2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

OSGODBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held 13th February 2023 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, Osgodby.

Public forum: 19.35 - 19.42hrs. 11 Parishioners present.

One parishioner asked questions regarding the questionnaires, that were delivered along with the Parish Pump. The wording of the question was discussed, as the parishioner felt as though the wording was such that village green was going to be taken away.  Signage on the green was also discussed and it was also suggested that the church at Usselby was included as part of the survey. 

1.   Present

Cllr M Bowley, Cllr J Trafford, Cllr K Fox, Cllr A Wilkinson, Ms S Harvey (Clerk). 

2.   Apologies for Absence. None received. 

3.   Chairman’s and Councillor’s remarks.  No comments. 

4.   To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act and to consider any requests for dispensations. No declarations. 

5.   Councillor vacancy - Co-option of interested applicants - 2 applications have been received (1 on 13th February, which will be carried forward to the next meeting as Councillors had no time to review the application). After reviewing the 2nd application, Councillors were all in favour of Amy Boyles joining as Council. 

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

Cllr Bunney reported that the elections are this year, March 13th is the date where nominations will be accepted by the Council, afterwhich, normal council business will slow down in favour of campaigning. 

Collection notices for the bins - problems with the print size, larger print size has been requested.

Police - new PCSO has started, however there will be an overall reduction in the numbers of police so there is a danger that the new post may be lost. School - a request for the wooden building to be left up at the school have been rejected, and it is expected that this will be taken down. 

County Council budget is about to be submitted, not quite as much as anticipated. Precept raise of 4.99%, with ring-fencing for adult social care. Flooding (Washdyke Lane)- highways have yet to make a decision on what the next steps are, however it is anticipated that old drains may need to be opened up. Orchard close - it seems that this has now been resolved. 

Meeting with WLDC March 4th regarding flooding in the area, including Washdyke Lane. Action: Cllr Bunney to put something in writing for residents. 

No funding available for the Coronation, as there was for the Platinum Jubilee. 

7.   Minutes of the meeting held on 9th January 2023 to be approved as the minutes

Agreed. 

8.   Clerk’s report on matters outstanding.  Nothing to report.

9.   Planning Matters

i.   APPLICATION REFERENCE NO:146062, LOCATION: Land South of Orchard Close Osgodby Lincoln LN8 3WF. PROPOSAL:Application for approval of reserved matters for 4no. dwellings, considering access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale, following outline permission 137045 granted 08 February 2018 being variation of conditions 1 & 5 of planning permission 138954 granted 15 March 2019 - amendment to brick walls & fencing, move plot 3 forward 1m with other non-material elevation amendments.    

ii.   To resolve and agree a response to WLDC. 

No objections. All agreed.

iii.   APPLICATION REFERENCE NO:146063 PROPOSAL:Planning application for a single storey bungalow with associated garaging and amenity space being variation of condition 2 of planning permission 141927 granted 16 December 2020 - amended boundary treatments. LOCATION:Land at Orchard Close Osgodby Lincoln LN8 3WF

iv.   To resolve and agree a response to WLDC.

No objections. All agreed. 

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

i.   To receive information regarding Hill House Residential Home, from Mr Philip Pearson (Chairman - United Health)

Mr Pearson addressed the meeting regarding the disused property on Sand Lane (Hill House Care Home). June 2022, the site had been put up for auction, Mr Pearson  bought the site to protect the houses and the equine business.  The property cannot be used as a care home, due to legislative changes in 2012 and it is not fit for purpose. Mr Pearson invited comments from the Parish Council and members of the public present.  There are 2 houses on the site, in the last year Social Services wanted the houses to be part of supported living, however this is not possible, so these are now leased.  There has been no planning application for change of use. Some ideas that have already been suggested such as holiday lets or the units being ‘broken up’ as multiple occupation housing.  Cllr Bunney suggested contacting the Business Development unit at LCC and that future development plans would be dependent upon the wider economic plan. It was agreed that it would be a shame to see this fall into disrepair.  Cllr Bowley thanked Mr Pearson for attending.  It was suggested that Mr Pearson was available at the Annual Parish Meeting on 15th May 2023, to meet with the wider community and invite suggestions.  Action: Parish Clerk to invite Mr Pearson. 

ii.   Renewal of subscription for Garden Waste Collections - This is to be renewed.

iii.   Renewal of subscription to WMS support (Parish Website) - The amount of time was agreed at 10 hrs. 

iv.   Renewal of subscription to LaLC ATS scheme - This is to be renewed.

v.   Osgodby Primary School - Beehive project. The Grant Policy was reviewed by Councillors and it was agreed unanimously to invite the school to complete the application for the funds requested. 

vi.   War memorial - hedge cutting and repairs to the gate - Actions: Cllr Wilkinson will look at the repairs to the gate.  Parish Clerk to ask A J Williams to cut the hedge, there is a 2.9 meter height requirement. 

11.   Financial Matters

i.   Financial Report, to include and agree the allocation of CIL payment 

It was agreed to defer the allocation of CIL payment to the next meeting. 

ii.   Ratification of payment schedule

Account balances:

12.   Email addresses and move to TEAMS

i.   To agree and resolve communication methods  

It was agreed to leave this until after the elections, when this will be further reviewed. 

13.   To receive an update regarding the Gigabit scheme - there was no further update from OpenReach, however they have been carrying out survey work in the village. 

i.   To resolve to sign the contract for OpenReach.

It was agreed to carry this forward to the next meeting, following an update from Openreach. 

14.     Receive an update regarding the Deed of Easement for Red House

Cllr Trafford reported that further discussion with the residents of Red House and our solicitors had taken place to resolve some issues, this information has now been passed on to all parties concerned. The Parish Council Solicitors fees will be capped and HM land Registry have extended the tribunal deadline to 31st March 2023. 

15.   Emergency Plan for the Parish - Parish Clerk outlined the purpose of the plan and suggested that this is promoted at the March meeting. 

i.   To appoint a Lead for development of the plan - Cllr Trafford expressed an interest, with support from others. 

15.    To review and resolve on future meeting dates, specifically for May 2023.

Annual meeting of the parish council - 22nd May 2023. 
Annual parish meeting - 15th May 2023. 
Cancel 8th May meeting. 

16.    To receive a report regarding Speed Devices 

Cllr Trafford gave an overview of the report prepared by Machaela Heavens, which was well received.

Councillors suggested turning around the device going out towards Low road to see statistics.  Action: Parish Clerk to contact Machaela. 

17.   To discuss arrangements for the renewal of contracts for grass cutting (war memorial, cemetery, village green), due 31st March 2023. Action: Parish Clerk to advertise and add to the March agenda.

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

i.   To review and resolve to agree on tenancy fees for - Sand Lane & Top road (due for renewal 31st March 2023).  It was agreed to an increase of 3% for 1st April 2023 - 31st March 2024, in line with council tax increases. Proposed Cllr Bowley, all agreed. Action: Parish Clerk to advise tenants. 

ii.   To review and resolve to agree on Cemetery fees. 

Cllr Bowley proposed the following- Increase for None parishioners by 10%, for burial fees, parishioners by 3% from 1st January 2024 - 31st December 2024, then review in accordance with council tax increases. An increase of 3% will be imposed on everything else (headstone fees, administration etc) All agreed.  Action: Parish Clerk to update documents as necessary.

iii.   To review applications for the role of Parish Clerk/RFO and arrange interviews. 

1 applicant, deemed not suitable.  Lives out of County.