April 2019 Minutes
Deeping St James Parish Council
The Institute, 38 Church Street, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8HD
E-mail: clerk.dsjpc@btconnect.com
Tel: 01778 343266
//parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/deepingstjames
Parish Clerk: Julie Fortnum
The minutes of the meeting of Deeping St James Parish Council held on Thursday 25 April 2019 at 7.30 pm at The Institute.
Present: Parish Councillors Barber, Blessett, Bowell, Dilks (District), Gilbert, Green, Hall, Halls, Hardy, Pelling, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens (District), Thomas, Councillor Barry Dobson and three members of the public.
Open Forum
A member of the public spoke expressing his concerns about traffic flow issues on the roadway off Bridge Street to the proposed Children’s Nursery planning application S19/0343 especially as two dwellings had legal right of access to use this roadway. The Chairman advised that this application would be considered under agenda item 144.19.1 and the member of the public was welcomed to stay to hear the Council’s discussion and consideration
The member of the public left the meeting. County Councillor Dobson, who had prepared a report which had been circulated earlier by the Clerk, advised that he was working with Parish Councillors Green and Hall regarding the 30MPH speed zone on Station Road and recommended that the Parish Council investigate purchasing a bracket to install the speed indicator device at this location. The information obtained from this could be shared with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to strengthen the case for improved signage and enforcement. He also advised that the Neighbourhood Police Inspector would be attending the next Illegal encampments meeting on Tuesday 14 May 2019. Councillor Dilks raised the issues of the condition of the road surface on Linchfield Road which had been repaired last year but was just as bad again now. County Councillor Dobson advised that it was to be re-surfaced at some point in the future but not within this financial year. The Clerk was asked to contact LCC Highways raising all the outstanding issues within the area which included the condition of Linchfield Road the need for a bus clearway markings and signage on Horsegate, the reinstatement of a bus stop and hardstanding on Thackers Way and the continuation of the tarmac path at the entrance to ‘Woody Heights’ recreation area.
County Councillor Dobson left the meeting
District Councillor Dilks advised there had been a site visit by SKDC’s Development control committee at Broadgate Lane in connection with planning application S19/ 0256 where a group of local residents had been present and spoke to the Committee members. The decision on this application had been deferred because one plan had not been shared in the correct way with the public and the application will be reconsidered as a part heard hearing He also stressed the importance of a representative from the Parish Council attending a public speaking hearing as Councillor Bowell and Shinkins-Hoppe had recently done. Councillor Dilks concluded by saying that the site for the new Leisure Centre had not yet been announced and he was encouraging SKDC to speak with Deeping Rugby Club to ensure their needs were incorporated into the new build.
139.19 To receive apologies for absence.
Apologies had been received from Councillor Hosking and were accepted by the Parish Council
140.19 To receive notifications of interest and consider requests for dispensations, if any.
Councillor Pelling – agenda item 143.19, payment to Business
Councillor Stevens – agenda item 143.19, payment to Partner
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe – agenda item 144.19.1 planning applications S19/0443 & 0487 Governor at The Deepings School
141.19 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28 March 2019.
Agreed and signed.
142.19 Clerks Report
New IT support has been arranged from May 2019 onwards
The new railings have been made and are ready for installation at the Cemetery.
The Community Rehabilitation Team have visited the Parish and removed the old fencing at the Cemetery in preparation for the new
A representative from SKDC property department has visited Hereward Way play area after the Springy Horse was vandalised and has requested a replacement piece of equipment as well as some No Dogs allowed signs.
A new telephone and broadband package has been agreed.
The removal of the telephone box on Stowgate Road has not yet been completed as further investigation is needed to ensure the electric supply has been disconnected.
The Clerk advised the Members that there had only been one response received from the consultation distributed at the annual parish meeting regarding setting up a no cold calling zone within the Parish.
A tree at Jubilee Park had been vandalised although damaged it would survive.
The school fence had been damaged at near ‘Woody Heights’ recreation area and one of the gates forced open. The Deepings School had been made aware of this and would arrange repair as it is a safeguarding issue.
There had been evidence of small fires being started at 'Woody Heights' recreation area. Those attending the Neighbourhood Policing Panel on Tuesday 7 May 2019 were asked to request a heightened
Police presence at all the play areas/open spaces (Jubilee Park, Woody Heights and Hereward Way) in the Parish during the Summer months.
143.19 To consider financial matters
1. To approve accounts for payment – It was proposed seconded and Resolved to pay accounts totalling £8224.40
144.19 To consider planning matters
1. To receive the minutes and consider any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting held on Thursday 18 April 2019 – Councillor Blessett introduced the meetings from which there were 4 recommendations to the Council as follows:
S19/0343 - Carousel Nursery Land to the rear of 10 Bridge Street, DSJ.
After further discussion the planning committee’s recommendation to approve the planning application was put to the vote and it was overturned. It was Resolved to object to the planning application with the following comments:
DSJPC object to this planning application. The Parish Council accept that the 19th century abattoir is in a poor condition and could not economically be rebuilt. However, the paddock is designated in the conservation area as an important open space and this proposal would necessitate approx. 25% of this being lost to a roadway.
There are also concerns about both vehicular and pedestrian access even though there would be a one way system from Bridge Street to Park Road and this road would be gated and only unlocked during nursery opening times. There is particular concern about the narrowness of the exit onto Park Road and the conflict between vehicular and pedestrian usage.
S19/0443 – Linden Homes Land off Linchfield Road
Discussion regarding this application included issues about whether there were adequate parking spaces, the location of the cycle-ways and the signage on them and whether the overhead power cable was remaining in-situ. It was proposed seconded and Resolved to defer a decision as the plans available were not sufficiently detailed to allow the Members to consider the application fully. The Clerk was requested to SKDC for a large copy of the plans and an extension of time for representations to be made.
2. To consider the following planning applications
S19/0556
Mr & Mrs Bland
51 Burchnall Close, DSJ
Erection of first floor rear extension
Resolved to approve this application
S18/2176
Mr Spencer
Broadgate House, 72 Church St, DSJ
Demolition of existing offices and warehouse, erection of six dwellings and change of use of site to residential (Amended plans)
Resolved to object to this application siting the same objections as those sited to an earlier application (S18/2176)
Deeping St James Parish Council recommends refusal of this application on the grounds that it should be retained as a commercial site in line with SKDC local plan policy E5 ‘’Employment land and buildings should remain for employment for the Local Economy’’
145.19 To receive and agree the Council’s response to correspondence received since the last meeting.
Campaign to Protect Rural England
Notification that the entries for the Best Kept Village and Small Towns Competition and South Kesteven Best Kept Community Competition need to be received no later than 7 May 2019
It was proposed seconded and Resolved that Deeping St James Parish Councilshould enter South Kesteven Best Kept Community Competition Institute of Cemetery and Crematoria Management Quotation for providing a training course for Members and Staff of the Parish Council to attend or guidance It was proposed seconded and Resolved that Deeping St James Parish Council should provide a on how to host an event venue for the ICCM to run a course from. If the course was due to be cancelled due to insufficient interest DSJPC would make a contribution to the cost to ensure it still went ahead.
146.19 To receive and consider minutes and recommendations of committees, reports from advisory committees, members reports from external bodies, members reports of meetings, seminars, training and events attended on the Council’s behalf:
1. South Kesteven Voluntary Sector Forum Focus on Funding held in Bourne on 1 April 2019 – report provided by Councillor Bowell noted, no action required
2. Councillors Surgery from 10am until 12noon on Saturday 6 April 2019 at The Deepings Community Library - Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe confirmed that visitors to the Library had been low and no-one had attended to speak to a Councillor
3. The Market Deeping Mayors Charity Ball held on Saturday 6 April 2019 – report provided by Councillor Bowell noted, no action required
4. Future IT support provision meeting held on Tuesday 9 April 2019 – The Clerk confirmed that an external IT support provider had been sourced to take over the responsibility after Councillor Barber retired as a Councillor on Tuesday 7 May 2019
5. Royal British Legion Poppy Party held on Saturday 12 April 2019 – report provided by Councillor Bowell noted, no action required
6. Deeping Rangers Football Club on Saturday 13 April 2019 to publicise that purchase of a new stretcher from DSJPC grant – report provided by Councillor Bowell, no action required
7. First Aid Training from British Red Cross held on Monday 15 April 2019 – All who attended agreed it had been worthwhile
8. Meeting between representatives from LCC Highways, DSJPC, DSNPC, Spalding and Peterborough Transport Forum and a local bus company on 16 April 2019 – report provided by Councillor Bowell and resident Tim Stevens the outcomes of which would be considered at the next Planning and transport committee.
9. Annual Parish Meeting and Making a Difference Awards presentation held at The Deepings School on Tuesday 23 April 2019 – Everyone who had attended agreed it was another excellent event and the events committee would consider how it could be improved further for next year
147.19 To approve new signatories for the Parish Council’s bank accounts – It was proposed, seconded and Resolved that Councillor Halls and Councillor Thomas should replace Councillor Barber and Pelling as authorised signatories for the bank accounts. The Clerk will arrange the necessary paperwork.
It was Resolved to move into closed session for the following agenda item in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed
The Clerk and the remaining two members of the public left the meeting room
148.19 Staffing matters
The recent staff appraisals were presented to the meeting, with particular emphasis on how the Councillors can work together to assist the staff overcome any challenges hi-lighted during the course of their appraisals
The Councillors agreed that policies (such as lone worker & conduct) should be reviewed and that staff & Councillors would be encouraged to attend training courses (1st Aid, Burials, COSHH, etc. as they become available).
It was agreed that all three members of staff should receive salary increments in accordance with their contracts of employment.
It was Resolved to come out of closed session for the following agenda item.
The Clerk and the remaining two members of the public returned to the meeting room
149.19 Parish Pump – items for information or inclusion on future agendas
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe volunteered to do the press report for May 2019 and it was requested that an agenda item be added to the May agenda to consider whether to continue to send a report to the press. Councillor Bowell requested that the Parish Council consider writing to the Police and Crime Commissioner expressing concern at the impending cuts to Police staff. It was decided that the question of when this decision would be made should be brought up at the Neighbourhood Policing meeting on Tuesday 7 May 2019.