January 2021 Minutes

Minutes from the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 20th January 2021 at 7.30pm. 

The meeting was held virtually, using Zoom hosting.

Present:   Cllr M Ireland (in the Chair), Cllr B Balderston, Cllr K Colehouse, Cllr G Enstone, Cllr R Enstone, Cllr M Froggatt, Cllr S Waite, Cllr S Waring, Cllr A Hagues (LCC) and the Clerk, Mrs P Ireland.   

Public speaking time – Mr P Green was present and spoke for three minutes on item no 7(iii). 

1. Apologies for Absence:  Cllr J Malloch

2. To Receive any Declarations of Interest: Cllr K Colehouse and Cllrs G & R Enstone – item 9 (Non-registerable).  Cllr Balderston – item 7 (iii)  DPI

3. To decide on any items to be carried out in Closed Session:  Item 9

4.    To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on 18th November 2020. - The  minutes were approved with the amendment that Cllr Waite be added to the list of those present. The Chairman signed the minutes.

5. Rauceby Gigabit Project: A report had been circulated prior to the meeting. 

  6.    Reports from Visiting Representatives and Police Matters if any:

* NKDC – Boundary Commission – The final recommendations now made. Rauceby would be in a ward with a number of other parishes (Cranwell, Leasingham and Wilsford) represented by two District Councillors.  

* LCC –  Update from Cllr Hagues about LCC matters generally had been circulated.

                    Traffic calming measures – No response had been received to the Parish Council’s request at the beginning of December that a discussion take place about what measures were available.  The Clerk reported she had made contact by phone that morning and had been told that only ‘soft’ measures were currently available such as road markings and verge gates.  Due to lack of resources and manpower, traffic calming considered a luxury at the moment, even though the PC were offering to part fund the measures.  Cllr Hagues to take this up. 

                     Drainage work and low level kerbing on Thorpe Drove – to be included in the 21/22 programme. 

                    Flooding at the A153 junction – Best option for the area still being considered.

                           Road safety at the A17 crossroads – Site survey request was made to Cllr Hagues..

   6a.   Retiring Councillor – Following his resignation the previous month a gift had been organised for Cllr Ian Graham to mark his 18 years on the Parish Council. The gift had been delivered to him that day  and the Clerk was able to share a photo of him with one of the glasses.                                     

   7.     Planning Applications:

             i)  20/1678/TCA | T1 Yew - fell | The Old Vicarage Main Street North Rauceby NG34 8QP – Due to  timescale the Planning Committee had responded to this application Recommendation that pruning rather than felling be carried out. 

              ii)  20/1778/TCA | T2 Yew - fell | The Old Vicarage Main Street North Rauceby NG34 8QP – The   Clerk to respond as above. It was noted that the area surrounding the tree is very crowded 

                  and that the applicant will be replanting.

             iii)  20/1607/OUT | Outline planning application for the erection of five dwellings and proposed shared  access onto Thorpe Drove together with new single-bay garages for numbers 82 to 86 Main Street 

                  with all matters reserved for subsequent approval. | Land To The West Off Main Street (west of  Numbers 82 to 88 Main Street) South Rauceby – Discussion took place about the lack of detail 

                  given with outline permission. A vote was taken and the result was to object to the application by 5  votes to one.          

             iv)  21/0013/TCA | T1 / T2 Apple - reduce crown by 2 - 2.5m; T3 / T4 / T5 Apple – reduce crown by 1 -  1.5m | Meriden House 36 Main Street North Rauceby – No objections

           Plans decided since the last meeting:

i)  20/1197/FUL | Erection of 4 no. poultry units (220,000 bird capacity), a biomass boiler building, feed bins, gas tanks, gate house, water tank, pump room, generator and associated access improvements to Ermine Street | Ermine Street Farm High Dike Ancaster – Approved

ii) 20/1425/LBC | Replacement of windows and doors and kitchen window to be replaced with french door (retrospective) | 23 Main Street South Rauceby – Approved

iii) 20/1407/HOUS | Erection of double garage with hobby / office space above | 8 Thorpe Drove – Approved

iv) 20/1331/FUL | Change of use of the existing dining room to allow use as a wedding venue and the erection of marquee for use as wedding function room area as and when required. | Rauceby Hall Tom Lane North Rauceby- Approved

     8.     Parish Clerk Vacancy  – A draft advert had been circulated to all the councillors.  Discussion took  place concerning weekly hours to be worked.  It was agreed to increase these to three per week and 

               pay to be in line with the SCP system already in place. The Clerk to put on the website and ask LALC  to circulate it on their forum.   A sub-committee to interview applicants needed.        

     9.    Co-option of Parish Councillor – This was discussed in closed session after the meeting had  closed. There were four applicants.  Mr Simon Enstone was co-opted to be the new Parish Councillor.     

      10.  To set the Parish Precept for 2021/22 – A budget had been circulated.  It was agreed to apply for a 0% increase, which in line with the council tax base, would mean an additional £161.59.  Total - 

              £5875.59.

       11.  To discuss the possibility of applying for a Sleaford REP Community Power Fund Grant – Two  suggestions had been received from a parishioner.  As this fund has a five year time span, it was 

              agreed to discuss at the next meeting when there would be fewer items on the agenda and more time  could be given to consider potential projects. 

          12. Drainage pipe repairs, Main Street, South Rauceby – Remedial work possibly required  where a repair to a drain had left a dangerous dip in the footpath.  The Clerk to contact Anglian Water.

        13. Correspondence:

i)  Email from PCC Marc Jones - Offer to speak at a virtual meeting 

ii) Email from Maisie McMahon, Safer together Co-ordinator – Introducing the Safer Together Team based at Grantham Police Station. 

iii) Update from Cllr R Davies on the works at Holdingham 

     iv) Assessing local cycling infrastructure provision – Survey from NKDC.  Cllr R Enstone had already completed a similar one and submitted it. Cllr Ireland to action. 

     v) Councillors Register of Interest Forms – Reminder from NKDC to check that they are up to  date.

        14.    Update on Outstanding Matters: 

i)  Position of Post Box, South Rauceby – Response to the MP circulated. In abeyance.

ii) Rauceby Village Hall – Further to the last meeting, a quote for the electrical work had been accepted and financed by the Village Hall.  However, other remedial works may be required. The Chairman asked that the matter of the allocation of the remaining Community Fund be placed on the March agenda.  

          14.     Financial Matters: (circulated)

a) Financial report – for approval and signing    

              Current account  - £17,569.61 (statement circulated) 

     b)      Cheques for signing / expenditure approval

i. TJ Bookkeeping – Payroll - £30.00

ii. Hoppers Jewellers – Gift from Chairman’s Allowance - £74.02

iii. P Ireland – Salary, website setting up and expenses - £842.05

        15.    Items of Urgency – None

        16.     Date of next meeting – The next meeting will be Wednesday, 17th March 2021 at 7.30pm on  Zoom.  

       There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.58pm