DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held at The Institute on Thursday, 25 January 2001.
Chairman, Councillor P Dilks, presided over Councillors D Abel, R Auger, V Bulmer-Jones, S Fisk, J Lewis, K Shinkins, J Stevens, A Thompson, G Walker, M Warrick, M Watkins and the clerk.
No members of the public were present.
As no members of the public were present, no issues were raised.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anderson and Warrick, who were present for the Planning Committee meeting prior to this meeting, and Councillor Chambers. Councillor Warrick re-joined the full council meeting later in the evening.
It was resolved to accept the minutes of the meeting held on 4 January 2001 as a true and correct record, which the chairman duly signed.
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1 |
Community Rail Development |
Ms Bush has accepted the council’s invitation to address the next meeting on the way forward in re-opening the railway station. |
|
2 |
Waterton Arms F.C. |
An acknowledgement of the recent grant aid was received together with an invitation for members to watch a forthcoming match. |
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3 |
Deepings Leisure Centre |
The Head of Leisure Services at S.K.D.C. is investigating the council’s concerns but in the meantime, has requested the opportunity to address members’ in the early summer on future plans for the Centre. It was unanimously agreed to invite him to the meeting to be held on 28 June 2001. |
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4 |
Bus shelters on Broadgate Lane |
Councillor Chambers reported that several users have supported their replacement but urged that careful consideration be given to ensuring that new shelters adequately accommodate and protect users from the elements. It was confirmed that this project was to be considered when determining the precept. |
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5 |
Red Cross ‘Save a Life’ |
Councillor Chambers asked that members be informed that this event would be held at the Community Centre on 6 March 2001. |
|
1 |
Cemetery Paths |
It was resolved to accept the quotation from Garden Groomers to re-instate the paths for the sum of £400 + vat for labour and skip hire and £337.50 + vat for the supply and delivery of gravel. |
|
2 |
Jubilee Playing Field |
It was resolved to accept a quote from Onyx Municipal to litter pick in this area for an initial charge of £30 + vat followed by a monthly attendance charge of £10 + vat. |
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3 |
Memorial Project |
The clerk reported that Commissions East would be in a position to commence work on the design brief by mid-February. The clerk was asked to keep Market Deeping Town Council informed. |
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4 |
The Rotary Club of the Deepings |
Members warmly welcomed a donation of £250 from the Rotary Club towards the cost of installing C.C.T.V. in Manor Way. |
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5 |
Summer Playschemes |
Councillor Shinkins declared an interest and took no part in the voting. It was resolved to accept the following budgets submitted by the play leaders:-
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6 |
30mph speed campaign |
It was resolved to accept the quote from Graytones Printers for the supply of 2,500 car stickers (1 colour on dayglo paper with self-seal strip) at a cost of £234 + vat subject to final agreement on all aspects of the campaign. The clerk will obtain the cost of distributing these car stickers and an explanatory notice to each property in the parish. |
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7 |
Linchfield Road – Cycle path |
Members warmly welcomed the proposals for the construction of this much-requested path, which will follow the eastern boundary of the road from the junction of Crowson Way to Horsegate. A request has been for road markings to be incorporated in the scheme to remind drivers of the 30mph limit in this area and to alert them to the crossing point near Crowson Way. |
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8 |
Dog Fouling |
A complaint from a visitor was heard concerning fouling in areas near the church, playground and access path to Low Locks. This will be referred to the Dog Warden Service with a request for urgent action. Although this is primarily an issue for the district council, the clerk will undertake research into the cost of providing and emptying dog faeces’ bins. |
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9 |
Public Footpath 8 - Priory Church Hall |
The ‘no cycling’ sign at the Church Street access point has been damaged but, according to the complainant, as no-one took any notice of it, it should be removed along with others in the area rather than repaired. Members noted that there is a by-law in force in respect of this and had mixed views over whether to recommend to S.K.D.C. that it be rescinded. It was agreed to discuss the matter in more detail at the next meeting. A second complaint that the path in this section regularly floods is a matter for the Church Hall Trustees as owners of the land. |
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10 |
Waste Management Seminar |
Due to very short notice, nobody had been able to attend this seminar on ‘Best value’ at Grantham. Councillor Stevens had, however, spoken with a representative of the district council and Councillor Dennis of Market Deeping Town Council and was able to give a verbal report on the event. Members agreed that there continues to be a lack of a co-ordinated strategy on re-cycling for the Deepings and that the higher authorities seemed prepared to effectively devolve responsibility to Mr Prentice through his private collections rather than formulate proper facilities and services. This issue will continue to remain under the close scrutiny of this council. |
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11 |
Disruptions to power supply – 30.10.2000 |
Members accepted East Midland Electricity’s explanation and assurances regarding the various disruptions to most of the parish on this particular day. |
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12 |
Rural Support Conference |
Councillor Warrick will attend this event at Grantham on 21 February 2001 as the council’s representative. Councillor Auger will also be attending in his capacity as District Councillor. |
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13 |
Surface water sewerage charges |
Anglian Water is offering a rebate of £30 to properties where no surface water enters the public sewers. The clerk will advertise this scheme. |
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14 |
Peterborough Local Transport Plan |
A copy of the summary document was made available to members. |
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15 |
Countryside Job Bus |
It was noted that the new location for this bus is the Community Centre car park. It will be visiting each Monday between 9.30am and 4pm. |
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16 |
East Midlands Development Agency |
The council is now on the electronic mailing list. The latest newsletter was made available to members. |
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17 |
Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board |
Members welcomed a scheme of work to improve Drain No. 21, which runs along the southern boundary of the carriageway of Towngate East from the junctions of Blenheim Way in Market Deeping to Linchfield Road. |
The following applications were received and discussed by the Planning Committee at their meeting immediately preceding this council meeting. The Committee’s observations and recommendations were discussed and it was unanimously agreed, unless otherwise recorded, to submit the following observations:
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Ref. |
Name & address |
Proposal |
Observations |
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S01/0012 |
Mr T Copland, 179a Eastgate. |
Erection of a pair of semi-detached houses on land adj. 5 Bluebells (approval exists for one detached dwelling). |
No objections. |
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S01/0024 |
Mr & Mrs Jackson, 12 Frognall. |
Extensions to bungalow and erection of detached garage. |
No objections. |
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S01/0032 |
Mr S Gillett, 39 Church Street. |
First floor extension. * Councillors Watkins and Dilks declared an interest and took no part in the voting. |
Objection. Balcony is not an appropriate form of development in this location and would result in loss of privacy for occupants of neighbouring property. |
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S01/0057 |
Mr & Mrs M Ward, 147 Eastgate. |
Two storey side extension to bungalow. |
No objections (By 5 votes to 4). |
The following applications have been determined by the Planning Authority (S.K.D.C.) or the Secretary of State for the Environment, where indicated, since the last council meeting. Unless stated otherwise, the decisions are in accordance with the council’s previously notified observations:
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Ref. |
Name & address |
Proposal |
Outcome of application |
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S00/1146 |
Market Deeping Building Co. Ltd. |
To erect a house at plot between 110 & 118 Bridge Street with a bungalow to the rear. |
Refused – parish council had not objected to the house element. |
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S00/1183 |
Mr M Heavens, 51 Eastgate. |
Rear extension to dwelling. |
Approved. |
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S00/1196 |
Mr Day, 33 Broadgate Lane. |
Bungalow extensions. |
Approved. |
The following accounts were presented and approved for payment:
|
Payee |
Service/Item of Expenditure |
Amount |
|
D.S.J. United Charities |
Hire of meeting room (6.12.00, 9.1.01 & 8.2.01) |
30.00 |
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G W Fitzjohn |
Parts to service council mower |
39.46 |
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Powergen Energy Plc |
The Cross lights – quarterly power supply |
5.43 |
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Garden Groomers |
Cemetery maintenance (1 visit) |
440.62 |
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Removal of cuttings (as per quote) |
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Removal of tree limbs (as per quote) |
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L.C.C. |
Pension Fund |
116.67 |
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Mrs J Kemp |
Salary – January (adjusted for leave of absence due to Jury Service) |
459.98 |
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ESPO |
Office stationery |
88.18 |
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R Taylor |
Notice boards – Crowson Way & The Institute |
95.00 |
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Total |
1275.34 |
Advice obtained previously from the Clerk to the Trustees of Deeping St James United Charities was discussed and it was unanimously agreed to retain the land under the auspices of the Estate rather than dispose of it. Councillor Shinkins informed members of a new scheme open to The Rotary Club whereby the council would retain the title to the land and was asked to obtain further information as it became available. It is apparent, however, that detailed advice from the Charity Commission is needed before any decision can be made on the future use of the land and the clerk was instructed to liase with that body.
Councillor Auger reminded members that the council has regularly given financial support to C.A.B., most recently in the form of meeting the cost of room hire when they used The Institute, and asked that consideration be given to making continued contributions now that they are using the Community Centre. It resolved to consider grant aid in the usual manner and an application form will be sent out.
Councillor Auger reported that it was the district council’s intention to open a ‘one-stop shop’ at the Community Centre and asked members to consider the benefits of the clerk being present one morning each week in order to complement the service and further expand this council’s accessibility. Members welcomed the idea and agreed in principle to a trial period subject to the ‘one-stop shop’ becoming a reality, suitable office equipment and facilities being on-hand and costs, when known, being approved.
The clerk’s report on the current financial position was unanimously accepted. A copy is attached to the official minutes. In addition to the base budget of £30,000, the following additional projects were debated: -
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- Provision of bus shelters |
Proposed by Cllr Stevens, seconded by Cllr Lewis - £5,000 Amendment by Cllr Auger, seconded by Cllr Bulmer-Jones - £2,500 Amendment received 2 votes to 6 and therefore failed. Proposal carried by 6 votes to 2. |
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- Cemetery & Churchyard railing extension |
Proposed by Cllr Walker, seconded by Cllr Stevens - £2,600 Carried unanimously. |
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- Children’s play provision |
Proposed by Cllr Shinkins, seconded by Cllr Lewis - £4,400 Carried unanimously. |
The clerk was asked to investigate with the district council the possibility of a shared-cost footpath lighting scheme for the cemetery/play area off Hereward Way for consideration next year.
It was unanimously resolved to make a precept of £42,000 for 2001/02. This will mean a band ‘D’ equivalent charge of £15.35, an increase of 1p per day on the current figure.
The report of the meeting held on 9 January 2001, having been previously distributed, was unanimously approved and a copy is attached to the official minutes. The clerk reported that the advert would cost £26 + vat, this to be shared jointly with Market Deeping Town Council. The cost and content of the advert was approved and will appear in the first edition of the Advertiser each calendar month for the rest of this year.
Councillor Lewis reported on the penultimate meeting of the committee. It was noted that further representations have been made to permit the sale of Road Fund Licences at this Post Office.
Councillor Shinkins submitted her report on the latest meeting of the Partnership’s Amenities Committee.
It was agreed to place the following items on the agenda for the next meeting:
There being no other business deemed to be of an urgent nature by the chairman, the meeting was closed.