May 2020 Minutes
A meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Wednesday 27th May 2020 by Video Conferencing
District Cllr Tinsley, District Cllr Goodwin, County Cllr Cawrey and the Clerk were also present.
Present:
Councillor L.J. Pennell – Chairman
Councillor I.D. Carrington – Vice-Chairman and District Councillor
Councillor H.L. Dowson
Councillor L.T. O’Melia
1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest: Apologies had been received from Cllr Griffin, Cllr Hales and Cllr Narborough. The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 5d as he lives next door to the plot. He stated if there was any discussion on the item he will leave the meeting. Cllr Carrington stated as a District Councillor he would not be able to give an opinion on Items 5a and 5c. The Chairman reminded members they could make the appropriate declaration at any stage should it become necessary.
2. Clerk’s Notes from the Meeting on 16th March 2020: 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.
3. Matters Arising:
3a. Information Packs for New Residents: None.
3b. Boundary Commission Review: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted that the review had been paused temporarily due to COVID-19 restrictions.
3c. Website: The training for the new website that was booked for March 27th had been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions and we are awaiting an update.
4. COVID-19 Arrangements: The Chairman reported the Government had published new regulations for Councils which allow remote meetings to go ahead until next May. Also the requirement to hold an Annual Meeting had been cancelled for this year. The Chairman proposed we cancel our Annual Meeting and we will roll on all positions until next May. Cllr Carrington seconded this and it was unanimously agreed.
The Chairman stated the regular NKDC updates that were being emailed were very useful and asked the Ward Members if they could convey our thanks to all concerned.
The Chairman asked members if they had any questions or comments on the subject. No questions raised.
5. Planning: The Chairman reminded members that all District Councillors present could not express an opinion on any of the planning items.
5a. 16/1564/OUT – Canwick Heath Development: No update.
5b. 20/0281/TPO – Yew Trees-Crown Reductions and Crown Lift – 2 & 3 Canwick Hall Mews, Hall Drive: Passed by NKDC.
5c. 20/0057/OUT – Land off Sleaford Road Bracebridge Heath: No update.
5d. 19/0806/FUL – Erection of Dwelling and Formation of New Access – Land off School Lane: The Clerk had requested comments from members and had submitted an objection which can be viewed on the NKDC Planning website.
5e. 20/0326/HOUS – Erection of Single Storey Extension – 3 Hall Farm, Hall Drive: Passed by NKDC.
5f 20/0081/HOUS – The Hollies, Hall Drive: Refused by NKDC.
5g. Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda: 20/0636/TPO – Tree Works – The Grange, Grange Lane. The Chairman stated the application had been submitted by B & B Tree Surgeons and asked members for their comments. It was felt they are an important grouping of trees and the best course would be to leave it to the expertise of the Tree Officer. All agreed. Clerk to respond accordingly.
6. Environment:
6a. Highways Issues: Cllr O’Melia reported that there are still a large number of lorries using Heighington Road and not using the official diversion route. Cllr Cawrey replied that LCC Highways will not be implementing any restriction until the Eastern Bypass works are finished.
Cllr O’Melia reported the 40mph speed sign at the top of Grange Lane was still on the ground the post having rusted through. This had been noted on the Highways Walk in March. The Clerk to report again to Highways.
7. Correspondence:
7a. NKDC Parish Council Updates: These had been e-mailed to members. As reported previously they are very useful and informative.
7b. LIVES/Marie Curie/Citizens Advice Mid Lincs: Correspondence had been received from each detailing their funding problems and requesting help. The Chairman reminded members it was the Parish Council’s policy to keep grants within the Parish and asked members for their thoughts. After discussion it was agreed by all to keep grants within the Parish.
7c. Lalc News: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked members if there was anything they wished to raise. Nothing raised.
7d. Items Received since Publication of Agenda: None.
8. Four Parishes Cluster Group:
8a. Update: The meeting planned for March 18th had been cancelled due to the coronavirus situation and a further meeting was being planned for the autumn.
Branston Parish Council had offered its foodbank out to other local villages. The Chairman stated we had been monitoring the situation in the Parish and were not aware of anyone requiring assistance but asked members if they became aware of anyone to inform the Clerk.
9. Finance:
9a. Bank Account Update: The Chairman reported that on 31st March 2020 the balance on the deposit account was £8712.61 which included £7.34 new interest and on 30th April, after receipt of the precept, the balance was £14,821.27 which included £8.66 new interest. The current account balance on 31st March 2020 was £1393.65 and on 30th April it was £1306.02. It was noted that although the cheque for the Clerk’s salary Oct-Dec 2019 had been credited to her account on the 19th December 2019 it still had not been debited from the bank account. To be investigated. It was also noted a service charge of £5 had been deducted in March but not in April. Also to be investigated.
9b. Public Works Loan: A direct debit payment of £207.30 was due on 2nd June 2020. Payment agreed.
9c. Insurance Renewal: A renewal notice had been received from BHIB Ltd, the Council’s insurers. It was noted that the renewal premium of £415.06 was only a slight increase on the previous year. Payment agreed.
9d. Payments due in April/May: See 9b and 9c. A payment of £72.13 was due to Glendale for grass cutting week ending 17th April 2020. Also a payment of £78.40 was due to Lalc for the discounted Zoom subscription for a year until 22nd April 2021. Payments agreed. Cllr Carrington wished to record thanks to the Chairman and the Clerk for their efforts in getting such a good price on the Zoom subscription.
The Chairman reported that the invoices to Lalc for the Subscription and Training were paid in April as agreed at the last meeting. He also asked for retrospective agreement for a payment of £72.13 to Glendale for grass cutting week ending 20th March which had been agreed on the phone by everyone. All agreed. The Chairman then proposed that until May 2021 in the event of no meeting being able to be held, the Clerk be given authority to arrange routine payments for grass cutting, the Public Works Loan and the Clerk’s salary, including transfer of funds to the current account. All agreed.
9e. Transfer of Funds: None.
9f. Audit: The Chairman informed members that the audit requirement had been put back 2 months due to COVID-19.
10. Urgent Items for Information: Cllr Cawrey reported:
- The portfolio holder for Highways has informed that if traffic increases sufficiently with the schools partially returning traffic lights will be reinstated at the junction of Heighington Road and Canwick Hill. It was noted the lights had been set up that day for approximately an hour.
- Although work had continued on the Eastern Bypass during lockdown there had been problems with COVID-19 requirements for contractors which could result in a delay until December for completion.
- All the different tiers of Local Government had come together with the current COVID-19 situation in particular the Lincoln Resilience Forum which is now moving into recovery phase.
- Lincoln Castle had re-opened the previous weekend with 2500 visitors over the two days with social distancing respected. It was thought the ‘around the wall walk’ and a takeaway café were to re-open shortly.
- LCC had allocated £3000 to each County Councillor as part of the COVID-19 Community Fund Scheme and Canwick House Care Home had benefitted with £1000 from the allocation. The Chairman stated he had spoken to the Manager of the Care Home and they were most grateful for the donation. Monies had been distributed between other Parish Councils and local organisations leaving a £50 balance. Cllr Cawrey asked members to inform her if they knew of any local cause that could benefit when she would match fund it with another £50.
Cllr Tinsley reported:
- NKDC have kept all core services going throughout lockdown and the extraordinary effort of staff had been amazing.
- Site visits for NKDC Planning are to recommence on 1st June 2020.
- Local efforts through lockdown had been incredible with Heighington having 90 volunteers, the Lions in Washingborough helping out and as previously mentioned the Foodbank in Branston which has been opened up to surrounding villages. Bags and hearts had been made for NHS workers and pairs of hearts for patients and families. It is hoped such care and compassion will continue once the crisis is over.
Cllr Carrington seconded everything that Cllr Tinsley had said and wished to record how everyone had stepped up to the mark amazingly.
The Chairman reiterated his thanks to NKDC for all the information sent that has kept us up to date.
It was reported that the playing field grass had been cut that day and they had made a good job of it.
11. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 15th June 2020 starting at 7.00pm by Video Conferencing.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.55pm.