Minutes 15th January 2024
Minutes of Huttoft Parish Council held on Monday 15th January 2024 at Huttoft Village Hall commencing at 7:00pm
PRESENT: Cllrs. P Lapczuk (Chair), N Sylvester, R Walker, K Golightly, C Meaker, R Ganney & R Ward
IN ATTENDANCE: M Rudd (Clerk), Cllr S Devereux (ELDC), Cllr C Matthews (LCC) & 19 members of the public
4635. WELCOME:
The Chair welcomed Councillors and members of the public to the meeting. Due to the number of residents attending the meeting to specifically discuss one item, the Chair agreed to rearrange the order of the agenda. The Chair also advised attendees that the Council will move into ‘closed’ session after item 18 on the agenda to discuss a confidential commercial matter.
4636. APOLOGIES:
Apologies were received from Cllr G Marsh (ELDC).
4637. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
A resident raised concerns about the consistent flooding of drains on Mumby Road and Alford Road. Both have previously been logged on FixMyStreet. Cllr Matthews (LCC) requested the reference numbers and agreed to follow up both issues.
A resident raised concerns regarding car parking near the school and the junction of Alford Road and Mumby Road. The Clerk ask to be sent copies on photographs of poorly park vehicles and agreed to write to the School Head.
4638. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS:
Cllrs C Meaker declared an interest in items 9(b), 10, 16 & 20. Cllrs R Ganney and N Sylvester declared an interest in item 16.
4639. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF 13th NOVEMBER 2023:
Proposed, Seconded & RESOLVED that the minutes, having been circulated and read, were approved and signed by the Chair
4640. CLERKS REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS:
None.
4641. CLAIMED PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY:
A number of residents raised concerns regarding letters they had received in November 2023 from the “Ramblers Lincolnshire & Nottingham Don’t Lose Your Way Coordinator” notifying them of potential rights of way through or near their properties.
Cllr Lapczuk advised residents that the Parish Council had contacted Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and have been advised that over 300 applications had been made in the last three years and there are currently 445 outstanding cases subject to a legal process that could take many years to resolve. Cllr Lapczuk empathised with resident’s concerns and said the Parish Council fully supported residents.
Cllr Matthews (LCC) explained to the residents the position of the County Council on this matter and that such claims may take many years to be reviewed. Cllr Matthews did recommend to residents that where clear evidence is available that a claim is spurious, the residents should write to LCC to ask for the application to be withdrawn.
Following this item, 12 members of the public left the meeting.
4642. TO RECEIVED REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES:
Cllr C Matthews (LCC) discussed the on-going ‘Devolution in Greater Lincolnshire’ consultation and the potential changes to local government. Cllr Matthews also noted that LCC would be investing £9m in repairing the road from Sandilands to Chapel St Leonards, and the proposed footpath between the School car park and Huttoft Service Station is currently scheduled for works in the second quarter of 2024/25.
Cllr S Devereux (ELDC) noted that support for local community groups is continuing; changes to the council tax support scheme is currently under consultation and support for initiatives such as ‘warm spaces” would continue.
Following this item, Cllr Matthews (LCC) left the meeting.
4643. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
Payments for Approval:
Clerks Printing Costs - £8.98
SCIS Ltd - Gov.uk email account - £7.92
Green Waste Bin Subscription - £50.00
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve all payments
Clerks Salary:
LALC notified the Parish Council that the Local Government National Pay Award which will be effective from 1st April 2023 had been agreed. As a result, the Clerks salary would increase to £2742.60 per annum.
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Pay Award
Quarterly Finance Report & Bank Reconciliation Report – noted by Councillors.
4644. BUDGET & PRECEPT 2024/25:
Cllr Lapczuk advised the meeting that the Parish Council continued to face challenges trying to maintain services due to price increases. In December 2023, Councillors reviewed the existing income, expenditure and reserves, and proposed a Precept of £8435 for 2024/25. This would represent an overall increase of £1145.
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to increase the Precept and agree the reallocation of Council Reserves.
4645. PLANNING MATTERS:
Outer Dowsing Wind Project – Pre-Application Statutory Consultation – no comments
N/089/02366/23 Land Opposite Olcote Farm Caravan Farm, Sea Lane – application supported but comments ensuring facility users do not park on Sea Lane and dog waste bins should be provided. Comments sent to ELDC.
N/110/01144/23 Creation of Wetlands, Sandilands – full planning granted – noted by Councillors.
4646. VISTA AT THE BOATSHED CAFÉ / TOILETS:
Cllr Walker presented a report regarding the issues experience by visitors over the Christmas and New Year period. The Council had also received two formal complaints from visitors regarding the closure of the toilets. This matter has now been resolved. A potential issue with the defibrillator is currently being investigated.
4647. HUTTOFT PRIMARY SCHOOL VISIT:
Cllr Golightly met with members of the School Council to discuss what is it like to live and go to school in Huttoft and specifically, the school’s ambition to be a healthier school. The school raised a number of ideas to improve health including walking to school, better use of the playing field, improved walks and pathways, and games clubs for young people. Councillors welcomed the views of the children and hope to facilitate some of the ideas put forward.
4648. COUNCIL RESILIENCE PLAN:
Due to time constraints, this item was postponed until the next Parish Council meeting.
4649. HUTTOFT CAR TERRACE:
Cllr Walker presented a report on the car terrace. The main issues include the build-up of sand on the car parking area and covering yellow lines. Concerns over signage in and around Sea Lane in the light of upcoming construction works. A copy of the report to be sent to Cllr Matthews (LCC).
4650. PLAYING FIELD UPDATE:
Cllr Ganney noted that approximately £4100 was needed to repair the play equipment in the playground. Cllr Devereux (ELDC) said some funding was available from ELDC, but this must be part of a long-term funding plan and would put Cllr Ganney in contact with the relevant officer from ELDC.
4651. HUTTOFT VILLAGE HALL:
Cllr Meaker advised that the Village Hall Committee was meeting on Friday 19th January to discuss next year’s activities and also options for new funding.
4652. FRIENDS OF ST MARGARETS CHURCH:
Cllr Ganney updated the Council on the on-going funding bids needed to raise funds to repair the church. Bids so far had been very successful. An additional quote for repairs to the church tower had been obtained. The Christmas Eve Concert in the church was very successful with over 50 residents attending.
4653. TO RESOLVE WHETHER THE COUNCIL WILL MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLIC BODIES (Administration to Meetings) ACT 1960:
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to move into a closed session.
All members of the public left the meeting.
4654. COUNCIL GRASS-CUTTING TENDER 2024-2026:
Councillors reviewed the submitted tenders and agreed to carry out a review of alternative options in the light of significant budget constraints. The Clerk to notify all those who submitted tenders of the outcome.
4655. ANY OTHER MATTERS:
Cllr Ganney expressed concerns over the poor quality of road markings throughout the village. It was agreed to submit via FixMyStreet.
4656. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday 15th February 2024
4657. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9:15pm