2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

009

Minutes of a meeting of Crowland Parish Council held on Monday 3rd June 2019 in the Parish Rooms, Hall Street, Crowland, PE6 0EW

Present: Coun B Alcock, Mr J Boor, Mr R Boot, Miss C Elphee, Mr P Green, Mr D Ringham and Mrs A Williams.

Also Present:Coun J Astill and  Mr W Brown, Lincs Free Press

In the Chair:Mr D Kempton

Clerk:Mrs B Stanojevic

26) Apologies for Absence

Mr D Ancill and Mr M Atkinson

27) Declaration of Interests as per the LGA 2000

Crowland Abbey – Mr Atkinson

Crowland Cares – Mr Ringham

Land – Mr Boor

Library Hub – Mr Green

Royal British Legion – Mr Boot and Miss Elphee

28) Police Matters

No statistics obtained this time, letter will be sent to the Chief Constable inviting him to our meeting.

Noted that in the Local Press this week that Lincolnshire had been awarded extra funding for officers – to check how this will affect Crowland.

Inspector Boxall has made an appeal on Crowland Chatter for information on recent anti-social behaviour. No regular contact from the PCSO – no surgeries been advertised.

The SDDC ASB Officer has been made aware of recent happenings.

All incidents should be reported to the police and to the SHDC ASB Officer.

Some damage been reported at the Skate park site.

Mr Ringham will discuss the skate park site security with the contractor to make sure fencing is secured each evening as well as appropriate signage is in place.

29) To Agree as a correct Record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Minutes proposed as a true record by Mr Ringham, seconded by Mr Green.  All agreed.

30) Clerks Report to include follow-up of actions from the last meeting

• Very busy month with local elections, annual meeting, annual audit, insurance issues, skate park construction as well as the usual routine matters
• Comprehensive list sent to Pride in South Holland Team who will be coming here shortly -will be liaising with the Parish office and our workmen.
• Dog agility event was great success and they are playing to come again
• Hanging Baskets now all up. 6 deposits being chased up.
• Allotment Open Day – weather not good, allotment site looked excellent. Had a few visitors plus VIPs, showed the cutting equipment.  Some lovely photos taken
• Two further quotes requested for War Memorial Works.
• Notices going up on allotment noticeboard
• Schedule of meetings for the year being drawn up
• New swing put up in the small play park

10

31) Assets working party – Report

Planning application for the old allotment site still going through the planning process.

3 matters to be resolved – trees issue appears to now be resolved.

The AWP have a meeting this week and a meeting with Seagate next week.

Detailed specification of properties to be decided. 

New allotment site now handed over to the Farms & Gardens Committee.

Discussions to follow on how to take forward the commercial area off Thorney Road and the professional opinion of an Estate Agent is required – no cost anticipated at this stage. 

Coun Alcock proposed to take this action, seconded by Mr Boot.  All agreed.

Burial Ground – costs etc with a business plan will be required and the findings of other parishes who have recently completed a new burial ground will be sought.

32) Finance Committee –

(i) Approval of the Internal Auditors Report on the Annual Return

This shows that the Parish Council `s Reserves are similar to last year despite higher capital expenditure.  Income includes S106 monies and funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The report will now be sent to the Finance committee.

(ii) Approval of Section 1 of the Annual Return

Sections 1-8 read and all agreed as yes

(iii) Approval of Section 2 of the Annual Return

Details read

(iv) Approval and sending off the Annual Return

Items (i), (ii) and (iii) were proposed as approved and item (iv) as approved and for sending off by Coun Alcock, seconded by Miss Elphee.  All agreed.

33) Farms & Gardens Committee - To receive update from the Farms & Gardens Chairman

The Chairman explained that from the next meeting where a committee hasn’t met during the month he would like the Chair of that committee to write a brief update and pass to the clerk to include with the monthly agenda.

Stopping up from the new A16 still not resolved.  Mr Atkinson, Longstaffs and LCC Highways involved. Parish Council and its tenants have a right of way

Action - To be discussed and followed up by Farms & Gardens Committee.

Action Clerks - to be on next month’s council agenda with appropriate information

Action – Committee Chairman

Annual Land Inspection booked for 17th June commencing at 6pm.

Land drainage quotes being obtained.

34) Planning Committee

Received the minutes of the meeting

Suggested drawings for Parish Room signage – shown to members – any comments to the clerks as this will be discussed at the next Planning Committee meeting. Clear perspex with vinyl lettering inside, weather proof and durable and be the shape at the front of the Parish Room. Inexpensive and easy to fit.

Suggested that members look at the bus shelter in Deeping St James as this is the type that is being considered for West Street.

Action Clerks – To check if planning permission for a new shelter would be required in the Conservation Area.

11

Mr Ringham had been looking at dog bin location with the workers supported by a helpful member of the public. There are some bins that could be better sited.  4 more bins required can goahead and purchase if the planning budget allows.

35) Amenities Committee – To receive update from the Amenities Chairman

Next meeting 24th June.

Adventure Playground

The zip wire is out of operation and we are awaiting a reply from the contractor after a site visit by our Insurance assessor before it can be put back into operation but needs to be as soon as possible.

The matting under the basket swing is not in a good condition nor are the shackles on it. Contractor to put this right.

Ground undulations can be filled and levelled off.

Signage to be erected at all entrances to the Snowden Field on proper mounts.

Sinkage on the runway but not meant for people to run down.

Skate park – due to be completed in 2-3 weeks. The contractors issue a completion certificate.  Recommends ROSPA inspection is undertaken before opening – all agreed and the appropriate signage must be erected before opening.

The contractors can ask an experienced skater to attend to demonstrate use on opening day –

Mr Boor proposed that we do this, seconded by Mrs Williams.  All agreed.

There are several retired British skaters in Crowland as well as the Sunday sports hall skaters– they will also be asked.

The suggested footpath to the skate park is to left for now to see if there is a need.

The area near the barrier needs more hardcore.

Annual inspection of play equipment is due next month.

Working Party for the Sports Hall to meet up to move this project on this year.

Mr Ringham has contacted Mr Onygerth concerning the Re-enactment on 14/15th September and a meeting will be arranged soon.

To agree and for the Chair and Clerk to sign the Lease for the Sports Hall

Lease now received from LCC.  The previous agreement still stands until this lease is signed.

Mr Ringham to check that the lease still continues even if the school becomes an academy and not under the control of LCC.

Percentage of utility costs to be investigated.

36) Health & Safety Committee – To receive update from the Health & Safety Chairman

Meeting booked for 22nd July

37) Parish Council Communications Strategy

Thanks to Mr Browne for attending our meeting and reporting on the issues.

The Parish Council needs to focus on Social Media and to provide a constant message and to improve on information on the Parish Councils website. To be more proactive.

Mr Green has volunteered to assist in this role with assistance from members.

The monthly staff meeting will be held next week – tells staff what is happening and to listen to issues the staff may have.

This will be an agenda item as required.

The Chairman di a very good article several years ago on what each tier of local councils do and this will be put in the Town Magazine.

12

38) Priorities Meeting

The last meeting for this was held in October and a meeting will be scheduled soon.  The Chairman showed members the Councillors Booklet which is a very good reminder for members – includes respect for other members, colleagues and staff and reminds members they cannot act alone.

39) GDPR – To consider whether further actions are required

This item is to be revisited. Data held, our own policy, registration with the IOC annually all to be looked into.

40) Young Achievers Awards 2019

Members issued with the nomination forms tonight and a score sheet for return to the office by 24th June. There will be a group trophy – using a donation from the Angling Club, Chairman will persue

Mr Green will organise the certificates and do the photographs on the night with a back drop.  Pictures will be sent to the Free Press/Guardian.

41) Correspondence

Bruno Peek, Pageant Master – Email advising of Commemorations for VE Day75 – 75 years since World War II ended in Europe.  Miss Elphee will look at and report back                                  Michael Ruddy – Email advising that the Wryde Croft Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund covers Crowland and the fund is looking for a representative from Crowland to be on the panel.                  Mr Ringham will do this.                                                                                                              Wesleys, Stanstead – Letter thanking the Grounds men for all their help at the recent Whizz Dogs Agility Show.  Thanks passed on the grounds men.                                                                                            Froglife – Email received advising that they are developing to promote village ponds including Crowland. They are asking of a letter of support for the project from the Parish Council. Mr Jackson from the Wildlife Group has been to see the Chairman and the group are eager to help.               Action Clerks - To send a letter of support to Froglife                                                                                                                                                                             

42)(i) Accounts for Payment

The mole control invoice is quarterly. A letter of thanks to be sent Mr Vincent with a request for an invoice for work completed.

The following accounts were proposed for payment by Mr Boor, seconded by Mr Boot.  All agreed.

(ii)S137 payments – None

43) Matters to be considered for inclusion on a future Council Agenda - None