November 2020
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting.
Held at 7pm on 05/11/2020 virtually on zoom due to COVID-19
Present: Mrs S Fraser (Chair), Mr P Inskip (Vice), Mrs E Inskip (Clerk), Mr F Hughes, Mr J Sharpe, Mr S Smith, County Councillor Mr B Adams
Apologies: Mr G Lohmann-Bond
Chair’s Introduction: Cllr Fraser welcomed everyone to the meeting, and apologies were accepted and recorded.
1. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 03/09/2020 were presented and approved (wet signatures to be obtained in the future)
2. Actions from Matters Arising from previous meeting:
• Slip hazard of footbridges: There has been no response from Highways as yet. County Cllr Adams will chase with Rowan tomorrow. A parishioner has informed Cllr Fraser that a post on one of the bridges is also rotting which could make the bridges even more of a hazard. (BA)
• Roads in Little Bytham: Cllr Hughes informed the PC that he had written an article for the Glenside asking for members of the public to get in contact reporting any inappropriate speeding in the village. With regards to the road conditions, County Cllr Adams confirmed that Little Bytham is on the list with Highways, Cllr Hughes questioned if we could be brought up the list, however County Cllr Adams confirmed that we are not the only village to have these problems and powers are limited to do that. A discussion then took place over business rates charged to quarries factoring in funds for areas affected by quarry lorries. Cllr Hughes asked County Cllr Adams if he could look into if a rate portion could be allocated. County Cllr Adams confirmed that this is highly unlikely but will raise it from an academic point of view. Cllr Fraser stated the need to get speed reductions in LB, as this is partly the problem when lorries hit the verges at such speed. Cllr Fraser also stated that it would make a huge difference if County were behind the requests. County Cllr Adams stated that it would be worth having another go and to keep making the point. He also confirmed that markings etc are in the pipeline, it just may be a while before they get through the system. Cllr Hughes is pulling together the data from the SIDs and in the next couple of weeks should have the extra data needed to send full details out to Cllrs. (FH)
• COVID 19 response update: No Cllr has been contacted. (SF, FH, PI, GL, SS)
• Parish Room maintenance update: Cllr Fraser asked if anyone had any other contacts for a maintenance person. Cllr Smith gave new contact details to Cllr Fraser. All Cllrs were happy for Cllr Fraser to proceed in getting quotes. (SF)
• Health & Safety policy: Cllr Inskip had previously responded to Cllr Fraser, all other Cllrs will look at it and respond accordingly. (FH, GL, JS, SS)
• Website: Cllr Inskip stated that it is a huge job to transfer everything across to the new site from the old site. Many of the Parish Councils have employed someone to do this for them. Cllr Inskip has looked into it and has received a quote for £250 from a company (Intellitech Services Limited) that has sent examples of many of the sites they have completed. It was proposed that if no one else wished to volunteer or no one knew of anyone else that could do this work, Intellitech would be asked to do the job. A vote was taken and all Cllr’s voted in favour of utilising the services of Intellitech. (PI)
• Vehicle issues on the High Street: Clerk Inskip asked County Cllr Adams to follow up with Highways about the road markings and signs on the High Street. The issues were again mentioned about the width of the road and the safety issues it causes when lorries have to mount the pavement, plus the issues caused by buses around school times. (EI & BA)
• Bank update of details: Cllr Hughes will follow this up in the coming weeks. (FH)
• Grant: Clerk Inskip explained that the money was now in Little Bytham’s account. Clerk Inskip suggested that the money be kept to one side so that it is there if it is needed as no one knows where COVID-19 is going presently, it can then be decided at a later point what to do with any remaining funds. Cllr Hughes re iterated the need to use it for a COVID contingency in the first instance. County Cllr Adams stated that it should be used prudently and wisely. Cllr Fraser asked that everyone keep each other informed if they hear of needs or concerns within Little Bytham. (No further action at present)
• Update on the White Paper on Planning: County Cllr Adams stated that there is a lot of opposition to this. Cllr Fraser re iterated the worry that it undermines local plans. (ongoing to be aware of)
• Sidewalk at the end of the village to Creeton: Action carried forward as Cllr Lohmann-Bond was not present at the meeting. (GL & BA)
3. Ongoing issues to be aware of:
• Pathway to Spinney (on a list to be actioned)
• Anglian Water: Cllr Fraser stated that there had been no LB complaints in over a month. Cllr Inskip commented that there was a lot of activity in the last 24 hours, possibly that they are emptying the sludge onto a field nearby. Cllr Sharpe has a video of sludge going into the river and so will send this to Cllr Fraser. Cllr Fraser will contact Mark Simpson at AW for a explanation. (SF)
• Speed limits in the Village (to be actioned once we have sufficient SID data)
4. Finance as of 12/10/2020:
Current Account Balance: £20,226.02
Savings Account Balance: £254.89
5. Planning: All planning applications and decisions have been sent to Cllr’s prior to the meeting.
• Planning Application S20/1663. EI Property, Creeton Road. Retrospective application for the erection of two detached four bay vehicular garages. Sent to Cllr’s on 15/10/2020, no representations from Cllr’s.
• Planning Application S20/0819. King, Little Bytham Road, detached dwelling. Approved with certain conditions. Sent to Cllr’s on 29/10/2020.
• Planning Application S20/1223. Rawden, 2 High Street, 2 storey rear extension. Approved with certain conditions. Sent to Cllr’s on 07/10/2020.
• Planning Application S20/1183. Evans, 18 Station Road, detached dwelling. Approved with certain conditions. Sent to Cllr’s on 03/10/2020.
Planning Still Awaiting Response:
• Planning Application S20/0963. Jones, Station Road, detached dwelling. Pending, representations sent to planning. Sent to Cllr’s on 09/07/2020 & 27/07/2020.
• Planning Application S20/0616. EI Property, Creeton Road, residential development. Pending, no representations from LBPC. Sent to Cllr’s on 11/08/2020.
Cllr’s were amazed that S20/1183 went through so quickly and seemingly without any regard for the surrounding area. County Cllr Adams will look into this. (BA)
6. Other Matters:
• Computer purchased for SID data: Cllr Hughes purchased a 2nd hand computer for the SID data as the SID software is not compatible with his home computers and wished to be re imbursed for this. All Cllr’s agreed to this. Clerk Inskip requested the receipt. Cllr Fraser reminded all Cllr’s that any purchases need to be agreed up front. (no further action)
• E-mails received from parishioners: (EI & SF)
a. Sign on Station Road: Clerk Inskip replied to the parishioner stating that this had already been reported, and would be looked into again. She also encouraged the parishioner to use Fix my Street with any issues that are spotted as well as informing the PC.
b. Light on Station Road: Clerk Inskip, got in touch with LCC, who informed her that the particular light was maintained by SKDC. Clerk Inskip informed SKDC and they will do the repair.
c. Speed and lorry issues on High Street: A parishioner emailed Clerk Inskip regarding the issues on the High Street, particularly with Quarry lorries at very early times in the morning. Clerk Inskip encouraged the parishioner to gain as much data as possible. The parishioner set up a camera to see what the activity actually was and will report back on their findings.
d. State of roads and drains in Little Bytham: Cllr Fraser received an email regarding the poor state of repair of the roads and drains in Little Bytham. Cllr Fraser expressed the PCs thanks for the drains in the village that have been cleared to date, clearly stating that there are ones in the village that still desperately need to be actioned, the drain on Station Road in particular. Cllr Sharpe stated that there may be a problem with the pipes under the bridge and Cllr Fraser agreed to talk to Anglian Water about this. County Cllr Adams will email regarding the drains to get the rest of the village sorted. (BA & SF)
e. Remembrance Sunday decorations for the village: It was agreed that PC should purchase some decorations for the village for future years. Cllr Fraser will see what the British legion supply.
f. Dangerous footbridges in LB: County Cllr Adams will chase this. (BA & SF)
• Resignation of Mrs S McFarland & subsequent vacant Cllr position.
Our thanks go to Mrs Sue McFarland for her considerable service to the Parish Council over many years. Sue has been both Clerk and Councillor throughout the years and her input and service has been extremely valued. Sue will be very much missed.
Clerk Inskip explained the procedure that was presently being followed following Mrs McFarlands resignation. LBPC is presently awaiting confirmation from SKDC before any co-option process can be initiated. This will be discussed further at the next meeting in January. (EI)
• Village Entrances: Clerk Inskip had sent to all Cllr’s prior to the meeting pictures showing the flower boxes at the entrances to Swinstead. This de-marks the village entrances well. It was agreed by all Cllr’s that these should be looked into further. Cllr Fraser agreed to talk to Rassel’s, to get a rough idea on the pricing of seasonal plants and Clerk Inskip will look into the pricing of the planters themselves. County Cllr Adams suggested that Clerk Inskip speaks with the Swinstead Clerk about these. (EI & SF)
• Possibility of changing the day of meetings: It was agreed that Parish Council meetings going forward would be changed to the 2nd Tuesday every other month starting in January and revert to the original time of 7.30pm.
• £100 contribution request from Bytham’s Community Shop for over 60s dinner: Cllr’s presumed that this would now be put on hold due to COVID. A vote was held, and all Cllr’s agreed that if an alternative solution was offered, LBPC would be happy to donate £100 on this occasion.
• Village wreath: Cllr Fraser confirmed that a representative from the village would take the village wreath to the remembrance service and then bring it back to the village, placing it on the War memorial.
• Thanks: Clerk Inskip passed on the thanks she had received from both The Spinney and The Glenside for the Parish Council’s contributions. Both were extremely grateful, especially in these times.
• Parish Room: Cllr Hughes questioned if the Parish Room was a good use of money (Extinguishers, insurance, maintenance) when no one really utilises it? Cllr Smith confirmed that as far as he is aware there is no restrictions on the building as to what can be done with it. Cllr Sharpe mentioned that inside is wooden lined and therefore a potential fire risk. Cllr Fraser will go and audit the building and see exactly what is there as no Cllr has actually been inside! Cllr Inskip asked Cllr Fraser to take photographs. All Cllrs agreed to think of alternatives uses for this asset.
7. Cheques agreed prior to meeting:
• £20 cheque for Village Wreath.
• £108 cheque to Chubb for the annual contract for Parish Room fire extinguishers.
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday January 12th 2021 at 7.30pm. The location will be determined closer to the time dependent on the Government guidelines in operation at that point.
Signed (Chair)………………………………….
Signed (Clerk)………………………………….