2023 Parish Council Resolved Minutes

Minutes of Sibsey Parish Council Meeting held Tuesday 5th December 2023 at Northlands Village Hall, Northlands, Sibsey commencing at 7.00pm

PRESENT:    Cllr I Watts presiding as Chairman 
Cllr A Heath        Cllr S Barker                                Cllr B Carney         Cllr J Ladds
                
LCC/ELDC Cllr T Ashton (arrived at 9.34pm)
Clerk – S Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present to ask questions or make short statements were made to the Parish Council during the time allocated:

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN
Cllrs Limb and Adiotomre had forwarded their apologies for absence of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reasons for not attending of which it was resolved to accept these explanations.

2.    TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCALISM ACT 2011, AND TO CONSIDER ANY APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS IN RELATION TO DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS
Cllr Watts declared a non-pecuniary interest to Item 6b on the agenda.

3.    NOTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2023 TO BE APPROVED AS THE MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr Barker, seconded by Cllr Heath and resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record and thereby signed by the Chairman.

4.    OUTSIDE BODIES REPORT
Prior to the meeting no apologies have been received from either ELDC Cllr Jones or LCC/ELDC Cllr Ashton.

According to the Police.UK website
During October 2023 three incidences were reported
One incident of Violence and Sexual Offence was reported on or near to Main Road near Northlands - Investigation complete, no suspect identified.

One incident of Violence and Sexual Offence was reported on or near to Dorothy Close – Still under investigation

One incident of Other Crime was reported on or near to Petrol Station – Unable to prosecute suspect

5.    CLERK’S REPORT
There was no information to report.

6.    FINANCIAL MATTERS
a.    Financial Report
Since the last meeting £866.84 has been credited to the Treasury Account (£300 associated with Burial Ground Fees, £66.84 for reimbursement of Printer Ink and Memorial Wreaths from clerk’s other Parish Councils and £500 from Bears FC relating to the Annual Rent for Pymoor Lane).  Additionally, £1706.25 associated with the clerk’s PAYE and £267.60 to the clerk in relation to items purchased for the Christmas Light switch on event.

b.    To approve payments

It was proposed by Cllr Heath, seconded by Cllr Ladds and resolved that these payments should be made.

c.    To set the budget for the 2024/2025 Precept
Following a meeting held in November by the Finance Forum the Budget analysis was circulated to all the Parish Councillors.  

Cllr Watts relayed that the Parish Council are inheriting more assets and therefore more responsibilities with which a decision was required to be made in either moving forward and improving the parish or to look at closing certain areas and postponing future projects.  It was deliberated that the work done and the assets maintained enhances the parish.  Therefore, on recommendation from the Finance Forum it was proposed by Cllr Ladds, seconded by Cllr Heath and resolved that the budget for the 2024/2025 Precept should be set at £100,000.

d.    Savings account recommendation
During the Finance Forum meeting four banks/building societies (Lloyds, Santander, NatWest and Nationwide were considered into which would be the best Business Savings Account in order to get the most suitable interest return for Parish Council funds).  After evaluation and deliberation, the forum thought that the Business 35 Day Saver account which offered up to 3.1% unlimited withdrawals during a 35-day Notice period would be appropriate.

It was also noted that it would be beneficial and to be within the Financial Services Compensation Scheme limit to open this account with funds of £80,000.

After evaluating the recommendation of the Finance Forum, it was proposed by Cllr Heath, seconded by Cllr Barker and resolved to go ahead with the Nationwide account.

7.    PARISH MATTERS
a.    Pymoor Lane
Representative from the committee were unable to attend this evening’s meeting but forwarded a report for the Parish Council’s information and evaluation.

Matters were discussed and the clerk was asked to forward their response.

b.    Burial Ground
The replacement bench is now officially fixed into place. The bin to be sited here was deemed unsuitable and a new site at the end of the footpath near to the brick store was deliberated and resolved.

A fence was discussed to be erected in the place where the current Heras fencing is.  It was deemed this would be more cost effective as the temporary alternative is costing more and longer than expected.  Therefore, it was proposed by Cllr Barker and seconded by Cllr Heath obtain quotes for this.

The clerk was also asked to acquire quotes for a path to link the two new Memorial Gardens.

c.    Village Maintenance
i)    Litter Bins
The work on the refurbishment of the litter bins has now begun but those that have are missing the gold lettering.  The clerk was asked to enquire if this was an error or if the work was to be done at a later date on site.

ii)    Noticeboards
This matter was deferred to the next meeting.

iii)    Maintenance areas and ownership update for ELDC and LCC assets
To date no further information has been received.

Cllr Heath reported that the view to the Village sign near Pymoor Lane was blocked by a tree.  The Councillors were asked to give thought into whether to remove branches from the tree or to relocate the sign.

Cllr Ladds informed that the salt in its bin near to the school was deemed unsuitable and asked if this is something that can be rectified.

d.    Play Areas
Clerk informed that the maintenance work asked to be done has been requested and should be commencing within four to six weeks.

Additional quotes for the remain maintenance work to be carried out has been received and circulated.  There was concern in relation to the gate to the Toddler Play Area in the Community Park as to why a complete unit was required.  The clerk was asked to obtain a response to this.  

After deliberation it was agreed that all the other maintenance work in both play areas should be carried out except for the gate until clarification is received.

The base for the bench to be sited next to the playing field in Amos Way has been completed. Though it was decided to not install the bench until spring.

e.    Adoption of land in Amos Way from ELDC to Parish Council
To date no further information has been received.

f.    Land for Play Area at Northlands
A meeting with the Northlands Village Hall Committee was believed needed to be held in the New Year to discuss matters associated with this agenda item.

g.    Christmas 2023 Light switch on event - Review
Cllr Watts thanked all the Parish Councillors who had helped not only on the day but prior to and after the event and relayed on how beautiful the tree looks.

The addition to the Nativity Scene looks lovely and much appreciated of which thanks was given to those who worked on this.

Apart from the rain at the start the evening ran successfully.  The entertainment was appreciated and the stalls and other activities did well. Things went to plan and it was good to have clear skies considering elsewhere had freezing fog to enable the fireworks display to continue.

A request was made into purchasing new batteries for the Cherry Picker but to remain the property of the Parish Council as the current ones are not holding charge.  It was agreed to obtain quotes for the batteries and to forward these to the clerk for approval.

h.    Parish Handy Man
The Parish Council made a list of suggested jobs that would be required to be done throughout the year.  It was decided that a definitive contract would need to be drawn up depicting the job requirements and frequency for discussion at the next meeting.

i.    Memorial for late David Eyre
Cllr Ladds forwarded thanks from Mrs Eyre for the flowers she received after the sad loss of her husband David Eyre.

Mr Eyre has represented the parish over many years in conjunction with several community groups etc including as Parish Councillor.  Therefore, it was suggested that having some sort of recognition in the village in memoriam of him.  After deliberation it was thought that this would be a good idea and so it was suggested that the councillors think of something deemed suitable for memoriam to be discussed at the next meeting.

j.    Correspondence received
The following correspondence has been received:
•    LALC E-news 10th and 24th November 2023 
•    ELDC Communication re HEART Team to help even more residents to live warmer and more energy efficient in their homes 
•    LCC Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Consultation 
•    ELDC November 2023 e-messenger 
•    ELDC Town & Parish November 2023 Newsletter 
•    LCC Town & Parish November 2023 Newsletter 
•    LCC Highways December 2023 Newsletter 

8.    PLANNING
a.    Discuss all planning applications currently being reviewed for consultation
Since the last meeting two planning applications have been received which was circulated to the Planning Forum for their observations and views:
•    S/152/02103/23 - Change of use of agricultural land to extend the existing domestic curtilage, construction of a vehicular access, driveway and earth bund and erection of double garage, dog kennels and whelping block in connection with the proposed dog showing and breeding business – Lauren’s Barn, Hurn Road, Sibsey
Though there were no major objections to this application there were concerns associated with noise and smell pollution.
•    S/152/02226/23 – Reserved matters application relating to the erection of 1 no. dwelling and detached garage with games room over, erection of a fence and construction of a vehicular access (Outline Permission ref no. S/152/01228/21 erection of 1 no. dwelling granted 3rd August 2021) – Land North of The Rowans, Main Road, Sibsey
There were no objections to this application.

b.    Discuss other planning matters
An extension of consultation has been given relating to S/152/02014/23 – Erection of 83 dwellings with landscaping associated works, the construction of surface water attenuation basin and vehicular access – Land rear to Page Close, Sibsey in order to take on board all the views of the parish before submitting our consultation response.

After discussion Cllr Watts said that he would derive a response from the Parish Council.

It was resolved at 9.30 to extend the meeting by thirty minutes

c.    Report on any information received associated with Planning 
There was no other planning information to report.

9.    HIGHWAYS    
The Community Speed Watch Team conducted two more speed watch activities last month in the village.
13/11/2023    264 vehicles passed through their checkpoint along Frithville Road during 8.15am and 9.15am of which 24 exceeded the 30mph limit.

24/11/2023    354 vehicles passed through their checkpoint along Station Road during 2.50pm and 3.50pm of which 18 exceeded the 30mph limit.

The lead Speed Watch co-ordinator reports that he feels that their presence certainly has impacted the reduction to the speed of vehicles in the area, especially on Station Road which is notorious for speeding motorists.  To date they have received a number of comments thanking them for their activities and thumbs up from passing drivers. They have been questioned a couple of times in what they are doing but have not received anything negative or confrontational.

Queries were raised about extending the Double Yellow Lines at the Frithville Road junction following the Christmas Tree Light switch on event where the traffic was unable to flow effectively. Cllr Ashton believes this would be favourable but will speak with Highways and discuss the matter.

A suggestion was made to have rise and fall bollards near to the roundabout situated near to the Primary School to prevent unauthorised parking especially during the school run. Cllr Ashton will take this consideration to Highways.

At 9.55pm it was resolved to go back to Item 4

LCC/ELDC Cllr Ashton reported the following:
•    Has emailed this evening an update associated with Amos Way Asset Transfer
•    Devolution paperwork has recently been by Lincolnshire County Council for evaluation and considerations.

10.    ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION BY LEAVE OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Watts thanked all the councillors and the clerk for their hard work during 2023.

There were no other matters for discussion.

11.    DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The dates for 2024 Parish Council meetings were circulated for confirmation and therefore it was resolved that the next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 9th  January 2024 at Northlands Village Hall, Northlands, Sibsey commencing at 7pm.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 10pm.