February 2024 DRAFT Minutes

A Meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 19 February 2024 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.  County Cllr Cawrey, District Cllr Harrington, Two Parishioners and the Clerk were also present.

Present:

Councillor L.J. Pennell – Chairman
Councillor H.L. Dowson
Councillor C.M. Griffin  
Councillor R.C. Narborough
Councillor L.T. O’Melia

The Chairman welcomed all present. 

1.      Apologies and Declarations of Interest:  Apologies had been received from District Cllr Goodwin and Cllr Carrington who was still recovering from the after effects of Covid. 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 15 January 2024:  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:  Cllr Narborough reported that that there were new residents in Holly Cottage on School Lane and he will issue a pack accordingly.

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.    23/1421/VARCON – New Dwelling and Garage – Glebe Farm, Heighington Road:  No update.

4b.    24/0029/HOUS – Replacement Windows – 3 Canwick Hall Mews, Hall Drive:  This had been e-mailed to members.  The Parishioners present who were the applicants gave a brief outline of their proposal.  It was noted they were to be like for like wooden replacement windows.  The Councillors had no comments.  The Clerk to reply accordingly.

4c.    Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda:  None.  

5.   Environment:

5a.   Highways Issues:  No issues.

6.       Correspondence:

6a.   NKDC Parish Council Newsletter:  This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman mentioned the Parliamentary Constituency Boundary changes which will be in place from the next General Election.  It was noted there was no change for Canwick.  It was also noted that Brown Bin Collection applications/renewals online were now open with telephone services opening at the end of the month.

6b.     Police Correspondence:  Nothing received.

6c.     Rural England Prosperity Fund Community Grant:  This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 were available for Parish Council or Local Community Group projects. The Chairman asked members if they thought of any projects to let him know.  The Clerk had forwarded details to the Parochial Church Council, the Playing Field Association and the Social Club.

6d.    LCC Town and Parish Council Newsletter:  This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman mentioned various items from the newsletter including storm flooding and the merging of Coroner’s Services across greater Lincolnshire. 

6e.     NKDC Lottery Funding:  This had been e-mailed to members and was noted.   

6f.    LCC Budget and Council Tax Proposal:  This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted a 4.99% increase in council tax had been proposed which included 2% for Adult Social Care.  The proposal was due to be put to the full Council Meeting later that week. 

6g.    Mobile Library Service 2024:  This had been e-mailed to members.  Cllr Narborough had already received and displayed a hard copy of the Library timetable in the Village Hall.  The Library visits the Village Hall carpark once a month to coincide with the Social Club coffee morning.  It was noted how courteous and helpful the library staff were.  Cllr Cawrey stated the Library contract was due to go out to tender again.

6h.    North Kesteven Snowdrop Event:  This had been e-mailed to members.  The Chairman read the email and asked members to pass details on to anyone who may be interested.

6i     Parish Council Engagement Session NSK – Tuesday 25th June 2024:  This Police Consultation had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman stated this would be a Teams meeting and asked members if anyone wished to attend.  To be discussed further nearer the time.

6j.    Lincs Highways Newsletter:  This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman mentioned various points from the newsletter including temporary tarmac repairs in cobbled areas whilst sourcing materials for a permanent repair.

6k.    Glendale Quotation:  This had been e-mailed to members.  The Chairman stated there had been a nominal increase and proposed we renew.  All agreed.  Clerk to arrange.

6l.     Planning Application Consultations from LCC:  This had been emailed to members and was noted.  The Chairman stated we have very few County Council applications to deal with.

6m.   Electoral Register – February 2024:  The Electoral Register had been re-issued due to changes to polling stations which included Canwick as it was now accommodating residents living nearer to Bracebridge Heath.  These residents would now be able to vote in Bracebridge Heath which should be more convenient.  The Chairman reminded members they needed their own passwords to access the register and to contact NKDC Electoral Services if they required one. 

6n.    NKDC Street Numbering – The Old Vicarage:  This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted the address is now Canwick Hill.

6o.    Canwick Church:  The Chairman had received a letter from the Parochial Church Council informing that the boundary wall was in a state of disrepair and asking for help with the repair costs.  The Chairman suggested we would aim to look favourably on the request once we had more details.  All agreed.

6p.    Items Received since Publication of Agenda: An e-mail had been received reference Police and Crime Commissioner Fraud Packs.  This had been forwarded to members. The Chairman stated it is a useful reminder which he would mention at the next Village Hall coffee morning. 

An e-mail had been received from the Project Officer at the Lincolnshire Voluntary Engagement Team reference new funding for village halls. This had been forwarded to members.  The Clerk to forward to the Village Hall Social Club.

The Chairman read details of an e-mail that had been received from LCC reference Electric Vehicle Charger Locations.  This had been forwarded to members. The Chairman suggested if one could be provided economically the Village Hall would be an ideal location.  All agreed.  He stated that in the Parish, Mill Lodge and the Bomber Command Centre were obvious locations.  It was noted there was already some provision at the Bomber Command Centre.  Members were asked if they could think of any other locations.

7.    County and District Councillor Reports:  Cllr Cawrey reported: 

•    The Devolution Consultation was now finished with higher responses than previous Consultations.
•    Money will be provided from the 4.99% rise in the County’s Precept for vehicles to flush out drains and gullies more regularly.
•    The investigation into flooded areas still continues with flooding in Washingborough and Heighington still an issue.
•    The Training Centre at Waddington had been purchased for Lincs Fire and Rescue.
•    Three million pounds to be invested in Children’s Homes.
•    More money to be invested in Highways.

A report had been received from District Cllr Harrington and was noted.

He also reported on a new scheme ‘Wheels for Life’ which will recycle old bikes. The bikes would then be donated to people in the local area who need a bike.

It was noted there had been an increase in the Garden Waste Bin collection service which would now be £45 for the year for the first bin.  Further bins would remain unchanged at £8 each.

8.    Finance:   

8a.  Bank Account Update:  The Chairman reported that on 31 January the balance of the deposit account was £39,521.07 with £50.71 new interest.  The current account balance was £865.14 with no outstanding cheques. 

8b.  Village Hall:  No update. It was understood that the Trustees and the Social Club would meet the following night.

8c.   Payments Due in February:  A payment of £597.60 was due to Glendale for the playing field hedge cutting.  This payment had been agreed last month. Invoices had also been received from Lalc for the annual subscription and training fee which were £183.36 and £132 respectively. Payments agreed.   
 
8d.   Transfer of Funds:  The Chairman proposed transferring £200 from the deposit account to the current account to cover the payments due.  All agreed.

8e.   Precept:  The Chairman confirmed the form had been sent to NKDC requesting a precept of £9600 which would be due in April. 

9.     Urgent Items for Information:  The dates for the 2024/25 Meeting Calendar had been confirmed with Di Vaughan, the Village Hall Bookings Secretary.  The Clerk to finalise the Calendar and forward to Pete Langford to publish on the website and also to Cllr Narborough for display on the Notice Board.

A parishioner present enquired about a speed sign on Heighington Road.  The Chairman explained the procedure for this which included the formation of a Speedwatch group that would need to receive training.  Approval of the location would also be required.

10.    Date of Next Meeting:  The next meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Monday 18 March 2024 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.15pm.