish agreement for the Grass cutting for 2020-21.   Cllr KO proposed, and Cllr RW seconded that the Parish continue with the agreement with all in favour. It was resolved that the Clerk would confirm that the Parish wished to go ahead with the Agreement.

Action: Clerk to email confirmation of the Agreement

19/143 Budget Finalisation

Following on from the previous meeting where new xmas lights were discussed it was agreed that the budget would be increased by £600 to make the provision in the budget to £700.  This was proposed by Cllr KO and seconded by Cllr KC with all other councillors in favour.  It was resolved that the Clerk would make this increase before submitting the Precept figure to Boston Borough Council

Action:  Clerk to update the budget for 20-21 to include the additional provision.

19/144 – The Wheatsheaf ACV

The Clerk confirmed that she had still not had a date regarding being able to see the Wheatsheaf and that the 6-month period ends in December.  The response received from Boston Borough Council confirms this but does not confirm what rights the Council has.  It was resolved that Cllr CG would speak to Richard Tweddell.  Cllr MB confirmed that the enforcement notice has been served to enforce work to be done on the Wheatsheaf to tidy up and protect it, which includes a numerous item to be done.  This enforcement notice gives a deadline of February

Action: None

19/145 – War Memorial Maintenance

The clerk confirmed that she spoke to Scania and they seemed keen to assist.  Cllr RB confirmed he has left messages for Barry Poll to call him back to arrange a visit but had not yet received a returned call.  It was resolved that the Clerk would follow this up.  A discussion took place regarding whether or not the top of the memorial to be cleaned and it was resolved that this would not be done due to risk of damage.  Cllr RW confirmed that the British Legion were happy that the additional name be added.

Action: Clerk to contact Barry Poll at Scania and Cllr AH to confirm with the contractor that the top of the memorial would not be cleaned.

19/146 – Play Areas Inspection Report Actions

The Clerk confirmed she had received a quote from Craven & Nicholas to repair the damaged fencing of £340.00 plus VAT which included removal, repair and galvanisation of the damaged panel.  Cllr KC volunteered to chase up Mark Hall for the quote that she had requested.

In addition, she confirmed that Craven & Nicholas have looked at the damaged gate and a new connector needs to be purchased from the gate manufacturer which she is looking into.  It was confirmed by the Councillors that the original gate was purchased from Wickstead.

Action:  Cllr KC to chase up Mark Hall and the Clerk to try to obtain a new part for the gate.

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The Chairman proposed to move the session to a close session for the next item and asked the members of the public to leave.

19/147 - Resident Complaint

The Councillors discussed the complaint and it was resolved that the Chairman would draft a response, and this would be emailed out to the Councillors before the letter being submitted to the Resident

Action: Clerk to send letter of response to resident once the Councillors had confirmed they were happy with it.

The Chairman proposed to reopen the meeting to a public meeting to refer back to agenda item 17.

19/148 – War Memorial Maintenance

Cllr RB asked to confirm the agreement to place the order for the gravel and edging for the Memorial.  It was proposed by Cllr KC that the cheapest quote be accepted, seconded by Cllr RH with all other Councillors in favour.

Action: Cllr RB to place the order for the gravel and edging.

Meeting closed 8.48pm