2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of Scothern Parish Council Wednesday 10th May 2023 at the Methodist Church, Main Street, Scothern at 7:30pm

Present:    Cllrs Mrs C J Nicoll (CJN) (Note taker) J. Johnson (JJ), R. Creaser (RC), N.Reyner (NR), Derek Canton (DC)

In attendance: County Cllr. S. Rawlins and eleven members of the public

Election of chair and signing of declaration

Cllr C J Nicoll - proposed DC, seconded RC all agreed. Acceptance of Office signed.
 
Election of vice-chair and signing of declaration 

Cllr J Johnson - proposed CJN, seconded NR all agreed. Acceptance of Office signed.

Elected Councillors to sign Acceptance of Office Declarations and other applicable forms

All councillors present signed relevant forms. Declaration of Acceptance of Office received from Cllr Atkins.  Cllr Patchett to sign Declaration of Acceptance of Office as soon as possible. 

To assign and / or confirm Councillor responsibilities / portfolios 

To confirm permissions to publish contact details on the noticeboard, website and social media 
All present agreed to publish addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses.

External Reports

a)    District Councillor – not present.

b)    County Councillor Report – Cllr. R. Rawlins

Additional bus service operated by PC Coaches, effective 29 May 2023 to be introduced to supplement CallConnect giving total on a daily basis (Monday-Friday) of three buses into Lincoln and four returning. Timetables to be published.  Department of Transport confirmation now given.
Survey commissioned by Parish Council will be useful in determining any future services.

Public Session 

The following issues were raised 
    public transport and the anticipated new bus service
    planning applications 
    Land to the rear of, 16, Church Street, Scothern, Lincoln
    Land Adjacent to, Stonefield House, 10 Main Street, Scothern, Lincolnshire, LN2 2UF

Comments made were noted to be included comments to West Lindsey District Council.

Order called 20:10

To receive apologies and consider reasons for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Patchett and Atkins, all agreed the reasons for absence accepted as valid. JJ/NR All agreed.

To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation 
None declared.

Notes of Council Meetings held 12 April 2023 – to receive, approve and sign as minutes. 

Agreed to be signed. Proposed RC, seconded CJN.

Update Reports

a)    To receive any updates regarding the Community Speed Initiative - SID (DC/RC)

i)    To receive downloaded data – noted Signs 1 and 2 similar to previous months, however sign 1 showed one incidence at 13:47 on 3 May 2023 of 116 mph        

ii)    To note progress with Sign 3 (Main Street) data downloading – no records available not in situ. Technician Review now carried out and fault hopefully corrected.  

Speed Watch campaign to encourage more volunteers to be implemented via Facebook, Website and Parish Magazine.
Action: JJ

iii)    To discuss any further action regarding the iGas grant award and consider any actions Draw down funds – Agreed Clerk contact iGas to draw down grant.
Action: Clerk

b)    To receive an update on the maintenance and relocation of the war memorial – noted grant application via WLDC being progressed.  Resolved CJN continue to pursue until completion of project.
Action: CJN

c)    To hear updates about transfer to ‘gov.uk’ email addresses – noted all work now completed and transfer of email addresses can be effected wef 15 May 2023.
Costs noted and agreed:
Domain (two yearly fee) £120, Subscription for Microsoft 365 £14.95 per month, Subscription for Exchange Server £5 per email address (7) per month. Any support needed to be charged at £25 per hour. All costs inclusive of Value Added Tax. Monthly invoices to be provided by Springbok Computers (Administrator to SPC)

d)    To receive an update on Central Lincolnshire Local Plan – noted now adopted. 

e)    To hear updates and discuss play equipment repairs/replacements arising from Playdayz report/quotation and discussions with Recreation Centre. Agreed Cllr Atkins supported by the Clerk be asked to pursue any repairs, replacement equipment and seek grant aid.
Action: JA/Clerk

f)    To receive report and discuss any Police matters – noted report received from Community Inspector Mike Head advising one road traffic collision and no crime in Scothern. One speeding tractor reported by local driver reported to Insp Head.

g)    To hear updates about the draft Neighbourhood Plan review – nothing to report currently with WLDC.

h)    To review, discuss and take any necessary action in relation to bus services through village.
Noted CallConnect service to be supplemented by additional service provided by PC Coaches from 29 May 2023 giving total of three buses into Lincoln and four buses returning Monday to Friday. SR/CJN to meet with Senior Public Transport Officer, Lincolnshire County Council.

To discuss community events and/or arrangements for the Coronation of King Charles III and hear any updates
Noted excellent decorations around the village – competition won by Rod Wilson, Craypool Lane.
Resolved small balance of funds (c£35) from District Councillor Initiative Fund to be passed to
Recreation Centre.

Council Functions

a)    To discuss recent Council Elections (Parish and District) – noted seven councillors elected/re-elected to Parish Council.  Baptiste Velan (Liberal Democrat) elected to 
District Council Ward.

b)    To hear any updates about arranging a CPR Refresher course – nothing to report.
Action: Clerk

To hear an update about the Great British Spring Clean 2023   
Plan to run on quarterly ongoing basis led by JJ/RC/NR/BP. Remove from agenda.

To hear updates about the Best Garden Competition 2023 and agree arrangements 
Agreed JJ to lead and progress.
Action: JJ

Financial Matters
a)    Current Financial Statement. The current financial statement was accepted, and the bank statements initialled as correct. Proposed RC, seconded NR, all agreed.

b)    List of payments to be agreed 

       
Resolved payments be made.

c)    Community Grant Applications – Recreation Centre – Noted grant request received for £1112.72 for replacement tables. Proposed NR, seconded DC approved, all approved. Resolved grant be met from the Community Support Fund.

Village maintenance

a)    To discuss and take any necessary action regarding village maintenance (RC) 

b)    Parish Noticeboard on Main Street – nothing to report.

c)    To hear any updates about the Inspection of Assets – agreed remove from agenda RC will bring items to meeting as necessary following inspections.

Highways 

a)    Update report 

b)    To hear any updates regarding a request to check offlets and gulleys on Main Street and Dunholme Road, to jet drains adjacent to 23 Main Street following resurfacing works on these streets – nothing to report.

c)    To receive updates from LCC and consider any actions with regard to flooding issues on Craypool Lane – nothing to report.

d)    To receive any updates about the overgrown hedge on Lime Tree Paddock – waiting for confirmation that works are as agreed with LCC.

e)    To receive any updates on the cycle path (eastern side) and the footpath (western side) on Sudbrooke Road – noted some resources may be available countywide at some point in the future.

f)    To receive any updates regarding the extension of the speed limit on Heath Road – SR has requested extension be revisited.

g)    To research ownership of grass verge at end of Elmdene adjacent to St. Luke’s – Deferred to next meeting. Action: Clerk

Planning matters 

a)    144213 – Land to rear of Weir Farm Paddock Scothern – APPEAL WITHDRAWN 

Outline planning application to erect up to 36no. dwellings- access to be considered and not reserved for subsequent application Appeal Reference: APP/N2535/W22/3306219 

b)    146177 – 17 St Germain’s Way Scothern – GRANTED TIME LIMIT + CONDITIONS 13/03/23 Planning application for extension to attached garage 

c)    146342 – 9 Orchard Close Scothern LN2 2XB – GRANTED TIME LIMIT + CONDITIONS 14/04/23 application for single storey rear extensions including first floor front extension and porch extension. Not yet determined.

d)    146418 – Orchard Lodge 14 Dunholme Road Scothern LN2 2UD application for removal of existing dwelling and erection of 1no. replacement dwelling - Not yet determined.

e)    146509 - Land Adjacent to, Stonefield House, 10 Main Street, Scothern, Lincolnshire, LN2 2UF application for 1no. detached dwelling with new vehicular 

Resolved Council oppose this application on the following grounds: 
-    Historical/archaeological grounds.
-    Last open space left in the centre of the village.
-    Restricting views of Grade II* listed St Germain’s Church and Grade II listed Manor House.
-    Impact on St Germain’s Church contrary to Section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
-    Creating road traffic hazard on narrow stretch of road adjacent to bus shelter.
Action:  CJN to submit comments to WLDC

f)    146582 - Land to the rear of, 16, Church Street, Scothern, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN2 2UA Planning application for 3no. dwellings with new access driveway and associated parking and garaging, and replacement of existing garage to the rear of 16 Church Street. 

Resolved Council oppose this application on the following grounds:
-    The density/size of the properties on the proposed site.
-    The number of vehicles that would be manifested.
-    The private driveway is directly on a road junction.
-    There is inadequate parking on the site which does not comply with the Scothern Neighbourhood Development Plan.
-    The character and appearance of the surrounding buildings is not safeguarded.
-    The site is close to the Grade II* listed St Germain’s Church and the proposed residences will not be respectful of the church and will not comply with planning policy and guidance on heritage and design; contrary to Section 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
-    Brinkburn House (16 Church Street) is listed in the Scothern Neighbourhood Development Plan Character Assessment.
Action: CJN to submit comments to WLDC.

Field paths update
To discuss any maintenance due to the village field paths – nothing to report.

Reports – to receive update reports

a) Grange Park Working Group (CJN) 
i.    To receive an update regarding work to the damaged fence Grange Park/Barber’s Farm – works progressing to mark the boundary.
ii.    To receive an update from the Working Group
-    Tree to mark the Coronation of Charles III to be planted.
-    Three backless benches to be replaced.
b)    To receive any updates from meetings of Scothern Recreation Centre and Spirit of Scothern
Notes received from Chair of Scothern Recreation Centre detailing outline of refurbishment works. 

Date of next meeting – 14 June 2023