2022 Parish Council minutes of meetings

Minutes of Parish Council meeting 17th August 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: 2

Public Forum

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

155/22. Apologies for absence with reason given

Apologies with good reason given by Cllr Millen and Cllr Hill and Cllr Bourn had a social engagement.

156/22. Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and requests for dispensations

None

157/22. To receive the draft minutes to be approved as the minutes of the meeting held on 27th July 2022.

A factual error was identified in the draft so approval was deferred to the next meeting.

158/22. To consider any matters arising from the minutes of 27th July 2022 not already on this agenda.

The Clerk advised that he had not heard from ELDC regarding the Community Asset nominations or progress on the Shared Prosperity Fund applications. Clerk was to contact Gleesons if attendance at a  meeting was possible.

159/22. To consider and comment with material considerations on any local planning matters as a statutory consultee

• S/114/01622/21 - LAND AT MOAT FARM, WATERY LANE, MAREHAM LE FEN –

            ELDC decided 4/8/2022 – approved with conditions

• S/114/02220/21 - LAND ADJACENT CROESO, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN –

            No ELDC decision yet

• S/114/01098/22 - MAREHAM LE FEN VILLAGE HALL, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, PE22 7RW –

           ELDC decided 2/8/2022 – approved with conditions

• S/114/01008/22 - SCARBOROUGH HOUSE, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, BOSTON, PE22 7QJ –      

           ELDC decided 5/8/22 – approved with conditions.

• S/114/01392/22 - LAND ADJACENT THE COTTAGE, BEGGARS LANE, MAREHAM LE FEN - Planning Permission - Erection of a bungalow with integral garage. – while the building itself was acceptable the location may be an issue and local residents raised significant concerns which the council would agree with.  It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to oppose the planning application and the Clerk to submit comments to ELDC.

160/22. To consider and approve adoption of the LGA/ELDC Code of Conduct, Grant Awards and Donation Policy and amendments to the Standing Orders.

It was proposed and seconded and approved RESOLVED to adopt the LGA/ELDC Code of Conduct and Grant Awards and Donation Policy.  Consideration of amendments to Standing Orders were deferred to a later meeting.

161/22. To receive updates and approve any action to be taken on,

a) Cemetery – to receive an update from the council’s solicitor regarding the purchase of land to extend the cemetery; to receive and consider the Tier 1 hydrological risk assessment; to consider work programme for the Cemetery Committee.

Establishing title was holding up the land purchase.  A draft Tier 1 hydrological risk assessment was almost ready for distribution.  A draft agenda for the Cemetery Committee was considered and the date to meet was to be 27th September in Spitfire subject to availability confirmation.

b) Benches – update only; receive and approve installation costs.

Installation completed on Fen Lane and Church Walk. Invoice for £690.97 presented which also included work on the bus shelter.  It was proposed by Cllr Deane, seconded by Cllr Chilvers and unanimously approved RESOLVED to thank the Curate for storage of the benches and to approve payment of the invoice.

It had been requested if the bin outside the old village hall could be moved to be next to the bench on the Watery Lane/ Main Street junction.

c) Noticeboard – update.

Additional magnets on order and in transit.  Noticeboard in use.

d) Grass-cutting contracts – update only.

Due to the drought, there would be one less grass-cut this month. LCC had indicated in writing that they did not feel that the proposed areas for increasing biodiversity on grass verges would be taken from the Highways Agreement.  The Parish Council had to do a minimum of three cuts a year during set periods so if parish council wanted fewer cuts in those areas identified that was an option for negotiation with the grass-cutting contractor. Flora and fauna identified in the proposal was commonly found, not rare.  The cemetery was under parish council control and would be considered by Cemetery Committee.

e) Bus shelter – update only and to receive and approve expenditure of repairs.

Appointed decorator had completed the painting/varnishing and invoiced £335 plus VAT so £402.  Cllr Chivers proposed, Cllr Deane seconded and unanimously approved RESOLVED to approve payment.

f) Playing Pitch field – update only

No update

162/22.  To consider and approve financial matters

a) To receive and approve the bank reconciliation – deferred to next meeting.

b) To receive and approve the budget analysis for 2022-23 – deferred to next meeting

c) To approve expenditure on the payments schedule

163/22. To consider and approve a budget and purchase of a replacement for the Parish Council’s laptop.

The Clerk reported that investigations suggested a budget of £550.00 would be sufficient to replace the laptop. Proposed Cllr Chilvers, seconded Cllr Deane and unanimously approved RESOLVED budget for replacement laptop is £550 and Clerk to identify and purchase suitable laptop replacement.

164/22. To note items of correspondence for information and decide on items for future action – LALC E-News, Police reports, Town and parish council news

Council noted above correspondence; distribution purple-lidded bins would take place soon; SAA Opt-out email for external audit and no action was required if not opting out; volunteers required for School admission appeal panels and bus pass posters received.  

165/22. To receive updates, consider and approve actions on highways matters including Community Speedwatch and plan for village walkabout meeting with Lincolnshire Highways on 22nd August 2022.

The Chair, Cllr Bourn and Cllr Deane had identified 8 lampposts for passive speed signs for Community Speedwatch (CSW) and the Clerk was to complete and submit the application form. There was a lack of suitable lampposts to use.  Members of the public wanted CSW to be implemented as soon as possible. Proposed Cllr Deane, seconded Cllr Chilvers and unanimously approved RESOLVED £150 budget for CSW and Clerk to pay the application fee by debit card.

166/22. To consider appointments to external bodies, groups and to receive reports.

Chair attended 2/8/2022 play group meeting and reported pre-application planning process underway. LCC had advised to use wooden posts and rail for boundary.  Using Kompan design cost was estimated to be £73,807. Applications for grants were being considered.  Next meeting 8/9/2022 at 7.30pm.

167/22. To meet and consider any applicants for co-option to the parish council following the Co-option Policy and Procedure.  No applicants to consider.

168/22. Date of the next meeting 21st September 2022 and items to be added to the agenda.

• Owl box – check if a contact was known
• Civility & Respect Pledge – NALC

8.35pm the Chair thanked members for attending and closed the meeting.