February 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 2025 IN THE VILLAGE HALL 6PM
1) PRESENT - Cllr R Walker (Chair and RFO) Cllr S Walker (Acting Clerk) Cllr H Alexander Cllr K Ibbeson
ALSO PRESENT - Ms C Mallia. Mrs K Johns
2 Residents of Eastgate (Anonymous)
2) Cllr R Walker opened the meeting at 6pm by welcoming everyone
3) PUBLIC SESSION -
a) Ms C Mallia (Resident of Westfield) stated that 14 of the houses on Westfield where the pond is situated were still in negotiations with Greenbelt, the maintenance company, about the lack of maintenance being carried out despite the annual charges having risen year on year. These now stand at £456.94 per annum for each household. Maintenance is minimal leaving the pond covered in green algae for most, if not all, the year. Dredging was last carried out in 2009. Contractors have been witnessed throwing grass cuttings and tree debris into the pond.
Cllr Alexander, who visited the pond a while ago noted that some trees appear unsafe, unsatisfactory fencing and noted that the constant green algae might, to a child, appear to be a solid surface.
Ms. Johns stated that when any inspection of the trees is carried out then it is a visual inspection only and this was not satisfactory.
Ms Mallia stated that if all negotiations didn’t provide a satisfactory conclusion, then the residents would welcome the PC taking over the pond in accordance with the Section 106 agreement made between Greenbelt and Mr Mountcastle (the original owner of the land). This agreement enabling the PC to purchase the pond at a cost of £1 expires in December 2028.
Cllr Walker stated that this may be possible but would have to be within certain rules exempting the PC from any charges.
Negotiations between the residents is continuing with Greenbelt as well as The Environment Agency and water companies.
A site visit by an Operations Manager from Greenbelt will take place on Monday February 10th.
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b) Residents of the Village stated that issues had arisen with a particular vehicle parked outside The Old Rectory almost constantly as well as issues for the residents of both 34 & 36 Eastgate.
They include
- Causing an obstruction for anyone turning out of the lane into Eastgate between No’s 7 & 9. It is creating a blind area meaning drivers are unable to see approaching vehicles unless they pull out into the middle of the road.
- The constant presence of this car means that the road sweeper is unable to sweep that area causing a buildup of detritus.
- Heavy vehicles using the road and pulling out to overtake the parked car are driving over verges and kerbs causing damage.
- A residents water meter has also been damaged.
- On occasions when a second vehicle, belonging to the same household is also parked on the road it is often parked near or opposite a gas “let-down” station. A collision here could have major consequences.
- Residents of both 34 & 36 Eastgate are finding it difficult to enter/exit their respective drives
- Farm machinery, lorries and construction vehicles often have difficulty navigating the road to get past.
The owners of the vehicles have been approached by numerous residents but are unwilling to change their behaviour.
Cllr R Walker stated that he would contact a county councillor asking if any measures could be implemented to stop this situation happening.
4) APOLOGIES - District Cllr K Carless - Cllr Y Huddleston
5) COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS - None present. District Councillor Carless forwarded the following reports
a) RAF Scampton – No final decisions made
b) Election for Mayor is going ahead on May 1st 2025
6) DECLARATION OF INTEREST - None
7) MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2ND JANUARY 2025
It was agreed that the minutes represented a true record of the proceedings
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8) FINANCE
a) Tree protection - The councillors agreed to look at tree protection for the orchard trees to deter deer and rabbits. March/April was agreed
b) Banking update - Attempts to get the mandate changed continue as TSB appear to have lost some completed paperwork. New paperwork has been issued but has not been received yet. If the situation remains outstanding, then the councillors agreed to seek an alternative banking option.
9) AUDIT UPDATE
a) The following payments have been made
1) Village hall rental for meetings 2024 ( £192)
2) LALC for website maintenance (Regular Updates)( £216)
3) £1200 to the village hall committee for the purchase of new heaters (Money transferred from savings to facilitate this)
b) Accounts would be submitted for audit in April following the end of the financial year on 31st March 2025.
c) All policies and procedures approved
10) VILLAGE HALL/PLAYGROUND
a) Cllr R Walker stated that the PC and the VHC had joined forces to try for improvements to the playground. Several site visits have been arranged to obtain estimates so the application for funding can be started.
11) PINFOLD UPDATE Cllr Alexander stated that following an inspection the planters and surrounding areas were satisfactory, and new planting would take place in the spring.
12) ORCHARD UPDATE Cllr R Walker stated that he had visited the orchard and all was satisfactory. New saplings to be planted when weather conditions permit.
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13) Due to the absence of District Councillor Carless this item will be carried over to the March meeting. Cllr S Walker to contact District Councillor Carless for possible dates for this to commence.
14) SEAT ON BECK LANE – No update
15) PLANNING MATTERS – Cllr Alexander stated that he had become aware of a planning application submitted by Blyton Racetrack to include the following
a)Pit Garages
b) Control Tower
c) New Hospitality Area
All to be completed by the end of 2025
Councillors agreed to object once the application appears on the WLDC website
16) LUDDINGTON TRUST – Following a request from the trust the following were approved as trustees
a) Mrs J Langford b) Mrs E Butler c) Mrs B Hill
17) FELLED TREE DOOKS CLOSE – No further action to be taken by the PC. All maintenance of the area to be left as the responsibility of ACIS.
18) WESTFIELD POND – See public session
19) PROBLEM PARKING ON EASTGATE – See public session
20) GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT – A decision was made to continue with Mr C Williams for the contract and initially to award 10 extra hours on the contract with an option for 10 more if needed.
LCC have awarded £796 for the grass cutting subcontracted to the PC
21) COUNCILLORS REPORTS - No reports
22) PLANNING MATTERS – Planning application submitted for 1, Scotter Road, Scotton – No Objections
NEXT MEETING THURSDAY 6TH MARCH 2025 6PM SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL
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