January 2023 Minutes
FULBECK PARISH COUNCIL
NOTES of a Parish Council meeting held on 9th January 2023 in the Village Hall, Fulbeck.
Present: Cllr G Greenhalgh (in the Chair), Cllrs Fane, Hodcroft, Hughes, and Watler, Dist Cllr P Milnes and Cty Cllr Alex Maughan. June Hutchinson joined after co-option.
There was one member of the public present.
The member of the public pointed out that the Archer Survey taken along Rectory Lane was carried out in October which is a quieter time in the year.
Cllr Milnes said that SKDC is looking at its budgets for 2023-24. There is loss of income and not much Government money coming in. It is likely a 3.95% increase will be agreed which will mean a £5 increase on Council Tax for a Band D property. People on benefits are receiving Government help. Business rates will go up in line with valuations. Retail and hospitality will get extended relief. SKDC has to absorb inflationary pressures. Housing rent increases are limited to 7%. There will be a shortfall in funds and £1.6 million will be taken from reserves.
Cllr Maughan had sent his report just prior to this meeting and it is attached to the hard copy of these Minutes.
78/22 There were no apologies. Resignation of Ann Sampson (due to her moving away) was noted and a letter of thanks is to be written to her. It was resolved to co-opt June Hutchinson and she duly signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
79/22 Declarations of interest – Cllr Fane in agenda item 8.
80/22 Minutes of the meeting held on 7th November had been read and agreed, and a resolution was made to sign them.
81/22 Financial:
[a] Financial reports at 31.10.22 and 30.11.22 had been circulated and it was resolved to accept and sign same.
[b] It was resolved to ratify payments of £373 salary and expenses, £10.20 for a copy plan and £164.72 for community cleaner.
[c] The Clerk had circulated a projection of expenditure to 31.3.23 and a list of known reserves required, to assist with finalising the Precept figure for 2023-24. Cllr Hughes pointed out that we should allow £265 for play area costs. The Clerk reminded Councillors that grants may be given but when paid out must be substantiated by invoices. The Council has a number of Powers it can use for grant purposes. After much discussion and deliberation it was resolved (5 votes for and 1 abstention) to agree a 3% increase in the precept making it £10,067.
82/22 Planning:
Planning applications received:
S22/2216 – Solar panels at Walled Garden, North End Lane, pending consideration.
PL/0137/LCC – Application for works at Recycling Site, Caythorpe Heath Lane – any further traffic movements would not exceed the current allowance. An independent noise consultant has been employed but the results are not yet known.
Planning applications determined:
S22/1824 – Various tree works at Fulbeck House – approved.
S22/1951 – Extensions, change of windows at The Russets – approved.
S22/2089 – Tree works at Pickers Mallow – approved.
S22/2174 – Tree works at Fulbeck Hall – approved.
Notice of Appeal:
S20/2128 – Bulby Lane site – this is embroiled in legalities – the injunction is not clear in that it does not specifically mention the utility block. A new senior enforcement officer starts in the middle of this month and will take this matter forward.
83/22 Highways:
Deer signage on the A17 has been agreed - siting will be agreed by Highways and Cllr Fane.
The Archer Survey for Rectory Lane has been received and the results show that the criteria for speed enforcement solutions is not met. There are lots of country lanes in the County and many make it difficult to exceed 30 mph. There is a county speed limit review ongoing and the outcome is awaited. We could have lineage on the roads but this was previously discussed and agreed we did not want that. It was suggested that parking cars on the road may help.
Sudthorpe Hill has been cut back on both sides.
Re-wilding report should be available for the next meeting.
Discussion took place regarding the amount of fly-tipping along Pottergate Road on the area near the A17. It is hoped the road can be closed but all users have to agree before this can be done, as maintenance of the road then reverts to landowners. Agreed that Clerk should email Cllr Davies to show support for the stopping up of the road.
84/22 Benches – the bench opposite Ashers will be removed by Cllr Hughes. The bench at Northend Green is metal and needs painting. Cllr Hughes will speak to nearby residents to see if they will take this on.
85/22 Village Hall Green – No update on this as Land Registry are taking up to 18 months to deal with applications.
86/22 Noticeboard at Hare & Hounds – planning application now in. Cost of an oak noticeboard is £1,320 plus VAT. Agreed that Clerk should put in an application for funding from the SK Community Fund.
87/22 Dog fouling – we need to ascertain where we want signage and then ask the Neighbourhoods Team at SK to put signs up. Cllrs Watler and Hutchinson will advise appropriate positions at the next meeting.
88/22 VETS – Cllr Watler had looked into alternative more up to date systems but had not found any as yet. Mobiles are a problem as numbers are often changed and if they go out of signal, set up a loop. Cllr Watler will carry on with her enquiries.
89/22 Date of next meeting – 6th March 2023.
90/22 Closed session – not required.
Meeting closed at 9.18 pm