July 2023 Minutes
KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 25th JULY 2023
Present: Cllr P. Watson, Chair, Cllr D Jarvis Vice Chair, Cllr C. Astill, Cllr F. Baillie, Cllr C. Crisford, Cllr M Elston, Cllr M Sohail and Cllr S Watson.
Clerk D. Fairweather.
Also Present: Borough Cllr Middleton & County Cllrs Austin & Brookes
PUBLIC FORUM
Father from Orthodox Church having seen last months’ minutes came to reply to the PC on varying aspects. Portable toilet, although only one on site, doesn’t believe one is required as services are only 2 hours maximum. Parking – he realises there is a problem, but his parishioners do not abide by requests despite the Medical Centre being offered and usually empty. The biggest problem to the residents is parking half on path, half on road and occasionally blocking driveways, particularly at the Easter Events. There is also a nuisance factor for the local and neighbouring properties which in conflict with their Heads of Terms. Water from cemetery – he believes the Parish Council gave permission for this when lease originated. Not a problem can bring their own. Disputes there were BBQ’s taking place at the Easter event. He does believe that the speed limit along that part of the road should be reduced.
Founda Bada requests that photographic evidence be taken and reported to them. In agreement with a meeting to discuss the issues further.
POLICE REPORT
REPORTS FROM ELECTED BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
County Cllr Brookes – update of 30 mph signs on Boston Road. Traffic Order team are currently awaiting quotation for electrical works, hopefully by August.
TO RECEIVE A PRESENTATION REGARDING VILLAGE LITTER PICKERS AND GENERAL CLEARING AREAS IN THE VILLAGE BY VOLUNTEERS.
Clerk had wanted to bring back the Friday Club and speaking with Dave Scotney, a local Womble, investigated bringing together volunteers. Dave had contacts had contacted the CVS who agreed to assist to form a litter picking and clean up group in Kirton. CVS would put the volunteers through the necessary DBS checks. The Secondary School also had an initiative for year 11 children to integrate within the village life and help with tasks. There would be teacher supervision. Clerk and Cllr Elston advised the group to come to the Parish Council, who they felt would support them and perhaps be able to make a financial contribution towards initial set up costs for equipment etc. Clerk reminded the PC of the lock up in the cemetery which was used for Friday Club equipment. Mr Scotney advised they had 22 names of people prepared to help and have called themselves the Kirton Clean Up Squad. Cllr Baillie confirmed there was regularly weeding required in the church grounds. Chair thanked Mr Scotney for his time and agreed to discuss with the Council who all felt a great idea.
County Cllr Brookes advised that details had gone to clerks from LCC for litter picking equipment free to local communities.
67-23 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive and accept apologies for absence as given to the Clerk prior to the meeting by Cllr Pryke, Borough Cllr Rylott and All resolved to accept reasons given.
68-23 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
None
69-23 TO APPROVE NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 27TH JUNE 2023.
Proposed Cllr S Watson, seconded Cllr Baillie to be accepted as a true copy to become minutes. All agreed.
70-23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK
CCTV at War Memorial – Open Reach had now given a definite no and Alarmline to investigate another source for elevating camera.
Town Hall - Solar panels awaiting a third quotation before organising meeting with Town Hall Management Committee. Thought is required on the legality of ownership. PC assisting to purchase, and Town Hall will receive benefits. When quotation received and comparisons made, matter to be discuss at PC level before THMC.
Holes in Churchyard – Cllr Astill had kindly agreed to fill.
71-23 TO REVIEW STANDINGS ORDERS, DATA PROTECTIONA AND DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES.
Clerk advised all policies came from the standard NALC template with variations for Kirton PC. All agreed to accept the current issues of the Standing Orders and Data Protection. Cllr Elston asked that going forward, all councillors have to agree with and abide by the Social Media Policy, and perhaps a tightening up of the wording is required and read out his thoughts on additional points. All communications should come from the clerk and be answered by the clerk. Cllr Sohail confirmed hopefully this would stop some of the previous issues. Cllr Astill agreed the PC were not here to make enemies. Cllr Watson asked clerk if this acceptable not being a member of Facebook, clerk agreed it was.
Cllr Baillie, suggest we have more in the Kirton News not just the minutes and update residents regularly of events that are being planned. Proposed Cllr Elston, seconded Cllr Astill these be accepted on block. All agreed.
72-23 TO DISCUSS/APPROVE WAR COMMISSION SIGNS FOR CEMETERY
Images of various signs available had been issued to Council. All agreed unanimously on the design picked by Cllr Jarvis to go on the wall post of the gate.
73-23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FOR PC SURGERY
Cllr Astill advised only held two sessions and very slow but felt it should be advertised better.
However, reports made: hedges in Dennis Estate, which were the responsibility of LHP. Clerk to contact them.
Areas around drains in the village requiring attention as they become blocked, and water is not therefore running away.
Concern over the ownership of the grassed area behind 54 – 68 Dennis Estate. Clerk advised there had been an enquiry of this in the past regarding an overgrown tree and not the Parish Council’s responsibility.
Suggested a poster ‘Talk to us’ be placed on Facebook. Cllr Sohail to design.
74-23 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM EVENTS GROUP
Race Evening organised for 2nd September. Doors open 6.30 p.m. Cllr Crisford has put races together, Cllr Sohail done the posters for the event. Pc will be selling own alcohol. Licence held. Profits towards old peoples Christmas meal. Clerk to investigate card machine for ease on the evening.
Also looking into Christmas light switch on, with new lights required. Money to be kept in a separate account, as Jubilee event.
75-23 FINANCE – Balance £95021.44
a) To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule - proposed Cllr Jarvis seconded Cllr Elston.
b) To Approve New A Boards for PC Surgery - £35.99. Cllr Astill had requested if new A boards could be purchased for the surgery. Also, a sign on the wall of the Town Hall to show the Kirton Parish Council Office.
c) To Approve Purchase of Additional bins for dog walkers. Cllr P Watson had walked the areas that complaints had been received. Clerk to ascertain which posts could be used to erect. Residents to be advised that any bin can be used for dog bags. Clerk to send message to Kirton News. Agreed in principle. Agenda item for next meeting.
d) To Approve Members to Discuss Solar Panels with Town Hall Management Committee. Following discussions, it was agreed that the Parish Council Representative attend together with Cllr Sohail who has now been co-opted to the Town Hall Committee.
e) To Discuss PC Laptops. – due to lateness agreed to postpone this item for another meeting.
Cllr Elston suggested the PC show financial support, perhaps on an annual basis, to the Kirton Clean Up Squad. Proposed £1,000 be donated to start the group. Seconded Cllr S Watson. Clerk to set aside in another account for this.
Cllr S Watson asked if she could be included in Finance Committee as previous. Clerk to check records for numbers. Agenda item for next meeting.
76-23 PLANNING – To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting
Land off London Road, Ashwood homes to amend plans to facilitate housing mix.
B/22/0529/CD1 land to SE of Avalon Road discharge conditions archaeology
B/20/0410/CD1 rear of 24-26 High Street discharge of conditions.
No objections.
77-23 TO DISCUSS ORTHODOX CHAPEL – TO BE TAKEN IN COMMITTEE
Proposed Cllr P Watson, seconded Cllr S Watson to move into closed session.
Following discussions, it was resolved to meet with group to discuss PC’s concerns, regarding parking and use of grounds.
78-23 MEMBERS REPORTS
PW Cllr P & S Watson had attended the Summer Conference at LALC and found it very interesting and encouraged others to attend.
DF letter from Persimmons Homes to release part of land at Nightingale Road which they had previously transferred to the PC. All agreed acceptable in order that they can proceed and finalise the development.
Date of next meeting 22nd August 2023
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