January 2023 Minutes
REEPHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting
Tuesday 31 January 2023 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs M Doughty, N Ward, B Tebbs, A Brammer, C/Cllr I Fleetwood, D/Cllr A Welburn, Mrs M Vail (Clerk), and one member of the public
Absent: Cllr J Oxby
Due to the absence of Cllr D Perkins, and only one nomination, at a proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED that Cllr B Tebbs be appointed as Chairman for the duration of this meeting only.
Matters raised by members of the public:
The member of the public spoke as follows:
o He passed on thanks from Cllr C Wilson for good wishes and gift received.
o Noted rising costs of producing Reepham News, and requested if the Parish Council would contribute £55.55pa for its regular one page article (all regular contributors are being approached). Item for next agenda. Action: Clerk
o With reference to item 15 below, he suggested a lack of advertising of the vacancy of councillor. The Clerk confirmed that the vacancy had been advertised.
1. Apologies: Cllrs D Perkins, C Wilson, L Searle, D/Cllr C Darcel
2. Declarations of Interest: Cllr A Brammer declared an interest on the Roads and Footways agenda item; having been asked to raise a matter by a resident.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 29 November 2022: At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes be accepted.
4. Clerk’s Report:
Land to west of Fiskerton Road: fence – an application has been made by the developer to seek to vary the changes made from the approved planning application.
Declaration of Interests Forms – Cllr M Doughty confirmed his form was up to date.
Quarterly Parish Cluster meetings with Community Police Inspector – a virtual Microsoft Teams meeting is scheduled for 20th February, with details to follow (Note: subsequently rearranged to be held face-to face at Scothern Methodist Chapel)
Annual Litter pick – At the proposal by Cllr M Doughty, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED unanimously that the Annual Litter Pick takes place on 26th March; meeting at 10am at the village hall. Collected rubbish to be left at Cllr N Ward’s yard for collection by WLDC.
Action: Cllr M Doughty to promote via social media; and Clerk via website and Reepham News. Action: Cllr I Fleetwood to supply equipment.
Coronation of King Charles III – item deferred.
5. Correspondence
To note only: D/Cllr Welburn – Dec/Jan report; C/Cllr I Fleetwood Jan briefing
WLDC Parish News 15th & 16th Editions; LCC consultation on budget.
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment:
M Vail, Jan salary, £ 222.43
PAYE, Jan, £ 55.80
Clerk’s printing costs, £ 2.60
Clerk’s expenses (Xmas chocolates – Carols Around Tree), £ 29.59
Sage payroll, Jan, £ 8.40
TOTAL, £ 318.82
At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED unanimously to approve payment of the abovementioned accounts. Action: Clerk, Cllr D Perkins.
b) Invoice for SID post (Fiskerton Road) has been paid, as approved at November 2022 meeting (£200.00):
Noted. Action: C/Cllr I Fleetwood and Cllr A Brammer to liaise regarding the return and installation of the SID for Fiskerton Road.
c) Approve LALC Annual Subscription 2023/24 at £259.41:
At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr N Ward, it was RESOLVED unanimously to approve this payment. Action: Clerk
d) Consider LALC Annual Training Scheme 2023/24 at £115.00 + £23.00 VAT:
Item deferred until post-elections in May 2023.
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
o 145674 – 37 Fiskerton Road – permission granted on 1/12/22.
o 145700 – 33 Fiskerton Road – permission granted 2/12/22.
o 145579 – 5 High Street – permission refused on 30/11/22.
New application: 146140 – 1 Meadow Close – Action: Cllr B Tebbs to email Clerk with response to be submitted to WLDC.
Standing Orders were suspended at 7.55pm to allow the resident to speak. Standing Orders resumed at 7.57pm.
Goods Farm Development – planning application 145047. WLDC are reconsulting on a now amended application dated 27 January 2023 with only 10 days given for responses to be submitted. Due to the time -sensitive nature of this matter, it was agreed that Councillors will comment via email, and for the response to be ratified at the March 2023 meeting. Action: Cllr B Tebbs to advise Clerk of response to WLDC. Action: Clerk
Neighbourhood Planning Group (NPG) – an update report was read out; and a question from the NPG noted concerning safety of the crossings over the railway near to the school field. Standing Orders were suspended at 8.07pm to allow the resident and D/Cllr A Welburn to speak on this matter, before the meeting resuming at 8.14pm. It was then noted that the Parish Council did not recall any complaints about the crossings, and agreed that the NPG should approach Network Rail directly.
Groundwork UK have requested repayment of unspent grant monies and for the end of grant report to be updated as required. The Clerk is liaising with the Treasurer of the NPG, and with Groundwork UK to finalise this matter. Action: Clerk.
Central Lincs Local Plan Review - Main Modifications consultation: Noted.
8. Roads and Footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath – holding item
Mellows Close yellow lines – holding item
Smooting Lane – update on WLDC road sweep. No update forthcoming despite chasing WLDC. Action: Clerk to continue to chase.
Meadows Lane – Mapping has been reviewed; some of which has contributed to better understanding the alignment of Meadows Lane. A Land Registry search has shown that the title has not been registered. Noted that Meadows Lane could be registered as a Community Asset. At the proposal of Cllr N Ward, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED to update Mr P Good. Action: Cllr A Brammer.
SIDs – See item 6b above for update. The Clerk continues to chase regarding installing repeater roundels on both SID poles.
Parking concerns: Mellows Close, Chapel Close; school parking: Item deferred.
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways:
Overgrown path (High Street to Church Lane) – work had been completed.
10. Conservation Area
Village Green Project – Existing drawings have been ‘tidied up’ and a local drone pilot is to be asked for aerial photos to accompany the grant application. Cllrs A Brammer and M Doughty will progress documentation with the aim of submitting the grant application to National Lottery Heritage in due course. The Clerk has submitted a full application to IGAS requesting a £2000.00 grant.
Recent activity has been reported where an HGV vehicle is entering/leaving Goods Farm daily. This is of concern to some residents. Noted that the farm has been offered as a parking location. At the proposal of Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED to write to the HGV company to request a timeframe until parking ends, to request a left turn upon existing farm; and to advise of possible verge damage requiring rectifying. Action: Cllr A Brammer, Clerk
11. Amenity Areas
December/January play park inspections – There is mole activity. Action: Cllr A Brammer to level off mole hills. Item for next agenda. Action: Clerk
Trees on bank at Manor Rise/car park – A summary of quotes was circulated and given consideration. These included options to 1) prune back overhanging trees adj. to one Manor Rise property, and 2) remove said trees.
At a proposal from Cllr N Ward, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED that another site visit take place where, as this is a time sensitive matter due to the start of bird nesting season in March, a quote will be agreed upon at that site visit. The decision reached is to be ratified at the March meeting. Action: all.
Action Clerk: to obtain stump removal quotes.
12. Business for next Agenda: Moles in play area, update on HGV matter.
13. Date of Next Meeting: 28 February 2023 at 7.30pm in the Methodist Chapel
14. Resolve to move into Closed Session as the following item contains information of a confidential or sensitive nature:
At the proposal of Cllr M Doughty, seconded by Cllr B Tebbs it was RESOLVED not to move into Closed Session but to defer appointing to the vacant post of parish councillor until the March 2023 meeting, and to readvertise meanwhile. Action: Clerk
15. To consider applications to the vacant post of parish councillor: Item deferred.
The resident asked if any applications had been received and, upon being answered in the affirmative, stated that he therefore withdrew his comments from the start of the meeting about insufficient lack of advertising of the vacancy for parish councillor.
Meeting ended at 8.50pm.
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 6 February 2023