2023 Parish Council Resolved Minutes

Minutes of Sibsey Parish Council Meeting held Tuesday 7th November 2023 at Northlands Village Hall, Northlands, Sibsey commencing at 7.00pm

PRESENT:    Cllr I Watts presiding as Chairman 

Cllr G Limb        Cllr A Heath        Cllr S Barker                    Cllr B Carney         Cllr J Adiotomre (arrived at 7.20pm)
                
LCC/ELDC Cllr T Ashton (left at 8.19pm)
Clerk – S Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There was one member of the public present of which the following questions/short statements were made during the time allocated:
•    The Remembrance Sunday service will be taking place on Sunday 12th November 2023 commencing at St Margaret’s Church before congregating near the War Memorial.  There will be no representation from the Royal British Legion and the Scouts will be attending the 80th Anniversary Memorial Service of the Dam Busters at the Lancaster Memorial.
•    At the latest PCC meeting queries raised by the Parish Council were discussed. In respect to the steps up to the clock tower are being reviewed as per the churches building inspection in 2024 and will review this with their architect following this. The other matter associated with the keys are being looked into.

1.    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN
Cllr Ladds had forwarded her apology for absence of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reason for not attending of which it was resolved to accept this explanation.

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 3rd OCTOBER 2023 TO BE APPROVED AS THE MINUTES
It was proposed by Cllr Limb, 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 ELDC Cllr Jones.

LCC/ELDC Cllr Ashton reported the following:
•    Not much has occurred with either District or County following cancellation of meetings due to Storm Babet.  Both councils are looking into what went wrong in various aspects that occurred due to the storm.
•    The Drainage Board are looking into raising their portion of the Council Tax budget by 20% and does not think any additional funds will be received from the Government to aid with finances.
•    Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are reviewing the comments received from Network Rail.
•    Highways are reviewing the methods of roads being fully closed by Anglian Water especially when associated with working on a small area.

A question was raised into the footpath along the A16 from Northlands if this had been looked at so that this issue can be rectified.

Cllr Ashton was also informed of the bollard that had been flattened in central reservation of A16 near Station Road.

Cllr Adiotomre relayed that a couple of properties within Northlands Lane had been flooded.

At 7.41pm it was resolved to bring forward agenda Item 8 - Planning

The following planning matters were discussed:
•    WHP Telecoms Ltd proposed communications installation for Arqiva’s Smart Meter Network for Anglian Water within Main Road Sibsey.
It is believed that the suggested site is inappropriate and will be an eyesore to the area and not beneficial as this network is beneficial to the neighbouring Borough more that of the parish.
•    S/152/02062/23 - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation – Mandaville, 8 Littlemore Lane, Sibsey was discussed.  Though in principle there were no objections to this planning application, there were concerns with the increase of the extension being double of the current property.
•    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
This application was only received earlier in the day of the meeting, and the timescale of consultation was too short to allow for time of deliberation, therefore the clerk was asked to obtain an extension to allow an official answer with the appropriate views.
Question was asked if any information was known relating to the chopping out of the Heritage hedge way in order for the Chestnut Home sign to be displayed.
At 8.16pm it was resolved to go and discuss Item 7c iii)    Maintenance areas and ownership update for ELDC and LCC assets and 7e Adoption of land in Amos Way from ELDC to Parish Council

Cllr Ashton informed that there was no more information to add to his emails that he had already sent.

At 8.19pm it was resolved to go back to official agenda order

According to the Police.UK website
During August 2023 seven incidences were reported
•    Two crimes were reported on or near to Northlands Lane
1 x Criminal Damage and Arson – Still under investigation
1 x Other theft - Investigation complete; no suspect identified
•    One incident of Burglary was reported on or near to Dorothy Close - Investigation complete; no suspect identified
•    One incident of Violence and Sexual Offence was reported on or near to Waggoners Walk – Local resolution achieved
•    One incident of Anti-social behaviour was reported on or near to Amos Way
•    One incident of Burglary was reported on or near to Station Road -  Still under investigation
•    One incident of Vehicle Crims was reported on or near to Gulf Petrol Station - Still under investigation

During September 2023 three incidences were reported
•    One incident of Anti-social behaviour was reported on or near to Frithville Road Community Park
•    Two incidents of Anti-social behaviour were reported on or near to Amos Way

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

6.    FINANCIAL MATTERS
a.    Financial Report
Since the last meeting £105.62 has been credited to the Treasury Account (£100 associated with Burial Ground Fees and £5.62 for reimbursement of Printer Ink from clerk’s other Parish Councils). Additionally, £2396.87 associated with the clerk’s PAYE and £150 to Guiding Sparks Circus in relation to the deposit for the entertainment fees for the Christmas Light switch on event.

The clerk’s NJC pay scales have been agreed and NALC/LALC inform that this is effective immediately with all backpay to be implemented from 1st April 2023

b.    To approve payments

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

7.    PARISH MATTERS
a.    Pymoor Lane
Representative from the committee was going to attend this evening’s meeting but unfortunately had other matters to deal with.  No information has been received from them in relation to Pymoor Lane queries that had been raised.  In addition, the next year’s rent is now due.

b.    Burial Ground
The replacement bench is now onsite at the Burial Ground just needs fixing into place.

The clerk was asked to see if extra grass cuts will be done in this area as well as other area in the village due to weather conditions during October cuts were missed.

c.    Village Maintenance
i)    Litter Bins
The clerk was asked to chase and get confirmation of when the work will be done as there is concern with the algae growing on some being hazardous.

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

iii)    Maintenance areas and ownership update for ELDC and LCC assets
This matter was discussed earlier in the meeting.

d.    Play Areas
Following a meeting with Online Playgrounds to discuss maintenance work required associated with the play equipment in both play areas, quotes have been received for some of the work needed to be carried out.

The dome on the multi play equipment in the Toddler Area within the Community Park has been vandalised and has therefore been removed for safety reasons and is one of the pieces asked to be quoted for to be replaced.  Cllr Heath feels that replacement of a like for like dome would be too expensive and should look at an alternative.  After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Limb, seconded by Cllr Barker and resolved to go firstly with a like for like but if the matter reoccurs to then look at an alternative option.

In Amos Way play area water is logged underneath the surfacing. The maintenance inspector suggested officially doing a closer inspection of which it maybe suggested that a French drain be put in place.

e.    Adoption of land in Amos Way from ELDC to Parish Council
This matter was discussed earlier in the meeting.

f.    Land for Play Area at Northlands
A meeting was held recently by the School Trustees of which this was discussed.  The trustees feel that the opening to the area of land should be through the boundary hedge of the Village Hall as would be safer than directly from the road.

g.    Christmas 2023 Light switch on event
A meeting of the Friends of the School was recently held to discuss the event and what was required to be done by both parties.  An agenda of items was set in place including a wet weather plan.

h.    Parish Handy Man
The Parish Council deliberated on whether this position should be as an employee role or as a contractor. It was believed that a contractor would be more appropriate and therefore a list of duties would need to be drawn up to be done over the year for the next meeting with a formal decision be made on which role it would be the more suitable way to proceed.

At 9.29pm it was proposed to extend the meeting by 15 minutes

i.    Community First Aid Course
Two companies have come back with regards to fees to hold a Community First Aid Course. LIVES require a £50 donation for a one hour thirty-minute course. St John’s Ambulance require £600 + VAT for a two-hour thirty-minute course. 

j.    Correspondence received
The following correspondence has been received:
•    ELDC September/October and October/November 2023 e-messenger 
•    ELDC Town & Parish September and October newsletters 
•    LALC e-news 13th and 27th October 2023 
•    LCC Town & Parish October newsletter

At 9.21pm it was resolved to go back to Item 4 on the agenda

Cllr Ashton was informed about a resident wandering around the village making a nuisance and asked what ca be done to help with this matter. Cllr Ashton said he would look into this.

8.    PLANNING
a.    Discuss all planning applications currently being reviewed for consultation
The two planning applications received were discussed earlier in the meeting.

b.    Discuss other planning matters
The matter discussed relating to WHP Telecoms Ltd was discussed earlier in the meeting.

c.    Report on any information received associated with Planning 
One planning application has been granted full planning permission – The extension to existing dwelling – The Cottage Workshop, Willows Lane, Sibsey

9.    HIGHWAYS    
The Community Speed Watch Scheme has now commenced in the village of which the following report has been sent for the Parish Council’s information.
11/10/2023    52 vehicles passed through their checkpoint of the bus stop near Old Main Road of which none exceeded the limit

25/10/2023    250 vehicles passed through their checkpoint along Station Road of which 10 exceeded the limit with the highest recording of 42mph.

The following issues were reported:
•    The footpath at Northlands that is overgrown also has moss growing on it.
•    The hedge near to the Main Road has overgrown.

10.    ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION BY LEAVE OF CHAIRMAN
The brick bus stop near to Chapel Lane opposite Station Road seems to be leaning and needs assessing.

11.    DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
The next Sibsey Parish Council meeting as previously scheduled will be on Tuesday 5th  December 2023 at Northlands Village Hall, Northlands, Sibsey commencing at 7pm.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 9.43pm.