March 2022 Minutes
REEPHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting
Tuesday 29 March 2022 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chairman); A Brammer, J Oxby, N Ward, P Stuffins, B Tebbs, M Doughty (arrived at 7.32pm), L Searle, C Wilson, Mrs M Vail (Clerk); D/Cllr A Welburn, D/Cllr C Darcel and C/Cllr I Fleetwood.
There were no members of the public.
The Parish Council meeting was preceded by a meeting of the Planning Panel.
Community Parking Forum: No matters were raised.
Matters raised by members of the public: No members of the public were present.
Meeting started at 7.31pm.
1. Apologies: None.
2. Declarations of Interest: None
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 23 February 2022:
At the proposal by Cllr B Tebbs, seconded by Cllr N Ward, it was RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes be accepted.
4. Clerk’s Report
Handyman update: The handyman’s insurance details have been provided. He has completed refurbishment of the Chapel Close noticeboard. A place on the Play Inspector training course has been booked for Wed 22 June 2022; although confirmation is still needed that the handyman will attend.
LCC response re County News FOI request: Following a further FOI request to LCC relating to 2020/21, they have confirmed that they do not hold information relating to the exact costs of staff time on County News content; nor exact costs of income from cost savings to LCC from information included in County News. They were able to provide exact expenditure for public notices appearing in paid publications. Following resultant concerns raised, at the proposal by Cllr J Oxby, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED unanimously to send all of LCC’s FOI responses to the local MP. Action: Clerk
Annual Litter Pick – The litter pick, on 3rd April at 10am and meeting at the village hall, is being promoted via noticeboards, website and Facebook.
School response re Queens Jubilee tree planting event: The school are amenable to taking part in an event. The need to plant the tree away from where vehicles cross the land was noted. An event in June was agreed; and to ask the school to suggest whichever event will best suit them. Action: Clerk
External hard drive storage: The storage has become degraded; leading to issues with saving documents. At a proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr C Wilson, it was RESOLVED unanimously to seek local advice first; and agreement in principle to replace the storage if needed. Cllr I Fleetwood also offered help, if needed. Action: Clerk
National Pay rise 2021/22 – Noted as a 1.75% increase.
5. Correspondence
To note only: D/Cllr Welburn: March report; WLDC Parish News: Feb/March
WLDC – Amended Code of Conduct: At the proposal by Cllr C Wilson, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED unanimously to adopt the amended Code of Conduct. Councillors were asked to sign a form to confirm their ‘undertaking to abide by the Code adopted by the Parish Council’
Action: Clerk
6. Financial matters
a. Presentation of Accounts for Payment:
M Vail, March salary (inc pay rise back pay), £227.30
PAYE, March (inc pay rise back PAYE), £56.80
Homeworking Allowance, Jan – Mar, £15.00
Clerk’s printing costs, £4.50
M Vail, reimburse Norton Annual Fee, £64.99
Sage payroll, March, £8.40
LCC, install of SID post, £200.00
Methodist Chapel, hire for meetings in 2022, £154.00
C&A Building Services, £241.75
TOTAL, £972.74
Noted that the Refurbishment of the Chapel Close noticeboard had been a bigger job than originally anticipated.
At the proposal by Cllr P Stuffins, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED unanimously that the accounts be paid. Action: Clerk, Cllr D Perkins
b. Update on online bank access: Cllr D Perkins is now set up.
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
Three applications have been determined since the last meeting, as follows:
144170, solar farm
143960, 86 Hawthorn Avenue
14 Mellows Close
Outstanding Applications, awaiting a decision, as follows:
144101, 5 High Street
144289, land adj. 1 Station Road
One new application, as follows:
144497 – 21 St Lukes Close Cherry Willingham:
Whilst the majority had no objections, consideration was given to submitting a comment that the conversion was not attractive and would not enhance the views from Reepham towards Cherry Willingham.
At the proposal by Cllr P Stuffins, seconded by Cllr C Wilson, it was RESOLVED unanimously to submit the comments.Action: Cllr B Tebbs, Clerk
141866 (plot on Kennel Lane corner): Concerns had been raised about encroachment onto the grass verge following removal of the hedging. WLDC had been advised by the developer that the hedge was dying and how they would rectify the situation. WLDC had, in turn, advised the developer on planning requirements. LCC have advised that, once the development is completed, they will take enforcement action if there is any encroachment into the highway.
At the proposal by Cllr P Stuffins, seconded by Cllr C Wilson, it was RESOLVED unanimously that the Clerk requests that LCC acts proactively.Action: Clerk
Central Lincs Local Plan (CLLP) Consultation: D/Cllr A Welburn was thanked for providing a ‘digestible’ portion of the whole document. Noted that there is no proposal to add anything new to Reepham beyond what has already been agreed. Noted that the Neighbourhood Plan will reflect the latest version of the CLLP.
At the proposal of Cllr D Perkins, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED unanimously to feedback to the consultation a suggestion to include an easy to read summary in plain English explaining exactly where to look for all the information that is relevant for each village as it is presently buried within the hundreds of pages provided.
Goods Farm Development - Nothing to report
Neighbourhood Planning Group: New guidance has been published which needs to be incorporated into the NP work; along with the feedback received from WLDC; and ensuring it reflects the CLLP. There is no end date for the Final Plan.
8. Roads and Footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath – holding item
Village Gate/SID – IGAS have awarded £1200.00 which WLDC will match. The Parish Council will need to contribute £1900.00 + VAT. The Clerk was congratulated for her efforts in obtaining the grants. C/Cllr I Fleetwood offered to install the SIDS; and to also check the quote; noting that locks and brackets/clips will be required.
At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED unanimously to purchase two SIDs. Action: Clerk
Mellows Close/High Street corner – update on yellow lines. Both the Clerk and Cllr I Fleetwood have unsuccessfully chased for an update. Action: Clerk to try alternative contact.
Other issues were reported as follows:
Smooting Lane:
requires a road sweeper and drains cleared.
there are many potholes
name plate at Station Road end requires attention. Action: Clerk
Within previous discussions on Goods Farm, there has been no mention that Meadows Lane runs through the farm.It can be dated back as far as 1839 and was only named after 1886. Agenda item for next meeting: to consider how to recognise that Meadows Lane exists.Action: Clerk
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways:
LCC update on 109 (North Lane – Highway section): repairs are completed.
10. Conservation Area
Village Green – project update: To date, two of three quotes have been obtained, with a meeting for the third scheduled shortly. Cllr C Wilson advised that she had previously been told informally that consent was not required. Action: Clerk to approach WLDC for written confirmation.
Parking on the Green – A resident had made contact concerning recent problems caused by parking on the Green. Councillors expressed frustration that they are unable to do more to address matters at this time. Action: Clerk to include in Reepham News article.
11. Amenity Areas
Internal play inspections – the cradle swing seats are corroding/cracking and require replacing. Action: Clerk to obtain quote.
Quote to spray moss off tiled areas £70.00 + VAT:
At the proposal by Cllr P Stuffins, seconded by Cllr A Brammer it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the quote, then for the handyman to clear the resultant debris once the moss had died. Action: Clerk
Resetting gate – update: A replacement gate closer will be delivered imminently and the gate will be reinstated as soon as practicable after repair. Noted that residents have been making contact about both the lack of a gate and the length of the grass at the play area.
12. Village hall defibrillator box: Item on hold.
13. Emergency Plan: Action: Cllr J Oxby to liaise with LCC’s Emergency Planning Department to ascertain if their planning already covers the village
14. Business for next Agenda:
Kennel Lane – despite being reported recently, rubbish is still being dumped in a grass field to the right upon leaving Reepham. Action: D/Cllr A Welburn
Barlings Lane – queried if stone is being graded at a location on Barlings Lane. This is a matter for the Environment Agency (waste transfer permit); with LCC asked to reinforce compliance as required.
Hawthorn Road (Hawthorn Avenue area) – a resident living near the edge of the village (Lincoln end) has reported concerns about the 40mph limit at that location; also considering that the 50mph limit off the Bypass is too high.
The Green – consider purchasing a seat for the Green.
15. Date of Next Meeting: 17 May 2022, 7.30pm in the Methodist Chapel
Meeting ended at 8.49pm.
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO11/04/2022