June 11 2019 - Minutes
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, Nocton Parish Council held in The Hive, Wasps Nest, on Tuesday, 11 June 2019 at 7:00 pm
PRESENT: Cllr Ian Goldsworthy (Chair), Cllr Elisabeth Murray (Vice Chair), Cllr N. Faulkner, Cllr P Johnston-Davis, Cllr G Jones, Cllr J Kania, Cllr Michael Kaye.
Also present: DCllr N Byatt, CCllr R Oxby
7 members of the Public
The Chair welcomed Cllr P Johnston-Davis and DCllr N Byatt as newly elected members of the Parish and District Councils respectively.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No questions had been received at this time.
363
APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies had been received from the Clerk, reason accepted, and DCllr L Pearson.
364
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST ON ANY ITEM ON THE AGENDA
Cllr G Jones declared an interest in agenda item 9 (minute 371).
365
MINUTES
a) It was noted that in item 350 the reference to “minute 359 a) iii” should read “minute 359 a) ii”; and that in item 354 “many spent” should read “many hours spent”.
b) With these amendments it was proposed by Cllr M Kaye, seconded by Cllr G Jones and it was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 14 May 2019 were taken as read and signed as correct.
366
REPORTS OF REPRESENTATIVES
a) Local Police – The police report had been received. Between 15 May – 10 June 2019 there were two recorded crimes; one of vehicle interference, which was dealt with by means of a fixed penalty notice, and an assault on a resident following a complaint to the offenders of antisocial behaviour, which remains under investigation. Cllr Jones expressed concern over the length of time before the alert informing residents was circulated as several people had seen the offenders at the time. He also expressed concern over the limited policing resource available; there is only one PC and one PCSO for 17 villages and the support is likely to be reduced further when the Bracebridge Heath Police Station closes. It was proposed by Cllr G Jones, seconded by Cllr J Kania and it was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to the Chief Constable of Lincolnshire expressing concern.
b) District Councillors – DCllr N Byatt reported that he and DCllr L Pearson plan to set up surgeries for residents. Cllr J Kania suggested that this be done in conjunction with the monthly WI coffee morning.
c) County Councillor – CCllr R Oxby had submitted his report by email, which will be circulated and posted onto the website. He summarised the Annual Report presented at LCC’s Annual Council Meeting and informed residents that LCC’s Chairman for the coming year will be CCllr Tony Brooks, with CCllr Michael Brookes as his deputy. Cllr N Faulkner raised concerns as to when the postponed repairs to Nocton’s roads would take place, and why the Wragby Road works in Lincoln had not been postponed as Wragby Road forms part of the diversion route for many people while Bardney bridge is closed. Cllr G Jones asked for information regarding the reported overspends on the new shared fire and police station in Lincoln and on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass; CCllr R Oxby did not think the reports were accurate but undertook to investigate and report back.
367
ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIOS TO PARISH COUNCILLORS
This item was taken after item 372; DCllr N Byatt, CCllr R Oxby and four members of the public left the meeting at this point.
It was proposed by Cllr E Murray, seconded by Cllr P Johnston-Davis and it was RESOLVED that the portfolios/areas of interest be allocated to individual Councillors as follows:
a) Financial Matters, Budget and Policy Cllr I Goldsworthy
b) Nocton School, Young People Cllr J Kania
c) Communication & publicity Cllr P Johnston-Davis
d) Nocton Hall Cllr G Jones
e) Crime and Prevention Cllr G Jones
f) Traffic and Highways removed
g) Arts removed
h) Nocton Park removed
It was considered that this portfolio is no longer required as the Nocton Park development and the older areas of the village are now much better integrated.
i) Village Hall Cllr M Kaye
j) Planning Cllr M Kaye
k) Environment (including wildlife) removed
l) Neighbourhood Plan Cllr E Murray
368
PARISH CLERK
a) The Parish Council noted the Clerk’s Report which had been circulated previously.
b) The Parish Council noted the Financial Report.
c) It was noted that the Audit documents had been submitted to PKF Littlejohn on 28 May 2019.
369
NOCTON VILLAGE HALL – PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT
a) The following updates on the proposed development were noted:
Cllr M Kaye reported that the variation to the Covenant has been agreed by the land owner and completed. The tree officer has repeatedly imposed new conditions other than those placed on the planning permission, but all conditions have now been discharged and the project can proceed. The Chair has raised concerns over this process with NKDC. Demolition is expected to start on 17 June. The fixed price contract has been much more beneficial to the Parish Council than penalty clauses as the builders will absorb any increased costs. The public defibrillator will be moved to remain accessible.
b) To consider the arrangements for the transfer of funds from NVHMC to the PC
Now that the start date has been confirmed, a meeting to discuss setting up the new manage body is required and the Parish Clerk will be asked to progress on her return from annual leave.
370
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Cllr E Murray reported that the Steering Group will meet on 3 July to discuss the way forward.
371
200 CLUB
The Parish Council considered an application from Nocton Social Club for £500 to provide materials for the refurbishment of the existing tables and chairs. It was proposed by Cllr M Kaye, seconded by Cllr J Kania and it was RESOLVED that the application be approved.
372
GRASS CUTTING - PARKLANDS AVENUE
The Parish Council considered a request from a resident that the Parish Council assumes responsibility for the cutting of grass in Parklands Avenue. The Parish Council has previously been advised that Parklands Avenue is not an adopted highway and that the land in question is owned by Persimmons. It was noted that the village keeper is not insured for work on land not owned by the Parish Council and that public funds cannot be used for work for private purposes. The only remedy available to the resident is to contact Persimmons.
373
PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND ISSUES
a) The Parish Council considered the following application and agreed to make no comment:
i. 19/0534/FUL Rushfield Lakes Station Road Potterhanworth
b) The following decisions received were noted:
i. 19/0325/HOUS Mere Oaks Cottage Plough Hill Potterhanworth Booths – approved
ii. 19/0423/HOUS Halls Barn The Green Nocton - approved
374
PROGRESS REPORTS OF PARISH COUNCILLORS
a) Cllr G Jones reported that:
The lawnmower has been repaired. Investigation had revealed that the cost of replacing it would be prohibitive. The current mower is adequate and the situation will be reviewed when it needs replacing.
b) Cllr J Kania reported that:
i. the Picnic on Green was a great success
ii. the National Ploughing Championships will be held in Nocton in October, hosted by Beeswax Dyson Farming.
iii. There has been no progress on the dead tree near the village green. CCllr R Oxby undertook to follow this up.
c) Cllr M Kaye reported that:
There has been no meaningful action on Plot 72A. DCllr N Byatt undertook to follow this up.
375
NOCTON PARISH COUNCIL – DATES OF FUTURE MEETING
It was noted that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 9 July at The Hive, Wasps Nest, 7pm.
Public Question Session
There were no public questions.
There being no further business the Chair closed the meeting at 20.11 pm
Chair………………………………………………..Date…………………………………………..
Nocton Parish Council – 11 June 2019