Nocton Annual Parish Meeting Minutes - 05 April 2011

Present:
Councillor D. Wilson (Chair)
Councillor I. Goldsworthy (Vice-Chair)
Councillor P. Askew
Councillor D. Rumbelow
Councillor K. Tyler
Councillor M. Williams

Councillor W. Chambers District Councillor
Councillor D. Rose District Councillor
Mrs. D. Green Parish Clerk

Mr. A. Brown LCC highways Department
Mrs J. Hill Dog Warden

3 members of the public were in attendance

Minutes

The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 4th May 2010 were signed as a correct record.

Chair's Report

• The Chair thanked Ms Storr for her sterling efforts as Chair earlier in the year; she had done much work for the Council whilst dealing with a heavy workload of her own.


• A lot of work had to be undertaken to get the Village Hall electrics in order and resurfacing work was done to the car park.


• Nocton Hall continues to be a regular item; Karen Bradford (NKDC) had attended two Parish Council meetings and continues to keep us updated on progress.


• Nocton Dairies had re-submitted its planning application which had made for a lot of work with much discussion and a public meeting that was well attended. The application had again been withdrawn.


• Highways continue to be a problem but we have Alan Brown from LCC highways here this evening so we may learn more later.


• The Play Area is another regular agenda item with some progress having been made.


• Parking on The Green has worn away the grass; protection is being looked at.


• We now have a Parish Dog Warden for a trial period.


• A Parish Plan has been discussed and a meeting is to be arranged for parishioners.


• We had three calls for by-elections with the retirement of Trevor Morris, the resignation of Gerry Watchus due to him leaving the parish and the very sad death of Harry Capewell. We welcomed to the Council MaryAnn Williams, Ian Goldsworthy and Kate Tyler.


• Thanks to all Councillors for their work and help and special thanks to our District Councillors Bill Chambers and John Rose who are both retiring after next month's elections.

The Financial Statement for 2009/10 was accepted at the Annual Parish Meeting held on 4th May 2010.

District Councillors' Report

Councillor Chambers handed out copies of a document showing the NKDC's achievements for 2010/11. A few points were mentioned specifically:

• NKDC has introduced free swimming for Under 8s and the NK Centre North Hykeham.


• Planning Online has been well-received.


• Aiming with partners to deliver 200 new homes across the district, 16 of which will be part of the Council's housing stock.


• During December, waste collections were forced to be suspended on three days of the very worst weather conditions, catching up on missed collections quickly thereafter.


• There had been 17,114 objections and a 53,233 signature petition to the proposed Super Dairy. A lot of work for planning officers prior to the application being submitted and during the consultation period. Pre-planning procedure is to change.


• Financial cuts - £1 million this year and £1.5 million next year. Pest control will now cost £43. CCTV is up for debate. Discretionary Travel tokens to finish.


• Councillor Chambers is retiring after 32 years; he always thinks of Nocton as his "home".


• Councillor Rose is retiring after 26 years and said it is always a pleasure to come to Nocton and a privilege to serve the community.


• The Chair said both District Councillors have always treated us with courtesy and consideration; we will miss them both terribly and it has always been a pleasure to have them attend meetings.


• Councillor Askew said on behalf of himself, Councillor Rumbelow and Mr Bill Fernley (a former Chair of the Parish Council) that he would like to thank them both, that they had been a great help over the years and that they will be missed.

• It had been a difficult twelve months, with changed contractors making a slow start, then bad weather when snow and frost meant that roads were badly damaged. Only within the last two months had it been possible to timetable planned contracts and maintenance.


• Additional funds from central government had made up for some budget cuts.


• The dropped kerbs were to be done last year, then funding was cut but is now back in the programme. Councillor Goldsworthy said he hoped to be able to inform a parishioner with a particular need for such a kerb when this work will be done. The dropped kerb on Wellhead Lane which the parishioner uses is often blocked by a parked car. This is now an offence. A white line is possible but it is only advisory. Councillor Goldsworthy was to speak to a PCSO.


• Potholes - there are some in Nocton but there are some much worse in other places.


• The Chair said that a Schedule of Work would be most useful. Councillor Tyler was of a similar view.


• Councillor Williams said that she did not mind the roads not being lit as it slowed down the traffic but we are missing "cat's eyes". Mr Brown said that "cat's eyes" are not actually necessary where the highway is lit.


• Councillor Askew asked about the footways that were noted for repair two years ago but had not been done when those at Metheringham had been. Mr Brown said that work is undertaken by need. Councillor Rumbelow said that the bends in the village needed to be resurfaced.


• The Chair was impressed at the strategy during the very bad weather. The B1188 is a very busy road - could it be monitored carefully? It needs to be considered when any development proposals are submitted. The movement of HGVs through the village was discussed.


• Mr Brown had been in contact with Sowerby Homes with a view to adopting Nocton Park roads. The street lighting on The Park will also become the responsibility of LCC.


• There can be no ban on large vehicles using Wellhead Lane.


• The Chair thanked Mr Brown for attending the meeting. A further walk around the village would be arranged.