2019 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Tues 2nd Dec 2019 at 7.30pm

Present 18-298 Cllr K Jolley (Chair), Cllr C Ashton (Vice Chair), Cllr F Parish, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr D Smith, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr P Golding, LCCllr/SKDCllr R Adams, SKDCllr D Bellamy, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), 2 residents

Apologies for Absence 18-299 Cllr A White, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr C Hodgkin,

Cllr Jolley announced that due to personal/ work commitments he is stepping down as Chairman, although he will remain as a Parish Councillor. Cllrs issued a vote of thanks for all that Cllr Jolley has done during his time as Chairman. Other Cllrs to consider taking on the role of Chairman, clerk to put on January agenda.

Public Forum 18-300

Dave Parish and David Kavanagh attended the meeting to advise the PC that they are forming a VE Day Committee, to plan celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8th May 2020. The Spring bank holiday has been moved to this day nationally. An ad. appears on the front page of the Witham Word inviting residents to get involved. Celebrations are to take place at the VH/ recreational field. Already booked – HounDogs for the Friday eve and a Gala is to be held on the weekend with possibly Vintage cars/ motorbikes and various themed activities.

Receive Declaration of Interests 18-301 none

Report from LCCllr Bob Adams 18-302

SKDC is working on reducing its carbon footprint, to involve schools, businesses and PC’s for this purpose, more to follow. Balfour Beatty has won the contract for Highways maintenance. LCCllr Adams reminded the PC of the “fix my street app” , this is the easiest way for residents to log any Highway issues such as potholes and if you do as out and about, by taking a photo of the pothole it logs the exact location.

see agenda item 18-304, d) Great Close Flooding

Notes of the monthly Parish Council Meeting held on the 5th Nov 2019 18-302

The notes of the meeting were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair in acceptance as minutes.

Financial Matters 18-303

a)Monthly Accounts SWPC total bank balance £30633.66, BMM £30360.10, Play Project BMM £273.56.

Income received; 1) SKDC 1/2 yr Precept £12000

Payments made; 1) Parish Clerk Nov sal/exps £641.31, 2) Janine Costello (litter picking) Nov £112.00,

3)Rick Webster grass (Aug/ Sept x 4 cuts) £288.00, 4) J T Plumbing, Heating & Gas Services £180.00, Complete Maintenance (VH roof) £1160.00, Garden Angel (cemetery grass, 4 cuts Aug- Oct) £240.00

Large VH water bill received £1620.02 following recent water leak. Clerk has contacted Wave to discuss and given additional readings showing normal VH water usage. Account on hold, so DD not taken whilst matter investigated, account adjustment expected.

b) 2020/21 Precept Cllrs agreed to set the Precept for yr 2020/21 at £25k, an increase of 1.8% on the current yr. Clerk to submit return to SKDC.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on ; 18-304

a)Village Hall Matters, Cllr Jolley

i)Heating/ hot water issues Fixed - valve in loft replaced. Further work -electrician to tidy up wiring in loft space and to install an Emergen heater tank as back up. VHMC and VH user groups reminded not to tamper with heating controls, to only hit “boost button” for an hour extra heat if needed. Any further issues to be reported to Cllr Jolley, contact details displayed on boiler.

ii)CCTV Cllr Jolley to look into other quotes for this, Clerk to contact Insurers to discuss any price reduction if installed, Cllrs to consider at a future meeting.

iii)Other Missing ceiling tiles reported to VHMC to fix. PC to look into portable disabled ramp.

b)Play area annual/ maintenance, Cllr Oldfield All in order, repairs / painting of equipment to be undertaken when weather improves.

c) Playground Committee Update, Cllr Smith

Cllr Smith reported that there are eight women on the Playground Committee who are actively looking into equipment ideas / obtaining quotes.

d) Great Close Flooding

LCCllr Adams advised that LCC are now working together with the MOD to get this problem looked at and hopefully resolved. He will keep the PC updated with progress.

e) Thistleton Lane low bridge sign Cllr Parish had looked at the area and concluded that no additional signage would be of any real benefit, as adequate signage is in place. PC agreed, therefore matter closed.

Planning Matters 18-305

a)New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment after publication of the agenda none

b)SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

i) S19/1671, 9 Moor Lane, 2 storey side extension – permission granted by SKDC

ii) S18/342, 3-7 Harold Rd, Application to modify Section 106 planning obligation relating to planning ref. S04/1896- approved by SKDC

VE Day 2020 18-306 Dealt with under Public Forum

Correspondence 18-307 Clerk to contact SKDC to request they clear leaves in jitty (opp. Blue Cow).

Complaints received of mobile Kebab van parked up on Great Close for several hours each Friday. This has been reported to SKDC to deal.

LCC Policy Consultation Info 2021/22 on admissions arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools in Lincolnshire. Call Connect Christmas Schedule. UK Parliamentary Election notices -displayed by clerk noticeboards/ PC website. EA Flood Warning Service info.

Date of next meeting 18-308 Tues 7th Jan 2020 at 7.30pm Meeting closed at 8.45pm