November 2020 Minutes of meeting
OSGODBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held 9th November 2020, 7.30pm
Online Zoom meeting
Present: Cllr J Smith, Cllr A Wilkinson, Cllr M Bodman, Cllr M Heavens Cllr S Masterman, Ms Sue Harvey (Clerk)
- Apologies for Absence
Cllr V Mason
- Chairman’s and Councillor’s remarks
Cllr Bodman welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that Cllr V Mason was absent due to ill health and that it should be noted that he may be absent for some time.
- To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act
Cllr Wilkinson notified the meeting that he had an interest in one of the planning applications to be discussed and as a result would abstain from the discussion.
- Reports from District & County Councillors, Police and the Village Hall, if present
Cllr Masterman raised concerns received by the Village Hall Committee, of research carried out by the Parish Council without their knowledge. This was in respect of car parking for the school. It was discussed that there was no intention to cause discord with the Village Hall Committee.
It was also noted that the Village hall is closed again, due to second lockdown.
- Minutes of the last meeting on 12th October 2020 to be approved and matters arising
The minutes of the meeting were accepted as an accurate record.
Matters arising – From September 2020 meeting:
Review of Parish Council Risk Assessments including risk assessments for contractors – Parish Clerk has reviewed the policy regarding contractors and confirmed documentation that was in place and what was still required. Action: Parish Clerk to ensure that all documentation is received as required.
Checks and records for defibrillators.
Parish Clerk updated the meeting regarding the current process in pace for checks and record keeping. The Parish council took over the defibrillator at the village hall about 2 years ago and are responsible for that one as well as the one located at Hillbury, Kirkby. Weekly checks are required to be carried out and it is not clear that this has been happening. It was discussed that, as the Parish Council had responsibility for these, that members of the committee should take on the responsibility of making regular checks. There was also lack of clarification regarding whether the Village Hall defib had been registered correctly. Action: Parish Clerk to continue looking into this and update the committee regarding progress.
Working from home/DSE for Clerk. Parish Clerk has completed a DSE which has been signed by Cllr Bodman. Home working risk assessment also completed.
Matters arising from October 2020 meeting –
Yet to receive a date for tree cutting in the cemetery.
Parish clerk to look into purchase of laptop and options for back up storage, although under the current Covid restrictions, this will be delayed until the New Year.
- Planning Matters
Application 141861 Land to the rear of Nash’s Row (A15227)
PROPOSAL: Outline planning application for 1no. dwelling with access to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications. LOCATION: Land to the rear of Nashs Row Main Street Osgodby LN8 3TA
APPLICATION TYPE: Outline Planning Application
Comments and objections have been received and a response collated to be sent. Concerns around the lack of free access, as well as the potential for intrusive parking and unloading over an extended period. There is also the possibility for disruption by contractors parking on the village hall car park or on the main road and Mill Lane. In addition, there is no strong relationship with the frontage of the house in relation to the road frontage.
APPLICATION REFERENCE NO: 141777
PROPOSAL: Planning application for 1no. detached dormer style three bedroom dwelling with associated external works and access from an existing private driveway - resubmission of 141090, to which there were no objections from the Parish Council (May 2020)
Action: Parish Clerk and Cllr Heavens to collate responses send.
- Correspondence
Thank you letter received from Marie Curie for £50 donation.
Email received from a parishioner regarding the noticeboard at Usselby – resolved.
Email received from 2 parishioners regarding fly tipping in the parish.Reported.
£10,000 Covid business grant received into bank.
Parish Clerk attended training regarding financial accounting.
Access to Wave (Anglian Water) issue resolved and cheque sent.
Communications received relating to the school car park – agenda item 18.
Rent received for field from Vicky Colby (£62)
- Financial Matters – ratification of payment schedules for October 2020
Signing of cheques under current restrictions – Parish Clerk has made arrangements with Councillors under the current restrictions.
Schedule of payments for October 2020 received and agreed:
Parish clerk salary £230.17
Mr Hildred £160.00
Anglian Water £7.79 (already paid).
Ratification of accounts as follows:
Business reserve account £16339.36
Medley Trust £530.94
Current account - £23637.77
- A46-A631 highways
There has recently been another fatal accident on the road and a subsequent response and update has been received from Cllr Bunney (WLDC Ward Member for Market Rasen), highlighting the need for action to be taken to ensure road markings and signage on the A46 junction with A1103 (Top Road) are appropriate.Cllr Bunney has requested a meeting with Highways.
- Planters for the village green
It was discussed that the current planters are is disrepair and are not really big enough for the pace.Action: Cllr Bodman was happy to get quotes and take responsibility for maintenance of these.
- Pocket Parks
Cllr Masterman has been looking into this project. Projects are available for up to 0.02 hectares.The Local District Council has to be involved and hold the money.It was discussed that it is worth submitting an application for this for the war memorial.Action: Cllr Masterman to submit applications for grants/funding.
- Parish Precept
Requests for expenditure to Parish Clerk by 16th November for inclusion in 21/22 budget. Action: Parish Clerk to submit be deadline of 27th November 2020.
- Rural broadband
The Committee discussed how interest might be generated for parishioners to contribute to a survey, either by survey monkey/leaflet drop.It was discussed that there should be an edition of the Parish Pump in November, and information could be distributed along with this.
It was agreed to include a questionnaire around school parking, war memorial and other current issues within the parish. Action: Cllr Heavens to put together a questionnaire for review and Cllr Wilkinson and Cllr Smith to arrange a leaflet drop with the village pump.
- To receive an update on Cycle storage
It was agreed to go ahead and purchase the pods that were looked at.Quotes to lay the base are expected.3 quotes required.5 cycle pods to be ordered. License to be applied for. Action: Parish Clerk to apply for the licence and to purchase the cycle pods.
- To receive an update on War Memorial
An update was received regarding progress.Still awaiting quotes for the railings. Action: Cllr Masterman to meet with potential contractors. Cllr Bodman will send an update to the war memorial association.
- To receive an update regarding extension to the Cemetery
Cllr Smith gave an update regarding progress.She has spoken to Mrs Baker, who is going to find documentation regarding the land which had been discussed previously.The land has been valued and she will forward this to us.Cllr Smith will also approach Mrs Bakers solicitors to get quotes for legal costs. Action: Cllr Smith to provide an update at the next meeting.
- Speed restriction signs within the village
The committee discussed the viability for speed signs in the parish.Many comments regarding speeding cars through Osgodby had been received from parishioners. Information from Morelock Signs had been received and reviewed which included statistics showing the benefits of having speed restriction signs installed.It was also discussed that there may be some funding available for this type of project. Action: Parish Clerk to look into possible funding and update at the next meeting.
- Schools parking
Mr Taylor (Chair of Governors) had requested the link for this evenings meeting, but was not in attendance.
Cllr Bodman updated the committee following a meeting with Mr Taylor.Mr Taylor had discussed that the issues are not just with the school, but are also with Pegasus Nursery. Previous discussions with the Parish Council had resulted in the school been awarded £5000 from the Parish Council to contribute to building a Multi-Use Games Area for the school, however this had not been built and the money had never been paid.This was part of previous plans to turn the front playground into a car park.The request from the school is now for the £5000 to contribute towards fencing as part of the plans to build permanent classrooms. There are no firm quotes for the building works and Mr Taylor had commented that any funds left over could be used to purchase some furniture for the school.
The meeting discussed the proposal by the school in detail, with the key priority being concerns around parking at the school. Cllr Heavens commented that the council should have to carry out a safeguarding risk, through health and safety auditing and that the school have to instigate this and pay for a health and safety audit.It was proposed that the parish council approach the school and ask if a report has been carried out and whether the parish council can see this.It was commented that there are no markings on the road to prevent parking or to indicate that there is a school. Councillors also raised wider concerns around parking, including concerns that the Cherry bus driver is parking on the pathway and not parking safely and that parents collecting children and dropping them off are parking irresponsibly. It was commented that there had been some accidents with cars reversing/turning round, particularly in the last year.It was further commented that providing a car park at the front of the school would not elevate the issue, with cars pulling out of the proposed car park onto the main road.
Action: Cllr Heavens to further investigate the matter and provide an update at the next meeting.
- Online banking
Parish Clerk had been looking into online banking used by other parishes. Unity Bank is one that seems to have links with Town ad Parish Councils.Councillors discussed concerns around security and transparency regarding payments but also recognised the benefits including being able to pay contractors easier, although councillors also expressed concerns at costs. Action: Parish Clerk to receive feedback from other parishes and contact Unity Bank to discuss Councillors concerns.
Any other business
It was discussed that there is still a vacancy for a Councillor within the parish. Action: Parish Clerk to advertise the vacancy on the noticeboards and include this in the Village pump magazine.
The Meeting closed at 21.24hrs.
Items for the next agenda (11 January 2021)
To review and agree Policies.
To review Grant Awarding Policy
Grant application from Citizens Advice Bureau
Dog Waste bins around the parish