2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

WILLOUGHTON   PARISH   COUNCIL 

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall,

Thursday 1st August 2024 @ 6.30pm.

PRESENT

Cllr. Mrs. S. Rovezzano (Chair) Cllr. Miss. K. Clarke, Cllr Mrs. T. Given, Cllr. Ms. H. Goring,  

Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson, Cllr. Mr. P. Howitt-Cowan (W.L.D.C.), and Ms. Hazel Fox (Clerk).

2407/01. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies were received from Cllr. Mr. D. Cowell (Vice-Chair) and Cllr. Mrs. K. Phillips.

2407/02. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS.

Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson expressed an interest as lessee of the Playing Field and in Willoughton Church and Churchyard.

2407/03. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

No members of the public present.

2407/04. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD 28th MARCH, 23rd MAY and 14th JUNE 2024.

Resolution: Minutes approved and were signed by the chair.

The chair moved item 2407/10 forward to enable Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson to take part in discussions before leaving.

2407/10. CHURCHYARD GRASS CUTTING.

Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson advised, the gentleman who had been strimming the grass in the churchyard as a volunteer, was no longer able to do this and a replacement has not come forward. The Clerk had previously sought advice from LALC, and confirmed the Parish Council can contribute towards grass cutting in the churchyard. Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson had requested quotes to maintain the grass and had been in discussions with the Church.

Resolution: The Parish Council will provide funding to the Church to manage the grass cutting. The initial sum to be granted will be £120 to begin an initial clearance of the first half of the churchyard. Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson will provide bank details to the Clerk to transfer this sum and will report back at the September meeting on progress. Action: Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson/Clerk.

The Chair thanked Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson for his work on this matter.                 

2407/05. REPORT FROM CLLR. MRS. C. PERRATON-WILLIAMS.

Cllr. Mrs. C. Perraton-Williams did not attend and neither apology nor a report were received.

2407/06. REPORT FROM CLLR. MR. P. HOWITT-COWAN.

Cllr. Mr. Howitt-Cowan updated the Council on the situation currently at Scampton. WLDC has written to the new Labour Government regarding the proposal to house asylum seekers at the former RAF base and awaits a reply. Devolution is progressing. Planning reforms are expected to increase the number of houses built, however the numbers suggested may not be feasible. This may impact the Neighbourhood Development Plans of Towns and Parishes. Cllr. Howitt-Cowan suggested the Council would be prudent to review their own plan. Discussions had been held regarding disabled provision at the Cinema in Gainsborough, however the cost was prohibitive. One solution could be to incorporate this in a leisure centre refurbishment. Complaints have been received regarding the condition of this building. As the building ages, maintenance becomes more problematic, and it has been suggested, a more permanent solution is necessary. One solution was a new centre to be built on an alternative site, however this is in the initial stages of discussion. A survey on NHS provision of GP services is ongoing, and residents were encouraged to participate. The Chair of West Lindsey District Council is holding a flag design competition with a deadline for entries of 30th August. The West Lindsey District Churches Festival was successful with 7,533 visitors recorded. This equates to 86 per church. 664 volunteers took part, which equated to 7.83 per church. A sum of £27,696 was raised which was welcomed. A review of funding is imminent, and cuts may be imposed.

The Chair thanked Cllr. Mr. Howitt-Cowan for a most informative report and for attending the meeting.

2407/07. PLAYING FIELD.

a. Play equipment refurbishment and Playing Field Committee meeting.

The Clerk is awaiting news from the contractor of a start date and an initial pre-commencement site meeting. The expected start date was advised as approximately end of August. A rota will be required to ensure at least one Councillor meets with the contractors each morning to discuss any issues and to review progress. A Playing Field Committee meeting will be arranged for week commencing 12th August, to formulate this plan. The Contractor has advised as requested, the bark chippings will be left on site which can then be distributed to those in the village who wish some free of charge. The Clerk reminded Councillors, no decision has yet been made on the base of the boat. Discussion was held on if the teen shelter is to be retained, as interest has been received by Blyborough Football Club.

Resolution: The Clerk will send an email to all members of the committee to arrange a meeting.

Action: Clerk.

b. Clerk and Councillor inspections.

The Clerk advised, no new issues have been highlighted. Bins are often reported as not emptied, and the Clerk continues to report to West Lindsey District Council.

c. Benches refurbishment.

Due to time constraints, Cllr Mrs. T. Given has not been able to undertake this task. It was agreed, this would need to be completed before the play area opening event after refurbishment. Assistance may be sought from a village volunteer.

Resolution: This will be discussed at the Playing Field Committee meeting.

d. Cleaning of swing seats by resident.

A volunteer from the village had spent considerable time washing and cleaning bird fouling from the swing equipment in the playing field. It was agreed, a gift would be purchased to thank the resident for undertaking this task and saving the Parish Council considerable expense in engaging a cleaning contractor.

Resolution: A gift is purchased by the Clerk and passed on to the resident.

2407/08. HIGHWAYS.

It was agreed, the Clerk will consult with Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson and update the schedule of matters requiring action. Matters at a, b, c and d are deferred to the September meeting.

Action: Cllr. Mr. G. Rowles Nicholson/Clerk.

e. Speed indicator devices.

Councillors discussed the installation of further devices at the entrances to the village. It was decided, that as the cost is substantial, Councillors wished to read further literature on the benefits of these devices and discuss this again at the September meeting for resolution. The Clerk had previously requested assistance from Lincolnshire Police regarding the speeding through the village, however there are no plans at present to provide any enforcement measures. The Community Speed watch scheme was discussed, and the Clerk and Cllr Mrs. T. Given advised, despite previous interest from residents, no volunteers had come forward. The Clerk will advertise this on the Parish Council Facebook page to gauge interest. Action: Clerk.

2407/09. DEFIBRILLATOR UNITS.

The Council discussed the requirement for further units in the village, particularly close to the football and playing fields. The Clerk had received information that these units can be purchased by Parish Councils from West Lindsey District Council for a reduced sum. It was agreed, the Clerk would enquire if local

businesses can also purchase these units for community benefit at this cost. This will be discussed again at the September meeting. Action: Clerk.

2407/11. RESERVES.

The Clerk advised, the reserves built up over several years to refurbish the playing field equipment are only required now to temporarily fund the vat element of the new equipment. This can then be reclaimed. Projects in the village require funding and these reserves can be released to assist with this. The fencing at the churchyard and segregating the playing field require works. Funding will be required for an opening event of the new play area. This will be discussed again at the September meeting when more Councillors are in attendance.

Resolution: The refurbishment of the play area fencing will be discussed at the Playing Field Committee Meeting

2407/12. BROADBAND ISSUES.

The Clerk had received a request from a resident to assist with poor mobile phone reception and slow broadband in the village. Cllr. Mr. Howitt-Cowan advised, he would take this matter up for us with Carl Knight at West Lindsey District Council. The Clerk would also advise the resident, BT may offer a better broadband service, and it would be advisable to compare their offering with their current provider.

Action: Clerk.

2407/13: POST OFFICE OUTREACH SERVICE.

This service was introduced during Covid, and co-incided with the closure of the post office in the village. It was intended as a temporary measure, however, is still used by a small number of residents. Footfall is low, and it was discussed, this service is not publicised sufficiently to make villagers aware of this valuable opportunity. The Clerk was requested to contact the post office in Caistor to request publicity materials and highlight this on the Parish Council website, in the village noticeboard and on the Parish Council Facebook page. Action: Clerk.

2407/14. TRAINING.

The Clerk advised, she had recently undertaken and passed the ILCA Clerk course. This was paid for by herself. There was opportunity to pursue the more advance CILCA course and the Clerk requested permission to attend the initial introductory session which is free of charge. If the Clerk decided to go ahead and study for this qualification, it was requested payment of the £275 to be paid by the Parish Council.

Resolution: The Clerk is encouraged to undertake this study, and fees will be paid for by the Parish Council.

2407/15. ACCOUNTS.

a. To approve payments.

This will leave £19,264.07 in the current account and £11,678.39 in the savings account. A total of £30,942.46.

2407/16. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

Circulated in advance:

Resolution: The Parish Council support the request from Ron Bailey. The Clerk will reply.

Discussion was held regarding events in the village with suggestions of future items to be considered. A scarecrow festival could be held if there was appetite for this amongst residents. A prize could be awarded for the best entry judged by the Parish Council. The Clerk was requested to add an item to the Parish Council Facebook page to gather responses. Advertising via the Parish Council gazette should be considered.

2407/17. REQUEST FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS.

None advised.

2407/18. NEXT MEETING.

The date and time of the next meeting will be (subject to any change in circumstances):

Thursday 26th September 2024 @ 6.30 pm.

The meeting closed @ 8.11 pm.