December 2023 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF GREETWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT 7.30PM ON MONDAY 4 DECEMBER 2023 IN THE SUDBROOKE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Councillors – John Taylor (Chairman) Mrs Sarah Bates (Vice Chair), Ms Sue Pullen, Vernon Stuffins
County Councillor Ian Fleetwood, District Councillors Trevor Bridgwood, Maureen Palmer
Clerk Mrs Christne Myers
The Chair opened the meeting by announcing the resignation of Councillor Mike Taylor. WLDC Electoral Registration had been notified.
114 – 23/24 PARISHIONERS ITEMS
It had been brought to the attention of a Councillor that a resident had tried to cross the main road on the puffin crossing but a vehicle had failed to stop. This was noted by the Council.
It was pointed out by CC Ian Fleetwood that a speed limit reduction through North Greetwell had been considered but that LCC had not been agreement.
115 - 23/24 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASONS GIVEN
Councillors Mrs Jo Dimelow and Chris Thatcher.
Reasons given accepted unanimously Resolved.
116 – 23/24 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
None declared.
117 – 23/24 NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 6 NOVEMBER 2023 TO BE APPROVED AND SIGNED AS MINUTES
That the notes be signed as minutes proposed by Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Councillor Ms Sue Pullen and Resolved.
118 – 23/24 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORTS
CC Ian Fleetwood reported on the current consultation on Devolution, and the creation of a Mayor for Lincolnshire.
District Councillor Maureen Palmer reported that this area had the lowest crime rates in the District. It was emphasised that all crimes must be reported.
119 – 23/24 CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS
A Correspondence received since last meeting *Sent to residents’ email list
30.10.2023 – The Chase play area inspections 15/9, 28/9, 13/10
31.10.2023 - The Chase play area inspection 31.10.2023
3.11.2023 – News from the ICO
4.11.2023 - Witham Valley Access Project Minutes 26.9.2023
9.11.2023 - Central Lincs Planning Obligations SPD and update to Energy Statement Template and Guidance
21.11.2023 – Additional information from DC T Bridgwood re planning application 147131
28.11.2023 – The Chase play area inspection 17/11
B Community Speedwatch - Anything to report – Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates reported that she was working with Cherry Willingham Parish Council on its Speedwatch and due to lack of volunteers in North Greetwell the Cherry Willingham volunteers had offered to come to Greetwell to assist with a Speedwatch on the A158.
C New Puffin Crossing – Flooding issues – LCC had reported that a drainage design had been put forward and that following permit dates/cost the scheme would be actioned.
D Request for continuation of footpath from north side of A158 to link up with Nettleham – This item was deferred until the next meeting of the Parish Council.
E Christmas Tree Event, 2nd December 2023 – report – The event had been very successful surpassing expected numbers attending. A collection for the Air Ambulance raised £208.27.
It was hoped that the next years event be even better and the Clerk was asked to try to arrange the attendance of a choir.
F Public footpath Westfield Avenue to Little Cherry – damage to surface – correspondence from LCC – Notification received from LCC that works to this footpath had been scheduled and further information had been sought by the Clerk
LCC had advised that the work scheduled was at the Hawthorn Road end of the footpath and that the problem area raised by this Parish Council had been passed over to the Highways Department as it was a tarred section.
120 – 23/24 DAMAGE TO SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE – UPDATE RE INSURANCE CLAIM AND TO CONSIDER REPLACEMENT
Since the last meeting the Speed indicator Device sited just past the junction of Lodge Lane had been run into by a vehicle and was beyond repair.
An insurance claim had been submitted immediately by the Clerk and payment made within two weeks into the PC bank account.
Quotations had been received from Elan City for £2,150.00 and LCC for £300.00 to cover the cost of the replacement device and the post. That these quotations be accepted proposed by Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Councillor John Taylor and unanimously Resolved.
121 – 23/24 TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF MOBILE PHONE SPECIFICALLY FOR GREETWELL PARISH COUNCIL
That this be purchased from Tesco at an approximate contract price of £8.00 per month proposed by Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Councillor Ms Sue Pullen and Resolved.
122 -23/24 TO RECEIVE PLAY AREA NSPECTION REPORTS AND TO NOTE REQUIRED WORKS
Recent fortnightly play equipment inspections had revealed some items of work required including the spring on the gate. That EKM Ltd be asked to complete these works unanimously Resolved.
123 -23/24 PLANNING – NETTLEHAM NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REVIEW – TO CONSIDER REVISIONS AND TO MAKE ANY COMMENTS
This was discussed and the following comments made to be conveyed to WLDC:-
Communication took place some time ago with members of Nettleham Parish Council regarding making a Permissive path from Mulsanne Park to the A158 at North Greetwell so that a safe walk could be made across the fields to Nettleham/Greetwell.
There are also concerns about the number of road traffic incidents involving vehicles pulling out of Greetwell Lane and this Parish Council feel that if additional development were to be made on this Lane or indeed in Nettleham the number of incidents will definitely increase.
124 – 23/24 FINANCE
A Accounts for payment
Parish Magazine Printing – Greetwell News - £74.52
Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee – Room Hire December - £13.00
Sudbrooke Village Hall Committee – Room Hire January - £13.00
Sudbrooke Parish Council – Shared cost of LALC Clerks Networking Day 22.11.2023 - £10.00
Staffing costs - £754.96
Mrs C Myers – Expenses -£23.80
Mrs C Myers – purchase of shortbread – Christmas tree event - £4.25
Mrs S Bates – purchase of items for Christmas tree event - £34.66
That the above payments be made unanimously Resolved.
Income
LCC – Parish Grass Cutting Scheme – contribution - £449.00
WLDC – Councillor Initiative Fund - £400 (Seats)
Aviva Insurance – Speed indicator device claim - £2,514.99
B To consider Grounds Maintenance contract 2024/25 – The contract from Glendale Countryside was considered acceptable at the number of cuts. That the contract be accepted proposed by Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Councillor Vernon Stuffins.
C To consider and set the Precept for 2024/25 - The budget for the forthcoming financial year had been circulated and was carefully considered as follows:-
Administration, including Staffing costs, Clerks expenses, LALC Membership, LALC Website Maintenance, Room hire for meetings, Stationery/Computer cartridges - £9,595.00,
LALC Training courses/Mileage - £100.00,
Information Commissioner annual fee - £35.00,
Insurance - £295.00, Audit - £100.00,
Flower tubs - £50.00, Newsletter - £250.00,
Contingency Fund - £1000.00,
Defibrillator service charge - £100.00
Parish Enhancement Projects - £2000.00,
Grounds maintenance - £400.00
Total = £13,926.00, Less £100 to be taken from The Chase Account for administration = £13,826.00.
That £13,826.00 be Precepted upon West Lindsey District Council proposed by Councillor Mrs Sarah Bates, seconded by Vernon Stuffins and Resolved.
125-23/24 CLERKS REPORT
The Clerk reported that notification had been received that the local Police would be holding meetings with Parish Councils in the New Year.
That the half yearly audit was due. Members confirmed that Mrs Bridget Solly should carry out the Internal Audit as previous.
The Clerk suggested that due to the increase in bank interest it would be beneficial to open a deposit account for the majority of PC funds and that she transfer funds into the current account as required. She would look further into this and agenda for a future meeting.
The Clerk asked that Councillors take a look at the website from time to time to ensure that it was being kept as members preferred.
126 – 23/24 CHAIRMANS COMMENTS
The Chairman stated that he felt positive and encouraged by the success of the Christmas tree lights switch on event. He thanked all members and Clerk for their commitment throughout the year and wished all a Happy Christmas.
127 – 23/24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 8 January 2024, 7.30pm, Bramham Lounge, Sudbrooke Village Hall.
(Apologies tendered by DC Trevor Bridgwood).