GREAT HALE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutesof the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 4th February2013 at Hale Magna Village Hall, Great Hale.

PRESENT:Councillor Mrs V Kemmett Councillor Mr M Barnatt

Councillor Mrs E White Councillor Mr N Read (arrived 7.02pm)

Councillor Mr M Prior Councillor Mr N Turner (arrived 7.01pm)

Also District Councillor SOgdenand the Clerk Mrs S Tarry, also in her role as District Councillor.

No members of the public attended the Open Forum.The meeting opened at 7.00pm.

  1. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS

The Chairman Cllr Mrs V Kemmett welcomed everybody to the meeting.

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and the reason given accepted by the Council from Councillor Mr J Cope.

Cllr N Turner arrived at 7.01pm.

  1. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS AND WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR NEW DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST (DPI) DISPENSATIONS

Cllr M Prior declared a local choice non pecuniary interest in agenda item 17, Chancel Repair Liability by reason of being a member of the St John the Baptist Church Parochial Church Council.

Cllr N Read arrived at 7.02pm.

Cllr Mrs E White declared an interest in agenda item 9.1, planning application 13/0051/HOUS by reason of her in-laws living next door to the application address. Cllr Mrs E White advised that she would leave the room during the discussion and vote due to being aware of her in-laws feelings in respect of the application.

No applications for a disclosable pecuniary interest dispensation were received.

  1. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 7th JANUARY2013

The Chairman Cllr Mrs V Kemmett asked if the minutes of the lastmeeting held on Monday7th January2013could be signed as a true and correct copy. It was proposed by Cllr M Prior, seconded by Cllr M Barnatt and agreed by those eligible to vote that the minutes were correct[2013/06].The minutes were duly signed bythe Chairman Cllr Mrs V Kemmett.

  1. CLERK’S REPORTON MATTERS OUTSTANDING

The Clerk thanked Cllr M Barnatt for his help distributing some of the agendas during the recent bad weather.

  1. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES

Cllr S Ogden advised that the district council is currently juggling the finances.

  1. ORCHARD GREEN MATTERS
  2. No grass cutting to be requested for February. The Clerk to contact the grass cutting contractor regarding a query in respect of his insurance.
  3. Play area inspections in January were carried out by Cllr Mrs V Kemmett. No issues were raised and Cllr Mrs V Kemmett commented that it was good to see that snowmen had been built on the play area during the snowy weather.Play area inspections in Februaryto be carried out by Cllr M Prior.
  4. Following consideration it was proposed by Cllr N Turner seconded by Cllr N Read and agreed unanimously to instruct Wicksteed Leisure Ltd to carry out the annual play area inspection and to include a separate report showing the detailed analysis of risk assessment from the annual inspection report [2013/07].
  5. The repair to the five - a- side goal has been carried out by Wicksteed Leisure Ltd.
  1. GROUNDS MATTERS
  2. Due to the bad weather conditions the litter picked arranged for January was cancelled. The date of the next litter pick is Thursday 21st February. It has been noted that there is a lot of litter in the ditch along the B1394, outside the 30mph limit, near to the cemetery. To be reported.
  3. It has been noted that some branches from the overhanging elder tree in Grove Street have been cut off.
  4. All the non working street lights have been repaired (Church St x 2, Leas Road/Crow Lane junction, Leas Road/Hall Road junction, King’s Lane).
  5. Two quotes have been received in respect of the repairs to the noticeboard at the junction of Church Street/Little Hale Road. One further quote to be obtained.
  6. A dangerous hole by a manhole cover in the middle of the footpath in Leas Road was reported to Highways. An inspection by the Highways Officer has classed the hole as a high priority to be filled. The drain cover is to be replaced as well.
  7. Cllr N Read reported that a number of parishioners have raised concern in respect of cold callers. Information has been received from Lincolnshire Police that it is possible to set up ‘No Cold Calling’ zones, but following discussion Trading Standards to be contacted to determine availability of small stickers for individual properties.
  8. Members discussed a request from the Empty Homes Project Officer at NKDC for information regarding homes which are understood to be empty. Information to be provided where possible.
  9. The parish clock has recently been serviced by Smith of Derby Ltd. No problems were reported.
  10. Due to ongoing problems with dog fouling and bags of dog poo not being placed in a bin an order forstickers has been placed with Keep Britain Tidy in connection with their Dog Poo Fairy Campaign. No charge is made for the stickers. Due to the stickers stating ‘Bag that poo – any bin will do’ confirmation has been received from NKDC that dog poo is classed as litter and as such dog poo bags can go in either bin.
  1. PLANNING MATTERS
  2. Two planning applications were received.

13/0001/HOUS Proposal: Erection of detached double garage and store. Location: Mastins Farmhouse, Great Hale Drove. Following consideration of the planning application no objections were raised.

Cllr Mrs E White left the room and took no part in the discussion or decision in respect of the following application. 13/0051/HOUS Proposal: Erection of single storey front extension to form attached double garage, erection of porch to front of dwelling, erection of conservatory to rear of dwelling and construction of flat roof dormer to rear (resubmission of 12/0631/HOUS). Location: 26, Grove Street, Great Hale. Following consideration members in agreement to object to the development at the front as it is contrary to the street scene and is considered over development at the front.

Cllr Mrs E White returned to the room and took part in the remainder of the meeting.

9.2.No approvals or refusals were received.

  1. FINANCIAL MATTERS
  2. Interest was credited as follows: £0.14 (09/01/13) to the Business Instant Access Account as per bank statement dated 24/01/13.Current bank balances – Treasurers Account £257.24as per bank statement dated 25/01/13 but cheque no.000691 for £250.00 is outstanding as at statement date. Therefore ‘true’ balance is £7.24.Balance of Business Instant Access Account £2647.40 as per bank statement dated 24/01/13. Scottish Widows Bank plc A/C £6077.84.Total balance: £7.24 + £2647.40 + £6077.84 = £8732.48.

Onecheque waspresented for authorisation and signature.

000694 £733.54 Wicksteed Leisure Ltd – Repair to five-a-side goal

A transfer of £730.00 to be made from the Business Instant Access Account to the Treasurers Account to cover the payments. Proposed by Cllr Mrs E White, seconded by Cllr M Priorand agreed unanimously [2013/08].A financial statement detailing the above information and two bank statements were duly signed by the Chairman Cllr Mrs V Kemmett.

10.2.Following consideration of an updated budget it was proposed by Cllr M Prior seconded by Cllr Mrs V Kemmett and agreed unanimously to request seven and a half thousand pounds from NKDC.Due to the localisation of Council Tax Benefit, and the complicated calculations involved the parish council will in fact receive the following: precept £6774.74and grant £739.10 making a total of £7513.84 [2013/09].

10.3.An email from Mr R Higgs, treasurer Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service, thanking the parish council for the donation was noted by members.

10.4.Letter of thanks from the Sleaford and District Citizens Advice Bureau in respect of the donation noted by members.

  1. HIGHWAYS MATTERS
  2. Notification has not yet been received that an inspection of Great Hale Public Footpath No 2 has been carried out.
  3. The pot holes and disintegrating carriageway edge from Poplar Farm down to Last Farm have not been repaired and if anything are getting worse.
  4. Cllr N Turner reported that all the direction signs at the junction of Grove Street/Little Hale Road were replaced but now one of the signs has disappeared.
  5. The pot holes along Chapel Lane have not yet been filled in.
  6. The rutted carriageway edge on Leas Road near to the dog bin has not yet been filled in.
  7. The various pot holes in the village have not yet been repaired. It is understood that LCC has received approximately £6million from the government to help with pot hole repairs, but the members appreciate that Highways are overwhelmed by them.
  8. It has been noted that the grit bins have been refilled following the recent bad weather. It was noted that Grove Street and the roads going out of the village towards the A17 were gritted as part of the Highways severe weather plan.
  1. HECKINGTON RAILWAY CROSSING

No update has been received from Cllr Barry Young in respect of the railway crossing. Network Rail to be contacted again raising the Parish Council’s concerns.

  1. REPORT FROM CLLR MRS E WHITE IN RESPECT OF SLEAFORD AND DISTRICT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH MEETING 28/01/13

Due to work commitments it was not possible for Cllr Mrs E White to attend the meeting.

  1. THE POD (NKDC’s PLAY BUS)

Notification was received from the POD organisers that nobody visited the POD during its visit to the village on 21st December. Request has been made for the POD to visit during a school holiday.

  1. THE SIDs (SPEED INDICATOR DEVICES)

Information has been received from the Clerk to Swaton Parish Council that theSIDs can be used by a parish council but it will be necessary to ensure that it is covered by the parish council’s insurance. Due to concerns raised by the members in respect of the deployment of the SID no further action to be taken at the present time.

  1. NKDC: UPDATED REGISTER OF INTEREST FORM AND GUIDE TO FILLING A CASUAL VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF PARISH COUNCILLOR

An updated register of interest form and parish councillor vacancy guide has been received from NKDC. Members can use the revised register of interest form but there is no requirement to do so.

  1. CHANCEL REPAIR LIABILITY

Cllr M Prior advised members that he wanted to raise the matter of chancel repair liability due to the possible financial consequences for some property owners in the parish. St John the BaptistChurch was founded in medieval times and, unless it has been discharged, there may be a liability to fund repairs to the chancel of the church on the owners of what was formerly rectorial land. All Parochial Church Council’s (PCC’s) in the area have been instructed to determine, by the 12th October 2013, whether or not any such rectorial land existed and if so whether or not the liability has been discharged. Cllr M Prior advised that on behalf of St John the Baptist PCC he has been given the task of determining the position regarding the land. However, he is concerned that as a member of the parish council and parochial church council there could be a conflict of interests and so he will request that he does not continue investigating the rectorial land situation.

District Cllr S Ogden left the meeting at 8.35pm.

  1. THE CLERK’S CONTRACT – AMENDMENTS

The agenda item in respect of the Clerk’s contract was deferred until the following meeting.

  1. CONCERN OVER CENTRAL LINCOLNSHIRE JOINT PLANNING UNIT (JPU) WIND FARM POLICY AND PRACTICE – EMAIL FROM MR D LEE, CHAIRMAN BISHOP NORTON PARISH COUNCIL

Following consideration of the request from Mr D Lee, Chairman Bishop Norton Parish Council to raise concern over the Central Lincolnshire JPUwind farm policy and practice in relation to identifying potentially suitable large scale wind farm sites, as opposed to small scale private installations, three members voted in favour of supporting the concerns (Cllr Mrs V Kemmett, Cllr Mrs E White and Cllr N Read) and three members voted against (Cllr M Prior, Cllr M Barnatt and Cllr N Turner). As it was a tied vote the Chairman Cllr Mrs V Kemmett gave the casting vote in favour [2013/10]. A letter is duly to be sent to the Central Lincolnshire JPU.

  1. CENTRAL LINCOLNSHIREJT STRATEGIC PLANNING CTTEE – CORE STRATEGY – CONSULTATION ON AREA POLICIES FOR LINCOLN, GAINSBOROUGH AND SLEAFORD

Notification has been received of a public consultation running until 13th March 2013. There is a drop-in event at The Source, Southgate, Sleaford, on Thursday 21st February.

  1. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION AND NON AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE

The Clerk advised that following reorganisation of her study the parish council’s two drawer filing cabinet is surplus to requirement; however the parish council’s records are still stored in a filing cabinet.

NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL

  • Private Sector Housing Renewal Strategy Consultation

LINCOLNSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS

  • Office Arrangements
  • Via LALC – NALC Policy Consultation – DEFRA’s Public Consultation re Adapting to Climate Change
  • Via LALC – NALC Policy Consultation – Sustainable Communities Act
  • Via LALC – NALC Policy Briefing – Local Councils to receive share of Community Infrastructure Levy
  • Reply from Mr Eric Pickles, Secretary of State in response to letter written by LALC Chairman re DPI’s and precept setting

CAME AND COMPANY PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE

  • Announcing our new website – Members Area

CLERKS AND COUNCILS DIRECT

  • January 2013

INFORMATION COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE

  • Confirmation of Renewal

AUTELA PAYROLL SERVICES

  • Information re payroll services

STREETSCAPE PRODUCTS & SERVICES LTD

Promotional material for streetscape outdoor fitness system

  1. MATTERS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

NKDC: Private sector housing renewal strategy consultation

  1. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 4th March 2013,7.00pmat Hale Magna Village Hall, Great Hale.

The Chairman Cllr Mrs V Kemmett thanked everyone for coming, and the meeting closed at 8.45pm.

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