Minutes 17th September 2020
WILLOUGHBY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
17th September 2020
Present: Cllrs Eyre (Chairman); Aston; White; Talbot-Jones; Hale; Pridgeon; Havell
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
1 Member of the public
All councillors, Clerk and member of the public observed social distancing.
Public Session
The member of the public asked for an update on actions taken regarding the flooding issue on Bonthorpe Road/Church Lane. He was disappointed that after a year no firm visible action seemed to have been taken by the relevant authorities. It was noted that a jetting vehicle had attended twice and found the drain under the road blocked. Anglian Water had been on site and told the member of the public that the overflow flood water would be taken into the Anglian Water system, it was felt that Lincolnshire County Council Highways needed to address their issues. The Clerk read out e mail from Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board which stated that they had carried out some work and were looking to adopt culverts in the area to enable them to do any further necessary works.
9. APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr Fairfield and these were accepted.
10 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none
11 NOTES OF THE MEETING HELD 16TH JULY 2020
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these minutes as a correct record.
12 UPDATE FROM THOSE MINUTES
The Clerk confirmed that whilst she had populated the new website, LCC had subsequently advised that all documents must be in html web format and not PDF downloads. This meant additional work in re-formatting documents to comply. Therefore at present the site only contained current and future documents in the correct format, older documents were still in PDF and would be converted over time. As the website was actually an area embedded within LCCs website, the address was not a “www” address but a “https” address:
Https://Willoughby-district.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk which meant some parishes having their own domain name would not be able to link that name to the new site.
13 LCC/ELDC UPDATES
There was no LCC councillor present
Cllr Eyre updated members in his capacity as ELDC Councillor – a lot of staff were still working from home which sometimes meant delays in getting responses, meetings were still being held via Zoom.
14 FLOODING UPDATE
This had been covered in the public session, e mail from Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board advised that the Board was working with landowners and removed a willow tree and several root balls blocking the culvert. The Board hoped to adopt a stretch of culvert and install a new stretch of riparian watercourse to help drainage out of Willoughby.
15 UPDATE ON THE DEFIBRILLATOR, SLOOTHBY
Cllr Havell informed members that the unit had been ordered and should be installed shortly. Maintenance would be undertaken by British Heart Foundation.
The Chairman and members thanked Cllr Havell for all his work, together with Cllr Fairfield and the residents of Sloothby who had raised the funds to cover purchase and installation and insurance.
16 PLAYING FIELDS
The Swing had been repaired by Wicksteed. The actual invoice was dearer than the quote as Wicksteed engineers carried out the work, this meant the work was done to their high standard and their indemnity should it fail shortly after repair.
The Playing Field equipment was still effectively closed due to Covid, but as there was no barrier around people were using the equipment.
17 ALLOTMENTS
The Clerk had circulated the report with the agenda and the following was discussed and agreed:
1. It was resolved to accept the quote from Hi Lite signs for a sign on the gate advising that the allotments were owned and managed by Willoughby Parish Council with the council’s gmail address for queries.
2. Cllr Talbot-Jones would look at clearing the ivy from the gate post and hinges to see if that would enable the gate to be closed if needed.
3. A site meeting to be arranged for members to look at the state of the access road, Cllr Talbot-Jones suggested “MOT1” type surface being laid. It was felt that the access was not an official vehicular access to the allotments, but was used mainly to carry water and tools by tenants.
4. It was resolved to accept Welton Garden Services quote of £650 ex VAT to clear vegetation and pollard hazel trees on the boundary between residential property and the allotments and also request Welton Garden Services strim the boundary of the allotments to tidy it up.
5. No decision on the structure on one of the plots which appeared abandoned.
6. The structure housing cockerels on one of the plots – the tenant had been contacted several times but not responded, rent had been paid. Another tenant had dealt with the rat problem.
7. Fence panels – it was felt these had been removed to allow access by the grass cutter. Cllr Aston will look and confirm.
8. It was agreed to look at clearing the overgrown plots in the spring.
It was also agreed that Cllr Talbot-Jones would look into what grant opportunities there was available to cover improvements to the allotments and also any for the Playing Field.
18 FINANCE
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid by BACS:
Clerks salary & PAYE (Aug/Sept) £306.32
Clerks expenses (April – Sept) £ 64.40
Welton Garden Services (July) £804.00
Welton Garden Services (August) £318.00
Wicksteed repairs £759.84
19 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerks and Councils Direct
LALC Annual Report (sent out by email)
20 PLANNING
The following applications to be discussed:
1435/20 – Coastal Zone Development Plan (to allow permitted development for some works to existing holiday sites) – No observations
Hedgerow removal – land between Well and Willoughby – no observations.
The following responses had been sent to applications received between meetings:
N/208/01075/20 Mill House, Sloothby Road Willoughby – Dog exercise area, kennels (PC objected -application withdrawn)
N33/1248/20 – Claxby St Andrew – new agricultural building to replace existing (PC – no objection) (approved)
N208/1233/20 – Trevenwith, Alford Road, Willoughby – Erection detached house with triple garage (existing house to be demolished) (PC – no objection) (amended plans – no objection)
N208/1357/20 – Adj Roma Cottage – Erection of a detached house. (comments submitted – out of character, difficult/unclear plans to follow, incorrect out of character bricks proposed, overbearing, includes land not in applicants ownership, trees shown are within adjacent plot; pergola too large, potential to overlook adjacent property, if approved would request permitted development rights removed; further observation – within open countryside and in an unsustainable location)
21 POLICIES
The following policies circulated to members were approved:
Standing Orders (amended to allow for BACS payments)
Financial Regulations (amended to allow for BACS payments)
Risk Assessment (amended to include Playing Field)
Asset List
Code of Conduct of Members
Data Protection Code
The Allotment policy was discussed and to be amended to remove item relating to no livestock and to amend item relating to abandoned plots. To be discussed further at next meeting.
22 ANY OTHER MATTER
It was noted that several “free range” chickens were ranging onto the lanes around the sheds.
Welton Garden Services to be asked to look at the Oak tree on the corner of the green.
One lime tree planted earlier in the year appeared to be dying.
23 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was agreed (Government restrictions permitting) to be 15th October 2020.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm