DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL

DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held at The Institute on Thursday, 28 June 2001.

Councillor Dilks, Chairman, presided over Councillors Anderson, Auger, Bulmer-Jones, Chambers, Fisk, Lewis, Shinkins, Stevens and the clerk.

6 members of the public and P.C. Postance were in attendance.

015 OPEN FORUM

.1	Speeding in Church Street	A resident new to Church Street pointed out that there was a speeding problem, particularly in the area near to The Cross, which was mainly caused by local residents. He asked if the Council was aware of this and whether there were any plans for traffic calming. The Chairman explained that there had been a speed reduction campaign in April where every household in the parish had been sent a car sticker and accompanying literature, temporary speed reduction signs had been erected and the interactive speed camera had visited the area. This had been in response to a well-attended public meeting that had been organised by the Council last year. Several other initiatives, such as new road signage and re-classification together with a HGV ban were also in the pipeline but it was explained that traffic calming could only be provided where the local Council was prepared to meet 50% of the cost. It was clear from the public meeting that there would be very little local support for traffic calming on Church Street. Members sympathised with the resident and actively encourage any suggestions as to how to solve this problem.
.2	Market Deeping Billiards Club	Three members of the Club stated their dissatisfaction at the manner in which their application to build a permanent two-storey building had been handled. Relying mainly on press reporting, they believed that objectors had been given an unfair advantage in the decision ultimately submitted to the Planning Authority. The Chairman explained what had happened at the previous meetings and clarified the Parish Council’s role in planning issues and how the process works. He went on to agree that this particular application had highlighted a communication problem between the various parties and that the Council proposed to address this later in the meeting – see minute 023.6. As the Planning Authority had in fact requested revised plans, the Council would be asked to consider the application again. An undertaking was given to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to make their representations at that time.

016 PRESENTATION ON THE FUTURE OF THE DEEPINGS LEISURE CENTRE

South Kesteven District Council’s Head of Leisure & Cultural Services and Sports Manager were welcomed to the meeting. They informed members that, following a thorough review of all services under Best Value, the management of the Centre had been transferred from direct control to Leisure Connections, who manage the other three centres in the district. The company had been given a one-year contract initially and during this period, the company and earn of early discussions regarding the potential for a skateboard park and whilst having no funds to directly apply to such a project, would be happy to give assistance in the planning and consider a grant aid application in due course.

017 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Abel, Hill, Thompson, Walker, Warrick and Watkins.

018 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings held on 24 May 2001 and 14 June 2001, having previously been circulated, were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

019 MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

.1	Election of Deputy Chair	Councillor Fisk confirmed that he was pleased accept the Office of Deputy Chair for a second term.
.2	Re-opening of public footpaths	The Leader of Lincolnshire County Council has rejected this Council’s vote of no confidence in the handling of the re-opening of paths claiming that no other complaint has been received and that local and national support for the stance has been recorded. The Officer concerned with handling the policy has apologised for not responding to the Council’s earlier correspondence and confirmed that all Deeping St James paths had now been formally re-opened. He went on to thank the Parish Council for the assistance given in this process. A certain amount of emergency path clearance work has been undertaken by the County Council and this will assist in the Parish Council’s own maintenance programme. Members still remain concerned about the re-opening process in general as the onus is being placed entirely on local Parish Council’s to make final decision. The dates of the annual footpath walks were confirmed as 11 & 18 July 2001 and refreshments will be available afterwards. Councillor Fisk declared an interest in the next element and took no part in the discussion, proposal or voting. It was reported that the Mr Huddlestone was no longer able to undertake footpath maintenance works due to pressure of work. It was agreed that, as a temporary measure, Councillor Fisk’s son be employed in his place.
.3	Manor Way shops car park	Councillor Auger reported that he had raised the issue with the Environmental Health Department at the District Council. Following site inspections and consultations with the District Council’s Head of Planning Services and Head of Legal Services, it was considered that the problem was not sufficiently bad enough to successfully serve a S.215 Notice. The Department will, however, be monitoring the situation in the event of deterioration and investigating the whereabouts of the owner(s) to request that improvements be made. Members thanked Councillor Auger and agreed to keep the matter under close scrutiny.
.4	Railway issues	Members were pleased to note that Lincolnshire County Council’s Head of Transport Services, Mr A Cross, was happy to attend the July meeting to discuss his Council’s rail strategy. This will be in place of the previously proposed daytime meeting.
.5	Bus tokens	Members accepted advice from the Association of Local Councils concerning parish polls and noted that; (1) they were not legally binding on either the parish or district council, (2) the turnout and percentage of the vote in favour would have to be high to be seen to have an influence, (3) the cost must be borne by the Parish Council, (4) the poll could only be called for at a previously notified public meeting and (5) that a questionnaire/survey would probably have the desired effect. It was agreed to take no further action in this respect.
.6	Waste re-cycling	The clerk reported that the Environment Agency and County Council are making slow progress in respect of the licensing of the Re-cycling Centre on Station Road.
.7	Road Fund Licences	The Department of Trade & Industry has advised that there are no plans to include Deeping St James Post Office in the number that are authorised to sell car tax.
.8	Parking – Hereward Way	The Highways Surveyor has produced proposals for the area in the vicinity of the school which, in the main, consist of improved road markings and warnings. A copy has also been sent to the school and local neighbours. Members accepted the proposals and were pleased to see that action was being planned so swiftly.
.9	Post box – Benedict Court	It has now transpired that the post box cannot be installed next to the bus shelter due to underground pipes and cables. It will now be located on the other side of the path.
.10	Skateboarding/ Jubilee park	The clerk reported that, subject to certain conditions, the Council’s insurers would be prepared to provide liability cover for this activity. Inspector Start, the Local Authority Liaison Officer, was keen to discuss proposals at an early stage and also assist with grant applications. Councillor Shinkins reported that the Rotary Club had also indicated an interest in the project. It was unanimously agreed that the working party should investigate these leads and report back to the next meeting.
.11	Parking–Shops/ Rycroft Avenue	The Highways Surveyor has agreed to investigate parking restrictions at this location when resources allow.
.12	Rural White Paper	Information and application papers have now been received for the three funds introduced as part of this Paper. The pack was made available to members.

020 CORRESPONDENCE

.1	Former County Councillor – Deepings ward	Councillor Robinson, Market & West Deeping ward member, congratulated the new ward member for Deeping St James, Councillor Dilks, and expressed the hope that they would be able to work together for the benefit of the whole of the Deepings. It was agreed that County Councillor Robinson should continue to receive agendas and minutes of meetings to enable him to keep up-to-date with issues in this parish.
.2	Deepings Management Partnership	The clerk referred to correspondence with the Partnership concerning a reference in an earlier report that the Deepings had missed out on funding opportunities due to being two separate communities. It has transpired that this was a reference to a recent application for Market Town funding and that no other occasion was known of. Members were content with this explanation and hope to continue and build upon the improved communications between the Council and the Partnership.
.3	Church Street Crossing Points	The Highways Surveyor has requested a site meeting to discuss the Council’s concern regarding the positioning of the crossing points. This will be arranged.
.4	Road Closures	It was noted that Back Lane would be closed to vehicle traffic during the week commencing 16 July 2001 for essential road maintenance and that Bridge Street would be closed on 12 August 2001 between 11am and 6pm for the Raft Race. Diversions will be in place.
.5	Deeping 10K Road Race	Organisers of the race were given permission to use the Jubilee Playing Field for the start and finish, subject to the usual conditions. The event is arranged on behalf of Imperial Cancer Research Fund
.6	Age Concern	The Annual General Meeting will be held at Joan Wake Close on 11 July 2001.
.7	A.B.A.	The latest newsletter of the Association of Burial Authorities was made available.

021 PLANNING MATTERS

The Planning Committee, at their meeting immediately preceding this Council meeting, unanimously re-elected Councillor Warrick as Chairman, subject to his acceptance of the Office at the next Council meeting, and then considered the following applications. The Committee’s observations and recommendations were discussed and it was unanimously agreed to submit no objections to the following proposals:

Ref.	Address	Proposal
S01/0604	34 Eastgate	Extension to garage to form office.
S01/0627	116 Eastgate	Two-storey side extension to bungalow.
S01/0710	14 Manor Way	Single-storey rear extension.
S01/0747	110 Church Street	Erection of pre-fabricated double garage – query to be made concerning access arrangements and replacement of boundary wall.
S01/0769	1 Lindsey Court	Erection of conservatory to ground floor flat.

It was agreed to defer application S01/0763 for retrospective approval of the installation of an amateur radio antenna at 37 Hereward Way until the next meeting in view of its arrival only that day. The submission of an objection on siting and appearance for the proposed Vodafone telecommunications tower and ancillary equipment at the Deeping Car Centre on Spalding Road was confirmed.

A Notice of appeal to the Secretary of State for the Environment has been received in respect of application S00/1146 by Market Deeping Building Company Ltd to erect a house and a bungalow between 110 & 118 Bridge Street. The Council agreed to continue to object to the bungalow element, as this is backland/tandem development.

The following applications have been determined by the Planning Authority (S.K.D.C.) since the last Council meeting. Unless stated otherwise, the decisions are in accordance with this Council’s previously notified observations:

Ref.	Address	Proposal	Outcome
S01/0465	14 Waterton Close	Extensions to dwelling.	Approved.
S01/0503	8 Knight Close	Two-storey front extension.	Approved.
S01/0518	130 Eastgate	Alterations, extensions and erection of single garage.	Approved.
S01/0530	1 Park Estate	Two-storey side and single storey rear extensions.	Approved.
S01/0568	47 Frognall	Erection of conservatory to front of dwelling.	Approved.
S01/0587	26 Campion Drive	Two-storey rear extension.	Approved.

022 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was resolved to pay the following accounts:

Payee	Service/Item of Expenditure	Amount
DSJ (Hereward) Playscheme	Balance of budget after expenses	1817.27
Linchfield Playscheme	Balance of budget after expenses	2453.25
Budget Paper Supplies Ltd	Materials for DSJ (Hereward) Playscheme	202.69
E.S.P.O.	Materials for DSJ (Hereward) Playscheme	309.62
DSJ United Charities	Room Hire – Meeting on 14.6.01	10.00
J Kemp	Salary (June)	529.53
J Kemp	Postage	23.57
L.C.C.	Pension Fund	116.67
Inland Revenue	Quarterly NIC/PAYE	180.18
Adcentre Ltd	Advert - Council meetings (July) 50% reimbursement due from M.D.T.C.	30.55
ABB Ltd	The Cross lights – maintenance contract	10.19
Garden Groomers	Cemetery maintenance (2)	564.00
Onyx UK Ltd	Litter picking – Jubilee Playing Field (July)	11.75
S W Fisk	Re-imbursement for grass seed	5.99
	Weedkiller	39.98
Thompson Plant Hire	Removal & disposal of damaged bus shelter	227.95

023 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

.1 APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT AID

It was unanimously resolved to make grants of £250 to the following organisations, all of which have members resident in Deeping St James; Deeping St James Over 60’s Club, Deepings Community Trust Ltd (Councillors Anderson & Auger declared a non-pecuniary interest and did not vote), Deepings Friendship Club for the Disabled and Deeping Xmas Lights Committee.

.2 CEMETERY/CHURCH YARD FENCING

The Clerk informed members that the chain-link fencing to the new portion of the cemetery was now in poor condition through vandalism and reminded that funds had been set aside in the precept to replace this with the bow-topped metal fencing used in the adjacent play area. It had also been agreed at that time to continue the fencing down the edge of the churchyard to the junction with Church Walk in order to prevent pedestrians and cyclists cutting across the graves. To this end, quotations had been requested and it was understood that South Kesteven District Council would make a financial contribution in view of their commitment to the maintenance of the churchyard. The quote from Woodland Engineering, the firm used by South Kesteven District Council for the playground fencing, was for £2,832.50, and from B & R Fabrication and Welding, a local Deeping St James firm, was for £1,785.50. It was unanimously resolved to place the order with B & R Fabrication and Welding subject to confirmation that the existing specification of fencing was matched. The clerk will also make the necessary arrangements for a Faculty of Works for the churchyard section of the proposals to be obtained from the Diocese. Councillor Warrick had earlier agreed to assist in this process.

.3 NO CYCLING’ BY-LAWS

In the absence of Councillor Warrick, this item was deferred to the next meeting

.4 REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT COUNCIL MEETINGS

It was unanimously agreed to defer this item to the next meeting.

.5 MILLENNIUM WOOD – PROVISION OF DOG BIN

Councillor Fisk reported that Millennium Wood was becoming more frequently visited and that as a consequence, dog fouling was a problem. Members were concerned that a few inconsiderate dog owners should not spoil this new amenity and instructed the clerk to make enquiries at South Kesteven District Council concerning the feasibility of having a Dog Bin installed.

.6 REVIEW OF PLANNING APPLICATION PROCEDURES

It was agreed that the recent outline application by Market Deeping Billiards Club had highlighted some anomalies in the planning application process vis-à-vis the parish council's involvement. The concerns raised by both the applicants and the objectors has highlighted that in probably the majority of instances, neither party fully understands or possibly even knows about the Parish Council's role in the process. This obviously makes it very difficult for the Parish Council to understand how proposals are being received by the wider community and causes members great concern. The Council wishes to play its full part in the planning process and make proper, balanced judgements but this requires all the information to hand being passed to the Parish Council, including foreknowledge of any neighbouring resident’s observations, be they positive or negative. In order to improve communication between all parties, the Council resolved to request that, in future, the Planning Authority be asked to include in its correspondence and other notifications the fact that the Council will be considering the application at its next meeting and that any observations should also be made to the Parish Council. It was also agreed to discuss at a future meeting the possibility of holding a public meeting or sending out a newsletter to further engage with the community on this issue.

024 REPORTS

.1 RURAL SUPPORT CONFERENCE

In the absence of Councillor Warrick, this item was deferred to the next meeting.

.2 CRIME & DISORDER PARTNERSHIP

Councillor Auger, who represented the Council at the recent seminar, produced a report which was circulated amongst members. Members considered this report and unanimously agreed to accept its content. A copy is attached to the Minutes.

.3 DEEPINGS COUNCILS’ JOINT LIAISON MEETING

The report of the meeting held on 12 June 2001 was discussed and accepted. A copy is attached to the Minutes. The suggestion to jointly undertake a survey of residents of the Deepings regarding the bus tokens debate before the formal period of consultation begins in September was put to members as a firm proposal and carried by 5 votes to 0 with 2 abstentions. The cost is not expected to exceed £125 plus VAT.

.4 MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

Councillor Lewis informed members that following detailed interviews with the three short listed candidates, Julian Coode had been overwhelming selected as the artist to be commissioned to carry out the design and fabrication of the proposed memorial for Riverside Park. Mr Coode, who works in metal, will be carrying out a programme of public consultation as part of his brief and it is expected that the main part of the works will get under way in September.

025 PARISH-PUMP

.1	Conifer hedges	Hedges at 2 Thackers Way and 2 Towning Close are overhanging the public highway. This will be reported to the Highways Department.
.2	Footpath 9/Low Locks access	This path is very overgrown at the Broadgate Lane access point. Works will be undertaken to clear it as soon as possible. Likewise, the access path to Low Locks will also be cut back.
.3	Road Safety	Linchfield C.P.S. would like to give each parent one of the car stickers recently produced for the 30mph campaign. The Clerk advised that there were none left but Councillor Stevens, the Council’s representative on D.R.A.G., thought it might be possible to obtain some from their forthcoming campaign and would report back.

026 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There being no other business deemed by the Chairman to be urgent, the meeting was closed at 10.14pm.