Minutes

 

It was resolved to allow the LCC Ward Member to start with his report as he is also scheduled to attend another parish council meeting on the same night.

 

Report from Outside Bodies.  

a) LCC Ward Member. Cllr Alex Hall reported that the principal issues for the area are the Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Deal and urged the public to respond to the consultation and the future of Louth Town Centre looking at how to boost the centre of town and encourage visitors to make the most of the businesses and services there. A survey is currently underway. With regard to the National Grid proposal, he reported that LCC was going to object to the proposal as it stands.

 

On the local issues, he had looked at the potholes, footpaths and other highways issues and has reported to the relevant officers.  However, he was not optimistic of any immediate action.

 

Cllr Hall left the meeting at 7:37pm.  The Public Forum commenced soon after.

 

There were eight members of the public present. The main issue was the National Grid upgrade proposal and the strong objection to the pylons being considered.  There was no objection to the principle of upgrading the grid but other options including offshore, underground or upgrading the existing network should be prioritised.  It was agreed to have a coordinated stand from LCC, ELDC and parish councils to oppose this proposal.  A resident had recommended looking at what East Anglia region has considered as an alternative option.  An online petition had been started in the parish and it was hoped that the more people signed the petition, National Grid will change their proposals and look again at other options. 

 

b) ELDC Ward Member Cllr Edward Mossop arrived at 845pm and apologised for his late arrival.  He had come straight from another parish council meeting.  He reported that ELDC is also a consultee on the National Grid proposal as a Planning authority.  A Special Interest Group has been formed to lobby the government to fund the drainage boards separately from funding received by district councils.  Currently, 50% of the ELDC budget goes straight to the drainage boards and greatly affects the provision of other services.

 

Present: Cllr Gillian Pollard (GP) (Chair), Cllr Ian Appleby (IA) (Vice-Chair), Cllr Anne McCready (AM), Cllr Angela Quinton (AQ), Cllr Lesley Jackson (LJ), Cllr Terry Aldridge (TA) and Cllr Anna Smith (AS)

Also present: LCC Ward Member Cllr Alex Hall, ELDC Ward Member Cllr Edward Mossop, Mrs Nicky Gulley Brown, Chairman of CVV and Mrs Nadine Must (Parish Clerk/RFO)

 

01/24-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. Cllrs IA, AQ and LJ declared their interest in all matters relating to CVV.

 

01/24-3 Minutes from 30 November 2023. It was resolved that the draft minutes from the meeting were accurate and was duly signed by the Chair.

P: AQ; S: LJ, All in favour

 

a) Chair’s Remarks.   Cllr GP sadly reported of the sudden death of Mr Richard Crean of the Thomas Centre and passed on her and the parish council’s condolences to his family.  The hamper from Barclays Bank which was raffled by St Barnabas Hospice raised £200 at a Carol Event held in Lincoln. The hospice extended their invitation to all members of the parish council to come at the centre in Louth.  They are holding an Easter event and looking for volunteer knitters and donations.

The lamp post outside The Thimbles has been reinstated but is not working. A resident had complained about the bad state of the road in Cold Harbour Lane and will be reported to LCC.

 

The Chair is hoping that the arrangements for the Parish Rooms be finalised soon and is looking forward to working with fellow councillors and other organisations in the village in 2024.

 

b) Clerk’s Report.  Noted.  Cllr TA did not attend the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Engagement Session.

c) Communications Received.  Noted

i.   National Grid upgrade proposal.  It was moved that this item be discussed at the same time as the Public Forum session.  After a very long discussion, the Parish Council resolved to send a very strong objection to the pylons proposal but agreed in principle for the need to upgrade the infrastructure.  Attendance at the public sessions scheduled in the area would provide more information.

ii. ELDC Council Tax Budget increase.  The Parish Council has no comment.

iii. Bird Scarer noise nuisance.  There have been a number of complaints about the noise throughout the night.  It was resolved to initially contact the farmer whose land it originated from to request a re-set of the program.  Failing that, there is an online form in the ELDC website to send a complaint for investigation.

d) Parish Noticeboard.  The quotes from Louth Men’s Shed were received.  However, the Parish Council resolved to defer any decision until the next meeting in March.

e) Winter newsletter. It was resolved to publish a Spring newsletter.  Deadline for articles is 1 March 2024 with the newsletter ready for delivery in the third week of March to publish Easter events.  The frequency of the newsletter will be discussed at the next meeting.

P: TA; S: AM, All in favour

f) Contract Lease of Parish Rooms to Covenham Village Volunteers.  A draft lease was circulated late afternoon and there had been no time for councillors to read through and consider.  It was queried using the Vice Chair as a signatory for the Parish Council when he also holds a position with CVV.  Advice from the CVV solicitor is still awaited.  Bridge McFarland will not issue a copy of the Title Deeds until a formal letter from the Parish Council is received attaching the names of all parish councillors with their identification documents.  They will also charge a minimum of £1,500 plus VAT for any advice regarding the lease agreement.  The Parish Clerk was asked to research alternative legal providers.  The CVV lease also requires the Parish Council to hold an EPC, Fire Risk Assessment and Asbestos Report.  The costs of these reports have not been budgeted for.

P: AM; S: TA, All in favour

 

01/24-5 Working Groups Reports.  The Finance Working Group held a meeting recently to look at the proposed budget and has proposed to dissolve the groups due to insufficient numbers of members in each group.   A vote was taken and the motion was carried.  A Resources Working Group will be set up which will take on Finance and Personnel tasks.  The Parish Clerk will send terms of reference for approval at the next meeting.

P: TA; S: AQ, All in favour

a) Restrictive Covenants. The Chairman of CVV circulated the Valuation report from Masons on the consideration payable to remove the restricted covenant. The Council was pleased with the report.

b) Internal building dampness.  CVV have been granted funding from the UKSPF GrassRoots Fund.  CVV will fund the air bricks and seal exterior to prevent further damp penetration.

c) Leaky drainpipe. Cllr LJ received one quote for works.  Two further quotes need to be sourced to follow Financial Regulations before Council ca make a decision.

d) PCC Election May 2024.  The Parish Council resolved to submit a charge of £215 to ELDC for the hire of the Parish Rooms.

P: TA; S: AQ, All in favour

 

a) Payments.  The Council accepted payments for January 2024 detailed below and the receipts and payments between meetings.

P: AM; S: LJ, All in favour 

 

b) Latest Receipts and Payments Monitoring.  This was noted.

 

c) Proposed Budget for FY 2024/25 and Precept Requirement.  The proposed budget was considered and a motion to keep the precept to the 2023/24 amount was voted on but not carried.  There being no other motions, it was resolved to accept the proposed budget as presented which received a majority vote.  A precept amount of £9,206 will be submitted to ELDC which is a 3% increase from last year’s precept   The precept per property band was circulated and noted.

 

d) Barclays Bank.  It was resolved not to pursue contacting the Financial Ombudsman Service.  The Parish Council was content with the compensation from Barclays Bank.

a) St Barts Church. A boot to hat survey is being currently carried out funded by English Heritage.  Holes have been dug as drainage has been investigated, but these have now been filled in.  The Victorian wood panels are being removed to investigate what lies behind and to check for dating and any repairs that maybe required.  The oldest find to date was 1720 (with some initials)

 

b) St Mary’s Church. Cllr AM reported that the Carol Service was well attended with new attendees joining in for a glass of wine and buffet after the service provided free of charge. The annual programme for 2024 have been agreed with the first event in March and will be followed by an event each month until December.  A smart meter has finally been installed but there is no signal for the meter to be sent automatically.  Repair work to the tower is still being awaited.  An incident of ashes purportedly from human remains was left on a marked stone but did not have prior permission. The ashes have now spread and it was queried on how best to deal with.

 

c) Covenham Village Volunteers.  The Chairman of CVV reported that the commissioned report is now concluded and distributed to the Methodist Trustees to allow the new deed paperwork to be written so the restricted covenants can be removed. Funding bid with UKSPF Grassroots Fund was successful and can now plan the increased engagement with the community.  This year’s schedule of events looks good, and they continue to work with the results from the survey carried out last October and will hopefully reflect all feedback within the continuing schedule.  Attendance to the keep fit 2024 slots for Boxer Fit and yoga are proving more popular than expected - while the games night has still to take off.  The first Burns night was held last Saturday - which was a success and feedback demonstrates a need for such social events in the village.  Joint events are planned for the summer: a Fashion Show with St Mary’s Church on Thursday 23rd May and a 2-day summer BBQ with a medieval theme 8/9th June with St Barts.  CVV also hosted an open event regarding the pylons that are proposed to come through Covenham.  Anyone who wants any further information should contact the CVV Chairman.

 

d) Monthly lunches. Cllr GP reported that the Christmas Lunch was a merry occasion with the Phoenix Singers entertaining with Carols.  No lunches held in January but the lunch will restart on Wednesday, 7th February at 12:30pm.  Everyone is welcome but places should be pre-booked on the Sunday prior for food preparation.

 

a) ELDC. No further reports

 

b) LCC.

i. Ings Lane open ditch.  It was noted that Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board maintains the ditch but LCC has overall responsibility.  Traffic safety measures were discussed including the Parish Council purchasing the bollards.  However, this was rejected and that LCC should be responsible for providing these.

ii. Footpath extension at Ings Lane.  LCC has not agreed to act on this.

iii. Hurtons Lane potholes.  There is no action from LCC to address this issue.

iv. Green Lane and Birkett’s lane footpath.  LCC reported that this is private land.

v. Village potholes.  Reported to Fixmystreet and awaiting action

vi. Broken drain cover at St Mary’s area.  This was reported to FixmyStreet

vii. Large stones on grass verge at St Mary’s area.  It was resolved to report this to FixmyStreet.

 

c) Anglian Water.  Covenham Reservoir Steps.  It was agreed to ask the Clerk to write to Anglian Water to request that the steps near to Grange Lane be restored.

 

a) Updates on applications

1. N/037/01614/23 | Sunnyside, Grange Lane, Covenham St Bartholomew – Refused 05/11/2023

2. N/038/01927/23/DC | Ashdown Cottage, Newbridge Lane, Covenham St Mary – Approved 13/12/2024

b) Applications considered. None

 

 

The meeting closed at 9:54pm.