August 2023 Minutes
Crowland Parish Council
Minutes of Full Parish Council Meeting Monday 7th August 2023 at 7pm in Crowland Community Hub, Hall Street, Crowland
Present: Cllr. Graham Searle (in the Chair)
Cllrs. Philip Green, David Kempton, Peter Davis, Bryan Alcock, Rodney Sadd, Reg Boot, Darren Warner, Cathi Elphee, Jon Boor, Annette Williams & Jay Levesley.
In attendance: T Croxford – Parish Clerk
Absent: Cllrs. Katie Pepper, Michael Atkinson & David Ringham
In the Chair: Cllr. Graham Searle welcomed Jay Levesley to the council and thanked everyone else for attending.
58) Apologies for Absence
The meeting was advised and apologies with valid reasons for absence had been received from Cllrs. Katie
Pepper, Michael Atkinson, David Ringham & District Cllr. Jim Astill.
It was proposed, seconded and Resolved: Those apologies be noted with valid reasons for absence accepted from Cllrs. Katie Pepper, Michael Atkinson, David Ringham & District Cllr. Jim Astill.
59) Declaration of Interests
Cllr. G Searle – wished to declare a pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 65 and advised he would take no part in the debate or vote. Cllr. D Kempton – also wished to declare a pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 70. Cllr Kempton advised he would take no part in the debate or vote.
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No. |
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Action |
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60) |
To Agree as a Correct Record the Minutes of the Previous Meeting |
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It was proposed, seconded and Resolved: That the Chairman sign the official minutes of the Full Council Committee meeting held on 3rd July 2023. Proposed by Cllr. PD - Seconded by Cllr. RB – all present agreed. |
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61) |
To receive an update on the progress and resolutions of the previous meeting |
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BA/TK |
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62) |
Chairman’s Report |
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A report had been circulated before this meeting for review. The report was read before the meeting – no questions. |
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63) |
Amenities Committee |
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A copy of the minutes had been circulated prior to this meeting for review. Youth Building – NHS issued a draft agreement which was debated and agreed that it would not benefit the parish. More dialogue is needed with NHS, Surgery and CPC. A proposal to seek Legal advice for a more formal agreement. Proposed by Cllr. BA - Seconded by Cllr. PD – all present agreed.
A new community (Pavilion) a way forward is needed, meetings are to be organised with local community groups as evidence is still required to justify the need for the facility.
MUGA, a meeting was held with SHDC and an offer was proposed, the surface advised is to be looked into regarding its suitability for which sports. CPC believes it would be more beneficial to increase the funding for a more versatile multi-use surface – more investigation is needed regarding surface and funding. Advice from a company in Peterborough is to be requested.
The proposal for outdoor fitness equipment was discussed, this idea had been looked into several years before and was liked but deemed unaffordable at that time. Following a review of the considerable price reductions, and with the use of 106 monies this idea is now feasible. The location was suggested and agreed to be adjacent to the small play area. It was proposed that the parish purchase the starter pack of equipment. Proposed by Cllr. PG - Seconded by Cllr. JB – all present agreed. |
DK
PG
DK/TC |
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Playground inspection Minor items need replacing. The small bridge needs attention and the manufacturer is to be notified. Some fixings need tightening in difficult places, a quotation is needed from the supplier. Full details are available in the inspection report. The zip wire cable needs to be removed and inspected for wear with special attention to the ends of the cable. |
DK DK/JB |
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64) |
Finance and Admin Committee |
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A report had been circulated prior to this meeting for review. The report was read before the meeting, positive comments were made regarding the new RFO – no questions |
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65) |
South Holland Voluntary Car Scheme |
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The contribution sum of £1,770.00 was requested – discussed and agreed. Proposed by Cllr. AW - Seconded by Cllr. RB – one abstained, others present agreed
All also agreed that thanks should be given to them for their hard work and contribution. |
GS/TC |
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66) |
Farms & Gardens Committee |
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A report had been circulated prior to this meeting for review.
A request for a formal thank you from CPC is to be given to HK and the team of Bloom for all the hard work in organising the hanging baskets event for another year, positive comments are being received on how nice the town is looking. Application for stopping off the chase at the other end is still ongoing. Map needed. Machinery is causing an issue with the price due to the cost of repairs and maintenance, basic maintenance schedules/checks are needed on a weekly basis. The new pond area has a strict schedule of maintenance and risk assessment, which needs to be added to the workman's work schedule. Workman's workload is increasing, with less work in the winter, a program of work to be considered for winter months when they have more time available. |
GS
JB/TC
JB/GS JB
JB |
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67) |
Planning Committee |
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A copy of the minutes had been circulated prior to this meeting for review. The car park signage. The proposed signs were not suitable and more substantial signs were requested. Parking enforcement in the town is ongoing. A proposal for a one-way system along North Street has been passed to LCC The bus shelter along Postland Road still needs the damaged corner repair to be completed. Parking restriction notice outside the hardware shop is not in a very prominent position, this is the best they can do because of the conservation area. |
PG |
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68) |
Safety & Security Committee |
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A report had been circulated before this meeting for review. Communication with PSCO is ongoing regarding antisocial behaviour in Crowland. The incident in Kemp St last week was drugs-related. Report of a lady resident targeting older residents and taking money. Playground inspection – no major faults but the picnic bench needs relocating as too close to the roundabout and must be 3m away from any equipment. The police UK stats are no longer being updated – to be removed from the report. Fly tipping is ongoing and constantly being reported. Fly tipping teams are very good once an issue has been reported with prompt action. |
JB/PD |
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69) |
Assets Working Party |
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A report had been circulated before this meeting for review. The same issues are still ongoing. New commentary communication with CPC consultant re planning application – and advise that CPC is organising a high-level business plan to be put together before any further action. |
AWP |
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70) |
Accounts for Payment |
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Request that invoices from the Hardware shop be sent monthly, not quarterly and with more detail or information. E-on contract to continue – supplier not to be changed. The payment sheet was discussed and payments of £19,612.76 were authorised. Proposed by Cllr. PG - Seconded by Cllr. DW – one abstained – all others agreed. |
GS |
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1) |
Bowls club correspondence |
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The bowls club is looking into a new building and is in the planning process. The Bowls Club are now investigating funding and grants, to enable them to apply they need to change their constitution CPC readily acknowledges the proposal and wishes the Bowling Club all the success in seeking the funding needed.
Proposed by Cllr. DK - Seconded by Cllr. CE – all others agreed. |
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72) |
Community Awards |
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A meeting is to be arranged with an action plan to be brought to the next meeting. |
RS/CE |
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73) |
Matters to be considered for inclusion on future Council Agenda |
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Prioritisation of discretionary expenditure. The new leader of the South Holland District Council is to be invited to a meeting. Remembrance Day – CE is leading this and is progressing with the actions. Next year will be the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Community awards |
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“Closed Session”
The Public & Press were excluded from the meeting in accordance with the provision of Section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings Act 1960). The items to be discussed being of a confidential nature.
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74) |
Community project funding request – poppies |
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A request for a donation was received discussed and all agreed. No further action is needed – Resolved |
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75) |
Six-acre land tree work |
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A meeting with the tree specialist was held, recommendations were made and put to the council, discussed and agreed No further action is needed – Resolved |
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