February 9 2022 - Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF
LEADENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Held on Wednesday 9 February 2022, 7.30 pm at Leadenham Village Hall.
PRESENT: Cllr Melanie Nelstrop (Chair), Cllr G McLusky (Vice-Chair),
Cllr S Locking, Cllr G Luff, Cllr Tim Sisson, Cllr N Johnson* (see minute 4 below)
Ruth Keillar (Clerk/RFO)
Also present: DCllr Lucille Hagues (part meeting), C/DCllr Marianne Overton (part meeting).
3 members of the public present.
Public Questions:
A member of the public gave a verbal report regarding the Footpath over the bridge, leading to the SWRA school and the speed limit. This relates to agenda item 7 b) below. Some progress had been made however it is clear that this needs to be pursued and reports continued. It was noted that the landowner should be contacted and the Clerk confirmed that this had been agreed as an action at the last meeting and was still to be carried out.
It was agreed that Cllr Richard Davies LCC Highways, Transport and IT with the Clerk, and C/DCllr Marianne Overton copied in.
It was agreed that Cllr M Nelstrop will remind LCC Rowan Smith that the footpath is scheduled to be cleared.
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS. Chair Cllr M Nelstrop welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Cllr K Willgoose, reason accepted.
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.
None received.
3. MINUTES
a) It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop seconded by Cllr G Luff and it was RESOLVED that Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12 January 2022 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.
b) It was proposed by Cllr S Locking, seconded by Cllr G Luff and it was RESOLVED that Notes of the Extra Ordinary Meeting of the Parish Council held on 24 January 2022 be approved as a true record and signed as Minutes.
4. CO-OPTION FOR VACANCIES
An application had been received from Mr N Johnson and circulated to all. It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop seconded by Cllr G McLusky and it was RESOLVED that Mr Johnston be co-opted to the PC. Mr Johnson signed the Declaration of Acceptance, the Clerk countersigned, and Mr Johnson was invited to join the meeting as Cllr N Johnson. The Clerk will supply all other documents, which must be returned within 28 days.
It was noted that all seats are now filled.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) Applications received:
i. 21/1975/RESM - Land Off Main Road Leadenham
Proposal: Reserved matters application for the erection of 25 dwellings with design, scale, appearance, layout and landscaping to be considered pursuant to application 18/1045/OUT - Residential development of up to 25 dwellings (outline with access to be considered)
Comments by 5 February, extended to 11 February 2022.
No comment.
ii. 21/1886/HOUS Hillsdale 2 Crow Lane Leadenham – amendment
Proposal: Proposed Annexe over garage previously approved on planning permission 21/0438/HOUS
Location: Hillsdale 2 Crow Lane Leadenham
Revised design including a reduction to single storey.
Comments by 18/02/2022.
No comment.
iii. 21/1550/FUL Leadenham Poultry Farm Land North East Of Glebe Farm Sleaford Road
Proposal: Erection of 6 no. poultry houses for broiler chicken production (300,000 bird capacity), and associated infrastructure including feed rooms/bins, water and gas tanks, generator, plant room, amenity building, drainage attenuation pond and access alterations.
Amendment made to the application including to the Environmental Statement
Comments by 01/03/2022.
It was noted that the revised application still does not address the drainage issues.
It was agreed to submit an objection and to request an extension until 8 March.
b) Decisions received:
i. 21/1804/HOUS – approved 27/01/2022.
Erection of first floor rear extension over existing balcony. Blacksmiths Cottage Main Road, Leadenham.
6. REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
To receive reports from the following:
a) Local Police – click here for information. Police Newsletter – click here.
b) District Councillor (DCllr Lucille Hagues, Cllr M Overton).
c) County Councillor (Cllr M Overton). Newsletters can be found here. C/DCllr Marianne Overton gave a verbal update to her newsletter.
d) Village Hall Committee. There has been a change in contact for Bookings and the PC website has been updated.
7. HIGHWAYS ISSUES
a) Reports re Buses and HGVs and to consider any action required. Further correspondence and videos had been received from a resident. It was agreed that Cllr T Sisson will continue to draft a report for the PC to submit to the relevant bodies, in support of the resident. It was noted that although there is little that the PC can do to further progress this, it is important that views of the community are supported, therefore it was agreed that the issue would be brought to further public attention at the Annual Parish Meeting (date tbc).
b) To receive any updates regarding the footpath adjacent to the railway bridge and to consider any action required. This was discussed during the Public Session (see above)
c) To note a request from SWRA for Leadenham and Welborn PCs to consider contributing to a traffic crossing adjacent to the school.
It was reported that the Clerk had:
i. suggested that the school investigate the feasibility of any crossings before fund-searching.
ii. arranged for the SID, currently with the PC, to be sited at the school and this had been enthusiastically received.
iii. Suggested that the school might investigate purchasing their own SID/pole for installation near the school, presenting a more attainable cost.
iv. It was noted that the request for joint funding, with Welbourn PC, would increase the precept by considerable amount and that the PC would not be able to justify this (e.g. for a £25k contribution the precept would increase by approx. £300 per household).
DCllr Lucille Hagues and C/DCllr Marianne Overton arrived at this point (20:10 and 20:20)
At the Chair’s discretion item 6 was taken at this point.
8. SPEEDWATCH SCHEME/SPEEDING ISSUES
a) Speed Indicator Device (SID – Cliff cluster Scheme):
i. The device was due to be handed onto BBH, however there has been no confirmation so it is still being deployed within the Parish.
ii. It was relocated over the three weeks and is currently adjacent to SWRA (30mph zone). It blew down at the weekend, is undamaged and will be re-sited by the Village Keeper.
iii. The VK reports that it appears to be an effective deterrent, from his observations and comments from a resident.
iv. Correspondence has been received to ask that it not be located adjacent to the farm shop as this is a 40mph zone.
v. It was noted that a request for any update regarding purchasing a SID for the PC, from Harmston, is awaiting reply.
b) Speedwatch Scheme:
It was noted that following an article published in the February issue of the Three Villages Magazine, no volunteers have come forward. It was agreed that the clerk will issue an email, requesting that volunteers already identified, register formally and that LRSP be contacted to arrange training.
Any additional equipment will need to be purchased, as previously discussed, with £200 agreed in the budget at 24/01/2022.
9. PARISH CLERK
To consider the Parish Clerk’s Report:
a) NKDC Boundary Review – posted to website and circulated to all (04/02/22).
b) East Midlands Community Led Housing (EMCLH) - East Midlands Community Led Housing (EMCLH) is a regional not-for-profit organisation, set up to support local communities wishing to create the kinds of homes and neighbourhoods that can meet local needs and demands.
c) Civic & Lord-Lieutenant's Officer – Jubilee Newsletter (circulated to all).
d) Website analytics were noted: 1- 31 January 2022 – 371 users, +8.8%.
10. CORRESPONDENCE.
a) Email received regarding the SID – see item 8. a) iv.
b) Email correspondence has been received from a resident, updating the PC of approaches made to various persons regarding the footpath and speed limit issue for children walking to SWRA. (also discussed in the Public session).
c) Email from prospective resident regarding the PC vacancy. Reply sent explaining criteria.
11. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliations could not be reported and latest bank statements are awaited from Cllr K Willgoose:
The RFO reported balances at 04/01/2022:
a) HSBC deposit account balance as £ tbc
b) HSBC current account balance as £ tbc
Total £ tbc
c) Royal Fund £ 331.80
At the last meeting Cllr K Willgoose handed over an old paying in book. The Clerk is investigating the location of the funds and has contacted NSandI. Further updates to be reported at the next meeting.
Bank charges for 05/01/21 – 04/02/22 £tbc
Uncleared cheques: 101481, Bob Heald £150.00
Payments received, included in balances:
Payments received, excluded in balances:
VAT Re-claim, by bank transfer £3,547.84
HMRC tax refund confirmed, not received £187.00
b) To ratify payments made between 13/01/2022 – 09/02/2022:
c) To consider any payments due at 09/02/2021:
BALANCE OF EXPENDITURE AGAINST BUDGET – To date incl 46-48
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 T Sisson, seconded by Cllr G McLusky and it was RESOLVED that the financial report and payments be approved.
d) It was proposed by Cllr M Nelstrop seconded by Cllr S Locking and it was RESOLVED that Mr T Holleran be engaged to carry out the Internal Audit for 2021-2022.
e) It was proposed by Cllr T Sisson seconded by Cllr G McLusky and it was RESOLVED that the PC moves to Lloyds Bank, with online banking facilities and that the RFO be a signatory for administrative purposes.
12. PARISH FIELD/TREE PROJECT/PLAY AREA.
It was reported that the village event, held on Saturday 29 January, had been attended by approx. 30 people and was considered to have been very successful. C/DCllr Marianne Overton gave her vote of thanks to those involved.
13. PLAY AREA.
a) Monthly reports received. The Spring Horse has become unstable and the village Keeper has been asked to remove it as a safety measure.
b) There are no updates on the new play area as yet. It was noted that good feedback had been received at the event of 29 January.
14. LITTER PICKING.
a) Litter report 9,14,18,22,24 January - 13 pickers 24 bags items for NKDC to collect.
b) NKDC have supplied x3 longer picking sticks for deep ditches, delivered to M Everett.
c) It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to the organiser.
15. VILLAGE HALL/LAW/BOWLS CLUB
It was agreed that this item remain on the agenda and actioned in due course.
16. DAMAGE TO THE GREEN
It was noted that no update was available. It was noted that there is an issue with moles, which is also noticeable in playing field. It was agreed that this might be investigated at a later stage.
17. PARKING NEAR THE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
i. It was noted that the Police have confirmed that they will visit the location when in the vicinity, to monitor the issue and will report back to the Clerk.
ii. It was noted that the builder currently working at the George Carpark area, has offered to donate some traffic cones to assist with the prevention of irresponsible parkers.
iii. It was proposed by Cllr T Sisson seconded by Cllr N Johnson and it was RESOLVED that a fund of up to £50 be approved, to purchase stakes, tape and signage, to be deployed on the area opposite the primary school, to prevent the potentially dangerous parking and the destruction of the verge.
18. QUEEN’S JUBILEE 2022.
a) It was agreed that Cllr M Nelstrop, on behalf of the PC would support a Beacon event and further details will be reported in due course. The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Beacons 2022 (queensjubileebeacons.com)
b) It was agreed that the PC could support a community event planned by the Village Hall Committee.
19. MEMORIALS
It was agreed that this be kept on the agenda and addressed at a future meeting.
20. AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING.
It was agreed that dates and arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting be on the next agenda.
21. DATE OF NEXT MEETING. To note that the next meeting of the Parish Council as 9 March 2022.
There being no further business the Chair ended the meeting at 21:26
Chair.............................M Nelstrop. Date..........................9 March 2022