March 2021
SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCING THURSDAY 4th MARCH 2021 AT 7PM
Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), R. Littlewood (Vice-chairman), P. Kulleseid, J. Robinson, A. Robinson, R. Ramsay, and A. Ramsay
In attendance: Cllr. Mrs L. Rolling, Cllr. L. Clews, Cllr. M. Snee, Leticia Cooper (Clerk/RFO) and 1 member of the public
Public Question Time
Cllr. Mrs Rollings thanked the Council members who had attended the 20’s Plenty Campaign online meeting.
119/21 Chairman’s welcoming remarks
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
120/21 To receive apologies and reasons given
There were none.
121/21 Disclosure of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.
122/21 To receive and approve the notes of the Parish meeting on 4th February 2021
It was RESOLVED unanimously that notes be approved as a correct record and signed as Minutes.
123/21 Clerk’s Report
- West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) had lowered the dog waste bin behind the village hall as much as possible, but the bin was on a bank, which prevented further lowering. Bin could be moved if issue is not rectified.
- Road signs in need of replacing and/or re-lettering reported to WLDC. Signs had been ordered but it could be another 6-8 weeks before work began.
124/21 Finance matters
a) To note income & expenditure report
The report was noted.
b) To note funds from VAT, reclaim 2020-21
Funds were noted.
c) To consider if funds from VAT reclaim should be left in the current account or transferred to reserves
It was RESOLVED unanimously to keep funds in the current account.
d) To consider if unspent income from allotment fees for 2020-21 should be ring-fenced for future allotment projects
It was RESOLVED unanimously not to ring-fence allotment fees. The income should be kept in the current account to fund any maintenance work that may be needed on the allotment sites.
125/21 Allotment matters
a) Update on the vacant allotment plot
There had been no response from the resident who had expressed interest in the plot. Cllrs. A. & R Ramsay will audit all holdings later in the spring/summer and report back to the council. Information provided would be used to help plan any future development of the site.
b) Any other allotment matters
i) Forested Land at allotment site
There was a brief discussion about the forested area near the allotment site which was thought to belong to the Parish Council under the Enclosures Act. Land registry documents were currently missing, but it could be Lincoln Archives had copies or even the original documents in safekeeping. The area had become important for wildlife and of amenity value to residents. It was not included in the village maintenance schedule, but this could be reconsidered, if work became necessary. It was RESOLVED unanimously to leave the area as it was for the time being and investigate proof of ownership further.
Action: Cllr. Walker to contact Lincoln Archives
ii) Weathered bench
The bench would need replacing. It was suggested that it could be replaced with one made from recycled materials.
Action: Cllr. Walker to investigate and obtain quotes.
iii) Allotment wardens
Allotment wardens had been contacted and all had agreed to continue next year.
126/21 Environmental Matters
a) To hear any progress on the removal of the Jubilee tree
Cllr. R. Ramsay had contacted the County Council to discuss the tree but had not managed to get through to the tree officer.
Action: Clerk to follow up
b) To consider formation of a Beck Pressure group with neighbouring parishes
Cllr. Mrs Rollings gave an update on matters since the previous meeting. There followed a discussion about the formation of a pressure group with neighbouring villages. All agreed that a pressure group, which included neighbouring parishes could have more effect and influence. The pressure group could consider the water course as a whole and identify the issues which might impact another parish. A joint-working approach could be used to inform future planning and identify risks of flooding along the water courses and drainage systems.
Action: Cllr. Walker to contact Cllr. A. McGovern of Northorpe Parish Council to discuss the group.
Cllr. R. Ramsay would continue talking with Cllr. P. Wood of Scotter Parish Council.
c) Update on Speed Indicator Device grant applications
Cllr. Mrs. Rollings agreed to give funding towards the SID sign from the Councillor Initiative Fund. Councillors expressed their thanks.
Cllr. J. Robinson suggested the project should be put on hold while the Council investigated taking part in the ‘20’s Plenty Campaign’.
d) To hear a report about the 20’s Plenty web meeting
Cllr. J. Robinson gave a brief report about the web meeting. The presentation would be forwarded to all Councillors for information. There would be an initial outlay of £4,000 to join the scheme and additional costs for notices to advertise.
Cllrs. J & A Robinson expressed interest in joining the ‘20’s Plenty’ committee and would liaise with Cllr. Mrs Rollings. It was noted that residents should be asked if they wished to pursue the campaign due to the costs involved.
e) To hear any updates from WLDC regarding dog fouling in the village
The clerk had been sent a small quantity of A3 stickers by West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) which could be put up around the village to remind people to pick up after their dogs. There had been a scheme, which was put on hold, due to the pandemic, where volunteers were trained as enforcers to help prevent dog fouling.
Action: Cllr. Mrs Rollings offered to email Andy Gray at WLDC to ask if the scheme would resume.
f) To hear a report on the levels of grit in bins and consider if further action is needed
This would be checked and reported at the next meeting.
h) To hear a report on the location of dog bins near Church Land and to discuss if additional bins are needed in the area
This had been investigated but there appeared to be an adequate number of bins near and around the area.
127/21 Planning matters
a) To consider applications received for comment
i) 142258 – Laughton Croft Nursing Home, Scotton Rd, Scotton Common DN21 3JF
There were no objections to this application.
ii) 142373 – Noor House, Gainsborough Rd, Scotton Common DN21 3JF
The access gate to the property should be set further back, to a distance of at least 20ft (6m) to allow oncoming traffic to pass safely.
b) To note planning decisions on non-material amendments
i) 142387 – Plot 9, Land south of Eastgate, Scotton DN21 3QR
This was noted.
c) Appeals
i) 141637 – Land off Middle St., Scotton DN21 3RA
The Council had previously objected to this planning application and concurred with the reasons for refusal made by WLDC. Concerns had not been addressed. Reiteration of these objections would be sent to the Planning Inspectorate considering the appeal.
128/21 Councillors Reports
- Cllr. Kulleseid discussed the footpath to Scotter and commented that it should be widened.
- The footpath from Dooks Close up to the bus stop needed resurfacing. Patches had not solved the problem.
Cllr. Walker would contact the Parish Council’s in Scotter and Northorpe to ask if they would be interested in forming a pressure group to address road surfacing repairs in the villages. - The clerk was reminded to take payment for period 13 before year end.
129/21 Date of the next meeting of the Parish Council
8th April 2021 at 6pm.
There being no further business the meeting ended at 8.13pm.