March 2021 Minutes
TALLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL. Minutes of 9th March 2021 (Approved at Parish council Mtg of 4th May 21).
Chairman: Philip Sagar, Clerk: Wendy Gray email:wendy7wansford@gmail.com
Present: Councillors Brocklebank, Gash, Mackenzie, Sagar, Smith, District Councillor K Cooke and Wendy Gray Parish Clerk. Members of the Public in attendance 10.
MINUTES
Public Forum
1. Residents expressed thanks to Chairman for his efforts in keeping residents advised re flooding/ drainage issues – general vote of thanks proposed by John Allen and others.
Litter – possibility of an Easter Litter Pick – also look at including Strawberry Layby – SKDC can provided bags/pickers etc and can also arrange for collection of rubbish from a central point. Burning of tyres at TL?
Mr Allen – Ref looking at possibility of a Pedestrian Crossing – when survey conducted some years ago – insufficient people crossing the road to get pedestrian crossing from LCC. Care Home over to the Church (safer to have crossing there). Signs required in both directions.
2. Opening of Meeting - Councillor Sagar welcomed everyone to the meeting.
3. Apologies for Absence - Parish Councillor Mackenzie, District Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew. Graham Whale (Tallington Lakes). No apology received from Cllr Otter.
4. Declaration of Interest - (Councillors are reminded of their obligation under the Code of Conduct to declare pecuniary interest) – None.
5. To agree minutes of 12th January 2021 – Cllr Smith proposed, seconded Cllr Gash that minutes were a true reflection of meeting, all in agreement.
6. Matters arising from above minutes - All on agenda.
Cllr Olver resigned in January – Vacancy announcement placed on noticeboards – 1 person interested so far with closing date for applications of 22nd March 2021.
7. Councillor Vacancy (Co-option Notice 1st March)
Co-option will take place at May meeting.
8. Update on new Code of Conduct as recommended by LALC
Current document 2012 – is no longer fit for purpose as recent events have shown and as pointed out by the Monitoring officer at SKDC. Last updated by LALC in 2018 but not updated by Tallington at the time? There is a further review currently underway. Cllr Sagar proposed we accept the 2018 updated version, seconded Cllr Gash, all in agreement. Copy to be put on noticeboards so that residents (who do not have access to a computer) can read.
9. Adoption of 2018 (2020 update) LALC recommended Model Standing Orders in full as distributed 11th January 2021 – if all Cllrs happy we should adopt Model Standing Orders. Cllr Sagar proposed we accept this document with suggested insertions as previously circulated, seconded Cllr Brocklebank, all in agreement.
10. Use of Social Media for Parish News
Following the issues of February with blocked drains that resulted in a number of properties being unable to use toilets and washing machines etc for some days and a later blockage at the pumping station it was felt important to communicate by all means available the changing circumstances surrounding the storm water entering the main sewer system. The Chairman reported that he was in constant contact with Anglian water and was conscious of the need to inform as many residents as quickly as possible of what was happening. Hence the use of the Tallington Village Hall Facebook page and the Tallington Village Community page as well as email distribution list. The clerk was asked to post on Parish Council Website but encountered issues.
The Clerk reported that many Parish Councils do have their own Facebook Page. Cllr Sagar proposed that we look into it further – but we can still use Village Hall Facebook page. Can still produce flyers when required and Towers & Spires.
There had been a series of email complaints from Cllr Otter ref the Chairman’s actions that the Clerk had passed onto the monitoring officer at SKDC. The Monitoring officer found that the Chairman’s actions were in order and furthermore stated that Cllr Otter’s personal attacking language used in emails was inappropriate.
11. Parish Council Website
Parish Clerk reported on where we were and what had happened i.e. Parish Clerk unable to update website in its current state without a lot of further training. Cllr from another Parish offered to look at how website set up, advised set up too complicated – offered assistance to Clerk whereby we can publish information etc within. Cllr offered 2.5 hours of his time for a small fee i.e. £50 – if Cllrs approve. Cllr Sagar proposed we pay the fee quoted, Cllr Brocklebank seconded all in agreement. Clerk will report back once everything uploaded. Cllr Brocklebank asked if anyone had seen a response from KPO to her email none yet.
12. Finance
Transfer to Melton Mowbray Building Society – £28,000 (100 day notice account)
Authorisation of Payments - Community Cleaner (January/February) – £191.84
Parish Clerk Salary and Expenses (January/February) – £472.43. Watts Farm Services (Grasscutting MG) – £600.00
Chatterton’s Solicitors (FIT Land Registry) – £303.60. LALC Affiliation Fee 2021/2022 – £264.78
Parish Online Renewal (W Gray) – £54.00
Cllr Sagar advised that Watts Farm Services (Rob Golland) was happy to continue cutting the MG grass (suggested be asked not to leave grass on path) and proposed that we accept his offer, Cllr Brocklebank seconded, all in agreement.
LALC Model Financial Standing Orders to C/F.
13. Planning
S20/2168 –Rear extension and alterations, Chestnut House, Main Road, Tallington – Planning permission granted.
Planning Policy Consultation, Draft Statement of Community Involvement 2021, consultation period ends on 19th March 2021.
14. Highways
Bypass – no update since last meeting. Cllr Sagar explained that the first tranch of applications ref the governments new levelling up fund were not appropriate to bid for at this time as they had to be shovel ready with a view to completion by end of 2022. A second tranch of applications will be allowed later and the limit for certain Highways projects could be increased from £20m to £50m. Cllr Sagar and Cllr Cooke reported on the meeting with Network Rail of 23rd February who are keen to work with the Parish, District and County Councils on leveraging any funding opportunity to provide a bridge and By Pass.
Mill Lane needs Cul-de- Sac symbols adding to new signs.
Anglian Water have been reminded of the outstanding repair work required to drains in Main Road. Gareth Davies MP has received a response from LCC viz the responsibility over the drain repairs in the Main road that he raised with them on our behalf. This confirmed yet again that the responsibility lies with Anglian Water as it is shown on their records as an asset.
15. West Deeping Quarries Liaison Committee
Meeting last year was cancelled – re held on the 24th February. Cllr Sagar reported on this and the meeting with Breedons via zoom of the 16th Feb following up on previous Chairs request of last year to support village projects.
16. Flooding Update
Following Environment Agency (EA) work – Cllr Smith spoke to the EA Project Manager on site – work finished last week.
Work involved the breaking up, consolidating and rebuilding of over 700 metres of flood bank from the waterfall to Copt Hill. Including the closing down of a number of badger setts and repairing areas of rabbit damage. Artificial setts are being built as part of the works. The newly re-built bank is presently being reinforced with steel mesh, prior to top soiling and re-seeding to prevent future excavation by burrowing animals
Dyke filling up near road bridge – EA are not going to address until middle of year when risk of any flooding will be at its lowest.
Cllr Smith advised personally feels EA are doing a good job and should be thanked for their efforts.
SKDC – offer of Sandbags – Is this a good idea? Where would we store them? Cllr Cooke will find out what it entails and spec required. All Cllrs in agreement to pursue.
Land adjacent to West of Hawthorn Cottage garden perimeter – as not owned by Parish Council advised by LALC not the responsibility of the Parish council.
Cllr Sagar recommends that we do not seek to take further action following advice received, costs and future liability.
Cllr Mackenzie proposed that we maintain it and put as a tourist area, take over and maintain.
FOR – Cllr Mackenzie
AGAINST – Cllr Sagar, Cllr Brocklebank, Cllr Gash, Cllr Smith
No further action to be taken.
17. Field in Trust Dedication (Millennium Green)
Parish Clerk had zoom meeting with solicitor (Chatterton’s) all paperwork completed and ID completed. Solicitors confirmed all paperwork now sent off to Land Registry.
18. Millennium Green Improvements
Draft minutes from Cllr Mackenzie re recommendations. Cllr Mackenzie proposed we carry on with recommendations, seconded Cllr Sagar, all in agreement. Canal basin area part of footpath is a mess with lying mud.
Breedon had offered some assistance –– site visit by Quarry manager (3rd March) to suggest what type of materials would be available from local quarry. We would have to cover cost of labour, we need more technical advice from Breedon. Aim to obtain grant funding for whole job. Golden colour asphalt is preferred over gravel options from local Breedon’s site. Cllr Sagar to push Breedon’s on a decision on what level of materials and or subsidy they could provide.
Cllr Cooke confirmed that LNER Community Investment fund was open for applications. Cllr Mackenzie to pursue.
19. Church Lane Green Area
Following the Clerks letter to LCC Highways of 13th January. LCC Highways replied on 8th Feb stating they believe that it should be maintained as verge and to continue to look like a verge also offering assistance, to that end, by way of help in design and to specify the works, (noting that the works will have to be carried out by a contractor that carries the necessary insurance and holds the appropriate NRSWA qualifications).
It was agreed that the Clerk follow up on this offer and a site meeting be arranged as soon as possible.
20. Proposal to Apply to Land Registry re item 20-24/11 and cost thereof.
Cllr Smith and Cllr Sagar would not support this at this moment in time.
Cllr Gash – agreed considering costs and liabilities.
Cllr Brocklebank – should wait to see what LCC will do.
Cllr Sagar agreed with Cllr Brocklebank (also to look at insurance).
21. Village Hall Report and Playing Field
Arranged for a Crepe Van to come out Saturday 6th March – quite successful. And will repeat. Update on play park renovations. Wall at end of park crumbling due to vandalism (obtaing quotes to repair – specialist). Secured another SKDC lock down grant – this will help with cost of wall repairs. Play Scheme again this year. Run by Finding Fitness (lottery grant obtained). What is happening with servicing of Defib? PAT testing done last week.
Post Office still every Tuesday. Water pipes rerouted in hall to school house.
Cosmetic makeover to finish off in hall – remove old box skirting and paint new pipework.
22. Proposal to install 2 Rubbish Bins next to dog bins on river – carry over to May meeting.
23. Reports from Councillors
Speed Cameras – carry over to May meeting. St Lawrence Way – gate which looks onto Main Road – gate needs repair .
24. Public Forum – None.
25. Date of Next Meeting - Tuesday 4th May 2021 via Zoom at 7.30 p.m. Preceded by Annual Parish meeting at 7pm and Annual Parish council Meeting. Cllr Sagar closed the meeting at 9.53 pm.