2022 Parish Council minutes of meetings

Minutes of Parish Council meeting 27th July 2022 at 7.15pm

held at Mareham le Fen Community Centre

Present: Cllrs M. Percival (Chair), P. Chilvers, K. Deane

Not Present: Cllrs D. Hill, S. Millen and P. Bourn

Clerk:    A. Everard

Members of Public present: 4

Public Forum

Member of the public wanted to thank the parish council for getting the new benches. Another resident raised ELDC 26B streetlight on Church Lane covered with leaves from nearby tree - the Clerk will report next day. A request was made by a member of the public to put double yellow lines at certain junctions to stop parking that blocked access – the Chair advised this had been taken up with the County Councillor Gray. Community Speedwatch was requested by a resident – the Chair advised this was already on this agenda.

There were no District or County Councillors present to give a report.

The Chair welcomed everyone and noted that this ordinary meeting had been delayed a week because the planned meeting had been inquorate with only Cllr Millen and Cllr Percival present.

143/22. Apologies for absence with reason given

Cllr Hill and Cllr Millen had both communicated good reasons for absence to the Clerk. Cllr Bourn had apologised for other social commitments.

144/22. Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and requests for dispensations

None

145/22. To receive the draft minutes to be approved as the minutes of the meeting held on 29th June 2022.

Cllr Deane proposed, Cllr Chilvers seconded and unanimously approved RESOLVED to adopt the draft minutes and the chair signed the minutes.

146/22. To consider any matters arising from the minutes of 29th June 2022 not already on this agenda.

The clerk advised that there had been no decisions made about the Shared Prosperity Funds yet. There was no update on the Community Asset nominations from ELDC other than a request for the minutes which the Clerk had asked for clarification in what form these had to be provided as they were already online and ELDC website did not provide any guidance on this.

147/22. To consider and comment on any local planning matters as a statutory consultee

• S/114/01622/21 - LAND AT MOAT FARM, WATERY LANE, MAREHAM LE FEN – ELDC decision awaited
• S/114/02220/21 - LAND ADJACENT CROESO, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN – The chair noted that there had been no change to plans and comments from Anglian Water had been added. ELDC decision awaited.
• S/114/01098/22 - MAREHAM LE FEN VILLAGE HALL, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, PE22 7RW – further public comments submitted regarding space to turn vehicles around and proximity to the bus stop.  ELDC decision awaited.
• S/114/01008/22 - SCARBOROUGH HOUSE, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, BOSTON, PE22 7QJ – Highways had commented. ELDC decision awaited.

148/22. To receive updates and approve any action to be taken on,

a) Cemetery – no change to the position with the solicitor to purchase the cemetery extension;

b) Benches – the concrete footings have been installed and the two new benches will be installed tomorrow.

c) Noticeboard – the old noticeboard removed and the new noticeboard has been affixed to the shop wall as specified.  More magnets needed and the quote seemed high.  Proposed Cllr Deane, seconded Cllr Chilvers and unanimously approved RESOLVED a budget of £35 (excluding VAT) for the Clerk to purchase additional magnets after consulting the Chair and Vice Chair after investigating if cheaper options existed.

d) Grass-cutting contracts – invoices now received for payment in next item.

e) Bus shelter – work to restore and decorate the fascias and soffits and install guttering due to be completed this week.

f) Playing Pitch field – no communications received.

149/22.  To consider and approve financial matters

Cllr Chilvers proposed, Cllr Deane seconded and unanimously approved RESOLVED to pay the above payments £3,390.97 plus VAT of £584.46.

149/22. To note items of correspondence – Noted LALC E-News, Police reports, Town and parish council news, email from LCC transport promotions about free bus pass promotion.  Cllr Chilvers proposed, Cllr Deane seconded and unanimously approved RESOLVED to obtain the posters and flyers. The Chair advised that she would like to see promotion of good health and the NHS apps which the Clerk will look into.

150/22. To receive updates, consider and approve any action on highways matters including Community Speedwatch working group meeting and feedback from walkabout meeting with Lincolnshire Highways.

The walkabout with LCC Highways is now re-booked for 22nd August 2022 1pm-3pm. Councillors asked to gather feedback and identify issues to bring to that walkabout.

Community Speedwatch (CSW) was discussed and it was proposed that the following were included in the application – Main Street, Fieldside East and West, School Lane, Horncastle Road, Watery Lane and Fen Lane.  The Chair advised she would organise an informal walk around the village to gather the information to complete the CSW application so that it could be worked out how many passive signs were needed and which poles could be used for permanent mountings for Speed Indicator Devices. Identifying these would allow the cost to be worked out. Informal walkabout to take place 15th August 2022 7pm starting from the Community Centre.

There were no other significant highway issues raised.

151/22. To consider appointments to external bodies, groups and to receive reports.

Cllr Millen had attended the recent meeting with the Play Area Group and asked the Chair of the Group present in the public area if he wished to give an update.  He said funds were being raised but still needed substantial grants. The Play Area Group hoped the parish council might be able to support the planning application to obtain a discount on the fees.  Quotes were being obtained to plan and cost the play equipment to be purchased. The height exceeded the 4metre limit at 4.1metres.

Cllr Deane proposed, Cllr Chilvers seconded unanimously approved RESOLVED to appoint Cllr Percival onto the Play Area Group

152/22. To note the felling of commemorative trees and approve actions to be taken if replacements are to be planted.

The parish council noted the loss of another commemorative tree last week at the junction of Revesby Corner and Main Street probably due to the record high temperature (40.3C recorded at Coningsby) and extended dry spell.  LCC had cut it down after branches fell off and it was feared that it was very unsafe for pedestrians.  Proposed Cllr Deane, seconded Cllr Chilvers and unanimously approved RESOLVED that the Clerk to investigate with Gleesons to see if they might donate 3 trees.

153/22. To meet and consider any applicants for co-option to the parish council following the Co-option Policy and Procedure. 

There were no applications to consider. There remained 3 vacancies to fill.

154/22. Date of the next meeting 17th August 2022 and items to be added to the agenda.

County Councillor Gray had arrived and advised that Platform Housing had restarted local scheme walkabouts and wondered if parish councillors would like to attend the walkabout on The Close on 22nd September at 11am. 

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting 8.30pm.