October 5th 2023
SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB THURSDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2023 AT 6.00PM
Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker and H. Alexander
In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO), Cllr. K. Carless and 3 members of the public.
Item 114/10/23 Chairman’s welcome
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Item 115/10/23 Public session
There was discussion about speeding in the village and the position of the Speed Indicator Sign (SID), on Scotter Road. There was interest in finding out how to join the Parish Council. The chairman spoke about the procedure. Clerk to send further information to interested residents.
IItem 116/10/23 To hear reports from County or District Councillors
Cllr. Carless expressed condolences over the passing of Cllr. R. Littlewood.
Item 117/10/23 To hear apologies and receive reasons for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr. Dr. Johnson.
Item 118/10/23 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
Item 119/10/23 To receive and approve notes of meeting held 7th September 2023
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes of 7th September 2023 as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
Item 120/10/23 Finance
a. The financial report was noted.
b. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to allow the clerk to vire funds from reserves to the current account if required.
c. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the payments and expenses for October:-
- Clerk’s salary - October 2023
- Clerk’s mileage - £19.80
- Printing - October £4.49
- Grass cutting – September £260.00
- LIVES – replacement of defibrillator battery and pads £357.54
- Darren Saxby – building concrete bases for village planters £450.00
- Fair Gardens Plant Centre – purchase of soil & manure £191.80 and £94.75 purchase of seasonal bedding plants for the planters
d. The banking mandate would be updated to remove Cllr. Littlewood. It was suggested that all Councillors should become signatories to allow all to view the accounts. Deferred for full discussion at the next meeting.
Item 121/10/23 Preliminary Budget 2024-25
The preliminary budget had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. Reserves were currently robust, and the clerk advised against increasing the precept for the next financial year.
The Council discussed the budget and RESOLVED to:
- increase the precept by £1,000
- ring fence all allotment income going forward
- to create a chairman’s allowance of £50.00
- to create a budget for maintenance of stone planters of £100
The clerk gave figures for subscribing to LALC and asked if Council would like to continue in the ATS scheme. There had been interest in joining SLCC and figures for joining were given. The council deferred both decisions until the next meeting.
Item 122/10/23 Community Orchard
a. Cllr. R. Walker had been approached by residents asking if the Orchard could be extended and a picnic bench added to the site. The difficulties with expanding the site were lack of help with tree planting and on-site maintenance. The formation of a volunteer group for the Community Orchard would make it easier to further develop the site. Two trees had failed, and following discussion, it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to purchase two additional trees and guards. ACTION: Cllr. Alexander to consider best variety of trees as replacements prior to purchase.
b. Cllr. R. Walker had received a request to plant a tree and plaque at the Orchard but had not heard back from the resident. Deferred to the next meeting.
Item 123/10/23 General allotment matters
a. There were no general updates.
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. Deferred to the next meeting.
Item 124/10/23 To hear any updates about removal of hedging at the Pinfold, junction of Crapple Lane
The contractor would be removing the hedging in the next couple of weeks, weather permitting.
Item 125/10/23 To hear any updates about the Commemorative planter project on Crapple Lane and to consider further actions
Plants, soil and fertiliser had been purchased. Cllrs. R. Walker and Alexander had finished embedding plants. The gateway sign had been installed. It was suggested that flowers could be planted at the base of the sign.
Item 126/10/23 Emergency Planning
Cllr. Dr. Johnson circulated a report of actions prior to the meeting. A meeting would be scheduled with Steve Eason-Harris, lead coordinator of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum and the Emergency Planning Officer at WLDC. Clerk to advise of remote meeting dates when available. Cllr. R. Walker looking into available funding. ACTION: Clerk, Cllrs. R. Walker and Dr. Johnson to start collecting information for the plan.
Item 127/10/23 To hear any reports from the Village Hall Management Committee (Cllr. S. Walker)
- The plaque commemorating Cllr. R. Littlewood had been placed in the hall.
- The application for the MUGA project was being finalised and was nearly ready for submission.
- Funds of £580.00 had been received through the Co-op’s Community Champions venture.
- There were plans to install a picnic bench at the playpark.
- The Christmas quiz would be held on 9th December 2023.
Item 128/10/23 To hear any further updates about the survey of existing drains including any comments on capacity of the culverts (Cllr. Alexander)
This was in progress and Cllr. Alexander would send findings to LCC in due course.
Item 129/10/23 To hear any updates on the call for volunteers for the Speed Watch Initiative
A resident had volunteered to become lead-coordinator for the scheme. The Council expressed their thanks for this offer. However, due to the lack of volunteers it was not possible to apply to join at the present time. The clerk had spoken to Scotter Parish Council who were willing to consider loaning equipment to a group set up in Scotton, which would help reduce overall costs, were it possible to form a group in the village. Deferred until further notice.
Item 130/10/23 To consider meeting dates for 2024
The date for the meeting in February was amended to the 2nd. All other dates were approved.
Item 131/10/23 To review Planning Applications and agree any actions
a. Decisions pending
- 147102 - 19 Westfield, Scotton, Gainsborough, 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.
- 147343 - 44 Westgate, Scotton, Gainsborough DN21 3QY
Application to add a first floor, two storey front extension and part single/part two storey rear extension, including balcony to rear – being variation of condition 2 of planning permission 143606 granted 11 October 2021 – removal of front extension, revised roof layout, rear balcony incorporated into bedroom, window changes and revised floor layouts.
The Council had no comment.
- Modification order PROW Beck Lane to East Ferry, Scotton 4/1
Nothing to report.
b. Determined
- 147248 Westgate Farm, Eastgate, Scotton DN21 3QP
Application for prior notification of proposed demolition of lean-to building on side of larger barn.
Decision reached 26.09.23. Prior notification was turned down and planning permission required.
Item 132/10/23 Training
- Permission for clerk to attend remote Financial Workshop training on excel approved.
Information only - future training
Cllr. S. Walker & Cllr. Dr. M. Johnson to attend:-
Appraisals 6th November 2023 (Zoom)
Managing Performance 17th January 2024 (Zoom)
Clerk - VAT for non- registered Councils – 12th December 2023 (Zoom)
Item 133/10/23 Parish Councillors Reports – Information Only
The Council thanked Cllr. Alexander for his help and expertise on the planters’ project at the Pinfold.
Item 134/10/23 To approve listed policies:-
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the following employment policies:
- Disciplinary policy
- Equality & diversity policy
Item 135/10/23 Date of next meeting
Thursday 2nd November 2023 – 6pm Full Parish meeting
The meeting closed at 7.15pm.