December 2022 minutes

Addlethorpe Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of the meeting of Addlethorpe Parish Council held at 1930 hours Tuesday 13 December 2022 at St. Peters Hall, High Street, Ingoldmells 

Councillors present: Chairman N. Towers (NT), Cllr G. Escott (GE), Cllr Roger Dawson (RD), Cllr B Short (BS), Cllr M Holyer (MH) and Kerry Culley Clerk.

Also present: 8 members of the public. 

Public session
•    Several members of the public raised concerns and queries about the St Nicholas/Rectory Lane footpath matter.  As the meeting became quite heated they were advised to email the clerk putting forward their concerns and questions.
•    A member of the public asked for an update on the outstanding planning applications
•    A member of the public asked about Christmas lights for the village.

129.    Chairman’s welcome - The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting at 1959 hours

130.    Apologies for absence - All present

131.    To receive any declarations of interest - BS declared an interest in item 134.a.i.

132.    To confirm the notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13 November as a true record of the decisions made. - It was resolved to approve the minutes of the above meeting.
 
133.    To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings –No reports.  County and District Cllr Colin Davie was unable to attend the meeting.  

134.    Planning
a.    To receive any updates and discuss the applications for
i.     S/022/01844/21 Mill Road – Council resolved to object to the amended application.  Concerns remain the same despite the reduction in numbers of lodges.  Additionally, a neighbouring landowner who has a poultry farm reports that he has a borehole on his property which will be affected by the proposed development.  This makes the proposed site location inappropriate.
ii.    S/002/00574/22 Golf club – Council resolved to obtain as many signed objection letters as possible to this application, despite the deadline having passed, in order that the Planning Committee could see that it was not wanted by many local residents.
iii.    Any new applications – The Council considered application S/153/02320/22 for development of land north and south off Wainfleet Road, Skegness.  Council resolved to maintain a neutral stance on this application.

b.    To receive updates and discuss correspondence sent and received in relation to planning matters affecting Addlethorpe  - 
i.    Council received the response from Matt Warman setting out he was still waiting for a reply from ELDC with regard to the concerns over assessing the village size.
ii.    RD informed the meeting that County Councillor Colin Davie was following up on the Council’s letter sent to Michael Gove.
iii.    Council resolved R.D to draft a press release with an update on the matter to keep it alive in the press.  
iv.    R.D also raised whether Council should look at seeking legal advice to look at all possible options open to us.  It was resolved RD would approach the Community Planning Alliance about the matter and the clerk would research appropriate Administrative Law solicitors.
c.    Outer Dowsing windfarm – It was resolved the Clerk would ask to be kept informed of any updates and ask the local residents if anyone was able to act as a representative for the village.
d.    To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Plan  - The clerk informed the meeting she had not yet been able to arrange a meeting of the three councils but was still trying to organise one, if possible before the Christmas break.  RD informed the council there are members of the public in Addlethorpe willing to assist with the plan to help with manpower.

135.    Clerk’s report on matters outstanding
a.    Update on inspections of council owned property – RD’s wife has started a regular inspection of council owned property on behalf of the council and RD will send her report to the clerk.
b.    Booked holidays – The clerk updated the Council on her booked holidays  which will mean publishing the February agenda a week earlier and asking someone to take notes of the March meeting.
c.    Update on Jubilee trees – M.H informed the meeting these have now been planted.  GE confirmed the oak tree he has is ready for planting.  It was agreed it can be planted on Mottrams Green.  The clerk confirmed that the council would receive £300 community funding from County and District Councillor Davie which could be used to purchase the plaque.
d.     Planning training for local councils – The clerk to book herself and RD onto this training in February via zoom.

136.    Financial Matters 
a.    The Clerk’s salary & expenses authorised at £359.60
b.    To further consider the draft budget – After discussion of possible future expenditure requirements it was resolved to increase the draft figure for working capital from £1,500 up to £2,200, to be ratified in the January meeting.
c.    To appoint a new signatory to the bank account – It was resolved RD would be appointed as a further bank signatory.

137.    To resolve which option to use for councillor email addresses
It was resolved to use Cloudnet to set up and run the council’s email addresses.


138.    To adopt a policy for accepting new councillors
    It was resolved to adopt the LALC suggested policy for co-opting potential new councillors who would be asked to complete the recommended form.  

139.    To discuss a request by the church to replace hedging along Old Church lane.
The church warden asked out of courtesy about replacing the hedging, they are hoping to use yew bushes.  The council gave its blessing to the project.

140.    To discuss assigning timings to agenda items
    The council resolved the clerk would put suggested timings next to each agenda item on the councillors’ future agendas to assist the Chairman.

141.    To discuss a request by a member of the public for Christmas lights or decorations in the village
    Council believed the member of public was referring to the Church being lit up.  G.E. confirmed this would be happening as usual.  If the member of public was asking about additional lighting and decorations this could be discussed in a future meeting for next year as it was too close to Christmas now.
    
142.        Council resolved to move into closed session to consider the following confidential legal matter in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. The Council received and discussed further legal advice for St. Nicholas Close/ Rectory Lane Footpath.  However, an update is still needed so council resolved to discuss the matter further at the next meeting.

143.    Council resolved to move back into open session

144.    Agenda items for next meeting 
•    St. Nicholas Close/ Rectory Lane Footpath update
•    Quotes for cementing new benches into position
•    Ratify budget and precept
145.    To confirm time and date of next meeting – 1930 hours Tuesday 10 January 2023 at the small hall, St. Peters Hall, High Street, Ingoldmells.

Meeting closed at 2152 Hours