2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

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 Minutes of a meeting of Crowland Parish Council held on Monday 4th March 2019 at 7.30pm

In the Parish Rooms, Hall Street, Crowland

Present  -  Coun B Alcock, Mr D Ancill, Mr M Atkinson, Mr J Boor, Mr R Boot, Mr P Cooper,

                 Mr P Green, Mr P Haslelgrove, Mr D Kempton, Mr J Parnell, Mr G Quince,

                 Mr D Ringham & Mrs A Williams.

Also Present  -  Coun N Pepper

In the Chair  -  Miss C Elphee

Clerk  -  Mrs D Halliwell

251. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Mrs J Head, plus Mr W Brown (Lincs Free Press) & Coun J Astill

252.Declaration of Interests as per the LGA 2000

Land                            Mr J Boor

Allotments                  Mr P Cooper

Crowland Cares          Mr M Atkinson &Mr D Ringham

Crowland Hub            Mr P Green

RBL                            Mr R Boor & Miss C Elphee

Abbey             Mr M Atkinson

253.Police Matters

There was not a police presence at the meeting, however the following report had been sent by PCSO Timms to the Parish Council: -

Your monthly crime statistics for 03/02/2019 – 03/03/2019:

 ASB                        4

Theft                       3

 Criminal damage    2

 Hare coursing         1

 RTC                       1 (damage only)

Over the last few weeks we have pooled our resources and carried out night time patrols of Crowland. The patrols have been conducted by a mixture of PCSO’s, Police Officers and Community Wardens. This is set to continue until after the Easter Holidays. It is hoped the visible presence of officers will be a deterrent for ASB and looking at the reported ASB for the last month (only one of which was youth related), it seems to be working! My apologies for not being able to attend this month’s meeting. If there are any issues you would like me to investigate, please let me know.

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It was also reported to the meeting that a house in Broadway had suffered rocks being thrown through its windows. SHDC had received a report from drugs officers to say that as several known drugs dealers in Lincolnshire have been arrested, dealers from London and other city’s have moved in to the “vacant market” and have local young people supplying for them. These dealers select a location and persuade the owners/residents to deal from there for them.                                           Our known local resident is continuing to beg outside of local businesses.

254.Clerks Report

·       Preferred contractors chased for report and quote for war memorial repairs.

·       Trinity Court – SHDC commissioning a Strategic Asset Review which will completed in the autumn and will be able to discuss land proposals after that

·       Wildflower Meadow – Crowland Wildlife Group are looking into how they can assist us with this project

·       Zip wire installed – photo shoot being organised

·       New computer installed – bear with us….

·       Implement Shed replacement doors installed today

255.To Agree as a correct Record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting &

Reports on matters outstanding of the previous meeting not on this agenda

Page 101   item 236 Mr Green reported that Andy Boynton from Springfield’s Garden Centre would be pleased to attend the Open Day at the new allotments.

He also added that the he had moved several items from the old computer to the new one. Mr Green had manged to sort this for the clerks.

Clerks to ask Mr Busley to come back and ensure that everything is transferred to the new computer.

                                                                                                                        Action - Clerks

Page 103   -   Mr Kempton had been asked to visit the Minerals and Waste Website.

He had discovered that Parish Councils are not mentioned on this site only District Councils.

Crowland however does have a reserved sand bank extraction site. This means that we need to ensure that SHDC advise us of any planned works in our area.

Clerks to remind SHDC Planning to advise us of any planned works near Crowland.

                                                                                                                        Action - Clerks

Mr Parnell proposed the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Seconded by Mr Ringham.       All agreed.

256.Assets working party – Update

The parking area is now complete and is looking very good.

The AWP are still working on lockers/storage.

Mr Kempton has been spoken to by several allotment tenants suggesting that we send them details of lockers/storage options.

The kitchen and toilet areas are moving forward.

AWP have met with the developers and the planning application is progressing through the system, and there have been no serious adverse comments made. AWP felt that it would be beneficial to put our ideas to the planning officers and a letter has been prepared. The Chairmen read this letter out to members.

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Mr Atkinson proposed that this letter was sent to planning.   Seconded by Mr Ancill.  All Agreed.

257.Finance Committee

There is a meeting of this committee on 25th March 2019.

Coun Alcock advised members that the relief on small business rates has ended. As a result, the Parish Council has been billed for approximately £2500.00.

Mrs Stanojevic is liaising with SHDC on this matter to se if we can make repayments over an agreed period of time.

258.Farms & Gardens Committee

Mr Boor had contacted a drainage company re the land where a tenant’s field has suffered flooding.

He is obtaining 2 quotes for this to be rectified.                                            Action  -  Mr Boor

An allotment tenant had asked if she could lay bark to make a pathway on her allotment. She had also asked if she could leave any remaining bark in a pile for other tenants to use.

Farms and Gardens Committee will look further into this matter.

                                                                                    Action  -  Farms and Garden Committee

The Parish Council is looking for someone to open the Allotment Open Day on 18th May 2019.

An email had been received from an allotment tenant expressing concerns about the content of January 2019 minutes, and was asking for them to be changed. This email must be passed to the office and dealt with through the agreed complaints procedure                                                                                                                                                             Action  -  Mr Boor & Clerks

The old allotment site has been cleared and sprayed.

The new roller shutter doors are being fitted today.

The old poles from the adventure playground have been fitted around the new allotment site car park.

The Open Day on the new allotments on 18th May 2019, will have a Spring Fete vibe with teas & cakes, tombola, craft stalls and a raffle etc. They intend to invite the Press and the local MP. Possibly also invite local TV and Radio. They will also invite Baytree and Wyevale Garden Centres to see if they would like to use the event for a display of some sort.

Members suggested that Mr Flowers and Mr Elford may like to have the Parish Council tractor there and talk with visitors.

It was also suggested that only disabled parking would be allowed on the allotment site and that all other parking should be on the 6 acres.                                      Actions  -  Open Day Working Group

It was suggested that, in order to make communication easier with the allotment tenants, a notice board is placed on the allotment building for notices.                  Action  -  F & G Committee

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259.Planning Committee

Council received the minutes of the previous meeting.

There had been two planning refusal appeals received, one for 2 Postland Road and one

for 49 Peterborough Road.

Mr Kempton and Mr Green are sorting some signage for the Parish Rooms

                                                                                                Action  -  Mr Kempton & Mr Green

Members had visited the West Street Bus Shelter and they agree it should be demolished as it has a crack in it, and it is regularly abused. They had looked at alternatives for a replacement as this shelter is used.

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The Planning Committee recommend to Full Council that it is knocked down and replaced with a new Perspex one on the same site and like the one on Peterborough Road.

Mr Parnell proposed that the Planning Committee look into alternatives.

Seconded by Mr Cooper.     All agreed.                                                         Action  -  Clerks

Members had looked at using a piece of SHDC underused land near trinity Court to develop a new parking area and had asked to talk with SHDC about this idea. SHDC would not enter into

communication until they have completed a Strategic Housing Review. Members tried again to talk to them about this so it could be considered at the same time as this review but have had no response.

As a result of this members felt that it may be prudent to talk to a prospective developer about another site nearby. Mr Kempton and Coun Alcock had visited the developers and had made them aware of the Parish Councils ideas, which had been received well by the developers.

Members feel that to bring in restricted Parking in the Town Centre without an alternative parking area would not be viable.

Clerks to amend the third application on February Planning minutes as the wrong application number has been used.                                                                                                       Action  -  Clerks

Clerks to correct the spelling of Coun N Pepper on February’s Minutes.          Action  -  Clerks

260.Amenities Committee

Council received the minutes of the previous meeting.

One quote had been received for the Parish Council heating system upgrade, and 2 more have been applied for. (Clerks to forward this to Mr Kempton).                                     Action  -  Clerks

Mr Ringham had contacted the Skate Park company regarding Planning Permissions and also for a start date.

The two zip wires are now installed.

Mr Ringham had been made aware of some concerns on “Crowland Chatter” regarding spoil being left behind, but this is there to make any necessary repairs where any areas have been spoilt.

Other new equipment has also been ordered and will be installed soon.

The Sports Hall has had updated sketches produced in order to make it easier for comparing to the original plans.

The Dementia Café will be starting on a weekly basis from this Thursday in the Pavilion.

The heating has been sorted in the youth building.

A trial run has been organised for the proposed weekly Park Run.

Mr Ringham has received quotes for the lights in the Sports Hall.

The Clerks have contacted the Police & Crime Commissioner for a date for the official opening of the Zip Wires.

261.Report from the Health & Safety Committee

Council received minutes of the previous meeting.

Mr Quince reported that there had been an updated fire risk assessment for the Parish Rooms.

It was noted that the Crowland Cares office door must not be propped open and if they found that this was necessary then there should be a failsafe installed that means the door closes automatically when the fire alarm sounds.

The allotment holders are to be advised that they should not cut the grass on the pathways as this needs to be allowed to grow through the matting.

Clerks to copy fire risk assessment to all members               Action  -  Clerks

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262.Parish Council Elections 2019

Clerks to arrange a surgery with existing members for anyone showing an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor. This should also be included in the Town Magazine on the Parish Council Pages.

                                                                                                                        Action  -- Mr Green

The Parish Councillor application packs will arrive shortly and there is a very short timescale to complete them and return them to SHDC.

These must be returned personally to SHDC, although one councillor may deliver several councillors packs, they do advise that you arrange an appointment in order that there is an Electoral Officer available to check through them for you. They do ask that you bear in mind that there are absolutely no extensions to the time scales detailed in the packs, where it says by 4.00pm, 4.01pm will not be accepted.

263.Young Achievers Awards 2019

We shall require the completed nomination forms back by the end of May 2019.

The Awards Evening will be in early July 2019, depending when the school is available.

The Parish Council had had a few requests for a youth team or youth group award.

Members felt that this could be covered by a “Chairman’s Special Award “and this suggestion was proposed by Mr Kempton, seconded by Mr Green and all agreed.

264.Open Meeting – 15th April 2019, Agenda Items

Mr Kempton and Mr Ringham both gave their advanced apologies for this meeting.

Items put forward for including on the Agenda include: -

• Parking
• Assets Working Party update

Any further items to be passed to the clerks.                                                 Action - all members

265. Correspondence

1. LALC - Email from LALC thanking us for our nominations for Buckingham Palace Garden Party. However, our nominations had been unsuccessful. LALC have agreed that this year as part of the AGM & Conference there will be awards for “Council of the year, Councilor of the year, Young Councilor of the year, Clerk of the year. & Long Service Award” Any nominations should be sent with a short resume for each candidate.   Clerks to obtain a date for nominations to be returned by from LALC and advise all members.
2. LCC  -Details of a temporary road closure Harvester Way to Monks Meadow, Crease Drove in Crowland between 15/4/19  and 31/10/19 as and when required for essential maintenance works by Ashley King Developments.     Copies in Notice Boards. Clerks to ask highways for an assurance that the road will not remain closed for longer than is necessary.
3. LCC  - Details of where to report highways issues -www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fault reporting, by ringing customer services on 01522  782070 or emailing cschighways@lincolnshire.gov.uk .  Copy for notice boards and include in Town Magazine.                                                                                             Action Clerks & Mr Green
4. CTFC -  Email advising that they expect to have a reserve team next season. They hope to play home games on alternate weeks. But should both be home on the same weekend they

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would need to use the six-acre pitch.  Clerks to advise CTFC that the pitch they require must be booked in advance as usual.

5. Justin Ward. LCC - Email thanking us for the outline proposals and layouts for the Sports Hall. He confirms that the funding would be available for this work up to the amount detailed in his email of 18th October 2018. He notes the reference to building control and although he

doesn’t doubt that we will make arrangements to ensure all regulations are met, he reminds us that we need to comply with all requirements to the work including CDM.     Noted

6. Kate Bellamy, SHDC - Email concerning the issues we raised in the Carrington Drove area.  Ms Bellamy states that to investigate further she needs further information as she must have good reason to suspect breach of planning as she cannot do a general inspection of the site. The site has planning permission for vehicle sales and repairs.    Clerks to advise the environment agency that they have concerns that that vehicle breaking is happening at this site. Also, Clerks to advise Mrs Head regarding contamination.
7. Adam Caress, Snowden Field Parkrun – Provisional dates arranged for the trial run for 20-30 people. Noted.
8. Methodist Anglican Partnership – Letter thanking the Parish Council for the £25 donation to the night shelter project.
9. Geoff Quince  - Updated Fire Risk Assessment for the  Parish Room.     Dealt with Clerks to circulate to all members.
10. Environmental Health Training & Consultancy (EHT&C) - This is a joint venture between SHDC and Breckland Council and can offer Pest Control services and stand-alone health & safety packages to Parish Councils.   Clerks to ask for a mole control quote.

266.Accounts for Payment

Clerks not to pay item 231 until the new computer is working correctly and has all the documentation transferred over from the old one.                                                                 Action  -  Clerks

S137 payments

There were no S137 payments

267.Matters to be considered for inclusion on a future Council Agenda

Include SHDC Voluntary Car Scheme on April agenda.                               Action  -  Clerks

Include Crisp packet recycling in Town Magazine.                                       Action  -  Mr Green

Include CCTV on Farms and Garden Agenda.                                              Action  -  Clerks

Meeting closed at 10.30pm