November 2nd
SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB
THURSDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2023 AT 6.00PM
Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker, Dr. Johnson, and H. Alexander
In attendance: Cllr. K. Carless (District Cllr), Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO)
Item 136/11/23 Chairman’s welcome
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Item 137/11/23 Public session
There were no members of the public present.
Item 138/11/23 To hear reports from County or District Councillors
Summary of report from Cllr. Carless:-
- an update on the former Scampton Airbase and the pending decision of the recent judicial review, challenging the government’s plans for the site.
- General discussion of the ‘Levelling up’ fund and the plans to rejuvenate parts of Gainsborough. The plans are available for residents to view on the West Lindsey District Council website.
- General discussion of recent flooding with an encouragement to the Parish Council to contact her if there were further flooding in the village.
- Raised awareness of a New Age Curling group. Cllr. S. Walker expressed interest in finding out more.
Cllr. R. Walker thanked Cllr. Carless for her report and offer of help in the event of flooding.
Item 139/11/23 To hear apologies and receive reasons for absence
There were none.
Item 140/11/23 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
Item 141/11/23 To receive and approve notes of meeting held 5th October 2023
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes of 5th October 2023 as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
Item 142/11/23 To receive applications for the office of Parish Councillor and to co-opt a candidate/s to fill the existing vacancies
An application for co-option was received and accepted from Yvonne Huddleston. The applicant advised that they would be unable to attend the meeting.
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to co-opt Mrs Huddleston in her absence and to sign the ‘Acceptance of Office’ following the meeting in the presence of a member of the Council, or if that was not possible to defer signing until the meeting in December.
Item 143/11/23 Finance
a. The financial report, including incoming funds were noted:-
- Grass cutting Agreement 2023-24 contribution £366.01 received 10.10.23
b. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the payments and expenses for November:-
- Clerk’s salary - November 2023
- Clerk’s mileage - £19.80
- Printing - November £4.49
- Grass cutting – October £100.00
- ICO certificate renewal - £35.00
c. Following discussion it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to allow Cllr. R. Walker to purchase surpluses of soil. Clerk to raise an invoice for £43.74.
d. The clerk completed the variation of mandate from the bank to remove Cllr. Littlewood as signatory, to be approved and signed by two signatories. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to add all Councillors to the banking mandate. Item 144/11/23 Preliminary Budget 2024-25
An updated preliminary budget had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting, including costs for joining the SLCC and the LALC ATS scheme. Following discussion, it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the additional costs and to further adjust two budgets:-
- Grants budget: increase from £2,500.00 to £3,000.00
- Computer fund: allow for an increase of £100 if required
Item 145/11/23 Setting the precept 2024-25
A breakdown of council tax bandings for all properties in the parish and an estimate of costs to the tax payer of the proposed precept increase were circulated prior to the meeting.
Cllr. R. Walker began discussions by explaining how the Council calculated costs per banding. Following discussion, the Council were unanimously agreed that the increase to the precept, agreed at the previous meeting, should stand.
Clerk to return precept estimate for £12,000 to WLDC.
Item 146/11/23 Flooding
a. Beck Lane had flooded in some sections due to the heavy rain following storm Babet. A resident living nearby had reported it to the Parish Council and recommended suggestions that might be considered to remedy the situation. There followed in depth discussion, after which it was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED – (i) for the clerk to contact LCC providing a detailed report of flooding at Beck Lane and (ii) for Cllr. S. Walker to reply to the resident’s communication.
b. Councillors had monitored other areas of the village prone to flooding, but there was nothing further to report.
Item 147/11/23 Community Orchard
Two replacement trees and stakes had been ordered and were expected in good time for planting later in the month.
Cllr. R. Walker had been approached by residents’ keen to expand the Community Orchard. Further expansion would largely depend on the availability of additional voluntary help, if it involved planting a larger number of trees. Cllr. Alexander would assess the site prior to the next meeting and report on possible expansion options. The clerk advised that it was sometimes possible to engage the ‘Lincolnshire Conservation Volunteers’ for Community projects who would give their time freely. The clerk was asked to investigate this further.
b. Cllr. R. Walker received a donation of £60.00 for the purchase of a tree and inscribed plaque. The plaque had been ordered and Cllr. R. Walker created the surround at no cost to the Council. Clerk to bank the cheque received.
Item 148/11/23 Allotment matters
a. There was only one allotment tenant who had not paid fees.
b. The wardens had been asked to take an audit of the trees at allotment land adjoining the PROW. There was nothing to report. Deferred to the next meeting.
Item 149/11/23 To hear any updates about removal of hedging at the Pinfold, at the junction of Crapple Lane
The contractor had been unable to remove hedging due to heavy rain but would start removal weather permitting. The ivy would be carefully treated along with removal of the hedging to prevent destabilising the wall.
Item 150/11/23 To nominate a Councillor or the clerk to attend the remote Parish Council Engagement session organised by Lincolnshire Police on 14th December 2023
Cllr. Dr. M. Johnson volunteered and was nominated to attend.
Item 151/11/23 Emergency Planning Project
Cllr. Dr. Johnson circulated a first draft of the plan but noted there was a lot of work to do and many things to consider. There followed thorough discussion of various risks and how these could be approached, to what extent the Council should commit for each risk and how the Council response should be proportionate. The Council would need to identify key residents who could be approached, in the event of an emergency such as doctors, nurses, the farming community for example.
Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, (LRF) would be holding an open evening on 22nd November 2023, with further sessions planned in the New Year. Additionally, the LRF lead had offered to meet Council remotely to discuss the plan further. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED for the clerk to attend the open evening and arrange a remote meeting with the LRF lead. Cllr. Dr. Johnson was thanked for his work.
Item 152/11/23 To hear any further updates about the survey of existing drains including any comments on capacity of the culverts (Cllr. Alexander)
Cllr. Alexander surveyed the drains on 12th October and concluded that LCC were aware of all drains in the village. Some drains needed clearing, and this would be reported to LCC. It was explained that LCC policy was to clear drains every other year. Cllr. Alexander was thanked for his work.
Item 153/11/23 To hear any reports from the Village Hall Management Committee (Cllr. S. Walker)
- The Village Hall Management Committee had applied for a grant from the Parish Council.
- Planning permission for the MUGA was awaited.
Item 154/11/23 To receive amendment to meeting dates for 2024 due to the Police Crime Commissioner elections in May
Date for the meeting in May moved to Friday 3rd May 2023.
Item 155/11/23 To discuss arranging Parish Councillor Surgery’s and consider any actions
Following discussion, it was agreed it would be a good opportunity for residents of the parish to meet Councillors informally. Cllr. Carless suggested a combined surgery; on a quarterly basis, beginning in the spring of 2024. Cllr. S. Walker and Cllr. Carless to liaise further.
Item 156/11/23 To review, discuss and approve any amendments to the policies listed
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve updates and amendments to the Asset Management policy and Grants Policy.
Item 157/11/23 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.
- 147443 Westgate Farm, Eastgate, Scotton Gainsborough DN21 3QP
Application to demolish lean to building
The Council had no objections.
- Modification order PROW Beck Lane to East Ferry, Scotton 4/1
Nothing to report.
b. Determined
Nothing to report
Item 158/11/23 Training
a. Future training – General Reminder
Appraisals 6th November 2023 (Zoom)
Cllrs. Walker and Johnson advised they had not received training information.
Clerk would contact LALC urgently to request link.
Managing Performance 17th January 2024 (Zoom)
Clerk - VAT for non- registered Councils – 12th December 2023 (Zoom)
b. To discuss training opportunities or interest in courses offered by LALC in the
Training Bulletin circulated to Councillors 19.10.23
- Clerk interested in attending ‘Agricultural Lettings & Tenancies’ workshop £25 + VAT 14/11/23
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to allow clerk to attend the above workshop.
Item 159/11/23 Parish Councillors Reports – Information Only
- Drain on Westgate appears to be collapsing. Reported on Fix my street 6th October 2023.
- Cllr. R. Littlewood’s ashes to be scattered on the field adjacent to the playpark on Sunday 5th November 2023 at 1.30pm. Rest in Peace.
Item 160/11/23 Date of next meeting
Thursday 7th December 2023 – 6pm Full Parish meeting
The meeting closed at 7.40pm.