30
Wragby Parish Council
MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2016
IN THE ANNEX OF WRAGBY TOWN HALL AT 7.15pm
MINUTES
There were 8 members of the public attending the meeting.
Present:
Councillors M Applewhite, N Bailey, R Norton, J Thacker and the Clerk – S Wallace
Public Forum
The Planters, which have again provided wonderful displays, will be removed in the next week or so; comments concerning the Market Place Public Toilets; comments regarding vehicles exiting the access road to the new development at The Ivy and a query regarding the consultancy costs relating to East Lindsey District Council’s Car Parks operation.
1. Chairman’s Welcome and Opening Remarks
Cllr Thacker welcomed everyone to the Meeting. She reported that, with the Clerk, she had met with County Councillor Richard Davies - who is the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT - County Councillor Denis Hoyes & Graeme Butler of the County Council’s Highways Team to discuss the Horncastle Road Crossing Petition.
Whilst she has yet to hear formally, Councillor Davies stated that the County Council was not in a position to action the work – there are insufficient funds and there are other higher priorities across the County.
2. Apologies for Absence
The Clerk reported that Cllr Buxton-Rockley had apologised.
3. To receive Councillors’ Declarations of Interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
4. To consider the Co-Option of Parish Councillors
It was agreed that Kathy Barker be co-opted to the Parish Council.
Proposed – Cllr Thacker, Seconded – Cllr Norton, Resolved – Unanimous
Cllr Thacker welcomed Cllr Barker to the Parish Council, who then read out and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Cllr Thacker commented that it was disappointing that only one application had been received and requested that a further advert be placed to try and fill the three remaining vacancies.
ACTION - The Clerk to advertise for three Parish Councillors by Co-Option with a Closing Date of Friday 30th September 2016 so that Co-Option can take place at the October Meeting.
5. To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 4th July 2016
The Minutes were agreed, approved and signed by the Chairman.
Proposed – Cllr Thacker, Seconded – Cllr Bailey, Resolved – Unanimous
6. To receive Clerk’s report on any matters outstanding from the last Meeting
Councillors noted that all of the actions arising from the last Meeting had been dealt with as follows:-
(a) Public Forum - ACTION – The Clerk to identify and contact the owner of the overgrown hedge on the Lincoln Road, to confirm the Parish Council’s decision regarding the Planning Application in Wire Hill Lane and to contact the County Council regarding the installation of some form of speed control on Wire Hill Lane
The Clerk confirmed that:-
· The owner had been contacted and overgrown hedge has been trimmed
· The Parish Council’s decision re: Planning Application in Wire Hill Lane had been confirmed to the resident
· The County Council has advised that they will not install any speed control on Wire Hill Lane
(b) To consider the Co-Option of Parish Councillors - ACTION – The Clerk to advertise for four Parish Councillors by Co-Option with a Closing Date of Friday 2nd September 2016 so that Co-Option can take place at the September Meeting
The Clerk confirmed that this point had been actioned - see Agenda Item 4
(c) To receive updates re: Parish Plan Priorities – Application re: Community Speed Watch - ACTION – The Clerk to liaise with the County Council’s Highways Team and the Sign Supplier to ensure that the Reactive Speed Sign can be purchased and installed as soon as possible.
The Clerk confirmed that these points had been actioned – see Agenda Item 8(a)
(d) To receive updates re: Parish Plan Priorities – Pedestrian/Road Safety in the Village - ACTION – The Clerk to contact the Wragby Plant Minders and to advertise for volunteers
The Clerk confirmed that this point had been action and, whilst some volunteers have been identified to tidy the Market Place Car Park, none have yet to be identified to assist tidying the roadside on Lincoln Road
(e) To receive an update re: the purchase of HM Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Commemorative Medals – ACTION – The Clerk to liaise with the Pre-School to confirm the arrangements for distributing the medals
The Clerk confirmed that this point had been actioned – see Agenda Item 11
(f) To consider and comment on Planning Application re: Construction of a New Classroom at Wragby Primary School - ACTION – The Clerk to submit the Council’s observations to the County Council’s Planning Team
The Clerk confirmed that this point has been actioned
(g) To consider and comment on the Planning Application re: The Ivy, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01198/16 & 01307/16) - ACTION – The Clerk to submit the Council’s observations to the District Council’s Planning Team
The Clerk confirmed that this point has been actioned – see Agenda Item 15
(h) To receive an update on Planning Matters since the last Meeting - Consideration of Planning Application re: The Corn Dolly Barn, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01206/16) - ACTION – The Clerk to submit the Council’s observations to the District Council’s Planning Team
The Clerk confirmed that this point has been actioned – see Agenda Item 15
(i) To receive an update on Planning Matters since the last Meeting - Councillors noted the Clerk’s update regarding the Planning Application re: Former Cattle Market, Market Place - ACTION – The Clerk to undertake some further enquiries regarding this Planning Application and report back
The Clerk confirmed that this point has been actioned – see Agenda Item 15
(j) To consider and approve quotes received in respect of the (a) the renewal of the lease and licence re: Dove Park and (b) planned works at the Cemetery - ACTION – The Clerk to continue chasing to obtain more quotes for replacing the Cemetery Gates
The Clerk confirmed that this point has been actioned – see Agenda Item 9
7. To receive the Clerk’s update on correspondence received since the last Meeting
Councillors noted that the following correspondence (including emails) had been received since the last Meeting:-
ELDC
· Planning Application re: The Ivy, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01198/16)
· Planning Application re: The Ivy, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01307/16)
· Planning Application granted re: 6A & 6B Tiggers Orchard (Ref: S/216/01421/16)
· Planning Permission granted re: The Corn Dolly Barn, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01206/16)
· Planning Permission refused re: Former Cattle Market, Market Place (Ref: S/216/00897/16)
· Planning Permission refused re: The Ivy, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01198/16)
· Planning Permission granted re: The Ivy, Market Place (Ref: S/216/01307/16)
· Various emails re: Planning Applications, Litter Picking & Litter Bins
LCC
· Various emails re: Horncastle Road Crossing Petition, Community Speed Watch & Highways issues
Other
· Correspondence re: The Pensions Regulator, Bus Shelter o/s The Co-Op Store, Wilkin Chapman LLP & Tudor Grounds Maintenance
· Various emails from Anglian Water (Bardney Road blockage), Ecotricity (Energy Supply bills), Heritage Group (Old Cemetery), Waterloo Housing Group (Hansards Drive), Wilkin Chapman LLP (Lease & Licence), & Zurich Municipal (Increase in Insurance Premium Tax)
· Various emails re: Bus Shelter o/s The Co-Op Store, Co-Option, Memorial Tablet, PCSO, Planning Application re: Land North of Bridle Way, Recycling, Road markings in Silver Street, Street Lighting & Tree Maintenance
Community
8. To receive updates re: Parish Plan Priorities:-
(a) Community Speed Watch
Councillors noted that the poles had been installed in Bardney Road (2), Horncastle Road (1) and Louth Road (1) but they are too short. A request has been made for extensions to be inserted and a response is awaited.
Councillors also noted that the Reactive Sign manufacturers will normally only accept an order with payment (as the Council is a new customer) but have indicated that they could start the build early so that the normal 6-week build time could be underway when they receive payment.
Cllr Thacker commented that she was disappointed that it has taken some 18 months to get to this stage and, although the Council is waiting for a response from the County Council’s Highways Team as to whether the extensions will be fitted, asked Councillors to reconsider whether the Council should progress with the order for the Reactive Sign – it is a significant cost and perhaps the Council should double-check what it is trying to achieve.
It was agreed that there should be a private meeting to discuss the current year’s budget and preliminary plans for next year and that the order for the Reactive Sign should be put on hold until the October Meeting.
Proposed – Cllr Thacker, Seconded – Cllr Norton, Resolved – Unanimous
ACTION – The Clerk to organise a booking of the Annex for a private meeting to discuss the current year’s budget and preliminary plans for next year.
(b) Pedestrian / Road Safety in the Village
Councillors noted that, as mentioned by Cllr Thacker in her opening remarks, the County Council has, informally, turned down the Horncastle Road Crossing Petition citing lack of resources and lack of priority when compared to other proposals across the County. Although a formal response has yet to be received, Cllr Thacker has already sent a letter to the lead petitioner informing her of the County Council’s informal decision.
Cllr Thacker commented that there is an increasing awareness of the impact of the County and the District Council’s financial situation is having on the appearance of the village – the verges and the Market Place Car Park. The Parish Council has funded 6 new litter bins and Cllr Applewhite has gathered some volunteers who may be willing to tidy the Market Place Car Park.
Cllr Thacker suggested that she would like Councillors to consider, as part of the the plans for next financial year, what the Council might be able to do to plug the drop in public services that are being experienced.
Cllr Applewhite commented that she had organised some volunteers and the appropriate equipment (hi-viz jackets, litter pickers and litter bags) and would want confirmation of the necessary insurance cover.
ACTION – The Clerk to confirm that the volunteers would be covered by the Council’s Insurance Policy.
9. To receive updates re: The Cemetery and Dove Park
Councillors noted the following points:-
(a) New Cemetery – The single track at the end of Cemetery Road is looking tidy. The gate, one post and some fence timbers will be replaced shortly. The car park gravel has been sprayed twice during July and August and is looking tidier – although it could use some more gravel to act as a deterrent to the weeds.
The area by the dyke has been sprayed again and is gradually looking tidier. Some spoil (largely clay) will have to be removed from the corner to enable grass to re-establish itself. One tree has been cut down and the logs will be removed shortly.
The Clerk reported that skip needs to be exchanged shortly – only one exchange per financial year has been budgeted for and this has already happened. It was agreed that the skip should be exchanged when necessary.
Proposed – Cllr Thacker, Seconded – Cllr Applewhite, Resolved – Unanimous
(b) Dove Park
The repair work on the Access Road has been completed. The tree works have been completed including trimming back the branches on the trees adjacent to the Access Road.
Wilkin Chapman LLP (Horncastle) have been engaged to draw up Draft Lease and Licence documents.
10. To receive an update re: grass cutting in the Old Cemetery
Councillors noted that there is no doubt that the Old Cemetery does require cutting and strimming again - whilst this year’s weather has meant that grass and weeds (along with most other things) have grown extraordinarily fast, the planned two cuts/strims per season are clearly not enough.
The Heritage Group had expressed their concerns, particularly relating to the Lottery Fund and their “right to check if the work, originally carried out in revitalising this area, is the subject of ongoing benefit to the community.”
Councillors also noted that this is the first year of operation and therefore it is a learning exercise for everyone. The Clerk has been in touch with the Council’s Grass Cutting Contractor who has made the following points:-
· The land and the surface of the land does not make it a straightforward job for either machines or humans
· The longer the interval between cuts/strims does make the job longer and therefore more costly
He had also provided some costings for the Council to consider. It was agreed that the Old Cemetery would be cut/strimmed (not collected) as soon as possible and that this issue would be considered as part of the plans for next financial year’s budget.
Proposed – Cllr Thacker, Seconded – Cllr Bailey, Resolved – Unanimous
Cllr Thacker wanted to place on record her appreciation for the repair work on bench in the Old Cemetery that is being carried out by Cllr Norton’s husband, Jeff.