November 2023 Minutes
Washingborough Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 15th November 2023 at 6.00pm in the Community Centre small hall, Fen Road, Washingborough, Lincoln. LN4 1AB
Present:
• Cllr Mrs J Aspinall
• Cllr Mrs B Bland
• Cllr Mrs M Gibbons
• Cllr R Harrington
• Cllr Mrs L Hannam
• Cllr Mrs L Simons
• Cllr Mrs W Skelton
• Cllr G Peck
• Cllr Mrs R Whipp
In Attendance: Miss K Broddle (Clerk) and Mrs E Salter (Assistant Clerk)
Also Present: Cllr L Cawrey (LCC).
Members of the Public: Two.
60. It was resolved that the meeting be taken by Cllr Mrs Gibbons.
a. Public Forum: None.
b. Reports from LCC and NKDC – Reports had been circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr Cawrey informed members of an open meeting with Lincolnshire County Council and the Environment Agency on Tuesday 28th November at 6.00pm at Washingborough Community Centre regarding the recent flooding and invited neighbouring villages to attend.
61. Localism Act 2011 requirements:
Apologies and reasons for absence were received from District Cllrs Carrington and Goodwin.
Declarations of Interest: None.
Applications for Dispensation: None.
62. Draft notes of the Extraordinary Parish Council meeting held on the 26th October 2023 were proposed, seconded and resolved for signature as the minutes.
63. Matters Raised at Public Forum: None.
64. Clerks Report (for information only).
a. To note the resignation of Cllr Kent.
b. To note the resignation of Cllr Clark and to thank him for the work he has undertaken for Council.
c. To note that Cllr Mrs J Aspinall has stepped down from Vice Chairman.
d. To note that the annual play area inspections have been carried out with no concerns.
e. To note the rescheduled road closure to the B1190 regarding the strategic pipeline works carried out by Anglian Water, these works will now take place from the 15th – 26th January 2024.
f. To note that an Archer speed survey has been undertaken on Church Hill.
g. To note the comments sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner following the meeting facilitated by Potterhanworth Parish Council. These will be added to the Parish Council Engagement Session on the 7th December for the team to review.
h. To thank local resident Candy Garner for her regular updates on social media regarding the closure of Lincoln Road railway bridge following the recent flooding.
65. To discuss and resolve the following items:
a. The co-option of two members onto the Finance and General Purposes Committee. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Cllrs Peck and Mrs Hannam sit on the Committee.
b. Priorities for the Police Priority Setting Meeting. Following a discussion, it was proposed, seconded and resolved that the priorities are: a regular police presence in the village, better communication from the police on local crime and better investigation on reported crimes.
c. Free Trees for Community Groups from Woodland Trust. It was proposed, seconded and resolved not to accept any trees at this time.
d. To appoint a member to attend the next Witham Valley Access Project, on 28th November 2023 at 7pm and to note the minutes from their previous meeting held on 26th August 2023.It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Cllr Harrington attend the next meeting and the minutes were noted.
e. The proposed reduction in the speed limit to 40 mph, in parts on Fen Road. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to agree the proposal.
f. The suggestion from Councillor Cawrey to consider the old footpath on Washingborough Road to be cut back as part of the Councillor Volunteer Scheme 2024. Following further information from Cllr Cawrey, it was agreed to take no action at this time.
g. The NKDC public consultation on polling district and polling place review 2023. Members had no comment to make on the review.
h. To consider replacing the remaining exterior lights to LEDs at the Community Centre due to them tripping the electric. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to replace the remaining lights.
i. To agree a small working party regarding flooding issues and to receive further information regarding the recent flooding. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Cllrs Harrington, Peck & Mrs Skelton sit on the working party. Following a meeting with local land owners, a number of questions were raised for the IDB – it was proposed, seconded and resoled to send these questions to the IDB.
66. Planning Matters.
To resolve any comments on the following applications received.
a. 23/1267/FUL Land adjacent to Fen Road, Washingborough. Proposed residential development for 118 dwellings with construction of associated garages and various site works including the excavation of an attenuation pond. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to send the following comments:
• Drainage - This land has never been farmed in any way due to the poor drainage and natural springs in this area. The change in the climate and following recent storms has enhanced the problem of accumulative water in this area, leading to flooding directly opposite the planned site. The Parish Council would expect at the very least full & thorough investigation into the means of dispersing of excess water without it causing further problems in this area.
• Schools - It appears that no contact has been made with Washingborough Academy on School Lane with regard to primary school places, however the school in our neighbour village of Heighington has been approached. The Parish Council would expect the Washingborough Academy should be consulted on this application.
• Doctors - The Parish Council are concerned that the increase in patient capacity and the availability of appointments at Washingborough Family practice.
• Washingborough Parish Council strongly oppose any building on this site.
b. 23/1299/TCA 3 Oakhill, Washingborough. T1 Ash – full crown reduction by approximately 2m in height and approximately 1.5m spread with a diameter not to exceed 75mm. Crown lift garden and pub side to 3m to allow easy access to the areas. T2 Horse Chestnut – selective pruning of a bough limb over the neighbor’s garden by approximately 4m to a secondary union. Council had no comment to make on this application.
67. To note the decisions from NKDC, on the following applications received.
a. 23/0923/HOUS 124 Granson Way – approved.
b. 23/0813/HOUS 14 The Orchard – approved.
c. 23/0806/FUL Storage land, Five Mile Business Park, Blackthorn Way – approved.
68. Financial Matters.
a. The payment schedule for November 2023 was proposed, seconded and resolved and the salaries were noted.
b. The accounts and budgets for October 2023 were noted.
c. The Unity Trust bank statement for October 2023 was noted and signed.
d. It was noted that the 2023/24 NJC pay award agreement is to be back dated to April 1st 2023 and paid to all employees.
e. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the quotation from Electromec to fit a towbar to the groundman’s new vehicle at a cost of £530.00 + VAT.
f. It was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the quotation of £895.00 + VAT from JKBS for the fitting of a composite exterior bar door as part of the ongoing upgrade to the Community Centre.
g. To authorise replacing a bulb in the MUGA flood lights. Following a report form Selmec it was proposed, seconded and resolved to wait until the spring due to the ground conditions.
68. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that Cllr Harrington facilitates the December Full Parish Council meeting.
69. Under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 it was proposed, seconded and re-solved to move into closed session for the following item:
There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.22pm.
