2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE UNDER “THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (CORONAVIRUS) (FLEXIBILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITY MEETINGS) (ENGLAND) REGULATIONS 2020” COMMENCING AT 7.00PM ON 15TH OCTOBER 2020.

Present: Councillors: Cllr I Cole, S Watson, P Watson (and Borough), C Brotherton, L O’Connor, G Cole, D Danby, M Brookes (County), A Austin (County), D Brown (Borough)

Also Present: Mrs B Buttery – Clerk of the Council

Public Forum

One resident attended to pass on some information after speaking to the Town Hall Chairman. They had discussed the cobbles that someone had moved from the side of the building (but have been moved back by the Community Caretaker. He also reported that there is a lack of a litter bin near the play area to the rear of the Town Hall and asked if one could be sited there.

144/20 To consider Co-option of new Members

The Chairman put the two prospective candidates into another ‘room’ so that they could not take part in the vote. The two candidates had been ‘interviewed’ previously by members and members had already discussed the candidates. The Chairman declared he would not take part in the vote for whether Mrs Cole would be coopted as she is his wife. There were 4 votes in favour. One did not take part (IC). Mrs Cole was voted in. Then Mr Danby was considered, there were 5 votes in favour. Mr Danby was voted in.

The Chairman brough the two candidates ‘back’ in to the meeting and gave them the news. The acceptance was done verbally by both and they will be sent the formal acceptance form to complete and return to the Clerk.

145/20 Chairman’s comments

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and welcomed the new members to the Council.

He also commented that he had seen many people either using the memorial bench in the War Memorial area, or just looking at it, which was good to see.

146/20 Apologies for absence and reason given

No apologies were received from Cllr Welton who did not attend.

147/20 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 P Watson is on the Boston Borough Planning Committee and will not take part in discussions on planning applications.

Cllr S Watson declared an interest in that her husband, Cllr P Watson is on the planning committee at Boston Borough Council

Cllr D Brown declared he was also on the Boston Borough Planning Committee and will take no part in item 16 – planning.

Cllr Austin also declared that she too was a Planning Committee member at the Borough Council and will take no part in discussions on item 16 – planning.

148/20 Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting

It was resolved after a proposal from Cllr O’Connor which was seconded by Cllr Brotherton, that the notes of the meeting held on the 17th September 2020 previously circulated, should be recorded as the minutes.

149/20 Police Matters

No Police attended, however the Clerk did get the following report from PCSO Williams before the meeting on email:

22/09/20 Theft, Co-op, Station Road – 1 arrested

30/09/20 Assault, King Street – under investigation

02/10/20 Assault, Horseshoe Lane – 1 arrested

03/10/20 Assault, Black Bull, High Street – under investigation

03/10/20 Criminal damage to vehicle, Craven Avenue – under investigation

07/10/20 Criminal damage to property, Willington Road – under investigation

150/20 Viewpoints on questions from members of the public

Cllr O’Connor reported that the Community Caretaker had reported that there were more bins on Penny Gardens than were needed and as such it could be that one was moved to the play area at the rear of the Town Hall. The Clerk commented that the Borough Council would need to agree to allow this and to continue to service the same number of bins. Cllr Brown will take this up with the Borough Council.

151/20 Matters for the attention of Lincolnshire County Council/Boston Borough Council from/to County/Borough Councillors

Cllr Brookes gave a joint report from him and Cllr Austin regarding the flooding in the village namely that: Station Road/ High Street/ Green Lane area

- The Highways Manager has met with the IDB and LCC's Floods and Water team.

There are 3 potential drainage routes available to drain this area. Investigations have taken place previously to assess one of these routes (Green Lane). Tentatively she has identified potential funding for a drainage scheme, and need to do additional work to ensure that she fully understands all the available drainage routes and can establish a feasible scheme design. To this end she will be arranging for further drainage investigation work which should be carried out within the next couple of months. She will then be able to advise further.

Penny Gardens

- The Highways Manager is arranging for the drainage investigation contractor to attend this site also, under her supervision to establish where the surface water drains to and where any issues are. Again, this should be in the next couple of months.

Priestley Close

- The Highways Manager has done a brief visual survey of Priestley Close. The gullies all seem to be operating correctly and are not blocked (although one is in a high spot resulting in puddles either side). She thinks the system drains to an old watercourse behind (to the west of) the properties. Again, she will arrange for the drainage investigation crew to attend under her supervision to establish where the system runs and if there are any issues within it.

Cllr Danby asked what is happening regarding the Station Road area flooding. Some investigations had already been done. Cllr Austin will remind the Highways Manager of the studies that were done in that area.

Cllr Austin informed members that she had visited The Square regarding the double yellow lines request from the Management Company who have houses down there. She informed members that there is adequate parking facilities available and cannot justify double yellow lines.

Cllr Austin said that there is a backlog in the department that deals with the issues regarding Skeldyke Road and as such it is going to be an ongoing item for a while yet. The Graves Park sign can be moved, but again it is the same department so will have to wait along with the other issues.

Cllr Austin said that Horseshoe Lane will also not go ahead (footpath resurfacing) until at least the new financial year. Drainage within the village is still a priority.

She also informed members of the large diversion where the culvert near Pells Drive/Station Road is needing some work. Although the work has been programmed for 2 weeks, it is hoped that it will actually take less time.

Cllrs Brookes and Austin have been allocated several weeks each for the Community Maintenance Team’s time within the Parish and they will do minor works within the villages.

(Cllr Austin left.)

Cllr Brown informed members that the work on Woodside Road has been completed but Black Sluice has left some of the safety barriers behind. He will chase them to get the removed.

Cllr P Watson had attended a Borough meeting with Eddie Poll (Lincolnshire County Councillor responsible for the Household Waste Recycling Centre (the Tip). Frustration has been rising by residents about the fact that not all waste can be gotten rid of in one single trip due to certain waste only being received on certain days. The feeling is that not only does this mean more trips to the HWRC to dispose of the same amount of rubbish, but that it has increased fly tipping where residents can’t be bothered to come back after they are turned away with certain waste on certain days. The Borough is picking up the bill for the increased fly tipping as they are responsible for collecting it. Cllr Watson would like (along with other Borough Councillors) the HWRC to be available for all waste to be disposed of every day. He informed members that the Peterborough HWRC has been operating fully since June.

Cllr Brookes said the county council had brought in certain waste on certain days because of COVID 19 separation regulations and site capacity issues. Not all onward disposal facilities were available when they first reopened. There are still restrictions on social interaction. He referred to an e mail giving more detail on the current situation from County Councillor Eddy Poll who is the executive councillor responsible for the HWRC's which he would arrange with the Clerk to be circulated to all members. He said the county council was eager to get back to where we were before COVID.

Cllr S Watson said that as a Parish Council we are unable to do anything to change the situation at the HWRC, however, if enough residents complain to the County Council things might change. She suggested a post on Facebook asking residents to complain to the LCC to get things changed.

152/20 Finance

Accounts for Payment – as per payment sheet dated October 2020/21 (7 of 12)

- It was resolved unanimously after a proposal from Cllr P Watson and second by Cllr Brotherton that the payments should be made.

Cllr S Watson said that we should be reviewing contracts and tendering out certain contracts so that we can maintain best value for the Parish.

153/20 Report from minutes of the previous meeting/Clerk’s report

154/20 Correspondence received which the Council are invited to resolve on

1. Lincolnshire County Council – temporary traffic restriction – Western Power Distribution – Woodside Road (Between church Lane and a point 500m south) 12.10.2020-31.10.2020

2. Response from Cllr Austin/Highways Manager regarding the incident involving a child and a vehicle on King Street – After a visit to the side the Highways Manager has made and additional assessment and makes the following report:

King Street is a minor residential street with limited through traffic. It has a 30mph speed limit and has limited parking restrictions which facilitate parking on one side of the road. There are no other recorded collisions involving injury to a pedestrian in the last 5 years. Evidence also suggests that this particular location is not used frequently by pedestrians crossing the road. The Parking on the one side of the street is likely to regulate vehicle speeds, with vehicles having to give way to each other. It is likely that the 30mph speed limit is well adhered to because of this and generally speeds are likely to be somewhat below 30 mph.

The infrequency of pedestrians crossing here means that the site is unlikely to meet the criteria for a pedestrian crossing.

Whilst Highways wish there was something that they could do, there are no additional highways measures that could be justified. The Highways Manager said however, if the Parish Council has any specific ideas for what would like to be seen in this area that she will be happy to consider them.

3. Lincolnshire County Council – Revetting of Tourist Facility Signing

4. Kirton Holme Church Room – request for some funding to help with the utilities over the winter due to the lack of funding from users of the Church Room due to Covid.

Members resolved to pay the next two bills for the Church Room. Clerk will arrange for payments to be made and ask for a copy of the bills when they come in.

155/20 Town Hall

The are some issues at the Town Hall which were discussed.

The rear doors need some attention. A bench has been requested for the play area for adults to sit whilst the children are on the play equipment. Members resolved to leave installing a bench until after the railings have been fitted. The other items were already discussed with the resident who attended.

156/20 Cemetery

Moles are still an issue; the Clerk has called the pest control man a couple of times in the last month or so. This unfortunately will continue until the building work ceases.

157/20 Parish Matters

a. Reports from committee meetings held since last Council meeting

Community Speed Watch will resume imminently. Cllr S Watson has the name of another volunteer, Cllr P Watson will arrange training for the volunteer.

b. Follow up on meeting with the PCC representatives at the Churchyard and to consider next steps.

It was resolved that the Clerk should request permission for a barrier to be put on the High Street end of the pathway of the Churchyard, on the roadside. This will enable a barrier to stop anyone being able to ride out straight into the road.

The tree report has been forwarded to the PCC but as the Parish Council is, we are waiting for the Arboricultural officer to discuss the report with us to make the right decisions.

The PCC will check whether the wall is listing within the churchyard. If it is not then it will be removed where the youth gather, if it is then planting of spikey bushes will deter gatherings.

c. Update on Remembrance Sunday

Members heard the results of the meeting between the Royal British Legion Secretary and Chairman and the Parish Council’s Chairman and Clerk. Namely that there will be no gathering on Remembrance Sunday. Organisations that usually leave a wreath will be encouraged to lay on at varying times throughout the day. The Clerk will write to them all and ask this to be carried out. Wreaths will still be available. Poppies will also still be available within the village. Members supported the idea of clapping for 2 minutes in their gardens following on from a 2-minute silence first. Members also agreed to putting cherry lights around the War Memorial railings. Permission from the RBL will be sought first as to whether they should be laid on the Memorial itself.

d. Consider new Community/Village award certificates

This will be considered at the next meeting due to the time that has passed in this one.

e. To consider formation of a new group to do the jobs that the ‘Friday Group’ previously has done.

Cllr O Connor will try and round up a group of volunteers through Facebook etc.

f. To consider a way to thank the members of the ‘Friday Group’ for their past work over the years.

Clerk to get in touch with the leader of the group and get address/name details of all those that were part of the Friday Group.

158/20 Reports for Various Bodies

None at this time

159/20 Planning applications

B/20/0354 - Single storey rear extension and erection of a detached garage following demolition of existing rear projection, garage and car port at 32 Horseshoe Lane, Kirton – NO OBJECTIONS

B/20/0360 – front and rear first floor extensions, two storey rear extension, single storey rear extension, increase of block paved area for parking and turning and front porch extension at Fairfax House, 175 Ralphs Lane, Kirton End – NO OBJECTIONS

B/20/0347 – Proposed two storey side extension at Hundred Acre Farm, Hundred Acre Lane, Kirton - NO OBJECTIONS

B/20/0361 - Construction of concrete paved area and new vehicular access at Cheers Nurseries, Eleven Acre Lane, Kirton – NO OBJECTIONS

B/20/0299 – Erection of an oak framed car port to the side elevation of the existing brick double garage, at 1 Yew Gardens, Kirton – NO DOCUMENTS ATTACHED SO NO COMMENTS COULD BE MADE

B/20/0383 – First Floor extension over existing garage and games room at 22 The Willows, Holmes Road, Kirton Holme – NO OBJECTIONS

B/20/0379 – Two storey end extension at 279, Willington Road, Kirton End, Boston – NO OBJECTIONS

160/20 Date & time of the next Parish Council Meeting

Date & Time of the next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 19th November via Zoom beginning at 7 pm. There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman thanked those in attendance and declared the meeting closed at 9.37 pm.