July 2020 Minutes
A meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 27th July 2020 by Video Conferencing.
District Cllr Tinsley, 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 R.C. Narborough
Councillor L.T. O’Melia
1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest: Apologies had been received from Cllr Griffin and District Cllr Goodwin.
The Chairman and Cllr Narborough both declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 4d as they live next door to the plot. They stated if there was to be any discussion on the item they would leave the meeting.
Cllr Carrington stated as a District Councillor he would not be able to give an opinion on Items 4a and 4c.
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 24th June 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. Code of Conduct Consultation: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked members if they had any comments to make before a response was formulated. No comments received.
3c. Website: It was noted that the re-scheduled training date for the new website was 27th August. Details of the new website would be published in due course.
4. Planning: The Chairman reminded members that all District Councillors present could not express an opinion on any of the planning items.
4a. 16/1564/OUT – Canwick Heath Development: No update.
4b. 20/0654/FUL – Demolition of Bungalow and Erection of 2 Detached Dwellings – Danum, Grange Lane: The Chairman reported an objection had been submitted.
4c. 20/0057/OUT – Land off Sleaford Road Bracebridge Heath: No update.
4d. 19/0806/FUL – Erection of Dwelling and Formation of New Access – Land off School Lane: No update.
4e. 20/0681/HOUS – Demolish and Replace Garage – Lindum House, Montagu Road: No update.
4f. 20/0579/HOUS – The Hollies, Hall Drive: On-going. Cllr Carrington stated documents submitted were not clear in planning terms and he had contacted the Case Officer for clarity.
4g. 20/0752/FUL – Land off Canwick Avenue and Westminster Drive, Bracebridge Heath: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted there were now 132 houses proposed instead of the original 120. Cllr Carrington stated that although he could not express a view he would urge members to look closely at the application and to recall the previous comments. The Chairman reminded members that the access is in Bracebridge Heath but the houses are in Canwick. It was felt the application was not up to the standard of the previous one and we should register concerns. He asked members for any comments by the end of the week.
4h. 20/0663/FUL – Demolition of Existing Dwelling and Construction of New 2 Storey Dwelling – Treasured View, Hall Drive: The Chairman stated that, as previously discussed, although it is a similar shape and size to the previous application it is considerably higher and an objection had been sent.
4i. Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda: An e-mail had been received from NKDC and forwarded to members reference the SEQ Design Code Consultation. It was noted the Consultation ends on 9th September although there could be a bit of leeway on time for Parish Councils due to the summer recess. The Chairman asked for members’ thoughts and Cllr Narborough stated he hoped all the infrastructure would be in place. Cllr Carrington stated it was an extremely complicated consultation and asked all members to read the information and have a serious think about it as it is the future of our Community and Parish. The Chairman asked members to let himself or the Clerk have any comments by the third week in August to allow time to submit a response.
5. Environment:
5a. Highways Issues: It was noted that Hall Drive and Grange Lane had been resurfaced although Cllr O’Melia stated not a very good job had been made. Cllr Narborough stated the potholes had not been repaired prior. Cllr Dowson stated traffic management on Pelham Lane was poor while the work was in progress. Cllr Cawrey will inspect the work and report back to LCC Highways.
An e-mail had been received from Neil Kenworthy, a resident from Pelham Lane, informing that the road traffic sign at the junction of Pelham/School Lane was facing in the wrong direction. The Clerk had reported to LCC ‘Fix my Street’.
It was noted that the Cycleway Signs on the path alongside the playing field kept getting turned around.
6. Correspondence:
6a. NKDC Parish Council Updates: These had been e-mailed to members. As reported previously they are a very useful method of providing information. Cllr Carrington suggested publishing on the Parish Council Website.
6b. Temporary Traffic Restrictions: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted that a 30mph speed limit will be in place on Heighington Road as and when required between 1st August and 31st October for the Eastern Bypass Works.
6c. LEB Update: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted that Washingborough Road should be open by the end of August and the Bypass by late autumn.
6d. Lincoln to Ancaster Water Pipeline: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.
6e. Highways Group Limited – Fraudulent Contractors: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked Cllr Cawrey if she had any further information on the matter but she replied she did not.
6f. Police Newsletter: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted that PC Matthew Roberts had been appointed as the new Community Beat Manager.
6g. Licencing Act Consultation: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman explained that it was a routine reissue of the licencing policy for NKDC and asked members if they had any comments to let himself or the Clerk know.
6h. LIVES Everyday Heroes: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked that if there was anyone they wished to nominate to let himself or the Clerk know.
6i. Items Received since Publication of Agenda: None.
7. Four Parishes Cluster Group:
7a. Update: The next meeting is due to be held in the Autumn.
8. Finance:
8a. Bank Account Update: The Chairman reported that on 30th June 2020 the balance on the deposit account was £14,395.88 which included £12.51 new interest and the current account balance was £973.13 with two outstanding cheques for £365.76 and £72.13 leaving a net balance of £535.24.
8b Payments due in July/August: A payment of £144.26 was due to Glendale for grass cutting weeks ending 29th May and 12th June 2020. Payment agreed. The Chairman asked members for permission to pay Glendale for two cuts in July should the invoice become due before the next meeting. All agreed. He then sought re-imbursement of £115 for the Parish Council tower computer he had purchased on his credit card. All agreed.
The Chairman reminded members that the reserves we have are to help with village organisations. At present we pay for the grass cutting on the playing field and make an annual donation to the Church. The Chairman proposed we make an additional donation of £250 to the Parochial Church Council to help in these challenging times. All agreed. Cllr Carrington stated the Church had been very hard hit with no services being held and any donation from the Parish Council would be very much appreciated.
It was noted that the Village Hall needs some work doing and had been awarded a £10,000 grant from Central Government.
No income had been raised during lockdown. Cllr Carrington declared an interest in the Village Hall as he is a Trustee.
8c. Transfer of Funds: The Chairman proposed transferring £750 from the deposit account to the current account to cover the payments due. All agreed.
8d. Audit:
(i) Members considered each of the statements in the Annual Governance Statement. The agreed answers were ‘Yes’ to questions 1-8 and N/A for question 9. The form was signed.
(ii) Members then approved the Accounting Statements. The form was signed.
(iii) Members considered the requirements for submission of the Certificate of Exemption and re-affirmed that one be submitted. The required documents would also be published online.
9. Urgent Items for Information: Cllr Cawrey reported:
- There had been discrepancies with reporting of Covid-19 figures between the NHS and Public Health England. A system had been put in place to now make sure these agree.
- Wedding ceremonies could now be held with a maximum of 30 people.
- There is to be a phased re-opening of libraries in line with Government guidance. It was noted there was more requirement for E-books and demand for library services had accelerated.
- Heritage sites have all re-opened.
- Lincoln Castle and The Collection are reserving an hour each day for the elderly, vulnerable and those that have been shielding.
- Care Home visits are now allowed but must be pre-booked.
- All pupils in all year groups to return to school in September.
- Lincoln Fire and Rescue have been working with businesses to help them stay fire-safe.
- As at 31st July LCC had allocated 255 Grants across the County totalling £139,500 to help with local good causes. Cllr Cawrey reminded members she still had £50 remaining which she would personally double for a good cause.
- Washingborough Lions are considering making the Good Neighbour scheme, which was set up to help during lockdown, a permanent thing.
- The Electoral Review, which was paused with Covid-19, will restart on 11th August and conclude mid October.
Cllr Carrington stated the Village Hall would not be opening in the near future as works are being carried out on it. He asked members if there was anything that could be worked around for well-being activities.
The Chairman stated he had received a phone call from a resident, Sheila Sinclair, volunteering her services as a physio to help people that have been unable to get out and about during lockdown. She would not be able to fund the hiring of the Village Hall for the purpose but the Chairman had informed her it was not open at the present anyway. The Playing Field was suggested as a possible venue.
Cllr O’Melia reported an Amazon Prime phone scam that was going around. Cllr Carrington stated there was also a Tax Office phone scam circulating. Members were asked to make anyone that they thought would be vulnerable aware.
Cllr O’Melia stated that the phone box is looking extremely tatty. Cllr Carrington stated that basically it is trespassing on Village Hall land.
10. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was scheduled for Monday 21st September 2020 starting at 7.00pm by Video Conferencing.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.25pm.