December 2020 Minutes
Minutes of a remote meeting held on Thursday 3rd December 2020.
Present Couns Stanley, Abbott, Burdall, Hawkins, King, Lovell, Lunn, Robinson, Rollinson, L & R Wray. District Coun Walsh, County Coun Grocock and a press representative.
81/20 APOLOGIES none
82/20 POLICE REPORT – PCSO Abbotts advised that due to cut backs there will be no attendances at Parish Council and the normal list of crimes will not be sent. A new newsletter is to be sent to Parish Councils which should advise what is going on. With regard to the recent crimes with car vandalism, a youth has been arrested and will appear in court in January.
83/20 TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 none
84/20 DRAFT NOTES OF LAST MEETING – On the advice of Coun Lunn the £15000 quoted in the minutes for IDEA was for various projects and not just the bandstand. These being amended were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Coun R Wray seconded Coun Burdall.
85/20 MATTERS ARISING –
Trees in churchyard. Spoken with Arb Core over invoice, as the Parish Council did not give the go ahead for the works to be carried out. PC was to speak with resident that had made the initial request to make some contribution but with Covid and clerks illness this didn’t happen. When Chair, Terry and Diane Fairchild, tree preservation officer from South Holland, met to ask about Arnhem Oak which had broken boughs and the other trees in cemetery, she suggested that although work could be start on the Arnhem, as it was dangerous, another application could be put in at the same time for the other 20 trees. At this point Terry assumed he had the work as he had put in an estimate and completed forms for South Holland. Arb Core advised as the works hadn’t been budgeted for this year he was prepared to hold over the invoice until the new financial year. Clerk has called resident and left messages with no response. Written to resident to ask for a discussion on the cost of all tree works as only 3 trees affected the loss of light in his garden. A resident has asked Council Lovell why the PC did not obtain three quotes and were favours being done for this contractor.
Clerk to continue to try and communication and will bring to next meeting.
86/20 TO ELECT TWO REPRESENTATIVES FOR UNKNOWN DONOR CHARITY.
Following the attendance of a Gosberton Parish Councillor at a previous PC meeting, it was pointed out that the PC should have three representatives on the Unknown Charity and Donington for many years had only had one. There is only one meeting a year to organize the distribution of the funds. Coun Lovell and King put forward as candidates, there being no other names given proposed Coun Lunn seconded Coun Robinson that they be duly elected.
87/20 DONINGTON TOILETS – UPDATE FROM COUN KING
Men’s and disabled now open but ladies are still in a state disrepair. Coun King asked if South Holland are approached to make good toilets would the Parish Council take on the upkeep, cleaning, etc. Suggestions if Viking Link could make a contribution as an environmental project. All in agreement for Coun King to approached South Holland.
88/20 IDEA
Due to Covid grant spends has been extended for two months. There is a lock on the gate.
Many thanks to Coun Burdall for work involved in playing field equipment from grant application to negotiations with contractors.
Many complimentary comments received on Facebook. However there was a problem unveiled in that the equipment was in view of one house in Highfield Road which had no hedging like the rest of the properties in the park. Owners were disappointed that no consultation had been given and that the equipment should have been in a different place. Coun Burdall spoke with resident and agreed that PC would look into solutions with the planting of well established trees and shrubs along that length of park. Clerk had priced conifers and had asked Amanda Seaton at South Holland if 106 monies could be used. Coun Lovell also priced trees and Coun King advised that she had confirmation from Amanda that projects in the park together with this hedging could use Section 106 monies. Coun King left the meeting.
89/20 FINANCE REPORT
To Elect new Committee Member, as Coun Lovell standing down. Coun Lovell proposed Coun Rollinson who agreed to stand. There being no further proposals it was proposed Coun Lovell seconded Coun Stanley that Coun Rollinson elected.
Xmas trees. Coun Lovell used 24 4’ artificial ones this year using last year’s lights all agreed as within budget. Antoinette donated light for the main tree in the Market Place.
Bowls Club – PC was still receiving invoices for the standing charge on the water. Ask for account to be closed and the responsibility for shutting down would be that of the water company.
Council payments authorised as per schedule
Prop Coun Rollinson seconded Coun Stanley
Finance meeting arranged for 18th December to discuss precept as the proposals had to be brought to the January meeting to reach South Holland by 21st January.
90/20 LIBRARY
Nothing to report.
91/20 MEMBERS REPORTS
JA – light on a property on the A52 shining very brightly and causing distractions for drivers. Clerk to report to PCSO
NB – blocked drain in Market Place was outside her business. Anglian water inspected but said it was Highways. Drain been blasted but cover left proud and dangerous.
PL – complaints of the number of heavy goods vehicles travelling down the Northorpe by Viking Link. Main access road to the sub-station is being laid and therefore lorries had to travel this way. Not all were Viking Link, other works being done in the Northorpe. LC Coun Grocock to write to MD but obviously do not want to upset them if monies are being requested for the toilets. Asking for senior management for a site meeting to inspect the access route. Can sign be on A52 at Northorpe junction to advise no access to Viking Link site?
DH – agreeing that too many vehicles are travelling down the Northorpe and answers already given were inaccurate.
Obviously not suitable for large vehicles and passing points
92/20 ANY OTHER BUSINESS –.
Chair asked if a thank you letter could be sent to Henry Bingham as he provided pansy plants for the village at no cost. Coun Stanley and husband planted all planters.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 4th February 2021