2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Washingborough Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 17th November 2021 at 2 pm, in the Community Centre

Public Forum - no members of the public were in attendance

1. Reports from NKDC and LCC Councillors - appended

Present:

• Cllr D Fothergill
• Cllr Mrs B Bland
• Cllr R Clark
• Cllr R Harrington
• Cllr G Kent
• Cllr G Peck
• Cllr Mrs L Simons
• Cllr P Scigala
• Miss K Broddle (Clerk)

Also present: Cllrs Carrington & Goodwin (NKDC) and Cllr Cawrey (LCC)

53. In accordance with the Localism Act 2011, recieved -

1. apologies and reason for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs Aspinall and Whipp and Cllr Tinsley (NKDC)
2. declarations of interest - were received from Cllr Bland regarding items 56e, f and g.
3. applications for dispensation - none.

54. Draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 20th October 2021 were approved for signature as the minutes.

55. Clerks Report:

1. Voluntary Litter Pickers - an additional list of volunteers has come to light. However there is still equipment available for another 6 volunteers, so no further equipment will be ordered in the current financial year.
2. Offer of a Salt Bag from LCC - the salt offered is not instead of LCC filling the grit bins. Unfortunately there is no appropriate storage at the Community Centre for a salt bag, so the offer has sadly been declined.
3. Voluntary Community Speed Watch group - due to lack of interest, this project has been shelved.
4. The annual inspection of the play equipment and MUGA/Outdoor Gym - the inspection has shown that, apart from the freestanding slide and the spinning pole, all items and areas are either 'low' or 'very low' risk. The slide and spinning pole are 'medium' risk, but these two items are to be removed as part of the upgrade to the play equipment.
5. To advise that the Youth Club is not currently attracting members, so will cease running until April 2022.
6. To advise that the Christmas tree has been ordered and will be in situ and lit from November 26th.

56. The following items were resolved as stated:

1. Renewal of the gas framework contract arranged by ESPO was proposed, seconded and resolved.
2. Art Work in Washingborough - it was proposed, seconded and resolved that due to lack of expertise and finances not to take on the maintenance of the NKDC art work.
3. Request from a parishioner to purchase the slide from the play park, once the new play equipment project has started - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to advise that the slide would not be available until summer and no price would be known until then. The parishioner is to be asked if they are still interested.
4. Report from the Four Parishes Meeting - the report was noted and the other members will be advised that as the Council have their own grounds staff they will not be looking for a contractor with regard to grass cutting.
5. Request from the Bowls club regarding hedge cutting - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to advise the club that the boundary hedge is fully their responsibility as stated in their Service Agreement.
6. Service charges for 2022/23 for the Bowls and Tennis Clubs - it was proposed, seconded and resolved to increase both clubs service charge by 10%.
7. Meeting with the Bowls and Tennis Clubs, to review the Service Agreement and advise them of the new charges - it was proposed, seconded and resolved that Cllrs Fothergill and Peck meet with the two clubs.
8. Date for the Annual Parish Meeting 2022 - it was proposed, seconded and resolved that the date be 9th march 2022 at 6pm.
9. Updating the CCTV and Alarm System for the Council owned buildings on Fen Road and the surrounding grounds - following increasing vandalism around the playing fields and associated buildings it was proposed, seconded and resolved to request a survey and quotes to upgrade these systems.
10. Upgrade, from LCC, to the pedestrian crossing on Fen Road of, repainting the road stripes, the poles and installing new LED ‘halo’ lights - it was proposed, seconded and resolved that LCC are requested to look at the upgrading of the pedestrian crossing.
11. Project requests to go to F&GP Precept meeting for consideration:
    1. Blachere1558 Creative Kids design a light - it was proposed, seconded and resolved for this project to be considered for inclusion in the precept for 2022/23.
    2. Washingborough Railway Platform Sign - it was proposed, seconded and resolved for this project to be considered for inclusion in the precept for 2022/23. Cllr Cawrey believes that LCC have the original station sign and this is to be requested from them.
12. Updates from working parties:
    1. Play Equipment - grant decision is due in early December, procurement is being looked into, a list of requirements has been produced.
    2. Jubilee Celebrations - R&N catering will be organising an event on behalf of the Council for the Jubilee.
    3. Community Centre Bar – the recommendation to have K-Bars as the DPS was proposed, seconded and resolved.
    4. Additional Useage of the Pavilion - the group will hold their first meeting November 22nd.
    5. Wi-Fi Coverage of the Community Centre & Pavilion - the recommendations from the working party are: determine length of current telecom contract; exact useage needed from new network; possible upgrade of telephone system; obtain three quotes for finance purposes; grant availability.

57. Planning Matters

58. Financial Matters:

1. The payment schedule, for November was proposed, seconded and resolved. The salaries payments were noted.
2. The accounts/budgets for October 2021 were noted
3. The Unity Trust Bank statement for October was noted and signed

59. To resolve moving into Closed Session (Public Bodies Admission to Meetings Act 1960)

• none

District Councillors Report

Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick
November 2021

Covid (Data as at 6 Nov 21)

• England 402 positive tests per 100,000
• North Kesteven 402
• Heighington area 503
• Washingborough & Canwick area 498
• 87% of adult population (12 and over) have had 1s` dose
• 80% have had 2nd dose
• 17.5% have had the Booster jab.

Waste Bins

The second week's collection of Purple Bins resulted in 326 tonnes of dry and clean paper and cardboard being collected; 98% of which was in perfect recyclable condition. 99.2% of bins were emptied, showing a healthy increase from the previous month's 98.5%.

Green bin collections start week commencing 8 Nov. The last collection saw a reduction from 33% to 16% in contamination which means a lot less bins not being emptied and an increase in the amount of waste that could be recycled.

Corporate Peer Challenge

Over the week commencing 1 Nov, NKDC was subject to a Corporate Peer Challenge which involved a group of Councillors and Officers from around the country visiting Sleaford and studying the Council's methods and practices. The week involved a positive and transparent exchange of views with Officers and Councillors and it will be followed up with a report which NKDC will consider in a few weeks' time.

Early indications are that the team considered the Council to be stable and well run with good financial controls.

By-Elections

By-Elections will take place on 11 Nov 21 in Metheringham and Sleaford Castle Ward to fill 3 Councillor vacancies.

Washingborough Conservation Area

The conservation area in Washingborough which covers 18.4 hectares and was initially set up in 1975, will be the subject of a review commencing early next year. The review will produce a report which will go to public consultation around Spring 2022.

The aim of the review will be to establish if the area continues to justify special status because of its architectural or historic interest. The appraisal will establish which elements of the area merit preserving and enhancing, resulting in a Management Plan which will set out how the area can be improved.

Council Tax Support Scheme

Consultation on the scheme, which provides ways to support people who need assistance to pay their Council Tax, is underway and will conclude on 3 Dec. Residents are encouraged to share their views and can access the consultation through the NKDC website.

Rough Sleepers

As the weather becomes colder the focus on rough sleepers increases. The Council's Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which includes the Rough Sleeper initiative that works in tandem with Change4Lincs, provides specialist services for those who sleep rough or are at risk of being street homeless. If residents have concerns about any individual who may be rough sleeping, or may be at risk, they should contact Change4Lincs Services or the Housing Options Team at NKDC.

County Cllr Report

North Hykeham Relief Road

When complete, this new road will link the A15 Lincoln Eastern Bypass with the A46 Western Bypass at Pennells Roundabout to create a full ring road around Lincoln. The project also aims to:

• Assist the sustainable economic growth of Lincoln and Lincolnshire
• Maximise accessibility to Lincoln
• Improve journey times and road safety in Lincoln

In December LCC was informed that the project had achieved programme entry approval from the DfT, which also secured £110m towards the project from the DfT.  LCC accepted the terms of the funding agreement, and the projects is now being progressed with an aspirational start in 2025.  

Works are currently focussed on a feasibility stage with the potential contractor and designer.  Following this stage, which is planned to be complete by the end of this year a detailed cost forecast and programme will have been developed.  These details will be presented to the Executive for a key decision on 5 April 2022 and if approved LCC will enter contract with the Design and Build Contractor.  Following that the next milestone will be a planning application submission in 2023.

South East Quadrant

While not directly affecting Washingborough, it is worth noting that Lincolnshire County Council Highways has responded to the two live applications for SEQ:

• An outline planning application for phase 1a (16/1564/OUT) for 450 dwellings.  (Barratts and Jesus College)
• 20/0057/OUT for 1,156 dwellings south of Bracebridge Heath (Church Commissioners).

LCC has responded to NKDC requesting £3,889 per house towards sustainable transportation measures for the SEQ.  These have been identified in report undertaken by WSP to include:

• Primary and secondary mobility hubs
• Junction and bus/cycle/pedestrian improvements at Canwick Avenue/Canwick Hill, Cross O'Cliff/St Catherines/South Park and Canwick Hill/South Park junctions.
• Two cycle/pedestrian routes from SEQ to City Centre, one along Canwick Hill corridor, other on Cross O'Cliff/Bracebridge Heath corridor.
• Bus services subsidy

The primary school will be located on Canwick Avenue and the application will provide sufficient land so that LCC can implement the school and pedestrian/cycle connections without the Barratts application needing to start.  This means that the Church Commissioner's application no longer needs to provide a school.

20/0057/OUT was due to go to NKDC Planning Committee on 30 September 2021 and all necessary papers were published.  However, the Committee was postponed.  It is expected to go to the next Committee.

Consultation on the new Local Transport Plan has gone live:

The focus is on the six key themes identified as:

• Supporting economic growth – connecting people to employment, and businesses to customers.
• Future-ready green transport – reducing emissions.
• Promoting thriving environments – making sure transport enhances, not spoils, local areas.
• Ensuring health and safety – making sure transport is safe and responsibly managed.
• Promoting high aspirations – providing access to education, training and support services.
• Improving quality of life

There are some key potential projects outlined in the plan too, to demonstrate how we might achieve the aims of the six themes. They include developing mobility hubs at larger towns and at the coast, making Grantham and Boston 'electric bus towns', developing an electric vehicle charging network, and supporting improvements on the A1 and the Lincoln to Nottingham railway line. These projects are intended to generate discussion and provide examples. The whole document will evolve through the consultation process before being adopted at full council in the spring of 2022.

There will also be links to the wider work carried out on the Walking, Cycling, Bus, Rail, Electric Vehicle and Freight strategies all developed to support the Local Transport Plan.

www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/local-transport-plan

what3words

As Exec Member for Fire & Rescue & Emergency Planning I wanted to mention that we are running a what3words communications campaign with the app developers, which will be ready in mid-December. I would urge anyone, with a compatible phone, to please do download it and familiarise yourself with it before you may need to use it under time pressure.

Chief Executive Ward Walk 

I toured the three villages with the Chief Executive - looking at things like the road and footpath surfacing, bus routes, traffic speed and volumes and the distance that residents have to travel to get to the shops and surgery.

Highways Ward Walk

I want to confirm, that on the recent ward walk with our local highways manager, we discussed:

• School Lane
• Park Lane (inc Julia and Sandra)
• Fen Road (inc the road surface at the crossing)
• Footway surface at Longstongs
• Church Hill traffic speed and volume
• Pitts Road/ Heighington Road junction.

Full Council

The next (County Council) Full Council meeting will take place on 10 December 2021.