2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

OSGODBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held 26th September 2022, 7.30pm, Osgodby Village Hall. (This meeting was rescheduled from 12th September, due to the mourning period, following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth).

PUBLIC FORUM: 10 members of the public present.

One parishioner asked if the council will reconsider having no parking on the village green.  Cllr Heavens advised the regulations around changing a decision.  One parishioner asked about whether development in the village is considered.  Cllr Heavens responded by informing the process, and how views can be seen from the Parish Council on the portal or in the WLDC report. The parishioner questioned this further by referring to the neighbourhood plan. WLDC had advised the parishioner that any applications would need to be in line with the Neighbourhood plan.  Cllr Heavens gave examples of how the Parish Council have supported the neighbourhood plan conditions and responded accordingly, however WLDC have the final say and the Parish Council do not have the right to challenge the plan.

One parishioner asked how many parking signs would be put up on the village green and how high these will be and also asked whether the council are legal in erecting the signs.  A question was also asked as to who would enforce the parking.  Cllr Heavens went on to explain that the decision would be made tonight as to the type of signs.  Further questions were asked regarding the bye law and enforcement action that would be imposed.  Cllr Heavens also commented that it may be necessary to go back to the community regarding the use of the village green.  2 parishioners left the meeting, stating that there was no point in attending further.

1. Present: Cllr M Heavens (Chair), Cllr A Wilkinson, Cllr J Smith, Cllr M Bowley, Cllr J Trafford, Cllr Ms S Harvey (Parish Clerk).

2. Apologies for Absence: Cllr S Bunney (meeting clashes as a result of re-arranged meetings due to the period of mourning)

3. Chairman’s and Councillor’s remarks

Cllr Heavens discussed repairs required on the sign on the tree, to be added to the next agenda meeting.

Update of Policies – to be added to the October agenda.  There are some missing from our website. Action: Parish Clerk and Cllr Heavens to review policies and what needs to be on the website.

Cllr Johnsons resignation has been received. 

4. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act and to consider any requests for dispensations.

None advised.

5. Reports from District & County Councillors, Police and the Village Hall, if present

Parish Clerk read out the report emailed to the Council from Cllr Bunney.

Report from the village hall – this was provided by Cllr Masterman.

6. Notes of the meetings held on 11th July 2022, 25th July 2022, 26th August 2022 to be approved as the minutes

Amendments required as follows: 11th July 2022, item 9 planning matters – Cllr Johnson seconded the proposal. 26th August 2022 – Public Forum – Mr Winter stated that he delivered hay all year round, not just in the winter. Action: Parish Clerk to amend as agreed, Cllr Heavens will then sign.   

7. Clerk’s report on matters outstanding

LaLC audit costs – approx. 478 parishioners on the electoral register. The cost would therefore be £125.00 for a 4.5hr audit, plus £10.00 to include burials.  501 + parishioners would be £150.00.  The current electoral role does not include new housing. Matter to be included in October Agenda for resolution.

Repairs to noticeboards – no one has come forward.  Action: Parish Clerk to contact local tradespeople regarding the job.  

8. Planning Matters

1. APPLICATION REFERENCE NO:         145388
   •  

Cllrs discussed the changes made to the stables.No objections. Action: Parish Clerk to respond to WLDC

2. APPLICATION REFERENCE NO:         145436
3. To resolve on submission of an agreed response to WLDC 

Parish Clerk read comments from a parishioner who could not attend the meeting.Cllr Masterman informed the meeting of the detail of the application, taken from WLDC planning portal.Councillors discussed the original agreement and the environmental impact, but recommend that an ecological survey is carried out, as originally suggested and that species of hedge were planted as per the original application.  Action: Parish Clerk to draft response and circulate.

9. Correspondence - To note general correspondence as per the list provided

New reservoir, South Lincolnshire.  Parish Clerk gave an update of the webinar attended.

Parish Clerk will attend an environment webinar to look at the impact of electric vehicle points in the community 27th September 2022.

Flooding on Washdyke Lane – This has been reported through Fix My Street by the Parish Clerk and residents.  Parish Clerk followed this up by emailing Highways direct, requesting urgent attention.  Anglian Water is working down Washdyke Lane.  Action: Parish Clerk to follow up on work completed.

Bridleway bridge footpath No 90 – notification that this is due to be replaced on or around 10th October 2022. 

Green bins in the cemetery – plastic wrappings in bins, request for cemetery users to make sure that the right waste is put in the correct bin.  Action: Parish Clerk to monitor

10. Financial Matters

1. Financial Report

Bank account balances:

Bank accounts:

Current account ***7600 £9563.35

Business reserve ***6471 £16348.37

Business reserve ***6996 £546.15

2. Ratification of payment schedules

11. Clerks update on qualifications achieved

Achieved ILCA Level 2 qualification.

Looking to progress to Level 3 in 2023.

12. i.To receive an update in respect of the Speed Devices

Cllr Heavens provided an update and data from the speed devices.  A  request will be made to the software to see if this data can be collected more easily, particularly in response to a parishioner concern raised at a previous meeting. 

Discussions were held as to options of turning around the cameras and Cllr Heavens invited the public to give their views.

3. To resolve action to be taken in light of the report.

Cllr Heavens proposed to leave the speed devices, send a copy of the report to Graeme Butler (Lincs Road Safety Partnership), and erect temporary passive signs.  Seconded Cllr Trafford, All agreed.  

13. Cremation plots

1. To receive an update of spaces available in the garden of remembrance

Plan circulated. There are currently 6 spaces available for purchase in the garden of remembrance.

2. To resolve whether to create further spaces

It was agreed at this stage to look at this bi-annually, and review again when fees are reviewed. Cllr heavens proposed to not create further spaces, but review when we look at burial fees.  Seconded, Cllr Masterman. All agreed.

14. To receive an update from the Clerk regarding the new LaLC website

Paper circulated which provided information for Councillors.  It is anticipated that there will be a public access portal in the future.

15. To receive an update from the Clerk regarding Civility & Respect pledge and training required.

Paper circulated which provided information for Councillors.The Parish Clerk gave a short summary for the benefit of members of the public present. Action: Parish Clerk to send out the link to the training webinar and include on the October agenda for resolution.

16. To agree the distribution of the Parish Pump magazines.

Suggest post the outlying properties/farms Bishops Bridge.– Parish Clerk can do this.  Action: parish Clerk to look at costs of postage.

It was also suggested that some parishioners might prefer to have the information electronically, which the Parish Clerk could arrange.

We are looking for volunteers to distribute the magazines. Action: Cllr Heavens to include this in the next edition.

Distribution areas were discussed and agreed.

17. To receive an update on the Gigabit scheme

Cllr Heavens provided an update.Pledges need to be received by 5 October 2022 and ways of promoting this were discussed.Councillors agreed on actions in order to meet the deadline.

18. To receive an update from the Clerk in respect of Emergency planning

Paper circulated.  Councillors agreed to go ahead with the document.  Action: Parish Clerk to start work and update as necessary.

19. To receive an update regarding refurbishment to the War memorial and to appoint a project lead for this.

Cllr Smith updated the meeting regarding progress. Contractor is hoping to start in the next week.Mr Firth & Contractor will liaise regarding access to the site.

Cllr Trafford is happy to be the Lead for the project.

20. To review Risk Assessment documents completed.

1. To resolve to adopt the risk assessments.

Cllr Heavens invited Councillors comment on the risk assessments circulated.Cllr Masterman had some questions regarding some of the points, which were clarified by Cllr Heavens. Action: Cllr Heavens to amend the war memorial risk assessment, as agreed.

Cllr Heavens proposed that the risk assessments were adopted, following the agreed amendment. Seconded Cllr Smith. All agreed.

21. Parking on the village green

1. To receive an update from Cllr Heavens.  

It was voted at the last meeting to put back the decision to purchase signage, as a parishioner had brought forward some evidence which caused doubt, however this has been negated. Cllr Smith commented that she would support the proposal, based on the fact that we were looking at allowing access across the green, and signage would prevent the blocking of this access. Cllr Bowley expressed concerns at erecting signs and the impact this may have.  Cllrs reviewed signage examples provided by Cllr Smith and Cllr Wilkinson. Costs were reviewed.

2. To resolve the purchase of signage and agree on the cost and design.

It was proposed that a budget was set of £200, seconded by Cllr Heavens.  Majority agreed.   

22. i. To resolve on whether the Council will go into closed session to consider the following matter. Should the resolution be passed the public (and press) will be required to leave the meeting at this stage.

Proposed by Cllr Heavens, seconded Cllr Smith, all agreed.

ii.To receive an update in relation to DAS insurance.

The Parish Clerk provided an update received from DAS insurance.

iii.To elect a committee of 3 representatives to meet with the resident, determine the terms of reference; to decide what the Parish Council is prepared to accept as terms for agreeing an easement and compile questions that should be asked.

3 representatives were elected, following votes received.  Cllr Bowley, Cllr Heavens and Cllr Trafford will attend the meeting.

Terms of reference for the meeting were agreed as well as questions to be asked at the meeting. Action following the meeting was also agreed.

Meeting closed at 22.37hrs.               Minutes approved 24th October 2022 Cllr M Bowley (Chair)