January 2021
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting.
Held at 7pm on 12/01/2021 virtually on zoom due to COVID-19
Present: Mrs S Fraser (Chair), Mr P Inskip (Vice), Mrs E Inskip (Clerk), Mr G Lohmann-Bond, Mr S Smith, County Councillor Mr B Adams
Apologies: Mr F Hughes, Mr J Sharpe
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 05/11/2020 were presented and approved (wet signatures to be obtained in the future)
2. Actions from Matters Arising from previous meeting:
• Slip hazard of footbridges: County Cllr Adams confirmed that the footbridges are maintained by the structures team. They are due to inspect them and carry out any urgent works. Clerk Inskip will send an email to County Cllr Adams requesting that the bridges be attended to ASAP as they continue to be a risk to residents. (EI & BA)
• Roads in Little Bytham: As Cllr Hughes was not present at the meeting this is carried forward. Cllr Fraser stated that the Fix my street site/app needs to be continually highlighted to residents when a problem is seen in the village. (FH: Carried Forward)
• COVID 19 response update: Although the virus remains widespread, and there are many more positive cases, including several of the Parish Cllrs, no Cllr has been contacted by any parishioners. (ongoing)
• Parish Room: Cllr Fraser went inside the Parish Room and took some photos which will be shared with Cllr’s. The building has several maintenance issues. It presently holds Brownie equipment and chairs and tables for fetes. When government guidelines allow, Cllr Fraser will get quotes for both the inside and outside repairs and will check if the building needs to be emptied, if so, she will approach the Brownies and Guides. Cllr Fraser will also see what inside should be tipped. Cllr Smith still has some paint and primer from previous renovations and will check if this is still usable. Cllr Smith also confirmed that there is no electric to this building as it was disconnected. (SF & SS)
• Website: Cllr Inskip informed everyone that the new Parish Council website is now up and running. It is far more informative and accessible than the previous site. Cllr Inskip shared the link of the new site; www.little-bytham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk If someone tries to access the old web site they are re-directed to the new site. All minutes/agendas, audits etc are on in an accessible format. There are also links to Rasells, the Spinney, Willoughby etc. It is also possible to report faults and check bin days etc. Details will be put into the Glenside in an update on the Parish Council which Cllr Fraser and Clerk Inskip will organise. (no further action)
• Vehicle issues on the High Street: County Cllr Adams followed up with Highways about the road markings and signs on the High Street and confirmed that Little Bytham is on the list. Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are looking into an App where speeding or dangerous driving can be reported, and we will keep an eye on this development. (ongoing)
• Bank update of details: Cllr Hughes was unable to attend the meeting, therefore this is carried forward. (FH, carried forward)
• Sidewalk at the end of the village to Creeton: Cllr Lohmann-Bond stated that there is still a huge puddle here that parents and children have to go onto the road to avoid. Cllr Lohmann-Bond will put this onto the Fix my street app. (GL)
• Village Entrances. Clerk Inskip contacted the Swinstead Clerk regarding their entrance boxes and received a very informative email back. Clerk Inskip shared the information with the Cllrs. Clerk Inskip also mentioned the boxes that could be attached to existing signs and be off the floor. It was agreed that this will be looked into later in the year. (ongoing)
• State of roads and drains in Little Bytham: County Cllr Adams confirmed that staff are presently on emergency duties and so this is in the pipeline, however it may not be sorted any time soon. (BA)
• Vacant Cllr position: Clerk Inskip has sought advice from the electoral services team regarding Little Bytham’s vacancy. We are now able to co-opt and there is no timeline for co-option. It was agreed that the position will be advertised on the noticeboard and in the Village Hall window, but the period of advertising for the role can be open ended, to also allow for the position to be spoken about more once government guidelines allow. (EI)
3. Ongoing issues to be aware of:
• Pathway to Spinney (on a list to be actioned)
• Anglian Water: Cllr Fraser continues to communicate with AW. Cllr Fraser also mentioned about the night soil that had been purchased by a farmer and left in a pile which caused a smell. Cllr Fraser questioned if there were any parameters regarding digging in the fertiliser. County Cllr Adams suggested that Cllr Fraser sent him an email regarding this and he will look into it. (SF & BA)
• Speed limits in the Village (to be actioned once we have sufficient SID data)
• White Paper on Planning: County Cllr Adams suggested that Little Bytham needs to keep thinking in term of the local plan and keep it on the agenda. Cllr Fraser will contact Jake Horton at SKDC to do some preliminary work on this. (SF)
• Health & Safety policy (All Cllrs)
4. Finance as of 11/12/2020:
Current Account Balance: £18,958.03
Savings Account Balance: £254.90
5. Planning: All planning 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. Approved conditionally. Sent to all Cllrs on 23/12/2020.
• Planning Application S20/0616. EI Property, Creeton Road, residential development. (Representations sent by Cllr Fraser). Approved conditionally. Sent to all Cllrs on 23/12/2020. Cllr Fraser asked County Cllr Adams to ensure that the process is followed.
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.
6. Other Matters:
• Precept and Budget for next year: Clerk Inskip had previously sent the estimated draft budget for the year out to all Cllrs prior to the meeting, which was discussed. Although it looks that no contribution will be needed for the village hall this year, it was agreed to leave it in the budget in case required. All Cllrs agreed that no increase to the precept would be required this year. A vote was taken and all Cllrs agreed the budget and voted to apply for the same amount as last year. Clerk Inskip will therefore send the form requesting £4200 as last year.
• Fix my street: Cllr Inskip wanted to send thanks for the work done by the clean team on the pavement between St Medards and Sheepdyke Lane. A great job has been done in cutting back along the pathway, which is now wide enough for two people.
• De-Fib: Cllr Fraser now has the code for this and will check that it is in good working order.
• Over pumping: Cllr Lohmann-Bond shared an article with Cllrs regarding over pumping straight into a river. He encouraged all Cllrs to read this article. Cllr Fraser asked that any details of flooding etc, be sent to her and she will forward to AW.
• Speed in the village: Clerk Inskip shared that she had noted that by the Spinney the speed alert on the windscreen of her car remained at 30mph. As this has previously been requested by the Parish Council, it would seem then that potentially this has been changed and the National speed limit signs need to be removed? Clerk Inskip will follow this up.
7. Cheques agreed prior to meeting:
• £38.93 cheque to NALC for training event attended by Cllr Fraser.
• £131.81 cheque to Mrs S Fraser for the Village Children’s Christmas Presents.
• £250 cheque to Intellitech Services limited for works done on the new LBPC website.
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday March 9th 2021 at 7.30pm. The location will be determined closer to the time dependent on the Government guidelines in operation at that point but is expected to be conducted virtually.
Signed (Chair)………………………………….
Signed (Clerk)………………………………….