2024 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 9th January 2024 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Cllrs A Lennox, P Ireland, J Stapleton and E Hill, and Cllr A Key (LCC), Mrs D Scott (Clerk) and 23 Members of the Public.

Prior to the business of the meeting, an extended Public Forum was held to discuss the recent flooding issues.

The following points were raised:

The water had got inside the phone box, is the defib at risk, was access impossible, should it be sited elsewhere?

Responsibilities – it was noted that the County Council was the lead Authority on flooding and worked with the EA, the Internal Drainage Boards and AW to resolve issues. The Parish Council was only able to act as a conduit on behalf of residents, reporting issues and lobbying for improvements.

What had caused the problem? It was noted that the recent culvert work by LCC Highways to bypass the section blocked by the lamppost base had worked to some extent, but it seemed that there was still a blockage, either in this new section around the lamppost (nr 19 Main Road), the roadside section from there to between 21 and 23 Main Road or the section between the 21 and 23 Main Road that was culverted about 15-20 years ago, connecting the roadside section to the dyke between the rears of the Fen Road and Chapel Lane properties. It was suggested that the culvert pipes were too small.

It was noted that a recent meeting with Highways had discussed the option of creating a new, more direct culvert from the Main Road, just south of the phone box, to the dyke between the Fen Road and Chapel Lane properties. The landowner was present and expressed a preference for the existing culvert linking the Main Road and the dyke to be investigated and if possible replaced.

Would dredging the dyke improve matters? It was noted that once the water had reached that section it did flow quite freely, after recent works by riparian landowners and the IDB.

The size of the new pipe in the culvert around the lamppost was questioned and it was noted that this concern had been raised at the time.

Road Closures – it was noted that the signage had largely been ignored and drivers had been inconsiderate with their speed, causing waves sending water further on to the roadside properties than necessary. The impact of enforcing road closures was discussed, including preventing local residents’ access and egress. Concerns were noted about missing urgent medical appointments during the flooding. It was felt that better signage, with more advance warning, allowing traffic to turn around sooner, would have helped, especially finding alternative routes for HGVs. It was noted that many of the alternative routes were also flooded at the time.

Flooding west of Main Road – it was noted that the water needed to flow from west to east and this was hindered by the volume of water waiting to move from the Phone Box area. Problems had been reported at properties on the west side, including numbers 12, 14 and Parva House. Cllr Ireland agreed to meet with residents to look at the problem with field drains and the old pond feeding into the system, but pointed out that it would be a matter for Highways to discuss with the landowner.

Sewage – it was noted that the foul water drains were also flooded and some drain covers had lifted. It was noted that AW had had a problem with flooding in the pumping station itself, which they had been working on the previous Friday (5th).

Road Surface damage – the standing water had damaged the road surface and potholes. Cllr Key pointed out that the village section of Fen Road was probably the worse residential road in the area. He would continue to lobby for improvements but reminded everyone to report damage and potholes including on the pavements (all part of the Highways) on FixMyStreet.  He also pointed out that the increasing frequency of heavy rainfall may be a symptom of climate change and could signal the start of the end in terms of increasingly extreme weather.

How quickly would the opening of the Boston gates affect the water levels in Little Hale? It was noted that the flood gates only opened at low tide in an automated process, to allow water from the South Forty Foot to flow into the Wash. It was pointed out that it would take a considerable time for this to impact on Little Hale but the ‘sudden drop in levels’ in the village was more related to the fact that by that time the water that had collected in the village and further to the west was no longer being topped up by further rainfall.

Sandbags – it was noted that historically sandbags had been available from the Councils (inc NKDC) but it was understood that this was no longer the case. Should the Parish Council order a supply that could be used? It was suggested that other Parish Councils were able to supply them to residents when needed. New types of ‘sandbags’ were discussed. The Clerk to investigate whether this would be a potential use of the CIL fund.

Drain Inspections – had anyone put a camera down to check for blockages? It was noted that this had been how the lamppost concrete had been found.

Culvert Capacity – it was noted that a resident had been advised in the 1980s that 18” diameter was enough. It was not clear what size had been used in the existing culverts, but it was believed to be inadequate. The section between 21 and 23 Main Road was understood to have used the same size pipe.

Cllr Lennox asked for any other questions.

Streetlight on Fen Road, at the far end of the Council Houses – why had this been removed? It was thought that it had been damaged by a collision and Highways had made it safe. The resident was advised to report it on FixMyStreet and request a repair/reinstatement.

Cllr Lennox thanked members of the public for attending and taking part in the discussions, she invited them to return for an update at the March Parish Council Meeting.

(21 members of the public left the meeting, with 2 remaining).

01/24 Welcome – Cllr Lennox welcomed everyone to the meeting.

02/24 Flooding (item 9ii on the agenda, brought forward by agreement). The member of the public reiterated his request that the section culverted 15-20 years ago should be investigated as a priority. It was suggested that a site meeting involving the relevant parties and LCC Highways representatives should be arranged as soon as possible. He added that during the recent flooding he had pumped around 1.2m litres of water over 32 hours from the dyke by the phone box, across his land and into the dyke at the back; he felt that this proved that the dyke had the capacity to carry the quantity of water and it must therefore be that the flow through the culverts was inadequate. Cllr Ireland and Cllr Key to liaise with Rowan Smith, LCC Highways Manager for this area, to arrange a meeting.

(The 2 members of the public left).

03/24 Apologies for absence – Cllr S Poulton, Cllrs S Tarry and S Ogden (NKDC)

04/24 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none

Notes of the previous meetings, 7th November 2023 – approved and signed.

05/24 Finance 2023-24

1. Mrs Scott shared the financial statement noting receipts and payments made since the last meeting, including the receipt of £73.39 in respect of the VAT Claim.
2. Payments including Clerk £170.28 (December and January) including expenses (reimbursement of travel, stationery etc), HMRC £39.40 (mth 10 due 19/02/24, were agreed.
3. Bank signatories – it was agreed to add Cllr Hill as a bank signatory. Mrs Scott to prepare new mandate to be completed by the next meeting.
4. Clerk’s Pay – following previous discussions, it was agreed that the Clerk’s pay be set at the current NJC rate (£12.42 per hour) on an hours-worked basis, with effect from 1st February 2024

06/24 Finance 2024-25. The previously shared details of the projected expenditure to 31st March 2024 and a draft budget for 2024-25 were noted. As usual NKDC had provided a draft calculator for alternative precepts to consider. It was noted that the tax-base for 2024-25 had increased by the equivalent of 2.30 Band D properties, to 80.67, therefore by keeping the Band D Council Tax at the same as 2023-24, the Precept would increase by around £68 to £2,408.70, compared to £2,340.00 in 2023-24. It was noted that there was again no statutory cap imposed on Parish Council Precept increases for 2024-25. After consideration of projected expenditure, it was agreed unanimously that the Precept be set at £2,800, meaning an increase of £4.85 per annum for the Band D Council Tax.  Mrs Scott to submit the forms to NKDC, subject to NKDC’s Full Council resolution confirming the details supplied to Parish Councils.

7/24 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.

1. Updates from LALC, LCC, NKDC.
2. LCC and NKDC, via Cllr Tarry, re Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Proposal and consultation by LCC. It was noted that an event was planned for Sleaford the following day but there would be other opportunities before the closing date of 29th January 2024.
3. NKDC, via Cllr Tarry, to note the Annual Report and update on future plans, see here.
4. Lloyds Bank Statements – checked and noted.

8/24 Policing Update

1. NSK Policing Priority Setting Feedback Form – noted submitted, citing hare coursing, police visibility and concerns re travellers. It was noted that hare coursers had been very active on the Fen over the last week. The Police presence had been noted.

9/24 Highways Matters

1. Willow Grange – it was noted that the owner had confirmed that the work would be carried out.
2. Flooding - as discussed above.  

10/24 Broadband

1. Take-up – more reports of satisfied customers were noted; some who were waiting, to be advised to chase.
2. Quickline Community Fund – potential Chapel connection - Cllr Lennox pursue with Chapel representatives.

11/24 Planning Matters

1. Planning Application 23/0932/FUL Land Adjacent To 2 Fen Road Conversion and extension of existing outbuilding to form 2 holiday lets – noted, approved by NKDC 11th December 2023.
2. Planning Application 23/1021/FUL Development of a photovoltaic solar array (49.995MW export capacity) with associated grid corridor works, access improvements and ancillary development. Land South of Little Hale Drove Little Hale Fen – no updates
3. Travellers on Little Hale Fen – no formal update.
4. NKDC Conservation Officer visit – Cllr Ireland reported that the meeting had been a useful fact-finding event for the officer.

12/24 Planning Inspectorate

1. Viking Link – no update
2. Triton Knoll – no update
3. Ecotricity, Heckington Fen - Solar Park – no update.
4. Anglian Water Reservoirs Project – no update.
5. Beacon Fen Solar Farm – no update, but Cllr Lennox volunteered to join the group set up by Asgarby & Howell.

13/24 CIL Funded Projects

1. Sandbags – Mrs Scott to investigate options for the next meeting.
2. Other ideas – A request for ideas was now on the website.

14/24 Little Hale to Helpringham Footpath – Cllr Key confirmed that he had put forward the proposal to Highways, it had been declined for PROW funds but could be considered under the wider Highways footway projects. Caution was noted about the potential impact on school transport.

15/24 Phone Box and Community Defibrillator

Defib and First Aid Training – Mrs Scott reported that the member of the public had, in the end, been unable to follow up with EMAS about their training. It was suggested that Cllr Poulton be asked again; Cllr Key suggested that Great Hale VH could be available again if agreed, as before, to offer training to residents from both villages.

16/24 Pump Lane - no update

17/24 Bus Shelter Working Party/ Litter pick – 17th March was suggested. Councillors to discuss with Cllr Poulton.

18/24 Parish Council Communications

1. Website – statistics were noted.
2. Newsletter – defer to next meeting.

19/24 Event for 2024 – details of the national ‘D-Day80’ celebrations had been shared. It was noted that the Chapel had plans to revive Little Hale Feast in July.

20/24 Matters for the next meeting – bus shelter working party/litter pick; First Aid/Defib training.

21/24 The Dates of Meetings for 2023-24 – as agreed 5th March, at 7.30 pm, 7th May at 7.45pm, with Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm

The meeting closed at 9.40 pm.

Agreed as a correct record and signed by Cllr Lennox at the meeting on 5th March 2024