2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 15 June 2022 at 2pm.

Preliminaries

1. Public Forum - None
2. Report from LCC - Attached
3. Report from NKDC - Attached

Present:

• Cllr G Kent (Chairman)
• Cllr Mrs J Aspinall (Vice-Chairman)
• Cllr Mrs B Bland
• Cllr R Clark
• Cllr D Fothergill
• Cllr R Harrington
• Cllr G Peck
• Cllr Mrs L Simons
• Cllr Mrs R Whipp

In Attendance: Miss K Broddle (Clerk) & Mrs E Salter (Assistant Clerk)

Also Present: Cllr Tinsley (NKDC), Cllr Cawrey (LCC)

1. Localism Act 2011 requirements

1. Apologies received - none
2. Declarations of Interest received – Cllr Mrs Bland for item 5e
3. Applications for Dispensation - none

2. Draft notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 18 May 2022 were proposed, seconded and approved for signature as the minutes.

3. To Discuss matters raised at public forum – none

4. Clerks Report:

1. The groundsman has liaised with the netball club and has marked a court on the training area for their use
2. A representative from ‘the Outdoor Project’ was shown the facilities but has not made any further contact.
3. There has been an issue of graffiti on the buildings and play area.
4. The start of the updated play park build has been delayed until 23 June.

5.The following items were resolved as stated:

1. Update to Model Standing Order 18 – it was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the update.
2. TRO on Main Road, for a 20mph speed limit – following advice from LCC Cllr Cawrey that the reality of having a 20mph would be minimal, it was proposed, seconded and resolved to ask for an Archer speed survey once the proposed Sainsburys store has been completed – subject to the granting of planning by NKDC, that the speed indicator sign is placed on Main Road in rotation with other roads. It was noted that to have double yellow lines on the whole of Main Road could increase the speed of vehicles as there would be nothing to slow them down.
3. LALC Local Councils Networking Day – it was proposed, seconded and resolved for Cllr Kent, the clerk and assistant clerk to attend.
4. Adoption of the NKDC Code of Conduct – after some discussion, it was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the Code of Conduct with the following:
   1. Formatting in accordance with Accessibility Regulation requirements and the inclusion of the Parish Councils front page for policies
   2. The suggested modification from NKDC regarding gifts & hospitality.
5. Bowls Club meeting with regard to grass cutting and water useage – it was proposed, seconded and resolved to advise the club that the Councils’ groundsman will clear the grass cutting with the associated costs being met by the bowls club and that if they are not prepared to use the free water from the delph, a meter reading of the domestic water usage must be submitted monthly to the clerk/assistant clerk. They will also be advised to try and use the delph water to see if there are any problems, as this would be at no cost to them.
6. Macmillan Coffee Morning – it was proposed, seconded and resolved to hold on event on 30 September 2022
7. Updates from Working Parties:
   1. Play Park Upgrade – the start date has been delayed until 23 June; FCC have indicated that they would not be able to attend an opening event or provide a plaque for the park. It was proposed, seconded and resolved not to hold an opening event.
   2. Jubilee Celebrations – the event was well attended and good reviews received. The Council wish to thank those involved in making the day a success. A future event may be considered, with shorter operating times.
   3. Review & Production of Policies: the following decisions were agreed on the updated policies
      1. Abusive, Persistent or Vexatious Complaint Policy - proposed, seconded & resolved
      2. Communications Policy - it was agreed that the policy needs some amending to the final paragraph on Obscene & Abusive Language to return it to the original paragraph to allow more flexibility regarding differing use of language.
      3. Formal Complaints – it was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept this policy with the proviso that the complaints form be a separate document and not attached to the policy.

6. Planning Matters.

a. Applications received: None

b. to note decisions by NKDC Planning on the following applications

7. Financial Matters

1. The payment schedule June 2022 was proposed, seconded and resolved, with salaries being noted.
2. The accounts & budgets for May were noted, with no comments made.
3. The Unity Trust Bank balance of account as at May 2022 was noted.
4. The quote for the EICR (5 year fixed wiring inspection) from Selmec was proposed, seconded and resolved.

8. Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, it was proposed, seconded and resolved to move into closed session for the following item(s).

9. The proposal by Cllr Mrs Simons to award an honorarium to the clerk for extra work undertaken was discussed with the following being proposed, seconded and resolved – that the clerk receive a sum of £400 in recognition of additional work undertaken out of working hours and in regard of the play park.

• There being no further business the meeting closed at 3.40 pm.

District Councillors' Report

Heighington, Washingborough & Canwick

June 2022

Covid

Data as at date shown:

• England 70 positive tests per 100,000 (5 Jun)
• Heighington area 68 (5 Jun)
• Washingborough & Canwick area 45 (5 Jun)
• 93% of adult population (12 and over) have had 1st dose
• 87% have had 2nd dose
• 68% have had the Booster jab.

Safe Meeting Arrangements

NKDC has lifted safe meeting arrangements in relation to physical meetings with effect from 8 June. Members will use their own judgement in terms of mask wearing. Masks, wipes and sanitiser will remain available at meeting venues.

NK Walking Festival

This festival takes place between 18 Jun and 3 July. Over 60 guided walks are available around the district ranging from short saunters to long hikes. Details can be found at www.hillholtwood.co.uk/nk-walking-festival .

Code of Conduct

At Council on 28 Apr, Members voted unanimously to adopt the LGA Model Code of Conduct. Copies of the code have been forwarded to Parish Councils to consider their own positions with regard to adoption. It is considered that a common code of conduct amongst as many councils as possible will increase consistency and the understanding and adoption of the behaviour standards expected of members.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

NKDC has been allocated £3.1M from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund aims to boost living standards, health, employment opportunities and skills, wellbeing and a sense of belonging and pride in place. A plan will be drawn together with input from a range of stakeholders and this will be submitted in the summer. If successful, funds will be available to draw down. Further information will be provided as this issue develops.

Devolution

The devolution of powers and funding from central government to local places is being considered in Lincolnshire and the Great Lincolnshire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) wish to interact with businesses to explore if devolution is right for our area. The views of the business community are requested in a survey which can be found at; https://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/priorities-and-plans/devolution-lincolnshire/survey?utm%20medium=email&utm%20source=govdelivery (Link now broken)

County Councillor Report

Washingborough

15 June 2022

Heighington Road

While not in Washingborough village, our residents may be interested to know that, unfortunately, the surface dressing works that have recently taken place along the Heighington Road, Canwick, have started to show some isolated early signs of failure with the surface dressing material starting to strip with the chippings not adhering to the binder. To rectify the situation, Highways are currently in liaison with the contractor to set up a weekly sweeping regime to remove any excess chippings. The severity of the failure will determine how quickly Highways are able to carry out remedial action, if the site settles quickly, it should be addressed this summer, if not remedial works will commence in Spring/Summer 2023. I would like to add that any further works will be undertaken at the contractor’s expense.

Inappropriate Parking

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is about to begin a campaign to remind people to park their vehicles responsibly and have proper regard for the need for emergency vehicles to be able to pass. This is especially important for 18-ton fire appliances which need much more room than police cars and ambulances. There have been recent incidences in the county where fire appliances have not been able to reach sites of fire or accidents, necessitating crews to knock on doors to ask people to move vehicles so the fire appliance can pass. This wastes valuable time and could cost lives.

Road Surface Repairs

You will have seen that there have been repairs to the road surface on Park Lane, and work will be starting this week on Cavendish Mews, Lee Avenue and Sandra Crescent.

Ward Walk

I have requested a Highways Ward Walk with our Local Highways Manager, and dates are currently being considered. If members have issues that they would like on the agenda/ route, please do let me know.