DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held at The Institute on Thursday, 28 August 2003.

Councillor Anderson, Chairman, presided over Councillors Abel, Auger, Blades, Blessett, Chambers, Griffiths, Helyar, Redgrave, Shinkins, Thomas, Warrick and the clerk. Seven members of the public and two members of the press were present.

065/03 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received Cllr Dilks (work commitment), Cllr Fisk (family commitment) and Cllr Stevens (family holiday) and the reasons for the absence accepted.

066/03 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:

Cllr J B Anderson

Personal interest in minute 071/03.5 – Draft Schools Action Plan

Chair of Governors – Linchfield C.P. School
 

Personal interest in minute 071/03.7 – L.C.C. Award of Merit

Chair of Trustees – Deepings Community Centre

Cllr R J Auger

Prejudicial interest in minute 071/03.4 – Comprehensive Performance Assessment

Member of South Kesteven District Council
 

Personal interest in minute 071/03.7 – L.C.C. Award of Merit

Member of the Community Centre Management Committee
 

Personal interest in minute 077/03 – Community Cleaner

Member of Cabinet of South Kesteven District Council

Cllr H E Blades

Personal interest in minute 069/03 – Church Walk lighting scheme

Known to objector/user of Waterton Arms Public House/Manor Way resident

Cllr B L Helyar

Prejudicial interest in minute 071/03.4 – Comprehensive Performance Assessment

Member of South Kesteven District Council

Cllr K P Shinkins

Personal interest in minute 071/03.5 – Draft Schools Action Plan

Employee of Deeping St James C.P. School

Cllr L A Thomas

Personal interest in minute 078/03.2 – Recycling Centre Visit

Employee of Recycling Centre

Cllr M Warrick

Personal interest in minute 069/03 – Church Walk lighting scheme

Resident of different section of Church Walk
 

Personal interest in minute 071/03.5 – Draft Schools Action Plan

Governor of Deeping St James C.P. School

067/03 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2003, having previously been circulated, were unanimously approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

068/03 ORDER OF BUSINESS

Under Standing Order 22(d) it was proposed by Cllr Anderson, seconded by Cllr Auger and unanimously agreed to alter the order of business by bringing forward item 9.1 Church Walk Lighting Scheme for the benefit of the members of the public present.

069/03 NOTICE OF RECOMMENDATION – CHURCH WALK LIGHTING SCHEME

Cllr Anderson requested that the Council considered the results of the consultation and decided whether to approve the order for the proposed Church Walk street lighting scheme. Members heard the objections of several residents during the Open Forum held immediately before the Council meeting opened and the clerk reported that in all, 13 out of the 45 properties which bounded with Church Walk had objected to the scheme (29%) while one offered support. P.C. Burrell, representing Lincolnshire Police, had also given the police view and, while supporting the proposals in principal, raised some concerns in relation to this particular path. Members carefully considered all the comments received. It was felt by many that whilst it was important for public safety to light the path, there was insufficient use of the section between Hereward Way and the Waterton Arms to justify its illumination in view of the alternative route on Church Street. The section between the cemetery and the Waterton Arms was, however, frequently used, particularly by residents from Manor Way and beyond, with no convenient alternative. It was proposed by Cllr Warrick, seconded by Cllr Auger and agreed by majority vote to proceed with the lighting scheme from the Church end of the path as far as the Waterton Arms rear entrance including the relocation of the cemetery light to a better position, subject to a revised quotation and the agreement of S.K.D.C., the scheme’s co-funder.

070/03 REPORT OF MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

.1

Personal liability (046.7)

Cllr Anderson reported that having studied the consultation document he believed that there was nothing which the Council needed to comment upon. This was noted.
     

.2

Cycle of elections (046.8)

Cllr Auger reported that having studied the consultation document he had produced a series of answers to the questions posed which would be submitted as the Council response. This was noted.
     

.3

Best Value Plan (046.12)

Cllr Blades summarised the main points of L.C.C.’s Plan, which were noted.
     

.4

Leisure Centre (058/03)

It was confirmed that the meeting between the Council and officers of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department of South Kesteven District Council would take place on Tuesday, 7 October 2003 at 7.30pm at The Institute.

071/03 CORRESPONDENCE BEFORE THE COUNCIL

The Council considered its response to the following correspondence, a summary detailing content and recommendations for required action, where necessary, having been previously circulated.

Church Walk lighting

Lincolnshire Police’s opinion was received and considered under minute 069/03.

Community Cleaning Grant

S.K.D.C. provided further information about the mechanics of the scheme to provide a grant towards additional litter picking. This was considered under minute 077/03.

Maintenance/

replacement of memorials

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission requested permission to undertake maintenance works in respect of war graves in the cemetery and provide an additional memorial in one particular case. It was proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Anderson and unanimously agreed that the works be granted permission and that the usual fee in respect of memorials be waived for this and any future works undertaken by the Commission on behalf of local casualties of war.

Comprehensive Performance Assessment

The Audit Commission Questionnaire on delivery of services and activities undertaken by South Kesteven District Council was considered and completed according to the majority opinion for each question.

Draft School Organisation Plan

L.C.C. Education & Cultural Service’s Plan covering the period 2003-08 and indicating spare capacity at every school was considered. It was noted that there was no immediate concern with regard to the overall Group area but places at Deeping St James’ schools are few.

Award of Merit 2003

It was proposed by Cllr Shinkins, seconded by Cllr Warrick and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council would nominate Michael Barrett, Hazel Perry and Pauline Redshaw for their sterling work in ensuring that the Community Centre continued to thrive.

Community Council of Lincs A.G.M.

It was proposed by Cllr Anderson, seconded by Cllr Chambers and unanimously agreed that Cllr Helyar should represent the Council at this event on 19 September 2003 at Great Hale Village Hall at 7pm. Mileage expenses were authorised.

Ethical Standards Training

It was noted that the next event for new Councillors would be held on 12 September 2003 but agreed that all new members had received sufficient internal training.

L.A.L.C. Area Committee

It was proposed by Cllr Shinkins, seconded by Cllr Anderson and unanimously agreed that Cllr Helyar be nominated for membership of the south-west committee.

L.A.L.C. A.G.M.

It was proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Anderson and unanimously agreed that Cllr Blades, with Cllr Warrick as reserve, should represent the Council at the A.G.M. on 8 November 2003 at Horncastle at a cost of £15 plus mileage expenses (LGA 1972, s 175).

L.A.L.C. County Circular issue 116

The circular was received and noted. The clerk was congratulated on her appointment to the Lincolnshire panel to assess Quality Parish Status applications.

Draft Revised Regional Planning Guidance Hearing

The Government Office for the East Midlands notified that the hearing, which will deal with renewable energy matters, commences on 18 November 2003 at Nottingham. Cllr Anderson will try to attend, depending upon work commitments.

Access land - Part 1 of the CROW Act 2000

The Consultation Document on regulations relating to the removal or relaxation of general restrictions on access land was received and noted without comment.

Definitive Map of Rights of Way L.C.C. Highways

The information leaflet on how the routes are mapped was noted and the clerk was instructed to obtain sufficient copies to send to all landowners with public rights of way across their land.

Other items noted
  • L.C.C. Highways Wildlincs! Scheme: Notification that Millennium Wood does not meet current criteria.
  • S.K.D.C. Planning: Notification of opportunity for public speaking at Committee and procedural guide for Councils wishing to send a representative to speak on an application.
  • Deeping Recycling Centre: Copies of correspondence to L.C.C. requesting information about the current cost of Green Waste Recycling and reasons why alternative schemes have not been pursued.

  • Community Council of Lincolnshire: Advice that the embargo on the Vital Villages Grant scheme is to be lifted and that further information about changes to the application process/criteria will follow.
  • O.D.P.M.: Disposal of Land Guidance notes.
  • Mobile Police Station: Next visit will be in Thursday, 2 October 2003.
  • Priory Church Social Committee: Acknowledgement of grant aid.
  • Deepings Community Partnership: Notification that Community Partnership will meet on 4 September 2003.
  • Lincs SW NHS Trust Public Consultation: Notification of extension of period to 30 September 2003.
  • E.M.D.A Newsletter/Public meeting: Notification of meeting in Melton Mowbray on 1 October 2003.

072/03 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 21 AUGUST 2003

Having regard to probity in matters relating to planning Cllrs Auger and Helyar, as members of S.K.D.C., took no part in the discussions on planning issues and did not register a vote. The minutes of the meeting, having previously been circulated, were received. It was proposed by Cllr Shinkins, seconded by Cllr Chambers and unanimously agreed to accept the recommendations contained therein.

073/03 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

It was proposed by Cllr Chambers, seconded by Cllr Auger and unanimously agreed to pay the following accounts:

Payee

Service/Item of Expenditure (Relevant power to incur)

Amount

Clerk

Salary inc. 28 hrs overtime (July) (LGA 1972, s 112)

913.43

L.C.C.

Pension (LG Pension scheme Regs 1997)

279.89

Huddlestone Landscapes

Cemetery maintenance (LGA 1972, s 214)

240.00

Jubilee Playing Field inspections, litter picking and hedge maintenance (OSA 1906, s 10)

30.00

Millennium Wood maintenance (OSA 1906, s 10)

10.00

Footpath maintenance (H’wysA A 1980, s 43)

45.00

Bus shelters – bolts replacement (LG (MP) A 1954, s 4)

30.00

B.T.

Quarterly account (LGA 1972, s 111)

109.76

Adcentre

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

(LGA 1972, s 232)

32.90

S W Fisk

Re-imbursement – Wasps’ nest removal: Footpath 9 (H’wysA A 1980, s 43)

31.00

L.A.L.C.

A.G.M. Delegate Fee (LGA 1972, s 175)

15.00

Total

074/03 JUBILEE PLAYING FIELD – REMEDIAL WORKS

Cllr Helyar reported that the anticipated quote would not now be forthcoming due to insufficient public liability insurance cover. In view of the delay and the best efforts undertaken to obtain a second quotation, it was proposed by Cllr Warrick, seconded by Cllr Shinkins and agreed by majority vote to accept the quotation from Robinson Construction (Deeping) Ltd in the sum of £867.69 + VAT (OSA 1906, s 10).

075/03 CEMETERY – TREE MAINTENANCE WORKS

The clerk reported that at the time of closure of the tender period only one envelope had been returned. It was proposed by Cllr Auger, seconded by Cllr Anderson and unanimously agreed that as this would not satisfy the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations and Best Value policy, the envelope remain sealed and the tender period extended to 19 September 2003. The clerk was instructed to notify all invitees.

076/03 REPORT – DEEPINGS YOUTH LIAISON GROUP

The report of the meeting held on 7 August 2003 and draft constitution for the Deepings Youth Council, having previously been circulated, was considered. It was proposed by Cllr Shinkins, seconded by Cllr Auger and unanimously agreed to adopt the report and the Constitution. It was further proposed by Cllr Shinkins, seconded by Cllr Thomas and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council should meet 50% of the cost of an advert (£28 + VAT) in the Deepings Advertiser to encourage young people who do not attend the Deepings School to put themselves forward for nomination, the remaining cost to be met by Market Deeping Town Council (LGA 1972, s 111).

077/03 NOTICE OF RECOMMENDATION – COMMUNITY CLEANER

Cllr Blessett requested that the Council considered the offer of a Community Cleaner grant from South Kesteven District Council and how it could further improve street cleaning standards in the parish. Members were agreed that although it had previously been considered appropriate to allow the new contract time to settle in, it was already clear that there were several areas, particularly the river bank, which needed additional attention. The clerk reported that South Kesteven District Council had provided further information as to how the proposed Community Cleaner grant would work, which had answered the queries and concerns raised by the Council at the meeting with the Director of Performance Management in March 2003. The grant of £1,300 per annum is equivalent to 5 hours per week labour with all materials/rubbish collection costs provided in addition to this sum. The clerk reminded members that the Parish Council had agreed a budget allocation of £2,000 for 2003/4 to further enhance street cleaning standards in the parish.

It was proposed by Cllr Blessett, seconded by Cllr Warrick and unanimously agreed that the Council should proceed to make maximum use of the grant and Parish Council budget allocation to provide a supplementary litter picking service in Deeping St James. The clerk was instructed to make arrangements for the recruitment of a Parish Litter Picker and members were asked to advise the office of areas which need extra attention (Litter Act 1983, s 4).

078/03 PARISH PUMP

.1

Speed signs on Spalding Road

Cllr Shinkins reported that the 40mph signs had been removed when the limit was reduced to 30mph but new signs had not been erected. The clerk advised that such signs were not provided in built-up areas where there was street lighting.
     

.2

Recycling Centre visit

Cllr Thomas requested that those members who wished to attend advised the clerk by 18 September 2003 so that arrangements/site directions could be confirmed.
     

The meeting closed at 10.01pm

 

Signed ……………………….. Chairman Date: 25 September 2003