January 12 2022 Minutes

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF
LEADENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Wednesday 12 January 2022, 7.30 pm at Leadenham Village Hall.
PRESENT: Cllr Melanie Nelstrop (Chair), Cllr G McLusky (Vice-Chair), 
Cllr S Locking, Cllr Tim Sisson and Cllr Karin Willgoose. 
Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO)
Also present:  DCllr Lucille Hagues (part meeting), C/DCllr Marianne Overton (part meeting).
4 members of the public present.
 
Public Questions: 
Two members of the public raised the issue of the 40mph zone near to SWRA school and the condition of the footpath over the bridge. This topic is on the agenda at item 6 b) and correspondence had previously been received and a reply had been submitted (see minute 9). 
It was reported that this issue is continually on the PC agenda and that continued correspondence is being submitted to various bodies. It was noted that the land behind the area in question belongs to Leadenham Estate, and that access to this would be beneficial. It was agreed that the clerk contact the landowner regarding this. It was suggested that a petition could be circulated to gain proof of public support for the need for action and the member of the public volunteered to take this.
 
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS. Chair Cllr M Nelstrop welcomed everyone to the meeting. 
 
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. 
       None received. Cllr Gary Luff was not present.
        
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Members of the Parish Council are required to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting. 
        Cllr M Nelstrop expressed an interest in Agenda item 4 a) ii.
 
3. MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr K Willgoose, seconded by Cllr M Nelstrop and it was RESOLVED that Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 December 2021 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.
At the Chairs discretion, item 6a) was taken at this stage.
       
4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) Applications received:
i. 21/1804/HOUS
        Proposal:  Erection of first floor rear extension over existing balcony
Location:   Blacksmiths Cottage Main Road Leadenham
Comments by 7 January 2022, extended to 13 January 2022. No comment.
Cllr M Nelstrop left the room at this point (19:59)
 
ii. 21/0053/FUL North Hilltop Farmhouse The Heath Leadenham
Proposal:  Change of use of land and buildings to equestrian uses in connection with the creation  of an all-weather polo arena facility and associated works (approved though 19/1764/FUL) including the conversion of barns to stables and two fields for use for polo practice, pony exercise and schooling.
Comments by 12 January, extended to 13 January 2022.
        *Notification that this will be considered at Planning Sub Committee on 18th January 2022, 5pm.
It was agreed that the Pc would submit an Objection, based on Environmental, biodiversity, building heritage issues. It was also agreed to comment on the strategically unhelpful timing of the notification for this application, which had been received immediately prior to the annual Christmas holiday closure, reducing the available time for the required careful consideration considerably.
 
Cllr M Nelstrop was asked to re-join the meeting (20:16)
iii. 21/1886/HOUS Hillsdale 2 Crow Lane Leadenham,
Proposed Annexe over garage previously approved on planning permission 21/0438/HOUS
Comments by 22 January 2022. No comment.
 
b) Decisions received: n/a
c) Street Numbering: n/a
 
5. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
To receive reports from the following:
a) Local Police – click here for information. Police Newsletter – click here.
Police annual Precept Report received and posted onto the PC website with a link to respond.
b) District Councillor (DCllr Lucille Hagues, Cllr M Overton). DCllr Lucille Hagues had no further comments to add to her previously received report. 
c) County Councillor (Cllr M Overton). Newsletters can be found here. C/DCllr Marianne Overton gave a verbal update to her newsletter. It was reported that planning application 21/1550/FUL, poultry sheds, had been withdrawn at this stage, due to several issues. It was reported that C/DCllr Marianne Overton would be taking part in the planning sub-committee on Tuesday 18/01/21, regarding application 21/0053/FUL.
d) Village Hall Committee. It was reported that celebrations relating to the Queen’s Jubilee were underway. 
 
6. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
a) A member of the public, Mr M Everett gave a report regarding buses and HGVs in the High Street and the issues caused by continued congestion. It was agreed that a letter be sent to relevant bodies by the PC, based on the information contained in the report. It was agreed that Cllr T Sisson would draft the letter.
DCllr Lucille Hagues suggested that the Cllr Patricia Bradwell, (Deputy Leader) Executive Councillor for Children's Services, Community Safety and Procurement be contacted.
 
b) To receive any updates regarding the footpath adjacent to the railway bridge and to consider any action require. It was proposed by Cllr G McLusky, seconded by Cllr M Nelstrop and it was RESOLVED that a petition regarding the footpath/bridge and also the speed limit, be created as discussed during Public Questions.
It was noted that an email by the Chair to Rowan Smith regarding various road/highways has now received a reply. Circulated to all 07/01/22.
 
7. SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE. 
a) Speed Indicator Device (SID – Cliff cluster Scheme):
i. The device was collection on 2 January 2022.
ii. Sites designated by LRSP had been reviewed.
iii. The Village Keeper reported that the device had been located at an alternative location in the first instance and would be re-positioned during the remainder of its stay.
 
b) Speedwatch Scheme:
As agreed at the last meeting (13/12/2021) an article has been submitted to the Three Villages Magazine, February issue, requesting volunteers.
 
8. PARISH CLERK
To consider the Parish Clerk’s Report:
a) Streetlights 11,12,14 reported to LCC now repaired (07/01/22). 
b) Cables near traffic lights at cross-roads reported as requested at the last meeting.
c) Register of lectors for December 2021 received, monthly updates will be received. 
d) Local Plan – opportunity to resubmit details for 10/01/22.
e) Petition to request the legislation for remote meetings to be reinstated signed (06/01/22)
f) More money for Lincolnshire road repairs. Posted online, Circulated to all.
g) Request from LCC regarding a proposed increase in 2022/23 Council Tax of 3%. Comments by 26/01/2022. Circulated to all 07/01/22.
h) LCC FOI request received, circulated to all 11/01/22. In summary:
a. Reported injury collisions, the following information relates to those that have occurred within the last five-year period. On the length of the A17 up to and including the Brant Broughton crossroads and the B6403 junction near to Cranwell, there have been 31 injury collisions. Five of these involved an HGV.
b. As part of Lincolnshire County Council’s routine monitoring, The Council survey the A17 in 2 locations. FC062 – this site is the A17 @ Brant Broughton – this was last surveyed in 2021 – attached is the 2021 2way AADT. Lincolnshire County Council also survey the A17 @ east of Leadenham junction – this was last surveyed in 2017 – attached is the 2017 2way AADT for both A17 legs.
 
9. CORRESPONDENCE.
a) Email received from a member of the public raising the issue of 40mph zone near to SWRA school and the condition of the footpath over the bridge. A reply had been submitted, listing several routes to bring this to the attention of other bodies, including DC, CC, Highways, MP, and the response received from Rowan Smith was forwarded to the correspondant.
 
10. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliations revised 10/12/2021 after receipt of latest bank statements from Cllr K Willgoose:
 
The RFO reported balances at 04/01/2022:
a) HSBC deposit account balance as £ 1,363.90
b) HSBC current account balance as £15,775.72
Total £17,139.62
c) Royal Fund £     331.80 still to be retrieved.
 
Bank charges for 05/12/21 – 04/01/22 £13.00
Maintaining the account £8.00 
 Paying cheques x5: £5.00
 
Uncleared cheques: nil
 
Payments received, included in balances:
NKDC (litter grant, estimated to be £91.14) £180.00
 
Payments received, excluded in balances:
WPD Wayleave payment, ref LE5315, cheque. £42.60
 
a) To ratify payments made between 14/12/2021 – 12/01/2022:
 
 
b) To consider any payments due at 13/12/2021: nil
c) A VAT reclaim has been submitted to 30/11/2021 £3,532.27 - pending
 
BALANCE OF EXPENDITURE AGAINST BUDGET – TO DATE
 
TOTAL SPENT
BUDGET
 
INCOME/GRANTS FOR NOTE ONLY
CIL April 2021 £1,904.14 for use up to May 2026. report required by 31/12/21
CIL April 2019 £1,523.25 for use up to May 2024
S137 £8.12 x 327 £2,655.24
 
 
It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop, seconded by Cllr T Sisson and it was RESOLVED that the financial report and payments be approved.
 
C/DCllr Marianne Overton arrived at this point (21:00)
 
d) Budget update and Precept for 2022-23.
Versions of the Budget/Precept had been circulated prior to the last meeting and updated for discussion.
It was agreed that adjustments be made for consideration and an extra-ordinary meeting arranged. 
Deadline for submission to NKDC is 28 January 2022.
 
Agenda item 5 c) was taken at this point. 
 
11. PARISH FIELD/TREE PROJECT. 
It was noted that the joint Parish Field/Tree Project and Play Area Public Meeting has been scheduled for Saturday 29 January 2022, pending Covid advice at that time. A poster has been created by a member of the Play Area development group, for circulation to relevant parties.
 
21:30 at the Chair’s discretion it was agreed unanimously that the meeting proceed past 21:30 for an additional 30 minutes maximum, in order to complete PC business.
 
12. PLAY AREA.
a) Monthly reports received. 
b) It was noted that grant-funding is still considered attainable and that consideration of a PWLB loan to cover the costs of redevelopment be postponed at this stage, following discussion of the Precept.
 
13. LITTER PICKING.
a) Litter picking is continuing, with regular updates from the Team Leader.
b) Dates schedule confirmed as: 12th February, 12th March, 9th April, 14th May, 11th June, 16th July, 13th August, 10th September, 8th October, 12th November, 10th December.
14. VILLAGE HALL/LAW/BOWLS CLUB
It was agreed that this item remain on the agenda and actioned in due course.
 
15. BUS STOP
It was agreed that costs for this are unrealistic at present, following discussion of the Precept.
 
16. DAMAGE TO THE GREEN
It was noted that there are no updates at this stage and that any updates are brought to a future meeting.
 
17. PARKING NEAR THE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
It was noted that cars collecting children from the Primary School are parking on the verge, damaging the grassed area and causing a potential safety issue for pavement users, including children. It was noted that the Headteacher had attempted to stop this practice, with little success.
It was agreed that the clerk contact the Police, to request an officer to attend at hometime to assess any dangers and advise on any action. 
 
18. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING. 
It was agreed to include: Queen’s Jubilee arrangements, Royal Fund update, Memorials, Banking arrangements.
 
19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING. To note that the next meeting of the Parish Council as 9 February 2022. To note that an Extra-Ordinary meeting, to finalise the Precept, will be held on Wednesday 19 January 2022.
 
There being no further business the Chair ended the meeting at 21:44.
 
Chair..............................M,NELSTROP.............................Date....09/02/2022..........................