2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

January 11 Parish Council Notes

Notes of Langtoft Parish Council Meeting held on 11 January 2022 at 19:00 via Zoom link.

 

Present: To: Cllrs. Andy Halfhide (Chair), Cllr. Andy Hallam (Vice Chair), Yvonne McCulloch, Steve Valentine, Debbie Hallam and Liz Jarman.

In Attendance:  Cllrs. Phil Dilks, Cllr. Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, Pete Coles – Penfield Rep, Sarah Gresty-Parish Clerk and 0 members of the public.

 

Due to the outbreak and increasing risk from the Omicron virus this scheduled Parish Council meeting was held by a zoom link, after considering safety issues of fellow Councillors and members of the public.  Some Councillors were unable to attend due to isolating and therefore the meeting would not have been quorate.  No resolutions took place at this meeting. 

 

Open Forum – No members of the public were in attendance.

 

Agenda

21/22-176  Chairman’s welcome and remarks.  Cllr. Halfhide opened the meeting.

21/22-177  Apologies: were received from Cllrs. Brian Branch and Lewis Trickey

21/22-178  Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests: There were none.

21/22-179  Minutes: To approve the minutes of :  a)22 November 2021 Parish Council meeting item c/f to next meeting.

21/22-180  Reports

A member of the public had submitted an email regarding a large Tree Preservation Order (TPO) sycamore tree in front of his house.  The tree is on the verge and belongs to South Kesteven District Council (SKDC).  The resident has had correspondence with SKDC Tree Officer.  He had applied for planning permission to have the tree felled, which was approved but then retracted by SKDC Planning.  The last correspondence received on 9th November from Director of Planning said that he could have the tree felled.  This has caused some confusion as to what the actual decision for the tree is.    Cllr. Trollope-Bellew would investigate and let the resident know the final outcome.

a) County Councillors Phil Dilks

i) Cllr. Halfhide questioned road works for the new fuel station at the roundabout on the A15 which will be in place for 10 weeks.  The village had already started to see traffic diverting and speeding through via Stowe Road.   Requested additional 30mph signage and increased visits of the mobile speed camera.   

Cllr. Dilks will take this up with the new Highways Officer.  5-way traffic lights in place do not seem to be good enough. 

ii) Covid Situation.  The pandemic is far from over, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) are getting regular updates, the Army are supporting ambulance crews.  Still urge vigilance by everyone.

iii) Cllr. Dilks is supporting the campaign to lobby for additional money from Government and fairer funding following the £12million withdrawn from Highways budgets last year, funded from LCC reserves.  100,000 pot holes reported in county this year.  

iv) LCC looking at budgets on a 1 year settlement, indications  are a 3% increase in council charges giving £3m for social care.   However, with inflation at 5% this would still result in cuts.

v) Police and Crime panel.   Lincs police’s current campaign is reducing hare coursing with a county wide dispersal order affective this week, anyone they catch will have their vehicles and dogs impounded.

vi) A15 Speed camera.  These have old technology. Waiting for a digital upgrade.  Hopefully in the coming financial year.

vii) Weight restrictions.  Cllr. Dilks has spoken at length with the Highways Engineer.  However, there is a huge back log of approximately 2-3 years for prioritising schemes.  Cllr. Dilks and LPC to speak again with Richard Davis, Portfolio Holder for LCC Highways, as this was broached with him 2 years ago.

 

viii) Footpath leading to Penfield.   When Hanson’s restored the land, the original planning for the gravel extraction was once the land was returned to nature, a footpath would be installed from the village to Penfield.   Hanson’s installed a path which ran over a small strip of LCC’s land.  LCC had to get permission from their tenant farmer for this.    When planning was signed off LCC approached LPC asking if they wanted to take ownership of the path and maintain it.  As LPC did not own any other paths in the village the answer was no.  LCC then said, the path would just sit there and not be maintained by them.  It was agreed that Cllr. Dilks would meet Cllr. Hallam on Friday of this week to have a look at various items in the village and to take this matter up as part of the original planning consent.

x) Drop curb at Penfield.  Cllr. Dilks confirmed that planning permission was required because this was a classified C road.   Cllrs. Dilks to inspect on his on site visit.

xi) Gritting problem for a resident winter 2021.  Clerk to ask if resident is still having any problems and report back.  Cllr. Dilks has spoken with contractors and made them aware of the problem and asked for the Parish Council to monitor for this winter.

xii) Highway safety issues.   Footpath extension on west side to the proposed new filling station.   Cllr. Dilks will speak with Dan Goodman, LCC Highways Engineer for the area regarding this issue.

xiii) Permissive Path.  Cllr. Dilks/Hallam to view this on site meeting and follow up.

 

Cllr. Rosemary Trollope-Bellew Report:

  1. Walk-in jab centres held at Stamford Arts Centre on 30th December, 7th January and again Friday 14th January 2022.  Friday is between 10am-7pm and will include boosters, 1st & 2nd doses for anyone eligible including 12-15 year olds. 
  1. Councillors at SKDC were given the opportunity to have a presentation on the proposed Mallard Pass Solar Farm which falls partly in south of the county and Rutland.  I also attended the Mallard Pass Action Group meeting held at Greatford Village Hall with my fellow district councillor Kelham Cooke.  This is an important application which will be dealt with at Government level but will take into account local residents opinions.  
  1. In response to a request from a member of the parish council regarding placing a defibrillator on a street lamp post belonging to SKDC, if I could have the pole number I can progress with the request. 
  1. The Christmas Markets run by SKDC proved very successful despite the weather not being its best, the Culture & Visitor Economy committee will be looking at the merits of a council run Deepings Market which could be an addition to the Wednesday market financially it adds up. 
  1. We are talking with the Showmans Guild, all being well the mid-lent fairs will be taking place at both Stamford & Grantham. 
  1. Before Christmas we unanimously voted to refurbish the existing leisure centre at Deeping.  It was agreed to hold a consultation with residents who live in the south of the county, this is to be undertaken by an independent company.  The engagement process will include communications with local councillors, groups who use the centre and many others.  
  1. A scheme to support hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses, who have been affected by the rise of the Omicron variant has been made available. This is a one-off grant funding scheme made available in Financial Year 2021-2022 and can only be used in Financial Year 21/22.  InvestSK will receive funding to be allocated in one-off grants to businesses with grants of up to £6,000 will be paid. The scheme will close for applications on 28 February 2022 and all final payments must be made and dispersed to recipients by 31 March 2022.   More information is available on InvestSK website. Finally, I would like to wish to all a Happy New Year. 

 

b)Police – police report sent by PCSO Rowena Everitt.   Forthcoming Engagements: PCSO Everitt will be attending St Michael’s Church on Saturday 15th January from 10.30-11.30 and will be available to answer any questions you have. If there are any events coming up that you would like us to attend then please get in touch. PCSO Everitt continues to carry out a mixture of vehicle, cycle and foot patrols of the area and is happy to stop and answer any questions people may have.  Local Priority: Every three months, we listen to your concerns and look at recent crime statistics to shape the things we will concentrate on.  Our current priority is: Purse thefts in Stamford  If you have any issues you feel should be considered for the next quarter please get in touch and give us some brief details. 

What’s been Happening: a) ASB The number of ASB incidents reported is as expected for the time of year. The two main areas where ASB has been reported are around the Persimmon Estate behind Tesco and Deeping Sports and Social Club. The PCSOs for Stamford and Bourne have been assisting with patrols to deal with the behaviour displayed and enquiries are currently ongoing to identify those involved in ASB and criminal damage at the sports and social club.

b) Burglary There have been a number of reports of burglary throughout the sector during December. This has included a mixture of both residential and business premises being entered. Some of these have been filed due to no evidence available, but there are a number of these crimes still being investigated. Officers have been liaising with Cambridgeshire Police to try to identify and potential suspects.

c) Hare coursing There has been an increase in reports of hare coursing across the county, including within the Stamford sector. Wildlife officers continue to work with local officers to deter this activity from taking place. A number of suspects have been directed to leave the county in line with dispersal orders.

 

21/22-181 Financial matters presented by the Clerk as follows:               

  1. Financial Report for the period 01 April 2021 to 31 December 2021

Note Payments as follows:

21/22-182 Deeping Direct inv. 21827 £144.00

21/22-183 Finding Fitness invoice to 20/10/21 £1800.00

21/22-184 Graytones grapevine edition inv. 32586 £495.00

21/22-185 St Michael Church Christmas Tree sponsor £10.00

21/22-186 A Harrison Penfield expenses £46.31

21/22-187 Graytones inv. 32638 Christmas cards £54.00

21/22-188 Creative Designs cemetery path £2398.00

21/22-189 A Harrison Penfield expenses gates £558.05

21/22-190 HMRC Qtr. 3 tax and NIC £413.80

21/22-191 S Gresty clerk December salary

21/22-192 N Bright gardener December salary

21/22-193 S Gresty clerk January salary

21/22-194 N Bright gardener January salary

21/22-195 A Harrison – Penfield expenses Screwfix £19.99

21/22-196 LALC planning training inv 11963 £40.50

21/22-197 P Coles Penfield expenses £12.96

21/22-198 Deeping Direct inv. 22724 £144.00

21/22-199 Play Inspection – ROSPA repot EEP £90.00

21/22-200 Branch Bros.  fencing and gate materials £347.30

21/22-201 Unity Bank charges £18.00

 

To note Income received:

21/22-202 S Boardman £10.00

21/22-203 SKDC Cleaning grant £463.32

21/22-204 Cemetery interment £180.00

All financial items above were noted.

21/22-205 Budget for 2022/23 and precept calculation.    There were no changes to the budget previously The Parish Council do not intend to increase the precept for 2022/2023 and the Monitoring Officer of South Kesteven District Council will be informed of this.  The clerk will issue a precept request of £24,500.

 

21/22-206 Working Group Reports

  1. Penfield
  1. Pete Coles gave an update:  ‘The bird box building day’ has been postponed until February.

Currently working on lakeside path on northern lake, hopes to open this soon, once the No Dog signs are installed and works complete.  Volunteer have done a good job.  Sadly, a Badger had been recently killed on the road.  Penfield has received some positive comments on Facebook (LIL) with some nice photos.

Specifications and ideas for the viewing platform, incorporating the needs of disabled access, are being worked on.  Once finalised the committee will bring proposals to LPC.

EEP pond.   Pete is making contact with University College London who have been doing restoration of ponds surveys throughout England, to see if they would be interested in surveying EEP pond.  Will update when more information is known.

  1. Retrospective planning permission required for the container –   Cllr. Dilks to chase this issue as LPC believe this retrospective planning was issued in error.

 

  1. Cemetery
  1. Update by Clerk.  A burial took place on 30 December and one grave has been reserved and paid for.  Still chasing one payment where the cheque was wrongly sent to the Church, who have agreed to forward this on.  There are 4 remaining burial plots in Section D.   Work will need to start this year to open and mark the remaining quarter.  Cllr. Halfhide will contact a Surveyor to get the area mapped.
  2. c/f item 21/22-86e Trees in the Cemetery   This has been removed.

 

  1. Amenities – All items noted
  1. Permission footbridge and path
  2. Langtoft Festival donation for basket ball hoop £150 and bike rack £120
  3. Village Gate update
  4. To Note East End Park annual ROSPA report
  5. Play area inspection Training
  6. Maintenance Issues
  1. Finance & General Purpose
  2. Events:  
    1. The Queens Platinum Jubilee 2nd June 2022.   Cllr. Jarman to confirm funding position and start ideas process for next meeting.
  3. Grapevine. Next Issue deadline date 8 February 2022 for copy.

g)    Planning Issues:

i) S21/2452 Deer Park Road, reduce 2 ash trees by 3-5m and balance, reduce 1 sycamore tree and balance, deadwood 5 x ash and 1 sycamore tree.

ii) S21/2501 new Replacement windows and repair works to existing windows, Waggon and Horses, Peterborough Road, Langtoft PE6 9LW listed building consent.

                             

21/22-207 Defibrillators update – Cllr. Andy Halfhide

  1. Training   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkcD3Mv9oAU&t 
  2. Volunteers to check units weekly.  Cllr. Jarman volunteered to weekly check and record all units.

21/22-208 Recruitment and councillor surgeries

21/22-209 To note Correspondence were noted from the agenda.           

21/22-210 To receive Items for Future Meetings

  1. Amendments to Standing orders following audit

 

Date of future meetings:  2022: 8 March 2022, Saturday, 23 April 2022 (Annual Parish/meet councillors TBC), 18 May.

 

 

 

Meeting closed at 22:01