SKPC February minutes
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
SOUTH KELSEY AND MOORTOWN PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON MONDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2022
IN SOUTH KELSEY VILLAGE HALL
Present: Messrs I Johnston, J Denniss, R Dinsdale, M Glenn, R Stimson, S Legg
CC T Smith
DC P Morris
Several members of the public in attendance
Prior to entering the hall a resident was at the back of the Clerk and said to others around – just look at them all sitting on the stage, laughing and swing their legs, its disrespectful.
The wife of the above person came up to the Clerk on the way into the hall, where it was very noisy and the acoustics are not good and said something and the Clerk responded I am deaf I cannot hear you. This was done twice, and on the third occasion she removed her mask and the Clerk said whatever you are saying I cannot hear you and I am not talking to you without a witness and walked away.
This was reported to the Parish Council straight away.
The same member of the public as in previous meetings stood up to complain once more about the Parish Council and the Clerk.
The wife of the member of the public again videoed a select section of the meeting.
He stated the draft Minutes of the 6 December 2021 were not true and should not be signed off, and could not comprehend what was written. The format and the production would be a court decision. It was stated there were 17 pages of the Minutes, but in fact there were only 10.
The dog fouling on Station Road Moortown had been reported and notices placed outside his house as being the offender and he could not comprehend the reasoning behind this.
The report of toxocariases was incorrect. It was stated that even if you picked up there was residue faeces left to contaminate young people. The faeces from puppies not being wormed was the only time when toxocariases would occur.
He stated there had been 125 cases of toxocariase reported over 12 months.
The Parish Council ask what was the age of these dogs, had they been wormed and what wormer was used.
The member of the public stated that the Parish Council had requested a copy of the video his wife took at a previous meeting (only a selected section was videoed) but had not even provided a memory stick to put in on.
The member of the public stated that Councillor Stimson had a complaint against him for what he had done at the time of the placing of the dog fouling notices. As the complaint is private and confidential as stated in the paperwork he had received, he had no excuse to state about this and was told so by the Chair and Clerk.
He stated the Clerk had said at a previous meeting she would not attend any training however, this was untrue. In a letter from this member of the public he asked the Clerk to confirm that she had refused, but the Clerk had not responded to this accusation.
He stated also there was a complaint against the Chair, again which is private and confidential as stated in the paperwork he would have received and again no excuse to say this and was told so by the Chair and the Clerk.
In the very long event from the first time the dog fouling was reported up until this time the Parish Council has never stated who the complainants were, or of whom it was about, but the member of the public has certainly ensured everyone knew and acted as though he was the guilty party.
Beasthorpe Farm
The resident at the dwelling next to where the proposed pig farm application at Beasthorpe Farm was for discussion gave a short account of the happenings at the farm. The sheds were originally for poultry and the applicant had carried out work to enlarge them for pig fattening units which is not permitted without Planning Permission.
It was understood piglets were to be transferred from the units at Brandy Wharf to Beasthorpe Farm bringing more traffic on narrow country roads.
There was concern about the smell from the piggery as there is at Brandy Wharf and also where the slurry would be spread as there is no mention of this in the application No consideration was being given to the dwellings near to the proposed piggery.
The Parish Council was aware the application would cause controversy in the local villages and agree to hold a separate meeting to discuss.
As it was confirmed the village hall would be available on Wednesday 16 February 2022 it was agreed to have the meeting then.
MINUTES
The Minutes from November in the section headed Precept required a change to a sentence stating an Election in 2022 to be removed. This was done and agreed by the Parish Council and the Minutes signed by the Chairman...
In the Minutes of 6 December 2021was a section relating to the comments made by a member of the public to which needed some clarification. As the next Minutes would not be until the meeting in February 2022 it was put to the vote to agree to leave this section in. The member of the public was shouting this was incorrect and was not a true record and threatened there would be another complaint going in. The Parish Council agreed the Minutes and they were signed by the Chairman.
CLERKS REPORT
The gritting routes for 2021-2022 had been checked and Brigg Road Moortown was included. An email was sent to the resident advising of this.
The notice for the Parish Council vacancies had been put on the Moortown notice board.
The Queens Jubilee and how to celebrate had been put on the Agenda for February.
The form for the receipt of a new copy of the Register of Electors had been signed and returned.
County Councillor Smith advised of the Highways large jobs and asked if there were any problems within the area. The drain on Waddingham Road continues to be unable to take water and the water spreads beyond half way across the road when it rains. It is believed to require some considerable amount of work as it appears to have broken down. Email CC Smith with further details. 1JS
Although a section of Thornton Road had been resurfaced the remainder had been left. It is understood that Highways were not to resurface the remainder as they had brought forward the work on the first part and had no intention of changing the schedule of work to do what was left. The Parish Council had pushed for work on Station Road Moortown and Thornton Road South Kelsey for some years. The Parish Council was asked by LCC Highways if they would give up work on both these roads so Brandy Wharf could be actioned. The response was no due to the Brandy Wharf road not being in the South Kelsey Parish but Waddingham.
FINANCE
SKV Hall – PC Invoices - £34.75 Park Invoices - £18.50 Total - £53.25
Anglian Water Invoices - .13p and £12.04 – Total – £12.17
All agreed for payment
The final completed precept form had been returned to WLDC.
PLANNING
A letter had been sent to Lincolnshire County Council Planning objecting to the two applications from Egdon requesting an extension of time. It was sent to the Chief Planning Officer who normally acknowledges receipt. Due to this not being received the email was sent again. Still no receipt so a call was made to LCC Planning and a conversation held with the Officer responsible for the Egdon applications. It was advised there had been some technical problems with emails but to send to the Officer direct. This was done and an acknowledgement received.
During this time there had been several emails from the leader of the group against Egdon asking if the Parish Council had actually sent a letter as it did no appear on the Planning portal at LCC. The letter had been sent with the explanation as to why it had not appeared on the Portal above.
Hunger Hill Moortown – application for wind turbine – extra time for consultation
Church Farm South Kelsey – Plot 1 Planning permission for detached dwelling with garage
Land off Brigg Road Moortown – application for dwelling, access and garden – extension of time for consultation
Pipeline - Elsham to Lincoln – extension of time for consultation
CORRESPONDENCE
IN
Resident – stated that at meeting it was said anyone is able to view the Parish Council
accounts on request and he was asking to see a copy of the last accounts.
What is spent to visit the bank in travel expenses and should the accounts
not provide this in detail
Resident – any progress on internet banking/bank failing to provide service switch to
another as every bank is providing internet service
Councillor attendance at meetings.
Confirm that he thought that the Clerk stated she refused to attend any training
Courses and if confirmed will speak to my employer WLDC about the matter
Resident – advising that the address on a Parish Councillors Register of Members Interest
forms was incorrect and he had not lived there since 2019. It was signed in
2015 and not been corrected. It stated that the Councillor had lived with his
Partner/spouse for several years and this person holds an amount of shares in
two local companies and this was not disclosed. It was also stated this was a
criminal offence to provide inaccurate or false information.
Resident – The resident did not like the fact that who owns what shares and who was a
Director of what company had nothing to do with the Parish Council and
progressed in the email to state what a “partner” of a Councillor was a Director
of.
The email was to be sent to the Monitor Officer at WLDC as she felt the Clerk
had not advised the Councillors of their legal responsibilities
Leader of LCC Councillor Hill – response to the complaint from the Parish Council in
relation to a complaint from a resident at Moortown
regarding the small wall outside Flinders House Station
Road
Resident – was not happy with the response from Councillor Hill in relation to the small
wall at Flinders House Moortown. It was felt that Highways were not taking
the responsibility seriously as a risk to pedestrians.
Resident – exchanged correspondence with Councillor Smith in relation to wall and that
no mention was made of the injury she sustained. She requested a copy of the
information exchanged with LCC and Councillor Smith.
It was stated she would request the information in the form of an FOI if
preferred
Resident – confirmation of if the Parish Council has a complaints procedure and where to
find it as he wished to make a complaint about one of the Parish Councillors
Edward Leigh MP – response as to why Elections are so expensive to hold
CLIP Learning in Partnership – available courses
CC Smith – letter from LCC Highways
WLDC - the Parish Council was asked if Poll cards were required for the Election
WLDC – Notice of Poll
Chairman Park group – had repaired two damaged palings on the park fence and put
several dog fouling notices on posts
Caistor Children’s Centre – details of Holiday Fun
NALC – Chief Executive’s bulletin
WLDC – Upcoming Events
LALC e-news
LALC Training Scheme 22/23
Resident – Register of Members Interest
YMCA News and updates 2022 including Sport England Activity Fund
NALC – report on 2021 local Elections
Littlethorpe bus shelters
WLDC Parish News
Glasdon Clearance and Ideal for the Queens Jubilee
NALC Newsletter including Covid 19 Plan B updates and Queens Platinum Jubilee
London Hearts – defibrillator grants
NALC Chief Executive’s bulletin
Cognitive publishing – What skills do Public Sector Leaders need to face the Challenges Ahead? Learning for Development Event
NALC Newsletter
Gibson’s ‘Home and Garden Services – grass cutting
NALC e-news
First – LGA monthly magazine
NALC – Chief Executive’s bulletin
Market Rasen and Caistor Children’s Centres timetable
NALC Newsletter – Digital communications consultation
Caistor Police – Newsletter – priorities from January for 3 months – The Fatal 4 contributory factors of vehicle collisions in our area – mobile phones, speeding, seat belts and drink/drug driving
LALC – e-news – LCC has its maintenance funding from the Government cut by £12m. Cllr Hill Leader of LCC is disappointed the highways fund has been cut by 25%. The £12m would have paid for 24,000 potholes and rebuilding 37 miles of deteriorating roads per year. The Department of Transport is looking at the funding allocations for 2022-2023 LCC is calling on the Government to repair the £12mpothole left in our roads
Parish Newsletter
WLDC – Final Newsletter of 2021 Leader’s update – Covid update, WLDC opening times over Christmas, waste collections, volunteers to work with Age UK to support residents in care homes by helping their friends and families to have Covid-safe visits
YMCA News updates – Good Neighbourhood scheme is going well with different groups supporting vulnerable groups in their area
BHIB –Councils Insurance – is the Parish Council looking to update
WLDC – Christmas and New Year waste collections
Zurich Insurance – Happy Christmas and opening dates
Land Registry’s newsletter – changes to fees, Christmas opening hours
Broxap – new planters
First – LGA monthly magazine
WLDC – Notice of election
Power for the People – Big Christmas Challenge fundraising to continue the work of Empowering Energy Schemes debate in Parliament and the Energy Minister committed to meeting with the Local Electricity
Bill’s Sponsors to discuss improvements to the Bill
WLDC – West Lindsey Safety Advisory Group (SAG) for advice if holding a Queens Jubilee Event
NALC - Job vacancies
NHS Lincolnshire Public Consultation
Leader of the group against the Egdon applications – list of some of the reasons for objecting to the applications
LALC – e-news – New Clerks training, recruitment
NALC – Breakthrough Communications – talk about how local councils can make communications a strategic function
Woodland Trust – caring for your trees
WLDC Enforcement- acknowledgement to the Parish Council for the complaint about the soil on the verge on Caistor Road South Kelsey
OUT
Resident – response that should he wish to view the accounts a suitable date would have to be arranged as the village hall would need to be booked. There have been problems with Lloyds bank , however to find another bank to take on Parish Council accounts seems impossible as none are accepting Internet banking is being considered without the personal details of the Clerk having to be included. Travel costs to attend the bank £20, all other costs have been born by the Clerk. A Parish Councillor may be absent from meetings for 6 months and this time may be extended providing this is agreed by the Council
Resident – advising that WLDC had previously at the time been advised of the change of address of the Parish Councillor and a reminder of the change had been sent. The details of who owns what shares and where are nothing to do with the Parish Council and are private.
Resident – a copy of the response from Councillor Hill had been sent to the resident in Moortown in relation to the small wall at the front of Flinders House
Resident – yes the Parish Council does have a complaints procedure and a copy was sent to the resident
WLDC Enforcement - soil on the Highways verge that has been there at least since August 2021. No further responses from Enforcement or Environment. DC Morris contacted reference the problems.
WLDC - response as yes to poll cards at an extra expense of 43p per Elector at more Expense
Rural Payments Agency – responding to the request from the Parish Council if two sites had the same Parish number, but not giving a proper answer
Gibson’s’ Home and Garden Services – thanking for the information re services offered but the Parish Council had a five year contract for grass cutting and grounds person
WLDC – confirmation on the Election when more than 10 residents have requested an Election
Leader of the group against the applications – thanking for the list of objections to the applications
MATTES ARISING
No comment in the responses to the resident had been stated as to asking the Clerk to confirm to him what he thought was what she said regarding training courses, not what she actually said.
At the time of change of address of the Parish Councillor a letter was sent to WLDC advising of this, however this had not been updated. Another letter had been sent to WLDC regarding this and requesting an update on the form.
Referring to who owns the shares, it is up to the Parish Councillor to put the details on the Register of Interest Forms and the Clerk cannot hold the pen and make them write what someone else would like to see them write. This is personal to each Councillor and they each are aware of their responsibilities.
When the detail of the letters were read out about the Register of Interest form the Parish Councillor was asked he wished to make a comment. He stated that his and his “partner”
Business affairs were completely separate and had nothing to do with anyone else.
As the letter from Councillor Hill in relation to the small wall was insufficient for the resident she stated she would use an FOI to get the information. No time had been given to respond and this was taken as veracious.
She stated no mention to Councillor Smith had been given to her injury, but in the original letter it stated no medical treatment was required. The complaint had been about the small wall at Flinders House which we understand has been in position for some considerable time and this is what was reported to Highways.
The Parish Council is awaiting a response from WLDC through Edward Leigh as to why the Elections are so expensive.
Apology from Enforcement reference the soil on the Highways verge that has been there since at least August 2021. DC Morris had contacted them due to the delay and the no response to the Parish Council. The farmer was unable to cut his hedge of clear out the dyke. The soil has now been removed.
The email from CC Smith advised about the two Fix my Street complaints the Parish Council had put in regarding footpaths. The Brigg Road to Caistor Road and the area by Forge close were in need of repair and removal of moss. Highways had responded that the areas had been assessed and the footpath is listed for patching (minor defect repair) followed by slurry sealing of the footway.
The Notice of Poll were put on both notice boards and website
A letter had originally sent to the RPA asking if the Parish numbers were different for both sites, one in Moortown and the other in South Kelsey, or held under the same one.
The same feed wagons etc were being used at both so it was important to know if the numbers were the same due to the correct procedure being taken.
RPA had responded asking if rural grants were being claimed or not, but this was not the answer to the question asked.
The Register of Members Interest forms had the individual addresses of each Councillor.
Unfortunately the use of these was continually being abused as all correspondence must go through the Clerk
Details of the Sport England grant had been forwarded to the Chairman of the Park Group.
The Children’s Centre timetable would have been put on both notice boards but they have no space left due to the lengthy number of pages of Minutes due to a residents continued complaint about dog fouling. This has been continuous since September 2021 just because dog fouling notices were put up to remind people to pick up after their dogs. which the Parish Council believes to be a positive move.
The list of objections to the Egdon applications had been forwarded to the Parish Councillors
Playing field
The Chairman of the Park Group reported that the Parish Council had now been able to get the name of the charity changed to South Kelsey Park. This had taken some time as the Charity Commission was running behind with work.
Now the name change was complete the group could now apply for a bank account. The details had been updated on the form and a copy of the governance document supplied from the Parish Council to go along with the application.
There had been a considerable amount of dog fouling in the playing field so the Chairman had requested some of the stick on notices from the Parish Council. He had erected signs with the dog fouling notices around the children’s play area in the hope the fouling would stop.
A member of the public had stated only one notice was required at the entrance. He was advised by the Chairman that hopefully several would ensure they would be seen.
The member of the public was advised this was not public participation time and not to speak, however he said the Parish Council had allowed another member of the public to speak. The Chairman of the Park group was in attendance to give an update on how things were progressing with the group and had been requested by the Parish Council to do so.
The field is being checked weekly by Councillor Stimson with any problems noted and rectified. The mole runs/hills were less visible but still needed assessing so they could be filled.
The Park Group was having a clothing sale in the village hall on 26 February 2022 and the Lincolnshire Fish Fryer was going to be in attendance in the car park.
There is to be an Easter Egg hunt also.
The Group had received a quotation for the Children’s play area equipment which included the fencing and the total cost came to £105K.
The Highways Volunteer scheme which the Parish Council had been successful in winning would be used for labour.
The seat on the outside of the play area had a spell missing from back.
The Queens Jubilee celebrations would be a 3way event with the Park Group, village hall and the Parish Council taking part. A decision was yet to be made as to what type and once in agreement an application was to e put into WLDC for a grant.
Defibrillator
The defibrillator in South Kelsey has the lock on its outside sticking which has been reported to WLDC.
QUICKLINE
Council Glen advised that the service would be commenced during March and each household visited. This was originally to be done in January but had fallen by.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 9.45 pm. The next meeting will be held on Monday 7 March 2022 at 7.30pm in South Kelsey Village Hall.