2024 Parish Council Resolved Minutes

Minutes of the Frithville with Westville Parish Council Meeting held at Frithville Village Hall on Tuesday 12th March 2024 commencing at 7.30pm

PRESENT:    Cllr J Portess presiding as Chairman
Cllr C Roberts         Cllr J Maidens            Cllr N Portess    
Cllr A Crawford        Cllr S Smith            Cllr G Petchell
Cllr B Needs
        
ELDC Cllr N Jones (left at 8.13pm)        
LCC/ELDC Cllr T Ashton (left at 8.13pm)            

Clerk – S Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There was one member of the public in attendance – Nicola Hughs of No Pylons Lincolnshire of which she gave a report on the National Grid proposed pylons to be erected in Lincolnshire and the campaign associated with this in objecting to the plan.

1.     REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN
Cllr J Portess welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN
All Parish Councillors were in attendance.

3.     TO RECEIVE ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LOCALISM ACT 2011, AND TO CONSIDER ANY APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATIONS IN RELATION TO DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS
No declarations were received.

4.     NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 16th JANUARY 2024 TO BE APPROVED AS THE MINUTES AND TO BE SIGNED BY THE CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr Needs and resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record.

5.     REPORT FROM ANY OUTSIDE BODIES
LCC/ELDC Cllr Ashton reported the following information:
•    Both County Council and District Council are going to respond to the National Grid proposal and the impact of the views on and around the Wolds and how significant this area is.
•    The proposed LCC Budget has been approved.
•    Devolution is an agenda item on the next LCC Meeting scheduled for 16th March 2024.
•    Looking into the Council houses access along West Fen Drainside to see who has the responsibility for the road following LCC stipulating it is not within their remit.

ELDC Cllr Jones reported the following information:
•    The ELDC budget has been set at 3.6% equivalent to £4.95 per Band D property. The Drainage boards have indicated that they will be increasing their portion by 20%.
•    Money is available through a Towns Fund for investments in villages who have a specific project which is in addition to the Councillor’s Grant.
•    Talks are continuing with MPs in relation to the drainage fees to be removed from the Council Tax and be funded separately either by the Government or on their own resonances.
 
6.     POLICE MATTERS
According to the Police.UK website:
During December 2023 no incidents were reported

During January 2024 two incidents were reported
One incident of Violence and sexual offence was reported on or near to Staunt Road – Awaiting court outcome.

One incident of Public Order was reported on or near to West Fen Drainside – Under Investigation

7.    FINANCIAL MATTERS
a.    Financial Report
The balance before any payments is made is £5985.98 and that of the Reserve Account is £4225.77.

b.    To approve payments to be made

It was proposed by Cllr Petchell, seconded by Cllr Smith and resolved that these payments should be made.

The RFO put forward that following the approval of the payments that due to be sufficient funds in the Treasury account until the Precept is received to transfer £2000 to the Reserve Account in which interest is paid. Due to this being an Instant Access account it was resolved that this was a suitable request.

8.    PARISH MATTERS
a.    National Grid Proposed Pylons
Cllr J Portess thanked Nicola Hughes for her work in raising awareness regarding the proposal and the banner which has been placed on the bridge to notify passersby, along with Clare Williamson for providing information. He conveyed that anyone’s views can be responded to online.

b.    Car Park Maintenance 2024/2025 Tender
A quote was received from TA Blackamore Ltd of which the Parish Councillor had not objection to the increase. They asked if an additional quote for the hedge could be submitted to be done after nesting season.
In association with grass cutting of the bankside Andy Clark from Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board would like to meet to assess the issue of the banks being maintained.

9.     HIGHWAYS
a.    Grit Bin – Fishtoft Drove
Tim Hunter from LCC Highways contacted the clerk as he had received a concern of the crushed Grit Bin on the verge opposite the junction of Fishtoft Drove along West Fen Drainside. He would like to replace this but feels that its current location is unsuitable to be reinstalled and would like to site it either on the verge outside Corner Cottage near to the tree or further down near to the property entrance adjacent to the weight limit sign. The councillor’s views were to have this sited by the tree being this is nearer to the junction but asked the clerk to write to the resident to see if they had a preferred option.

An email has been received from the Chair of the PTA of Frithville Primary School requesting for a speed indicator device to be installed outside the school and asking permission to have a Community Speed Watch Scheme.  The Councillors agreed to support the school’s proposal to have a Community Speed Watch Scheme.

It was reported that there is a pothole on the bridge.

10.    PLANNING
a.    S/054/00158/24- Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation – 2 Coronation Cottage, Canister Lane, Frithville
There was no objection to this planning application.

Three additional planning applications were received since the setting of the agenda which were circulated to the Planning Forum at the meeting for their observations.
i.    N/054/00228/24 – Change of use of agricultural land to create an extension to an area of hardstanding for the storage of containers, caravans, plant and materials and creation of secure external storage yards between shipping containers within the approved hardstanding, existing embankments and landscaping strips to be extended and erection of 2m high palisade fencing (some works already commenced) – Land west of Riverside Cottage, Trader Bank, Frithville
ii.    S/054/00084/24 – Erection of a replacement dwelling and detached garage on the site of an existing dwelling which is to be demolished . Conversion of, extensions and alteration to existing joiners’ workshop to form an attached annexe. Change of use of land from commercial to domestic to extend the existing domestic curtilage – Westmead, West Fen Drainside, Frithville
iii.    S/054/00307/24 – Consent to Display – 1no. internally illuminated fascia sign (signs 1), 1no. internally illuminated free standing double sided totem sign (sign 2), 1no. non illuminated wall mounted sign (sign 3), 1no. internally illuminated wall mounted sign (sign 4), 1no. existing internally illuminated fascia sign reduced in size (sign 5) and 1no. existing internally illuminated totem sign (to remain in situ) (sign 6) – Drayton Motors, Frith Bank, Frithville

b.    Report on any Planning application Information/Decisions
There were no information or decisions to report.

11.    CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence has been received:    
•    Email from LCC re Budget and Council Tax Proposal 2024/25 
•    LALC e-news 23rd February and 8th March 2024 
•    ELDC Media Release - District Council sets priority areas for investment for the district and continuation of council tax support scheme 
•    ELDC Town & Parish February 2024 Newsletter 
•    LCC Town & Parish February 2024 Newsletter 

12.    ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY
Cllr N Portess asked where the new noticeboard was. He was informed that this had been delivered and waiting to be fitted at the current one’s location.

Cllr N Portess also informed that the post box is still leaning.

Cllr J Portess informed that he has received a verbal quote for £200 in relation to the Goal Post and bench in the Playing Field to be shotblasted.

The fence at the adjacent property to the Village Hall has been removed due to being unrepairable following a car accident.

Cllr Needs reported that the kerb outside Mrs Millers needs levelling as a large pothole has formed and residents walking by have been drenched by passing traffic.
 
13.    DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next scheduled Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 14th May 2024 following the Annual Parish Meeting being held beforehand.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 9.16pm