2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the Dunston Parish Council Meeting

Held on Monday 9 August 2021.

PRESENT: P.Cllrs R. McLuckie (RM)(Chair), P. Moore  (PM)(Vice Chair), L. Phillipson (LP), P. Duncan (PD),  Clerk R. Boden (RB) and several members of the public.

1. Apologies. C. Cllr R. Kendrick, D. Cllr N. Byatt, Cllrs R. Churchward & G. Armstrong

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None.

3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: The minutes were held to be a true and accurate record for the previous meeting held on the 5 July 2021. 234/21

4. REPORTS:

COUNTY COUNCILLOR R. Kendrick

    • See attached report 235/21

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR No report

5.DUNSTON PC REQUIREMENT

The chairman stated that normally the public forum lasts for 15mins only, however on this occasion it may overrun, but the rest of the agenda does need to be worked through.

Mr Harrison introduced himself and expressed his concern on a number of issues connected to Planning 21/0831/HOUS – Old School House

1. Dispute on WC window and what the room actually is.

2. Finish of build. He has no issue if the planning officer requires the finish to be in stone.

3. Flat Roof. Originally the roof was pitched and at the preplan stage it was requested that it was changed from a to pitch of to flat to let in more light.

4. Inaccurate Plans. The Parish Council had stated that the plans were inaccurate and had it confirmed that everything is fine with them but the PC have not retracted their negative comments.

RM explained that as a small Parish Council not all the answers are known and guidance was asked for, as the council are not paid consultants. They do not want to take sides between Mr Harrison and his neighbours and other objectors. Research had been carried out and it was found that once the comments are put on the application they can not be retracted.

Mr Harrison was worried that the question the PC had asked was turned into a comment and gave a negative view, which may go against him during the decision process.

RM stated that the PC were not happy but the comment could not be taken off. Mr & Mrs Harrison also expressed that they did not know either.

PM, as Vice Chair, had asked the clerk to ask the planning officer about how the plans should be read, i.e. does the windows need to be included. RM again commented that it was a question for advice and so the council are back to stage one.

Mr Seddon stated that Window 1 is not just a WC and Window 2 is an open room.

NKDC should be pushing the application forward and visiting properties and it has nothing to do with the Parish Council. All that can happen is to follow the process and make sure views are expressed as it is down to the planning officer and their committee. 236/21

a. Chairman's Report 

Bryan Lamyman had expressed an interest in becoming a councillor. This will be discussed in closed session at the end of the public meeting. 237/21

b. Clerk’s Report

Planning for the speed gates has been approved. With the narrower verges on Dunston Road bollards are to be used instead of the gates. The PC are also looking at various other ideas to reduce speed. 238/21

£1079 has been claimed back on VAT. 239/21

A grant from Sports England is in the process of being claimed. It was initially approved when the croquet club applied for help from the National Lottery for the building of a new club house in 2018/2019. The paperwork was never completed to claim any money back. It should be in the region of £5,000. 240/21

6.HIGHWAYS: 

The condition of Bus Shelter has deteriorated to such an extent that it has become dangerous for users. It has been reported on both Fix my Street and with LCC direct. LCC have examined it and the Highways team have cordoned it off due to safety. 241/21

7.PLANNING: 

21/0831/HOUS – Old School House. Previously discussed at start of meeting. See 236/21

21/1053/TAC – Mulberry House, Middle Street. Height of trees to be lowered. No objections. 242/21

21/1161/TOP – Orchard House, Chapel Lane. Lime trees to be pollarded as previous. No objections.243/21

21/1040/HOUS – Poplar Farm, Dunston Fen. Demolition of conservatory and erection of 2 storey extension. No objections.244/21

Extra: It has been reported that building work is being carried out on Front Street. No planning application has come through. Action: RB to enquire 245/21

8.ENVIRONMENT ISSUES:

RB has attended a course regarding Emergency Planning run by the Lincolnshire Emergency Planning Unit and the package that is offered could be useful for Dunston to have in place, if ever there was an emergency. Action: RB to organise a talk. 246/21

Mr K Lee has been requested that the bin at The Splash stays put. This means that a new bin for the playing field needs to be purchased. Proposed PM/ Sec LP. 247/21

9.PLAYING FIELD:

a. Community Award by Sports England. The award was initially applied for in 2018/2019 to help with the building of the new club house, with 50% being paid by Sports England, through the National Lottery. This has never been claimed.

RB has managed to collect all the necessary paperwork and receipts and the award of £5,000 should be paid out shortly. See 240/21

b. Quotes for fencing around Dog Walk Track.

Ongoing. Action: RB to bring to next meeting.

The playing field and car park are proving very popular with both the villagers and those from outside the village and the Parish Council are looking at ways to raise funds to help maintain them. 

It was explained that IDEAS was originally set up to raise funds for the playing field, to help towards the maintenance. IDEAS has now been disbanded. PD suggested an honesty box in the car park. It was discussed how this could be secured.

It was also discussed to look at other potential uses of the playing field, especially the area of the football pitch, as this is not used effectively with Dunston having no football team, no changing rooms and no toilets.

It was decided to consult the village as to what they may like and what they would use. Action: PD to put on the facebook page and RB to ask in the Limespring. RB to look at grants available. 248/21

Resurfacing of both the car park and the village hall car park is required and is ongoing. 249/21

10. VILLAGE HALL:

a. Management Committee update.

A meeting was held on the 19 July and the Trustee report for the Charity Commission was sent off on the 15 July. The charity status will remain due to the last grant being only open to charities and businesses. This allowed a grant for £8,000 to be claimed which will be invested into changing the band room into a rentable office space. 250/21

A strawberry tea was held and £715 raised for EDAN Lincs. There will be a family games afternoon on 15 August, with limited amounts of tea, coffee and cakes. On Saturday 28 August the yarn bomb items will be raffled off. 251/21

b. Joint Venture PC/ VH/ Community Garden.

Though it was felt that an open event to welcome people back to the village would be productive it was decided to put this on hold as a lot of weekends are already full but the committee is looking at hosting a joint Christmas / New Year Event. 252/21

c. Broadband.

NKDC would like to know if the broadband grant is still wanted to open a digital hub, as part of The Hub that meets at the village hall. The Parish Council and NKDC would support the Hub by paying 50% each for the line rental and broadband package for a year.

It was felt that having broadband would benefit not only the Hub but the Village Hall and any office space that was created. RB had previously circulated costings to the councillors. Action: RB to go ahead and complete the installation as soon as possible. 253/21

d. Community Garden Shed.

The members of the community garden have requested that they can purchase a shed for storing their tools in. It was agreed that this would be OK, but the placing of the shed would need to be considered. 254/21

11. FINANCE: 

a. Scribe. 

This is a web based accounts package specifically designed for Parish Councils. There is free training and support for all staff and councillors and any future staff. It will allow the council to track payments, process the bank reconciliation and complete the end of year accounts/ AGAR easily. The internal auditor can also have access instead of having to take large amounts of paperwork to him.

The cost is £288 + VAT a yr with £197 + VAT set up.

RM, PM, GA and RB have already attended a demonstration and can recommend it unanimously. Proposed PD/ Sec LP that the Council purchase it. 255/21

b. Bank Reconciliation

The bank reconciliation for the period April-June (3months) have been passed as OK and will be signed off by GA. This is the safety step that was put in place at the EOM  on the 29 March 2021. 256/21

c. Contract for R Boden

The final parts of the contract just need to be finalised with PD, due to his HR knowledge. 257/21

Accounts

The Parish Council also curate an account holding funds allocated to preservation work on behalf of the Trout Project. The current balance is £9,300.45. 258/21

Closed session:

The suitability of Bryan Lamyman as a Parish Councillor was discussed. Proposed PM/ Sec LP. All councillors attending the meeting voted unanimously that BL should be accepted. ACTION: RB to deal with paperwork. 259/21

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

Monday 13 September at 7.30pm in the Lamyman Room of the Village Hall.

The meeting closed at 8.45pm

Rob's Monthly Update August 2021

News from County Councillor Rob Kendrick

(Feel free to share this information)

Have your say – Bus Service Improvement Plan Engagement Survey 

The County Council has launched a survey asking views on bus routes. This is to provide evidence to support a bid for funding under the new National Bus Strategy. Local transport authorities are asked to enter into an Enhanced Partnership with local operators and to produce a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by the end of October 2021. This will be considered by the Department for Transport (DfT) to determine how much funding we will receive.

The survey is designed to be completed by individuals and representatives of organisations. The survey asks different questions depending on how you answer. 

The survey can be completed online at: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/engagement

We are encouraging as many people as possible to complete the survey on-line but if any residents  cannot they can ring 0345 456 4474 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and the council will arrange a postal copy of the survey to be sent to them.

The survey close on Monday 30th August.

More improvements to schools for children with special needs

Last month the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee gave it’s backing to several projects designed to upgrade schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This is part of a continuing programme to ensure children can access facilities not too far from home. Prior to the programme some children had to travel long distances to get the help they needed.

Remembrance Training

You may be aware that Lincolnshire County Council Highways and Lincolnshire Police have delivered awareness training for organisers of Remembrance / Constitutional Parades (e.g. St Georges Day) for the past few years. At the training, advice is given regarding responsibilities as an event organiser, safety and legal advice, the required Traffic Order processes and signs and equipment are provided to allow organisers to deliver these important events in a legal and safe manner.

The training was unfortunately cancelled last year due to Covid-19, and it is therefore our intention to deliver training this Autumn – provisional date of 20th October 2021. This will cover refresher training for those who have attended in the past and also we would welcome any new organisers who have not yet attended.

Further details and an invitation to book these courses will be sent out soon to organisers of such parades  (who we are aware of). The courses will be approximately 3 hours long.

Covid vaccination programme

The Lincolnshire COVID Vaccination Programme continues to make excellent progress in vaccinating the population across the county.

The headline position is that we have recently passed the 1 million vaccines milestone in Lincolnshire which is an amazing achievement by our teams. Approximately 550,000 firsts and 450,000 seconds.

Lincolnshire met the national target of ensuring that all adults were offered a first dose by 19th July 21. Latest data indicates the uptake of first doses across our total adult population is 85%, and of both doses is 70%. Within this, we have exceeded the national target of 85% of those aged over 40 receiving both doses by 19th July 21 (Lincolnshire achievement = 86.5%).  The total adult population (GP registered) in Lincolnshire is 651,000.

Of our most vulnerable population, currently 95% of all over 80s have been fully vaccinated, as have 95% of 75-79 year olds, 96% of 70-74 year olds, and 93% of all Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people aged 16-69. Small numbers of these groups are still coming forwards for a vaccine with for example a 3% increase in the CEV group within the last month.

The level of performance of the Lincolnshire Vaccination Programme compares very well with all other health systems in the Midlands Region, and against the national position. The continued dedication and hard work of NHS staff, volunteers, and partners is hugely appreciated.

ENDS