March 2024 DRAFT Minutes
Tallington Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held on 12th March 2024
Present: Chairman Cllr P Sagar, Vice Chairman Cllr J Smith, Cllr J Brocklebank, Cllr R Sorrell and Parish Clerk W Gray, new Clerk N Smith 14 members of the public were also in attendance.
Minutes
1. Public Forum: A thank you for clearing footpath as you cross over the bridge on left hand side Bainton Road.
2. Opening of Meeting: Cllr Sagar welcomed everyone to the meeting.
3. Apologies for Absence: Cllr J Knox, Mrs L Allen.
4. Declaration of Interest: None.
5. Update on the Tallington Flooding of 3rd, 4th January and 22nd February 2024: Anglian Water, LCC Highways Network Rail
and SKDC
Cllr Sagar updated on above – bcc email updates had and will continue to be circulated.
Since the Parish Council meeting with Anglian Water’s Flood Partnerships Manager Quality and Environment and LCC Head of Highways Asset and local management services of Friday 23rd February there has been a lot of activity near the crossing . A detailed appraisal of the drains from Mill Lane towards the crossing has established that there was at least one blockage somewhere between the chamber opposite the Manor House to the Chamber in front of the Whistle-stop pub. This is a very deep chamber that when pumped out revealed what appears to be two large cream blocks lying at the bottom. These are most likely from the old culvert somewhere under the crossing. The underground culvert from the whistle stop chamber to the open ditches to the east of the crossing were 70% blocked with silt and rubbish and took a few days and nights to clear. The planned closure on 16th March now starts from 7pm till 8am.
The work this weekend by Anglian Water and Network Rail will at the very least establish what further works are required.
An Early picture of surface water drain from the double chamber village side of crossing back toward manhole opposite Manor House shows what looks like a dry-stone wall chamber, with sand gravel base with very old flagstones over.
LCC and AW have also recognised that the open dykes from the crossing towards West Deeping need clearing and it is hoped that their initial willingness to offer help here translates into action as lane closures and heavy equipment will be needed.
The large 8” pump provided by LCC (circa £3k a week) and organised by Anglian Water that was installed on Mill Lane late on Friday 23rd February to pump water to the river and protect homes from further flooding (as experienced again on Thursday 22nd Feb) was in continual use most of this last week. An additional large pump has now been installed by AW in front of the Old Post Office to pump water from a deep surface water chamber there to the Mill Lane 8” pump. This work has now revealed another collapse in a second chamber that was also totally silted up. Anglian Water anticipate that this extra pump will help reduce the high-water table throughout the village and provide some reduction of water flow during NR contractors CML scheduled 5-year culvert clean on Sat 16th March when they will also attempt to repair the collapse drain/blockage under the rail crossing. The flooding experienced at the Manor house and on Searson close from the rising water from Sunday 18th February kept the Parish Council 2” pump busy from then till 9.30pm Sunday 25th February pumping water to the waste land next to the East Coast line.
Residents disappointed with the way Anglian Water have failed to respond to their calls for assistance over past weeks were advised to complain to OFWAT. Contact details are https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/contact-us/water-company-enquiries/
A member of Public asked whether there is sufficient pressure on AW to make them sort out the problems. Cllr Sagar answered that our MP Gareth Davies was writing to senior management at AW and NR to ensure they are aware of the situation. Alicia Kearns was also actively involved.
The LCC Section 19 report is needed before liability and claims can be decided. LCC work covers all of Lincolnshire. TPC understand there were over 900 homes affected by storms Babet and Henk in Lincolnshire.
Member of Public raised issue of household insurance premiums being significantly increased for future renewals. MP Alicia Kearns has offered assistance in lobbying the Insurance companies re this issue.
The Parish Council would like to hear about insurance premium increases for village homes. Comments to the Parish Clerk.
There are at last up to 15 tankers a day clearing the excess at Searson Close.
SKDC continue to offer help with problems and have visited to review the situation in the village.
6. Environment Agency/Bank Works/Flooding/Actions – Update:
The temporary repairs by the Environment Agency to the erosion damage on the river banks where the river turns near the East Coast rail bridge downstream of Tallington bridge and past the old quarry Bailey bridge have been completed. Further permanent works will be undertaken in the summer.
EA are waiting for Section 19 report before they will do any work on the river system. It has been reported that there is a tree trunk across the river resting against the supports for the foot bridge near the EA reporting station.
The new Herons Trust 4” pump (1600 + Litres per minute) has arrived and will be located close to the river at one of the Flood response teams’ homes to allow it to be deployed quickly to pump water from the dyke back into the river should the need arise and the EA pump is not in situ. Thanks again to the Heron’s trust for making this possible.
7. Casewick Lane Drainage issues – Update:
A further culvert has been identified north of the Railway crossing behind the concrete factory which is blocked with rubbish/silt. The blockage prevents the dykes and land to the north of the village draining, and consequently also prevents Casewick Lane dyke from draining.
AW and LCC need to work with landowners to ensure dykes are cleared.
District Cllr V Smith said that LCC can enforce clearance by landowners or present landowners with a bill for works.
LCC are the responsible authority for flooding away from the river.
Further details can be found on Tallington Parish Council website:
https://tallington.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
8. Flood plan.
Presentation of plan by J Atter.
Further work needed by the Flood Response team to expand the Flood Plan. Map and some further info to be added but already the Flood response team has been in action with new pump and sandbag removal and storage,
Owners of flooded homes need to ensure they are able to protect their own property. These homes will be on a priority list for village defence resources.
It was noted that the LCC Flood Resilience Grants scheme had closed at end of February without advanced notice.
Applications already in will be reviewed by LCC and prioritised. Hence some property owners will receive grants and some will not.
The Flood Warden on this committee is now Cllr J Smith, with support from 2 Flood Watchers.
County Cllr Ashley Baxter is a member of LCC’s Flood Resilience Committee.
9. To agree minutes of Parish Council Meeting 9th January 2024: proposed Cllr Smith, seconded Cllr Brocklebank, all in agreement for minutes to be signed.
10. Matters arising from the above minutes:
a) Clerk Application appointment and handover timetable – Nicola Smith will take over at May meetings.
b) TPC Website update – Further work is being carried out.
c) Deeping Leisure Centre CIC. No date for prentation given as yet.
10. Finance
• Authorisation of payments
Parish Clerk Salary and expenses £511.18
Paul Gattlin £69.01 ref diesel for pump Old post Office
P Sagar – £284.84 petrol/containers re pumps. Pump trolley, stationery
Ben Burgess Ltd £3,120.00 re 4” Water Pump
Trade Waste Collection (February) £21.67
Above payments approved by Cllrs Present.
11. Planning: No applications received
12. Reports from District and County Councillors:
District Cllr V Smith
Budget: SKDC full council has approved a 3% rise in SKDC's element of the Council Tax for the next financial year.
Review of the SKDC Local Plan: The Local Plan for the District has been reviewed due to certain aspects of need and site allocation. As part of this it has become clear that more sites are needed for the delivery of the required quota of housing across the district (701 per year until 2041 - previously 650 per year). The local plan can be viewed online. A public consultation runs until 25th April https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/draft-local-plan-consultation. Two public webinars, run by the SKDC Planning Officers, are being held on 20th March and 11th April at 7:30pm to cover a range of topics including housing, employment, climate change and design; these events will be streamed live via the Council’s Public-I channel. Questions can be asked ahead of these meetings: planningpolicy@southkesteven.gov.uk There is a newly proposed allocated site for Baston.
Mini-orchard funding: Up to £1,500 available for parish councils and community groups to apply for to create a mini-orchard to celebrate the Kings coronation. https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/news/2024/coronation-orchards-bloom-across-south-kesteven
Recycling: Purple lidded bins should now be used for paper and card with all other mixed dry recycling suitable for kerbside collection (as per leaflet) being put into the grey bin. From 5th February the plan had been to reject bins which were found to be contaminated with the wrong items. However, during the first two days of this stage of the rollout program around 20% of bins were rejected for reasons of contamination and council staff became subject to an unacceptable level of verbal abuse from members of the public. Rejected bins have since been collected and the council has decided to embark on an extended period of advisory tagging and education. Telephone 01476 406544 or email recycling@southkesteven.gov.uk if you have any issues
Corporate Plan: SKDC has recently published its latest Corporate Plan which can be found here: https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-02/South%20Kesteven%20District%20Council%20Corporate%20Plan%20-%202024%20to%202027.pdf
SK Funding Day: Information for community groups on the various pots of money available, such as UK Shared Prosperity Fund, SK Community fund, LotterySK and how to apply. Future dates: 21 Mar - Bourne.
To view any SKDC active consultations go to:
https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/have-your-say/current-consultations
Tallington Specific
Flooding: Cllr Sagar and his team have been doing the most fantastic job with getting the necessary authorities to take action to resolve the recent flooding and drainage problems. I have been liaising with SKDC officers to support with this, particularly with regard to the drainage issue along Casewick Lane. This matter has now been referred to LCC, as the flood authority. SKDC will be reviewing its response to the flooding caused by Storm Henk at a joint Rural and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday 18th March.
Engine Idling Signs: Network Rail have now installed a second sign on the eastbound side of the A1175. I have asked Cllr Baxter to liaise with LCC highways regarding permanent signs along the road. Bin sticker details have been passed on to the Parish Council.
St Lawrence Way green space: I am still chasing up work to install some sort of gate between the footpath across the green space and the A1175.
Cllr Sagar praised SKDC for the best response during the emergency. Chief Office Karen Brady visited Tallington on 7th March to view the flood problem areas.
13. SK UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Further bids to be made for repairs to the playground stone walls and Church heating.
14. Footpath No. 4 route & Millennium Green Works: Works stopped in December – once area dries out Ben Freeman will complete works.
15. Trees – Setting at western end of MG – trees ordered. Canal Basin –more trees in that area. Cherry trees to be planted near picnic benches at this end of the green plus wild flower triangle at other end of the green, seed bought, April/May sowing. Grass should be cut (when weather permits).
16. Mallard Pass Solar Farm – No Update
17. Village Hall and Playing Field reports: No work happening on Playing Field – looking into prosperity fund re wall.
18. Public Forum: Speed of Lorries travelling through village (Ballard Transport) empty going towards Stamford – loaded when coming back through Tallington - vibrate house!
Cllr Sagar thanked everyone for coming.
Cllr Smith proposed a vote of thanks for Cllr Sagar for all of his ongoing efforts on behalf of the village. The meeting unaminously agreed.
19. Dates of Next TPC Meetings: Annual Parish Meeting/Annual General Meeting/Normal Parish Meeting Tuesday 28th May 2024 commencing at 7 pm. Date to allow for final A/Cs and Audit.
Meeting closed at 9.25 p.m.