June 2024 Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Reepham Parish Council held on
Tuesday 25 June 2024 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chairman), A Brammer, N Ward, D Davies, H Gee, C Wilson, Mrs M Vail (Clerk), C/Cllr I Fleetwood, D/Cllr M Palmer, D/Cllr T Bridgwood.
Meeting started at 7.30pm.
Matters raised by members of the public: No members of the public in attendance.
1. Apologies: Cllrs B Wharton (holiday), J Oxby (work), M Doughty (family commitment). RESOLVED to accept the apologies and reasons for absence.
2. Declarations of Interest: None
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 15 May 2024:
At the proposal by Cllr H Gee, seconded by Cllr C Wilson, it was RESOLVED that the minutes be accepted.
4. Clerk’s Report:
WLDC feedback on defibrillator at school, approve costs – WLDC are still to inspect the defibrillator and advise on their recommendations.
Request to WLDC to update TPO register – Manor Rise – WLDC advise that their tree application records show all necessary details of the site history in relation to the trees. The Tree Officer will add a note to the mapping records to clarify the situation.
Bus shelter cleaning – both shelters are being cleaned six- monthly, with the Kennel Lane one at £25.00 per visit, and High Street one at £20.00 per visit.
5. Correspondence:
To note: Police Crime Statistics. Noted.
Environment Agency’s Lower Witham Flood Resilience Project Newsletter: Noted.
Action Required:
Police: Parish Council Engagement sessions, rescheduled to 16th July 2024, 6 – 8pm, (from 4th July), Teams, appoint attendee:
At the proposal by Cllr H Gee, seconded by Cllr C Wilson, it was RESOLVED to appoint Cllr D Davies. Action: Clerk to forward the invite.
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment (June):
M Vail – June salary, £ 238.21
PAYE – June, £ 59.60
M Vail – paper/printing (April - June), £ 7.80
M Vail - Homeworking allowance, April - June, £ 15.00
Sage payroll, June, £ 9.60 (inc. £1.60 VAT)
Glendale 0229, £370.49 (inc. £61.76 VAT)
Martin’s Cleaning Services -Bus shelter cleaning, £ 45.00
Play Inspection company, Annual Inspection, £ 99.00 ( inc. £16.50 VAT)
WLDC, VH defib 2024-25, 50% full year fee, £ 53.00 (Inc. 8.83 VAT)
TOTAL , £ 897.70 (inc. £ 88.69 VAT)
At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that these accounts be paid. Action: Clerk, Cllr D Perkins, Cllr A Brammer
b) Confirmation of bank payments:
The internal auditor has confirmed that he is content for councillors acting as second signatories in the authorisation of bank payments to cease the recently introduced practice of printing out confirmations of their authorisations. The bank can provide this evidence if it is ever required, and alternative safeguards are already in place.
At the proposal by Cllr D Perkins, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED to cease printing out confirmations of second signatory bank payment authorisations.
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
No new matters to report this month. All applications previously assessed by the Planning Panel have been approved by WLDC.
D/Cllr T Bridgwood gave an update on WL/2024/00036, formerly 147131 BESS Land South of Barlings Lane (Battery Storage). The developer has submitted a Fire Strategy Report to support the application. There are concerns that, for Fire Risk Assessment requirements, although the site should have two distinct and separate entry points from opposite sides in order to be able to enter regardless of the direction of the prevailing wind, this is not actually the case.
Goods Farm Development: nothing to report.
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group: update, finances, website: The Inspector has raised some points requiring clarification, and these are being responded to.
8. Roads and footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath – holding item
Mellows Close yellow lines – holding item
Bus shelter for Lincoln bound travellers at bus stop in Fiskerton – holding item
Meadows Lane sign – the sign has been installed.
LRSP Speed survey: Kennel Lane – Lincs Road Safety Partnership have undertaken a speed survey on Kennel Lane and have provided the results to the police to consider. The average speed on approach to the village was 31.6mph. Full survey results will be published on the parish council website. Action: Clerk
Kennel Lane – Speed limit signs for wheelie bins. 50p each, minimum order £50.00: No action to be taken.
Overgrown hedge alongside Hawthorn Road up to the Kennel Lane corner:
The extra hedge growth is impacting on pedestrians; therefore, arrangements have been made with the contractor to cut back this hedge earlier than planned.
Obstructed footpath between Mellows Close and the school playing field: Vegetation is growing across the footpath in places and has been reported to LCC.
Hawthorn Road additional speed signs: Noted that repeater 30 mph roundels along Hawthorn Road would be beneficial in reminding drivers of the new, lower speed limit. Action: Cllr A Brammer
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways
Reepham /Greetwell PF 131: Delayed works due to weather
Footpath to airfield – footbridge has rotten handrails: holding item
LCC Rights of Way Survey – closes 28th July 2024.
10. Conservation area
Village Green – project update, noticeboard provision:
The delivery of a seat is still awaited, and this will mark the end of the current phase of the project. The next phase will focus on noticeboard(s). Questions have been asked about the spending of public money on this project and noted that 1) it is not public money, but National Lottery grant money, and 2) this was asked for in 2018 by residents. It was therefore agreed that Cllrs A Brammer and C Wilson should write an explanation for Reepham News. Action: Cllrs A Brammer and C Wilson
11. Amenity areas
Play Area inspections – internal, annual inspection, quote for tidy up/weeding:
Bird droppings are landing on the large swings, so a deterrent across the top bar would be beneficial. Action: Cllr A Brammer
A quote is awaited for weeding and a tidy up of the play area.
12. Business for next agenda:
Reviewed Xmas tree risk assessments (erecting and dismantling)
Revised Financial Regulations
Noticeboard for the Green (unified design)
13. Date of next meeting: 30th July 2024, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel
Meeting ended at 7.59pm
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 15 July 2024