4th July 2023 - Minutes
Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 4th July 2023 at 7.30 pm.
Present: Cllrs S Poulton, A Lennox, P Ireland, J Stapleton and E Hill, Mrs D Scott (Clerk).
62/23 Welcome – Cllr Lennox welcomed everyone to the meeting.
63/23 Apologies for absence – Cllr S Tarry (NKDC), Cllr A Key (LCC).
64/23 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – None
65/23 Notes of the previous meeting the Annual Meeting, 16th May 2023 – approved and signed. The notes of the Annual Parish Meeting also held on 16th May were noted for approval at the next APM.
66/23 Annual Finance 2022-23
Mrs Scott confirmed she had submitted the Exemption Certificate to the Auditors and published the set of statements and the Notice of Public Rights as required on the website and the latter on the Noticeboard. It was noted that part way though the period for the exercise of Public Rights, she had received no enquiries.
67/23 Finance 2023-24
- Mrs Scott shared the financial statement noting receipts and payments made since the last meeting, including receipt of a further £171 in CIL monies, in this case in respect of Foxys Barn, 4 Main Road. She had added it to the CIL restricted fund account. The payment had also been made for the replacement Defib battery as previously agreed.
- Payments including Clerk £178.13 (June and July) including expenses (reimbursement of travel, stationery etc), HMRC £39.40 (mth 3 due 19/07/23), were agreed.
- Coronation Event 7th May. Cllr Poulton advised that he would not be submitting a claim for any costs involved in the event, but asked that the £150 raised from tickets be added to the Defib fund. Councillors gratefully accepted his generous offer and Mrs Scott would adjust the restricted accounts accordingly, also deducting the venue hire from the Events Fund.
68/23 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.
- Updates from LALC, LCC, NKDC, YMCA, ICO - noted.
- LCC – offer of litter picking kits – it was agreed that this would be useful. Mrs Scott to request and Cllr Poulton to collect.
- NKDC Post- Election correspondence – noted.
- National Energy Foundation, re Better Housing Better Health (BHBH) – noted.
- Lloyds Bank Statements - noted.
69/23 Policing Update – Notification had been received that 2 local PCSOs would be leaving.
70/23 Highways Matters
Notification of the planned closure of the Fen had been received and added to the website. Cllr Key had provided further details, that the Drove road surface was to be ‘re-treaded’ in July. It was hoped that this would cause minimal inconvenience to residents and farm work.
71/23 Broadband – Cllr Lennox had made contact with Quickline and received an offer of a Zoom call to look at the possibility of providing internet access for the Chapel. Cllrs Lennox and Hill to look at suitable dates.
72/23 Planning Matters
- Planning application – 23/0587/OUT – it was noted that informal comments had been submitted on 27th June.
- Planning application - 23/0678/HOUS - Rock Barn 10A Fen Road - Erection of single storey rear extension, erect a single-storey open carport to the side of the existing property and erection of single garage to the side of the new proposed carport – after discussion, it was agreed that a ‘no objections’ comment be submitted.
73/23 Planning Inspectorate
- Viking Link – none
- Triton Knoll – none
- Ecotricity, Heckington Fen - Solar Park - no update
- Anglian Water Reservoirs Project no update
- Beacon Fen Solar Farm – Cllrs Lennox and Hill and Mrs Scott had attended a Zoom meeting with company representatives, which had been very informative. Mrs Scott had shared the slides and follow-up information with all. It was noted that the Beacon Fen South site did overlap slightly with the proposed reservoir site, but Beacon Fen believed they were ahead in the planning process.
74/23 CIL Funded Projects
Noticeboards – Cllr Stapleton advised that he would be starting work on them shortly, hopefully in time to do an ‘unveiling’ event during the lighter evenings. He was thanked for his recent work in making a new storage box for the village gazebo.
LRSP – Mrs Scott shared information received from LRSP on Community Speed Watch and speed monitoring equipment. After discussion it was agreed that a CSW group using hand-held detectors was likely to be divisive and unpopular but a speed indicator warning sign could be effective, although more expensive. A reply was still awaited from NKDC regarding whether it would be a permissible use of CIL funds. Cllr Lennox agreed to investigate the use of traffic measuring with LRSP to check if it was viable and to look into alternative/additional sources of funding.
75/23 Little Hale to Helpringham Footpath – it was noted that at least one resident was regularly using the roadway to walk to Helpringham and safety would be much improved if a dedicated pathway alongside the road could be created. Cllr Lennox agreed to contact Helpringham Parish Council for its thoughts and then follow up with Highways and Cllr Key.
76/23 Phone Box and Community Defibrillator
Reporting – ongoing, thanks again to the volunteer group.
Replacement battery – thanks to Mrs Rooke for persevering with the battery, arranging delivery and collection etc., for the temporary replacement defib. The problem had now been resolved and the payment made for the new battery.
Plaque - as agreed Cllr Poulton would fit this as soon as possible.
Training – Dates were agreed for the training session on the use of the Defib and First Aid update. Mrs Scott to check Parva House availability for 18th September and/or 25th September. Cllr Poulton advised that, if both dates were available, he could run two sessions, allowing attendees to receive certificates. Arrangements to be confirmed and publicised in a newsletter at the end of August.
77/23 Pump Lane
Cllr Ireland reported that his mower had been damaged by a hidden piece of concrete in the grass. Cllr Poulton would source an alternative and speak to people on the volunteers list about helping. Cllrs discussed what activities could take place on the land without jeopardising the Council’s claim for Adverse Possession. Mrs Scott agreed to share the relevant NALC LTN information.
78/23 Parish Council Communications
- Website – Official election posters had been added.
- Newsletter – as above to promote the First Aid/Defib training.
79/23 Matters for the next meeting – Bank Signatories and change of mandate, standing items.
80/23 The Dates of Meetings for 2022-23 – as agreed 4th July, 5th September, 7th November, 9th January 2024 (changed from 2nd January), 5th March, all at 7.30 pm, 7th May at 7.45pm, with Annual Parish meeting at 7.30pm
The meeting closed at 8.36 pm.
Agreed as a correct record and signed by Cllr Lennox at the meeting on 5th September 2023