September 10 - Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of the Langtoft Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 10 September 2024 at 19:00 in the Village Hall
Present: Cllrs. Bev Farrington (Chair), Brian Branch (Vice Chair), Yvonne McCulloch, Colin Gamble, Julian Tatam and Kevin Payne
In Attendance: SKDC District Cllrs. Vanessa Smith, County Cllr. Phil Dilks, 1 member of the public and Sarah Gresty-Parish Clerk.
Public Forum:
Compliments were given on the new look of the Grapevine magazine. It was shared on Life in Langtoft several times which drew more attention to it.
Agenda
24/25-53 Cllr. Farrington opened the meeting.
24/25-54 Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. Valentine. These apologies were unanimously accepted.
Other Apologies: Cllr. Rosemary Trollope-Bellew
24/25-55 Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests: There were none.
24/25-56 Minutes of:
a) 16 July 2024 Parish Council meeting were presented as a true and accurate record of events. Proposed acceptance Cllr. Tatam, Seconded Cllr. Gamble unanimously in favour-RESOLVED.
b) To review Action Tracker was reviewed and updated
24/25-57 Reports:
a)County and District Councillors
SKDC Councillors’ report was circulated prior to the meeting. Additional discussions:
• Applications made for fruit trees from SK Mini Orchard Grant fund and hedging from the Woodland Trust. A maintenance plan would be required. Locations yet to be confirmed.
• King Street quarry works seems to have started with the installation of a bund alongside King Street. Cllr. Smith has taken photos and will be following this up with LCC Enforcement Team.
• Outgang road activities have stopped since the involvement of SKDC Enforcement Team.
• Willow trees at The Rides. Action date to be added to Action Tracker
Cllr. Phil Dilks gave a verbal report.
Local plan Cllr. Gamble asked what would be the impact locally after the new Government taking office and its relevance with the draft review of the Local Plan that is underway at present.
Cllr. Dilks gave an overview of the position. The Government has promised a massive housing delivery in next 5 years of approx. 1.5million new homes. National Policy Planning Framework is being reviewed by Government, so changes are likely. Presently within SKDC the targets being worked on, in the local plan, are to deliver 683 houses a year until 2041, however past years have only managed to deliver 585 per year. New targets are likely to be increased to 912 houses which is a 33% increase. By December Government will set these new targets so more information will follow.
The first consultation of the Local Plan review has taken place with approx. 1500 responses which are being worked through. A report on the local plan is due over the next month.
Cllr. Dilks supports tree planting initiatives, but stressed the need for maintenance programme for 2-3 years once planting takes place. LCC are in the process of employing 2 Tree Officers in the Planning Department. One to record trees in the county the other to act under the new BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain) framework of planning applications of more than 10 houses, in which the requirement is to increase biodiversity by 10%. Towngate West, near the petrol station is the first housing development within this new BNG legislation.
Section 106 Agreements are used to plan for wider needs connected with developments such as demands of water, NHS, education etc.
It was stressed by Cllr. Farrington how overwhelmed the Doctors surgeries are and that the Section 106 money does not always alleviate this pressure.
Cllr. Dilks has recently met with the Highways Officer at Langtoft to discuss a few issues that are now being taken forward.
Devolution. Is presently on hold with the new Government only just in office.
Zombi Knives are now banned in the county and there is an amnesty for people to hand them in.
County Council are upgrading sand and gravel requirements. Cllrs. Dilks & Baxter took part in the consultation against the West Deeping quarry. The plan was to ‘de water’ the site and then pump effluent back in to the Welland river, but no evidence has been provided to support this being a viable option. Environment Agency would be the Monitoring Officers.
Action: Langtoft Parish Council to consider a letter against this to support West Deeping.
Today it has been approved to renew the Public Space Protection Orders for fines if dog fouling occurs in Market Deeping Cemetery. It is being considered in the budget to enforce this more.
Renewed for 3 years, an Order that enclosed children’s play area (such as BBG and the Pavilion Par) do not allow dogs.
Age Concern, AGM Monday 7pm in Green School in Market Deeping. All welcome. Anyone wanting to volunteer as drivers or companion please get in touch. Action: Cllr. Dilks to place an advert in the next Grapevine.
b)Police Reports are received and circulated and made available on website/noticeboard upon receipt.
24/25-58 Co option.
Liz Jarman was interviewed.
Cllrs. Resolved to go into closed session to vote.
Proposal: To co opt as Councillor Liz Jarman to the Parish Council.
Votes: In favour 4, abstentions 2. Majority in favour -RESOLVED.
Liz was welcomed to the Parish Council, she signed her Declaration of Acceptance of office and joined in with the rest of the meeting.
24/25-59 Current Year 2024/25 Finance and General Purpose.
a) Financial Report for the period 01 April 2024 to 31 August 2024 with bank statements and monthly report was presented by the clerk.
b) Payments as follows:
a/c Ref To Whom / Description £
38 HMRC Qtr. 1 Tax and Nic £757.6
39 S Gresty Clerk June salary
40 N Bright Gardener June salary
41 N Bright may/Jul expenses£30.47
42 Barford Joinery Inv.1846 EE Pond £51.62
43 Branch Brothers Inv. 1065495 £18.96
44 BDG Mowing Inv. 1558 - grass £246
45 Elderwood Tree Care Inv. 986 - cemetery trees £1350
46 S Gresty Clerk expenses Qtr. 1 £74.92
47 Ionos Inv. 203042644958 £7.8
48 Ionos Inv. 2030425560020 £6
49 S Gresty Inv. 140718 Radmore & Tucker £324.36
50 LALC conference 23.7.24 £96.00
51 Online Playgrounds Inv. 59890 - EE park parts £17.72
52 A Harrison Penfield expenses £19.08
53 S Gresty Clerk July salary
54 N Bright Gardener July salary
55 Wave cemetery water to4.7.24 £17.37
56 Ionos 203043141845 £7.8
57 Ionos 203043056974 6
58 Nature Signs Design 2733 - Penfield finger posts £6125.4
59 ICO renewal GDPR £35
60 Woodlark Inv. 1 EE pond fencing £2313
61 John Eley Signs Inv. 8692 geese signs £100.8
62 Nigel Bright July expenses £6.8
63 BDG Mowing Inv. 24/1587 grass £369
64 Branch Brothers Inv. 65883 park repairs £226.09
65 pecs Inv. 53464-penfield £3748.8
66 S Gresty clerk Aug salary
67 N Bright Gardeners Aug salary
68 Ionos 203043554367 £6
69 Ionos 203043639256 £7.8
Internal transfers noted
Date: 24/07/24 from Saving Account to current Account £7,000
08/08/2024 from Saving Account to current Account £3,000
20/08/2024 from Saving Account to current Account £5,000
c) Income received noted
a/c Ref From Whom Description £
15 Langtoft Players donation Penfield £50.00
16 Cemetery D&DW EROB 149/150 £360.00
17 J Cross memorial/ MD D105 £90.00
Proposal: To resolve and adopt and sign all the financial statements, payments and reports shown above as approved. Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Payne and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
d) Remembrance Wreaths.
Proposal: To donate under s.137 Local Government Act 1972 donation of £90 to the British Legion Poppy Appeal. Proposed Cllr. Tatam, Seconded Cllr. Gamble and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED. Action: Clerk to produce a centre plaque for the wreaths
e) Langtoft Players donation request. Action: Clerk to go back to Langtoft Players for more information and c/f to next meeting
f) McMillian Coffee Morning.
Proposal: To donate under s.137 Local Government Act 1972 donation of £50 towards the purchase of prizes for the McMillian Coffee Morning. Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Tatam, I vote against, 1 vote abstained. Majority in favour-RESOLVED.
24/25-60 Working Groups
1. Amenities – monthly report was received and noted.
Football coaching at EEP started on 9th September. There have been no reported problems.
a) Geese signs long term solution. Action: approach school to design a sign and apply to LCC Highways for permanent roadside signage.
b) Defibrillator electrical supply. The clerk has explored with National Grid a supply for the units electrical supply a quote for which was £3115.38, however she had continued to explore alternative possibilities with SKDC.
Proposal: To have installed by SKDC an RCBO unit into column 46 and re-terminating the cables to make the connection safe at a cost of £250.
To accept an annual charge for the electricity used to be paid to SKDC.
To enter into a formal agreement regarding the power supply and liabilities with SKDC.
Proposed Cllr. Gamble, Seconded Cllr. Tatam and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
2. Events – monthly report was received and noted.
a) It was unanimously agreed to change the name of this group to Community Engagement. The objectives and scope presented to the meeting were formally adopted.
b) 2024 Christmas card approach. Action: Cllr. Farrington to approach school to design this year’s card
Other Christmas ideas discussed: Carols in both parks with lighted Christmas trees instead of at the crossroads as the road was far to busy. It was noted that various groups in the village wanted to get involved.
Christmas lamp post lightings was discussed.
Competition for Best House Christmas lights.
c) Calendar of Events 2024/25 consolidated calendar now printed in the Grapevine magazine and will be regularly maintained.
d) Grapevine – Editor. Cllr. Jarman is to assist with grapevine copy.
last edition (Sept/Oct) Now available online and 200 printed copies available at various locations. Online views will be monitored.
Next edition (Nov/Dec) Copy deadline 1 November
Future edition To review, consider and resolve future edition distribution house to house delivered. c/f to next meeting.
Future page ideas: Create a local business directory
e) Other Groups: Village Hall Management Committee. It was noted that Cllr. Farrington had resigned as the Parish Council representative on the Village Hall Committee. 2 other LPC Councillors are members.
Village Hall projects currently are funding a new kitchen, ground clearance, roof repairs and pursuance of purchase of an extra piece of land to the side of the hall.
3. Penfield – monthly report was received and noted
4. Cemetery – monthly report was received and noted
5. East End Pond – monthly report was received and noted. It was reported that the tree works would take place on 24/25 September.
24/25-61 Planning To receive any new applications since the last meeting and to resolve responses.
a) S24/0715 3 Bramblewood Court, PE6 9QY, proposes rear extension
The Planning Committee of Langtoft Parish Council support this new submission as there has now been an arboriculture report and the trees are to remain and be protected by fencing from construction traffic. It is hoped that this application recognises good design and is built to a high environmental and energy efficient standard in consideration of environmental challenges we face in the Climate Change Emergency
The Planning officer agreed on 22nd August to an extension to the decision date until after our meeting so we could submit our response, however a Decision of approval has been received dated 9th September 2024
b) S24/1226 Langtoft Stables, proposed replacement dwelling with associated hard and soft landscaping.
The Planning Committee of Langtoft Parish Council support this application. It is hoped that this applications recognises good design and is built to a high environmental and energy efficient standard in consideration of environmental challenges we face in the Climate Change Emergency.
24/25-62 Risk Assessment Review.
Proposal: To resolve and adopt the reviewed Risk Assessment with inclusion of all the comments and amendments made on the draft document. Proposed Cllr. Tatam, Seconded Cllr. Gamble and unanimous in favour-RESOLVED.
24/25-63 Donations – what’s our policy?
Action: c/f to October agenda. Draft a donations policy.
24/25-64 Pavilion Sports Field meeting with SKDC. A meeting had been fixed for this. Outcome to be reported at the October meeting.
24/25-65 Correspondence received from last meeting was noted.
The clerk read an email from Deeping Tennis Club regarding the cleaning of the tennis courts at Pavilion Park.
24/25-66 To receive Items for Future Meetings
Consideration of Reserves policy
To consider adoption of a Communication Policy (which covers social media)
Donations Policy
Decision on football coaching at EEP
Demographic of Village
Outcomes of annual Play Inspection reports
Grapevine distribution
Meeting Closed @ 21:34
Date of future meetings: 2024: 22 Oct, 26 Nov
2025. 7 Jan, 18 Feb, 1 Apr, 13 May, 24 June, 2 Sept, 14 Oct, 25th Nov Annual Parish Meeting TBC