Cllr Auger

Personal interest in minute 141.2 Deepings Community Partnership: Portfolio holder at South Kesteven District Council.

Cllr Dilks

Personal interest in minute 137.2Church Walk lighting: Property owner on a different section of Church Walk.

Personal interest in Minute 142.2 Police Community Support Officers: Member of the Lincolnshire Police Authority.

Cllr Shinkins

Personal interest in minute 139 ref. SK03/0351: Known to applicant.

.1

Tourism Sign (127.4)

The clerk reported that the discrepancy related to the 40mph speed limit on this road. Lincolnshire County Council will review the drawings once the 30mph limit is introduced.

.2

Church Walk lighting (127.7)

Cllr Auger reported that he had received no adverse feedback from residents. The clerk reported that one homeowner had objected and having taken advice from L.C.C. Highways would be ascertaining ownership of the pathway before any further action is taken.

.3

Parish Election (127.9)

The clerk confirmed that the election for Deeping St James Parish Council would be contested on 1 May 2003, there being 17 nominations for the 15 seats.

.4

Traffic Calming payment (129)

The clerk advised that the works had not been completed by 31 March 2003 and that consequently the cheque had been cancelled.

.5

Finance Committee (130.2)

The clerk confirmed that the new computer system was now in place. Section 3 - Legal expenses is now covered as a mandatory element with effect from renewal and covers the Council’s legal expenses should it be involved in an employment dispute. The Chairman advised that the clerk’s Contract of Employment had been revised in accordance with national guidance and was acceptable to the Council and the clerk.

.6

Millennium Wood (132.2)

Cllr Shinkins reported that a local businessman had offered to donate a replacement bench. This was warmly welcomed.

.7

Daffodil bulbs (132.3)

The clerk reported that she had not been able to make any progress on this since the last meeting but would contact the developers to discuss replacement.

.8

HGV Parking (132.4)

The clerk had not been able to identify the property in question and asked members who witnessed the vehicle to leave a message at the office.

.1

L.C.C. Community Safety

The clerk reported that the Parish Council had been successful in its application for assistance towards the Jubilee Playing Field project and that a grant of £5,000 had been made. This sum has been placed in an earmarked fund in the accounts.

.2

Police Community Support Officers

The Chief Executive of S.K.D.C. has written to all parish councils asking for an expression of interest in attending a meeting to consider a district wide bid for PCSO’s later in the year. Members welcomed this opportunity – see also minute 142.2.

.3

C.P.R.E. - Lincs

It was unanimously resolved that the Council should affiliate at a cost of £12 per annum.

.4

Renewable energy

Draft Regional Planning Guidance and the targets for Lincolnshire were considered. It was unanimously agreed that the Council supported the principals of renewable energy and supported the targets. Cllr Warrick volunteered to study the document in greater detail and report additional findings, if any, to the clerk before 30 April 2003.

.5

Structure Plan review

The document was studied and the clerk was asked to make a response in line with Council policy before the deadline of 13 June 2003. It was noted that it was possible to make individual responses if desired as it was open to public consultation.

.6

Ambulance & Health Transport Trust

The Commission for Health Improvement is undertaking a routine review of the Local Trust and invited comments on the service from the general public. It was agreed that members should respond from their personal experiences, if desired.

.7

Land drainage & flood responsibilities

Members welcomed advice from the Environment Agency on the relevant roles and responsibilities of the Agency, other organisations and landowners. It was agreed that the clerk should try to obtain further copies of the booklet for new members and to make reference to the book in the newsletter. Members were concerned that the village is still included in the flood risk maps and asked the clerk to find out what progress has been made in addressing this.

.8

Parish Plans

It was agreed that the application pack should be considered by the new Council.

.9

Other items noted

• S.K.D.C. – Planning services and advice is now available on deepings online.

Ref.

Address

Proposal

S03/0310

1 Linchfield Close

Pitched roof over existing garage. No objections.

S03/344

45 Manor Way

Two-storey side and rear extension. No objections subject to matching materials.

S03/0351

179a Eastgate

Extension to granny annexe. No objections subject to the annexe remaining incidental to the enjoyment of the original dwelling house. The Parish Council would draw the Planning Authority's attention to the proposed stud partition wall between the garage and the kitchen and registers its concern with respect to a potential fire hazard and transfer of noxious fumes.

Ref.

Address

Proposal

Outcome

S02/LB/5934

40 Church Street

Alteration of listed building.

Granted.

S03/0105

16 Locks Close

First floor extension and pitched roof to porch.

Granted.

S03/0135

5 Blackthorn Close

Single-storey side extension.

Granted.

S03/0147

108 Eastgate

Two-storey side extension.

Granted.

S03/0155

Land r/o 112 Bridge Street

Erection of bungalow and garage (amended plans)

Granted.

Payee

Service/Item of Expenditure (Relevant power to incur)

Amount

Clerk

Salary plus20 hrs overtime – March (LGA 1972, s 112)

921.78

Postage (LGA.1972, s 111)

50.00

L.C.C.

Pension (LG Pension scheme Regs 1997)

189.88

Huddlestone Landscapes

Cemetery maintenance (LGA 1972, s 214)

240.00

Adcentre

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

(LGA 1972, s 232)

32.90

Onyx UK Ltd

Litter picking – Jubilee Playing Field (OSA 1906, s 10)

11.75

DSJ United Charities

Room hire – Meeting 2.4.03 (LGA 1972, s 133)

10.00

Room hire – Council meetings Apr – Sept 03 (LGA 1972, s 133)

60.00

Office rent – Apr – Sept 03 (LGA 1972 s 111)

500.00

Office electricity 2002/03 (LGA 1972 s 111)

200.00

Information Commissioner

Data Protection registration fee (Data Protection Act 1998)

35.00

Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils

Annual subscription 2003/04 (LGA 1972, s 143)

Annual subscription to Local Council Review (N.A.L.C. Official Journal) (LGA 1972, s 143)

34.77

Apollo Computer Systems

Office computer, printer, & set up (LGA 1972, s 111)

1,336.65

Cornhill Insurance

Renewal premium (LGA 1972 s 111, 114, 140)

1,111.61

TOTAL

4,197.73

.1

Deepings Management Partnership

Cllr Shinkins reported that the inaugural meeting held on 1 April had been attended by approximately 40 people representing different groups and organisations in the Deepings. Five sub-groups had been set up as a result and Cllr Shinkins had joined recreation. Cllr Shinkins was thanked for attending. Concern was registered that there still existed potential for duplication of effort and a lack of accountability in the use of public funds. It was also unclear how the views of the Parish Council could be delivered by the Council’s representative when there was no opportunity to discuss forthcoming agenda items beforehand. It was agreed, however, that the Parish Council should continue to have a representative on the Partnership.

.2

Police/Drugs Awareness

Cllr Dilks reported on the meeting held with the Divisional Commander and other senior police officers at the Institute on 2 April 2003 which was also attended by members of Market Deeping Town Council. This had been a frank and positive exchange and covered the recently proposed alcohol ban, which was now accepted by all parties as being unsuitable for the Deepings as other legislation existed which could be better used, drugs issues and Police Community Support Officers. The police recognise that there are significant youth issues in the area and offered to provide assistance in terms of manpower and finances to help promote Drugs Awareness. Following on from this meeting, a further meeting of the Drugs Awareness Group had been held to take up this offer from the police and progress had been made in producing a pamphlet and discussing other options such as parent support and parenting skills. It was noted that a further meeting was being held on 7 May to finalise details of the publication.

.3

Clerk’s report

1. Crime & Disorder Act 1997 – The clerk has sourced a free booklet containing valuable information and advice on this Act and will obtain a copy for every member. A policy statement will be submitted for approval at the next meeting.
2. Training for new Councillors – The clerk was given approval to organise a training/induction evening for Councillors prior to the first meeting and to purchase stationery to provide every member with their personal folder of important information.
3. Playing Field Inspections – The clerk sought approval for immediate remedial works to be carried out following an inspection undertaken the previous day and advised that a more formal system of inspection should be instigated through a Playing Field Committee. It was unanimously agreed to undertake the required works and that the new Council should review committee formation.
4. Quality Parish Status – The draft application form questioned attendance and the recording of apologies for absence. It was agreed to clarify the Parish Council’s policy on this by making an addition to the Council’s Standing Orders at the next meeting.

.1

Jubilee Playing Field Project

Cllr Shinkins tabled a resolution that the Council reviewed its progress to date on the Jubilee Playing Field project and now considered its options with regards to moving the project forward. It was noted that £50,500 of the £125,000 project target had been pledged so far. The clerk re-iterated the difficulties in obtaining a Sport England lotto grant due to the time before an application could be considered and the need to change the project’s aims and objectives to stand a chance of success. It had been hoped that approximately £50,000 would come from this source. There were still opportunities for grant assistance of up to £30,000 from the Countryside Agency and ‘Awards for All’. Members were mindful of the time this project was taking and considered the options available. It was agreed by 9 votes to 1 against that the Council should investigate the feasibility of re-defining the project into two phases by dropping the multi-use games court for the time being subject to the agreement of the existing funding partners.

.2

Police Community Support Officers

Cllr Lewis tabled a resolution that the Council resolved to commit to funding up to 25% of the cost of providing a Police Community Support Officer for three years in Deeping St James. It was noted that the potential source of funding from Lincolnshire County Council was not available as it had already been utilised at district level and that the bids for this round had closed on 31 March 2003, a week after the Council was first made aware of the opportunity. In view of the potential for funding from a district-wide bid in conjunction with South Kesteven District Council, which the Council wishes to be included in, it was felt important that the Parish Council made its position clear at the outset. The resolution was unanimously carried and the clerk was asked to write to the Lincolnshire Police Authority and the Home Office setting out the Parish Council’s position in case of surplus funding left over from this round.

.1

River ford

Cllr Shinkins reported that a resident of Eastgate who works for the Environment Agency was prepared to investigate ownership of the footpath on the south bank to move the reinstatement of the ford forward.

.2

School traffic zones

Cllr Shinkins reported that Lincolnshire County Council had introduced a safety zone outside one of the Stamford primary schools as part of a county-wide trial.

.3

Bus shelter damage

Cllr Warrick reported that the bus shelter on Horsegate (N) had been smeared with a brown substance. The clerk confirmed that arrangements had been made for it to be cleaned.

.4

Statement by retiring member

Cllr Lewis stated that he was very pleased with the Council’s achievements over the last four years, thanked fellow members and the clerk and wished the new Council well.

.5

Parish election

Cllr Anderson thanked all members of the Council for their hard work over the last four years and acknowledged the contribution of those who were retiring at the election.