February 2024 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 1st Feb 2024 at The Ruby Hunt Centre.
Present Cllrs Lovell, Burdall, Harris, Hawkins, Geaney, Lunn, Rollinson, Stanley, Walsh, and Wray. Clerk Diane Fairweather
PUBLIC FORUM
The chair advised that the meeting is being recorded.
MW – Update from Flinders Founders. Since COVID have lost some of their members but last year worked hard in getting people engaged. Some invoices for maintenance are outstanding and would like to meet with the clerk to agree figures to be reimbursed. Previously a third of fencing on the left boundary of the park was installed with the assistance of a grant. They are looking into completing the fencing to stop rubbish being thrown in there. Quote received for £34000 but have not had chance to get a second quote as wanted to get application in by deadline, for Triton Knoll. The cost being that high due to the works required before fencing can be erected with hedging and tree works. They have £3500 unspent from a previous grant and Flinders Founders have £2000 themselves. Speaking also with Grass Roots for a grant, which can be up to £25000. FF are asking if the Council would be able to contribute to it as they are responsible for the park boundaries. Chair asked if Section 106 monies left. Only £1000. Cllr Harris to meet with FF at the park.
Resident asking why the public participation is so small at Council meetings and are the Council thinking of doing anything to encourage participation. It is advertised well.
New resident of the village also struggles to find what is happening in the village. He feels there is the old and new village in Donington.
Public Forum agreed the setting of the room was an improvement.
POLICE REPORT
Five thefts last month, no anti-social.
TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLORS -
Cllr Geaney -Homeless person in village, reported numerous times to Cllr King. South Holland District Council were advised but the person did not wish for help. Re-iterated do not offer money.
A scheme available for fuel poverty, where people can be referred for help with grant funding. Contact any of the three District Councillors
Towndam Lane – road closed.
Another round of funding is available, up to £8000. Have to set up a ‘go fund me’ site that can be match funded. Details passed to clerk. Chair asked if DC’s Geaney and Bingham could investigate it. Cllr Bingham advised if anyone might be interested contact him, he will put them in with the relevant people.
Cllr Bingham – confirmation that Spalding and the District do not have a homeless problem.
There is still UKSP funding available.
TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR – not present
13/24 APOLOGIES were received and accepted from Cllr King.
14/24 TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LOCALISM ACT 2011- none
14/24 TO RECEIVE DRAFT NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 4TH JANUARY 2024– Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr Burdall seconded Cllr Rollinson.
15/24 TO RECEIVE CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS ARISING AND UPDATES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS –
Disabled Parking Space. Company quoted £790 thought we were Donnington. Meeting with Ellie Barker from Highways on 29th. Ellie has a volunteer team from Balfour Beatty for jobs around the Parishes. If they can do works would only cost Parish Council cost of materials. She will give us a schedule of time scales.
Chair requesting why no agenda item for updates for Cemetery tenders. Tenders deadline was 31st January. Clerk advised tenders received and cemetery committee to meet and bring recommendations to full Council next meeting. Disputes over payments as work sheet had been received advising cut the previous week but Cllr Stanley confirmed it had not. Suggest that Contractors come and cut again. Cemetery requires another member on Committee. Cllr Hawkins would be happy to be on the committee. Proposed Cllr Rollinson seconded Cllr Lovell.
16/24 TO RECEIVE CHAIR’S UPDATES
Nothing further to report.
17/24 TO DISCUSS AMENDMENTS/ADDITIONS TO STANDING ORDER, REGARDING DELEGATED POWERS.
Cllr Rollinson requested to be on the agenda. Standing Orders to be amended to include delegated powers, with them to be reviewed again in August. Proposed Cllr Rollinson seconded Cllr Harris, all in favour.
18/24 TO DISCUSS/APPROVE REPLACEMENT TOILETS DOORS
Toilet doors. Quotation from the gentleman that did original doors for South Holland advised cost would be in region of £1700 for one door fitted.
Lincoln Security has agreed the same, but he will do a site visit to give a quotation by
10th February.
Spoken with Local contractor. The problem with the strength of the door is the electric locking device, a steel door could still be kicked in. Clerk suggested metal gates which he felt was the best option. The doors could then be either steel or wood, it would be vandal proof but would still require locking and unlocking each day. Contractor is to investigate varying options and get back to Clerk. Chair had also spoken with the contractor. Chair advised shutters are still available and these could be put outside of a wooden door.
Cllr Wray advised that with all additional costs it would be the same cost as steel doors. Are three-point locking doors required?
Cllr Bingham advised toilets in Sheep Market are having steel doors installed due to vandalism. Suggested Clerk to check with SHDC type and costing of doors used there, are they three points?
Points to consider:
If you want to keep the timed opening and closing it can only be a single lock not triple.
Shutters can be returned, as before, but may require new runners.
Normal doors, i.e., wood or steel with external metal gates across entrance door with insufficient width for a foot to go through.
Cllr Walsh checking with Clerk we still have £2,000 from District Councillors budget from the previous year. Clerk confirmed we had.
The Chair asked Cllr Bingham to get specifications from SHDC for their doors and bring them to the next meeting.
Cllr Rollinson asked if the PC had already paid for the replacement doors and would we be expected to. Clerk confirmed no to both questions.
Chair reiterated, the PC wanted 3-point steel locking doors, fitted at the best price Clerk can attain. To be within the £2000 budget, as soon as possible. Proposed Cllr Harris seconded Cllr Wray to have work done.
Cllr Rollinson would like to see the draft agenda and minutes sent out ten days before the meetings.
19/24 TO DISCUSS CCTV FOR TOILETS
Local business willing for PC to have access to their camera, not at present recording but can be. £417 would purchase a CCTV for PC but how would you want it monitored. Cllr Wray is concerned about the legality of recording. Cllr Hawkins advised still using CCTVs in the park to monitor assets.
Cllr Walsh suggested checking the ICO website for legal aspects. Chair requested Cllr Walsh to investigate ICO information.
Cllr Wray also suggested the legality of the owner of the camera giving recordings to third parties.
Cllr Rollinson advised the PC would only be using a third part image to support criminal damage as other premises are often asked to do by the Police. It would need signage to this effect.
Cllr Rollinson advised CCTV would still not stop vandalism inside of the toilets and would not wish to see any money spent on cameras.
20/24 TO DISCUSS PEST CONTROL AT POND
Cllr Rollinson had approached two companies. One could clear rats within three months’ there would not be a problem in summer. £65 per visit, to call once a month.
Proposed Cllr Wray, seconded Cllr Harris. Unanimous. Cllr Rollinson to confirm to contractor.
21/24 TO DISCUSS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO BOWLS CLUB
Cllr Rollinson questioned if a standing charge paid was necessary. Clerk advised the PC had decided to keep at the time for future use.
Eon, to decommission cost £91.60, recommission also £91.60, removal £148.32, new meter £157.86.
Proposed Cllr Hawkins seconded Cllr Wray to be decommissioned. Unanimous
22/24 TO DISCUSS DONATION TO DONINGTON FLOWER FESTIVAL
Members of the group are requesting a donation to help towards costs of hopefully £500. Advised that in the past there have been two groups, flowers and refreshments but is wanting to bring them together into one pot.
Cllr Rollinson asked for clarification if profit from Flower Festival went to Church. PC’s cannot donate to Religious organisations. Cllr Lunn advised it was for flowers and refreshments. Cllr Walsh advised other Parish Councils to have given a nominal amount and advised those requesting to approach their District Councillors for a donation from their allowances. Cllr Rollinson advised the group to put in writing their request at the end of the year in future in order that it can be discussed with precept requirements. If it is a fund to provide for the flowers and refreshments, why not give a loan for them to get started on the provision when up and running it can be paid back.
Chair proposed to donate a ‘sum’ and advise group to contact three District Councillors either as a donation or a loan. Is for village and feel the PC should be assisting.
Cllr Wray agreed if money donated for procurements, but profit goes to Church it should be on a loan basis.
Cllr Stanley advised refreshment to make a vast amount of money and therefore the loan could be repaid with any surplus monies then going to Church.
Proposed Cllr Wray a loan of £500, seconded Cllr Hawkins. Eight for two against.
Clerk requesting criteria for loan. To be carried forward for future events or paid back on demand.
23/24 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM IDEA
Cllr Lunn- CCTV have been successful in that pictures were sent to the Head of the High School, and he had acted upon them and there had not been the same problems since that time.
Volunteers are still cutting grass. UKSP fund, still awaiting confirmation from SHDC. A second quotation received from Wickstead. New Locks required for gates. Small amount of damage to fencing.
Cllr Hawkins - Container in park has been made watertight, but floor is a little ‘springy.’ Chair suggested when toilet doors are replaced the wood used for the boarding up could be recycled there. Awaiting removal of the old shed. Chair advised that removal is in hand.
24/24 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM LIBRARY
The clerk confirmed another meeting with LCC regarding the purchase of the building.
25/24 TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON MATTHEW FLINDERS ‘PARTY IN THE PARK’
Cllr Burdall – held meeting for initial support from the locals and attended the MFBHH group with proposals. Clerk had applied for grant of £5000 towards marquee hire and rides. Cllr Rollinson suggested if PC have precepted £2000 if grant successful should apply to South Holland for grant to match fund.
Cllr Rollinson remarked Matthew Flinders signs require attention before the event in July. Cllr Wray asked if Highways would be able to assist. Cllr Bingham suggested sending an email to South Holland and ask if Pride Team can go and clean signs.
26/24 TO RECEIVE FINANCE REPORT
Cllr Rollinson requesting details on employment figures. Cllr Walsh confirmed employee salary should not be discussed in public. Why is there a payment for toilets when they have been locked. Clerk confirmed it was for provisions previously purchased. Clerk also confirmed one figure had been put against Toilet and not litter picker.
Council payments authorised as per schedule Prop Cllr Harris seconded Cllr Wray.
27/24 TO DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED THIS MONTH.
H04-0062-24 – 24 Chestnut Avenue – proposed single storey extension. No objections.
28/24 TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS
NB - GB Alarms have quoted for removal of the cameras from Vanity Fayre. Expensive at £495 hiring a cherry picker for two days for a six-hour job by two men. Council asked if GB has the responsibility to take them down. It was felt this not. the case but price to be questioned with GB. Clerk to speak to GB.
SH- walking in Flinders Park, there is a large electrical transformer, low level 415 walt. It is extremely low close to a play area. This has been investigated in the past as it does not look safe. Maybe the park was put there after the transformer? Cllr Harris is happy to meet with Western Power on site.
GL – Park Lane, been mentioned before but can anything be done regarding the speed issues? Youths in shed behind shop, but an adult had said he would speak with them.
MR - disabled parking, how did meeting go with Highways. Cllr King has sent everyone an apology that we had the incorrect time. A further meeting was arranged for 13th February, so no further action has been taken. Clerk felt although it appears to be dragging on, if it can be done for the price of the paint it would be worth the wait. All agreed. Cllr Rollinson confirmed he would like to see it done. As she had not been, and South Holland cannot do works ask if they can do Matthew Flinders signs as well.
JS – any update on war graves or damaged memorials? Clerk had reminder in diary to follow up War Graves sign. Will request update on memorials. Trees in old cemetery removed yet. No Chair and Cllr Hawkins confirmed they were never going to clear away it required a professional, it had been three months now and it was looking untidy. Chair confirmed he had suggested perhaps Arb Core would be able to clear it away as well as the cuttings in Flinders Park. Clerk has asked Western Power when they cut down cemetery trees if they would clear away from old cemetery. If they do not, then request Arb Core to clear.
State of Road over approach on A52, potholes are a disgrace, also Malting Lane and Beech Grove. To report to County Cllr King. Cllr Burdall commented that Fix my Street Highways have it under investigation.
29/24 TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE
Cllr Rollinson felt the Flyer from the Police. No scale of the most deprived areas of Lincolnshire and felt a waste of reporting.
Lincolnshire Devolution Plan – voting on whether Lincolnshire should have a Mayor.
Details of the pylon route from Grimsby to Walpole. Campaign against pylons in Lincolnshire for those parishes affected or want to support affected parishes - link.
30/24 TO REVIEW DIGNITY AT WORK POLICY – In Closed Session
Cllr Harris brought it to the agenda. After the last meeting he felt the Dignity at Work Policy should be read and accepted. People have been feeling uneasy with meetings and need to be polite to each other and have a little respect. It does not portray a healthy image to the public. Cllr Walsh agreed the meeting was better due to the agenda being substantiated with details for discussions in order that decisions could be made.
In the future the Chair would prefer if Councillors proposed an item, they carry it forward.
Meetings, be that full Council or Committee, notes must be available before the meeting, so everyone is aware of what is to be discussed.
Have an agenda item for Reports of Committees, as it was previously.
Has this item come on the agenda to be approved? suggest it is on next months’ meeting. Cllr Harris requested this be an agenda item for the next meeting to be approved.
31/24 TO DISCUSS RENEWAL OF RED COW LEASE – In Closed Session
Lease on annual rolling lease. Proposed Cllr Walsh to renew for twelve months, seconded.
Cllr Hawkins.
Meeting Closed 9.29
Date of Next Meeting 7th March 2024