January 2024
SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB
THURSDAY 4th January 2024 AT 6.00PM
Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), S. Walker, Dr. Johnson, Alexander and Huddleston
In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO)
Item 183/1/24 Chairman’s welcome
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Item 184/1/24 Public session
There were no members of the public present.
Item 185/1/24 To hear reports from County or District Councillors
There were no County or District Councillors present.
Item 186/1/24 To hear apologies and receive reasons for absence
There were none.
Item 187/1/24 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
Item 188/1/24 To receive and approve notes of meeting held 7th December 2023
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the notes of 7th December 2023 as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
Item 189/1/24 Finance
a. Financial reports were noted. Incoming funds of £360.00 from allotment rent had been received via Bacs.
b. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve payments and expenses for January: -
- Clerk’s salary - January 2024
- Clerk’s mileage – January £19.80
- Printing - £4.49
- Village Hall Hire fees Jan – Dec 2023 £147.00
- Clive Williams – Grass cutting £120.00.
Mr Williams had been asked to do additional cuts at the Pinfold and verges in December. Further work to clear patches of ivy and general clearing were approved for January. Cllr. R. Walker to liaise with Mr Williams with details of work.
Item 190/1/24 Banking
Updated mandate forms were given to Cllrs. S. Walker, Y. Huddleston and H. Alexander for completion and submission to TSB.
Item 191/1/24 Preliminary Budget 2024-25
The updated preliminary budget was noted. There were no further additions or amendments.
Item 192/1/24 Precept 2024-25
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to send the final precept figure of £12,000 to West Lindsey D.C. The form was signed by the chairman, clerk and two other councillors.
Item 193/1/24 Policies
a. Amendments to the Grants & Donations policy were put forward to improve transparency by requesting reports from applicants, to track how funds were used and to align applications with the Council’s preliminary budget setting - prior to the new financial year.
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the changes to the policy
b. It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to approve Cllr. R. Walker’s draft letter to grant applicants advising of the changes to the policy, effective immediately.
Item 194/1/24 Community Orchard
a. The apple trees had been delivered and would be cared for by Cllr. R. Walker until weather allowed for planting.
b. A Russett apple tree had been purchased and would be planted on site, weather permitting.
Item 195/1/24 Allotment matters
a. All allotment tenants had paid rental fees for the year.
b. The wardens had been asked to take an audit of the trees at allotment land adjoining the PROW. Deferred to the next meeting due to saturation of water on land.
c. There was general discussion about how the land could be managed going forward. It was noted that permission would be required from the secretary of state before any part could be sold.
Item 196/1/24 To hear any updates about the proposal to protect the grass verge at the Pinfold and consider any actions
Clerk was waiting to hear from Highways about the proposal to add wooden blocks to protect the verge. Councillors were asked to consider the proposal further pending a decision from Highways.
Item 197/1/24 To discuss erosion of grass verges in village and consider any actions
Following general discussion, it was noted that the worst affected areas of erosion were:
- Dooks Close where it appeared that car/s were being driven over the front lawns of the nearby houses.
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to write to ACIS to raise awareness. - Crapple Lane: the bank had been badly eroded by cars and made worse by the continuing damp conditions.
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to seek advice from LCC about resolving this issue.
Item 198/1/24 To hear any update on correspondence sent to LCC regarding partial flooding of PROW 4 - Beck Lane to Laughton and to consider further response
The clerks report and response from LCC were noted. It was observed that the main issue was that if the river Eau reached capacity, the water would back up into ditches and the Beck, as the flow would have nowhere else to go. In the short-term, it was suggested that homeowners consider putting in protection. The issue could also form part of the emerging Emergency plan.
Cllr. R. Walker was appointed lead councillor for flood risk management.
199/1/24 Emergency Planning Project
Cllr. Dr. Johnson gave a brief report and made the following points: -
- Information was being gathered to complete the form but help from Councillors who had lived in the village longer would be appreciated.
- There was a need to think through the processes and to determine how various organisations would help i.e. LCC, WLDC and the Lincs. Resilience Forum, LRF
- To establish a way for those who were vulnerable, or those who knew of vulnerable people, to contact the Council. It was suggested that a flyer could be produced and made available to all residents detailing how to report vulnerability.
- Further information was needed on funding opportunities.
- A need for training and guidance
The clerk was waiting to hear from the LRF lead about dates for a remote training meeting. It was hoped to arrange this asap. There had been delay due to seasonal holidays.
Item 200/1/24 To hear a report about the remote Police Engagement meeting held in December (Cllr. Dr. M. Johnson)
Cllr. Dr. Johnson reported that it was a helpful session and there were a lot of statistics given. The main points that came through were: -
- Concerns over speeding were endemic to all parts of the county.
- Lincolnshire received approximately 30% less funding than other forces but had a larger rural network to police.
- Continuing issues with drugs and drugs being brought over county lines. Potential for emergence of ‘cook houses.’ Something to be aware of but there was no evidence to suggest it was happening in Scotton.
A recording of the session was circulated to all Councillors before the meeting.
201/1/24 To discuss arrangements for the combined District & Parish Council Surgery and consider any actions
Deferred due to the absence of Cllr. Carless.
Item 202/1/24 To hear any reports from the Village Hall Management Committee (Cllr. S. Walker)
- WLDC had awarded a partial grant of up to £10,000 with the stipulation that match-funding was found to cover remaining costs.
- Clive Williams was awarded the grass cutting contract for the next financial year.
- Overheads were continuing to be high, and bookings had been quiet for the beginning of the year.
202/1/24 To review Planning Applications and agree any actions
The following were noted: -
a. Decisions pending
- 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.
- Modification Order PROW Beck Lane to East Ferry, Scotton 4/1
Nothing to report – (ongoing)
b. Determined
- 147443 Westgate Farm, Eastgate, Scotton Gainsborough DN21 3QP
Application to demolish lean to building
GRANTED Time limits + conditions 11.12.23
Item 203/1/24 Training (Information only)
a. Future training
Managing Performance 17th January 2024 (Zoom) – Cllr’s. S. Walker & Johnson
Item 204/1/24 Parish Councillors Reports – Information Only
Cllr. Huddleston reported that some residents found the gateway sign at the Pinfold visually unattractive.
Item 205/1/24 Date of next meeting
Thursday 1st February 2024 – 6pm Full Parish meeting
The meeting closed at 7.25pm