November 2023 Minutes
Tallington Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 28th November 2023
Present: Chairman Cllr P Sagar, Vice Chairman Cllr J Smith, Cllr J Knox and Parish Clerk W Gray.
District Councillors V Smith and R Trollope-bellew.
3 members of the public Anne Knox, Jon Richards, and Nicola Smith were also in attendance.
Minutes
1. Public Forum:
Village Hall Car Park (state ref leaves) – VH Committee discussed last week, let down by non-attendance of appointed cleaner.
2. Opening of Meeting: Cllr Sagar welcomed everyone to the meeting. Sad to report the resignation of Cllr Anita Hassall from Parish Council, Village Hall Committee and as liaison for Towers & Spires. It seems the aggravation from a small section of our community makes trying to help not worth the aggravation. The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Anita for all she has done for the village over the last few years; most recently organising the Wheel barrow competition over the Coronation weekend that won Tallington the ‘Runner up Award’ award from SKDC Community in Bloom 2023. She will be missed. Cllr’s Sagar and Smith speaking with a number of people who it is hoped will decide to join the Parish Council. The Village Hall has recently benefited from new members.
3. Apologies for Absence: Cllr Joan Brocklebank.
4. Declaration of Interest: None.
5. To agree minutes of Parish Council Meeting 26th September 2023: proposed Cllr Smith, seconded Cllr Knox all in agreement for minutes to be signed.
6. Matters arising from the above minutes: Reading Room - Appeal upheld – permission to build single size dwelling. Jubilee Tree agreed to move – will be moved to MG – if does not survive will have to be replaced. St Lawrence of Rome church Brown Tourist Sign – no further update.
7. Finance/Authorisation of payments
Parish Clerk Salary and expenses £511.18
Above payment approved by Cllrs Present.
Metro Bank Update – Fixed Term Account – instant access 4.1% now opened, cheque and paying in books. Online details to follow.
8. Planning:
S23/1986 – Application discussed and TPC concerns to be passed onto SKDC.
9. Mallard Pass Solar Farm: Final Consultation ended.
10. SK UK Shared Prosperity Fund: The chairman has encouraged Village Hall and playing fields Association to re submit for grant to repair the Village Play field stone walls. The Chairman reminded all that this land was gifted to the Parish Council (Title absolute LL268862). Furthermore in May 2013 the playing fields were further registered with ‘Fields in Trust’ as a public Playing field and recreation ground.
11. Footpath No. 4 route & Millennium Green Works: work taking a lot longer than agreed – work initially delayed through delay in supply of steel edging. Further remedial work required of contractor before contract signed off as complete. Meeting with contractor to sort action plan scheduled for 6th December.
12. Trees: Looking to set trees on the MG as follows: A. Relocation of Jubilee tree to MG ref Reading Room development (awaiting feedback from Developers on when they can do it – likely in January ’24). B. 5 X Copper Beach (possibly February ’24) C. 5 x Hornbeam, 20 x Lime, 3 x White wild cherry, 4 x Pink Cherry (all likely in January 25)
ALSO: Wild flowers - wanted to do in October ‘23 – could not get ground prepared for sowing. Will now have to look at getting sown in April ‘24. Funds to be sought in the village for tree and wild flower projects. Signs to eventually be erected in memory of Wally Knox/Alan Thurlby.
13. Environment Agency (EA): Current issues remaining are: malfunctioning flap valves. both sides of river, just upstream of road bridge; continued proliferation of rabbits and badgers; need to replace rotted fence posts along boundary of river bank and local resident property; need to remove willow tree at waters edge 150m downstream of road bridge. EA have indicated that their work to address these issues will start before Christmas ’23. JS has reported comments to EA from local fishermen of apparent poor fishing possibly caused by increase in cormorants and an otter (picture recently taken near road bridge).
14. Reports from Councillors: Cllr Trollope-bellew – congratulations on Runner up award. SKDC Community in Bloom 2023.
Cllr Vanessa Smith – Written report - SKDC Website: SKDC has a new website. Please get in touch if you spot any issues.
Recycling: Purple lidded bins are due for delivery very soon with the separate card/paper collections starting in February 2024. Everyone should have received a letter from the Council with further details and the 2024 bin calendar. Telephone 01476 406544 if you have any issues (SK purple lidded bins dedicated phone number).
SK Funding workshops: Information evenings for community groups on the various pots of money available, such as UK Shared Prosperity Fund, SK Community fund, LotterySK and how to apply. Further sessions will be held: 18 Jan- Grantham, 21 Mar - Bourne.
Lincolnshire Resilience Forum: Anyone who would like to get involved as an individual can join as a Ready for Anything Volunteer: https://www.lincolnshireresilienceforum.org/ready-for-anything/
Congratulations to Tallington for being Runners Up in the SKDC Community in Bloom Award.
Thetford Farm Quarry, Baston: PL/0070/23 - I have been working hard to support Baston on this matter. SKDC's formal response to LCC is desk based and a reflection of policy rather than local views. (Little direct impact on Tallington, but might be a factor if you use the A15 to Bourne).
Local Devolution: There are plans for Greater Lincolnshire Devolution with Mayoral control. An announcement was made in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. £24 million is a relatively limited budget for the tasks involved and I am sure this will generate a lot of debate. SKDC do not have much input into the consultation process.
Lincolnshire Health Survey: I am aware that County Council are asking for people's experience of healthcare services. There is a questionnaire online if you wish to take part: https://nhslincolnshire.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0O0zPdjTfAvrhFs
Deeping Leisure Centre: I believe I have copied the Clerk and Chair into recent emails regarding a presentation and further literature to explain the funding if required. (TPC is giving consideration ref an invite to future TPC meeting?).
There is currently a public consultation of SKDC’s Corporate Plan. Please feel free to comment: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SKCPG2024
At recent SKDC Full Council meeting I put forward a motion to lobby our Westminster politicians to support the Climate and Ecology Bill. This will be debated again the new year.
As from 31st October residents will be able to apply for a postal vote and certain types of proxy vote forms online by going onto www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote or www.gov.uk/apply-proxy-vote , you will be asked to provide your National Insurance Number which would be matched against the information held by the Department of Work & Pensions.
TALLINGTON SPECIFIC:
St Lawrence Way: Drainage issues at entrance. I have met with a resident to discuss this and have sent further correspondence to the council asking whether further work will be carried out. I have been told that further works are planned to clear the ditches and drains.
St Lawrence Way: Kerb onto the green: I have chased this numerous times and have had several apologies and assurances from the council that work will be done soon.
St Lawrence Way: Barrier between green and A1175: I have also chased this numerous times and have had several apologies and assurances from the council that work will be done soon. (Sits within the same department as above).
15. Village Hall and Playing Field reports: VH organising Christmas event i.e. get together on 8th December. Village Hall is being used but we do need a new Cleaner. Request put out for volunteers – new blood on Village Hall Committee interested from residents on Tallington Lakes. New Play equipment is being well used especially equipment that has been put in place for smaller children.
16. Public Forum: None.
17. Dates of Next TPC Meeting: Tuesday 9th January 2024. Precept for 2024/2025 will be agreed at this meeting. Meeting closed at 8.25 p.m.