Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held Thursday, 28 November 2024 at 7:05 pm in the Parish Rooms

a) Public Forum

There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

 

b) ELDC Ward Member Cllr Edward Mossop reported that he has fully allocated his councillor community grants for the financial year. He noted the town and parish survey from ELDC which the parish council had on the agenda for completion.  He also reported that the Scrutiny Panel had awarded Kingdom the environment enforcement services contract and urged parishioners to report all fly tipping in the area to cleansing.team@e-lindsey.gov.uk.  The white flags along the road verges were enquired about and was told that they were placed by Anglian Water for drainage works.

 

c) LCC Ward Member. Cllr Alex Hall reported that the Newbridge Lane resurfacing has finally started.  LCC has started a campaign for fairer funding for Lincolnshire.  He cited the Good Home Lincs advice hub for residents to improve housing alterations.  He will pay for the replacement manhole cover that has not been actioned by LCC and will liaise with Highways for more horse-riders signs to be sited near Birketts Lane junction.

 

Present: Cllr Gillian Pollard (GP) (Chair), Cllr Anne McCready (AM), Cllr Angela Quinton (AQ) and Cllr Lesley Jackson (LJ).  Cllr Terry Aldridge (TA) arrived at 9:05pm 

Also present: Cllr Alex Hall (LCC), Cllr Edward Mossop (ELDC) and Mrs Nadine Must (Parish Clerk/RFO)

Apologies accepted: Cllr Ian Appleby (IA) (Vice-Chair), Cllr Mark Waller (MW), Cllr Anna Smith (AS) and Mrs Nicky Gulley Brown (CVV)

 

11/24-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. Cllrs AQ and LJ declared their interest on matters relating Covenham Village Volunteers (CVV). 

 

11/24-3 Minutes from 26 September 2024. It was resolved that the draft minutes from the meeting were accurate and was duly signed by the Chair.

P: LJ; S: AM, All in favour

 

a) Chair’s Remarks.   

i. Cllr GP was pleased to report that the Cold Harbour/Newbridge Lane is finally getting resurfaced.

ii. The Remembrance Sunday Service was well attended and wreaths from the Parish Council and from CVV were laid including some crosses to remember all those who have fought for the country.  She thanked CVV for the refreshments afterwards which was much appreciated.

iii. The removal of the restrictive covenants is nearing completion and thanked all those who have worked to make it happen.

iv. She reiterated that councillors are there to help if there is something needing attention.

v. Mr E McCready was persuaded to stay on for another four-year term as the Treasurer for Eleemosynary Charity.

vi. She thanked all members of the parish council for their time and effort and continued support as well as all the volunteers in the village who continue to organise events.  Without them, there would be no events held for the community to enjoy.

 

b) Clerk’s Report.  Noted.

i. Grange Lane foul smell.  The ELDC Environment Officer has now responded and reported that he attended the site with an LCC Highways but did not find any odour but found a pipe discharging from a property.  He is investigating this in partnership with the Environment Agency. He will also sort out the flooding in that area and will send an update in due course.

ii. Monthly Maintenance on defibrillator.  LIVES have not responded despite numerous emails and phone calls.  The Council agreed that a yearly service would be adequate. Cllr AS will be asked to check the machine from time to time.

iii. Documents storage.  Cllr AQ is donating two lockable boxes to the Parish Council to store parish council documents.  The filing cabinet will then be disposed of.

 

c) Communications Received.  Noted

i. VE Day 80 Ringing Out in Celebration of Peace - 6.30pm - 8th May 2025.  It was agreed to take part again and Cllr AM will ring the bells.

ii. Setting up a Gov.uk email addresses.  The Council were content with the current email addresses and decided not to pursue this until made mandatory. 

iii. ELDC Survey.  The Council completed the questionnaire and the Clerk to send the council response. The general view is that the council has enough support to fulfil their roles and that both ELDC and LCC Ward Members regularly attend the meetings and act on requests.  The only complaint was the lack of timely response from some offices. Better technology provision and face to face training on matters relating to planning will be desirable as well as increasing the funding amounts from the Councillors’ Community Grants.

iv. Victoria Atkins, MP Community Summit 6 December 2024.  There were no councillors available to attend.

v. Lincolnshire Police Engagement Session 16 January 2025.  There were no councillors available to attend.

 

d) Government consultation on virtual meetings and proxy.  The Council discussed and completed the questionnaire which will be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. In essence the parish council was not in agreement on the broad principle of granting local authorities power to allow remote attendance at formal meetings. The Parish Council also rejected proxy voting.

 

e) To consider setting up a Finance Working and Asset Committee.  The Council rejected forming a committee that would entail more official meetings and be open to the public.

P: LJ; S: AQ, All in favour

 

a) Restrictive Covenants. The draft deed of release has now been received and awaiting the approval of the Methodist Trustees before the Parish Council can sign the document.

 

b) Electricity and water supply.  CVV has settled the move of utility bills and payments to their account.

   

c) CVV.  Cllr AQ read the report submitted by CVV Chairman. 

i. A second grant from Grass Roots SPFUK approved which will allow new accessible doors and ramps as well as a kitchen upgrade. Work is scheduled for February 2025 providing they obtain both planning permission and building regulations.

ii. Plans to make a photographic display of Covenham through the ages and they are looking for local Covenham photos to borrow.  This will form part of another application to fund new disabled and family friendly facilities.

iii. New workshops have been organised for December including wreath making, a camera club and a matinee film.

iv. Craft and Café continues every Thursday until 12th December and the last social event for 2024 is Everything Christmas on the 14th December.

v. 2025 events will kick off with the start of the Book Club on 9th January.  A Belated Rabbie Burns night on 1st February, which was rescheduled from 25th January. Other regular sessions including indoor archery, yoga and family fitness.  Bookings via email covenhamvv@gmail.com or 07931 258178.

vi. Those who wish to get involved, or join any events, have any suggestions or questions should send a text, email or pop a note in the post box at the Parish Rooms.  Or follow CVV on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/covenhamvillagevolunteersCVV

 

a) Purchase of outbuilding.   The quote from Bridge McFarland to deal with the purchase was accepted.  It is hoped that there won’t be a need for a comprehensive investigation if required deeds will be made available by the property owner.

 

b) Payments.  The Council accepted payments for November 2024 detailed below.

P: AM; S: AQ, All in favour

 

c) Latest Receipts and Payments Monitoring.  Expenses against budgets were noted.

 

d) Budget FY 2025/26.  The Council decided to defer this until the next meeting when more parish councillors will be available to consider the proposed budget.  It was also resolved to move the next meeting one week early to ensure there is enough time to submit the precept requirement before the deadline of 31st January 2025.

 

a) Covenham Reservoir Steps. The forms provided by LCC were considered and will be completed.  It was noted that the only landowner to be served Form B is Anglian Water. Ten copies of the User Evidence form needed to be printed and given to those who can provide proof of use of steps.

 

b) St Barts Church. There was no report provided but updates were available in the latest parish council newsletter.

 

c) St Mary’s Church.  Cllr AM reported:

i. a Quinquennial inspection is booked for March 2025. 

ii. The five-yearly electrical inspection has been completed and the music licence renewed.  

iii. A fire safety inspection is still required but can be actioned by a churchwarden.  

iv. Grant money from the Poors Allotment has restarted after 18 months of absence. Costs of running the church have been funded through donations and fund raising efforts such as the Christmas Fair.  

v. The Charity Bingo went well and proceeds were given to SENSE in Louth.

vi. The church grounds have now been cut and the hedges pruned.  Hedge trimmings were temporarily left on the land opposite the church but have since been removed. Further green waste piled on the site were not from the church.

vii. Forthcoming events include an evening with the Phoenix Singers on the 6th December and a Carol Service on the 20th December.

viii. The 2025 Annual planning meeting is in January and events are not expected to start until March.

ix. Eleemosynary Charity is holding a tea party on 25 January 2025.  Booking details are included in the parish council newsletter and on the CVV leaflets.

 

d) Monthly lunches. Cllr GP reported that the lunches have gone from strength to strength and regularly have as many as 20 plus seated. The event is a very relaxed and happy atmosphere and gives old friends and new to get together for a chat and a meet up over homemade soup and pudding.  The December lunch will be on the 4th and will have Christmas songs and carols sung for attendees by the Phoenix Singers. Christmas crackers and mince pies will start off the festive event.  There is no lunch for January as it is too close to all other festivities and will re-start on 5th February and organisers are looking forward to seeing everyone there.

 

a) Application for new bin collection at Grange Lane.  Cllr AQ has not received any response from ELDC.  Cllr Mossop has taken the details and will progress with the Cleansing Team.

b) Fixmystreet reports. No updates.

c) Highways Issue.  LCC Cllr AH will action the relevant signage for the blind bends to help horseriders.

 

a) Updates on applications. None

 

b) Applications for consideration

(i) N/038/01588/24 | Land West Of Bluebell Grange, Newbridge Lane, Covenham St Mary.  The Council strongly supported a prior approval requirement on all seven matters outlined in the planning application.  Moreover, the Council also commented that there is no sufficient capacity for drainage/sewer for any additional housing development.  There is also poor access to everyday shops and services which has been used to reject other planning applications.

(ii) N/038/01622/24/DC | Plot 1 - Land Opposite Vega, Main Road, Covenham St Mary.  The Council has no objections.

(iii) N/038/01623/24/DC | | Plot 2 - Land Opposite Vega, Main Road, Covenham St Mary.  The Council has no objections.

 

 

The meeting closed at 9:22 pm.