January 2024 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th January 2024
Present: Cllrs. R. Gore (Chair), D. Strollo, S. Farrow, C. Cuckson, L. Hoggarth, D. Forrest, J. Scott
In attendance; Dr. R Wilkins (resident - first item only), Cllr. Butroid (LCC), G. Payne (Clerk)
Apologies; Cllr. Bailey (WLDC)
01/24 Open Forum re traffic speed – Dr Wilkins had raised concerns about the lack of speed restrictions generally and at the junction of Willingham Road, Kexby Lane and Upton Road in particular. He recalled several incidents where vehicles had left the road because they were taking the corner too fast. This included a tractor and loaded trailer, at least two cars demolishing telegraph poles and numerous vehicles mounting the pavement. In addition to the damage to property and risk to road users there was a real risk to pedestrians using this stretch of the pavement. There was also concern that the 40mph limit along Upton Road was too high given the fact that children had to cross the road for the school bus and there was a playpark and village hall on the side of the road. It was agreed that there was a need for the 30mph limit in place in Upton to be extended along the whole length of Upton Road and continued beyond this dangerous corner. Cllr. Butroid agreed to request a site meeting with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to fully investigate the issue.
Action Cllr. Butroid.
02/24 Minutes of the meeting held on 15th November 2023 – these had been circulated, were agreed as a true record and signed off by the Chairman.
03/24 Matters arising
a) Email addresses – it was agreed that DS and GP would meet on Friday 12th January to sort this.
Action DS/GP
b) Post Office – the village hall was still owed £570 by the business which had held the franchise and all efforts to collect this had failed. They had asked if the Parish Council could do anything to help, the Chairman agreed to email the local MP to request his intervention.
Action RG
c) Dogs on playing field – a resident had complained to the Parish Council about the fact that dogs were prohibited from the playing field. This was governed by a local by-law to protect the health of users of the playing field. The Playing field committee had agreed to renew the notices making the prohibition clear.
d) History Books – there were still a few copies remaining from the re-print which the Clerk would retain should anyone enquire about a copy.
e) Parish Archives – Parish Clerks had been responsible for records dating back to the 1750’s, it was agreed to approach Gainsborough Heritage Centre with a view to transferring the older records. This would provide more secure storage and make them more readily available for research. The Clerk was asked to contact the Heritage Centre.
Action GP
f) Parish Cottage – the tenant had complained about flooding in the garden once again. This issue had been investigated but it was due to a high water table and was therefore not possible to resolve. The Landlord inspection was due and the Chairman agreed to arrange this.
Action RG
g) Cottage Insurance – the quote from the NFU had been received with a significant increase over the previous year (£388 to £537). Because of the need to meet the renewal deadline of 4th February it was agreed to renew the policy and seek additional quotes in time for the 2025 renewal. The Clerk was asked to make a diary note to address this in early December.
Action GP
04/24 LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) – a request for funding support had been received. It was agreed that this was an excellent service providing rapid emergency aid, particularly in rural areas. £150 had been donated in the previous financial year, it was agreed to increase this to £200, the Clerk was asked to organise a cheque.
Action GP
05/24 Precept for 2024/25 – at the November meeting an estimate of £2,000 had been agreed, this was confirmed as a reasonable requirement for 24/25 and signed off by the Chairman and committee members. The Clerk would submit the paperwork to WLDC by the deadline of 26th January.
Action GP
06/24 Financial Report
a) Current position - finances were still in a strong position, it was agreed to transfer the money from the Business Reserve account to a Liquidity Manager Notice account. This would provide an interest rate of 3.25% rather than the current 1.46%. Withdrawals would require 35 days’ notice but it was felt that this would not be a problem. The Clerk was asked to organise the transfer.
Action GP
b) Bank Mandate – there were still only two signatories on the account which didn’t allow any flexibility for illness/absence. CC agreed to become an additional signatory and, since she was familiar with the workings of the bank, would also be able to arrange a degree of internet banking. This was agreed and CC was asked to organise it.
Action CC
c) Appointment of Internal Auditor – Jo Snell was prepared to continue and it was agreed that she should be asked to do so.
07/24 Correspondence
a) Cotham Solar Project – notice had been received that they had applied to include additional land within their scheme boundary. Although it was not in the vicinity it raised concern about “mission creep”. It was agreed that it was fortunate that the 7000acre group were keeping on top of things and that the Parish Council should continue to support them wherever possible.
b) D Day 80 – June 6th 2024 would mark 80 years since the invasion, there would be various national events to mark the occasion. It was felt that it was important not to duplicate effort, JS agreed to find out if the WI were planning anything which the Parish Council would be happy to support.
Action JS
c) Anglian Water – had closed Glentworth Road without giving notice, when this was reported to LCC the excuse was that it was an “emergency repair”. The fact that the road had been marked at least two weeks in advance suggested otherwise. Cllr. Butroid said that the County Council were concerned that Anglian Water may be taking advantage of their ability to use the “emergency repair” excuse and were looking into it.
08/24 Any other business
a) Coffee Morning – LH said that the coffee mornings which had been held when the post office was in operation had proved an excellent social event, particularly for people who probably didn’t get out much. She proposed a trial, funded by the Parish Council, to ascertain what interest there was. There was such an event held once a month in Upton Church, on the third Wednesday of the month. It was agreed that it shouldn’t be held too close to this so the first week of the month was suggested. It was felt that Saturday would be a good day to allow those of working age to attend. The Clerk was asked to investigate the availability of the village hall and JS agreed to see if there would be volunteers in the WI to organise such an event. If it was practical it was suggested that a three month trial starting on the first Saturday in March should be arranged.
Action GP/JS
b) Footpath fence – the fence designed to limit access to the footpath from the village green towards Willingham Road to walkers only had fallen down. It was post and rail fencing and the posts had rotted off, there was some doubt about who was responsible, the Clerk was asked to report it via “Fix My Street” to see if it got repaired.
Action GP
c) Greater Lincolnshire Devolution – Cllr. Butroid reminded everyone of the consultation process currently underway and encouraged participation. The Clerk had circulated the information and reminded everyone that he held a hard copy of the proposal which was available for circulation. Anyone wishing to read the document should contact him or details could be found on line the consultation would run until 29th January.
d) Glentworth Road drains -there had still been no progress on these, Cllr. Butroid agreed to raise it with LCC once again.
Action Cllr. Butroid
Date of next meeting – Wednesday 13th March at 6:30pm in the Committee Room
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8:30pm