2023-24 Minutes

MINUTES OF WILSFORD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2024 AT 7.00PM IN THE SMALL ROOM OF THE VILLAGE HALL.

Present:   Cllr Davey (Chair), Cllrs Sirs, Harrison, Corner, Blankley, Miller    and Reseigh    

As the Clerk was unable to attend, Cllr V Blankley agreed to take the notes.

In Attendance:   County/District Cllr Hagues, and 8 parishioners   

Public Forum: All 8 parishioners were in attendance due to the recent flooding of properties at Town End Wilsford.  To accommodate the discussion this section of the meeting commenced at 6:45 pm. 

It was reported that several gardens were once again stood under water.  One parishioner reported that the drain pipe on his property had been cleared up to the road and asked when LCC Highways would be in attendance to check the next section of the pipe which runs under the road and into the beck.  A camera passing through the pipe is required to understand what is happening and to check for any damage. Cllr Hagues confirmed that he had contacted the Highways Manager and would be speaking to him the following day.  Concerns were raised as to the timescales for this action to be undertaken and the potential for further flooding and Cllr Hagues agreed that he would expedite the request. Dr Caroline Johnson MP has also been contacted to support a resolution and it was confirmed that LCC had been contacted on several occasions dating back to October 2023.

Questions were raised relating to the Local Resilience Fund and landowner responsibilities.  It was agreed that both the dyke located in the field and the pipe need regular checks going forward.  Suggestions were put forward relating to a silt trap in the field to avoid sand and other debris entering the pipe.  

It was agreed that the problem should also be formally entered on the FixMyStreet website and it was understood that this had already been done but would be checked.  The Section S19 process has started but again the timescales for this were of concern.  Parishioners indicated that they would be holding LCC responsible for further damage to the delays in their investigation.

Chair thanked everyone for attending.

Cllr Miller reported that the bench located on School Lane is in a poor state of repair with a protruding bolt which could cause injury. Cllr Harrison confirmed that the bolt had been replaced and that he and Cllr Corner would look to repair the bench in the near future.

Cllr Miller noted that the grit bins around the village need re-filling. It had been agreed at an earlier meeting that residents should report this on FixMyStreet as and when required. Cllr Miller said that she would report all the bins.

The meeting began at 7:25pm.

1.   Chair’s Welcome:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.   Apologies for absence:  Denise Gascoyne Parish Clerk

3.   Declarations of Interest:

a. Cllr Davey 9c.

4.To approve as a true record the notes of the meeting held on 09 January 2024.It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: that the notes of the meeting held on 09 January 2024 be accepted as a true record. These were signed by the Chair.

5.  Reports from County Cllr/District Cllr:

a.  LCC – a digital newsletter is now available for residents which provides timely advice. information and notices directly from LCC into your inbox.  Residents can sign-up at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/countycatchup 
NKDC - Garden Waste, applications can be made on line from 2 February with telephone arrangements open on 29 February (01529 414155).  Fee for first bin is £45 (an increase of £5 on 2023) and an additional bin is £8 each.

6.  Reports from Outside Bodies:

a. Village Hall – work on the Village website is ongoing, need to agree what is needed for Parish Council.  Hire policy is being updated to include payment for any damage and rules relating to hire payments.

b. CLT – meeting took place on 12 February with updates on the Green Energy project.

c. Allotments – flooding has occurred on some plots.  Cllr Miller had submitted a report to the Allotment Committee and expressed disappointment that this had not been forwarded on to the Parish Council.  It was noted that some of the plots are looking neglected and it was agreed that this is a matter for the landowner and the Allotment Committee.

d. St Mary’s Church – nothing to report.

e. Cemetery – nothing to report.

f.  Playing Field – nothing to report.

g. Community Orchard – meeting of the group to take place 13 February but it was confirmed that no location has been agreed yet.

7.  Parish Clerk Update:

a.  It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would take place on 14 May between 6 and 9 pm.  This will be an informal event to include the Chair’s annual report and the opportunity for local organisations/businesses to have a table to enable them to promote their services.  All councillors will be in attendance to support and answer any questions.  Wine/nibbles/squash would be available free of charge.  Cllr Miller agreed to take the lead with support from all and will set up an email group and meeting once contacts are known.  Cllr Blankley to check booking of hall and availability of glasses/crockery. Promotion of the event will be via a flyer, village newsletter and Facebook.

b.  The Clerk has contacted the Post Office re location of post boxes in the village – update to next meeting.

c. The Calendar of Meetings 2024-2025 had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: to accept the Calendar of Meetings for 2024-2025 and place a copy on the website.

d.Signage from NKDC had been received for siting and it was noted that some of the current signs need replacing due to damage.  Cllrs confirmed that we have a real problem with dog mess not being picked up. It was hoped that this might encourage parishioners to pick up after their dogs.

e. It was confirmed that that the water leak on School Lane has been reported and noted that the hedges at both entrances to the village have been cut. 

8.Correspondence:

a. Clerks & Councils Direct.

b. LALC e-news – circulated to all Cllrs.

c. Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Consultation – circulated to all Cllrs.

d. NKDC Lottery Funding – circulated to all Cllrs.

e. Details of Church Lane Solar Farm Welby – circulated to all Cllrs.

f. LCC Budget and Council Tax Proposal 2024/2025 – circulated to all Cllrs.

g. LALC Training Bulletin – circulated to all Cllrs.

h. Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership – circulated to all Cllrs.

i.Town & Parish Newsletter – circulated to all Cllrs.

j. Notice of traffic restriction Wilsford Warren 10pm 04.03.24 to 6.am 05.03.24.

k. Parish Council Engagement Session on Road Safety 20.02.24 6.00pm-7.30pm Zoom – circulated to all Cllrs.

l. NKDC January Newsletter – circulated to all Cllrs.

m. Notification of changes to the Governments Planning Guarantee – circulated to all Cllrs.

9.  Planning:

a. 24/0045 Planning application for siting of a pre-built office pod in rear garden 47 Main Street. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: to make no comments on this application.

b. 23/1001 Revised design planning application for erection of a building to be used as a function room/ceremony room in conjunction with existing wedding venue. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: to make no comments on this application.

c. 24/01222 (24/0123 LBC) Planning application for conversion/rebuilding of outbuilding to form a detached annex Home Farm 51 Main Street. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: it was noted that this property is in the Conservation Area and nearby Grade 1 Listed Building - to make no comments on this application,

10.  Finance:

a. The Bank Reconciliations and Cashbook to 31 January 2023 had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: to accept the Bank Reconciliations and Cashbook to 31 January 2023 and authorise the Chair to sign.

b. The Approval List for BACS Payments had been circulated to all Cllrs. It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: to accept the Approval List and authorise the Clerk to make the following payments.

11.  Reports from Cllrs:

a.   Cllr Sirs reported on the financials for the Fireworks and confirmed that there are comfortable funds to be taken forward.

b.   Covered earlier in the public forum.

c.   Cllr Davey confirmed that there is nothing to add and currently awaiting a reply from the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

12.  Training:

a. The Clerk was attending a training session JADU Basics for website on 01 March 2024 from 10.00am-4.00pm

b. The Clerk confirmed she would be  using the Bronze Year End Support Package at a cost of £40. This would be split 50/50 with Ancaster.

13.  Date of Next Meeting:

a. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 12 March 2024 at 7.00pm in the small room of the village hall.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8:35pm

It is important to understand that the information given above represents notes of the meeting which took place in the small room of the Village Hall, Wilsford, on 13 February 2024  and do not become Minutes of WILSFORD PARISH COUNCIL until accepted or otherwise at the next meeting.