August 2022 Minutes
KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 23rd AUGUST 2022 AT KIRTON HOLME
Present: Councillors: P. Watson, Chair, D Jarvis, Vice Chair, C Crisford, R. Pryke, C Brotherton, S. Watson
Acting Clerk D. Fairweather.
Also Present: County Cllrs Austin & Brookes and nine members of the public
PUBLIC FORUM
Resident of Station Road objecting to car parking restrictions at the Town Hall. Felt it would be detrimental to local residents that find it a necessity i.e., disabled residents with no parking facilities of their own. People that work in the village, in particularly the school staff that have nowhere to park. A business owner also disclosed her concerns for her staff. Chair explained one of the reasons for the restriction was the all-day parking of cars that used spaces and left no parking for users of hall during the day. There was no intention to stop the parents using it to take and collect their children from school. This had been discussed and agreed at the June meeting and despite the heated discussions the Chair confirmed Parish Council are awaiting the contract for signature. This is at no cost to the people of Kirton and if after the contract period it was not successful it could be reverted.
Business owner expressed concerns regarding the one-way street being opened, with traffic light control, for two direction traffic. How would this affect reverting to one way when work is completed. Cllr Austin to speak with Highways.
Question of the poor condition of Bungley was asked, Cllr Brookes advised that at the end of the works in the village the road would be made good by Highways.
Lady that had original complaint regarding a relative memorial stone attended to say thank you for remedial works but asked what the PC would do regarding the lettering on the stone which had been lost due to being buried underground for a long time. Advised that felt more relatives would be in contact with the same problems.
Complaints of parking outside of the Orthodox Church in London Road, half on the path and half on the road. There have been some near miss accidents. Cllr Brookes advised this is a Police matter not Highways. Clerk suggested speaking initially with Church, as in contact at present over other matters. PC agreed.
Member reported poor/dangerous condition of lamp column in one way street. Cllr Crisford to report images back to clerk.
POLICE REPORT
No updates since June on crimes even though written statements are there. Requested PCSO Williams for update. Cllr Pryke disagreed but asked that this be an agenda item next meeting as had previous been requested.
REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
Cllr Austin – A16 roadworks. Advised that whilst there was considerable Kirton residents against the removal of the roundabout, no-one had contact her with their concerns. Advised that the greater picture must be seen in future growth for Peterborough to Boston. Opportunities like this are rare and should ‘grab’ with both hands. Thought should be given to attracting future businesses.
Cllr Brooke advised that the comments from the public meeting had been taken very seriously by LCC.
Further update on Drainage works in the hope that area around The Kings Head will soon be opened again.
Cllr Austin advised conversations had taken place regarding the future of the Kirton Leisure Centre as Lease for the tenants had expired and speaking with Academy about them taking over the building.
Cllr P Watson advised all £150 rebates from BBC almost completed so if not heard contact Borough Council
88-22 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllr O’Connor. Cllr Pryke asked if apologies always given and reiterated these should be given to the Chair or Clerk.
89-22 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
Cllr P. Watson declared membership of the Boston Borough Council Planning Committee and advised he would not take part in discussions on planning applications.
Cllr S Watson declared she is married to P Watson who is on the Planning Committee.
90-22 TO APPROVE NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
Proposed Cllr S Watson, seconded Cllr Brotherton that minutes of the meeting held on 26th July been agreed as a true copy. Resolved.
Proposed Cllr Jarvis, seconded Cllr Brotherton minutes of the EOM held of 10th August be agreed as a true copy. Resolved.
91-22 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK
Despite continual communication no further progress had been made with the Kirton Leisure Centre.
Company supplying tree guard only deliver on pallet which would not be acceptable. Clerk sourced elsewhere.
Nightingale/Cemetery trees – works completed with very satisfied customers.
Romanian Orthodox Church – completed pre-valuation details and awaiting an appointment to meet on site. Advised Fr Dumitru. Property is owned by the PC and is leased to the present users on a peppercorn rent but they have requested purchasing the property.
92-22 TO APPROVE CAR PARKING CONTRACT
Minor adjustments made as company had previously used incorrect return times. Once contract signed, will be up and running within two weeks with PC having the opportunity to state a start date.
93-22 TO DISCUSS RECORDING/STREAMING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS
Although anyone can record meetings, has been suggested should the PC record them themselves. Could then be kept on website for one or two months if agreed. PC laptop to sit at the back of the room so no public faces can be filmed. Cllr Brotherton suggested not always to have live meetings but there for openness in the future. Cllr S Watson advised could be edited and open to suspicion if not live. Chair had sourced system that would suffice, clerk to investigate further. Proposed Cllr Jarvis seconded Cllr Crisford that delegated powers given to Chair and Clerk to spend £400 for equipment. Voting four for two against.
94-22 TO DISCUSS UPDATES ON DAME SARAH SWIFT PARK
With continual vandalism at park clerk had looked with more detail into CCTV. Unfortunately, although cost of initial camera is not high it is the additional requirements, underground wiring, modem, internet connection etc that may be looking at a cost of £10000. Cannot be used for allotments as asked at last meeting. Further action required now, should money from precept be put towards updating?
95-22 TO RECEIVE UPDATES ON DRAINAGE WORKS
Cllr P Watson advised of updates from Highways which do not appease but unfortunately nothing further can be done to despite meetings with them.
96-22 FINANCE – Bank balance £73,341.30
To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule – proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr P Watson
To Discuss Future Internal Auditors. Clerk advised external auditors have contract for five years and PKJ Littlejohn have been that. The SAAA (Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments) decide which Company will be used. Do PC wish to continue with contracted external auditors. Clerk taken advise from LALC who advised would not be cost effective to take alternative external audit with all information required may cost around £1000, we currently pay £480 and changing would involve additional work for clerk and Council. Agreed to stay with LALC recommendations.
97-22 PLANNING
B/22/0260 – use of land as travellers site. Objections submitted by PC but no decision has yet been made
B/22/0309 – demolition to rear of existing buildings for new residential of 6 new dwellings rear oof Bridge House, Donington Road – no objections
98-22 MEMBERS REPORTS
RP – complaints received regarding the PC website. Councillor details in Kirton News also out of date. Clerk to confirm with officers what details could be used and to send to editor. Minutes printed appear to be well after the meeting held. Clerk had been speaking with editor and would get minutes to her day after our meeting but it was down to her deadline as to when they would be printed.
SW – previously mentioned list of contractors available for use by the Parish Council and whether a D.I.Y. PC could employ person
PW – cost of village maintenance to be discussed and thoughts on tendering for the coming year or taking on employee to do all works.
Clerk - Request from RBL that shrub area of war memorial site be replaced with hard standing to give more standing room at services. Suggested Royal British Legion attend meeting to discuss further as this is the place Christmas Tree lights are hung.
NALC pay scales for 2021/2022 have been released. Staffing should have meeting to discuss appraisal of acting clerk and increased hourly rate. £16.75 to £17.05
Requesting if Community Speed Watch be brought back to the village. There are currently training sessions being held.
Cheers invoice received, £1256. Queried as £621 last year and that included them planting. Plants taken were in excess of those used last year, so Cheers looking into.
Looking out old documents to start another small claim against the builder that PC paid deposit to but no works done.
Date of next meeting 27th September 2022