September 2023 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7th September 2023 at The Ruby Hunt Centre.
Present Cllrs Lovell, Burdall, Geaney, Hawkins, King, Lunn, Slater, Stanley, and Wray. Clerk Diane Fairweather and 5 members of the public.
PUBLIC FORUM
Mark Rollinson advised that Liz Walker is to bring Donington in Bloom back for one year to decorate the village for Matthew Flinders Bring Him Home. With Liz at the helm in was agreed and supported by all the Parish Council, with perhaps the opportunity of continuing perhaps with Liz’s guidance in the future. She is hoping to bring the schools, guides etc on board to help. Chair thanked Mark for continuing use of glasshouse and for Liz in coming forward to do this.
POLICE REPORT
10 incidents of violent assault and antisocial behaviour in and around Station Street, Cowley Road
Theft in Kensington Drive, Co-Op Market Place and 4 at Co-Op on A52
TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
All matters from previous Highways had been reported and actioned on. Another meet with Highways arranged. If Councillors have anything they would like to be brought to Highways attention, please send to Clerk.
80/23 APOLOGIES were received and accepted from Cllrs Harris, Walsh, and District Cllr Geaney
81/23 TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
Cllr Burdall declared an interest, not pecuniary, of CCTV as they are situated on her building.
82/23 TO RECEIVE NOTES OF MEETING ON 3RD AUGUST 2023 – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr King seconded Cllr Hawkins.
83/23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK –
Spoken to litter picker who is willing to water flower beds in the Market Place.
Toilets, paperwork all agreed with Marc Whelan at District, signed, and awaiting completion. Electricity reading to be taken in order that account can be closed with SHDC but not before they have sorted the lights and electric socket in storeroom.
Garden of Rest in old cemetery had been cleared. Thanks to Jess. Council reminded there is certain protocols to be learned over this and conversation via emails should not be the way forward. That is why things are discussed at meetings.
84/23 TO RECEIVE CHAIR’S UPDATES
Once the electricity works have been completed to the satisfaction of the Council a Notice of Compliance must be issued.
85/23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM IDEA
Cllr Lunn advised that further details had been requested for the UKSP grant application. ROSPA check due on the park, and they are aware new equipment needs attention. The three new cameras to be purchased are to be installed higher to try and avoid vandalism. One also on bandstand.
Firework Evening on 3rd November with Fire Brigade letting off the fireworks. Increasing the entrance fee. That being their main money earner making £1500 last year.
They are increasing the lottery o £15 per year for additional revenue.
Cllr Hawkins advised there are grants to be had but none for maintenance of equipment.
Last two events have lost money.
He reiterated the scope of the Compact signed in 2003 between IDEA, the Parish Council and South Holland District Council which stated the overall perception of the village was not attractive, particularly for new residents. The groups in village have no coherence and IDEA was formed to resolve this. Ideas to develop a forum for young people to come on board. All agreed the way forward. The volunteers have run it for 20 years and their numbers are depleting and no new members replacing them. Cllr Hawkins highlighted that Flinders Park should be included in future precepts. The Clerk state that a letter should be presented to the Finance Committee at the next meeting for consideration.
Cllr Slater felt the entrance to the park should be stated, perhaps an arch over as people still say they do not know where park is when they come to Donington.
Cllr Wray felt although IDEA is a Charity not a limited company by guarantor, that the PC should take over ownership. Charity status has been discussed with the accountant and dismissed.
86/23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Now garden of rest has been cleared it was agreed by the committee that a bimonthly inspection be made of the area. Chair advised there used to be chain linked fencing around and that should be turned. Chair to price fencing for next meeting
a) To Approve Tender Document – this initial draft is a working document but more specific points to be ironed out. Committee to arrange a meeting in order that this can be done, to then bring to the full Council for approval.
87/23 TO RECEIVE FINANCE REPORT AND APPROVE PAYMENTS AS PER SCHEDULE proposed Cllr King seconded Cllr Hawkins. Clerk advised that money had been moved into an investment account with 30 days’ notice to earn interest.
a) TO DISCUSS WATER HARVESTING AT TOILET There had previously been water butts catching water from the drains on the toilets but had been removed. Cllr Lovell to investigate replacements as it is important if the village to have flowers, they are kept watered.
b) TO DISCUSS BARRIERS AT MARKET PLACE WALL Clerk suggested to curved part of the wall should be removed and the wall straight all the way along. A quote of £250 received for these works. Cllr Lovell felt bollards would stop the problem.
After debate, Council decided that bollards would not solve the problem albeit vehicles would now hit them and not the wall, but for a final solution, agreed straightening of the wall was the best option. Proposed Cllr Burdall seconded Cllr King to proceed. Cllr Lovell suggested a bollard at the end of the wall also. Council agreed to this proposal.
88/23 TO DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS MONTH.
H04-0788 – 80 Station Street erection of boundary wall (retrospective) No objections to be made.
Retrospective application for replacement windows at Lauras Loves had been rejected.
89/23 TO DISCUSS/APPROVE REPRESENTATIVES OF HR COMMITTTEE
At the request of Cllr Geaney and something that was recommended at the Councillor Training. It was agreed to an HR Committee. Proposed Cllr Lovel that Cllrs Geaney, Hawkins, and Harris form the committee, seconded Cllr Slater. All in agreement.
90/23 TO DISCUSS OWNERSHIP/MAINTENANCE OF TOILETS
Cllr Lovell remarked that with the vandalism at present it appears not the best investment. Cllr King and others agreed they are a necessity and will be particularly next year with the coming home of Matthew Flinders.
They have often not looked in the best state but unless they are manned all opening hours, cleaner cannot be held responsible for them after she has left.
Toilet roll holder had once again been torn off the wall. Cllr Lovell suggested a heavy duty, larger one with a continual roll. He is to investigate.
91/23 TO DISCUSS CCTV IN VILLAGE
On agenda at the request of the Chair suggesting that the cost of the cameras is not worth it. Clerk advised the cameras to have been purchased and there are no ongoing charges other than the internet line at £154 per quarter. Cllr King commented that they are there as a deterrent and had been helpful in the ram raiding of the Co-Op cash machine. Tapes had been given to Police on a few occasions but not know if any convictions have been made. All agreed they were necessary.
Cllr Burdall asked if the old cameras could be removed as they are unsightly. Clerk to speak with GB.
92/23 TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS
GL can old cemetery boundaries be cut back as overhanging graves in the first row.
PS – is experiencing a large amount of school children using ‘vapes’ in the village. It is the responsibility of the shop owners who have a duty of care of the youth.
Clerk – Unknow donors Chairty has land rented and the revenue I shared equally between Gosberton, Quadring and Donington. Gosberton and Quadring have used theirs on different projects but for many years Donington share has automatically gone to the Churchwardens for them to distribute. There is nothing in the constitution to state this it is just ‘it’s always been done that way’ On taking over Clerk to the Trustees and trying to bring it in order it was felt the Parish Council should receive this money directly itself.
There may be projects, IDEA for instance, that are worthy causes which the PC are responsible for. Jane Pearson, with permission from the Chair, as treasurer, advised there was not a problem with that, but they had been issuing this money for the years during Covid even though they had not received it. It was therefore agreed to pay money from previous years to the Churchwardens and going forward to have it directly to the PC. Proposed Cllr Slater seconded Cllr King
Meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 5th October 2023