May 2020 Minutes (18th)
Minutes of the of Dunston Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 18th May at 7.30pm via Zoom.
PRESENT: P.Cllrs R.McLuckie (RM) (Chair), P.Moore (PM) (Vice Chair), L.Phillipson (LP), K.Atken (KA), Clerk L.Stocker (LS)(Minutes) & D. Cllr.N.Byatt (NB)
The details of this meeting were shared on the parish webpage and noticeboard as usual.
RATIFICATION:
Decisions made at the interim meeting held amongst members of the District and Parish Council on Monday 4th May were formally agreed.
- DPC business will be dealt with via fortnightly meetings whilst the current restrictions are in place. These will be held fortnightly via Zoom, and be accessible to the public, recorded and legally recognised. A fluid agenda will adopted to facilitate flexibility and limit the length of the meeting to no more than an hour.
- The Standing Orders were amended to accommodate changes following the outbreak of coronavirus.
- Membership of the SID Cluster Group was reviewed. The device has ceased to work correctly, is ineffective and outdated. It was decided not to allocate funds towards its repair and to cease membership of the group.
- A number of payments were agreed and subsequently dealt with. These are detailed below.
APOLOGIES: C.Cllr. R. Kendrick, D.Cllr.L Pearson & E.Vinter.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST: None.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: The minutes for the meeting held on Monday 4th May were unanimously held to be a true and accurate record.
REPORTS:
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR Nick Byatt (NB)
- Finances have been managed well, ensuring that NKDC are in a solid positon despite loss of revenue during the coronavirus measures.
- NB has received a complaint regarding grass cutting in the village. He has investigated this, and the matter should be resolved by the end of the week. (Some members of the PC have also been approached on this matter, and have shared the information relating to delays caused by reduced staff levels at present).
ISSUES:
HIGHWAYS:
- Road Closure 15-16th June 2020: A section of Lincoln Road will be closed overnight (23.00 – 06.00hrs) at the Railway Bridge whist a structural examination is undertaken.
- LCC contractors have begun a three month programme of surface dressing in order to improve roads in the area.
- A programme of work to improve the B1191 (Martin South Drove) is due to be approved. This will involve some diversions and may cause some disruption in the surrounding areas. Further information will be shared once work has begun.
PLAYING FIELD:
The play equipment is still taped off, with signs explaining that this area is closed for use at present. RM reported that a section of the tape appears to have removed in order to allow access to the swing.
Monitor and review with PCSO as necessary.
Action: LS
SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE (SID):
The SID has been returned to the Police Panel via NB. Letter to be sent to June Gwillym, Police Panel Chairwoman and Metheringham PC to inform them of the decision to leave the group.
Action: LS
ENVIRONMENT:
Reports have been received in relation to littering around the ‘Splash’ (off Prior Lane). It was agreed to request that the PCSO visits the area in an attempt to deter this kind of behaviour in this attractive and popular area of the village.
It was noted that residents have been removing rubbish left by others. This is very much appreciated but may limit evidence of any further incidents.
Action: LS
LOCKDOWN MEASURES:
CHIPS (Community Help in Particular Situations) have continued their role in supporting parishioners whilst the lockdown measures are in place. A number of donations have been received to enable prepared meals and/or drinks to be delivered as a ‘treat’ to those who have been identified as ‘self-isolating and vulnerable’, and DPC have committed funds of £130 to replicate this gesture and provide a morale boost.
Action: LS/PM
Branston PC are operating as a central hub for services to help those needing assistance. They are open to requests for help from the public.
LS/PM
COMMUNICATION:
The need to establish a mechanism to effectively convey information and increase access to the local community was identified. After some discussion it was decided to open a DPC Facebook page to this end. This will initially be a temporary measure, but will be reconsidered after lockdown.
ACtion: LS/PM
ZOOM SUBSCRIPTION: Improved access to Zoom is still being organised. LS has been liaising with LALC and was able to confirm that this would be arriving shortly. Ongoing.
8. PLANNING
Application 20/0456/FUL Land North Of Fen Lane, Dunston LN4 2HB.
Erection of 8 dwellings and formulation of new vehicular and pedestrian access from Fen Lane. Comments agreed at the previous meeting have been forwarded to NKDC Planning.
Concerns have been received in relation to the public consultation process for this application. A discussion led to the possibility of legislative changes being in place whilst the country is in Lockdown. NB was able to clarify current requirements and suggested that it might be prudent contact NKDC and raise these concerns.
Action: LS
Planning Appeal APP/R2520/4/20/3247929: The Old Potato Store, Back Lane, Dunston. An appeal has been lodged following the refusal to grant permission to demolish this agricultural building and erect up to 12 dwellings on the site. (Planning Ref 19/0607/OUT).
Comments were made earlier in the application process.
12. FINANCE: Agreed as of 4th May 2020, ratified at this meeting.
15. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday 1st June 2020 at 7.30pm via zoom.
The meeting closed at 8.10pm.