October DRAFT Minutes STILL TO BE APPROVED
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of Reepham Parish Council held on
Tuesday 29th October 2024 at 7.30pm in Reepham Methodist Chapel
Present: Cllrs D Perkins (Chairman), A Brammer, B Wharton, M Doughty, D Davies, H Gee, C Wilson, J Oxby, Mrs M Vail (Clerk), C/Cllr I Fleetwood, D/Cllr M Palmer, D/Cllr T Bridgwood. There were two members of the public.
Meeting started at 7.30pm.
Matters raised by members of the public: No matters were raised.
1. Apologies: Cllr N Ward, D/Cllr C Darcel.
2. Declarations of Interest: None.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 24 September 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:
Difficulties of hearing meeting proceedings: Noted that, depending on circumstances, attendees may be able to self-help. Everybody was reminded to be aware of the need to speak up. Action: Clerk to request hearing loop be activated.
5. Correspondence:
Police statistics for Sept 2024: Noted.
WLDC Planning: ‘A New Way to Consult’: A Guide for Consultees: Noted.
Resident concerns re Kennel Lane SID: Noted. The resident has been advised of data from a speed survey carried out by Lincs Road Safety Partnership at this location, plus further monitoring and research which they have undertaken.
6. Financial matters
a) Presentation of Accounts for Payment:
M Vail – Oct salary £ 238.41
PAYE – Oct £ 59.40
M Vail – paper/printing (July - Sept) £ 8.85
Sage payroll, Oct £ 12.00 (inc. £2.00 VAT)
Glendale, 0656 £ 382.57 (inc. £63.77 VAT)
Cllr A Brammer, reimburse Xmas lights £36.98
M Vail, reimburse Xmas sweets £36.50
Cllr A Brammer, reimburse flagstone £8.10
TOTAL £ 782.81 (inc. £65.77 VAT)
b) Income April – Sept
Precept £9,220.00
Bank Interest £ 442.35
VAT reclaim £ 953.74
TOTAL £10,616.09
The income was noted. At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED that the abovementioned accounts be paid. Action: Clerk, Cllr H Gee.
c) Budget and Precept setting 2025-26 – estimate and final figure:
A draft budget was considered. At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by
Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED:
1) to approve a budget totalling £11,408.34
2) to approve the submission of both the estimate and final precept demand forms to WLDC for a precept of £9681.00. This is a £461.00 increase from the 2024/25 precept figure. The budget shortfall of up to £1727.34 to be met from Reserves if and as required. Action: Clerk
d) ELANCITY-UK – Consider Warranty Extension of £199.00 + VAT per speed indicator device, per year for 3 years:
Following feedback from C/Cllr I Fleetwood that it was not known of any other speed indicator to have malfunctioned across the wider area, at the proposal by Cllr C Wilson, seconded by Cllr B Wharton, it was RESOLVED not to take out the warranty extension.
e) Updating bank mandate/online banking – Cllr H Gee:
Cllr H Gee now has online access. Barclays Bank have awarded a second compensation payment of £50.00.
7. Planning Matters
Report from Planning Committee:
No new planning applications have been received.
WL/2024/00674: Application to erect 143no. dwellings: Land to north of Rudgard Avenue, Cherry Willingham: Reepham PC’s comments have been submitted. Cherry Willingham PC have submitted comments on a few issues.
Lansdown Villa wall – consider WLDC response:
The response is considered to counter all other WLDC responses from their Conservation, Enforcement and Planning departments. C/Cllr I Fleetwood suggested next steps. Action: Cllr D Perkins, Cllr B Wharton to draft response to WLDC. Action: Clerk to submit (and cc. to all).
D/Cllr T Bridgwood advised that the BESS site application would be considered by WLDC Planning Committee imminently.
Goods Farm Development: Nothing to report.
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group: update, finances, website, hearing on Wed. 25th Sept. 2024 and Inspector’s fact check report:
Congratulations and thanks were extended to all group members, who had each done an outstanding job at handling detail and explaining matters. It was considered that the inspector had handled the Hearing very well.
The Inspector had submitted his report for fact checking, and Standing Orders were suspending at 7.55pm to allow one resident to speak on this matter. The resident summarised matters, advising that the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group will meet to fact check the report. Comments arising from the fact checking exercise will be submitted to the Inspector. A public meeting may be needed, and new Steering Group members would be welcomed. Cllr B Wharton and Cllr D Davies expressed an interest in joining the Steering Group.
Standing Orders resumed at 8.09pm, and the resident left the meeting.
Regulation 14 Consultation Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plan Review: Noted.
Regulation 14 Consultation Fiskerton Neighbourhood Plan Review: Noted.
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
Dog bin near to station/dog foul bin near to Kennel Lane: no updates available on repairs
Kennel Lane – damaged bus sign – no update available on repairs
The Cherry Willingham sign at Hawthorn Avenue area has been relocated following LCC work within Reepham parish. Action: Clerk to report to LCC.
9. Field Footpaths and Bridleways
Reepham /Greetwell PF 131: Delayed works: holding item
Seat on FP 109 (bridleway) in poor condition: Item next agenda. Action: Clerk.
FP Kennel Lane: no update available on clearing of overgrowth.
10. Conservation area
Village Green – A mock-up of the interpretation board was shown. Work is required to include a map of footpaths. Therefore, at the proposal by Cllr B Wharton, seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED to invite a company to a Green project group meeting to discuss what this company can offer to the project. Action: Green Project Group.
At the proposal by Cllr J Oxby, seconded by Cllr D Davies, it was RESOLVED to approve expenditure of £292.00 for a litter bin for the village green.
Noted that 3 metres are to be removed from the height of leylandii growing into overhead wires.
11. Amenity areas
Play Area inspections – internal: No matters of concern to report. There has been
no mole activity. A weed spray is requested in 2025. Action: Clerk.
12. Trees/vegetation
Bushes overhanging property on Manor Rise:
Noted that an individual is legally entitled to cut overhanging vegetation back to a boundary. Following a visit to the resident to discuss and view the situation, RESOLVED to write to the resident to advise that the Parish Council has no objections to their accessing the hazel bush from the Parish Council side if that helps the resident to cut the hazel back to the boundary line. Action: Clerk
Dead trees adjacent to property on Manor Rise:
Following a visit to the resident to discuss and view the situation, RESOLVED to obtain a quote to remove both trees. Action: Clerk
Holme Oak on Manor Rise:
Noted that this tree is beginning to encroach on two footpaths. Action: Clerk to obtain recommendations on appropriate trimming.
Railway brambles are breaking through the security fencing. Action: Clerk to report to Network rail.
Trees on Station Road: the dead trees have been removed.
13. Xmas planning:
Tree delivery date is 27th November 2024. The lights are all in working order.
At the proposal by Cllr A Brammer, seconded by Cllr M Doughty, it was RESOLVED to adopt the Xmas tree risk assessments (erecting and dismantling).
A new flagstone cover has been purchased.
14. 2025 Meeting dates: all Tuesdays, except May (Wed): Noted.
Jan 28th, Feb 25th, Mar 25th, May 14th, Jun 24th, Jul 29th, Sept 30th, Oct 28th, Nov 25th
15. Business for next agenda: Noticeboard for the green.
16. Date of next meeting: 26th November 2024, 7.30pm, Methodist Chapel
Mrs Michelle Vail, Parish Clerk/RFO 04 November 2024