December 2024 Minutes
KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2024
Present: Councillors: Cllr D Jarvis, Chair, Cllr C. Astill, Cllr F. Baillie, Cllr A Bowen, Cllr M Elston, Cllr P Head, Cllr Pryke, Cllr C Rylott and Cllr Sohail.
Also Present: Clerk D. Fairweather.
Borough Cllr Middleton.
County Cllrs Austin & Brookes
PUBLIC FORUM
Two members attended on the assumption, that their matter was to be discussed as part of the meeting. This not being the case, a meeting was to be arranged for the Chair and Cllr Elston to meet with the representatives. Cllr Pryke advised that he had been looking into Charity status regarding this matter, but was reminded it is still on pink papers.
REPORTS FROM ELECTED COUNTY COUNCILLORS & BOROUGH COUNCILLORS
Cllr Mike Brookes - Kirton End, Speed limit reduction to 30mph.
No objections have been received. A works package is to be prepared to pass to the contractor to programme the work early in the new year.
Willington Road, proposed reduction of speed limit to 40mph.
Following statutory consultation this is now out to public consultation until 27th December.
Attention also drawn to the Pylons and Solar Farms survey in County News and Town and Parish Council Update.
Request for support for the county councils Fairer Funding campaign which would mean an extra
£120 million for Lincolnshire if successful. To pledge support, visit the county council website.
Cllr Alison Austin -advising that Outer Dowsing are happy to make donation to community groups.
Station Road.
Reports of flooding in Edinburgh Drive and King Street following Storm Babet, unfortunately too long after event.
Pedestrian Crossing – nothing further to be done regarding extending barriers. Cllr Austin happy to speak to school regarding road safety.
Incident of mud on road in Drainside South. Rumours this is a deliberate act. Photographic evidence to be sent to Highways.
Continual parking issued in Edinburgh Drive. Classed as neighbour dispute and Highways can take no action. Pedestrian Crossing request London Road/Boston Road at Mill Hill. Cllr Austin advised that there is a waiting list for the equipment required for a footfall count and speeding observations. Lincs Road Safety Partnership speed signs have been erected in West End Road. Road is half Kirton, half Frampton.
Cllr Middleton – planning training, has been trailed in South Holland and PC should soon be advised of dates of times for these sessions.
Cllr Rylott – resident advising a beech tree has been planted on a grassed area in Kirton End. Cllr Rylott feels this is in the wrong place for growth and must be removed as the PC cannot accept anyone planting anything anywhere without permission. Cllr Pryke knows of the gentleman responsible.
Cllr Pryke - general potholes and overhanging trees. Also had reports of illegal sales of vehicles in Woodside Road. Also, complaint received regarding A-boards for advertising on Avalon Industrial Estate.
136-24 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr O’Connor. All resolved to accept reasons given.
137-24 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
Cllr Rylott on planning committee and will not comment on planning issues.
138-24 TO APPROVE NOTES OF EXTRA ORDINARY MEETING ON 19TH NOVEMBER 2024.
Proposed Cllr Astill seconded Cllr Elston that these be accepted as a true copy to be called minutes. Unanimous.
139-24 TO RECEIVE UPDATES FROM CLERK
UKSP – Meeting with Boston Borough Council still not held but Lincs Heritage have given written confirmation, so hopefully can proceed now with contractors. Document to be signed by Cllr Elston and Clerk and to be countersigned by Lincolnshire Heritage. Cllr Bowen asking if completion date of 17th February is viable. Clerk and Cllr Elston felt this was possible as quite a large amount is for purchase of products etc. Proposed Cllr Baillie, seconded Cllr Jarvis.
Streetlights, Ray Frankish obtaining lead times from suppliers.
Trees and shed in Hemington. Highways have been to survey trees, are getting arborist to inspect.
140 – 24 TO ELECT VICE CHAIRMAN
Chair proposed Cllr Bowen, seconded Cllr Astill. Cllr Baillie proposed Cllr Sohail, who would have accepted but is happy to allow Cllr Bowen to accept post this year.
141- 24 TO ELECT HUMAN RESOURCES REPRESENTATIVE
Cllr Astill willing to stand. Proposed Cllr Jarvis seconded Cllr Bowen. No other nominations.
142 – 24 TO ELECT FINANCE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
Cllr Astill proposed Cllr Head, seconded Cllr Jarvis. No other nominations.
143 – 24 TO DISCUSS CLLR RYLOTT’S REPORT FROM EOM
Clerk had answered some of the points, but Cllr Rylott was disappointed no-one from HR had responded. Can finance reports be reduced from 7 pages?
Cllr Rylott felt Clerk does many menial tasks which Councillors should be doing more of. Clerk does this as a volunteer and is not part of contracted hours.
Is Clean Up Squad still working? – doing a sterling task around the village.
Cllr Rylott & Elston asked if Clerk should be in the office one day a week. Clerk advised this was not part of Clerk’s contract.
Concerns that staff wages, including all employees form 40% of precept. Cllr Head, whilst agreeing
with this figure being high, questioned if the PC were increasing the precept sufficiently each year?
The figure is comparable to other local parishes.
Cllr Elston agreed the clerk should be a presence in the office.
Cllr Astill felt some of the work the clerk does should be delegated to members of the Council. He also feels the PC are wasting money on some matters when volunteers can do the work. Cllr Bowen advised that some have more time than others and some want work done sooner than others would wish.
144 - 24 TO RECEIVE EVENTS UPDATES
a) Christmas Meal – everything in place. Numbers now 93 with more names on waiting list. Agreed next year residents at White Gables would be dealt with independently and not via the card shop.
Events for 2025 to be arranged in the New Year.
145 - 24 TO DISCUSS BBC DAME SARAH SWIFT
Cllr Elston and Clerk met with BBC to discuss inspections, advising the PC are unhappy and are not sure the inspections are being carried out. Officer agreed she would investigate and get back to us. This has not happened and looking at the complaints procedure for BBC the response should be within 20 days. Asking if, therefore, the PC should take this complaint to the next level for action. Proposed Cllr Baillie, seconded Cllr Jarvis.
146 - 24 TO DISCUSS BBC CCTV
For some time, PC have not felt this value for money for public expenditure. Only monitors on road through Kirton and end of Station Road. Borough Cllr Rylott had reported 12 months previously only one person monitoring all cameras in County. As a CCTV system has been included in the UKSP application, which would monitor the war memorial and towards the Town Hall, it was proposed Cllr Baillie, seconded Cllr Bowen that the contract be terminated. There may be an outstanding amount to pay as upgraded cameras were put in place in 2021 and were to be paid over a five-year period. The cameras are therefore the property of the Parish Council.
147 - 24 TO DISCUSS COFFEE MORNINGS
Cllr Elston proposed we instigate a Community Hub, which the coffee morning will be part of. There is better funding for Hubs, and we will be able to register as a ‘warm space’ where there is also funding available. Book from 9 – 11. Proposed Cllr Jarvis, seconded Cllr Sohail. Kirton Community Hub. Block booking to be made for every Friday in the main hall. Should events arise that require separate spaces this can be dealt with at that time.
148 - 24 TO DISCUSS TRUSTED VOLUNTEER SCHEME
Group which has been set up by South-East Lincolnshire Partnership. They put together groups of people for varying volunteering jobs around the village by any person registered in the group. Cleaning, litter picking, painting etc. People from Kirton can become members but when Kirton require a specific task the group can be approached to assist. I.E. marshalling. Run by a dedicator co-ordinator from SELP, who send out the registration packs, put people through training, DBS checks etc. Proposed Cllr Elston, seconded Cllr Sohail.
149 - 24 FINANCE
a) To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule. Proposed Cllr Rylott, seconded Cllr Elston.
It has never been agreed to cancel BBC play inspections. Proposed Cllr Rylott seconded Cllr Baillie.
b) To Approve Purchase of Additional Litter Bin for Town Hall Recreational Area.
Proposed Cllr Bowen, seconded Cllr Jarvis to purchase ordinary £100 bin.
150 - 24 PLANNING – To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting
151 - 24 MEMBERS REPORTS
DJ – missing gate for memorial has been traced and is safe keeping at a previous councillor’s residence.
CA – as suggested earlier in the year can the PC organise the cleaning of the Town Hall gutters again.
Area around Ashwood Homes development still 40 mph can a request be made to make a 30?
Green Lane, very uneven and narrow in places. Can Highways investigate?
Following the resignation of Ann Booth as Chair of Town Hall Management Committee, can a thank you letter be sent for all work in the past and assistance given to PC. All agreed.
FB – Reminded Christmas Tree for Church.
RP – is Kirton doing anything for VE in 2025. Clerk is meeting with RBL to discuss if they are wanting to do anything and support them. Kirton has a beacon which should be lit, and the PC should also be involved in the preparation of the event. Cllr Baillie suggested another Picnic in the Park to tie in with the event.
Date of next meeting 7th January 2025