SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB 

THURSDAY 3rd MARCH 2022 AT 6PM

Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker, J. Robinson, A. Robinson, A. Ramsay

In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO) 

The chairman opened the meeting at 18:00. There were no members of the public. 

165/3/22 Chairman’s welcoming remarks
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
166/3/22 To receive apologies and ratify reason for absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs. R. Littlewood and P. Kulleseid. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept apologies and reasons for absence. 
167/3/22 Disclosure of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
168/3/22 To receive and ratify as Minutes the notes of the meeting on 3rd February 2022
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
169/3/22 Finance matters 
a) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve expenses for March 2022.

Total expenses:  319.76
b) Income and expenditure up to 9th February was noted. Invoices, bank statements and financial information were available for scrutiny.
c) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to adjust the budget for 2022-23 and approve virement of £11.88 from Other – Unbudgeted expenses to the printing budget, to cover increased printing costs. 
d) It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to appoint Mrs C. Sylvester to audit the 2021-22 accounts. 
170/3/22 Banking matters
The clerk registered for telephone banking and would submit Cllr. A. Robinson’s application for electronic banking to the TSB. The clerk advised it would be beneficial for the Council to have a designated debit card, which could be used for internet purchases, and would avoid the necessity of reimbursing Councillors for approved payments. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to apply for a debit card.
171/3/22 To discuss the Parish Agreement
Following resolution of the Council to join the scheme for 2022-23, confirmation had been sent to Lincolnshire County Council. The finalised contribution figure for the next financial year would be £336.30.
172/3/22 To consider quotes received for the grass cutting tender and appoint a contractor
The chairman invited discussion of the tenders received. Following consideration, it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to appoint contractor B, Clive Williams for the coming financial year.
173/3/22 Allotment
a) The tender for the Community Orchard allotment site was submitted for approval. Following discussion, it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the tender. It would be advertised on both village noticeboards, the Council website, and media platforms, as soon as possible.
b) There was a brief discussion about the Community Orchard. Cllr. A. Ramsay was asked for advice on how best to manage the newly planted trees. He noted that little would need to be done for a couple of years until the trees became more established. It was hoped a contractor would be found by early April to keep the grass down and maintain the path through the site. Cllr. A. Ramsay offered to cut the grass at cost, should it prove difficult to appoint a contractor. 
c) There was a brief discussion about current rental fees, and it was noted these had not been raised for over 10 years. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to raise fees by £5 per acre. The clerk would write to all allotment holders advising them of the planned increase, which would take effect from September 2022. 
d) Cllr. R. Walker suggested that organisations and local groups should be encouraged to use the Community Orchard, possibly extending this to the local primary school in Scotter. 

Cllr. A. Ramsay was asked to pass on the Council’s thanks to Mr. Robert. Ramsay, for clearing a section of the Beck.
174/3/22 To hear any update about the SID purchase and consider any actions
The Speed Indicator Sign (SID) had been received and installed on the entrance to the village on Scotter Road and would remain in place for at least two weeks. Then, it could be moved to three other locations; Kirton Road, Laughton Road, and the High Street, near to the Westfield estate.
The sign is programmed to flash at 30mph and will continue to flash up to 55mph. Statistics could be collected and passed to police if incidences of speeding were recorded. Early observations noted that drivers were aware of the sign and were reducing speed on the approach into Scotton from the direction of Scotter Road. 
175/3/22 To receive any updates about the West Lindsey grant application for purchase of benches for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and consider any actions
Following resolution of the Council in February, a grant application had been sent to West Lindsey District Council for £700, for part of the purchase costs towards the commemorative benches. The clerk had applied soon after the last meeting, as grants would only be considered while funding remained, and would close once all funds were allocated. Any further decisions were deferred until the Council had heard if the grant application had been successful. 
176/3/22 To hear any updates on the bench which is to be donated and sited on land near the Kiosk, Westgate
Cllr. R. Walker would consult with the resident donating the bench and provide any information that may be needed prior to installation.
177/3/22 Other village matters
a) Wear and tear of the commemorative stone was discussed and Councillors were invited to consider a possible replacement once the Jubilee Tree had been replaced. The clerk was asked to contact the tree officer at LCC to enquire when the new tree would be planted, as it was close to the end of the optimum planting season for saplings. To be returned to the next meeting.
b) Wear and tear to the structure and fabric of the kiosk on Westgate was discussed. The paint on the roof was peeling and a few panes needed replacing. Cllr. A. Robinson offered to check if he had any paint remaining that might be suitable for the project and indicated he would be able to cut glass down to size, if needed. To be returned to the next meeting. 
178/3/22 To hear any updates from the Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC) – Cllr. S. Walker
Cllr. S. Walker advised the VHMC had aside the purchase of a children’s slide for the recreation area. Instead, a planning application to build a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), had been submitted to WLDC.
179/3/22 Planning
a) Applications received comment
144232 – Land south of Eastgate, Scotton, Lincolnshire, DN21 3QROutline planning application to erect 9no. dwellings with access to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications, being variation of condition 4 of planning permission 139520 granted 16 January 2020 - re: works to improve public highway.

- Ian Elliott, Senior. Dev. Manager, Planning WLDC responded to the issue of inappropriately scaled plans as follows, [sic] “properly scaled drawings are necessary . . .  have been formally requested . . . failure to provide scaled drawings could lead to a refusal decision . . . receipt of appropriately scaled drawings will trigger . . . a re-consult period of 14 days.” 

Prior to the meeting, Planning Officers at WLDC had confirmed that scaled drawings, requested from the applicant, had not been submitted yet.
b) Applications Determined
144086 Plot 9 Land south of Eastgate, Scotton DN21 3QR
Granted 02.02.22 

144147 Plot 6 Land south of Eastgate, Scotton DN21 3QR
Granted 07.02.22

The applications were noted.
c) Applications – Appeals
143045 Bleak Farm Northorpe Road DN21 3RB
Appeal date 02.02.22 – 5-week consultation period due to close.
180/3/22 Correspondence received
- LALC e-news 25.01.22
- Private rented sector Selective Licencing  27.01.22
- Town & Parish e-news 28.01.22
- Platinum Jubilee Community Fund 01.02.22 
- LALC e-news 01.02.22

Cllr. R. Walker observed that John Kilcoyne would be moving on from LALC and the Council wished him well in his new job. 
181/3/22 Parish Councillors’ Reports – Information only
A resident had been in contact with Cllr. R. Walker to enquire why there were no flowers in front of the village name signs. The resident had been asked to contact the clerk to discuss this further. No correspondence had been received by the clerk to date.
182/3/22 Date of next meeting
7th April 2022
183/3/22 Closed Session
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 for the following items on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

• The protocols for marking the death of a senior national figure or local holder of high office were considered.

The meeting ended at 18:50.