DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Draft minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held at The Institute on Thursday, 29 August 2002.

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

Seven members of the public were also in attendance.

035    MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY TO DISCUSS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE RIVER WELLAND

Members welcomed Tom Youdan and Martin Morrell from the Environment Agency, both of whom have responsibility for the management of the river locally. Concern had been previously registered about the volume and density of weed growth this year and how this had spoilt this important amenity. Members were advised that it was the Agency’s aim to drag the river on three occasions per year and that new machinery had been purchased. The excessive growth this year had been caused by climate conditions and problems relating to health & safety, which had meant that the programme was well behind. Assurances were given that the programme was being brought up to date as soon as possible. The Agency confirmed that the parish had satisfactory flood defences to meet the 1:100 years benchmark for flooding and agreed that the recently issued indicative flood maps had caused problems for some people when it came to obtaining insurance. Members were assured that the Environment Agency was actively working on the matter in conjunction with D.E.F.R.A. Pollution in the river was found to be caused by higher than average levels of phosphates and Anglian Water is in the process of installing phosphate stripping equipment further upstream to resolve this. A number of other improvements to the river locally were also discussed. Councillor Dilks raised the matter of the licensing of the Deepings Recycling Centre. Although this fell within the remit of a different division, Mr Youdan noted the problems and agreed to have them investigated. Both Mr Youdan and Mr Morrell were thanked for attending the meeting.

036    MATTERS RAISED IN THE OPEN FORUM

.1 Vandalism in Swallow Walk Four residents who had also written to the Council drew members’ attention to problems concerning vandalism and anti-social behaviour which had been increasing over recent months and culminated with a lounge window being smashed. The police had been involved and suggested that over-growing trees and shrubs, general litter and problems with the public footpath which runs through to Sweet Close were contributing factors. The residents asked the Council to consider installing CCTV, stopping up the path, cutting back the trees and improving the litter situation.

In the discussion that followed, members sympathised and urged the residents to report all incidents to the police. It was felt that CCTV was not an option due not only to the estimated cost of £20,000 being beyond the finances of the Council but also setting a precedent throughout the parish. Some members felt that the trees were not causing problems, other than one perhaps on a neighbouring property, which the Council could take no action about. It was agreed that the elder bushes protruding from the Primary School fence were causing a problem and this would be referred to the school. It was agreed that South Kesteven District Council should be asked to provide a litter bin but there was no support for stopping up the path. It was agreed, however, to request Lincolnshire County Council Highways to consider putting up staggered barriers to prevent vehicle use. See also minute 041.1.

.2 River Welland A resident of Eastgate was unhappy with the Environment Agency’s record in managing the river and referred to previous correspondence with them. The Chairman thanked him for his comments and suggested that he contact Mr Youdan directly as a result of this meeting. Mr Peter Bayliss identified himself to the meeting and announced that he had been appointed a Volunteer Flood Warden for Eastgate. Members thanked him for his service to the community and agreed to announce the fact in the next edition of the newsletter in the hope that it would spur other members of the public to do the same.

037    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors Walker and Watkins.

038    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members notified interests in the following items, completed the Register accordingly and in the case of prejudicial interests, left the meeting whilst the item was debated thereby taking no part and having no influence in the outcome:

Cllrs Anderson & Dilks Personal interest in minute 041.1 Members of governing body of adjoining school.

Cllrs Dilks, Lewis & Warrick Personal interest in minute 041.4 Nearby property owner.

Cllr Shinkins Prejudicial interest in minute 042 ref. S02/1004 Family member employed by applicant.

Cllr Shinkins Personal interest in minute 042 ref. S02/1006 Nearby property owner.

Cllr Warrick Personal interest in minute 042 ref. S02/1051 Known to applicant

Cllr Dilks Prejudicial interest in minute 045. Member of the school governing body.

Cllrs Abel, Chambers, Shinkins, Stevens, Thompson and Warrick Personal interest in minute 045.1 Family member is a student at the school.

Cllr Auger Personal interest in agenda item 9.3 Deepings Community Partnership Cabinet portfolio holder at SKDC.

039    MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2002, having previously been circulated, were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

040    MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

.1 Rotary Tree Planting (029.2) Councillor Anderson reported that he had met with the representative from the Rotary Club and had been able to satisfactorily resolve the location for the planting of the trees.

.2 Thackers Way/ Crowson Way junction (033.1) The clerk reported that L.C.C. Highways had agreed to undertake a survey at this location and report back in due course.

.3 Memorial project (033.2) The clerk reported that the proposed date was inconvenient to Market Deeping Town Council. It was agreed to accept 12 October, the alternative date informally proposed. The Town Council will respond further in due course. Cllrs Dilks reported that the Raft Race organisers had only cordoned off the Memorial for the Saturday activities of the Raft Race weekend. The clerk was asked to write to the Raft Race Committee congratulating them on another excellent event and request that the memorial be cordoned off both days in future.

.4 Community news (033.3) The clerk reported that a further two responses had been received, both congratulating the Council for the newsletter.

041    CORRESPONDENCE

.1 C.C.T.V. Swallow Walk See minute 036.1. The matters discussed in the open forum were confirmed and the clerk instructed accordingly. Personal C.C.T.V. was also mentioned as a possible option, subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 concerning the handling of personal data.

.2 Traffic calming Linchfield Road A resident of Linchfield Road has requested that consideration be given to traffic calming measures on this busy road, especially as the Parish Council has now obtained planning permission for the regeneration of the Jubilee Playing Field. Members noted that the cycle way/pavement works are still to be completed and that signage for the crossing point forms part of the outstanding work. It was agreed to wait for this work to be completed and to obtain data from the police on speeding before making any decision. In the meantime, the Mobile Police Station is to be asked to include this location in its itinerary.

.3 Deepings Youth Forum The newly formed Youth Forum will be meeting on 11 September 2002 and the Chairman has invited a member of the Parish Council to attend to give an update on the Jubilee Playing Field project. Councillor Dilks, Shinkins and Stevens volunteered to attend subject to work commitments.

.4 Proposed cemetery extension The clerk reported that S.K.D.C.’s enquiries into the possible compulsory purchase of alternative burial land had run into difficulties. The land owner disputed the need for additional burial space in view of the land remaining in Hereward Way and as the former owner of that land, also acquired by compulsory means, referred to a covenant stating that the land could only be used for burial purposes. It would therefore fall to the Parish Council to either continue to pursue its course and reiterate that the play area was required in its existing location thereby needing alternative burial land or to abandon the play area and allow the land to be used for burials. The clerk further reported that two communications had been received from parents of children who used the play area complaining about the condition of the play equipment, the mis-use by youths and general poor state. They both believed that it would be better to remove the play area altogether and allow the land to revert to cemetery use. Members felt that if this were to happen, it would not necessarily stop the area from being mis-used but agreed that the whole issue, particularly with respect to the covenant needed careful consideration. It was unanimously agreed that before any further discussion took place on the matter that the views of the residents of Deeping St James should be sought via a survey in the next edition of the newsletter.

.5 Other items noted ·    L.C.C. Highways Meeting to discuss traffic calming at 10am on 30 August 2002. Cllrs Dilks and Warrick to attend with the clerk subject to work commitments.
·    D.E.F.R.A. Confirmation that Parish Councils will retain a role in planning matters.
·    L.C.C. Wolds Strategy Interpretation Document Questionnaire.
·    L.A.L.C. Circular and notice of A.G.M. on 26 October 2002 at Horncastle.
·    S.K.D.C. Parish Council entry in Business Directory.
·    CCLincs Funding information day on 23 September 2002 at Lincoln. The clerk is authorised to attend on the Council’s behalf.
·    Deeping Canoe Club Acknowledgement of grant aid.
·    L.C.C. Highways Local Transport Plan progress report 2002.
·    L.C.C. Pubic Relations Award of Merit scheme 2002.
·    C.A.B. Revised opening times at the Deepings Community Centre.
·    Local Police Forum Next meeting at Caythorpe on 8 October 2002.
·    Mobile Police Station Next visit on 17 October 2002.
·    Bourne Recycling Centre Notice of opening hours.
·    CCLincs Notice of A.G.M. on 20 September 2002 at Bracebridge Heath.
·    E.M.D.A. Newsletter and notice of Annual Public Meeting on 5 September 2002.

042    PLANNING MATTERS

Having regard to S.K.D.C.’s probity in matters relating to planning, Cllrs Auger and Bulmer-Jones took no part in the discussion and did not register a vote. Unless stated otherwise, it was unanimously agreed to submit the following observations on the applications before the Council:

Ref. Address Proposal

S02/0784 9 Thackers Way Erection of conservatory (Amended plans) No objection.

S02/0983 57 Broadgate Lane Creation of new access from highway. No objection.

S02/1004 Blec Landscape Equip. Co Ltd, Spalding Rd Extension to workshop to rear of site. No objection.

S02/1006 Land at 72 Eastgate Erection of dwelling (Outline planning). Objection site is too cramped and there is insufficient delineation of access and parking arrangements.

S02/1037 12 Park Road Single-storey side extension to bungalow. No objection.

S02/1051 Adj. 117 Spalding Rd Erection of bungalow (Outline). Objection: 3 votes for, 5 against and 2 abstentions motion failed. No objection subject to development being within the existing building line: 8 votes to 0 against with 3 abstentions.

S02/1074 97 Eastgate Two-storey side extension. No objection providing similar materials are used to match existing.

S02/1090 2 Crowson Way Two-storey side extension. No objection.

S02/1114 84 Millfield Road Two-storey rear extension. No objection.

S02/1137 Deeping Osteopathic Practice, Stowgate Road Erection of porch. No objection providing that the existing condition relating to use entirely in connection with the business be upheld.

S02/0151 Adj. 147 Station Road Notice of appeal to Secretary of State against refusal for erection of a dwellinghouse Parish Council did not object. Parish Council has no objection to the application as it is in-fill development which would not detract from the character of the village.

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

Ref. Address Proposal Outcome

S02/0136 Newlands Nursery, Back Lane Erection of dwelling (Outline). Refused.

S02/0216 Land between 55 & 57 Linchfield Road Residential development. Granted.

S02/0424 Adjacent 66 Eastgate Erection of dwelling (Outline). Refused.

S02/0609 36 Bridge Street Extensions to dwelling. Granted.

S02/0736 105 Eastgate Erection of dwelling and garage. Withdrawn.

S02/0784 9 Thackers Way Erection of conservatory. Granted.

S02/0796 Rear of 27 Eastgate Erection of dwelling (Outline). Refused.

S02/0807 Jubilee Playing Field, Linchfield Road Skateboard & dry-play sports arena with associated equipment * Parish Council submitted no observations as applicant. Granted.

S02/0877 53 Frognall Two storey extension and erection of double garage. Refused.

S02/0883 119a Eastgate Erection of conservatory. Granted.

S02/0898 41 Frognall Single-storey extension. Granted.

S02/0925 16 Waterton Close Erection of front porch. Granted.

043    ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was unanimously resolved to pay the following accounts:

Payee Service/Item of Expenditure
Amount

Clerk
Salary
608.02

Postage

46.00

L.C.C.
Pension
137.18

Huddlestone Landscapes
Cemetery maintenance (2)
240.00

Footpath maintenance

145.00

Millennium Wood maintenance

60.00

Cemetery fencing repairs

90.00

Onyx UK Ltd
Litter picking Jubilee Playing Field
11.75

Adcentre Ltd
Meetings advert (subject to 50% reimbursement from M.D.T.C.).
30.55

Market Deeping Town Council
Insurance premium Memorial (50% share)
59.60

B.T.
Quarter account: Telephone
127.04

Anglian Water
Cemetery water supply
21.50

S W Fisk
Paint & wood stain for Millennium Wood benches and gates
4.99

Total

1581.63

044    REPORTS

.1 Liaison Group Reports of meetings held to further progress youth-related issues were received and noted. It was proposed by Councillor Dilks, seconded by Councillor Warrick and carried unanimously to earmark up to £100 from the grant aid budget towards the cost of holding Drug Awareness meetings, subject to production of accounts.

At this point, it was unanimously resolved that due to the time, agenda items 9.1, 9.2, 9.4, 9.5, 9.5, 9.7 and 11 stand deferred to the next meeting. It was further resolved that the time limit for the meeting would be extended to enable agenda items 9.3, 10 and 12 to be completed.

045    ITEMS TABLED FOR DISCUSSION

.1 Deepings School Specialist status bid Councillor Anderson advised members of the School’s bid to raise £50,000 from the local area in order to secure an additional £600,000 of funding over the next four years. If successful, the School would become a Business & Enterprise College, which would benefit the local primary schools and wider community. Some fundamental concerns regarding the specialist schools programme and its funding by public authorities and fears that other subjects would suffer as a result were raised but the overall opinion was that the community should support the School in its bid. It was proposed by Councillor Stevens, seconded by Councillor Anderson and carried by 9 votes to 2 against with 1 abstention that an award of £995 to the Deepings School P.T.A. be made from the Grant Aid budget for the purpose of supporting the bid.

046    PARISH-PUMP

    No matters were raised.

At this point, it was unanimously resolved that, in accordance with Section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings Act) 1960 the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business due to it’s confidential nature.

047    CLERK’S ANNUAL SALARY REVIEW

It was unanimously resolved to accept the recommendations in the clerk’s report dated 23 August 2002, a copy of which is attached to the Official Minutes.

The meeting closed at 10.11pm.

.1	Vandalism in Swallow Walk	Four residents who had also written to the Council drew members’ attention to problems concerning vandalism and anti-social behaviour which had been increasing over recent months and culminated with a lounge window being smashed. The police had been involved and suggested that over-growing trees and shrubs, general litter and problems with the public footpath which runs through to Sweet Close were contributing factors. The residents asked the Council to consider installing CCTV, stopping up the path, cutting back the trees and improving the litter situation. In the discussion that followed, members sympathised and urged the residents to report all incidents to the police. It was felt that CCTV was not an option due not only to the estimated cost of £20,000 being beyond the finances of the Council but also setting a precedent throughout the parish. Some members felt that the trees were not causing problems, other than one perhaps on a neighbouring property, which the Council could take no action about. It was agreed that the elder bushes protruding from the Primary School fence were causing a problem and this would be referred to the school. It was agreed that South Kesteven District Council should be asked to provide a litter bin but there was no support for stopping up the path. It was agreed, however, to request Lincolnshire County Council Highways to consider putting up staggered barriers to prevent vehicle use. See also minute 041.1.

.2	River Welland	A resident of Eastgate was unhappy with the Environment Agency’s record in managing the river and referred to previous correspondence with them. The Chairman thanked him for his comments and suggested that he contact Mr Youdan directly as a result of this meeting. Mr Peter Bayliss identified himself to the meeting and announced that he had been appointed a Volunteer Flood Warden for Eastgate. Members thanked him for his service to the community and agreed to announce the fact in the next edition of the newsletter in the hope that it would spur other members of the public to do the same.


Cllrs Anderson & Dilks	Personal interest in minute 041.1	Members of governing body of adjoining school.
Cllrs Dilks, Lewis & Warrick	Personal interest in minute 041.4	Nearby property owner.
Cllr Shinkins	Prejudicial interest in minute 042 ref. S02/1004	Family member employed by applicant.
Cllr Shinkins	Personal interest in minute 042 ref. S02/1006	Nearby property owner.
Cllr Warrick	Personal interest in minute 042 ref. S02/1051	Known to applicant
Cllr Dilks	Prejudicial interest in minute 045.	Member of the school governing body.
Cllrs Abel, Chambers, Shinkins, Stevens, Thompson and Warrick	Personal interest in minute 045.1	Family member is a student at the school.
Cllr Auger	Personal interest in agenda item 9.3 Deepings Community Partnership	Cabinet portfolio holder at SKDC.

.2	Thackers Way/ Crowson Way junction (033.1)	The clerk reported that L.C.C. Highways had agreed to undertake a survey at this location and report back in due course.

.3	Memorial project (033.2)	The clerk reported that the proposed date was inconvenient to Market Deeping Town Council. It was agreed to accept 12 October, the alternative date informally proposed. The Town Council will respond further in due course. Cllrs Dilks reported that the Raft Race organisers had only cordoned off the Memorial for the Saturday activities of the Raft Race weekend. The clerk was asked to write to the Raft Race Committee congratulating them on another excellent event and request that the memorial be cordoned off both days in future.

.4	Community news (033.3)	The clerk reported that a further two responses had been received, both congratulating the Council for the newsletter.


.1	C.C.T.V. Swallow Walk	See minute 036.1. The matters discussed in the open forum were confirmed and the clerk instructed accordingly. Personal C.C.T.V. was also mentioned as a possible option, subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 concerning the handling of personal data.

.2	Traffic calming Linchfield Road	A resident of Linchfield Road has requested that consideration be given to traffic calming measures on this busy road, especially as the Parish Council has now obtained planning permission for the regeneration of the Jubilee Playing Field. Members noted that the cycle way/pavement works are still to be completed and that signage for the crossing point forms part of the outstanding work. It was agreed to wait for this work to be completed and to obtain data from the police on speeding before making any decision. In the meantime, the Mobile Police Station is to be asked to include this location in its itinerary.

.3	Deepings Youth Forum	The newly formed Youth Forum will be meeting on 11 September 2002 and the Chairman has invited a member of the Parish Council to attend to give an update on the Jubilee Playing Field project. Councillor Dilks, Shinkins and Stevens volunteered to attend subject to work commitments.

.4	Proposed cemetery extension	The clerk reported that S.K.D.C.’s enquiries into the possible compulsory purchase of alternative burial land had run into difficulties. The land owner disputed the need for additional burial space in view of the land remaining in Hereward Way and as the former owner of that land, also acquired by compulsory means, referred to a covenant stating that the land could only be used for burial purposes. It would therefore fall to the Parish Council to either continue to pursue its course and reiterate that the play area was required in its existing location thereby needing alternative burial land or to abandon the play area and allow the land to be used for burials. The clerk further reported that two communications had been received from parents of children who used the play area complaining about the condition of the play equipment, the mis-use by youths and general poor state. They both believed that it would be better to remove the play area altogether and allow the land to revert to cemetery use. Members felt that if this were to happen, it would not necessarily stop the area from being mis-used but agreed that the whole issue, particularly with respect to the covenant needed careful consideration. It was unanimously agreed that before any further discussion took place on the matter that the views of the residents of Deeping St James should be sought via a survey in the next edition of the newsletter.

.5	Other items noted	· L.C.C. Highways Meeting to discuss traffic calming at 10am on 30 August 2002. Cllrs Dilks and Warrick to attend with the clerk subject to work commitments. · D.E.F.R.A. Confirmation that Parish Councils will retain a role in planning matters. · L.C.C. Wolds Strategy Interpretation Document Questionnaire. · L.A.L.C. Circular and notice of A.G.M. on 26 October 2002 at Horncastle. · S.K.D.C. Parish Council entry in Business Directory. · CCLincs Funding information day on 23 September 2002 at Lincoln. The clerk is authorised to attend on the Council’s behalf. · Deeping Canoe Club Acknowledgement of grant aid. · L.C.C. Highways Local Transport Plan progress report 2002. · L.C.C. Pubic Relations Award of Merit scheme 2002. · C.A.B. Revised opening times at the Deepings Community Centre. · Local Police Forum Next meeting at Caythorpe on 8 October 2002. · Mobile Police Station Next visit on 17 October 2002. · Bourne Recycling Centre Notice of opening hours. · CCLincs Notice of A.G.M. on 20 September 2002 at Bracebridge Heath. · E.M.D.A. Newsletter and notice of Annual Public Meeting on 5 September 2002.

Ref.	Address	Proposal

S02/0784	9 Thackers Way	Erection of conservatory (Amended plans) No objection.
S02/0983	57 Broadgate Lane	Creation of new access from highway. No objection.
S02/1004	Blec Landscape Equip. Co Ltd, Spalding Rd	Extension to workshop to rear of site. No objection.
S02/1006	Land at 72 Eastgate	Erection of dwelling (Outline planning). Objection site is too cramped and there is insufficient delineation of access and parking arrangements.
S02/1037	12 Park Road	Single-storey side extension to bungalow. No objection.
S02/1051	Adj. 117 Spalding Rd	Erection of bungalow (Outline). Objection: 3 votes for, 5 against and 2 abstentions motion failed. No objection subject to development being within the existing building line: 8 votes to 0 against with 3 abstentions.
S02/1074	97 Eastgate	Two-storey side extension. No objection providing similar materials are used to match existing.
S02/1090	2 Crowson Way	Two-storey side extension. No objection.
S02/1114	84 Millfield Road	Two-storey rear extension. No objection.
S02/1137	Deeping Osteopathic Practice, Stowgate Road	Erection of porch. No objection providing that the existing condition relating to use entirely in connection with the business be upheld.
S02/0151	Adj. 147 Station Road	Notice of appeal to Secretary of State against refusal for erection of a dwellinghouse Parish Council did not object. Parish Council has no objection to the application as it is in-fill development which would not detract from the character of the village.

Payee	Service/Item of Expenditure	Amount
Clerk	Salary	608.02
	Postage	46.00
L.C.C.	Pension	137.18
Huddlestone Landscapes	Cemetery maintenance (2)	240.00
	Footpath maintenance	145.00
	Millennium Wood maintenance	60.00
	Cemetery fencing repairs	90.00
Onyx UK Ltd	Litter picking Jubilee Playing Field	11.75
Adcentre Ltd	Meetings advert (subject to 50% reimbursement from M.D.T.C.).	30.55
Market Deeping Town Council	Insurance premium Memorial (50% share)	59.60
B.T.	Quarter account: Telephone	127.04
Anglian Water	Cemetery water supply	21.50
S W Fisk	Paint & wood stain for Millennium Wood benches and gates	4.99
Total		1581.63