February 2019 Minutes
Langtoft Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 19 February 2019
at Langtoft Village Hall
Present: Cllrs Andy Halfhide (Chairman), Brian Branch, Angela Brogan, Brian Brown, Roy Jackson, Yvonne McCulloch, Mike Thompson and Lewis Trickey.
In Attendance: Julian Tatam (Clerk), County Councillor Richard Davies, District Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew and five members of the public.
81 /18-19 Open Forum
The meeting began with the open forum at 7.00pm
Questions were asked about:
Litter Pick - could one be held before grass and hedges start growing? One is being planned and dates will be circulated.
Penfield Nature Reserve – what progress? There are still some legal issues with the contract and these are being resolved. We have been advised by the landlord of adjacent field that they expect us to take action against rabbit damage. Peter Coles, the chairman of the advisory group outlined considerations on recommending that dogs are allowed on leads, recognising that many users of the park would be dog owners and despite the known damage to wildlife. Propose to zone the park to restrict dog walking to certain areas.
Gritting – why is east End gritted by LCC and not West End? This is a historic arrangement dating from when there were high numbers of gravel lorries using the route. C.Cllr Richard Davies, Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT discussed the topic and how it impacts upon the village. About 22% of the County’s highways are gritted, primarily A and B roads and there is currently no capacity to take on more routes, for example Stowe Road or King Street. Changes to gritting materials and upgrading of vehicles later in 2019 may provide some increase in capacity so that treating West End and Stowe Road could be considered at this time.
The Open Forum closed at 7.37 pm.
82/18-19 Chairman’s welcome and remarks
The Chairman welcomed the County and District Councillors.
83/18-19 Apologies for absence
Colin Larkman – wife unwell; Andrew and Debbie Hallam – a prior engagement
84/18-19 Declarations of Interest
The Chairman is a resident of Westfield Way; the planning application at 10 Westfield Way may be discussed.
85/18-19 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting
The approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2019 was proposed by Cllr Jackson, seconded by Cllr Trickey and agreed unanimously
86/18-19 Report from County and District Councillors and Police
D.Cllr Trollope - Bellew stated that the application for an extension at 10 Westfield Way is to go the planning committee in March, though possibly as a smaller revised scheme.
C.Cllr Dobson submitted a written report, the highlights were read out by the Clerk.
C.Cllr Richard Davies addressed the meeting on highways issues. He hopes that some additional funding will be available to increase verges cuts to three a year.
They will improve the signage at the Outgang Road junction with Cross Road, following a recent request from the Parish Council.
Improving the junction of the A15 and King Street at Waterside is a priority.
An ‘Archer’ survey will take place at the A15 crossroads to look at the claimed need for traffic lights. Funding of any lights, a cost of at least £250k will be an issue with the need for a local contribution.
There was also a discussion about the design of the access to the proposed filling station at the A15 A1175 roundabout. Highways has limited powers to oppose developments and this can be expensive if it is later agreed at Appeal.
A report from PCSO M Laughton was ‘meet the read out. Someone has been apprehended for the recent thefts from vehicles.
87/18-19 Clerks Report
The report was presented – no questions
88/18-19 Working groups
Finance and General Purposes:
A motion that we accept the quotation from BDG Mowing for the 2019 season was proposed by Cllr Jackson, seconded by Cllr Trickey and agreed unanimously. It will be a 40% cost saving
Events & Cemetery:
The issue of tree pruning in East End Park was discussed. A motion to accept the quotation to prune five trees by 40% at £670 and remove the uprooted Ash at £220 was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed unanimously.
An inspection of East End Park has raised a number of issues with some of the play equipment. Cllr Jackson agreed to arrange for a quotation to undertake repairs and obtain some spare parts. The Council will arrange a working party to clean the equipment and safety surfaces, to include the play park at Black Bull Green.
A litter pick will be organised in the next few weeks; Cllr Jackson will propose some dates by email.
Some time a go a donation was received to install a duck house on the pond at East End Park. Given that the pond has been lost it was suggested that the duck house now be installed at Penfield. Clerk to investigate the records.
Amenities:
There is a need to obtain a cheaper and more flexible supplier for 2019 20 and one which is easier to manage. Only 3 gritting visits to date with 17 declined.
Penfield Nature Reserve (Pocket Park):
There was a discussion about the previous presentation on allowing dogs on lead in Penfield.
A motion that dogs are allowed on leads in designated areas (areas yet to be defined) was proposed by Cllr Trickey, seconded by Cllr McCulloch but failed: 3 for, 4 against, 1 abstention
Under Council rules, the decision cannot be reconsidered for 6 months.
Grapevine:
The group has had its first meeting. It is aiming to reduce or preferably eliminate the cost to the Council; the excess of printing costs over advertising income being £1414, £1402 and £1777 for the years 16/17, 17/18 and 18/19 respectively.
Producing a publication in colour is being explored as, while this might be slightly more expensive, advertisements would be more attractive and would justify a higher charge.
89/18-19 Finance
Year to date accounts. The accounts to 12 February had been circulated to all councillors, including all transactions to date. The balances at that date totalled £21,954cr.
Trailer for the gardener. The Clerk proposed that a trailer be purchased for the gardener to avoid the need to carry the mower and other equipment and material in his vehicle. This will require the fitting of a towbar.
After some discussion a motion that up to £250 (+VAT) and up to £500 (+VAT) be spent on a towbar and trailer respectively was proposed by Cllr Trickey, seconded by Cllr Brown and passed on a majority. The Clerk will consider any ‘benefit in kind’ implications.
Donation for zipwire. Council records indicate that up to £500 was agreed as a contribution to the Zipwire subject to certain conditions. The Clerk was asked to undertake a more detailed investigation of whether the conditions were met and report back.
90/18-19 Other Matters
Emergency Planning – Resilient Communities
Cllr Brogan had provided some documents on this programme. It was decided that we invite someone from Resilient Lincs to address a future meeting of the Council.
Storage
There was a brief discussion on some quotations for renting or purchasing a small secure shipping container. We are not in a position to take delivery until we obtain possession of Penfield so any decision was deferred.
External Communication
The setting up of a Council Facebook page was discussed, with the Clerk to be responsible for posting content. It will not be open to feedback or commentary (any comments should be raised in the public forum at a Council meeting). A motion to set up a site was proposed by Cllr Brogan, seconded by Cllr Branch and agreed on a majority.
91/18-19 Date of next meeting
Next Full Council meeting: Tuesday 26 March 2019 at Langtoft Village Hall at 7.00pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.29 pm.