2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

FULBECK PARISH COUNCIL

Notes of Parish Council Meeting – 9th September 2019

Present: Councillors Caunt (Chairman), Fane, Greenhalgh, Hodcroft, Hughes and Morison.

Parish Clerk, Carol Tointon.  There were 3 members of the public present including DC Milnes.

1.   Apologies for absence – Cllr Sampson and CC Maughan

2.   Chairperson’s Remarks: The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

3.   Declarations of interest: None

4.   Approval of the notes of the last meeting of the Parish Council.  The notes of the last meeting had been circulated to all Councillors.  It was proposed by Cllr Morison and seconded by Cllr Hughes that these notes be accepted as a true record of the Parish Council meeting held on the 8th July 2019 subject to an addition to 6d) that the Parish Council strongly object to the Planning Application S19/0834 – Change of use of land for the siting of caravans on land off Bulby Lane.

Action: Clerk

5.   Adjournment of business for public questions and comments.

6.   Reports on matters outstanding:

a)   Community Speed Watch – Cllr Morison reported on the action he had taken to date and it was noted that he was still awaiting answers to questions raised.  He hoped he would be in a position to give a positive report at the next Parish Council meeting.

Action: Cllr Morison

b)   Path running along the A607 from Caythorpe Boundary from Victoria Farm to Washdyke Lane – The Chairman reported that when he met with CC Maughan and Rowan Smith from Highways on the 28th August he was advised that this would be chased up.  He also advised that some work had been undertaken by the Big Clean but nothing further had been done about clearing the footpath from North End to the boundary of South Kesteven District Council.

c)   Planning Application S19/0834 – Change of use of land for the siting of caravans on Land off Bulby Lane.  DC Milnes stated that she was hopeful that all of the objections had now been logged.  With so many objections/comments it highlighted the inadequacy of the present IT system.  A Consultant had been appointed to look at the present structure of the Planning Department and to recommend changes.   One of the problems was that nationally there was a shortage of 
Planning Officers.

As there had been such a mix up with the above planning application and subsequent applications an Officer of SKDC was coming to meet the Vice-Chairman, Cllr Sampson, to apologise in person.

It had been brought to the Chairman’s attention that an e-mail had been sent by a resident of Fulbeck to the Grantham Journal highlighting, amongst other things, the percentage of Gypsy and Traveller pitches already in Fulbeck compared to the rest of SKDC.  He understood this would be published this week.

Cllr Morison gave details of the distances he had recorded from the proposed site to Caythorpe and Leadenham Village schools.  He also stated that Leadenham School had no vacancies and would make enquiries about Caythorpe school.

The application is still pending consideration and at present the expected date for it to be heard is October.

Action: Cllr Morison

It was reiterated that the current Government Policy for Traveller Sites (which includes Romani Gypsies, Irish Travellers as well as new age or new travellers within its definition) states that the definition of ‘traveller’ for planning related purposes would permanently exclude those who have ceased from travelling.  At the emergency planning meeting of Fulbeck Parish Council on 3rd June 2019 the applicants stated they had always lived in the area and were currently living at a site at Long Bennington.

(Also see notes under item 8b) – planning applications determined).

d)   Letter received from LCC regarding Broadband Gigabit Voucher Scheme & Rural Gigabit Connectivity Scheme.  As CC Maughan was not present this would be considered at the next meeting.

7.   Financial Matters

a)   Financial Report – The Clerk reported that the balance is currently £21,222.91, including in the General Account £17695.83, £2180.08 in the Playing Field account, £800 in the Election Fund, £600 in the Playing Field Reserve and -£53.00 in the Defibrillator account.

Action: Clerk

The Clerk had circulated a paper which showed the transfer of money from the General account to the defibrillator account.  This did not alter the overall figure.  The Clerk thanked Cllr Greenhalgh for his assistance.

Cllr Greenhalgh asked if it was not prudent to transfer some money from the Yorkshire Bank to the Melton Mowbray Building Society.  Cllr Hughes also raised the question of internet banking.  Cllr Greenhalgh stated he would enquire at the Bank to see the ramifications involved and the Clerk said that she would look at the future outgoings to see what sum could be transferred.

Action: Cllr Greenhalgh

b)   Accounts for payment – there were six invoices for payment.

Please click here to view the Alteration to Receipts & Payments.

Action: Clerk/Cllrs with signature authority

It was proposed by Cllr Greenhalgh and seconded by Cllr Hughes that the invoices be paid.  All were in agreement.

c)   Payments Made:  The Clerk reported that the following payment had been made since the previous meeting:

8.   Planning Matters

a)   Planning Applications received – S19/1251 – Erection of detached dwelling at The Grange, Lincoln Road.  Representations/ strong objections have been submitted.  DC Milnes stated that the Highways Department had not objected nor had the Conservation Officer.

S19/1500 – Extension to existing offices at Fulbeck Heights, Pottergate Road.  The application was discussed and there was a general consensus that it was difficult to put forward any objections.  The Chairman wished to look at the previous applications before making a decision.

S19/1451 – Fell trees in CA at The Russets, Washdyke Lane – no objections were put forward.

b)   Planning Applications Determined – S19/1125 – Erection of single storey dwelling on land adjacent to Shalom, South Heath Lane.  SKDC have granted planning permission.  DC Milnes explained that there had been a change of planning policy and that SKDC were looking at applications for infill properties on a case by case basis.  The criterion for the change was set out in the Case Officer’s Report under the above Planning Application.  In essence planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where this will support local services. Where there are groups of smaller settlements development in one village may support services in a village nearby.  Fulbeck does support the sustainability of services in other villages, particularly Caythorpe and Leadenham.

Action: Clerk

Excerpt from Case Officer’s Report stated “It is noted that there have been previous refusals of planning permission for sustainability reasons in Fulbeck, including on this particular site.  However, each case is required to be considered on its own merits and in the current planning policy context, which now includes the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), and requires LPA’s to meet the housing needs for their area, it is considered to be acceptable in principle.  
The need for new housing in South Kesteven is evidenced in the Strategic Housing Market Area Assessment (2017).”

Cllr Greenhalgh thanked DC Milnes for explaining the situation in a clear and concise way so that it could be understood.

9.   Highway Matters

The  Chairman gave a verbal report on the meeting held on 28th August with CC Maughan, Rowan Smith, Highways, and the Clerk when they had toured the Village and the problems highlighted.  The Chairman had asked on the Facebook page if anyone had any issues they wished to be raised but had not received a response.  With regard to the drainage problems in Bulby Lane Cllr Fane had spoken to his tenant and the problem would be addressed once harvest was over.

Action: Cllr Fane

It was noted that as and when money became available to the Highways Department the issues would be addressed.   However, there did seem some doubt as to what should be done with the subsidence in the road on South Heath Lane as a stream was possibly running underneath the road.  There was agreement that signs should be put on the outskirts of the village.

Action: Cllr Maughan

It was noted that street names are the responsibility of SKDC not the LCC.

The proposed road closures of Pottergate Road for essential maintenance works were noted.

9.   Correspondence – the Clerk notified the members that correspondence had been received as per the circulated list.

10.  Neighbourhood Planning

Prior to the meeting Cllr Hodcroft had circulated a paper highlighting initial action required before undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan.  At the meeting she stated that she had liaised with various people regarding neighbourhood plans and had approached residents in Fulbeck to see if they would be willing to join a working group.  All the residents had thought that a Plan was a good idea but did not wish to make such a huge commitment.  

Cllr Hodcroft asked if any action plans had been undertaken in the past.  Cllr Fane stated that in the year 2000 questionnaires had been circulated to all residents asking what they would like to see undertaken in Fulbeck.  Cllr Morison was of the opinion that he still had copies of the questionnaires and would let Cllr Hodcroft have sight of them.

Action: Cllr Morison

Cllr Hodcroft undertook to continue to try and get interest in assisting with the Plan and would report back on progress at the next meeting.

Action: Cllr Hodcroft

11.  Grant of £200 from DC Milnes

It was agreed to put this item on the agenda for the next meeting to allow time for members to come up with suggestions.

12.  District Councillor’s Report

Cllr Milnes explained the management changes that had occurred within SKDC and also highlighted the present political situation with the Councillors.

13.  County Councillor’s Report – to follow.

14.  Village Organisation’s Report – Village Hall and Playing Field Committee

Cllr Hughes stated that the August car boot had raised £102, with Bob’s Bucket collecting £14.92.  (Car boot total so far £1119).  Unfortunately this year there had been a lot of inclement weather.  In a good season the total would be between £2000-2600. 

Action: Cllr Hughes

The Harvest Supper is to be held on the 28th September and the Firework display would take place, as usual, on the 5th November.  It was agreed that the usual arrangement would continue with the purchase of the fireworks.  

Cllr Fane pointed out that on the 12th November Miss Judy Urquhart would be giving a talk in the Village Hall at 7.30 on ‘My Father’s Path to Arnhem’.  He was in the process of organising the event.

Action: Cllr Fane

15.  Dates of Parish Council meetings for 2020

The proposed meeting dates for 2020 having been circulated were agreed.

Action: All

16.  Reflector on Hare & Hounds Wall

It was agreed that this would be discussed at the next meeting.

Action: Clerk

17.  Trees from the Woodland Trust

Cllr Hodcroft said that trees are available from the Woodland Trust free of charge.  She undertook to circulate details.

Action: Cllr Hodcroft

Date of next meeting – Monday 11th November 2019 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall.

The meeting concluded at 10 p.m.