Minutes 27th July 2023
WILLOUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall, Thursday 27th July 2023 @ 6.30pm.
PRESENT
Cllr. Ms. H. Goring (Chair), Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano (Vice Chair), Cllr. Ms. Kimberley Clarke,
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson, and Ms. Hazel Fox (Clerk).
Also present, Mr P. Howitt-Cowan, District Councillor W.L.D.C.
2307/01. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Apologies were received from Cllr. Mrs T. Given, Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips, and Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell.
2307/02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS.
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson expressed an interest in The Tillbridge Solar Project.
2307/03. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD 25th MAY AND 7TH JUNE 2023.
Resolution: Minutes were approved and signed by the Chair.
2307/04. REPORT FROM CLLR. C. PERRATON-WILLIAMS.
Councillors expressed disappointment that Cllr. C. Perraton Williams had neither replied to the emails from the Chair and the Clerk, or attended the meeting, despite previous assurances.
Resolution: The Chair will write to other Councils in the area covered by Cllr. Perraton-Williams to request a joined up complaint.
Request for assistance from Blyborough resident.
A resident from Blyborough had contacted the Clerk to request assistance regarding the junction on the B1398 to Blyborough Grange. Attempts had been made to contact their own Parish Council and West Lindsey District Council to highlight the dangerous nature of this junction. It was discussed, this junction together with the junction to Willoughton is hazardous due to the speed traffic travel at, particularly in bad weather.
Resolution: The Clerk will write to Cllr. C. Perraton-Williams requesting assistance. Should this not be successful, the Clerk will escalate this to West Lindsey District Council highways. The Clerk will write to the resident advising assistance to be offered. This will then be added to the next agenda for further discussion.
District Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan wished his support to be minuted.
2307/05. REPORT FROM CLLR. P. HOWITT-COWAN.
Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan updated the Council on the current situation at Scampton air base and the decision by the courts to allow a judicial review. The buildings are reportedly not suitable for accommodation and portacabins will need to be utilised. Newly elected Councillors at West Lindsey District Council have been undertaking intensive training, and the proposed new solar farms are progressing. Medical provision in the area is insufficient, and the potential of devolution is being discussed which would install an elected Mayor.
Cllr. Howitt-Cowan handed out the new Heritage Lincolnshire “Heritage Open Days” brochure. Councillors thanked Cllr. Howitt-Cowan for attending and for sharing an informative report.
2307/06. PLAYING FIELD.
Rospa inspection.
The Clerk informed Councillors, the annual Rospa inspection was booked for August.
Clerk and Councillor inspections.
The Clerk has produced a form on the Safety Culture app and performed a first inspection. Concerns were noted as bird fouling on the swing seats, a broken net on the climbing frame and general wear and tear on the ageing equipment. The Clerk will send details to all Councillors of this app and request assistance with weekly inspections going forward.
Questionnaire.
Thirteen completed play area questionnaires had been received and the Clerk has collated into one document. The results of this survey will be used to inform the equipment purchased for refurbishment of the play area.
Resolution: The Clerk will contact Streetscape Ltd to request a site meeting to discuss refurbishment of the play area and request an initial design and costing is drawn up. Cllr. Ms. K. Clarke will attend if available.
Funding for replacement equipment.
Various grant funding has been identified which could be applied to. The Clerk informed Councillors of a West Lindsey Community Funding Event to be held on Thursday 10th August 2023 at Hemswell Court. The Clerk will attend to learn more about the various Community Grant Funds currently available.
Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan advised money will be set aside from his funding budget to assist. Councillors thanked Cllr. Howitt-Cowan for his generosity.
Formation of a Playing Field Committee.
It was agreed to defer this to the next meeting to allow more Councillors to be present in the discussions.
Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano advised the bins near to the Church have not been emptied for several weeks.
Resolution: The Clerk will make contact with West Lindsey District Council to request this is dealt with.
Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan will email the Clerk with contact details to Simon Smoothey as the person to get in touch with.
2307/07. HIGHWAYS.
Water corner of Gainsborough Road outside Caudle House.
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson had been in discussions with Anglian Water to try and move this matter on.
Water Hollowgate Hill/Long Lane.
Cllr. Ms. H. Goring advised work has begun by Anglian Water and is ongoing.
Drain running alongside Templefield Road.
This has not been repaired.
Drains on Church Street.
The Clerk has been attempting to contact Cllr. C. Perraton-Williams to request an update however has received no response to date. Will continue and if no reply received, will try telephoning.
Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
No residents had come forward with interest. The Clerk will leave the information on the website for now.
Village litter picking and Lincolnshire County Council litter picking equipment.
Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson advised he is aware the lady employed by the Parish Council is covering a wide area and has been seen at the entrance to the village collecting rubbish thrown from cars and the lack of rubbish in and around the village is testament to the good work she is doing.
The Clerk advised Lincolnshire County Council will deliver 8 sets of litter picking equipment which consists of a picking stick, high visibility vest and plastic bags. These will be stored by the Clerk at her home address until required.
2307/08. CENTRAL LINCOLNSHIRE LOCAL PLAN PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
Councillors did not consider they are currently in a position to comment on this consultation, however, would keep this under review.
2307/09. POLICIES.
Election of Chair/Vice Chair procedure.
This was deferred to the next meeting.
Co-option policy.
Resolution: Policy approved without amendments.
Dignity at work policy.
Resolution: Policy approved without amendments.
Training policy.
Resolution: Policy approved without amendments.
2307/10. ACCOUNTS.
The following payments were approved:
Luana de Santis litter picking for July - £104.20
Luana de Santis litter picking for August - £104.20
Hazel Fox salary for 30 June - 28 July (4 weeks) - £196.48
Hazel Fox salary for 28 July - 1 Sep (5 weeks) -£245.60
WLDC election expenses -£104.15
H Fox reimbursement of garden centre vouchers - £206.95
Once these cheques are cleared, this will leave £11,549.30 in the Savings Account and £8,113.15 in the Current Account. This gives a total of £19,662.45 in the Parish Council Accounts. Cheques were signed by Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano and countersigned by the Clerk.
Online banking
This will be deferred to the next meeting.
Cheque signatories.
This will be deferred to the next meeting when Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell and Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips are in attendance.
2307/11. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
15-May Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan Annual Report 2023
15-May LALC E-News
16-May LCC Notice of Temporary Traffic Regulation Middle Street
24-May LCC Town and Parish Council update
26-May WLDC Parish News
26-May LALC E-News
30-May WLDC Parish News
31-May Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan June report
09-Jun LALC E-News
12-Jun LCC Notice of temporary traffic regulation order
14-Jun Parish Online Newsletter
15-Jun PCC Online Survey
23-Jun LALC E-News
28-Jun LCC Town and Parish News
30-Jun WLDC Parish News
04-Jul Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Team Notice of public consultation
05-Jul Notice of WLDC planning meeting
07-Jul LALC E-News
17-Jul Resident (Blyborough) Request for assistance.
2307/12. REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS.
Neighbourhood development plan.
2307/13. NEXT MEETING.
The date and time of the next meeting will be (subject to any change in circumstances):
Thursday 28th September 2023 @ 6.30 pm
The meeting closed at 8.12 pm.