Minutes - 4 July 2019
Minutes of Sedgebrook Parish Council Meeting
held at 8.00 pm on Thursday 4 July 2019 in Sedgebrook Social Club
Present: Chairman C Wood, Vice Chairman G Mahoney, Cllr J Denton, Cllr C Warby, Cllr M Shennan, and Mrs J Bratton (Clerk) together with 5 members of the public and District Councillor P Bosworth.
1 Chairman’s Remarks – the Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2 Apologies for absence and reasons given – no apologies were received.
3 To receive declarations of interest on any item on the Agenda under The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 of the Localism Act 2011.
Declarations of Interest were received from Vice Chairman G Mahoney and relating to item 11.2 (Planning Application No S19/0911).
4 Notes of the last meeting held on 20 May 2019
The notes of the last meeting, held on 20 May 2019, were approved and signed by the Vice Chairman as being a true record.
5 Clerk’s Report on Matters Outstanding not covered by the agenda – none.
6 Correspondence
6.1 From Information Commissioners Office regarding individual representatives of a council are exempt from paying the fee, it is likely that the actual Parish Council will still need to pay.
6.2 Allington News June/July 2019 issue was received.
6.3 P K F Littlejohn acknowledged receipt of our notification of exempt status for the year ended 31 March 2019.
6.4 Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue sent posters to display in the community to support the national Fire Kills campaign.
6.5 SKDC sent a monthly update of the Register of Electors.
6.6 Lincolnshire County Council sent details of a temporary road closure – Allington Road on the 5 to 6 August 2019.
6.7 Littlethorpe of Leicester Ltd sent inforamtion regarding bus shelters.
6.8 A letter from a parishioner concerning planning application no S19/0911 – 5 dwellings with approval sought for access on Allington Road.
7 Public Forum
7.1 A member of the public on the Social Club Committee requested a donation from the Parish Council towards honouring past members of the village in particular Barry Nicholls who was involved with Neighbourhood Watch and 25 years as Trustee Chairman. They are considering putting a patio at the front of the Social Club and also adding a bench in memory of another valuable member of the village, Tim Cullington. They are engraving the bell behind the bar with both Barry’s and Tim’s names. The District Councillor informed the meeting there are all sorts of grants available. The Chairman suggested creating a space for all individuals after the Social Club Committee come up with a design and the cost involved after obtaining the families’ permissions. The Parish Council do have a policy for making donations but it does have to benefit the village as a whole.
7.2 The Tree on the Green – a parishioner enquired if the tree could be pruned as the branches look really heavy. It has been recommended the tree be replaced sooner rather than later. Cllr Warby will speak with Kevin Gench to ask him his professional opinion if it would be a good idea to prune the tree to ensure the shortterm survival. At this point of the meeting, Cllr Shennan joined the meeting.
7.3 Planning Application No: S19/0911 – outline permission for residential development comprising of 5 dwellings with approval sought for access – a parishioner brought up the present uncertainty of the current planning regulations – the new National Policy Framework 2019 and the Emerging Local Plan 2011 – 2036 which has not been adopted by SKDC yet. The applicant has based his case with the proposed development site classified as an “infill” site being surrounded on three sides by residential property – one of the sides are actually outbuildings.
Five actual conditions should be met to determine “infill” development – the most relevant is the development to be placed in the main area of the village – in fact the northern part of the paddock is on the northern extremity of the village. The proposed access is just beyond the last bungalow of the village. The parishioner had completed a government survey on water flooding areas in the UK and 2/3rds of the proposed development site is above the maximum of surface water allowed for development. Another parishioner stated there are infiltration methods which can be completed eg ponds, soakaways etc in the event of extreme weather conditions. One of the conditions of the planning application is the substantial support of the village.
The Parish Council does not determine applications and, as a statutory consultee, responds on material matters and can add narrative and beliefs from concerned residents. With regards to the access issue this is for Highways to agree and the visibility aspect may well affect the decision. This planning application is an outline planning application, the internal layout and maximum number of houses and property access is down to the Planning Officer. If South Kesteven District Council do not give planning permission the applicant could go to the Planning Inspector and the decision will then be out of local control. A resident was concerned this planning application would set a precedent for future development of Sedgebrook. It was suggested the resident contacts SKDC’s Planning Officer (Rachel Gaskell) to discusses the whole of his argument. The Chairman stated that a Neighbourhood Plan is put together by the parish in line with local and national policies and the document identifies places suitable for development within the parish. The Chairman informed the meeting that the Parish Councillors will consider all the comments raised and will submit the concerns to SKDC before the extended deadline of the 9th July 2019.
8 Responsibilities of Parish Councillors – Flooding, Highways and Planning – The Chairman would continue to take responsibility for Highways and Planning with Cllr M Shennan aiding Flooding in emergency situations.
Clerk Action: to inform Environmental Agency and update the information notice for the website and notice board.
9 Flooding
9.1 Items to report/update – nothing to report.
9.2 Drain on Allington Road – the “ghost” drain has still not been cleared as it is still flooding. This is still under investigation by Highways.
10 Highways (Chairman 10.1 & 10.5) (Vice Chairman 10.2, 10.3 & 10.4)
10.1 Update – there are fewer potholes around compared to last year. It was noted there is a new turnaround area adjacent to the contractor’s barns on Woolsthorpe Lane.
10.2 Lincolnshire Speed Watch – update on purchase of equipment – the Vice Chairman informed the meeting that another sign had been purchased which will cover recording the speed of traffic approaching from both directions; the traffic on School Lane is also being monitored as well as Allington Road.
10.3 Result of Ward Walk on the 25th June 2019 with Cllr R Davies and Rowan Smith (Highways Manager) – the Chairman and Vice Chairman attended the Ward Walk with a lot of concerns being raised – providing the village gateway signs and moving the 30 mph limit signs from the Sedgebrook side of the bridge to the Allington side would not be able to go ahead due to Lincolnshire County Council’s lack of funds. The 30 mph sign is actually on the boundary of the village and therefore could not be moved.
10.4 Village Gateway – to discuss signage for approach to Sedgebrook village – see item 10.3.
10.5 Road signs – overgrown vegetation obscuring signs – the Chairman had trimmed the vegetation back so the warning signs were now visible. It was noted the farmers who own the hedge were unable to use mechanical hedge trimmers due to the time of year with birds nesting; there is a policy whereby only 50% of any hedge is trimmed each year.
Chairman Action: to contact the farmer to request that the hedge is trimmed back in the Autumn.
11 Planning (Chairman)
11.1 Update – Chestnut Barns – the application for the 5th dwelling is still under consideration and the developers have put in another entrance. Noted that retrospective planning permission can be applied for.
Clerk Action: to contact Rowan Smith of Highways to enquire if he is aware of the new access.
11.2 Planning Application No: S19/0911 – Outline permission for residential development comprising of 5 dwellings with approval sought for access on land at Allington Road – see Public Forum, item 7.3.
12 Recreation Field (Vice Chairman)
12.1 Update – Nothing additional to update.
12.2 Recreation Field Play Area – the Vice Chairman had received two quotations for metal fencing rather than wood as there would not be any further maintenance costs following installation. Following discussion, it was agreed to look into the possibility of separating the play area with a wooden fence and creating a flower meadow combining the area for dogs to run free. The County Councillor stated that dogs should not be allowed near the play equipment.
Councillor Action: Cllr Shennan to produce a montage to circulate villagers, particularly those houses which back onto the recreation field to gauge householders and dog walkers support or otherwise for the project.
Vice Chairman Action: to request the firms to quote for wooden fencing instead of metal.
Clerk Action: to put on the agenda for the next meeting.
12.3 Security Post – to discuss quotations for new security post into the play area – only one quotation had been received for a telescopic post. Quotations were still awaited for a collapsible and a folding down post.
Clerk Action: to put on the agenda of the next meeting.
13 Footpaths (Cllr C Warby)
13.1a Update – Cllr Warby had contacted Western Power regarding the pigeons and doves which sit on the power lines and defecate onto the pavement on School Lane. Western Power have ordered spikes to attach onto the powerlines as a deterrent.
13.1b It was suggested moving the powerlines which run through the tree on The Green; it could cause ramifications to the other areas of The Green.
Councillor Action: Cllr Warby to contact Western Power concerning the powerline going through the tree expressing our concerns should we professionally had the tree trimmed. Cllr Warby will enquire if the Parish Council were entitled to receive any wayleave payments.
13.2 Public Footpath cutting – following the “cutting back” of the vegetation of the footpath from School Lane by Lincolnshire County Council’s sub-contractor on the 22nd May Cllr Warby had checked the first part of the footpath and, although there were still nettles either side of the path it had been cut back. Cllr Mahoney went further along the path and reported to the clerk you could not get through the style to the gate. Lincolnshire County Council’s Countryside Officer visited the footpath and has made the sub-contractor aware of the need to clear the entire length of the path and to ensure that the route is cut as a matter of priority.
14 Community Cleaner (Cllr Warby) – update – Cllr Warby has spoken with the Community Cleaner who had reported the bin in the Recreation Field was really heavy when it needed to be emptied every fortnight. Cllr Warby has spoken to the Vicar and the Church Warden and has arranged for the bin in the recreation field to be emptied alternative weeks into the church’s refuse bin. Cllr Warby will put the church’s bin out for the refuse collectors if it isn’t left out.
15 Finance (The Clerk)
15.1a Verification of bank statement/bank reconciliation – Cllr Denton verified the bank statement and bank reconciliation figures.
15.1b New Bank Mandate – the online form had been completed and the Vice Chairman and Cllr Warby had signed the document.
Clerk Action: to arrange for all relevant documentation to be sent to HSBC as soon as possible.
15.2 Payments – Community Cleaner – it was resolved to pay the Community cleaner up to the 31 July 2019.
15.3 Payment – Parish Clerk - it was resolved to pay the Clerk up to 30 June 2019.
15.4 Payment – it was resolved to refund the Clerk £22.16 for the purchase of stamps.
15.5 Payment – P E Hempstead and Sons – it was resolved to pay for the grass cutting completed during May and June 2019.
15.6 Payment – Viking – it was resolved to pay £89.29 office stationery.
15.7 Payment – Protect Signs – it had been resolved to pay £96.84 for an additional sign, stand and storage bag for the Community Speed Watch
16 Items to be discussed at the next meeting:
16.1 Annual Grant Award
16.2 Neighbourhood Plan
Clerk Action: to circulate the Village Questionnaire from 2010.
16.3 The proposed meadow in the Recreation Field
17 Date of next meeting:
Thursday 19 September 2019 (starting at 7 pm)
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45 pm.