March 2023 Minutes
KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 28th March 2023
Present: Councillors: P. Watson, Chair, D Jarvis, Vice Chair, F. Baillie, C Brotherton,
R. Pryke. S Watson
Acting Clerk D. Fairweather.
Also Present: nine members of the public.
Not Present: Cllrs Crisford, O’Connor, Austin & Brookes
PUBLIC FORUM
Business owner made statement of behalf of the businesses and residents of the village that there are concerns that the PC are not listening to their concerns regarding the parking restrictions at the Town Hall. Of the businesses asked ten were against the new regulations and it was felt that no approach had been made to the businesses by the Parish Council.
No Ipad available that had been intimated at the beginning to register registrations and two-hour return was still not showing on the signs.
Handed a petition with over four hundred signatures against the new restrictions.
Question of who’s suggestion this was for parking restrictions. It was confirmed that the Town Hall Management Committee had made the original request but added that they had had no input in the negotiations with the car park company. Committee member advised that there are times when customers holding events in the Hall do not have places to park and despite offenders being asked to move, have been met with verbal abuse. If there is not parking available for these events then people will understandably look elsewhere for a venue.
One suggestion was a parking meter. PC not sure how this could be patrolled.
Resident asked when Parish Council were going to admit they have made a mistake.
Parish Council advised that ongoing communications were being had with the contractors to try and alleviate some of the problems, despite a two-year contract having been signed.
Road speed of Road Boston had not, inadvertently, been asked the approval of the Parish Council. This speed issue had been raised some time ago and reported to Cllr Brookes.
Cllr P Watson reminded the public that they required photographic I.D. to vote this year on 4th May.
POLICE REPORT – nothing received.
REPORTS FROM ELECTED BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Cllr Brookes via email.
Boston Road Speed Limit reduction from 40mph to 30mph. Is currently being publicly advertised until 26th April and should be in place by July/August if no objections are received. (As advised to Parish Council in e mail from myself 22nd March)
Bungley Lane. Repairs to carriageway programmed for 9th and 10th May 2023 under a road closure.
London Road drainage problems. Investigations are still ongoing. A potentially blocked culvert that requires excavation has been identified at access to Woodlands Road development site, and a site meeting arranged with the developer to discuss the way forward.
Cllr Austin unfortunately sent a report which could not be opened.
25-23 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr Brookes and it was resolved to accept apologies from Cllrs Crisford & O’Connor. Proposed Cllr P Watson seconded Cllr Baillie.
26-23 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.
27-23 TO APPROVE NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 28TH FEBRUARY 2023.
Cllr Pryke, in relation to 30-23 on the agenda, is resolute that the wording on the Clerk’s draft minutes regarding the rule for disqualification of a Councillor be amended in part and part deleted.
Following amendments, it was proposed Cllr P Watson, seconded Cllr Baillie that these be accepted as a true copy.
28-23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK
Orthodox Church – agreeable to valuation but further discussions need to take place regarding various requests and demands of legal documentation.
Chairmans board – sign writer that had done work previously happy to do additions. Would wait details of May meeting for final wording/numbers required.
Cemetery gate – contractors will be carrying out work imminently, as they are busy with tree works before the nesting season commences.
Revised date for Court case 27th April 2023.
29-23 TO CO-OPT A NEW COUNCILLORS
Unfortunately, due to ill health the proposed new councillor could not attend.
30-23 TO DISCUSS AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION OF COUNCILLORS
Cllr Pryke stated that the details received by the clerk from LALC were in fact incorrect and that any apologies received have to be resolved as an agenda item to be accepted. He therefore stated that Cllr Brown should have been disqualified before he actually gave his resignation, due to his nonattendance of six meetings, despite apologies being given at one of those meetings. It was proposed Cllr Pryke, seconded Cllr P Watson that this be recorded in the minutes. Four for and two against the resolution.
31-23 TO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF EV CHARGING POINTS IN THE VILLAGE
Cllr Pryke felt, with Government targets to increase electric cars there should be more E.V. points in the village and perhaps some could be within the Town Hall car park, or any other sites in the village. It was agreed to investigate costings for a future meeting.
Cllr Jarvis asked if there would be the opportunity to use
streetlights and is there sufficient electricity for EV points. Would land at rear of cemetery be a potential site.
32-23 TO DISCUSS CORONATION EVENT.
No public attended the open meeting for ideas regarding the Coronation events. It was agreed that perhaps some form of memorial could be within the village to mark the occasion. Proposed by Cllr Baillie, seconded Cllr P Watson another tree in likeness of the Queens Jubilee be sited within the Town Hall playing area. Clerk to speak with the arborist for thoughts on species.
A memorial bench was also suggested, clerk to ascertain if any grants from Viking Link, Triton Knoll or WREN are available to Kirton Parish Council.
33-23 TO DISCUSS/APPROVE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS.
Another quotation for £21475, original £17995, to check pricing. The Town Hall Management Committee had not seen quotations for panels, and it was agreed that further discussions need to be had before proceeding. Specifications of quotation to be sent to Town Hall Management Committee and a joint meeting be brought to discuss in full.
34-23 TO DISCUSS CCTV’S IN THE VILLAGE
Chair reported that CCTV cameras in the village, monitored by BBC, were of no use for the residents of the village. They do not have sight of the memorial and can therefore pick no vandalism we have experienced in the past. The PC pays for the monitoring, the broadband for the recording equipment together with the electricity. It costs over £2000 per annum and the Chair feels it is not value for money. Clerk to investigate a different system, with the company that has the CCTV cameras on the Town Hall. Ideal siting being the war memorial as there is an electricity supply there already.
35-23 FINANCE
To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule
Cllr P Watson requested flower box on A16 be planted before agreeing payment of invoice to Cheers. Proposed Cllr P Watson seconded Cllr Jarvis payments be approved.
a) Approve internal audit. Last year due to circumstances LALC were employed to conduct Internal Audit. Proposed Cllr S Watson seconded Cllr Jarvis and Council agreed, as accounts now to employ a local accountant at a lesser charge. Approved unanimously.
36-23 PLANNING – To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting
Cllr P Watson left the meeting.
B/23/0112 Rear of Le Vern, Washdyke Lane, Kirton Meeres. Outline planning two storey dwelling. No objections.
B/20/0099 application for Lawful Development Certificate for an existing approved application in 2020 of 31 dwellings off Station Road for a new access.
37-23 MEMBERS REPORTS
Cllr Baillie advised Live and Local are in village and may be of interest for entertainment events. Quickline are in the village with fast fibre offers for broadband. Willing to attend PC meeting to discuss proposals for village. Council agreed perhaps when elections are complete.
Date of next meeting 25th March 2023