2019 Minutes of Meetings

 

Present: Councillors David Winn (Chairman), Derek Bailey, Brian BlackbournRichard Dixon-Warren (Vice-Chairman), Philippa Dixon-WarrenParish Clerk – Mrs Wendy Gray

 

Councillor Martin Hill arrived late (prior meeting)

 

10 members of the public were in attendance

 

1) Chairman’s Introduction and Announcements. Chairman welcomed everyone to meeting, nice to see so many people.

 

2) Public Questions, Comments or Representations.

Public focus on the Haconby horse chestnut tree and Parish Notice on its future.

Cllr R Dixon-Warren outlined the background. Question on who owns the tree – LCC Highways or PC – HM Land Registry confirmed land not owned by anyone. Document in PC files indicates green is highway verge but LCC denies owning it. Question on who is responsible for the green and vegetation on it. No one will take responsibility of the tree, public safety is principal concern. Parish Notice summarised what arboriculturalist reported. PC knows the village has a view judging by the emails received.

Public discussion and PC responses:

If tree not dangerous why do we have to lop it? Answer: the tree is diseased.

Is pruning delaying it? Answer: Safety measure – will not extend the life of the tree.

PC: Cost issue if taking down, cost issue to maintain.

If no one accepts responsibility for tree who will be liable? Answer: not known.

What will tree look like when cut back? Answer: it will not be very pleasant to look at.

PC point: PC has limited finances. Income from precept and Parish Land. Cost of work on tree will come out of PC’s current resources.

PC point: recommendation is to cut back by a third.

If it is cut back by the recommended third will it be safe? Answer: that is the intent.

PC: tree will be subject to annual maintenance – it is rotten right down middle main trunk.

Member of public’s comments: Issue has been going on for 2 years if people interested will comment. Who is going to pay for sculpture and carpentry? After Church and Pub tree is probably the third most important point in the village – feel something can be done to raise funds.

PC comments:

The tree does not have life expectancy of oak and ash.

10 years’ life expectancy will soon pass – putting off eventual day.

PC awaits quotes on the work recommended.

Public suggestion to consider cut back ourselves and use the wood. PC response: work will not be done by anyone without proper qualifications, risk assessment and insurance – has to be done properly.

PC noted that a tree surgeon has also looked at tree again – looked at 2 years ago.

PC agreed that it needs to take into account people’s views; it has not decided at the moment to reduce or cut down – to be discussed in the meeting.

Public discussion finished. Item 14 b) brought forward – see page 3.

 

3) Apologies for Absence. Cllr Janine Rayfield, District Cllr Dr Peter Moseley and PCSO.

 

4) Police/PCSO Report/Neighbourhood Policing Update. No report.

 

5) LCC Update. Cllr Hill confirmed that highways verge / green is not owned by anyone. No LCC funding will be available for the tree. LCC will add the green to grass cutting contract taken on by PC. 3 safety cuts of highway verges this year.

Reinstatement – cleaning out of gulleys.

Awaiting resolution from government

Government money being given to councils to prepare for leaving Brexit.

Consultation agreed about NHS – Lincoln hospital area, changing Grantham to A&E.

LCC rented 1 acre of land (paying through Savills) – PC reiterated request for visibility of contract and location. Cllr Hill will investigate and report back.

Haconby West Road and Main Street refresh in the summer.

Haconby Drove re dressing.

Haconby to Morton re dressing.

Stainfield ok.

 

6) SKDC Update. No Report.

 

7) Disclosures of Interests. Cllr R Dixon-Warren item 14e – request agreed for Cllr R Dixon-Warren as Secretary of PCC to give report.

 

8) Risk Assessments. Subsidence. Bridge over dyke between Haconby & Stainfield by the dip – posts and rails have been damaged.

Review and clarify who is responsible for each area for next meeting.

 

9) Minutes. To resolve that the minutes of the meeting of the Council meeting held on 14th November 2018 be signed as a correct record. Cllr B Blackbourn proposed, seconded Cllr D Bailey, all in favour.

 

10) Matters arising from the Minutes 16th January 2019 – On agenda.

 

11) Administrative Report and Correspondence Received.

a) Community Lincs Insurance – administration by Zurich Insurance in future.

b) Precept request sent in.

c) Historic LALC bill written off.

 

12) Invoices to be agreed for payment.

Parish Clerk Salary - £138.74

Parish Clerk Expenses - £33.33

HMRC - £69.40

Community Cleaner - £265.28

Hegarty - £300.00

LALC Subs - £155.18

Income Received: None.

 

13) Planning Applications Update. S19/0295 application for 3 no. Agricultural buildings, pole barn, crew yards and store with combined agricultural and Bracken Spa Stud use at Spa Farm, Stainfield. No representations to be made.

 

14) Business Items:

a) Briefing on procedures and actions for the Local Elections on 2nd May – done, all forms completed for delivery to SKDC at Grantham.

b) Haconby ‘Green’ and Horse Chestnut Tree. Follow on from discussion at Item 2. Await quotes for lopping, maintenance, and felling and taking away. Public consensus appears to be for lopping the tree. PC to take a bit more time and consult more widely, any action will not be taken until the summer anyway. Safety is a priority factor. If decide to fell tree, look at replacing with substantial sized tree (i.e. 2020). Look at what we can replace tree with. Look at costs sooner rather than later, and on spending money on a tree that is to come down at some stage re safety issues.

Resolve to ratify agreement to seek funding from SKDC, inform Haconby of three options and seek quotes for new maintenance requirement. Further resolve to defer decision on tree pending more information. Proposed Cllr R Dixon-Warren, seconded Cllr B Blackbourn, all in favour.

c) Maintenance/Public Safety. Resolve to publish a one-page Parish Notice on overhanging vegetation on Facebook and noticeboards. Proposed Cllr B Blackbourn, seconded Cllr Bailey, all in favour, action Cllr R Dixon-Warren. d) Parish Land. Resolve to ratify agreements to i) inform tenants of review of CLT agreements and intent to conduct rent review for 2020-2021 and follow up rent review for the ‘missing acre’ and ii) write to tenants for updates on maintenance required. Proposed Cllr R Dixon-Warren, seconded Cllr B Blackbourn, all in favour. e) Transfer of responsibility for Churchyard Maintenance. Cllr R Dixon-Warren briefed that the statutory 3 month notice period starts on 20th August. PC to decide on taking on maintenance or transferring to SKDC. Seek quote from SKEnvironment. f) GDPR Compliance. Awaiting response from CAPALC.

 

15) Resolve whether the Council move into closed session. No items to discuss, no closed session. Proposed Cllr B Blackbourn, seconded Cllr P Dixon-Warren, all in favour.

 

16) Parish Land. Resolve to ratify agreement on action required re Plots 3 and 4. If no response received by 23 March, serve 14 days’ notice of recovery of possession. Proposed Cllr D Bailey, seconded Cllr B Blackbourn, all in favour.

 

17) Any other Business. Items for next meeting and issues/point arising from discussion for future discussion/resolution.

a) Woodland Trust advert for trees – email circulated to all Cllrs.

b) Tenants Meeting – Draining Plot 5 – dyke on southern border big pool – Mr Sneath has been asked to take tree out the back and cut everything else down – will do drainage works required.

c) Letter from Cllr J Blackbourn – moving to Bourne so will not be standing again for election. All expressed their thanks for his input and support. Vacancy – Agenda item for next meeting.

18) Date of Next Meeting. Wednesday 15th May 2019 – 7.15 pm in the Hare & Hounds Public House, Annual Parish Meeting/Annual Parish Council Meeting/normal Parish Council meeting. Working Group meeting date TBC.

 

The meeting closed at 9.35 p.m.