March 19 - Annual Parish Meeting Minutes
RECORD OF THE Hemswell Parish Annual Assembly
Held on Tuesday 18th March 2019 at 7.00 pm in the Village Hall
Present:
Chairman Cllr C Black; Cllr P Huntley; Cllr M Foster; Cllr B Mander Cllr. J Roberts and Cllr. B Everatt.
Also Present: District Cllr Paul Howitt-Cowan and two parishioners.
Apologies: PCSO Julie Mcfaul
1. Chairman’s Welcome and Annual report
The Chairman thanked all the councillors, the Clerk and the NDP Steering Group. He said the Council had commented on recent planning issues and had a village walkabout with highways.
2. Record of Annual Meeting 2017
Signed and agreed as a correct record
Proposed: Cllr M Foster; Seconded Cllr P Huntley; Unanimous
3. Report from District Councillor Howitt-Cowan
Senior Management of WLDC
Remains in the hands of three directors and there is no intention of appointing a Chief Executive for the foreseeable future.
WLDC continues to offer an efficient, cost effective value for money service despite the challenging times we are in.
Corporate Policy
A refreshed Corporate Policy is under construction and will have three themes; Council, People and Place which will direct the future service of the Council for the next 4 years.
Central Lincolnshire Local Plan
Is to be given a revision after its adoption a few years ago, for example the future of Scampton RAF base was not addressed as news of its closure in 2020 had not been confirmed until last year and therefore that base requires an overview for future planning and we may have to cut back on the number of housing in Gainsborough which was unrealistic then and now!.
Commercial arm of the Council
This has been pursued in order to bridge the gap created by the reduction in central government funding. The Council has used its reserves and has borrowed to invest in the building of a crematoria, which is currently under construction. It has invested in businesses in West Lindsey and beyond.
The Hotel in North St Gainsborough is now up and running with a refurbished as is the extended car park[ Roseway]
Several 18c properties [ two out of the four are now let] on the north side of Market St have undergone extensive refurbishment, creating three flats above them, which are for sale or rent in order to encourage people to live within the centre of Town. This is the first step towards a much larger process which will include the Market Place, which is ripe for development and the creation of living accommodation over the shops thereby regenerating the centre of the Town.
‘Discover Gainsborough’ and its environs is now well underway. This hopes to captialise on Gainsborough’s heritage to attract tourism and build on its market credentials, the latter proving challenging
Council Chamber
This has undergone a refurbishment with four large tv monitors to help both council meetings and the public appreciate visual presentations.
Neighbourhood Plans:
WLD is populated with communities pursuing neighborhood plans and the input by residents is much applauded as they take on the responsibility for the shape and direction of their villages under planning. I wish to pay compliment to those in Hemswell village who have undertaken ownership of their Neighborhood Plan; it’s an important investment, which I hope will pay dividends well in the future.
Green Collection Bins:
WLDC withheld charging whilst all the other district councils in Lincolnshire had imposed charges long before us. The charge of £35 will hold this year 2019/20 and the uptake has been considerable. The budget restraints will not allow WLDC to offer a free service. However, the Minister for the Environment is talking about a national green bin collection and this can only work if central government funds it. Despite fears, the charging for green bins has not seen an increase in fly tipping Watch this Space
Community:
I wish to put on record my thanks to the village hall committee and all other organizations, such as the church which engage with the Community. I am ever conscious that more people these days are dying of what the medical profession calls the disease of ‘loneliness’. So many in our towns and villages are isolated and bereft of family. It is vital that we engage in community to help and support our people to care for them. And the village hall and the church are great community resources which need supporting and supporters. ‘No man is an island’ and I know that in Hemswell village every effort is made to sustain the sense of community.I often think of myself as your ‘Community’ Councillor than as a political animal and it has been a privilege to have served you in that capacity over the past nine years with the support of the Parish Council.
I sit on Health Scrutiny at County level and on Wednesday we shall be looking at NHS and I was taken aback by the revelation that in Gainsborough the a man’s healthy life expectancy is 56.9 years, which is almost 6.5 years below the national average and alarmingly 10 years before the national pension age. Dundee is the lowest at 54.3 years, ie 2.6 lower than that of Gainsborough
I am heartened that to come to the aid of the social fabric of the Town and hinterland WLDC has a chance of obtaining monies from a £33 million fund. I see this as a social investment of great potential for our communities .
Future of LCC Heritage Services:
At long last the report following the review has now been published. It effects all our residents as they have access to the Collections/ Usher Art Gallery, Lincoln Castle, Lincolnshire Life Museum, Gainsborough Old Hall. We are now in consultation mode for the next weeks our input. Please respond as the very future of these sites is in the balance. The Archives is to be a separate report and is therefore not included in this exercise.
Brexit:
In a matter of weeks the District and Parish elections are to held not only here but across the country .I fear that Brexit will cast a dark shadow over these democratic proceedings. I think the electorate will not focus on the ‘local’ issues but vent their anger at their first opportunity [or indeed stay away] disillusioned with the democratic process. I hope I am not a victim of this feared back lash as I seek a fourth term as your District Councillor.
I wish you well in your responsibility for Hemswell village
PDJ Howitt-Cowan 18 March 2019
4. Report from Police –
No police report
5. Report from Village Hall Committee
Freda and Allan Brothwell have moved to Lincoln so with much sadness we will have to resign our posts as Chairman and Treasurer of the village hall at the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 2nd April 2019. It is to be hoped that villagers will come forward to take over these roles. We will continue to support the activities in the village and support new members of the committee.
We have had much help in raising money for the village hall and are grateful for this support.
During the year we have had two successful quiz nights. Thanks go to Ben Franklin for being the quizmaster.
May Day was again blessed with good weather and hence another good day was had by all. Thanks to the volunteers who make it so successful.
The Royal Wedding in May gave the opportunity for a celebratory lunch hosted by Rosie James.
In September, a new innovation was the introduction of a Hemswell's Got Talent event.
October saw a Charity collection of clothes (Bags2schools) which was very successful raising funds for the village hall. Thank you to all who contributed.
The Harvest Supper was another well attended event and run jointly by the Village Hall and the Church. Richard Marfleet was once again brilliant as the Auctioneer of harvest produce.
January saw a successful film evening, a fundraising event run for and by the Church. The Village Hall has proved popular as a venue for family events, meetings and groups.
Work has been carried out on the village hall to prevent further damp and replace some of the skirting board kindly paid for by the Parish Council.
Tina Ramsay continues to do a wonderful job looking after the hall bookings.
The fundraising for the village hall has seen the bank balance continue to remain at a satisfactory level.
6. Report from Neighbourhood Plan given by Bryan Mander
Status
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The plan suffered a significant delay (4 months) whilst awaiting the release of the Design Principles document commissioned from the Locality sub-contractor AECOM
- Process was kicked off on 3rd September with a 6-8 week lead time.
- Delay escalated initially to AECOM then via Locality
- “Final” document received for review 26th February 2019
- Comments provided 14th March following Steering group meeting 11th March 2019
- Finalised document including our amendments received 18th March 2019
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Steering Group met with consultant 14th March 2019 to
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Review Design Principles document
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Review next steps and amend timeline
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Next Steps (simplified) and Approximate Timeline.
Draft Plan to be created by consultant and submitted to steering group for comment - Mid April
Review and comments by Steering group - End April
Plan available for initial Public viewing / comment - 6th May
Generate and submit Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening Report generated taking report principles / policies into consideration (2 weeks + 5 week consultation period) - End June
Generate and submit Consultation Statement (2 weeks 6 weeks consultation period) in parallel with SEA/HRA report - End June
Submit to WLDC (6 weeks consultation period) - Mid August
WLDC appoint Examiner - End August
Examiner Review and comments - End September
WLDC organise referendum with all eligible voters (electoral roll) - End October
Public Referendum - Early November
Neighbourhood Plan adopted (assuming successful referendum result) - End November
7. Residents Queries
None