July 2023 Minutes
MINUTES of a FULBECK PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held at 7 pm on Monday 3rd July 2023 at the Village Hall, Fulbeck.
Present: Present: Cllrs J Hutchinson (in the Chair), A. Fane, J. Hodcroft, P. Hughes and R. Siddans. Dist Cllr P Milnes was in attendance. There were thirteen members of the public present.
The Chair welcomed members of the public and introduced FPC councillors.
It was agreed that Cllr Fane would speak, as a member of the public, about the planning re-application S23/1124.
A member of the public expressed concern that the proposed development on South Heath Lane would be just the start of many more housing developments there. Cllr Milnes explained the Local Plan and its restrictions. A member of the public stated that South Heath Lane is not suitable for traffic coming off the A17 – a report from Highways is still awaited for this application. Reasons for refusal of the original application on this site were given to the public and it was noted that these must be addressed in this new application. Fewer than ten houses is considered a minor application whereas more than ten would have been considered a major application.
A member of the public offered litter picking help. It was noted that the community cleaner is on the Parish Council’s payroll.
23/24/15: Apologies for absence – Cllrs O. Crowder and N. Harrison and Cty Cllr A. Maughan.
23/24/16: Declarations of interest – Cllr Fane in item 6 (S23/1124 and S22/0688) of the Agenda.
23/24/17: It was resolved to sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 15th May which had been circulated and approved.
23/24/18: Financial matters:
[a] It was resolved to sign the bank reconciliation at 31.5.23.
[b] It was resolved to ratify the following payments: Salary and expenses £645.51; LALC training scheme £120; BDG grass cutting £316; Majestic wine £23.48; and Microsoft 365 renewal £59.99.
[c] The Mandate for Melton Building Society is in progress.
23/24/19: Planning:
Planning applications received:
S23/0636 – Little Becks barn/machinery store – pending consideration.
S23/0805 – Alpha, Brant Road – extension – pending consideration.
S23/1124 – Land north of South Heath Lane – (Cllr Fane left the room). Following discussion on S23/1124, which included comments from the public, it was resolved that SKDC would be informed that the Parish Council has no objections to the re-application provided that the applicant has met all requirements, making good on the reasons for refusal in her original application. Other comments made were that there is a definite need for affordable housing; the re-application is now considered more appropriate in that it is a smaller scheme (fewer than ten dwellings) and the design is sympathetic to the environment – more appropriate materials are being used in construction.
Planning applications determined:
S23/0350 – change of use of paddock to domestic garden at Little Becks – withdrawn.
Notices of Appeal: S19/0834 – South Kesteven are considering various options.
Fulbeck Heights: The proposed property may or may not be able to be seen from the A607. Policies SP5 and DE1 are pertinent to any future application as is S15 of the NPPF. Is this development on a greenfield site? Response to Architect to be in the form of questions.
23/24/20: Highways:
Deer signage for A17 still not in place. Clerk to chase Cllr Maughan.
The Clerk reported that Cllr Maughan had met with landowners, LCC legal services, Highways Department and Cllr Milnes, at the Pottergate site, to agree a way forward for Pottergate Road. It was agreed that SKDC should pursue a Public Space Protection Order which LCC will support and install and maintain any associated gates etc to restrict access. The road would remain under public ownership, restricting vehicular access but still allowing access to horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians. SKDC will now take this forward through the necessary statutory process.
23/24/21: Life on the Verge: Cllr Siddans gave an update. The intention is to increase biodiversity by the way we manage grassed areas. The Wildlife Trust is helpful but not quick. There is no current scheme but they are offering advice. There will be a meeting where LWT will walk around the village and give advice on the most suitable verges/areas. There will then be a subsequent presentation to a public meeting.
23/24/22: Noticeboard at Hare & Hounds: Clerk has put in an application for funding (outcome takes 16 weeks so we will not hear until end September) but in the meantime Cllr Hughes will paint the existing noticeboard.
23/24/23: Emergency Response Plan – Chair reported that there are a number of Emergency Support Programme providers who are, for the most part, charitable organisations. CHT is one of the many defibrillator providers; they take responsibility for maintaining the VETS list of volunteers. Martin Fagan, National Secretary, would be happy to give a presentation to FPC and/or the public.
LIVES provides medical support services, working closely with EMAS; Simon Nash would be willing to give a presentation to the FPC/public on its services.
There is also the GoodSAM network.
These providers rely on a well-functioning 4G communications network to be able to contact volunteers; this level of network is not always available in the village. A Fulbeck resident has offered to manage/update the list of volunteers for the VETS program.
23/24/24: Correspondence – none to hand. Cllr Milnes gave a reminder of the Shared Prosperity Fund for any community projects.
23/24/25: Date of next meeting: 4th September 2023.
Meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
Abbreviation/Acronyms:
CHT = Community Heartbeat Trust;
EMAS = East Midlands Ambulance Service;
FPC = Fulbeck Parish Council;
GoodSAM = Good Smartphone Activated Medics;
LALC = Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils;
LCC = Lincolnshire County Council;
LIVES = Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service;
LWT = Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust;
PC = Parish Council;
PCC = Parochial Church Council;
SKDC = South Kesteven District Council;
VETS = Voluntary Emergency Telephone System).