September 2024 Minutes
A Meeting of Canwick Parish Council was held on Monday 16 September 2024 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick. District Cllr Harrington, District Cllr Goodwin and the Clerk were also present.
Present:
Councillor L.J. Pennell – Chairman
Councillor I.D. Carrington – Vice-Chairman
Councillor H.L. Dowson
Councillor C.M. Griffin
Councillor R.C. Narborough
The Chairman welcomed all present hoping they had enjoyed the summer break.
1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest: Apologies had been received from Cllr O’Melia. District Cllr Goodwin had notified that she would be a few minutes late due to work commitments.
Cllr Carrington declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 8 as he is a Village Hall Trustee. 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 22 July 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 Dowson reported new residents at 4 Pelham Lane. Cllr Narborough to prepare and issue a pack.
3b. Website: Routine maintenance. It was noted all relevant audit documentation had been published. Cllr Carrington wished to record, after enquiring for a neighbouring parish, what good value the service we receive from Webmaster Pete Langford via Lalc is.
4. Planning: The Chairman reminded members that any District Councillor present could not express an opinion on any of the planning items.
4a. 24/0841/RESM – Lincoln South East Quadrant, North of Canwick Avenue and East of London Road, Bracebridge Heath: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked if they had any comments to let the Clerk have them before the next meeting so a response could be formulated.
4b. Items Notified since Publication of the Agenda: None.
5. Environment:
5a. Highways Issues: The Chairman wished to record thanks to Cllr Cawrey who, following the July meeting, had taken a walk around the village and reported numerous items on ‘Fix my Street’ most of which had been dealt with promptly.
Cllr Griffin stated most of the road signs in the village are dirty making them difficult to see. To be looked into.
5b. Canwick Hill Bus Stop: The bus shelter had been replaced after being seriously damaged earlier in the summer. Cllr Narborough reported a lot of overgrown foliage behind it. To be investigated.
5c. Path to Bracebridge Heath Recreation Ground: The Chairman reported, following a meeting with Bracebridge Heath Parish Council, permission had been granted from NKDC, the landowner, for clearance of the area for pedestrian access including removal of a tree stump and completion of the path. A check on planning regulations would be sought.
The Chairman asked members for agreement with this and sought clearance to allow up to £5000 to complete the works. All agreed. Three quotes would be sought.
5d. School Lane Tree Trimming. The Chairman reported that the overhanging trees had been trimmed back after a complaint from a resident.
6. Correspondence:
6a. NKDC Parish & Town Council Newsletter: Nothing received
6b. LCC Town and Parish Council Newsletter – July and August 2024: These had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked for any questions. No questions received. Noted.
6c. Lincoln Minerals and Waste Local Plan Consultation: This had been e-mailed to members. Cllr Carrington explained details of the Consultation, which runs from 30 July to 24 September, to members. It was noted there was nothing that would affect Canwick. Cllr Carrington asked for any questions. Cllr Narborough asked if the minerals extracted were from this area to which Cllr Carrington replied they were.
6d. Canwick Road Tidal Flow Maintenance: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted there was to be the annual inspection and maintenance with road closures for one night on 26 September.
6e. NKDC – Chief Executive: This had been e-mailed to members. Cllr Carrington informed members that following the stepping down of Ian Fytche a robust process was in place to appoint his successor and interviews were to be held the following week.
6f. NK Community Champion Awards Nominations: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted the closing date had been extended for a further week to 23 September.
6g. Citizen’s Advice Mid Lincolnshire: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman stated our policy has always been to keep donations to village organisations and asked if members were still in agreement with that. All agreed.
6h. NKDC – Litter Picking Grant 2024: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman asked members if they knew of anyone that would like the job to let himself or the Clerk know so we can apply for the grant.
6i: LCC - Highways News: This had been e-mailed to members. It was noted that over the summer more than 25,000 potholes had been filled around the County. Cllr Carrington stated they had been filled to a much better standard than previously.
6j. Central Lincolnshire Design Code Consultation: This had been e-mailed to members. The Chairman encouraged members to respond.
6k. Items Received since Publication of Agenda: An e-mail had been received from Lalc reference the National Planning Policy Framework Consultation September 2024. This had been forwarded to members. It was noted the Consultation closes on 24 September.
7. County and District Councillor Reports:
No LCC report.
Cllr Harrington reported
• On 16 October Sleaford Leisure Centre are hosting a public CPR training session.
• A £1 million scheme to enhance Sleaford Market Place is underway.
8. Village Hall: Cllr Carrington wished to raise three items in his capacity as a Village Hall Trustee-
• At present the Parish Council meet in the Village Hall for free. He asked if they would re-consider this. The Village Hall now has to make an annual payment to NKDC for refuse collection. Cllr Carrington asked if the Parish Council would help with this payment.
The Chairman proposed we make an ex-gratia payment to the Village Hall for £150. He asked members if they had any views on paying to use the hall. Cllr Narborough was not happy with the idea. The Chairman suggested it is a gesture that we can comfortably make. Motion agreed.
• The Social Club and the Trustees are undertaking a lot of work at the hall and have put in a bid or funding for various items. A quote had been received for £5500 for the boiler and electrics.
The Chairman proposed we help with costs, with a section 137 contribution, when they have received the funding and have more detail. All agreed.
• The Social Club and the Trustees have not always had a positive relationship. Cllr Carrington suggested updating the 1941 Deed of Trust with some sort of involvement from the Parish Council. This could empower the Chairman and Clerk to take part in any conversations and report back to the Parish Council.
The Chairman proposed we would be involved but he wished to avoid the Parish Council as a body being a Trustee. All content.
9. Finance:
9a. Bank Account Update: The Chairman reported that on 31 July the balance on the Deposit Account was £44,135.94 with £54.71 new interest. The balance on the Current Account was £692.11. On 31 August the balance on the Deposit Account was £44,191.95 with £56.01 new interest. The balance on the Current Account was £303.31.
9b. Clerk’s Salary July-September 2024: This had been e-mailed to members. The Clerk’s salary for the period July – September 2024 totalling £454.68 was due for payment. Payment agreed.
9c. Payments in August/September: In August payments were made to Andrew Deptford for £206.40 for Defibrillator Batteries and ChargePak and to Glendale for £182.40 for grass cutting 3 and 17 July as agreed at the July meeting.
September Payments:
Glendale - £91.20 for Grass Cutting 8 August
PKF Littlejohn - £252 for Audit
Village Hall - £150 (see item 8)
Clerk’s Salary - £454.68 (see item 9b)
ICO - £35 Data Protection Fee by Direct Debit (including £5 reduction for direct debit payment)
Payments all agreed.
9d. Annual Audit: The Conclusion of Audit Notice had been published on the Website and was on the Notice Board. A
period of 14 days had been agreed for viewing.
9e. Transfer of Funds: The Chairman proposed transferring £800 from the deposit account to the current account to cover payments due. All agreed.
10. Urgent Items for Information: Cllr Carrington stated that following a change in government the North Hykeham Relief Road is now under review. A total of £110 million in government funding had been secured for the project but was now under review. Cllr Carrington stated that LCC will keep putting pressure on for the scheme to proceed and that the compulsory purchases are still going ahead.
11. Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was scheduled for 7pm on Monday 21 October 2024 at the Village Hall, Montagu Road, Canwick.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.18pm.