2023 Parish Council Minutes

SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB
THURSDAY 7th SEPTEMBER 2023 AT 6.00PM
 

Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker, H. Alexander, Dr. M. Johnson

In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO) 

Item 90/09/23 Chairman’s welcome
The chairman began the meeting by acknowledging the passing of Robert Littlewood. A card of condolence had been sent on behalf of the parish council.
Item 91/09/23 Public session
There were no members of the public present.
Item 92/09/23 To hear reports from County or District Councillors
There were none. Cllr. K. Carless sent apologies for the meeting.
Item 93/09/23 To hear apologies and receive reasons for absence
There were none.
Item 94/09/23 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
Item 95/09/23 To receive and approve notes of meeting held 3rd August 2023
Council voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes of 3rd August 2023 as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
Item 96/09/23 Finance
a. The financial report was noted and discussed.
b. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to vire funds from the carry over budget 2022-23 and the VAT budget to misc. expenses to cover the costs of the bench purchase and installation and purchase of the second stone planter.
Invoices and bank statements were available for scrutiny.
c. Council voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the payments and expenses for September:-

• Clerk’s salary – September 2023
• Clerk’s mileage July - £21.70
• Printing -  September £4.49
• Grass cutting – August £200.00
• R. Walker £30.00 reimbursement of costs – Installation of bench (Invoice received & verified from contractor – D. Saxby)
• Amberol self-watering stone planter £665.16
• NBB Recycled Furniture £431.46 + £673.20
• Invoices are pending from NBB Recycled Furniture for bench, gateway sign and artwork.

Item 97/09/23 To receive update about parish laptop and printer
HP downloaded a new driver to the wireless printer, and the printer was working well again . The clerk would investigate options for replacing the parish laptop.
Item 98/09/23 Chairman’s allowance
It was agreed to consider allocating an allowance, with the amount to be discussed, following preparation of the preliminary budget and with consideration of expenses for the next financial year.
Item 99/09/23 Community Orchard
a. Cllr. R. Walker commented that all was well at the Orchard. He and Cllr. Alexander would arrange a date to water the plants next week. Residents had commented that the orchard was an enjoyable place to sit and found it to be pleasant and peaceful.
b. Cllr. R. Walker had not heard further from residents who had expressed interest in the creation of raised beds. Deferred for the time being.
c. Cllr. R. Walker had received a request to place a tree and plaque at the Orchard. Following discussion, it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to purchase a tree and arrange a plaque with funds donated by the resident. ACTION: Cllr. R. Walker to receive donation from resident and arrange purchase of tree and plaque.
Item 100/09/23 General allotment matters
a. There would be no increase to allotment rents for 2024-25.
b. The wardens had been asked to take an audit of the trees at allotment land adjoining the PROW and would report back in due course.
c. Cllr. R. Walker raised the idea of creating a BMX riding trail for bicycles on disused allotment land. The following points were raised:-

• The Council would need to seek permission from the Secretary of State to change the use of allotment land.
• Planning permission might be needed.
• Grants would be needed for subsequent costs to cover planning applications, ground surveys, health & safety, and any building or ground works.
• Maintaining access to the site and car parking issues
• Maintenance and safety checks following development.

Item 101/09/23 To hear any updates regarding the hedging at the Pinfold, junction of Crapple Lane
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to entirely remove the hedging at the Pinfold later in September and to accept the contractors quote for £40.00 to include removal of vegetation. A budget of £100.00 was agreed to complete the project.
The clerk recommended advising the resident overlooking the Pinfold of the Council’s plans before commencing works. Cllr. R. Walker advised that he had spoken to the resident who had raised no objections but would contact the resident again prior to the start.
Item 102/09/23 To hear any updates about the Commemorative planter project on Crapple Lane and to consider further actions re. installation, siting, purchase of plants etc.
The second stone planter had been purchased. The concrete bases would be laid later in the month, and the two planters would be put in situ once bases were ready.
Cllr. H. Alexander would investigate seasonal plants for the planters and appropriate soils. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to set aside a budget of £300.00 for purchase of plants and soil substrates.
Item 103/09/23 To hear updates of bench installation at Kirton Road and consider any actions
The old bench had been removed and a new bench purchased, fitted, and assembled.
Item 104/09/23 Emergency Planning
Clerk distributed information received from Steve Eason-Harris co-ordinator of the LRF (Lincolnshire Resilient Communities programme). Cllr. Dr. Johnson agreed to be lead co-ordinator on the project.
ACTION: Clerk to contract Mr. Eason-Harris and arrange a meeting.
Item 105/09/23 To hear any reports from the Village Hall Management Committee (Cllr. S. Walker)

• A commemorative plaque to remember Cllr. R. Littlewood would be placed in the hall.
• There were regular bookings, and it was hoped that these would pick up over the winter.
• The annual Christmas quiz would be on 9th December 2023.
• There had been a serious accident at the playpark in early August which had been reported to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

Item 106/09/23 To hear any updates about the drainage survey completed by Cllr. H. Alexander and any further communication with LCC Highways
A lengthy survey encompassing roads, pavements, drains and bus services had been completed and sent to Highways. Cllr. Alexander would survey existing drains in the village and report back to Highways with any further information including any drains that may be missed off Highway maps and capacity of culverts.
Item 107/09/23 To consider issue of speeding on Scotter Road and consider any actions
A resident enquired if it would be possible to turn the SID (Speed Indicator Sign) to face the other way on Scotter Road. The Council had investigated but was advised that this could cause damage to the brackets, as they were not designed for this purpose.

The Council moved on to discuss the Speed Watch Initiative scheme, which had been raised previously but as it had been difficult to find volunteers, it had been deferred. However, Cllr. R. Walker would advertise the scheme again as a resident had volunteered to become lead co-ordinator in the village.
Item 107/09/23 Damage to property near St. Genewys church
Complaints had been received about damage to property near St. Genewys church. A parked car had made it difficult for large farm machinery to pass which had driven over a resident’s property to pass. It had been requested that the Parish Council ask for the church to put a sign on the church wall asking drivers not to obstruct the road due to large vehicles passing. Cllr. R. Walker had contacted a church representative who would be passing the request on to Scotton Parochial Church Council (SPCC). The resident whose property had been damaged had offered to pay for the sign.
ACTION: Cllr. R. Walker to continue liaising with SPCC.
To be returned to the next meeting.
108/09/23 To consider and discuss ways the Council could recognise Community Spirit in the village
Following discussion it was suggested Scotton could enter the Best Kept Village competition. ACTION: Clerk to find out further information about the scheme.
109/09/23 To review Planning Applications and agree any actions
a. Decisions pending
a. 147102 19, Westfield, Scotton, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 3LX

Application for a lawful development certificate to create infill extension between two single storey rear extensions, removal of roofs to rear extensions and new roof over the single storey rear projections, with alterations to the existing fenestration.
b. Modification Order PROW Beck Lane to East Ferry, Scotton 4/1
Nothing further to report – ongoing

• Ramblers Association application to designate it solely as a PROW and not a BOAT (Byway to all traffic). Seeking details from LCC.

The clerk checked with the case officer at LCC but there had been no official application from the Ramblers Association.

b. Determined
146715 Plot 1 Land south of Eastgate DN21 3QR
Application for Boundary wall and gate
GRANTED: 04.07.23 Time limits + conditions

Item 110/09/23 Training
Training booked for Cllr. S. Walker & Cllr. Dr. M. Johnson to attend:-
Appraisals 6th November 2023
Managing Performance 17th January 2024
(Clerk looking out for further training opportunities)

Item 111/09/23 Parish Councillors Reports – Information Only
Cllr. R. Walker suggested raising the precept for 2024-25 by £500 and asked Councillors to consider what funding might be needed in preparation for setting the preliminary budget.
Item 112/09/23 To approve listed policies:-
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the policies below:
- SAR (Subject Access Request)
- Data Breach policy
- Terms of Reference Employment Committee
Item 113/09/23 Date of next meeting
Thursday 5th October 2023 – 6pm Full Parish meeting

The meeting closed at 7.03pm.