September Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Reepham Parish Council held on
Tuesday 24th September 2024 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chairman), A Brammer, B Wharton, D Davies, H Gee, C Wilson, Mrs M Vail (Clerk), C/Cllr I Fleetwood, D/Cllr M Palmer.
There was one member of the public.
Absent: Cllr N Ward
Meeting started at 7.30pm.
Matters raised by members of the public: The resident noted difficulties in hearing what is being spoken in meetings and requested whether the issues could be addressed.
Community Parking Forum: No matters were raised.
1. Apologies: Cllr J Oxby, Cllr M Doughty, D/Cllr C Darcel, D/Cllr T Bridgwood.
2. Declarations of Interest: None.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 30 July 2024:
At the proposal by Cllr D Davies, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED
that the minutes be accepted.
4. Clerk’s Report:
Update on defibrillator at school: The application form to join WLDC’s Annual Defibrillator Maintenance Scheme has been submitted, and an invoice to cover the pro-rata 2024/25 fee has been received for £44.17 + VAT. Guardianship/management details as recorded with the Circuit have been changed to those of WLDC.
At the proposal by Cllr D Davies, seconded by Cllr H Gee, it was RESOLVED
to approve payment of this invoice. Action: Clerk.
5. Correspondence:
To note:
Police statistics for July/August 2024: Noted.
WLDC Design Code consultation: Noted that the first consultation stage runs from 10th - 22nd October 2024.
Action Required:
LCC request to check grit bins for damage, and if they are less than half full:
Action: All Councillors to check grit bins and advise Clerk of any issues to report.
Resident – enquiry to cut back bushes to rear of Manor Rise:
Several Manor Rise properties have the potential to be affected in the future by vegetation overgrowth; and the area needs to be reviewed in its entirety to ensure parity for all. Action: Clerk to arrange a mutually convenient time for resident and Councillors to meet.
Resident – advising of two dead trees/vegetation affecting Manor Rise property:
Action: Clerk to arrange a mutually convenient time for resident and Councillors to meet, to tie in with visit to resident above (previous item).
Witham Valley Access Group offer of presentation at Annual Parish Meeting 2025; and questions about Parish Paths Partnership scheme:
Councillors were in favour of accepting the offer of a presentation; and were able to provide answers to questions on the Parish Council’s experience in relation to the LCC Parish Paths Partnership scheme. Action: Clerk
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment (Sept):
M Vail – Sept salary £ 238.41
PAYE – Sept £ 59.40
Clerk’s homeworking allowance, July-Sept £ 15.00
Sage payroll, Sept £ 12.00 (inc. £2.00 VAT)
Glendale 0553 £ 382.57 (inc. £63.77 VAT)
TOTAL £ 707.38 (inc. £65.77 VAT)
At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr H Gee, it was RESOLVED that the abovementioned accounts be paid. Action: Clerk, Cllr D Perkins, Cllr A Brammer
b) Updating bank mandate/online banking – Cllr H Gee continues to progress matters.
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee: No new applications have been received.
Lansdown Villa – A further response has been received from WLDC detailing the reasoning behind their original decision and further dialogue will be initiated with D/Cllr T Bridgwood. Action: Clerk
Goods Farm Development:
A resident has queried if the moving of the public right of way had been correctly publicly consulted on. Noted that the Parish Council had been advised by LCC. C/Cllr I Fleetwood advised that the resident needs to put their query to LCC. Action: Cllr A Brammer to advise resident accordingly.
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group: update, finances, website, hearing on Wed. 25th Sept. 2024 at R&CW Village Hall:
It was queried that the Parish Council representatives at the Hearing will be unable to give more meaningful answers than the Steering Group Members, and that the correct people need to be ‘around the table’ to provide detailed responses.
Standing Orders were suspended at 8.08pm to allow the resident to speak on this matter. Noted that Steering Group members, who have done the work up to point of submission, were invited to represent the Parish Council at the hearing.
Standing Orders resumed at 8.14pm.
Following further discussion by Councillors, Standing Orders were suspended again at 8.24pm to allow the resident to speak further. The resident advised that the Steering Group has only steered the process, which had begun with a questionnaire. The community is shaping the future development of the village, and the outcomes of the Neighbourhood Plan are decided by the community.
Standing Orders resumed at 8.26pm.
Following discussions relating to the Neighbourhood Plan Hearing, and to ensure clarity, it was proposed that any Member of the Parish Council or the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group be authorised to act as the Parish Council’s representative.
Proposed: Cllr D Perkins, seconded: Cllr A Brammer. All in favour.
From D/Cllr T Bridgwood: Update on Health & Safety issues regarding planning applications for BESS Sites in the District: Noted.
WL/2024/00674: Application for approval of reserved matters to erect 143no. dwellings considering appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following outline planning permission 142874 granted 14 July 2023. Location: Land to north of Rudgard Avenue, Cherry Willingham:
Dating back to 2021, the Parish Council did submit comments originally which do appear to have been addressed. Only the eastern edge of this proposed development would affect Reepham. This section is closer to Reepham school than to Cherry Willingham primary school, therefore there may be future opportunity to work with Cherry Willingham Parish Council to develop an official footpath.
At the proposal by Cllr B Wharton, seconded by Cllr A Brammer, it was RESOLVED Cllr B Wharton provide comments for Clerk for submission to WLDC. Action: Cllr B Wharton Action: Clerk.
8. Roads and footways
Mellows Close to Manor Rise footpath – holding item
Mellows Close yellow lines – holding item
Bus shelter, Lincoln bound travellers at the bus stop in Fiskerton – holding item
Trees on Station Road: Five of the seven trees are dead and appear ‘cut off’ at the top. Action: Clerk to write to LCC and request if these could be replaced with a different species.
C/Cllr I Fleetwood advised that Moor Lane is due imminently to have pothole repairs undertaken.
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways
Reepham /Greetwell PF 131: Delayed works: holding item
Seat on FP 109 in poor condition: Item for next agenda. Action: Clerk.
FP Kennel Lane: footpath is overgrown in places. Action: Clerk to report to LCC.
10. Conservation area
Village Green – An update on the project was given. Some information is being provided for the interpretation boards by non-Councillors. A rubbish bin will be required; for which quotes will be needed. Action: Clerk to confirm number of quotes to be obtained.
11. Amenity areas
Play Area inspections – internal: The latest inspection is due to be carried out.
Action: Cllr A Brammer
12. Xmas:
The tree has been ordered, with the delivery date to be confirmed.
There are no back-up sets of tree lights, therefore at the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr H Gee, it was RESOLVED to purchase spare lights at £32.99. Action: Cllr A Brammer.
The Xmas tree risk assessments (erecting and dismantling) will be deferred to the next meeting.
Flagstone cover is in hand.
The annual Christmas event on the green, led by the school, will take place at 6pm on Monday 16th December, weather permitting. At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED to authorise expenditure up to £45.00 to purchase sweets for this event. Action: Clerk.
13. Business for next agenda:
Budget and precept setting
Noted that a dog foul bin near to the station is broken, and that a pole on a dog foul bin near Kennel Lane is broken. Action: Clerk to report both to WLDC.
14. Date of next meeting: 29th October 2024, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel
Meeting ended at 8.58pm.
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 21 October 2024