2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

A meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 20th May 2019 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.

County Councillor Cawrey, District Councillor Tinsley and the Clerk were also present.

Present:

Councillor L.J. Pennell – Chairman
Councillor I.D. Carrington - Vice Chairman and District Councillor
Councillor M.T. Hales
Councillor R.C. Narborough
Councillor L.T. O’Melia

The Chairman introduced Cllr Tinsley to members and welcomed him to the meeting.

1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest and Acceptance of Office: Apologies had been received from Cllr Dowson, Cllr Griffin and District Cllr Goodwin. Cllr Narborough declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 7c as he had submitted a private objection. All members present duly signed Declarations of Acceptance of Office. Cllr Griffin had previously done this. The Chairman proposed we allow Cllr Dowson to sign on her return from holiday at the end of the month. All agreed.

2. Election of Chairman for the Ensuing Year & Declaration of Acceptance of Office: The retiring Chairman asked for nominations for the position of Chairman. Cllr Carrington proposed that the current Chairman continue and this was seconded by Cllr Hales. There were no further nominations and the resolution was unanimously agreed. Cllr Pennell accepted the position of Chairman. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.

3. Election of Vice-Chairman for the Ensuing Year & Declaration of Acceptance of Office: Nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman were invited. The Chairman proposed Cllr Carrington and this was seconded by Cllr Hales.

There were no further nominations and the resolution was unanimously agreed. Cllr Carrington accepted the position of Vice-Chairman. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.

4. Appointment of Members to Committees: The Chairman proposed to re-appoint members en-bloc. This was seconded by Cllr Carrington. Agreed by all.

Planning: Lead Member Cllr Carrington, Cllr Pennell, Cllr Griffin and Cllr Dowson.

Environment: Lead Member Cllr Hales, Cllr O’Melia and Cllr Dowson.

Finance: Lead Member Cllr Pennell and Cllr O’Melia.

Bank Signatories: Revalidated Cllr Pennell, Cllr Carrington, Cllr Griffin and Cllr O’Melia.

Communication: Lead Member Cllr Carrington, Cllr Narborough and Cllr Dowson to assist.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman Ex-Officio Members on all standing committees.

Police Report: A report had been received stating that during the period 15th April to 20th May 2019 there had been one recorded crime for theft of a bird bath from a property on Hall Drive.

5. Clerk’s Notes from the Meeting on 15th April 2019: The notes from this meeting had been distributed to each member. The Chairman proposed the notes be accepted and approved as minutes for signing and this was unanimously agreed.

6. Matters Arising:

6a. Information Packs for New Residents: Nothing to report.

6b. Website: The Chairman stated we will publish the Declarations of Interest on the Website on completion.

7. Planning:

7a. 16/1564/OUT – Canwick Heath Development: On-going.

7b. 17/1287/VARCON – Bomber Command Centre: No further update. Cllr Narborough wished to record thanks to Cllr Carrington for his efforts with the application.

7c. 19/9487/OUT – Demolition of Bungalow and Erection of Two Detached Dwellings – Danum, Grange Lane:

This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked members if they had viewed the application and if they had any comments. Cllr O’Melia questioned the use of the existing annexe and the Chairman replied the plans are for it to stay as it is. After discussion it was agreed by all that the application was very obtrusive for neighbouring properties and not in keeping with character. Cllr Carrington proposed the Clerk be delegated to submit an objection based on these facts and also the adverse affect on trees and hedges bordering and within the site and the continued use of the annexe. All agreed.

7d. 19/0018/RESM – Land off Canwick Avenue and Westminster Drive, Bracebridge Heath: Cllr Carrington informed members the applicant had been invited to improve the application which will then go before the NKDC Planning Committee.

7e. Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda: None.

8. Environment:

8a. Highways Issues: Following notification from Cllr Hales the Clerk had reported a number of issues:

i. The litter bin opposite Mill Lodge was broken. The Clerk reported to Jenny Bailey at NKDC who is sending somebody to look at it and will report back.

ii. The grass verge opposite No. 3 The Paddock had not been cut although the rest of the verges in The Paddock had been. The Clerk reported to Jenny Bailey who informed her that NKDC do cut the grass in The Paddock on behalf of LCC. She will investigate and report back.

iii. Although the drains around the village had been cleaned the ones in the Paddock had not been. The Clerk had reported to LCC Highways.

Cllr Cawrey updated members on the rattling manhole cover on Canwick Hill which she had reported to LCC Highways. LCC had informed her that it is not their responsibility and it has now been reported to Anglian Water.

Cllr Narborough enquired about grass cutting in School Lane. Cllr Carrington stated he thought that this would only be cut twice a year but agreed the first cut was rather late.

8b. Washingborough Road and Footpath: No update. Cllr Carrington stated he would enquire with Karen Broddle, the Washingborough Parish Council Clerk, if any progress had been made.

9. Correspondence:

9a. LCC - Highways News: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted..

9b. Lalc News: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked members if there was anything they wished to raise. No comments. It was noted we now receive a ‘Weekly News’ from Lalc which the Clerk will e-mail to members.

9c. LCC – Extra Spending Budget Article: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.

9d. Galliford Try – A15 Closure: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.

9e. Access Lincoln Newsletter: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.

9f. Code of Conduct and Declaration of Interest: The Chairman reminded members that NKDC had a new Code of Conduct that came into force on 7th May 2019. We had previously agreed to adopt this. The Chairman proposed we reaffirm our previous decision and adopt the new NKDC Code of Conduct. All agreed. The Clerk to confirm with NKDC.

9g. Branston Parish Council – Fly Posting: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman read the email to members and it was agreed that there is no problem at present in Canwick but we will note for future reference.

9h. Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund: The Chairman read members a letter received from our MP, Dr Caroline Johnson, detailing about Grants for Village Hall restoration. He stated that as we do not own the Village Hall we will pass the letter on to the Chairman of the Trustees of the Village Hall.

9i. NKDC – CIL Information: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked if anyone had any questions. Cllr Carrington stated there is provision for a small percentage of the funding to go to the parish.

9j. NKDC – Dog Fouling: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman stated the law allowing NKDC to issue fines for dog fouling had expired. Cllr O’Melia enquired if there were any signs that could be displayed to act as a deterrent. To be investigated.

9k. Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire: This had been e-mailed to members. Cllr Carrington stated NKDC make a substantial grant to Citizens Advice Mid Lincs. The Chairman stated that as we keep our precept as low as possible our grants are generally for within the village. The Clerk to reply accordingly.

9l. Items Received since Publication of Agenda

• The Chairman read members an e-mail received from Galliford Try enquiring if we would like an update visit on the Eastern Bypass. Cllr Carrington stated that the village Coffee Club might benefit from this nearer the time of opening. The Clerk to reply accordingly.
• The Chairman read members an e-mail received from NKDC detailing a grant scheme for works to historic buildings in the District. Attached leaflet to be displayed on the Notice Board.
• The Chairman read members a letter received from Lincs Fire and Rescue. To be displayed on the Notice Board.

10. Four Parishes Cluster Group:

10a. Update: No update. The Chairman stated the next meeting is planned for the autumn.

11. Finance:

11a. Bank Account Update: The Chairman reported that on 30th April 2019 the balance on the deposit account was £13958.21 which included £7.79 new interest and the current account balance was £87.96 with a cheque for £70.03 outstanding leaving a net balance of £17.93.

11b. Public Works Loan: A direct debit payment of £213.03 was due on 3rd June 2019. Payment agreed.

11c. Insurance Renewal: A renewal notice had been received from BHIB Ltd, the Council’s insurers. It was noted that the renewal premium of £410.61 was only a slight increase on the previous year. Payment agreed.

11d. Payments due in May: See Items 11b and 11c. A payment of £70.03 was due to Glendale for grass cutting week ending 26th April 2019. Payment agreed.

11e. Transfer of Funds: The Chairman proposed transferring £700 from the deposit account to the current account to cover the payments due. All agreed.

11f. Annual Audit: The Chairman asked members if they were content to declare ourselves exempt as a smaller authority and not to request a limited assurance review. All content. He anticipated the audit forms would be ready for approval next month.

12. Urgent Items for Information: Cllr Cawrey reported:

i) A new Chairman and Vice-Chairman had been appointed at the LCC AGM.

ii) An Alzheimer’s event she had attended had proved to be very interesting with some enlightening facts including only 65.5 per cent of people with dementia have a diagnosis.

iii). A climate change protest took place outside the Council offices earlier in the month as the Council were expected to hear demands that they become carbon neutral by 2030, twenty years earlier than originally planned. This was thought to be unachievable and the motion was amended with a commitment to make the council’s activities carbon neutral by 2050.

Cllr Narborough enquired when the new joint station for Police, Fire and Ambulance services on South Park was due to open as he had concerns about traffic volume. Cllr Cawrey replied there was to be a phased opening starting in June and she felt it should not affect traffic greatly.

The Chairman asked Cllr Tinsley if he would like to speak. He stated he felt there was a new spirit of cooperation at NKDC following the recent formation of North Kesteven Administration. Cllr Carrington stated it is now up to everyone to work together for the benefit of the residents to make one of the best Districts in the County even better.

Cllr Carrington stated the NHS are running a drop in Health Roadshow to raise the health awareness profile.

Cllr Narborough wished to record congratulations to the District Councillors present on their success at the recent election.

13. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 17th June 2019 starting at 7.30pm at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.45pm.