July 2022 Minutes
Scothern Parish Council
A meeting of Scothern Parish Council (SPC) took place on Wednesday 13 July 2022 at 19:30 in the Methodist Church, Main Street, Scothern.
Present: Cllrs Mrs C J Nicoll (CJN) (Chair), J Johnson (JJ), R Creaser (RC), B Patchett (BP), N Reyner (NR)
In attendance: 2 members of the public.
108.22 Housekeeping – given by Chair.
109.22 External Reports
a) Police Update – Noted ongoing monitoring by Police/PCSO of parking adjacent to St Luke’s Nursing Home and 16 Church Street.
b) District Councillor Report – Apologies received (attending WLDC Planning meeting)
c) County Councillor Report – not present
110.22 Public Session – resident raised timings of the CallConnect scheduled service. To be added to September meeting agenda.
111.22 To discuss and agree acting Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer until replacement Clerk appointed and in post. Proposed/Seconded Cllrs Johnson and Reyner respectively, all agreed Cllr Nicoll undertake duties without payment until the new Clerk in post. Support to be offered by other councillors when needed.
112.22 Apologies for Absence – apologies received from Cllrs Fotheringham and Canton. Resolved reasons for inability to attend be accepted.
113.22 Declarations of Interest (Pecuniary or Non-Pecuniary) – None.
114.22 Notes of the Council Meeting held on 8 June 2022 – to receive, approve and sign as minutes. Resolved notes of the meeting held on 8 June 2022 be signed as accurate minutes by Chair.
115.22 Update Reports:
a) To receive an update regarding the Community Speed Initiative – Noted information downloaded from speed indicator device[s] (SID) showing numbers of vehicles on Dunholme Road similar to last month 1245 per day incoming 1485 outgoing. Main Street increase of 35%, likely to be result of Sudbrooke Road closure; 827 incoming 870 outgoing.
DC arranging with PCSO for training volunteers for the speed watch group.
Action: Cllr Canton.
b) To receive an update on the maintenance and possible relocation of the war memorial.
Meeting attended by representatives of WLDC, Parochial Church Council (PCC), contractor and Cllr Fotheringham (SPC) took place on 4 July 2022. Agreed in the interests of stability and safety that the war memorial is sited closer to the church.
Resolved that the Parish Council takes ownership of the war memorial.
Actions: Quotations to be submitted by the contractor.
PCC to obtain Faculty for this work.
Grant White, WLDC to investigate funding for the works via WLDC/grant aid.
SPC to conduct survey of village residents in relation to this proposed move.
c) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the best garden competition
Noted second round judging has taken place. Final judging will take place prior to village Flower and Produce Show on 3 September 2022 when winners will be announced and awards made. Resolved shortfall in donations of prize(s) be “topped up” by Parish Council.
d) To receive request from Scothern Recreation Centre to reposition the village Christmas Tree and to take any necessary action
Following discussion, resolved that the village Christmas tree should remain in situ adjacent to the school. Decision taken in view of the cost implications of providing stable base, electricity supply and survey when tree initially provided. Clerk to advise SRC.
Action: Acting Clerk.
e) To receive feedback from the LALC Networking Day – 6 July 2022.
JJ gave details of presentations. Attended workshops in relation to code of conduct and risk register.
116.22 Council Functions:
a) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Review – nothing to report.
b) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the Neighbourhood Plan review - noted next meeting 20 July 2022 when arrangements for public consultation will be discussed and arranged. Two public consultation events to be held on 19 and 22 October.
c) To receive a proposal to adopt the policies and procedures, following review
Resolved draft Standing Orders and Financial Regulations circulated to councillors prior to meeting be adopted and published on SPC website.
Action: Acting Clerk, Cllr Johnson
d) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the management of the Parish Council website and Facebook
Noted LALC webmaster has reviewed and updated SPC of website; 6 hours currently used of the commissioned 10 hours. To be updated more regularly; speed watch information and topical subjects to be included. JJ to lead until new Clerk in post when review of arrangements to take place.
JJ to lead on the management of SPC FaceBook.
Action: Cllr Johnson
e) Lincolnshire County Council – Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan - circulated to councillor prior to meeting; agreed no action.
f) To discuss and agree annual inspection of the play equipment located at Scothern Recreation Centre.
Noted quotation received from RoSPA for annual inspection of the play equipment located at Scothern Recreation Centre. Resolved quotation of £98 (nett) plus any additional charges for additional equipment be accepted by Acting Clerk.
Action: Acting Clerk.
117.22 Financial matters
a) Current financial statement – Agreed financial statement be accepted by all. Noted ongoing updating.
b) To note progress of external audit for year ending 31 March 2022 – nothing to report.
c) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding funding for the Neighbourhood Plan (NP) Review – further enquiries to be pursued with the NP specialist.
d) Invoices for payment to be agreed - Resolved payment of invoices as listed
Payee Detail Exc VAT VAT Inc Vat
Laura Richardson Final Clerk salary and expenses (Salary £396.75+Tax refund £8.60+Use of home as office £22.58+Broadband £6.32) 434.25 434.25
Cathryn Nicoll Chairman expenses – flowers (thanks) for Laura Richardson 25.00 5.00 30.00
Glendale Countryside 3 invoices – grass cutting/ground works through village (May) 1397.85 279.56 1677.41
Bridget Solly Completion of Internal Audit – year ending 31 March 2022 40.00 40.00
LALC Website Maintenance 150.00 30.00 180.00
Welton Parish Council Play equipment check 27 May 2022 20.00 20.00
Multidata Broadband Village Hall – invoice 37718 1 July 2022 37.16 7.43 44.59
Rudies Roots Village Planters – summer planting 562.20 112.45 674.65
Scothern Methodist Church–April-July 2022 Meeting Room hire – Council meetings and business 144.00 144.00
Meeting Room hire – Neighbourhood Plan Review meetings 72.00 72.00
LALC Delegate – LALC networking day 6 July 2022 25.00 5.00 30.00
Scothern PC To approve transfer of funds to Play Equipment Account 3000.00 3000.00
TDP Ltd Replacement seats (Dunholme Road/Heath Lea) 807.41 161.48 968.89
Bluebell Arboretum Golden Elm – Grange Park (Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee) 36.66 7.33 43.99
HMRC Income Tax Liability – Laura Richardson 18.00 18.00
Glendale Countryside 2 invoices – grass cutting/ground works through village (June) 622.67 124.54 747.22
e) To discuss and agree to make routine and/or known payments to suppliers during summer recess. Resolved known and expected payments to be made during summer recess and ratified at September meeting.
118.22 Village maintenance:
To discuss and take any necessary action regarding village maintenance (RC)
a) To receive and consider revised quotation(s) to wash, undercoat and gloss the fencing and metal railing along the length of the beck from 2 Dunholme Road to Northing Lane and to replace rotten railings to fence posts adjacent Bottle and Glass (not including fencing adjacent to Churchyard).
Noted revised quotation received from Hammer and Nails to include replacement of rotten fence posts adjacent to Bottle and Glass - £1370. (nb £835 approved June meeting). Resolved revised quotation be accepted, Hammer and Nails to be advised.
Action: Acting Clerk.
b) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the purchase of new village benches – noted two benches ordered at a cost of £968.89 inc VAT.
c) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the purchase of a new notice board for the Dunholme Road bus shelter – noted size of notice board/style to be investigated.
Action: Acting Clerk / Cllr Creaser.
d) Quotations to be obtained for treatment to benches located at Sudbrooke Road (adjacent Cemetery), end Craypool Lane (adjacent post box), Main Street (adjacent Meadow Close), Grange Park repair five bar gate.
Action : Acting Clerk.
119.22 Highways:
a) Update report –
Noted update in relation to drainage works on Sudbrooke Road received from LCC on 22 June 2022. Published on FaceBook. Works on target. Request to be made to LCC for more regular updates.
Action: Acting Clerk
b) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding an overgrown hedge on Lime Tree Paddock – agreed LCC be asked to advise when these works will be completed.
Action: Acting Clerk
c) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding maintenance required to the cycle path on the east side of Sudbrooke Road – request to LCC to update when works to be carried out
Action: Acting Clerk
d) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the resurfacing of the footpath on the west side of Sudbrooke Road – LCC to update when works to be carried out
Action: Acting Clerk
e) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the resurfacing of Dunholme Road and Main Street.
Noted Lincs CC advised that resurfacing works Dunholme Road/Main Street will be carried out 24 August 2022 – 1 September 2022 during hours of 20:00-06:00 (overnight) when full road closure will be in place. Notification came through “letter box drop” to affected residents, SPC to request LCC formal notification.
Action: Acting Clerk
f) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding flooding on Main Street, adjacent to number 23 - Agreed confirmation be sought from LCC that works to rectify flooding on Main Street will be completed prior to resurfacing work.
Action: Acting Clerk
g) To discuss and take any necessary action regarding the potholes on Main Steet towards Langworth Road - works now carried out.
h) To receive an update on the request from a resident for support to get an “Unsuitable for HGV” sign at both ends of Craypool Lane - LCC to update when works are to be carried out.
Action: Acting Clerk
i) To discuss quotations received from Glendale for cutting various hedges to village footpaths and fieldpaths.
- Cut back overhanging hedges to cycle path/footpath eastern side Sudbrooke Road* - £280
- Cut back hedge on footpath western side Sudbrooke Road * - £180
* 50% of costs to be met by Sudbrooke Parish Council
- Trim back hedge to snicket Sudbrooke Road to The Alders - £95
- Trim back hedge to both sides of footpath from above snicket to Grange Park - £80
- Cut back hedge on south side of footpath from Nettleham Road to Grange Park - £140 **
** clarification to be sought what work is involved – hedge needs reducing in height.
All prices exclude VAT.
Resolved above quotations be accepted however other options be investigated for this work in the future, eg owners to cut back hedges.
Action: Acting Clerk
j) Following request from resident LCC to be asked to renew the 30mph speed signs on Heath Road and reposition the signs past the new houses erected on Heath Road.
Action: Acting Clerk.
120.22 Planning matters:
a) 142777 – Land adj. The Croft, 22 Dunholme Road – Planning Appeal to convert and extend garage to form 1no. dwelling – decision awaited from Planning Inspectorate
b) 144608 - The Bramblings, 10 Church Street - Planning application for proposed side and in-roof first floor extension – Determined – approval granted
c) 144716 – The Bottle and Glass, 14 Main Street – Planning application to form external covered seating area to current garden lawn – Refused
d) 144825 – Croft House, 26 Craypool Lane – Planning application for the creation of front porch – Determined – approval granted
e) 144969 – Pyewipe Farm, Northing Lane – planning application for proposed extensions and alterations consisting of replacement conservatory with single storey lounge extension, new link block and conversion of existing garage, new portico porch, first floor bedroom extensions and detached garage block
Noted Planning Protocol invoked as comments required to be submitted to WLDC prior to SPC meeting. All councillors contacted electronically for views. Agreed WLDC be advised that SPC support application.
121.22 Field paths
To discuss any maintenance due to the village fieldpaths (BP)
Noted FP from Orchard Close (FPs 156/157) overgrown – landowner to be approached to restore access.
Action: Cllr Patchett
122.22 Reports – to receive update reports:
a) Grange Park (CN)
i. To receive an update regarding work to the damaged fence Grange Park - Barbers Farm – nothing to report
ii. To receive an update from the working group
- Meeting held 4 July 2022
- Minor tree works carried out
b) Scothern Recreation Centre and Spirit of Scothern – receive update report
- Noted replacement refrigerator purchased.
123.22 Correspondence – for information only
a) Thanks received from Spirit of Scothern for donation to Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee event
b) LALC News – 22 June 2022
c) Groundwork – confirmation of end of initial grant for Neighbourhood Plan Review.
d) NALC Events
e) Rural Services Network Newsletter
124.22 Next meeting – Wednesday 14 September 2022 at 7.30pm at The Methodist Church, Main Street, Scothern
125.22 To resolve to move into closed session to discuss staff matter.
126.22 To appraise councillors of the appointment of replacement Clerk, discuss and agree arrangements.
- Noted new Clerk appointed and will start employment with SPC on 5 September 2022, however 9 hours will be worked during August as familiarisation.
- Details of salary etc appraised to councillors.
- SPC mobile telephone to be provided – Cllrs Fotheringham and Johnson to investigate.
- Laptop has been returned but needs some updating – Cllr Nicoll to progress, some costs will be incurred.
Meeting closed 21:58