29th July 2021
DRAFT MINUTES
HACONBY & STAINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY 29TH JULY 2021 at 7.15 PM IN THE HARE & HOUNDS
Present: Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren (Chairman), Derek Bailey (Vice Chairman),
Brian Blackbourn, Laura Leyland, David Winn
County Councillor Martin Hill
Parish Clerk – Mrs Wendy Gray
1) Chairman’s Introduction and Announcements. Cllr Dixon-Warren welcomed everyone to meeting.
2) Public Questions, Comments or Representations.
A question was sent in asking about voluntary car schemes in/around the village for those isolated by illness or age. There is a Call Connect bus (if you are able to make it to the bus stop) but this only travels as far as Folkingham or Market Deeping SKDC area. Council had no immediate answer and agreed to research. Parish Clerk subsequently advised contact with Derek Diess (Rippingale) who organizes a scheme for Rippingale.
Cllr Bailey reported state of dykes next to Plots 5, 3 and 4 (PC side of dyke not been cleared for a long time). Concerns duly noted – will come up with a plan.
3) Apologies for Absence. Cllr Rayfield.
4) SKDC/LCC/Parish Council/Police Update.
LCC: elections only had 4 less councillors – Conservative majority to deliver on manifesto, highways maintenance, potholes number one subject. Now put another £10M in for minor road repairs. Complaints about litter, bigger bins in laybys, waste recycling centre getting back to normal, 1st September booking system will cease. Plans to have dual vaccinations in September for the vulnerable (Flu and Covid). Nuclear Waste – Government has to find somewhere for this to be stored. Problem with coastal sea defences at risk (discussions with EA will have to be different if nuclear waste goes there).
Council: Fix my Street working very well (charity runs it).
Cllr Winn commented on the waste recycling centre in Bourne – very impressed with way it works – service excellent.
5) Disclosures of Interests. Cllr R Dixon-Warren (Secretary of PCC), Cllr Bailey (Parish Land Tenant).
6) Minutes. To resolve that the minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 28th April 2021 be signed as a correct record. Cllr Winn proposed, seconded Cllr Blackbourn, all in agreement.
7) Matters Arising from the Minutes of 28th April. None.
8) Administrative Report and Correspondence Received.
Rent Plots 3/4 – had requested invoice which has been sent. Parish Clerk to contact re update when payment will be made.
Response received from LCC (Andrew Savage) re our communication 1st July Footpath No.9.
Planning Application S21/0397 – amendments to S07/0769 re non-material amendments – approved.
9) Budget and Invoices to be agreed for payment:
a) D Knibbs Community Cleaner – £239.28
b) W Gray, Parish Clerk Expenses – £33.68
c) W Gray, Parish Clerk Salary – £293.88
d) B Blackbourn, Parish Land Gates – £528.96
Cllr Bailey proposed that invoices be paid, seconded by Cllr Leyland, all in agreement.
Income Received since last meeting:
SKDC (Precept) – £1,630
10) Planning Applications Update. - S21/1448, S21/1449 (Alterations and single storey extension) at The Manor House, Church Street, Haconby. No Parish Council observations.
11) Risk Assessment. Policy to be reviewed to incorporate ‘Fix My Street’, which is highlighted in the Parish Policy and Information Guide and recently advertised on Facebook. Cllr Dixon-Warren suggested the Guide be trimmed down and be reviewed every 5 years.
12) Business Items:
a) Casual Vacancy. Advert placed in Village Life.
b) Parish Land. Happy with notes, take as read – tenancy/works/future.
Tenancies:
Plots 1 / 2 – CLT. New tenancy in effect. Significant clearance work carried out at Council expense, gates erected, erection of fences pending.
Plots 3 / 4 – CLT. New tenancy in effect.
Plot 5A – CLT. Tenancy advertised, no applications so far.
Plot 5 B – CLT. Tenancy renewed.
Plots 5 C – Garden Allotment. Tenancy terminated, structures and fencing left – some recycled, some to be cleared by Council at former tenant’s expense.
Plot 5 D – Garden Allotment. Tenancy renewed. Tenant has undertaken to tend to bring into a good state of fertility and cultivation as required.
Plots 6 / 7 / 8 – FBT. Valid until October 2023.
Plot 9 – CLT. Tenancy renewed.
Plot 10 – LCC Historical. Rent arrears TBC. Future to be decided. Cost / gains analysis required – retain plot and income (subject to rent review, £ 40 per annum) or sell to LCC (subject to legal expense of sale).
Works. Council noted that further work is anticipated, including cleaning up the layby and emplacing a culvert at the entrance to Plot 5 from the layby to improve drainage.
Future. Council noted that after a fallow period during Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions, a review of Parish Land management processes was ongoing. It further noted that its resources for organisation and administration of tenancies and maintenance are minimal and are spread between a few individual Councillors and the Clerk. The Council therefore relies on tenants meeting the various obligations of their tenancy agreements with minimal Council engagement. It seeks their support and engagement for the benefit of all. The need to plan another ‘walkabout’ was highlighted.
c) Parish Website – Business Links. Cllr Bailey – how do we move forward – advertise facility and invite people who meet the criteria to see the webmaster.
d) Shooting Rights. One applicant – Mr M Ewer. Parish Clerk to write to Mr Ewer confirming the Council’s award and sort the necessary paperwork.
e) Transfer of Responsibility for Churchyard Maintenance. Cllr Dixon-Warren updated on situation and sought confirmation of Council position. Council reaffirmed its intention to take over maintenance of the closed churchyard once the overall condition of the grounds is good and its walls and fences are in good repair. Cllr Dixon-Warren undertook to inform the PCC.
f) Parish Emergency Plan. No update.
g) Online Banking. Parish Clerk to visit branch to ascertain what is required to set up i.e. two nominated Cllrs – to view account only.
13) Any Other Business.
a. Broadband – Full Fibre Connection Poll. LCC’s broadband team is happy to advise and assist in setting up the BDUK Rural Gigabit Voucher Scheme. Cllr Leyland’s Facebook poll recorded 26 interested in taking part in the scheme and two not interested. Cllr Dixon-Warren suggested that LCC’s broadband team be invited to the next meeting to brief and take questions on the scheme.
b. Future of St Andrew’s Church. Cllr Dixon-Warren briefed that the Diocese of Lincoln is developing a plan called ‘A Time to Change Together – Resourcing Sustainable Church’. The PCC will be considering what type of church it is to be and will be seeking the support of the parish, churchgoers and non-church-goers alike, to develop St Andrew’s as a multi-use community resource in order to secure funding for the long term future of the church. Cllr Dixon-Warren sought and received the Council’s support for this parish community project.
c. Highways Verges and Footpaths. The Council acknowledged and appreciates the assistance of local residents to cutting the grass on highways verges (including the Haconby ‘green’) and keeping footpaths clear. This helpfully supplements the work done by LCC and Parish Council contractors, particularly when growth outstrips planned cuts and clearance.
d. Haconby Tree. The Council noted the completion of the crowdfunded project to replace the old horse chestnut tree on the green. The new tree, a sweet chestnut, was planted in February 2021 and a memorial plaque was laid in July 2021. The contribution of all who organised, donated, supported and will maintain this project is appreciated.
14) Date of Next Meeting. Thursday 23rd September 2021 at 7:15 pm in the Hare & Hounds Public House.
15) Closed Session. Not required.
Meeting closed at 9.05 p.m.