2021 Parish Council Meetings

Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 7th September 2021 at 7.31 pm.

Present: Cllrs A Lennox, J Stapleton and N Rooke, Cllr Stewart Ogden (NKDC), Mrs D Scott (Clerk) and 2 members of the public.

Prior to the formal business, Mr and Mrs Fixter presented Councillors with a donation towards the Defib fund of £50, raised during the Car Show they organised at their home in August. They also made a donation towards the Gazebo fund and further donations were received from other gazebo users. Mrs Scott agreed to add a mention to the website.

80/21 Welcome – In Cllr Poulton’s absence, Cllr Lennox took the Chair and welcomed all to the meeting.

81/21 Apologies for absence – Cllrs S Poulton, P Ireland, Cllr S Tarry (NKDC) and Cllr A Key (LCC).

82/21 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none.

83/21 Notes of the previous meeting, 5th July 2021 – approved and signed.

84/21 Finance 2021-22

i. Mrs Scott had shared copies of transactions to date. It was noted that the £40 donations received at the last meeting had been banked. The balance at Lloyds was £2,658.06, before this evening’s transactions. The balance included £513.22 of restricted funds, before the additional £50 received for the Defib and for the Gazebo funds, received earlier.

ii. Payments were approved for the Clerk £169.03 by cheque (August and September), and HMRC £38.80 (mth 6 due 19/10/21) and Community Heartbeat Trust £55.20 (replacement Defib pads), both by Transfer.

85/21 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.

1. Updates from LCC, NKDC, YMCA - noted
2. LALC e-news - noted
3. LCC Bus Service update - noted
4. CAB – support for migrant workers - noted
5. NKDC Good Causes Launch 13th September – confirmed the launch was a virtual event, open to all.
6. Lloyds Bank Statements and any other correspondence received

86/21 Policing Update – None

87/21 Highways Matters

Potholes – it was noted that the marked up potholes on Fen Road had been fixed and some other areas had been patched, but unsuccessfully. Potholes to continue to be reported.

Roadsigns – it was noted that a number of road signs had been defaced by Anti-Vaxx stickers, as had the Bus-Shelter. Volunteers had cleaned the Bus Shelter as far as possible – other stickering to be reported to LCC

30mph signs on Helpringham Road – it was noted that one was now hidden by foliage – Clerk to report

Speeding – reports of excessive speed were noted – Mrs Scott to investigate latest information on SIDs and Speed Guns, etc.

Parking – ongoing issue especially on Fen Road corners. Cllr Lennox agreed to speak informally with one resident. It was agreed that the matter be raised again in a newsletter to all residents.

Flooding – omitted in error. Post meeting note – Cllr Tarry had offered to follow up with NKDC and LCC, with Cllr Key to check on progress. It was understood that Highways officers were waiting for the IDB to complete the dyke clearance on behalf of one riparian owner.

88/21 Broadband – In Cllr Ireland’s absence, it was noted that progress by Quickline had been slow, potentially still held up by Covid restrictions.

89/21 Planning Matters

1. Street numbering on Chapel Lane – NKDC had agreed the numbering of the new property at 17 Chapel Lane.
2. Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Team Consultation – noted ongoing
3. Planning Applications – Application 21/0685/FUL Erection of 2 storey detached dwelling, 14 Fen Road NG34 9BD – noted approved by NKDC on 26th July 2021 with conditions that reflected the Parish Council’s concerns.

90/21 Planning Inspectorate –

1. Viking Link – Cllr Ireland had shared the notes from the Community Liaison Group meeting 
2. Triton Knoll – No update

91/21 Phone Box and Community Defibrillator

Painting – it was noted that the Phone Box was looking much smarter with the new red paint, thanks to Cllr Poulton and Mr Nickols for their work. Gold paint work still to be completed.

Mr and Mrs Freeman’s retirement from the reporting group – Mrs Scott had written to thank them, as requested.

Incident – Cllr Lennox explained that, in a recent emergency, a village family had been told to fetch the defib, but not given the code. In a rush, they’d contacted her for help and she’d been able to contact Cllr Rooke by text for the information and helped them to access the defib. In the end the defib had not been necessary and the patient was understood to have recovered. Cllrs were very concerned that a 999 operator had not given the full information about accessing the defib. Mrs Scott confirmed that they would have had access to the information. Cllr Rooke was able to confirm the time and date of the text message. Cllr Lennox agreed to check with the family which service it was they’d called and then Mrs Scott would raise the question with EMAS and Community Heartbeat Trust.

Defib training – it was noted that Cllr Poulton had mentioned the training on facebook, but it was not clear what response there had been.

92/21 Dog Fouling – nothing to report

93/21 NKDC Litter Picking Grant – details had been shared but, again, it was noted that the level of grant was too low for the commitment required.

94/21 Land at Pump Lane – Cllr Rooke confirmed that soil had been delivered to fill in some low areas and weeds had been treated. Once the weeds had died back, the area should be ready for grass seeding. It was noted that a plan would be needed for future grass cutting.

95/21 Litter Picking – It was agreed that the next clean-up would be held on 7th November at 10.30 am. Mrs Scott to request use of the NKDC kit, for delivery to Cllr Rooke’s. Event to be promoted in a newsletter as well as signage near the phone box and on facebook and the website.

96/21 Parish Council Communications

1. Website – Mrs Scott had shared information about accessing usage stats for the website. Photos always welcome – Mr Fixter offered photos from his Car Show.
2. Newsletters – next one to include parking, litter pick date, first aid training

97/21 Policies

Mrs Scott reported that she had reviewed the policies

1. Code of Conduct – as previous adopted
2. Equal Opportunities Policy – a new LALC model was available – Mrs Scott to share
3. Financial Regulations – several changes had been made to the LALC model – Mrs Scott to share
4. GDPR Policy – as previously adopted
5. Publication Scheme – subject to change in reference to website address
6. Social Media Policy – subject to change in reference to website address
7. Standing Orders – several changes had been made to the LALC model – Mrs Scott to share updates

It was agreed that policies i, iv, v and vi be re-adopted subject to amending web address where necessary.

It was agreed that policies ii, iii and vii be brought to the next meeting with recommended updates for decision.

98/21 Matters for the next meeting – 3 Policies, First Aid/Defib training.

99/21 The Dates of Meetings for 2020-21, at 7.30pm, as agreed, 2nd Nov (Cllr Lennox gave her apologies), 4th Jan 2022, 1st Mar, 3rd May

The meeting closed at 8.25 pm.

Agreed at the meeting held on 2nd November 2021 and signed by Cllr S Poulton