2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN UPSALL ROOM, KIRTON TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2019.

Present:

Councillors:

D Danby – Chairman
C Sharp – Vice-Chairman

Councillors:

R Bemrose, I Turner, S Watson, P Watson (and Borough), A Austin (County)

A Wilson, M Brookes (County)

Also Present:     Mrs B Buttery – Clerk of the Council

Public Forum

One resident attended as she had applied to be co-opted and wanted to just observe the meeting. Two residents attended to speak about planning application B/19/0317 – Erection of 31 dwellings, new access and infrastructure following demolition of existing dwelling at Land off Station Road, Kirton. Both residents were not complaining about the actual housing side of the application, but they were both opposed to the development having the access onto Station Road. There were two reasons, one was that Station Road is already busy, the access is close to the roundabout and it would cause traffic to back up onto the A16 at busy periods. The second reason was the removal of the lime trees which have tree preservation orders attached to them. (The two residents who came to speak on the planning application left the meeting.)

133/19   Chairman’s comments

The chairman wished to thank Mr Peter Booth for his help in the assembly of the new storage facility at the Cemetery which is to be used to store the traffic bollards/signs for Remembrance.

134/19   Apologies for absence and reason given

Cllr N Welton sent his apologies and reasons for absence which was accepted by the Council. Cllr Blackman did not send his apologies.

Members resolved that the Clerk should write to both these Borough Councillors who have only attended Kirton once since the elections. The Parish Council had offered to change the day of the meetings to accommodate them attending as Frampton also has their meeting on the same nights and they declined. Members felt it was a poor show and that they weren’t getting supported by two of their 3 Borough Councillors.

135/19   Receipt of any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011,  and to consider any written requests for dispensations in relation to members’ disclosable pecuniary  interests.

Cllr Bemrose declared a personal interest in Town Hall on the agenda as her mother is Chairman. She is also a parent governor at the Primary School.

Cllr Watson is on the Boston Borough Planning Committee and will take no part in item 16 on the agenda (planning). Cllr Sharp declared an interest as he is on the Kirton Youth Challenge as a trustee, he is also on the Scout Committee.

136/19   Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting

It was resolved that the notes of the meeting held on the 15th August 2019, previously circulated, should be recorded as the minutes.

It was also resolved that from now on, the Agendas/Clerks report/Correspondence and Minutes will only be emailed to members rather than hard copies posted to them.

137/19   Consider co-option of 2 applicants

it was resolved to co-opt Carol Lidgett to the Parish Council, 7 voted for 1 against.  The other applicant has not yet been seen by the panel yet. There is another applicant to also be seen. The remaining 3 vacancies still stand.

138/19   Police Matters

No Police attended but PCSO Williams did send the following information:

Reported crimes since your last meeting are as follows:
 
16/08/19 – Burglary to garage, Jubilee Close – items recovered, under investigation 30/08/19 – Assault, Hardwick Estate – 1 arrest, under investigation

03/09/19 – Assault, Nightingale Road – under investigation 04/09/19 – Theft of mini digger, London Road – under investigation 09/09/19 – Assault, Dennis Estate – 1 arrest, under investigation

Cllr Turner had called into the Police Station to speak to the Police about the youths who are riding around the village with no lights on and ‘playing chicken’ with cars in the road. They are also riding wheelies in the day time too in the middle of the road. The Police will take action. It was also resolved that the Chairman would  go into Thomas Middlecott School and speak to the Headteacher about it.

139/19   Viewpoints on questions from members of the public

Cllr Austin declared that whilst the residents speaking about the Station Road development were talking, she engrossed herself in her iPad as she is a member of the planning committee at the Borough Council and did not take any notice of what they said.

Members will discuss the planning application at the appropriate point in the agenda.

140/19   Matters for the attention of Lincolnshire County Councillors/Boston Borough Councillors

Cllr Watson reported that the Enforcement Team visited Kirton twice in the last 7 days regarding fly tipping/litter etc. It is not known if/how many fines were issued.

Cllr Brookes reported that the County Council now has a new website that is running parallel to the old one. They are keen for feedback. The site is pre.lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Cllr Sharp gave Cllr Brookes information regarding Kells Drove being in a state – Clerk to report and copy Cllr Brookes in to the reply from LCC.

Cllr Austin reported that the grass outside Thomas Middlecott is now on the maps held by LCC after being left off.  The Parish Council asked Cllr Austin to find out whether highways will pay the Parish Council to maintain this for this year, or whether they will only do it from next year.

Cllr Watson asked Cllr Austin for an update regarding extending the 30mph on Skeldyke Road – she had no further information but said she would enquire.

Cllr Turner complained that the potholes he has mentioned previously have not been fixed. He will take some pictures and send them to the Clerk to report on Fix my Street.

Cllr Austin reported that the crossing has got no further with the relevant people.  Members are frustrated that the infrastructure is in place but is not working. They asked her to go back and ask again to repair/replace the fixtures inside the columns so that they can illuminate.  She agreed.

Cllr Austin told members that she was surprised how few Kirton Councillors use fix my street themselves, rather than giving the work to the Clerk.  Cllr P Watson, at the approval of the Council will put the link on Facebook which will hopefully encourage more to report directly to Highways.

(Cllr Austin left the meeting)

141/19   Accounts for payment/Finance

It was resolved to accept the payments as per payment sheet dated September 2019 6 of 12.

142/19   Report from the minutes of the previous meeting/Clerk’s report

143/19   Correspondence received which the Council are invited to resolve on

a.   Lincolnshire County Council – Temporary Traffic Restriction – Skeldyke – for essential works by Telec Utilities (in place on Skeldyke Road between Burnham Lane and a point 320 meters northwest and Burnham Lane between Skeldyke Road and Nidds Lane between 7.10.19 – 11.10.19 and 14.10.19-16.10.19

b.   Lincolnshire County Council – recommendations for new contractors for Highways

c.   Enforcement Officer, Boston Borough Council – re Kier site next to the Methodist Church, Mr Watts will ask the owners to tidy the site although it is not at enforcement level yet. Re Acorn House, it ongoing at the moment. He is currently seeking advice.

d.   Lincolnshire County Council – Project Edward – Community Speed Watch proposed day of action.

It is hoped that all the CSW groups around the country will hold sessions on the same day to try and get a picture of the issue of speeding.

e.   Lincolnshire County Council – Temporary road Closure – Bucklegate Lane, between 380 metres and 510 metres east of Seakdyke Road – for essential works by Anglian Water – 7.10.19-9.10.19 as required.

f.   Figures received from Boston Borough Council regarding the number of fines issued by the enforcement teams in 2017 and 2018

These were informed to members. It was also informed to all by Cllr Brookes that

g.   Email received from resident who was complementary about the level of litter in the village

h.   Defibrillator now in place at Hubberts Bridge, Wheatsheaf. Thanks, received for donation towards this.

i.   Boston Borough Democratic Services – Elections estimations costs for precepting.  Invoice for this year’s elections will follow.

Members were astounded how much the contested election and also the uncontested election fees were.  Cllr Watson will make further enquiries at the Borough to see what he can uncover.

144/19   Town Hall

Cllr Sharp updated members on the recent meeting of the Town Hall Management Committee.  They have managed to recruit a new committee member.

The THMC has offered £200 towards the recent work carried out at the Town Hall. Members resolved to accept this generous offer. Clerk to write to the Chairman of the Town Hall Committee and thank the committee for their offer, the Council would like to accept it.

The Town Hall has upcoming events which continue to be popular.

They do, however, have an issue with youths hanging around the rear of the Town Hall.
 
145/19   Cemetery

The buffer/maintenance strip between the new development and the cemetery needs attention.  It was resolved to ask the grass contractors to give a quote to do the work.

146/19   Parish matters

1.   Reports from committee meetings held since last Council meeting.

-   The Neighbourhood Plan group have now done and advert which basically asks residents whether they want a Neighbourhood Plan. This has a consultation period running until the beginning of December.
-   The banners and tickets will be going out for Last Night of the Proms
-   The Xmas committee has managed to acquire a Christmas Tree for the War Memorial area, it is a donation from a resident who has it growing in their garden. A meeting is due to be held to discuss getting additional xmas lights from the Boston Christmas Lights Group.

2.   Update on Park Inspections

-   The RoSPA report has just been emailed over to the Clerk. There are a few issues which need attention. Clerk and Chairman will meet with the park inspector to discuss them.
-   Clerk to chase up the handy man who was going to do the jobs in the park.

147/19   Reports for Various Bodies

Cllr Bemrose reported overhanging bushes at the entrance to Thomas Middlecott Drive.  Clerk will report.

Cllr Turner reported overgrown branches obscuring the street light outside 74 Station Road, the Clerk has seen number 1 is the same and will report both to Highways.

148/19   Planning applications:

B/19/0317 – Erection of 31 dwellings, new access and infrastructure following demolition of existing dwelling at Land off Station Road, Kirton

- OBJECTIONS: ACCESS ONTO STATION ROAD IS PROBLAMATIC NOW, IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE WITH A DEVELOPMENT ENTERING/EXITING HERE. THE NARROWING OF THE CARRIAGEWAY IS DANGEROUS. THERE IS NO ACCOUNTING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THE APPLICATION. THERE ARE 3 TREES WITH PRESERVATION ORDERS ON THEM THAT WILL NEED TO BE CUT DOWN TO ACCOMMODATE THE ACCESS TO THE SITE – THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC FROM A16 TO STATION ROAD WILL CAUSE BACK UP TRAFFIC ON THE A16 AT PEAK TIMES.

B/19/0326 – Outline application with all matters (Access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale) reserved for later approval for erection of a single dwelling at Land off Kirton Holme Road, Kirton Holme – NO OBJECTIONS B/19/0359 – Erection of one detached dwelling and detached garage approved under application B/17/0491 at 84 Boston Road, Kirton – NO OBJECTIONS

B/19/0214 – Retention of 1 externally illuminated fascia sign at the Golden Fryer, 1-3 Station Road, Kirton – NO OBJECTIONS

B/19/0327 – Application for the approval of reserved matters for 3 detached dwellings following the grant of outline planning approval B/17/0491 1. Details of the appearance, layout, scale, landscaping and access for 3 detached two storey dwellings. 2. Submission of details and discharge of conditions 5 (surface water drainage scheme) and condition 9 (hedges and trees) of outline planning approval B/17/0491 at Land to the rear of 84 Boston Road, Kirton – NO OBJECTIONS

Determined Applications –

B/19/0295 – Single storey extension to rear of garage (retrospective) at Hedge Row, Donington Road, Swineshead
– GRANT

B/19/0296 – First floor rear extension at Acorn House, Holme Road, Kirton Holme – GRANT

149/19   Date & time of the next Parish Council Meeting

Date & Time of the next Meeting will be held on Thursday 17th October 2019 (Upsall Room, Kirton Town Hall) beginning at 7pm. There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman thanked those in attendance, and declared the meeting closed at 9.10pm.