January 2023 Minutes
GREETWELL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GREETWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY 9 JANUARY 2023 IN THE VILLAGE HALL, SUDBROOKE
PRESENT: Councillors John Taylor (Chairman), Mrs Sarah Bates (Vice Chair), Keith Johnson, Ms Sue Pullen, Mike Taylor, Chris Thatcher, Vernon Stuffins
County Councillor Ian Fleetwood, District Councillor Chris Darcel
Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates took notes for the minutes
99 – 2022/23 PARISHIONERS ITEMS – None
100 – 2022/23 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS GIVEN
Mrs Christine Myers (Clerk), District Councillor Cherie Hill, District Councillor Anne Welburn
That the reasons given be accepted unanimously Resolved.
101 – 2022/23 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA – None
102 – 2022/23 COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
CC Ian Fleetwood’s brief as attached.
DC Chris Darcel offered £500 from his District Councillors Community Initiative Fund towards the cost of a speed device for North Greetwell and stated that this offer was also available from DC Cherie Hill.
DC Anne Welburn’s report attached.
103 – 2022/23 NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5 DECEMBER 2022 AND CONFIDENTIAL ITEM OF MEETING HELD ON 7 NOVEMBER 2022 FOR APPROVAL AND TO BE SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN AS MINUTES
That the above notes be signed as minutes proposed by Councillor Vernon Stuffins, seconded by Councillor Ms Sue Pullen and Resolved.
104 – 2022/23 CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
A Correspondence received since last meeting as per list below:-
*Sent to residents’ email list:-
30.11.2022 – Notification of external auditor appointment for the 2022-23 financial year for the 5-year period until 2026-27
*1.12.2022 - Lincoln Transport Group - Christmas bus information
2.12.2002 – WYPF Newsletter
8.12.2022 - News from the ICO
*9.12.2022 – WLDC Parish Newsletter
*9.12.2022 - LCC Multiply Maths skills survey
12.12.2022 – LALC E News
12.12.2022 – Confirmation from WLDC of receipt of complete Cils forms for 20/21, 20/22 financial years
13.12.2022 - WLDC Actual Tax base for 2023/24 indicating that Greetwell’s precept for next year has decreased in percentage by -0.84%
19.12.2022 - LALC E News
*20.2.2022 – WLDC Parish News
29.12.2022 – Play equipment checklist for The Chase 22.12.2022
B Street furniture on bypass – No reply received from LCC. CC Ian Fleetwood requested that correspondence be forwarded to him to pursue.
It was also noted that the dog bin had not yet been fitted near to the bridge on Hawthorn Road. Clerk to make further enquiries with WLDC.
C Community Speedwatch – Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates reported that she would be meeting a representative from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership on 13 January 2023 to discuss the proposed siting of a second Speed Indicator Device at the east end of the parish of North Greetwell. A quotation would be sought from Elancity for the same specification as the current device.
Tree planting update and purchase of further specimen trees – That three Silver Birch trees be purchased from Pennells unanimously Resolved. Councillor Vernon Stuffins offered to assist with the planting of the trees and would supply supports. Councillor Stuffins also offered to plant daffodil bulbs in the area.
105 – 2022/23 GROUNDS MAINTENANCE/GRASSCUTTING 2023 SEASON
A To receive further comments from LCC re entering into a Parish Agreement - Comments from LCC were acknowledged re the cutting of the eastbound side of the carriageway through North Greetwell in that it should remain on a flail cutting programme by LCC.
That the Parish Council enter into a Parish Agreement with LCC for the cutting of the westbound side of the carriageway unanimously Resolved.
To consider Grounds maintenance Contract with Glendale Countryside for the 2023 season - That the Parish Council accept the Glendale Countryside contract for the Grounds maintenance for Greetwell for 2023, to include the cutting of the westbound side of the carriageway unanimously Resolved.
106 – 2022/23 FINANCE
A The Chase account – The Clerk had circulated a detailed list of expenditure of The Chase Account. Members agreed that by 2024/25 Precept that at least a percentage of the current spend should be added to the budget in order to prop up the existing funds.
B Accounts for payment
Sudbrooke Village Hall – Room hire – 9.1.2023 - £13.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall – Room hire – 6.2.2023 - £13.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall – Room hire - £13.00 – 6.3.2023
Mrs C Myers – Clerks expenses December = £30.65
Todds Office Solutions Ltd – 5 reams paper - £19.95 net, £3.99 VAT, £23.94 gross
Mrs C Myers – purchase of 4 cartridges - £31.86, VAT £6.37, Total = £38.23
* Staffing costs January - £560.99
*To be paid on 31.1.2023
That the above accounts be paid unanimously Resolved. Councillor Mike Taylor to approve.
C To agree to the purchase of a further five hours of Website Maintenance via LALC – That this be purchased unanimously Resolved.
107 – 2022/23 PLANNING
Application 145924 - 15 St Augustine Road – single storey rear extension – No objections
Application 145858 – 14 Wragby Road East – proposed two storey side extension – to ratify comments as ‘No objections.
The above unanimously Resolved.
108 – 2022/23 CLERKS REPORT
The Clerk had submitted the following report:-
• On 13 February 2023 I will be attending a presentation on information regarding the forthcoming elections – all Councillors are also welcome to attend this presentation.
• February 2023 Agenda will include the updating of the Fixed Asset Register and the Financial Risk Assessment.
The Clerk was requested to put together a Greetwell News to include detail on the new crossing, and that residents will require to produce ID when voting at the forthcoming elections in May.
109 – 2022/23 CHAIRMANS COMMENTS
The Chairman questioned CC Ian Fleetwood on the marking of the 40mph roundels on the A158.
CC Fleetwood required that the Clerk forward him details so that he could pursue this.
110 – 2022/23 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 6 February 2023 – 7.30pm, in the Bramham Lounge, Sudbrooke Village Hall.
Cllr. Ian Fleetwood's – January's brief:
he latest on, what’s happening in the public sector in Lincolnshire.
New Year 2023 to you all.
The Leader of the Lincolnshire County Council, Councillor Martin Hill, OBE:
Cllr Hill New Year message
Budget setting 2023:
The budget and council tax consultation has been launched. It is open for responses until Thursday 26th January 2023. You can find more information, and the opportunity to participate here: www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/budgetproposal2023-24
You can also email me your views or comments.
2022 – a snapshot of our main achievements:
• A programme of improving special school provision continues to benefit many communities including Boston, Lincoln, Bourne and Horncastle
• Tattershall’s new Household Waste Recycling Centre officially opened
• Work on major road projects in Spalding and Grantham continues
• Lincoln’s new De Wint Court Extra Care facility was opened
• The first business is in our new Hub at the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone
• Construction has begun on a new children’s care home on behalf of LCC
• VisitEngland named Lincoln Castle, The Collection and Usher Gallery among England’s best attractions
• A new carers’ support service launched
• Preliminary works have been taking place for North Hykeham Relief Road
• Huttoft Boat Shed and Café opened
• A new wedding venue opened at the Usher Gallery
2023 – want to make a personal change:
For support with diet, exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction contact One You Lincolnshire
Local transport – Buses:
The Enhanced Partnership for buses stakeholder consultation has been launched. It is open for responses until 31 January 2023. It is about providing views on the Enhanced Partnership scheme and plan. You can find more information, and the opportunity to participate here: www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/enhanced-partnership-buses
Should you have any queries about the subject, please contact Helen Reek Helen.Reek@lincolnshire.gov.uk, Senior Projects Officer in the Transport Services team.
Regarding buses and the Louth Transport Scheme, one of the issues which has come out, is the number of bus users has dropped significantly since Covid and has not yet picked up. If you are one of these people, if you could let me know what is preventing you from using the buses, I would like to hear you views or comments.
Adult Care Charges Calculator:
People who use care, their family, and friends can find out what their cost of social care might be by completing the Adult Care Charges Calculator. Understanding the costs people can expect to pay helps to make informed decisions at the earliest opportunity. When people start is see what care is available and the cost, this can be very confusing, let me know how you find this process, so we can highlight the issues.
Veterans’ Survey:
The Office for National Statistics has launched a Veterans’ Survey to collect information on access to services and circumstances since leaving the armed forces. Given the large number of Veterans living in Lincolnshire, we would like to share this information with you and encourage you to share it through your networks if possible. The survey is live until 28 January. Veterans’ Survey - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
Multiply Maths Skills Programme:
Lincolnshire County Council want to hear from residents about how improving their understanding of numbers could help their daily lives, so does our PM, who also takes an interest in this subject. Two surveys have now been launched on Let's talk Lincolnshire to gather views and experiences to help design courses that meet the needs of Lincolnshire people and businesses: Multiply Numeracy Skills | Let's Talk Lincolnshire
Keep warm, keep well:
Make sure you keep yourself and your loved ones warm and well this winter by taking steps to stay healthy, and prepare for potential illness, especially if you (or your loved ones) suffer from asthma, CoPD or other illnesses where sudden drops in temperature can affect health. Call 111 if you are concerned and want medical advice and – if you are eligible, remember to have your free flu and covid vaccinations!
The Collection:
Best Art Vinyl: Album Artwork Through the Ages celebrating the creativity behind iconic vinyl album covers continues until 22 January at the Collection. Tickets are available here. Watch our video to find out more. Events supporting the exhibition include free Sunday afternoon film showings (Almost Famous on 15 January and Elvis on 22 January) and a pop-up record fair on Saturday 14 January.
District Councillor Anne Welburn’s Report
The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund is now open. The aim is to support the modernisation and improvements of England’s Village Hall. The first deadline for stage 1 applications is 20th January 2023. Grants are for capital improvements only, where projects aim to either upgrade, extend or improve facilities, or where capital items need to be purchased.
More information is available here: https://acre.org.uk/platinum-jubilee-village-halls-fund
West Lindsey District Council has received two high rated assurances in its annual audit report for 2022.
Value for Money services and Flood Management were both given the top rating by inspectors from Assurance Lincolnshire, who submitted their findings to the Governance and Audit Committee.
Inspectors provided a high level of assurance that the council takes all reasonable steps to achieve Value for Money in the delivery of services. Specifically, in the following areas:
• high-risk areas of identification and implications of financial pressures
• maintaining appropriate standards for Members and officers
• evaluating services to identify areas for improvement.
•
The report has been published on the Council’s website and has been reviewed by the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee.
A total of 6 audit reviews were carried out between May 2022 and September 2022, four audits received substantial assurance. The audits were carried out in the following areas:
1. Value for Money – High Assurance
2. Flood Management – High Assurance
3. Key control and ERP – Substantial Assurance
4. ICT Disaster Recovery - Substantial Assurance
5. ICT Helpdesk Follow up - Substantial Assurance
West Lindsey District Council was delighted to welcome officials from the UK’s - The National Lottery Heritage Fund to see first-hand the work taking place following the successful bid of £1.25m to repair, restore and regenerate the buildings in Gainsborough as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)
West Lindsey District Council has been recognised for its work collecting waste and keeping our streets clean.
WLDC has picked up a double award at a national industry awards ceremony.
The Council was named ‘best performer’ for its refuse collection service in the highly regarded Association for Public Service Excellence( APSE) Performance Networks Annual Awards. Over 250 authorities benchmark their performance data each year. The Council was also named ‘most improved performer’ for its street cleansing service.
Investment in communities and businesses has been confirmed for West Lindsey
The Government have supported plans by West Lindsey District Council to invest £2.7m of UKSPF into businesses and communities across the area. Much of this funding will be available to communities and businesses through two flagship grant schemes and the Council are working with the Government to launch the schemes by April 2023.
This announcement comes hot on the heels of the submission of plans to support rural community infrastructure and connectivity and rural businesses through the investment of just under £800,000 as part of the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
In order to access the REPF, the Council has been asked to identify activities that concurrently match the objectives of the fund and address local rural business and community challenges. This capital grant fund provides an opportunity to address those rural challenges - linked to lower productivity rates, poor connectivity, and limited access to services.
Four specific interventions have been selected for Government approval by the Council including:
(1) Supporting non-agricultural farm diversification e.g., conversion of a redundant farm building into a holiday let.
(2) Supporting the development of West Lindsey’s Agri-Tech sector e.g., procurement of a 3D printer to develop concept models.
(3) Improved community broadband provision and rural connectivity e.g., installation or upgrade of WiFi in a village hall or pub.
(4) Improving rural community infrastructure e.g., procurement of equipment to deliver a community service.
The Government is expected to make the first REPF payments to councils during 2023 after reviewing and approving the addendum.
For more details on the fund visit the Government’s website (Rural England Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
For more details on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund bid submitted by the Council read our latest article: https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/council-news/2022/08/west-lindsey-district-council-submits-investment-plan-district.
I made a tour of the District with Inspector Michael Head who has just taken over as the West Lindsey Neighbourhood Policing Inspector and he is keen to reach out to the various Parish Councils and District Councillors so he can best tackle any issues in the local area. He does intend to utilise any available resource and partners so he can best serve the community, and after meeting some of the Parish Councillors he has set up a contact stream and is arranging a quarterly meeting for the area starting Feb 2023.