Minutes March 2022
Minutes of the Ropsley & District Parish Council Meeting held at Ropsley Hall on Wednesday 9 March 2022.
Public Session
There were no members of the public in attendance.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.07pm
1. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN (21/67)
The Chairman welcomed Members to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance. Those in attendance, the Vice-Chair Councillor Marshall, Councillors Gosbee, Leslie, Porter, Rowbotham and Sentance and District Councillor Trotter and the Clerk, Mrs Gascoigne.
2. APOLOGIES: TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT REASONS GIVEN (21/68)
The Chairman gave apologies on behalf of Councillor Reeves the reasons for which were accepted.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (21/69)
No declarations of pecuniary interest or requests for dispensation were made.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (21/70)
4.1 The Chairman proposed that the notes of the meetings held on 8 November 2021 and 10 January 2022 be approved as a true record.
Resolved: The minutes of the meetings held on 8 November 2021 and 10 January 2022 were approved and duly signed by the Chairman.
5. DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS (21/71)
County Councillor Hill was not in attendance. District Councillor Trotter reported that South Kesteven District Council had approved their budget for the following year, which would equate to a £5 per month increase for a Band D property. She informed Councillors that the Police and Crime Panel had appointed a Rural Investigation Team to look at rural crime, including fly tipping, which had been a particular issue during the pandemic. Councillor Trotter reported that SKDC had discontinued the Ward Members Allowance, but that Parish Councils could continue to apply for community grants.
6. CLERK’S REPORT (21/72)
6.1 Members noted the contents of the Clerk’s report, providing updates on actions since the last meeting.
6.2 Lloyd’s Bank Treasurer’s Account
The Clerk reported that although the Council had previously resolved to transfer banking from HSBC to Lloyds, Lloyds had not been allowing organisations to switch to its Treasurer’s Account during the pandemic. This facility had now been re-opened, although the Clerk suggested that switching be delayed until 1 April so that this year’s accounts could be completed with the existing bank. The Chairman proposed that in addition to the existing signatories of Councillors Reeves and Sentance, Councillor Marshall be added as a signatory. The Clerk, Mrs Gascoigne, would remain a signatory to allow her to operate the bank account and online banking only.
Resolved: To switch the Council’s banking to a Lloyd’s Bank Treasurer’s Account as of 1 April 2022 with signatories as above.
7. FINANCE (21/73)
7.1 Members noted the following income had been received.
Remitter Purpose Amount £
Cllr Marshall Calendar Donations 790.00
SKDC Community Cleaner Grant 463.32
Western Power Wayleave Agreement 22.76
G H Linnell Memorial Income 105.00
7.2 The Chairman proposed that the items of expenditure listed below be approved.
Resolved: To approve the proposed items of expenditure.
Payee Purpose Amount £
Employment Costs November 2021 548.45
Community Heartbeat Trust Charge pack and electrodes 125.76
Autela Payroll Services October – December 2021 53.56
Employment Costs December 2021 522.45
HSBC Bank Charges December 2021 5.00
Employment Costs January 2022 522.45
HSBC Bank Charges January 2022 5.00
A B Electrical Moving Defib Braceby 72.00
C McGarrigle Mower Maintenance and Fuel Costs 214.23
Wave Cemetery Water 20.89
Braceby Church Maintenance Donation 100.00
Employment Costs February 2022 522.45
Community Heartbeat Trust Defibrillator consumables 318.00
ICO Annual Fee 35.00
SLCC Annual Subscription 98.00
LALC Annual Subscription 254.09
LALC Training Scheme 132.00
7.3 The Chairman proposed that Members approve the bank reconciliation previously circulated by the Clerk.
Resolved: To approve the February bank reconciliation.
7.4 Members noted the budget monitoring statement showing expenditure and income against the 2021/22 budget to date previously circulated by the Clerk.
8. PLANNING (21/74)
8.1 Members noted the following planning applications on which no comments were made.
8.1.1 S21/2308 Rear extension to dwelling, 52 High Street, Ropsley, NG33 4BE
8.1.2 S22/0171 Erection of carriage shed, Glebe Farm Ropsley Heath, Chain Lane, Ropsley, NG33 4AU
8.2 Members noted the following planning applications on which Councillors made representations.
8.2.1 S21/2068 Detached house Land to The East of Corner House Farm, Ingoldsby Road, Little Humby.
8.2.2 S21/2532 Erection of a detached dwelling Location: 23-25 Grantham Road, Ropsley, NG33 4BX
8.3 Members noted the following planning decisions:
8.3.1 S21/1482 Work to sycamore, oak, and ash, Ropsley House, 48 High Street, Ropsley, NG33 4BE, Work Allowed
8.3.2 S21/2049 reduce eucalyptus by one-third of its total size 19 High Street Ropsley NG33 4BG: Work Allowed
8.3.3 S21/2068 Detached house, Land to The East of Corner House Farm, Ingoldsby Road, Little Humby, Permission Refused
Councillor Trotter noted that this application was likely to come to appeal, and that the applicant had asked whether she could call the application before the planning committee, but that SKDC had strict conditions on when ward members could call applications before the planning committee, especially if they did not fall within the Local Plan or Neighbourhood Plan.
8.3.4 S18/0944 Residential caravan site, Between High Dike and B6403 Cold Harbour Grantham Appeal Allowed
Councillor Trotter noted that there had originally been a live hearing promised, but that the new inspectorate had conducted its own investigations and allowed the appeal on the basis of traffic monitoring without a hearing. Councillors and other local Councils remained concerned about the safety of the site due to the proximity to the busy road, and it was unclear whether travellers would want to live there. Councillor Trotter noted that Old Somerby Parish Council had taken advice on the potential for a judicial review of the inspectorate’s decision but had been advised that this would be unlikely to succeed.
8.3.5 S21/2308 Rear extension to dwelling, 52 High Street, Ropsley, NG33 4BE Granted
8.3.6 S22/0013 Remove redwood in rear garden, The Birches, 18 High Street, Ropsley, NG33 4BE Work Allowed
Councillors discussed application PL/0019/22 Ropsley Quarry regarding a variation of conditions to allow the quarry to blast an area that was previously approved but had not been used. As this was further away from the village, Councillors had no objections to the application.
8.4 Members noted correspondence from SKDC regarding the Local Plan Review.
9. HIGHWAYS (21/75)
9.1 Parking Issues in Ropsley
The Clerk reported that she had received correspondence from a parishioner regarding the parking of vehicles on High Street/Peck Hill and Chapel Hill, some of which belonged to the garage or its customers. Some of the vehicles were noted to either have no road tax or MOT, or to have Statutory Off-Road Notices (SORN). The concerns expressed were around road safety due to cars having to drive on the wrong side of the road to pass the parked cars and the impact on visibility at the junction of Chapel Hill and Peck Hill.
The Clerk reported that she and Councillor Gosbee had met with Yvonne Swinton and Councillor Trotter from SKDC, and Jeanne Gibson from Lincolnshire County Council. Police representatives had also been invited to attend the meeting. Councillor Trotter offered to follow up with them through her contacts within the police force. Yvonne Swinton had advised that any vehicles which were not taxed should be reported repeatedly to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), who should visit the area every three months or so to clamp untaxed vehicles. She had also explained the limitations of SKDC’s powers regarding trading standards and abandoned vehicles.
Jeanne Gibson had confirmed LCC’s process for considering road markings to deal with road safety concerns, and that this would be based on their own assessment of accident data and site visits and would involve a consultation exercise before any scheme was implemented. Councillor Buckley asked whether the Parish Council should survey residents prior to instructing LCC to carry out the assessment, but Councillors were content that LCC would recommend the least restrictive measures to overcome the issues, and that these would be subject to a consultation prior to implementation at which residents would have the opportunity to express their views.
Resolved: To instruct LCC to assess the area around High Street/Peck Hill and Chapel Hill for suitability for road markings in response to concerns about road safety caused by parked vehicles.
9.2 Ropsley Hall Parking and Grass Triangle
Councillor Gosbee reported that the grass triangle had been almost completely eroded by vehicles driving over it. He also noted that due to limited parking at Ropsley Hall, visitors were parking on the roadside verges at busy times such as during football matches. Councillor Marshall noted that the Hall committee had asked visitors not to park on the verge, and that if visitors parked on both sides of the road this would limit access for emergency vehicles. The Chairman noted that the Hall committee had limited finances with which to resolve parking issues and proposed that a representative of the Hall committee be invited to the next meeting to discuss the issues around parking.
Action: The Clerk to invite a representative of the Hall Committee to the next meeting and to write to Highways to ask them to prioritise repair of the road surface and consider kerbing of the triangle and verges near the Hall.
9.3 Drainage Matters
The Clerk reported that she had not received a response to her email to Anglian Water, but that she had previously been informed that drainage work would be undertaken by Lincolnshire County Council in 2022.
10. CEMETERY (21/76)
10.1 Memorial Tree and Bench Policy and Cemetery Rules
The Chairman proposed that the Memorial Tree and Bench Policy be approved, subject to a minor amendment to include a principle that users be respectful and sympathetic to those with relatives and friends already interred in the cemetery. Following a general discussion of the merits of a more prescriptive set of rules, members agreed to approve the current cemetery rules unamended.
Resolved: To approve the Memorial Tree and Bench Policy and Cemetery Rules.
11. COMMUNITY UPDATES (21/77)
11.1 Village Sign
The Chairman reported that the sign had been produced and was awaiting delivery to Mr Whinney who would stain the different reliefs in preparation for its unveiling on the Memorial Green during the Jubilee celebrations.
Action: The Chairman to circulate quotes for a circular bench to be installed around the sign.
11.2 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022
Councillor Marshall reported that there had been several attendees at the initial zoom meeting, and that the Chair of the Women’s Institute was leading on arrangements. As there were no representatives from the other villages on the committee, the plan was to focus on Ropsley, with funding given to Humby, Braceby and Sapperton to arrange their own celebrations. Plans included a flower festival in the church, an afternoon tea, and a picnic on the green. Councillor Buckley reported that there was a meeting planned in Humby on 21 March to discuss arrangements, and Councillor Leslie reported that Braceby planned to have a barbecue.
11.3 Calendar Proceeds
Councillor Marshall proposed that £500 of the proceeds of the calendar sales be allocated towards the Jubilee celebrations in Ropsley. She noted that the Green Man were holding a quiz night to raise funds, and an application had been made to Asda for grant funding, so any monies not required would be returned. Following discussion about plans in the other villages, she proposed that £110 each be allocated to Humby, Braceby and Sapperton for their celebrations.
Resolved: To approve an allocation of £500 to Ropsley and £110 each to Humby, Braceby and Sapperton for their Jubilee celebrations, funded by proceeds of calendar sales.
11.4 Best Kept Jubilee House/Garden
Councillor Marshall proposed that the Community Events budget for 2022/23 be used to run a Best Kept Jubilee House/Garden competition in place of the Best Kept Garden competition which had taken place for the last two years.
Resolved: To allocate the Community Events budget of £250 to the Best Kept Jubilee House/Garden competition.
11.5 St Peter’s Church Clock
The Chairman proposed that the Council donate an amount of £100 each for 2020/21 and 2021/22 towards the maintenance of St Peter’s Church clock.
Resolved: To approve a donation of £200 towards the maintenance of St Peter’s Church clock.
11.6 Planters
Councillor Sentance proposed a contribution of £100 towards the cost of flowers for the planters, which were maintained by Mrs Charles.
Resolved: To approve a contribution of £100 towards the cost of flowers for the planters.
11.7 Royal British Legion
Councillor Sentance proposed that a donation be made to the Royal British Legion in the amount of £120. Resolved: To approve a donation of £120 to the Royal British Legion.
11.8 Community Updates
Councillor Porter reported that he had spoken with a resident of Sapperton who would like to join the Parish Council at the next election.
12. CORRESPONDENCE (21/78)
12.1 Members noted all general correspondence circulated for information since the November meeting.
12.2 Members noted correspondence from Lincolnshire County Council regarding “Fix Our Funds to Fix Our Roads”.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING (21/79)
13.1 Monday 9 May at 7pm at Ropsley Hall (Annual Parish Council Meeting). Members agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held before the Annual Parish Council Meeting at 6.30pm.
Meeting closed at 8.50pm.