September 20 - Ordinary Meeting Minutes
Minutes of an ordinary meeting held by Hemswell Parish Council on Monday 21st September 2020 AT 7:30 pm
1. Present:
Cllr. B. Mander (BM)(Chairman); Cllr. J. Roberts (JR) (Vice-Chairman); Cllr. M. Foster (MF); Cllr. C. Black (CB); Cllr. P. Watkinson (PW).
County Cllr. C. Perraton-Williams (CPW)
Public: Mr A. Morris (AM)
2. Apologies: District Cllr P. Howitt-Cowan (PHC); PCSO J. McFaul (JM)
3. Adjournment:
a. Cllr. CPW provided a report -
i. No feedback provided from highways department regarding grit bin or Brook Street drain.
ii. Numerous roadworks in the area
- Corringham Road / Thorndike Way junction improvement; work ongoing to schedule.
- Trinity Street (Tesco’s) junction roadworks ongoing to schedule.
- Resurfacing of road through Scotter beginning end of November 2020.
- Resurfacing of roads in Glentham area to commence in near future.
iii. Following another crash at the B1398 / B1205 (Middle Street / Uncle Henry’s) junction, CPW will push for initiatives to improve the junction. Previous investigations have yet to reach a decision.
b. Cllr. PHC provided a written report which was read to the council.
i. Suspension of Leader of WLDC and Member of the Conservative Party: As you may have read in the media, Cllr Giles McNeil has been suspended as leader and a member of the Conservative party pending investigation. Suspension is a neutral act. Meanwhile the Deputy Leader, Cllr Owen Brierly is Acting Leader. Cllr McNeil has also been suspended as working as agent for Sir Edward Leigh MP. He remains a District Cllr representing the Nettleham Ward.
ii. Planning Application Number: 141529 Application date: 17/08/2020 Planning officer: Daniel Evans
Description of proposal: Planning application for change of use of land for the siting of two lodges for holiday use.
Location: Land at Hillcrest, Middle Street, Hemswell, Gainsborough, DN21 5TR
iii. Corringham Junction: Work has now begun to install traffic lights in order to prevent any more carnage and car accidents. The project is scheduled to be up and running sometime in December.
iv. Re-organisation of Local Government in Lincolnshire: We await a Paper from the Minister of Local Government, meanwhile preparations are afoot for elections on 6 of May 2021.
v. Gainsborough Old Hall: Remains closed until summer 2021. EH takeover from LCC the day to day management on 1 of Nov.
vi. Paper and cardboard collection are to be implemented throughout the County in 2024 after a successful pilot.
c. AM addressed the council to express his dissatisfaction with the conduct of Cllr. PHC during the parish council meeting of 20th July and with the comments Cllr. PHC made regarding internal WLDC communication on his planning application (141128) and AM’s alleged previous development activities. AM provided a summary of the planning application and the comments Cllr. PHC made in the parish council meeting. AM has communicated with WLDC governance officer and the local Conservative Party regarding Cllr. PHC’s comments and has written to Sir Edward Leigh (MP). AM has received no apology from anybody and no response from the Conservative Party. AM informed the council that no one in WLDC appeared to be talking to him and he was therefore left without representation. AM has contacted other local district councillors but has not received representation. AM would like the parish council to ‘complain to and take to task’ PHC.
Cllr. CPW enquired if AM had raised a formal complaint with WLDC. AM confirmed he had not as he believed WLDC could not take any meaningful action with Cllr. PHC. Cllr. CPW advised him to make a formal complaint.
CPW offered to investigate with WLDC governance officer and the Conservative party and feedback to AM.
The parish council advised AM to make a formal complaint to WLDC.
AM confirmed he would allow CPW to copy the council with her findings.
4. Declaration of Interests
none
5. Approval of minutes from previous meeting
Ordinary Meeting 20th July 2020
proposed: BJR seconded: MF carried: unanimously.
6. Planning
a. 141128 The Blacksmith’s Forge – WLDC Planning committee deferred the decision to reject the application whilst the applicant discussed options to incorporate the existing built form into a modified proposal. With the committee’s requirements defined, subsequent decisions were delegated to the planning officer.
b. 141529 – Hillcrest Middle Street – Change of use of land / siting of two lodges. The council discussed the application and noted the lack of clarity in the application regarding which land would be subject to a change of use. Two areas were identified on the proposed plan which did not contain a key to define the applicability.
Resolution: The chairman to provide the council’s response stating if the change of use of land was limited to the area bounded by the red line on the proposed plan then the council had no objections. If the change of use of land was requested for the area bounded by the blue line then the council objected to the proposal due the potential damage to the setting of the conservation area and the Area of Great Landscape Value.
proposed: BM seconded: CB carried: unanimously.
7. Highways
See CPW report (3 a i)
8. Policies
The proposed Hemswell Parish Council Financial Regulations (England 2019) V 1.0 was reviewed by the council and unanimously resolved to be adopted.
proposed: BM seconded: JR carried: unanimously.
9. Parish Council Website
The council was advised that due to changes in the law relating to accessibility requirements for public sector websites, the existing parish council website would be removed in December 2020. The clerk to populate a newly provided platform by Lincolnshire County Council ensuring all information conforms with the new accessibility requirements. The new website will be made visible and the link communicated once populated. No immediate action required for councillors but the clerk to inform the council if any issues are found.
10. Middle Street Bus Shelter
The condition of and the responsibility for the maintenance of the bus shelter was discussed. The council unanimously agreed they had the responsibility to maintain the bus shelter and quotes should be obtain for the repair of the roof and painting of the internal walls.
Action: JR agreed to obtain three quotes for the work and present a recommendation to the council.
11. Reports
a. Village Hall – A report was provided by the village hall secretary which was read to the council. The hall is available for hire from the beginning of September 2020. Only one regular hirer has confirmed they will recommence hiring the hall. The committee have reviewed the hall’s financial position and with no regular income, they are only spending on essential maintenance work. The maintenance of the playground is a significant cost and the committee have decided to approach the council for support.
b. Neighbourhood Plan – All submission documents are in final review stage. It is the expectation of the steering group that they will submit the plan with accompanying submission documentation to WLDC by the end of October 2020.
12. Finance
a. Overview
In line with the newly adopted financial regulations, the council’s finances and budget were reviewed and the new format of the information approved. This included the newly proposed provisions for asset maintenance. The presented information was unanimously approved as a true record of the council’s finances.
b. Receipts –
i. LCC Grass Cutting FY19/20 £ 204.78
c. Cheques to authorise – the following cheques were unanimously accepted for payment
i. Grass Cutting (July & August) £ 300.00
13. Clerk Recruitment
No applications have been received for the position. Clerk to readvertise in line with previous meetings resolution, taking into consideration new pay scales.
14. Councillor Vacancy
a. No applications have been received for co-option to the council.
b. The council was advised Cllr R. Hazell has resigned with immediate effect. WLDC Electoral Registration and Elections team have been informed.
15. Village Hall Playground
As the councillor who requested this item had resigned and no formal approach from the village hall committee had been received, the council discussed the information provided in the village hall report. The council agreed the playground is a valuable village asset and it would be open for discussions on how it could provide support for the playground’s maintenance. The council awaits the village hall representation.
16. CCTV – item removed as requesting councillor resigned.
17. Nuisance smoke (Church Street) – The council was advised that nuisance smoke had been observed on numerous occasions from the burning of treated wood in a bonfire (garden of 7 Church street) and from domestic chimneys (within cottages 10 - 16 Church Street).
Action: Clerk to investigate with WLDC how matter can be investigated.
18. Burial Authority
a. No requests received
b. Review of Burial Authority Information, Charges and Regulations – The current document was reviewed. Unanimously agreed to defer discussion until next meeting.
19. Meeting closure: 21:25
Date of Next Meeting: Monday 16 November 2020 to be held: (medium or establishment to be decided considering social distancing measures in place).
Signed: B C Mander Date: 6th October 2020