September 2023 Minutes
A Meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 18 September 2023 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick. District Cllr Goodwin 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 C.M.Griffin
Councillor R.C.Narborough
Councillor L.T. O’Melia
The Chairman greeted members and said he hoped they had enjoyed the summer break.
1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest: Apologies had been received from District Cllr Harrington and County Cllr Cawrey. There were no Declarations of Interest. The Chairman reminded members they could make the appropriate declaration at any stage should it become necessary.
2. Clerk’s Notes from the Meeting held on 17 July 2023: The notes from this meeting had been distributed to each member. The Chairman proposed that 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. Cllr Carrington suggested leaflet delivering, introducing ourselves to the residents at the new Canwick development adjacent to Bracebridge Heath. It was agreed by all this was a good idea.
3b. Website: Routine maintenance.
4. Planning: The Chairman reminded members that any District Councillor present could not express an opinion on any of the planning items.
4a. 23/0314/LBC – Replace Existing Wooden Windows with New Double Glazed Wooden Windows – 1 Park Lodge, Washingborough Road: Withdrawn by the Applicant.
4b. 23/0591/LBC – Replacement of Concrete Sills and Erection of Retaining Wall and Shed (Retrospective) – 1 Park Lodge, Washingborough Road: Passed by NKDC.
4c. 23/0644/HOUS – Erection of Garden Shed and 4 Raised Vegetable Beds (Retrospective) – 1 Park Lodge, Washingborough Road: Passed by NKDC.
4d. 23/0750/HOUS – Proposed Addition of Storm Porch to the Front Elevation – Treasured View, Hall Drive: Passed by NKDC.
4e. Proposed Solar Array – Canwick Water Recycling Centre, Washingborough Road: Notification had been received from Anglian Water that they are to submit a planning application to install a solar array on their land. Cllr Carrington stated it should be a straightforward application.
4f. Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda: 23/1073/TPO – Tree Works, Canwick Hall, Hall Drive: This had been e-mailed to members. After discussion it was agreed we had insufficient information to comment on. The Clerk to reply requesting more information.
5. Environment:
5a. Highways Issues: Information had been received from a resident that the light at the end of The Paddock had still not been repaired several months after the Clerk had reported it to ‘Fix My Street’. Cllr Carrington would investigate.
5b. LCC Highways – Information Request: An e-mail had been received from Cllr Richard Davies requesting help on two matters. The first was a survey but unfortunately the closing date had already passed. Secondly help was requested to check the location of village drains which the Chairman diarised to investigate.
6. Correspondence:
6a. NKDC Parish Updates: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted NKDC are holding Engagement Events on 28 September and 10 October at Whisby Natural World Centre. He asked members if they wished to attend to let the Clerk know. Cllr Carrington stated it would be good to have Parish Council representation. The Chairman asked members if they had any questions. No questions asked.
6b. Police Correspondence: Nothing received.
6c. Community Speed Watch: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman stated the Parish Council as a group are not in a position to maintain this but there is a group in the village that are considering doing so and it was agreed we could support and assist them. It had been previously agreed we would be happy to contribute towards the cost of the equipment. A concern was that the long term success of the group could soon die. It was noted that on the last survey there was not much speeding on Heighington Road where the main concern was, although this was some time ago. The Chairman stated he had discussed the matter with Terry Crawshaw, Secretary of the Playing Field Association, who intends to put a piece in the Autumn Newsletter.
6d. Callconnect - £2 Fare Cap: This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.
6e. Town and Parish Council Newsletters July/August 2023: These had been e-mailed to members and were noted.
6f. Parish Litter Picking Grant: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked members if they knew of anyone that may wish to litter pick to let the Clerk know.
6g. Items Received since Publication of Agenda: The Chairman informed members a Terrorism Wording Endorsement had been received from BHIB that had been omitted from the documents when the insurance was renewed. Noted.
A letter had been received from LIVES asking for a donation. It was agreed that it was a very worthy cause but it is Parish Council policy to keep donations to village based charities.
7. County and District Councillor Reports:
A report had been received from Cllr Harrington and e-mailed to members. Noted.
Cllr Carrington spoke on behalf of Cllr Cawrey stating that after a £12.5 million cut in funding for road repairs there had been a large underspend resulting in an extra £10 million being made available for roads maintenance.
Cllr Goodwin asked about access to the Bracebridge Heath recreation ground via the gate on Shrewsbury Road which she believed to be the Parish Council’s responsibility. Cllr Carrington replied that he thought it was the developers’ responsibility to clear the shrubbery and open the gate and asked Cllr Goodwin if she would e-mail the Clerk details so it could be investigated. The Chairman stated the Parish Council does not own any land.
The Chairman gave members some information regarding solar farms in the District. Several are at different stages of the application process but it is important to remember that the District Council does not make any decision on them as they are considered to be Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects so are decided by the Secretary of State. Cllr Carrington stated we do need reliable sources of renewable energy.
The Chairman asked if there were any questions. No questions asked.
8. Finance:
8a. Bank Account Update: The Chairman reported that on 31 July the balance on the deposit account was £41,622.97 with £22.83 new interest. The current account balance was £714.34. On 31 August the deposit account balance was £41656.28 with £33.31 new interest and the current account balance was £546.34
8b. Clerk’s Salary July-September: This had been e-mailed to members. The Clerk’s salary for the period July – September 2023 totalling £418.68 was due for payment. Payment agreed.
8c. Payments Due in August/September: See 8b. A payment of £168 was made to Glendale on 10 August for grass cutting week ending 29 July as agreed at the last meeting. Payment endorsed. A payment of £84 was due to Glendale for grass cutting week ending 12 August. A payment of £48.60 was due to NKDC for an uncontested Parish Council. A direct debit of £35 was due to be taken on 30 September by the Information Commissioner’s Office for the Data Protection Fee. All payments agreed.
8d. Transfer of Funds: The Chairman proposed transferring £250 from the deposit account to the current account to cover payments due. All agreed.
8e. Annual Audit: The Chairman reported that there had been no queries during the public inspection period which ended on 11 August. The Certificate of Exemption had been noted and the audit was now closed. It was noted that there will be a formal audit next year due to the CIL money that has been received.
9. Urgent Items for Information: The Chairman stated that the Webmaster, Pete Langford, had provided an address for discounted Microsoft Office software. He asked members if they were content for him to explore and report back. All agreed.
Cllr O’Melia suggested sending a letter of appreciation to the parishioner who does voluntary litter picking around the village. It was agreed this was a good idea.
10. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Monday 16 October 2023 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.10pm