Minutes 23rd March 2023
WILLOUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council Meeting was held in the Village Hall, Thursday 23rd March 2023 @ 6.30pm
PRESENT
Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips, (Chair), Cllr. Ms. H. Goring (Vice-Chair), Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell, Cllr Mrs T. Given,
Cllr. Mr. B. Moore, Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano, Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan (W.L.D.C.),
and Ms Hazel Fox (Clerk).
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles-Nicholson.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
Cllr. Mr. B. Moore expressed an interest as a member of the Committee of the Limestone Rangers Football Club.
Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips expressed an interest in The Tillbridge Solar Project.
Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell expressed an interest as his Wife is Chair of the Board of Governors of Willoughton School.
MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD 26th JANUARY AND 2nd MARCH 2023
The minutes of the Parish Council Meetings held 26th January and 2nd March 2023, were duly approved, and signed by the Chair.
MATTERS ARISING
Defibrillator
Correspondence was received from a resident advising difficulties accessing the cabinet in an emergency. The Clerk is in discussion with West Lindsey District Council to resolve the issue.
It was suggested contact should be made with Lives to investigate the holding of a training course with a trial of accessing the cabinet included in return for a donation to the service. Action: Clerk
Village Noticeboard
The board has now been repaired and is back in situ. Awaiting invoice.
Neighbourhood plan.
Mr Luke Brown from West Lindsey District Council will meet with Councillors and the Clerk on Monday 3rd April at 6.30pm to offer guidance on applying the plan.
Michael Head (Neighbourhood policing)
An invitation had been extended to Mr Head to attend the Parish Council meeting, however due to time constraints he was unable to attend any meetings.
Councillors suggested contacting Mr Head for assistance on specific issues and offer to visit his office at a later date when convenient. Action: Clerk
Elections 4th May
Guidance and application forms had previously been distributed to all Councillors by the Clerk.
All forms must be returned to The Deputy Returning Officer Guildhall, Marshall’s Yard, Gainsborough by 4 p.m. on Tuesday 4th April.
Website maintenance service
Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils has advised, any un-used minutes may be carried over and used until the end of the financial year 2024/2025.
The Parish Council has 1hr 24m left over to use from the 10hrs purchased, and the Clerk felt this was sufficient and no further hours required to be purchased at this time.
The Clerk can perform standard duties on the website and will advise Council if more training is required.
Solar developments/invitation from the 7000 Acres Group
Discussion was held on the Development Consent Order and the request from the 7000 Acres Group to complete a Relevant Representation to grant the Parish Council the status as an Interested Party.
Councillors did not consider this appropriate at this time, as the matter is under consideration by the Council, and it was not possible to represent the views of the Village without the full information.
The matter will be monitored, and further discussion will take place. The Clerk was requested to write to the group to advise of the Parish Council’s current position. Action: Clerk
Councillor e-mail addresses
Information had been received from the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils on options available to the Parish Council to ensure secure email addresses are provided to the Clerk and all Councillors.
Cloudnext, Derby offered the most appropriate service for the Council’s needs and the Clerk will make contact to enquire further. It was suggested the Clerk should have a dedicated email address, and a further separateenquiries@ email address should be published for contact by residents. Action: Clerk
HRH King Charles III Coronation
Discussion was held on events in the Village to mark the occasion. Difficulties in sufficient available volunteers prevented any planned events in the Village Hall, however a community litter pick and Village tidy on the Big Help Out on Monday 8th May will be organised. Residents will be encouraged to attend to the area immediately in front of their properties. Enquiry will be made with the Stirrup Inn if a joint gathering can be available. Action: Clerk
PLAYING FIELD
Basketball post
Discussion has been held between Cllrs. Mr. B. Moore and Mr. G. Rowles-Nicholson regarding removal of the existing post and concrete which is now in an unsuitable location and preventing expansion of football matches.
The Clerk will cease chasing contractors to price the work and contact Mr Rowles-Nicholson. Action: Clerk
Play Area Questionnaire
The Clerk advised all houses in the Village have now been delivered a questionnaire. A copy is available on the Parish Council website, and contact has been made with the Primary School to request their involvement.
Funding for replacement equipment
The Clerk had previously distributed a list of potential funding streams. Further work cannot be done until results of the questionnaire are received. Upon such time, the Clerk will invite suitable play equipment companies to present ideas and quotations for consideration by Councillors.
Quotations are required before applications for funding can be completed.
Limestone Rangers Football Club
Cllr. Mr. B. Moore advised the under 10’s are now at the top of their league. Councillors agreed this was a great achievement and passed their congratulations to all those involved in the success. Shower facilities for the away team are under consideration.
HIGHWAYS
Purchase of 30 mph Signs
Three replacement signs have been ordered and are due to be delivered on Monday 27th March. The Clerk will organise installation. Action: Clerk
Water Hollowgate Hill/Long Lane
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles-Nicholson has met with Jack Parker from LCC Highways. Drain covers were lifted and gratings checked. Mr Parker is actioning instructions for a new grating to be connected to the existing pipe.
No due date has been given; however this should ideally be done before the winter months.
Water at the corner of Gainsborough Road outside Caudle House
Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips advised no further updates. Continues to chase. Action: Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips
Drain running alongside Templefield Road
Highways Department at Lincolnshire County Council scheduled to repair before the end of April. The Clerk has requested an update without reply and will continue to chase. Action: Clerk
Drains on Church Street
Drains have now been cleaned out; however, a street sweep is necessary to prevent a reoccurrence. Assistance was requested from Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership
Graeme Butler (Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership) has now retired and his successor, Jeannie Gibson has been contacted by the Clerk. Discussion was held on a request for a 20-mph speed limit on select roads through the village however this has been advised as not an available option at this time. The Clerk will continue to press and will elevate the request to the Highways Department at Lincolnshire County Council. Discussion was held on a potential petition from village residents to assist in the matter. Action: Clerk
ACCOUNTS
The following payments were approved:
Luana de Santis litter picking for March £95.00
Luana de Santis litter picking for April £104.20
Hazel Fox reimbursement for speeding signs £30.00
Hazel Fox reimbursement for printer cartridges £181.82
Hazel Fox salary for 24 February - 31 March (5 weeks) £245.60
Hazel Fox salary for 31 March - 28 April (4 weeks) £196.48
Willoughton village hall rent for postal outreach services Feb & Mar 3 Feb – 31Mar (8 weeks @ 2 hours of £6) £96.00
Once these cheques are cleared, this will leave £11,523.44 in the Savings Account and £3,141.76 in the Current Account.
This gives a total of £14,665.20 in the Parish Council Accounts. Cheques were signed by the Clerk and countersigned by Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano.
CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
23-Jan - LALC E-News
24-Jan - LCC Town and Parish Council update
30-Jan - LALC E-News
01-Feb - Parish Online Newsletter
06-Feb - LALC E-News
07-Feb - Paul Howitt-Cowan District Councillor Report February
13-Feb - LALC E-News
20-Feb - LALC E-News
22-Feb - LCC Town & Parish Council update
23-Feb - YMCA Newsletter
27-Feb - LALC E-News
27-Feb - WLDC Notification of Planning Application 146186 (Hemswell Airfield)
27-Feb - WLDC Agenda for Council meeting 6 Mar 2023
03-Mar - LALC Civility & Respect Newsletter
04-Mar - Cottam Solar Project information (notice of acceptance for a DCO)
06-Mar - LALC E-News
08-Mar - Parish Online Newsletter
14-Mar - Paul Howitt-Cowan District Councillor Report March
15-Mar - BHIB Newsletter
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT
Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan (W.L.D.C.) advised Councillors on current information including Hemswell Village Neighbourhood Plan is now approved, development plans for the Scampton Airbase, The Forge at Hemswell, and the West Lindsey Churches Festival.
Willoughton Church is included in the current brochure. Advice was also given on play area funding. Councillors thanked Mr Howitt-Cowan for his update and for attending the meeting.
REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Lincolnshire County Councillor Clio Lyndon Perraton-Williams.
NEXT MEETING
The date and time of the next meeting will be (subject to any change in circumstances):
Thursday 25th May 2023 @ 6.30 pm
The meeting closed at 7.55 pm.