April 2021 Minutes
Minutes of the Full meeting of Scotter Parish Council held on 19 April 2021, held virtually via Zoom.
Parish Councillors Present: Cllr John Harper, Cllr Bali Kaila, Cllr Margaret Armstrong, Cllr Paul Wood, Cllr Paul Boulton. Following co-option, Cllr Rachel Hunter, Cllr Kevin Watson, Cllr Alex Johns, Cllr Dave Ward, Cllr Colin Wotherspoon
District Cllrs Present: Cllr Lesley Rollings, Cllr Liz Clews
In attendance: Kyela Mathieson – Clerk, 9 members of the public
Public Participation
Cllr Harper opened the meeting at 7.30pm
2104/01 Acceptance of Apologies for Absence
District Cllr Snee sent apologies – accepted.
2104/02 Dispensations
None Received
2104/03 Declarations of Interest
None Received
2104/04 Approval of Full Parish Council Meeting held on 15 March 2021 and accept as a true record.
Approved and Accepted
Proposed Cllr Wood, 2nd Cllr Kaila, All agreed
2104/05 Welcomed new councillors following an uncontested election and witness the signing of the acceptance of office.
Rachel Hunter, Colin Wotherspoon, Kevin Watson, Dave Ward and Alex Johns all signed the acceptance of office live in the meeting.
2104/06 District Councillors Report
Following on from the discussion regarding road and pothole repairs District Cllr Clews commented that she agrees with what had been said at the annual meeting of the parish. In her experience the repairs are inadequate and she has raised this previously with Lincolnshire County Council.
Cllr Harper proposed that the clerk write to LCC Highways on behalf of the Parish Council asking for their repair strategy/plan, a list of their approved contractors and a copy of the service level agreement.
2nd Cllr Wotherspoon – All agreed
2104/07 Chairs Report
Full update given at the Annual Meeting of the Parish
2104/08 Clerks Report
Clerk confirmed she had completed cemetery and burials training
2104/09 Planning for consideration and comment
a) Planning Application – 142763 Single storey side and rear extension, 9 Kirton Road, Scotter DN21 3SW
Unable to view the planning on WLDC website due to an error on the site. The council did not feel that this application would be a contentious issue and therefore would submit - No comment.
b) New Application 142852 - erect 5no two bedroom bungalows for over 55 years old occupancy, resubmission of 141046, Land to the rear, The Rookery, Scotter, DN21 3FB
Application viewed online. Discussion raised the following points, How can the properties be earmarked for over 55’s can this be adhered to. Not the right location for over 55’s as on the outskirts of the village and to far away from amenities. Access road is below minimum width, concerns over emergency vehicle and construction vehicle. No drainage or flooding report produced. More bungalows are needed in the village. Other than fitting sprinklers to the properties none of the reasons the original application was rejected for have been addressed.
Clerk to respond – concerns in initial planning have not been addressed except for the emergency access by fire services. Traffic and parking is a concern. To be able to make an informed decision more information is required regarding the issues of flooding, access and clarification on how properties are classified as for over 55’s
Proposed Cllr Harper 2nd Cllr Wood – All agreed.
2104/10 Planning for noting
a) Planning Application 142260 – Decision, Planning Granted subject to conditions. Conditions can be viewed by on the application.
b) Planning Application 142437 – Land at Moss Farm – Application withdrawn.
All read out and noted
2104/11 To receive an update on the progress of Speed Watch from Brian Gilchrist
An explaination of all the info that the SID’s collect was given. Clerk will circulate the report that Brain has complied by email to all councillors. Brian requested that the council consider what information they would like to receive on a regular basis and guidance on what information can be released publicaly
2104/12 Correspondence Items for discussion
a) Email from Scotter War Memorial and Playing Fields Committee regarding rabbits on the playing field
It was advised that if the rabbits are on your land then they are your responsibility. This matter will be discussed again in agenda point 16
2104/13 To received further information from Scotter Junior Football Club in respect of their grant application for £10,000
Representatives of Scotter Junior Football Club were invited to speak. A discussion followed where all councils questions were answered.
The full amount will be granted and budgeted for in the next financial year 2022-2023
Proposed Cllr Wotherspoon, 2nd Cllr Ward – All agreed
2104/14 To approve the Parish Council Social Media Policy
Approved – Proposed Cllr Wotherspoon, 2nd Cllr Harper – All agreed
2104/15 To receive an update on the progress of preparing Constable Land for a new tenant.
Cllr Wood advised that he is in the process of arranging for the area to be tidied up ready for a new tenant. Clerk advised that DDM Agriculture have been appointed to deal with putting together the tender and reviewing or writing a new lease.
2104/16 To receive an update on Parson’s Field and discuss future plans for the area
Clerk advised that herself and Cllr Harper met with the representative from Savils. They are going to provide us with a copy of the current lease and the plan of the area, as soon as this is received the clerk will forward it to all councillors. Savils confirmed the Parish Council can take action on anything that is going to make the area safe for public use, i.e gates, fencing, signs. They confirmed that the lease would need to be reviewed as it has not been reviewed since early 1980’s, this will incur rent increase and they would be looking for a 7 year term lease and would consider longer, they would also consider selling the land to the parish council, if this was of interest it would be up to the Parish Council to make an offer.
Approval of the purchase of signs and bins, quotes to be obtained for replacement gates.
Proposed Cllr Harper, 2nd Cllr Wood - All agreed
2104/17 To receive quotes for the extension work at Scotter Cemetery and appoint a contractor
2 quotes presented to council anonymously, third contractor declined to quote. Council advised that both quotes received were from local companies and both have existing contracts with other local councils.
Cheapest quote approved, Proposed Cllr Ward, 2nd Cllr Wotherspoon – All agreed.
2104/18 To consider plans for a community event
Deferred to next meeting
2104/19 To resolve how the Parish Council will conduct it’s meetings after 17th May when the government legislation allowing virtual meetings ends.
Clerk to investigate if the Eau Center is available on Monday nights as the main village hall is booked with community groups in the weekday evenings.
2104/20 Finance update and payments
a.) Parish Account payment schedule as attached
b.) Confirm Bank Balance and Statements seen by council
Co-operative Bank Account No 61038985 – balance £70,000
Co-operative Bank Account No 61797792 – balance £128117.05
Co-operative Bank Account No 61797404 – balance £5,185.52
Approved
Proposed Cllr Harper, 2nd Cllr Wood – All agreed
Cllr Wotherspoon proposed that parish council commit to not raising the precept higher than guidelines in the future – No 2nd, not carried.
A discussion took place regarding the reserves the council is currently holding and a what the plan is for the money.
Cllr Kalia proposed that an action plan be drafted on how we invest our current balance to improve the community, 2nd Cllr Wotherspoon – All agreed
2104/21 AOB
Cllr Boulton proposed we install a concrete post at the end of the verge on Southcliffe Road to protect the verge from vehicles being driven over it. 2nd Cllr Harper – All agreed
Cllr Boulton and Cllr Wood to instal the post on behalf of the Parish Council.
2104/22 Agenda Items for next meeting
Flooding Update
Community Event
In view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public are excluded and they are instructed to withdraw. (The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 Sec 1 (2))
2104/23 To approve joining West Yorkshire Pension Fund for the clerk’s pension contributions.
Kyela Mathieson be nominated for membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with immediate effect.
Proposed Cllr Boulton, 2nd Cllr Harper – All agreed
2104/24 To receive and update on internal investigation proceedings
Cllr Harper gave an update.
Meeting closed 10.01pm