September 2020 Minutes (7th)

Dunston Parish Council

Minutes of the of Dunston Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7th Sept. at 7.30pm via Zoom.

PRESENT: P.Cllrs R.McLuckie (RM) (Chair), L.Phillipson (LP), P.Cllrs R.Churchward (RC) & P.Duncan (PD), D.Cllr. N.Byatt & D.Cllr. L.Pearson, Cllr R Kendrick

APOLOGIES: P.Moore (PM) (Vice Chair), K.Atkin (KA) & Clerk L.Stocker (LS)

DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: The minutes were held to be a true and accurate record with minor amendments.

REPORTS:  COUNTY COUNCILLOR Rob Kendrick:

•   C.Cllr Kendrick’s report will be circulated after the meeting.
•   Volume of highways issues are running high with 2000 in August / 65 per day for potholes etc.

REPORTS:  DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Nick Byatt & Laura Pearson:

•   The use of purple waste bins for paper and cardboard has been trialed successfully and NKDC plan to roll out the additional bins in 2021 to all.
•   The problem of migrant workers accessing charity bags has been replicated in Metheringham in skips, where discarded items were left as litter.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

•   The issue of migrant workers sorting through charity collection bags was discussed and the outcome of a report and response from CDS Mr Carl Steele’s office relayed with an apology and promise to brief the workers.   

CLERKS REPORT:

•   A request to park an unoccupied caravan at the VH car park for 3 nights has been received. No issue, but owner needs to insure the vehicle for this period. ONGOING

Action: LS

•   The Clerk is to move with her family to Germany at Christmas time, so we need to advertise for a replacement Parish Clerk to start in January. To research the job details for an advert.   

Action: RM

HIGHWAYS:

•   No new issues to report.   

ENVIRONMENT:

•   Fly tipping on Dunston Heath Lane has been cleared   
•   The willow tree fallen branch has been removed along with the.
•   Hedges on the green still overgrown.
•   The stepping out picnic sign has been removed – RK to ask CC Footpaths

Action: RK

PLANNING: No new applications were received   

PLAYING FIELD:

•   Following the receipt of examples in use by other councils (Sevenoaks & N.Kesteven), RM has produced an example of a guide and notice for use by DPC. Those who had read through the documents (PD & RC) were in favour of proceeding with it. LP agree to report back with her decision post meeting. LP has subsequently fed back her agreement. The proposal is carried.  There remains the ability for those wishing to do so to clean and/or maintain a rota of cleaning in addition to the process agreed.
•   An item in the Limespring 100 would be a good way of informing residents about the policy.

Action: RM

•   The annual inspection by ROSPA of the play equipment has been received. It shows a number of items with a medium risk element that need attention. We should consider advertising and hiring someone to do the DIY repairs. Councillors to consider personnel and organising the work. Nick Byatt is to research the method of tightening the Zip-wire.

Action: ALL/NB

•   The frequency of vehicles in the playing field car park at night continues to be controlled by the gate closing policy.   

VILLAGE HALL:

•   The need for a secretary is ongoing and they will consider hiring a secretary.
•   The contractor for cutting the hedges and trees was not agreed- ongoing   

TRAINING:

•   PD is in need of the method to book his training requirement – NB will try to help   

Action: NB

FINANCE: Accounts to be sent out Current account   £ 18,674.50
Deposit account   £ 15,292.60
Balance   £ 33,967.10 A positive situation going forward.   

The meeting closed at 8.10 pm   

15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Monday 21st  September 2020 at 7.30pm via zoom. Meeting ID: 883 592 6322   Password: 1Bsbxr

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8835926322?pwd=RHE5QlBpaFZxOWhmTDBmMlUzSkdtUT092

7th September 2020