2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

FULBECK PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of FPC Meeting held at 7 pm on Thursday 11th January 2024 in the Village Hall, Fulbeck

Present:

Cllrs J Hutchinson (in the Chair), O. Crowder, A. Fane, N. Harrison, J. Hodcroft, P. Hughes and R. Siddans

South Kesteven District Cllr P Milnes was in attendance.

Eight members of the public were present.

The Chair welcomed councillors and members of the public to the meeting.  The Chair highlighted to councillors and members of the public the 7 Nolan Principles of Public Life.

Public Forum:

See Item 54 Highways re the future proposed road closure of the A607

District Councillor Report

Cllr Milnes’ report will be appended to the minutes.

County Councillor Report

As CCllr Maughan was unable to attend the meeting, he had circulated a newsletter which will be appended to the minutes.

23/24/49:   Apologies for absence CCllr Maughan

23/24/50:   Declaration of interests

Cllr Fane on Planning Application No. S23/2052, and Cllr Hughes on Item 23/24 52 (c) re grant to Village Hall.

23/24/51:   Minutes of meeting held on 9th November 2023

The Chair put to councillors that item S23/1124 be removed from the minutes. This was seconded. It was proposed that with this amendment the revised Minutes be approved. This was carried with one abstention.

23/24/52:   Financial matters:

(a)   As the mandate forms from Virgin Money had had to be re-submitted, the Parish Clerk did not yet have authorisation to access the account and had therefore been unable to complete the bank reconciliation.

(b)  It was unanimously resolved to ratify payments to the Community cleaner of £180.68, PCC £400 for grass cutting, LALC for advertising post of Clerk (£60 plus £12 VAT), and McAfee subscription of £129.99 (this sum to be paid to the former Parish Clerk/FCO as money had been debited to her personal account).

(c)   The Clerk had circulated a projection of expenditure, and a list of known reserves, to assist with finalising the Precept for 2024-25. Cllr Hughes added that the car park in front of the village playing fields was in urgent need of repair, as a result of large potholes; he had received a quotation from Messrs Hemswell, and would be seeking a contribution of £800 from the Parish Council towards the cost of repairs. Following discussion on whether this sum should be included in the Precept or be paid from existing Reserves, the latter was proposed. Other amendments were also discussed.  

Action: Parish Clerk to circulate the proposed new Precept for councillor agreement. 

[Councillors request that future emailed attachments should be in an accessible format.] 

23/24/53:   Planning

Planning Applications received

S23/2052/FULL: Erection of a portable toilet block on existing concrete base, clad in Western Red Cedar timber at Manor Stables, Lincoln Road.
(Planning Permission granted 8th January 2024)

S23/2193: Proposed erection of balcony to rear of property at Crantock, North End Lane.
(Planning Permission granted 9th January 2024)

Planning Applications determined

S23/1523: 15/16 Washdyke Lane – proposed extension to form enlarged kitchen/dining room and conversion of outbuilding to form utility and study.
(Planning permission granted on 14th December 2023)

S23/1327:  North View, High Street – modify rear extension and associated internal and external alterations, including replacement and refurbished windows.
(Planning permission granted on the 14th December 2023)

S23/1328 – North View, High Street – modified rear extension and associated internal and external alterations, including replacement and refurbished windows.
(Listed building consent was granted on the 14th December 2023)

S23/1855: Saxon House, North End Lane – conversion of existing garage to a snug room and associated changes from garage doors to windows.  Removing rear windows and installing double doors to the rear elevation.  Installation of Solar Panels on Roof.
(Planning permission granted on 9th January 2024)

23/24/54:   Highways

In public forum discussion, a member of the public had highlighted that the A607 would be closed again in the near future. Following discussion on the impact of such closures on members of the public, particularly on those who rely on public transport, and on local businesses, the FPC Chair undertook to ascertain the date and location of the proposed road closure, and the nature of the repairs; and to liaise with CCllr Maughan on his return.

Action: Cllr Hutchinson

23/24/55:   Life on the Verge

Cllr Siddans reported that she would be organising a meeting on 10 February to view the village greens. A public meeting would be organised in March (date to be confirmed) to provide information to residents on possible local action on environmental issues and biodiversity. 

Action:  Cllr Siddans

[It was noted that as of February 2024 residents should start to use purple-lidded bins – for dry paper and cardboard only.]

23/24/56:   Community Resilience

Following discussion on recent events, including local flooding, cold weather refuges, emergency health and wellbeing response, it was agreed that a working group be formed to look into action and planning required, in and around Fulbeck.

Action: Cllr Hutchinson, with two members of the public present who volunteered to join the working group.

23/24/57:   Portfolios for Councillors

It was considered that it would be advantageous to have a list of proposed portfolios which could be taken up on an ad hoc basis.

23/24/58:   Correspondence received

(a)   A letter had been received from a resident asking whether the posts erected on two sides of the village hall green required planning permission. Cllr Milnes advised that the posts do not need permission below a certain height but would make enquiries.  (Cllr Milnes had confirmed that they do not require planning permission below one metre in height. However, if put on land that is not owned by the person installing the posts it becomes a civil matter).

(b)   The Parish Council had received a letter about the gates and coat of arms at Fulbeck Hall. Discussion followed on the correspondence that had taken place, and advice sought, which had confirmed that the Parish Council had no authority to intervene in this matter. Cllr Milnes stated that as SKDC had recruited more Enforcement Officers she would refer the matter to them to ascertain whether the situation could be moved forward and resolved. If members of the public felt that the coat of arms should be reinstated, they could write to SKDC on this matter. 

(c)   Fulbeck Sports & Social Club is applying to SKDC for a grant from the Prosperity Fund for roof insulation and new thermal, acoustic, fire retardant curtains, and requires the permission of the Parish Council.  
Permission was unanimously agreed.

(d)   An email had been received from a concerned resident of South Heath Lane re vehicles not adhering to the 30 mph speed limit there. This, together with the numerous discussions re North End Lane where residents had raised similar concerns about speed issues, exacerbated by the narrow width of the lane, and blind bends, prompted agreement to set up a Working Group to look into speed controls. The group will include Cllr Crowder, Cllr Fane and a volunteer resident, to look at various speed controls, including flashing signs.

Cllr Milnes agreed to ask Geoff Dorrity, Chair of Stubton, whether he could advise as he and a residents’ group have recently achieved success on this.

23/24/59    Parish Council Website

A list of topics from the LALC Webmaster had been circulated prior to the meeting asking whether the Council would like any items included on its website.

Cllr Fane highlighted Item 16 of the FPC Minutes of 7th March 2022 which stated that, “After much discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council Facebook page will be deleted and that no matters whatsoever concerning the Parish Council should go on the Village Facebook page”. She felt this was not being adhered to. 

In discussion, it was agreed to publish on the Fulbeck Village Facebook page information useful to residents, such as the dates and times of future meetings; and to refer residents to the Parish Council’s website.

Cllr Fane sought clarification regarding the obligation that incoming and outgoing correspondence should go through the Clerk. The Chair replied that the draft of a revised Communications Policy would be brought to the next meeting for review and agreement, adding that all the Council's policies (including Standing Orders, Standing Financial Instructions and the Code of Conduct) required regular review and agreement.

Action: Cllr Hutchinson and Parish Clerk

23/24/60   Meeting Dates for 2024-25

The list of dates was agreed and will be posted on the website.

23/24/61   Date of next meeting

Date agreed as Thursday 7th March 2024 at 7 pm in the Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 9.20 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 Councillor;
PCC:      Parochial Church Council;
SKDC:   South Kesteven District Council;
VETS:      Voluntary Emergency Telephone System

District Councillor Penny Milnes January 2024 Report

Planning:

S23/2052 Toilet Block. Craft Stables. Approved conditionally for a period of 3 years.

S23/2193 Balcony, Crawtock. Approved

The SKDC Local Plan

This review identifies allocations for housing and sets policies upon which planning decisions are made, is still under review but consultation will be commencing soon. At such time, please look at any proposals carefully and comment accordingly. Draft proposals will be considered by Cabinet on 7 February.

Pottergate Road:

SKDC is continuing the process towards a PSPO (Public Space Protection Order) to gate the lane to try to prevent repeats of the hazardous fly tipping which is also expensive for the District Councils (NK and SK) and landowners/farmers to remove. 3 tips were reported over the Christmas period.

Community Funding Workshop

SK are holding a Funding Workshop in Grantham this month and the tickets are nearly sold out already!
Thursday 18th January at the Jubilee Church Life Centre, River Room, 6pm – 8pm.
There will have lots of information to share about SK and other grants that are open to Voluntary & Community Sector organisations.
With limited tickets left, can I ask any community groups to contact Victoria Herbert directly if they would like to attend.      victoria.herbert@southkesteven.gov.uk

Purple Lidded Bins

The purple lidded bins will start to be collected in February in line with the calendar of collections delivered to all households. 

Floods

The district has been impacted in some areas and SKDC officers have been working very hard on helping residents in a recovery process.

South Heath Lane Speeding

It may be worth looking at how Stubton PC went about the process. They liaised with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership who conducted an Archer Survey to assess the problem. A resident’s group was set up with 5 Cllrs and 7 volunteers. They submitted evidence of a need for the speed signs and successfully applied for funds from the SK Community Fund. 

Hot off the press

Devolution

See Cllr Maughan’s full report on this issue. SKDC discussed this this afternoon at an extraordinary Full Council meeting and the administration group resolved to note with regret the lack of a referendum albeit District Councils are only a consultee and despite the 3 county and unitary councils agreeing to proceed. 

Nothing is perfect and there are concerns, but it is the best deal on the table to ensure more money from government is devolved to the 3 councils for decisions on how to spend locally. The government are clear that the only way to get more money for the area is via a Mayor. 

Public consultation is continuing and there are a few more ‘drop in’ sessions offered by LCC – no booking required:

Grantham, Jubilee Centre.  18 January 2024. 15.00 – 19.00 
Bourne, Wake House. 15 January 2024. 11.30 – 14.30
Spalding, Springfield Events Centre. 20 January 2024. 11.00 – 14.00

Report on the request for £850k funding to resurrect the Deepings Leisure Centre

An Extraordinary meeting Full Council met this afternoon to discuss this request from a Community Interest Company.

Despite strong reservations on the part of the Finance Director, barrister and professional scrutiny with several severe reservations from councillors within the SK Coalition, doubts mirrored by LCC, the administration group has decided to approve a subsidy of £850k,(with many conditions which would take a lot longer to resolve than LCC’s deadline of 2 February - as owner of the building), notwithstanding the significant risks of the project, the impact on SK as a whole, the future of our 3 remaining leisure centres and the impact on the Council budget in uncertain economic and market conditions . This amount accounts for 27% of SK’s last remaining reserve, the Local Priority Reserve (backed by the Budget Stability Reserve).

Their argument was based on a moral duty to provide leisure and swimming facilities in the Deepings after the centre was closed in 2021 as unaffordable to restore by SK.

As an Independent councillor I, with sadness, spoke and voted against it on evidenced risk factors around the community business plan as the main consideration for not spending public money on the project - within the wider context of current uncertain financial and market circumstances - against a moral mantra.

Emotion v Sense. Interesting times.

County Councillor Alexander Maughan December 2023 Report

Devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire

Councillors at Lincolnshire County Council have voted in favour of taking the next steps towards a devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire.

Residents are now set to be asked for their views on the devolution proposal, following a Full Council meeting on 1 December 2023. A public consultation asking people in Greater Lincolnshire for their views and comments will start on Monday 4 December and will last for eight weeks.

Lincolnshire County Council’s leader, Cllr Martin Hill, said: “This is an important day for the council and the county. We have negotiated an ambitious deal with the government that will bring benefits to our residents for years to come, making sure we don’t get left behind. I hope that residents will take the time to understand what’s on offer and give their views as part of the consultation. This is our opportunity to take more decisions locally, boost our economy and have a direct line to government about what we need in our area.”

A devolution deal would move important funding and choices about local investment, infrastructure and training from Government to local decision makers.

The Proposal outlines the benefits to Greater Lincolnshire that devolution will bring, which include:

•   A Mayoral Investment Fund of £24 million per annum for 30 years to invest in infrastructure and skills development totalling £720m;
•   A one off £28.4m capital investment in Greater Lincolnshire’s priorities;
•   £2m capacity funding over three years;
•   £1m skills for job funding;
•   Local control over the Adult Education Budget from 2026;
•   A consolidated, multi-year transport fund, providing increased financial certainty.

Following the consultation, further formal meetings will take place to assess the consultation results and put a recommendation to the Government. If a decision is taken to move forward, a Mayoral Combined County Authority would be formed with the election for a Mayor in May 2025.

More details about devolution and the public consultation is available at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/devolution

Latest fire service inspection report published for Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Service

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue provides a good response to fires and other emergencies, according to the latest findings from the body responsible for inspecting fire and police services.

The report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), notes the progress the service has made since its last inspection, and no areas of the service have been judged as inadequate.

HMICFRS has highlighted areas of further improvement which mainly relate to supporting staff and an additional focus on increasing the equality and diversity of the workforce.

The inspectorate also identified two areas of promising practice - the effectiveness of the co-responding service, where fire crews provide lifesaving, trauma care across Lincolnshire; and the ‘assured level of risk’ model, that continually reviews where the highest risk areas are and the actions needed to prevent and respond to them.

Highways maintenance performance data for Quarter 1 2023/24

Highway programme of works for 2023/24

The programme for 2023/24 is almost complete, with just a few months until the year end. Over 700 schemes were planned throughout the year, which include;

•   240 Footway micro surfacing sites that commence in April
•   87 Carriageway micro surfacing sites that commence in August
•   26 Footway reconstruction sites planned across 2023/24
•   53 Carriageway lining replacement sites that commence in June
•   25 Carriageway patching schemes planned across 2023/24
•   80 Carriageway resurfacing sites planned across 2023/24
•   170 Surface dressing sites that commence in June
•   20 Drainage improvement scheme planned across 2023/24

Details of all the schemes can be found on the interactive programme map within the LCC website.

Lincolnshire electric vehicle survey launched

LCC wants you to have your say on the future of electric vehicle provision in Lincolnshire. The survey, now live on Let’s Talk, is about gathering Lincolnshire’s views on electric vehicles, charge points and how the county will continue to build its programme for a greener car travelling future.

The electric vehicle county-wide charging provision is still in the early stages and, to make sure that the county council has the right foundations in place, LCC says it wants ‘real world’ input and info from the public.

The survey is open to anyone and everyone, not just those with hybrid or electric cars: www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/electric-vehicle-charging

Lincolnshire children’ services retain ‘outstanding’ rating

Ofsted inspectors visited the county in April to review the help, protection and care afforded to children and young people from our Children’s Services. They found that families across Lincolnshire continue to have access to localised services that help to keep them safe and support young people to make good progress.

Inspectors particularly noted how council staff, schools, and other adults involved in children’s lives, worked together to ensure that help was provided quickly when needed, before any potential issues had a chance to escalate.

It is wonderful to see the hard work of our staff recognised, and this ‘outstanding’ review will no doubt inspire staff to build upon this success and find ways to improve the support we provide to families even further, so that Lincolnshire remains a great place for children to flourish.

Granthan Southern Relief Road – November 2023 update

Latest updates for the Grantham Southern Relief Road.

What we achieved in October

Phase Three:

•   West side of site – cast bridge launch foundations for western foundation
•   East side of site – east abutment excavation and pile cropping / Pier 5 backfill and concrete works / Pier 6 piling works

What's happening in November

Phase Three:

•   West side of site – complete trestle launch foundations / begin assembling steelwork
•   East side of site – east abutment excavation and pile cropping / Pier 5 concrete works / Pier 6 piling works

Current/ongoing traffic restrictions and closures

Lane restrictions around the B1174 Roundabout to facilitate the construction of the haul route and access into site

Upcoming traffic restrictions and closures

N/A

For more information about this and other major highways projects, visit: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects.

Winter on the roads 2023

Lincolnshire’s Gritter Crew – the stats

•   The county has a budget of £1.2m a year for salt. Last year the council spent £1,000,000 on the grippy stuff. The molasses-treated salt that is bought in will last for five years – this lifespan had never been tested though as the salt stored is always used well before the five years is up
•   There are 47 Gritters that serve the county – these range from mainly 26-tonne gritters with 10-tonne hoppers,18-tonne lorries with 6-tonne hoppers on the back and smaller 10-tonne versions with a 3- tonne hopper on the back
•   LCC holds 29,200 tonnes of salt in the county’s depots
•   On average, LCC uses 20,000 tonnes of salt a year
•   The most salt ever used in one winter was across the 2010/11 ‘Beast from the East’ brutally cold
season. That year a massive 38,000 tonnes of salt was put down on the roads
•   There are 12 weather stations around the county feeding data back about the weather and road temperatures. LCC has access to eight others sited with other counties which help to more accurately predict weather systems as they come across the country

If you have questions or comments, please contact me at;

Alexander Maughan
Lincolnshire County Councillor for Hough Division
Mobile: 07707 060022
Email: cllra.maughan@lincolnshire.gov.uk