Scopwick Parish Council
Scopwick Parish Council Minutes
Minutes of Scopwick Parish Council Meeting held at 7.15 pm on Tuesday 27th January 2009 in Scopwick Village Hall.
Present: Councillor D Nelson Chairman
Councillor J Flett Vice-Chairman
Councillor P Baumber
Councillor J Woodward
Councillor L Mason
Councillor P Reeds
Councillor M Clayton
Mrs J Girling Clerk
9/2009 Welcome
The Chairman welcomed Cllr Whittle, Members and members of the public.
10/2009 Apology
Cllr Whittle gave Cllr Cartwright’s apologies as he was unable to attend due to illness.
11/2009 Reports from visiting Councillor
Cllr Whittle reported that Council Tax had increased by 2.5% on last year. Budget proposals would be presented at a meeting in Council Chamber on Thursday 29th January 2009.
12/2009 Declarations of Interest in accordance with Local Government Act 2000
Cllr D Nelson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 17 - Playing Field – spouse of Chairperson of Playing Field Committee
Cllr J Woodward declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 17 – Playing Field – spouse of Playing Field Committee member
13/2009 Notes
13/1/2009 It was resolved that the Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 25th November 2008 be approved as the minutes and signed as a true record.
13/2/2009 It was resolved that the Notes of the Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 6th January 2009 be approved as the minutes and signed as a true record.
14/2009 Clerks Report
The Clerk reported that the insurance had been updated to include the IT equipment, dog bins and various village gates. The Clerk reported that Trundle Lane was classed as a Priority 2 and as such was inspected every 2 years. The Clerk reported that the Freedom of Information document availability form was now on the website. Pc Daniels had reported a quiet period. The SID had now been delivered and would soon be put out in the parish. The Clerk reported that she had been unsuccessful in being awarded a grant from O2 towards the cost of a new village notice board.
15/2009 Finance
15/1/2009 It was resolved that the following accounts and cheques be approved for payment.
| Cheque No. | Payee | Service | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200096 | Draper Memorials | Engr. War Memorial | £52.88 |
| 200097 | P Baumber | Grass cutting | £684.73 |
| 200098 | H Cardy | VCS | £25.75 |
| 200099 | A Mitchell | Village Hall hire | £10.00 |
| 200100 | B & B Trees | Tree removal | £402.50 |
| 200101 | J Girling | Salary | £474.97 |
| 200102 | BT Payphones | KG Kiosk o’ship | £1.00 |
15/2/2009 It was resolved to subscribe to the LALC Annual Training Scheme 2009-2010. Action: DN
15/3/2009 A donation request had been received from the Lincolnshire Playing Fields Association. It was resolved to write to them with the suggestion that they circularise parish councils earlier in the year before the budget was set and to ensure background information was also enclosed. Action: JG
15/4/2009 The Clerk reported that £5.98 had been received from Central Networks for the wayleave facility.
16/2009 Code of Conduct
16/1/2009 It was resolved to adopt Paragraph 12(2) of the Code of Conduct which would allow a member to declare a prejudicial interest in a matter being discussed, but to have the same right as the public and to be able to speak on a matter, but to leave the room immediately after speaking.
16/2/2009 An invitation had been received from NKDC Member Services to attend a training session ‘to decipher the code’ at Billinghay on the 9th March 2009. The Clerk would attend. Action: JG
17/2009 Complaints Procedure
It was resolved to adopt a Complaints Procedure which was duly signed by the Chairman and Proper Officer and dated 27th January 2009.
18/2009 Metheringham Cluster Group
Cllr D Nelson gave a detailed report of the Metheringham Cluster Meeting held on 13th January 2009. A presentation was given by Stephen Hyde, from LIVES and it was resolved to contact Mr Hyde as a possible speaker for the Annual Parish Meeting.Action: JG
Information was also presented about the benefits of Parish Plans and it was resolved to request information which could be presented to members of the public at the Annual Parish Meeting. Action: JG
A projector and large portable screen had been purchased and was stored at Metheringham. This was available to borrow and it was resolved to display a notice in the village hall to this effect. Action: JG
19/2009 Adoption of Kirkby Green Telephone Kiosk
The Clerk reported that an application to adopt the Kirkby Green telephone kiosk had been completed and returned with a fee of £1 to British Telecom. As the electricity was an unmetered supply, a set charge would be made which would be in the region of £20 per annum.
20/2009 Correspondence
20/1/2009 LALC Training Events in 2009 – The Clerk gave details of the various courses which were available. The Clerk was requested to reserve seats on the following courses: ‘Councillor and Chairman’, ‘Engaging with Young People’ and ‘The Power of Well Being’ Action: JG
20/2/2009 A further communication had been received from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership with an invitation to attend an evening meeting to discuss grass verges. This was declined. Action: JG
21/2009 Beck Project
21/1/2009 Cllr D Nelson reported that some grass seeding would probably be necessary where the stones had been removed. Cllr. M. Clayton offered to donate the seed.Action: DN/MC
21/2/2009 It was resolved to replace the 2 trees which had been removed from the Village Green recently. It was resolved to enquire if it was possible to obtain these through the Lincolnshire County Council scheme. If this proved negative, it was resolved to purchase them from budgeted funds. Action: JG
22/2009 NKDC Parish Litter Picking Scheme
It was resolved to contact Potterhanworth Parish Council for guidance on administration of the scheme. Action: JG
23/2009 Quality Parish Council Scheme
The Clerk explained that most of the criteria to become a quality council was already in place. Test 4 on Communication required that the council produce and publish a regular newsletter to local people at least four times a year. Enquiries had been made and it would be possible to include a section of Scopwick ‘news’ in the MACLA Magazine which is produced four times per year. Action: JG
24/2009 Planning Applications
24/1/2009 Planning Application N/53/1104/08 – Mr H Henderson, The Old Farmhouse, 97 Main Street, Scopwick
Erection of outbuilding/shed at The Old Farmhouse, 97 Main Street, Scopwick – Planning permission granted
24/2/2009 Planning Application N/53/1076/08 – Mr and Mrs S Spink, 3 Bridge Lane, Scopwick
Demolish existing stable and store and erection of 2 no. stables at land adj 3 Bridge Lane, Scopwick – Planning permission granted
25/2009 Playing Field
All equipment in good condition. One bolt cover noticed missing on 18/1/09 to be replaced. About 9 mole hills appeared the top of field above football pitch on 11/1/09. No increase over following week. To clear and monitor. Further activity may require pest control. DN attended demonstration of safety testing on 30/11/08. Checklist of minor alterations to chain lengths noted and the PFA to organise alterations in line with ROSPA recommendations. A further supply of bark would be required in the next few months and it was resolved to obtain quotations once details of relevant companies had been received from the Chairman of the PFA. Action: JG
26/2009 Village Hall
26/1/2009 Cllr D Nelson reported that he, along with the Clerk, had attended a meeting on 5th January 2009 with Mr Parker and Mr Money of Blankney Estates. Although Blankney Estates were not willing to grant a long lease, they advised that they would probably review it on an annual/bi-annual basis. Mr Parker indicated that Blankney Estates were quite amenable to hard core being put down on the Meadow in order to create a car parking area. They would of course wish to be kept fully appraised of the situation.
26/2/2009 Cllr P Baumber advised that the next meeting of the VHMC was arranged for 8th March and the WREN grant would be considered on 19th March.
27/2009 Scopwick Notice Board
As the cost of a new notice board was very expensive and it had not been possible to secure a grant, it was resolved to attempt ‘in house’ restoration of the notice board.
Members
28/2009 Village Sign
Cllr D Nelson reported that the Village Art Group were to hold a competition to create the best design for a village sign. The possibility of resurrecting a village sign board project which had begun some years ago was discussed. It was proposed that the Clerk contact NKDC, via Mr P Scholey, to enquire if they were still prepared to fund this project. It was agreed to leave the ‘Interpretative Sign’ of the Beck flora and fauna in abeyance. Action: JG
29/2009 Parish Footpath Network
29/1/2009 A communication had been received from the Definitive Map section of LCC stating that although Public Footpath No. 9 in Scopwick was recorded on the Definitive Map, it currently affected a number of gardens. The anomaly had been noted but LCC did not propose to take further action to rectify the matter.
29/2/2009 A communication had been received from the Countryside Promotion Officer for NKDC who was looking at the possibility of creating a treasure trail in Scopwick to celebrate the anniversary of the launch of the Spires and Steeples trail. Cllr. J Woodward offer to meet the officer at a mutually convenient time. Action: JG
29/3/2009 Correspondence had been received from LCC requesting feedback of the Parish Paths Partnership (P3) Scheme. It was resolved to write to advise them that Public Footpath No. 4 had not been kept open, there was no bridge over the river and there was lots of rubble lying around. Action: JG
30/2009 Meeting dates
30/1/2009 The next meeting would be held on Tuesday 31st March 2009.
30/2/2009 It was resolved to hold the annual finance meeting to set the 2010/2011 budget on Tuesday 1st December 2009 at 7pm in Scopwick Village Hall.
Mrs Jean Girling
12 Clinton Way
Woodhall Spa
Lincoln LN10 6QW
Tel: 01526 353163
Email: scopwickclerk@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.macla.co.uk