October 2019 Minutes
Langtoft Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 15th October 2019,
at Langtoft Village Hall
Present: Cllrs Andy Halfhide (Chairman), Andy Hallam (Vice Chairman), Brian Branch, Angela Brogan, Alastair Fraser, Debbie Hallam, Yvonne McCulloch, Steve Valentine.
In Attendance: Julian Tatam (Parish Clerk), County Councillor Barry Dobson, District Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew and 3 members of the public.
56 /19-20 Open Forum
Questions were asked about:
LCC Winter Gritting. LCC has agreed to grit to the village school but declined Langtoft Parish Council’s (LPC) request to extend the schedule to include West End and Stowe Road. The owners of King Street Industrial Estate had also been requesting that King Street is included; also declined.
The Clerk was asked to write again to CCllr R Davies for the decision to be reviewed and the justification for the decision be provided to LPC.
Inconsiderate Parking. Parking on paths and verges continues to be an issue impacting on access and visibility. A further comment will be added to Grapevine and SKDC will look at replacing the ‘no parking’ sign on the wall outside 21-25 West End.
Proposed gravel extraction on King Street. A public exhibition about a proposed 55ha gravel pit on the corner of King Street and Baston Road, Greatford was held on 27th September. The formal application has not yet been submitted. The Parish Council is concerned about the additional lorry traffic on this unsuitable road, and the potential adverse impact on the crossroads at Stowe. It welcomed the suggestion from DCllr Trollope-Bellew that the local villages get together in the near future to agree what conditions they would require to be included in any permission, should consent be granted.
Parking outside the Village Shop. The shop is due to re-open in November and the new shopkeeper asked for support for some parking restrictions outside the shop, for customer use. It was suggested that a 30 minute restriction would restrict those wanting to park all day while taking the bus to Peterborough. A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) should be applied for.
The open forum closed at 7.35pm
57/19-20 Chairman’s welcome and remarks
58 /19-20 Apologies for absence
Cllr Trickey; unwell
59 /19-20 Declarations of Interest
Cllrs A and D Hallam confirmed that they live close to the proposed development to the rear of 22 East End.
60 /19-20 To approve the minutes of previous meetings
The approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 27th August 2019 was proposed by Cllr A Hallam, seconded by Cllr Brogan; all in favour.
The approval of the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 23th September 2019 was proposed by Cllr Fraser, seconded by Cllr A Hallam; all in favour.
61 /19-20 Report from County and District Councillors and Police
D Cllr Trollope-Bellew: Alerted the meeting about the proposed gravel extraction and recommended that the ‘King Street Safety Group’ reconvenes to discuss it.
She is to arrange a further meeting of the stakeholders regarding the pavilion at the Manor Way playing fields.
She confirmed that D Cllr Kelham Cooke is now the Leader of SKDC with D Cllr Barry Dobson his Deputy.
C Cllr Dobson: His request for a weight limit restriction on West End and Stowe Road has been rejected.
There is no longer a minimum number of signatories for a petition so the petition for action at the A15 crossroads can be submitted via him or via Democratic Services at LCC, while informing him.
He is now executive support member for Economy and Place at LCC. CCllr R Trollope-Bellew is the Cabinet Member for Culture at LCC
PCSO R Everitt submitted a written report: There have been very few incidents reported in Langtoft over the last month with no further complaints about the youths on mopeds. There have been two reports of possible hare coursing at the start of October.
62 /19-20 Clerks Report
The Clerk’s report had already been provided to the Councillors, including a log of communications. Key points:
Further liaison with tree specialist on the claim that our trees at East End Park are causing subsidence to a neighbouring property.
Chasing Hansons and our solicitor to expedite the transfer of Penfield Nature Reserve.
Sourcing replacement parts for the swings at Black Bull Green.
Following a complaint, the Clerk wrote to a resident asking them to trim bushes that were overhanging a pavement. This is an issue of several paths around the village; an article is to be placed in the Grapevine and the Clerk was asked to write to other residents when alerted of problems.
63 /19-20 Other Matters
Gritting:
LCC have agreed to grit from the A15 to the school.
The Clerk will write to LCC to request that they continue this through to King Street industrial estate.
Quotations will be obtained from contractors to grit other parts of the village, possibly just West End and Stowe Road to reduce the cost. LCC grit East End at present.
Grants:
Cllr Brogan is exploring source of grant funding.
It was agreed that the priority projects should be clearing the pond at East End Park and obtaining ‘trim trail’ equipment for East End Park or Black Bull Green
The Chairman will approach Hansons to see if they might wish to donate to a project.
Planning Application at 22 East End:
The Parish Council’s formal objections have been lodged with SKDC. A resident of East End has been actively canvasing other residents to ask them to lodge objections.
LPC will request, in the event of the planning application being approved against our recommendation, that a Section 106 agreement be entered into to provide a minimum £250,000 contribution to improving the A15 crossroads.
Parking issues in West End:
There is concern about roads close to the village hall being clogged by the parking of cars for those joining coach trips which commence from the village hall. This is causing difficulties for residents. There is also disturbance late at night when the trips return. Cllr Branch agreed to speak to Coach of Langtoft to explore if a different departure point can be used.
Litter Pick:
A litter pick will be arranged in late winter before grass verges start growing. Date to be set at the next meeting.
East End Park:
Quotations for hardwood to repair the benches and the slide at East End Park are being obtained. Will also consider recycled plastic in view of its durability.
64/19-20 Working groups
Reports were presented for the groups; of note are:
Events:
Christmas at The Crossroads is scheduled for Thursday 5th December
A picture has been selected for the Council’s Christmas card, to be approved at the next meeting.
Amenities and Highways:
The swing repairs at East End Park have been completed. Black Bull Green yet to be completed.
Cemetery:
It is noted that the main path is becoming uneven due to tree roots. A warning sign is to be placed on the gate.
Penfield Nature Reserve:
Legal negotiations to take over the site continue and are nearing a conclusion. Hanson’s land agent has confirmed that the transaction has then to receive formal approval from the board of directors.
65 /19-20 Finance
Year to date accounts. The accounts to 10 October had been circulated to all Councillors.
The balances at that date totalled £34,565, with £20,171 of this sitting in the deposit account.
This follows the receipt of the second half of the precept
The external audit report has been received and posted on public noticeboards and the website.
The auditor did not raise any matters of concern.
66 /19-20 Date of future meetings
Next Full Council meeting: 26 November 2019 at the Langtoft Village Hall at 7.00pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.50pm.