July 2024 Minutes
Tallington Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held on 24th July 2024
Present: Chairman Cllr P Sagar, Vice Chairman Cllr J Smith, Cllr J Brocklebank, Cllr R Sorrell and Parish Clerk N Smith, District Cllr V Smith, 4 members of the public were also in attendance.
Minutes
Chairman called for 1 minute silence to remember past councillor Justin McKenzie who died recently.
1. Public Forum: Wild flower area of Millenium Green (MG) blooming and looking fabulous. TPC have purchased a mulching mower for MG. State of stile to be raised with M Thurlby. Countryside Officer still to visit. Tree for Queen moved to MG has not survived, Reading Room developers to provide replacement tree.
2. Opening of Meeting: Cllr Sagar welcomed everyone to the meeting.
3. Apologies for Absence: County Cllr A Baxter, District Cllr R Trollope-Bellew.
4. Declaration of Interest: None.
5. To agree minutes of Parish Council Meeting 28th May 2024: Cllr Sagar proposed, seconded Cllr Sorrel, all in agreement for minutes to be signed off.
6. Matters arising from above minutes: District Cllr V Smith asked for her report to be included in minutes of May meeting.
7. Update on Tallington Flooding of 3rd/4th January and 22nd February 2024 – A meeting was held morning of 24th July with representatives of LCC, Environment Agency (EA), Anglian Water (AW) and Internal Drainage Board (IDB). MP Alicia Kearns had sent her assistant, Helena, to minute the meeting. The village was walked with LCC and SKDC officers to show where problems had been identified and to discuss solutions.
8. Anglian Water (AW), Network Rail (NR) and LCC – AW’s Matt Moore insisting that clearing the surface water drains would not solve the flooding issues. But nobody disputed that they need cleaning out as they are 100% blocked in many parts between crossing and the Old Post Office. This was only further confirmed when M Thurlby had allowed AW to work on his land near the Rail Crossing and they had cleaned out the drains/culverts that were 100% blocked in that small section inserting a plastic pipe in the old dry stone wall culvert that they had cleared. They also intend to install an inspection chamber. NR had made 2 further attempts in May at clearing the culverts under the railway but stopped due to risk of collapse. IDB and EA supported need for drain/culvert clearance. LCC Flood and water rep Andrew suggested that the village to dig ditches to drain land back into the river!! AW confirmed that £16k was spent on pumps and £60k on other work in village since January. Roadside gullies have a lot of weeds growing in them, R Fenwick LCC Highways proposed new gullies with silt traps be installed. TPC requested that all gullies properly cleared before this coming winter. AW have agreed a contribution of £200k toward clearing and repairing surface water drains in Tallington. LCC will contribute but no figure given. Matt Moore requested all agencies to confirm what they could contribute by next meeting including any grant monies. EA proposed a heavier flood flap gate on river bank, TPC prefer it be closed off. NR are preventing work being carried out within 200m of rail. MP Alicia Kearns will exert pressure on NR to co-operate with other agencies. Tom from SKDC Environment Health volunteered to co-ordinate all agency responses. Next meeting to be held in August.
Generally, members of Public are concerned, with the next winter months fast approaching at the lack of progress by the various agencies involved in identifying the root flood causes and producing a plan to resolve. Efforts by the TPC to escalate are fully appreciated and it is requested they continue.
9. Environment Agency - Update & Actions: See 8. above and following reported by Cllr J Smith.
- There is 400m of bank upstream of the road bridge that has not been cut.
- No progress yet by EA in removing ‘self-set’ trees at water level as EA had previously promised.
- Subsidence downstream of footbridge still not fully repaired.
Cllr J Smith to follow up with EA on these issues.
10. TPC Website- Update: Website maintenance is now being undertaken by LALC webmaster service.
11. Finance - Authorisation of payments as presented by the Parish Clerk:
J Griffin – MG maintenance/ cut etc £ 855
RTC – Mulching mower £ 686
Zurich – VH insurance £ 1,119.47
LALC – Webmaster £ 478.70
P Taylor – Year-end Audit £ 150
W Burdock to use mulch mower at £ 7/hr.
VAT Refund received of £ 5,794.49
Cllr Brocklebank donated £50 refund (ref Clerk leaving present) to purchase a Cherry tree for the MG.
Above payments approved by Cllrs present.
12. Planning: New house in Heron’s Close raised but it was approved by SKDC planning therefore nothing further can be done. TPC notice board moved by Reading Room developers to be re-sited further from the hedge to improve householder access as complaints received.
13. Mallard Pass Solar Farm – Application submitted by Mallard Pass has been approved by Secretary of State.
14. Millennium Green path works/Footpath No. 4: Contractor B Freeman has not responded to council. TPC holding retention of £2,500.00. Cllr Sagar to chase.
15. Trees/flowers – Discussion held as to whether Wild Flower area should be cut or left to die off and self-seed. Boundary line growth needs cutting back for 10 feet to allow rabbit control… a work party needed on Autumn? S Olver would like to donate to MG development. Proposal that a plaque be installed in remembrance of W Knox and A Thurlby. J Knox to approve wording.
16. Reports from Councillors:
D Cllr V Smith – Contaminated recycling bin rate improving.
- SKDC now have a Blue Bin lorry to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer. Pink lorry for Breast cancer.
- SKDC Community award nominations close 20th Sept.
- Mini-orchard grant open until 27th Sept.
- Contaminated land strategy consultation open until 14th Aug.
- New Scredington reservoir pipeline will pass South near local villages. Construction traffic may have impact.
- Breedon quarry expansion has been passed to next stage of planning. TPC had no objections.
- Maintenance of green space at East end of St Lawrence way raised with SKDC.
17. Village Hall and Playing Field reports: Village Hall guttering cleaned out adjoining the Old School House and overgrown shrubs cut back along front of Hall. Cllr Sagar agreed with VH committee to pay half of this work at £100. This has improved access to front of hall for maintenance and revealed a pedestrian gate access from Main Road that will be re-instated.
- A number of windows require glass replacement. Invoice to come via TPC.
18. SK UK Shared prosperity fund – A further grant has been applied for. Further information has been requested by SKDC.
Cllr J Smith to provide.
19. Public Forum: One Playing Field benches in poor state and needs removing. M Thurlby has already donated 3 replacement benches. TPC has thanked him.
Issue of toxic bonfire smoke drifting across the village recently particularly on day of meeting.
Concern raised over traffic on Bainton Lane. Heavy and fast vehicles caused local horse rider to end up in ditch. Request for LCC to install warning signs. Clerk to contact LCC requesting.
CallConnect have a Summer promotion until 7th Sept to encourage use of buses.
20. Dates of Next TPC Meetings: Wednesday 25th September 2024, 20th November.
Meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.