March 2020 Minutes
2020-03-10 Minutes
Parish Council Meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday
10th March 2020
In Attendance: Parish Councillors Joan Brocklebank, Louise Isaacs, Geoff Mayling, Philip Sagar and John Smith, 10 members of the public were also in attendance.
Agenda Item
20-03 / 1. Public Forum:
Crisis at the Tallington Village Hall and Playing Field Association – explain the situation that is occurring.
Item 5 of this agenda “will there be a “Secret Ballot” – response NO.
A resident queried the Car Park outside his house in Church Lane. It is in a disgusting state – Cllr Smith looking at fencing off – he has been assured by church committee that it is their land! Cllr has been to see Vicar and understand this is not case – so who does own the land!!!
20-03 / 2. Opening of Meeting:
Cllr Mayling welcomed everyone to meeting.
Cllr Mayling stated that he wished to make a personal statement. He stated that Cllr Otter had made a complaint to the SKDC Monitoring Officer about his conduct. He has been accused of “attempting to rig the co option process thereby bringing the Parish Council into disrepute and losing respect for the position of the chair”.
Cllr Mayling refutes this 100% and is confident that there is no complaint to answer and will let SKDC resolve the matter.
The accusation relates to the how the Parish Council have arrived at two applicants for one position on the Parish Council.
Cllr Mayling then referred to the statements about him made by Cllr Otter in his e mails to SKDC as follows (word for word):
“…. insidious reasons for my actions…”
“…. mental capacity has however been discussed on several occasions…”
“…. I would be threatened with the co option of a normal applicant not nominated by other Cllrs….”
“…. I will be forcing through a secret ballot which Cllr Otter will not be allowed to attend as he cannot now respect the chair….”
Cllr Otter had requested Cllr Mayling to resign.
Cllr Mayling proposed that we delay the co-option vote until SKDC have arrived at their decision. Cllr Mayling apologised to the two applicants for the delay caused by Cllr Otters actions.
Post Meeting Note: on 13 March SKDC informed Cllr Mayling that they “have found that there is no complaint to answer”.
They have also suggested “that the Parish Council review its co-option procedure….”
20-03 / 3. To receive any apologies for absence:
Cllr Otter – reason given “Cannot respect position of the current chair.”
Clerk to advise Cllr Otter that if does not attend a certain number of meetings, without a valid reason, he can be disqualified from being a Parish Councillor.
Action: Parish Clerk
20-03 / 4. Declaration of Interest: (Councillors are reminded of their obligation under the Codes of Conduct to declare pecuniary interests): Cllr Isaacs item 20 Heron’s Trust Almhouse.
20-03 / 5. Co-option of Councillor: Agreed to delay until further notice.
20-03 / 6. To agree Minutes of 14th January 2020:
Cllr Isaacs proposed, seconded Cllr Smith that the above minutes be signed as a true and accurate record, all Cllrs in agreement.
20-03 / 7. Matters Arising from Minutes:
Bank Signatories – Cllrs Isaacs and Sagar will take forms into bank to complete.
Action: Cllrs Isaacs/Sagar
Precept for 2020/2021 - £7501 requested.
Level Crossing Closure Study by Birmingham University – No update provided.
Action: Cllr Otter
20-03 / 8. Finance/Authorisation of Payments:
K Otter – Land Registry £6.00.
Parish Clerk Salary – January/February £365.00.
Parish Clerk Expenses - £60.83.
Parish Clerk (Parish Online) - £54.00
Community Cleaner - £149.58.
20-03 / 9. Planning: No new applications.
20-03 / 10. Highways:
Update by Cllr Trollope-Bellew below:
Mill Lane current speed limit 60mph can this be de-restricted to 30mph, if so when?
Report the condition of road from the river bridge to next bridge eg roadside breakup/footpath to Bainton
Main Road – flooding issue still a problem with Anglian water/lcc UPDATE LCC are still waiting for the information that AWS have said they have and proves ownership. Until we get this then the system still belongs to AWS, and may well still belong to them even after we see the 'proof'. The Floods team are currently following this up, we have no involvement locally.
The driveway of number 80, Main Road, Tallington on 24 Feb 2019 and was given the reference number 347617. The following day I received a reply saying no further action. Once more, I reported the same pot hole around 5/6 May 2019 and, again, the following day received a reply saying no further action. The pot hole is still there and continues to increase in size. UPDATE Potholes have been filled but we know the gully grate does need resetting which will be done asap in the new financial year via the new gangs we have starting in April.
Also, outside driveway, number 80a, there is a drain cover around which the road is disappearing leaving nasty holes. Although, as yet, I haven't reported this pothole it would make perfect sense to repair the two together as they are only five yards apart. UPDATE As above.
Action: Parish Clerk
20-03 / 11. Signs on Bins in Main Road: They are having an effect and working well.
20-03 / 12. Drains in Main Road:
Continuing problem between Anglian Water and LCC. Parish Clerk to restart communications.
Action: Parish Clerk
20-03 / 13. Correspondence:
NALC Spring Conference Postponed.
Parish Council Summit 20th March – Cllrs Mayling and Sagar attending (now cancelled).
20-03 / 14. To receive a report on the Village Hall:
Geoff Sutcliffe and Pauline Horrocks provided update on current situation.
Pauline will be moving out of the village soon which will leave only two trustees. It is vital that new trustees are appointed to keep this valuable asset to the village up and running.
Cllrs L Isaacs will represent the Parish Council and Cllr Sagar agreed to be a trustee.
An article will be put in the local magazine asking for volunteers.
Village Hall Roof Insurance claim and funding – insurance company informed re lost roof tiles (storm damage).
Funding – 5 tenders originally sought increased to 6 as one declined to tender. Two tenders received, chasing remainder. Now registered with Mick George (grantscape) for funding. Submission required by 1st April. If we fail with Grantscape we will require 4 tenders to apply for SKDC funding.
Action: Cllr Mayling
20-03 / 15. New Playground Equipment for the Playing Field and Funding:
One quote received approx. £9000 excl VAT, too many items excluded from quote and need to be included, revised quote required.
Action: Cllr Mayling
20-03 / 16. Children’s Fitness Classes in August and Funding:
Submission to National Lottery Community Fund last week in January, 18 week adjudication period. Decision expected early June.
20-03 / 17. Field in Trust Dedication (Millennium Green) – Application forms submitted; no funding required for this matter.
20-03 / 18. Trees on Millennium Green:
Rob Golland will carry on cutting and maintenance of the green.
20-03 / 19. Action Group for Works on Millennium Green:
No progress. Agenda item for next meeting. Rob Golland and Rob Burdock for update.
Action: Parish Clerk
20-03 / 20. Reports from Councillors:
Herons Trust – Vacancy exists for occupancy of a Charity Bungalow (Almshouse) at Herons Close, Tallington. Application for appointment must be made in writing to: Mrs L C Isaacs, The Farmhouse, Mill Lane, Tallington PE9 4RR on or before 1st May 2020. Please state name/address, date of birth and occupation.
20-03 / 21. Public Forum:
Gigaclear outstanding items - Cllr Otter will chase up again. No update for this meeting.
Action: Cllr Otter
Defibrillator for Tallington Lakes?
Increased cost of car parking in Stamford.
20-03 / 22. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 12th May 2020 commencing at 7 p.m. (subject to what is happening re Coronavirus).
The meeting closed at 9.50 pm.
Signed: Geoff Mayling Dated: 10/3/2020