2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

SCOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT SCOTTON VILLAGE HALL NORTHORPE ROAD DN21 3RB THURSDAY 1st JULY 2021 AT 6PM

Present: Councillors R. Walker (Chairman), J. Robinson, A. Robinson, A. Ramsay, and R. Littlewood
In attendance: Leticia Cooper (Clerk & RFO)

There were no members of the public present. The meeting began at 18:05.

 >41/07/21 Chairman’s welcoming remarks
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

>42/07/21 To receive apologies and reasons given.
There were none.

>43/07/21 Disclosure of interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation
There were none.                                    

>44/07/21 To receive and approve the notes of the Parish meeting on 3rd June 2021
It was voted upon and RESOLVED unanimously that notes be approved as a correct record and signed as Minutes.

>45/07/21 Clerk’s Report

• Co-option notices were placed on the notice boards and published on the Parish Council website and Facebook page.
• Published accounts were placed on the notice board and website.
• An application had been made for the grit bag from LCC for the coming winter. Cllr. Ramsay kindly offered to take delivery and store until needed.
• Clerk clarified what that any contractors should already have the NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) before commencing work on highways.
• Scotton Neighbourhood Plan had been formally adopted by West Lindsey District Council (WLDC).

>46/07/21 Finance matters
a) To approve accounts paid / for payment
It was voted upon and RESOLVED unanimously to approve the following expenses:-

b) To note balances against budget expenditure up to 30th June 2021
The financial report was noted.
c) To approve bank reconciliation
The bank reconciliation was approved and signed.

>47/07/21 To receive clerk’s report on the comparison of bank accounts and consider options
The report was received and following discussion it was agreed that a move to electronic banking could improve the speed of payments the Council needed to make. The clerk would review the proposed electronic banking policy and return it for discussion and approval to the meeting in September. Cllr. A. Robinson had been to the TSB with the updated mandate and was waiting for confirmation that he had been added as a signatory. It was agreed that the Council would remain with the TSB, for the immediate future.

>48/07/21 Village Maintenance
a) To evaluate maintenance schedule and discuss any adjustments or additions to the maintenance agreement
Amendments to the current maintenance schedule included flexibility in hours needed during the summer, when growth in vegetation was at its quickest. It was voted upon and RESOLVED unanimously to accept the amendments to the agreement. Clerk to forward amended contract to Mr. Williams.
b) To hear any updates on the Jubilee tree
Lincs County Council (LCC) tree adviser, Richard Littlewood, had responded to queries about whether the tree posed any risks to residents or infrastructure if it was not removed within the next few weeks. Mr Littlewood reported the tree could be left for another 6 months and posed no immediate risk. Cllr. Perraton-Williams had been contacted about the matter and reported that she would contact LCC to ask when the tree was scheduled for removal by LCC contractors.

>49/07/21 Speeding in the Village
a) To consider update received from PC Shaw and discuss further options
The clerk reported that PC Shaw had conducted speed surveys on the Scotter Road and the approach to Scotton noting there were incidences of speeding recorded.

Cllr. J. Robinson had been in contact with Scotter Parish Council to discuss what affect their speed signs had on speeding in the village.  There would appear to be a calming affect when motorists saw the sign. Cllr. J. Robinson concluded it would be better to continue with plans to purchase a SID sign, which could be moved to different points in the village as the ‘20’s Plenty’ initiative had not progressed. The Council agreed that they should return to plans for the purchase of a SID sign.

District Councillors had pledged funding towards a SID earlier in the year. The clerk was asked to contact district Councillors to enquire about available  funding.

Cllr. J. Robinson would continue to work with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
b) Update on the letter to Cllr. Martin Hill, Lincolnshire County Council
Cllr. Walker had circulated the letter to Scotter and Northorpe parish Councils, who had made suggestions, these had subsequently been included in the revised letter. Cllr. Walker requested that if any Councillors had any further amendments they might wish to make, to forward these to him before September, when it was expected neighbouring Councils would bring it back for further discussion.

>50/07/21 Update on the Eastgate Development
It was noted that a section of hedging had been taken down by contractors to make way for construction of pavement. There were concerns that the hedge removal and any subsequent work on the hedge could be detrimental to wildlife and contravene the ‘Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981’ protecting nesting birds. Cllr. Walker requested permission to write to the resident to ask if the hedging was on their property and to enquire if they were aware of the removal of hedging and had given permission.
It was voted upon and unanimously RESOLVED to give permission to Cllr. Walker to write to the resident.

>51/07/21 Allotments
a) To arrange a date to visit the allotment site in July or August to view area and discuss plans for development of Community Orchard / allotment
The clerk would circulate dates to all Councillors to arrange a visit within the next two months. It was suggested that residents be invited to attend the allotment visit and make comments. It was agreed any dates would be publicised and residents invited to attend.
b) Any other allotment matters
There was discussion about accessibility to the site and vegetation that had taken hold. This could be assessed in-situ during the planned allotment visit.

>52/07/21 Planning
a) Applications received for comment
- 143138 Plot 3 Land south of Eastgate DN21 3QR
It was noted that there did not appear to be a plan for dealing with drains, foul water, and surface water runoff.
b) Applications awaiting decision
- 143045 Bleak Farm Northorpe Road DN21 3RB
Objections sent 04.06.21. 
c) Applications approved
- 143135 Plot 2 Land south of Eastgate DN21 3QR
- 142836 Sandiacre Gainsborough Road Laughton Wood Corner DN21 3PY
The decisions were noted.

>53/07/21 Councillors Reports
Cllr. A. Robinson noted there had been some resurgence of Himalayan Balsam. It might be necessary to ask the contractor to deal with it. To be returned for discussion at the next meeting.

>54/07/21 Date of the next meeting of the Parish Council
2nd September 2021

There being no further business the meeting ended at 18.37