January 2020 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 30 January 2020 at 7.30 pm at The Institute.
Present: Parish Councillors Blessett, Bowell, Dilks (District), Gilbert, Hall, Halls, Hardy, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens (District), Thomas (District), County Councillor Dobson, PCSO Everitt and one member of the public.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk.
Open Forum
Police - PCSO Everitt’s report had been circulated to all Councillors prior to the meeting. She began by stating that she intends to attend the monthly Council meetings whenever possible. Reports of anti-social behaviour had increased in January 2020 and a lot of comments on Facebook. The biggest change is PCSO Laughton’s departure meaning
PCSO Everitt can only do what she can do but it is believed most of the anti-social behaviour is carried out by the same group. She meets with the Senior Leadership Team at The Deepings School every Monday who are very supportive and do have intervention measures which they put in place. Often issues occur after her shift has finished so she would encourage everyone to report everything via 101. In her absence cover will be provided from Stamford when it is needed. No replacement for PCSO Laughton will be made as Lincolnshire Police have not yet reduced the number of PCSO’s to the target number of 85. Most areas have abandoned the quarterly neighbourhood policing panels due to the PCSO limited availability. The last one held in the Deepings was on 28 January 2020 where those in attendance committed to continuing the panel with the next meeting due to take place on19 May 2020
County Council
Councillor Barry Dobson advised that the new Chief Executive Debbie Barnes was now in office, there had been eight million pounds invested in Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue meaning 33 new appliances had been purchased one of which would be stationed at Market Deeping, 50,000 children in Lincolnshire had been protected by immunisation, confirming that a School Crossing Patrol person has been employed at Linchfield School and the 75th commemoration of the liberation had been marked which had also reinforced the County Council’s antisemitism campaign.
District Council
Councillor Barry Dobson Deputy Leader at SKDC with responsibility for growth leisure and High Streets confirmed that a Leisure Centre in The Deepings was the priority. He advised that £200,000 had been included in the 2020/21 budget towards an all-weather pitch. Councillor Dobson and PCSO Everitt left the meeting District Councillor Dilks provided a brief update advising that a climate change group had been set up who were working towards improvements, the Local Plan had been adopted today, the Deepings Leisure Centre feasibility studies were still ongoing, and a textile recycling bank pilot scheme had been rejected
District Councillor Stevens added that the District Council’s new Chief Executive Karen Bradford would be in post soon.
93.20 To receive apologies for absence.
Apologies had been received and were accepted from Councillors Hosking and Kornfeld.
It was noted that resignations had been received from Councillors Boreham Fox and Green.
94.20 To receive notifications of interest and consider requests for dispensations, if any.
The following notifications of interest were received:
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe – Agenda item 97.20.1
Councillor Gilbert – Agenda item 97.20.1
Councillor Stevens – Agenda item 97.20.1 and 97.20.3
Councillor Thomas – Agenda item 97.20.3 and 99.20 (Rotary Club correspondence)
Councillor Dilks – Agenda item 97.20.3
Councillor Hardy – Agenda item 98.20.1 (Priory Hall Prince of Wales Oak Tree)
95.20 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 16 January 2020.
Agreed and signed
96.20 Clerks Report.
The Community payback team have visited the Parish on 2, 16 & 30 December 2019 and 13 January 2020 completing work in the Cemetery and along the playing field fencing on Linchfield Road clearing back overgrowth from pavement and cutting back overhanging hedging. An Arboriculturalist visited the Parish on Friday 3 January 2020 and provided a report about the Oak Tree in the Priory Hall Car Park. This led to a tree preservation order being raised and a requirement for work to be completed to extend the life of the tree.
LCC Countryside access who are responsible for the public rights of way are investigating how the path near to the London Plane can be improved.
The request for consideration of a 20MPH along Bridge Street has been forwarded to County Councillor Dobson.
The local resident who had contacted the Parish Council concerning issues around the new development off Linchfield Road/Burchnall Close has been provided with the contact details for the Developer, the Contractor, the District Council and County Council if issues continue.
A quote is being obtained for work to be completed to remove the tree spurs from the grave in the Cemetery.
The Emergency Plan has as yet been returned from the Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Officer at Lincolnshire County Council so details have not as yet been shared on the Parish Council’s webpage.
The recruitment advert for an additional part-time maintenance worker will be published in a local magazine on Friday 31 January 2020
South Kesteven District Council has been advised of the two Councillor Vacancies and will confirm on Tuesday 4 February 2020 whether the Parish Council can fill these vacancies by Co-option.
97.20 Financial matters:
1. To approve accounts for payment – It was proposed seconded and Resolved to make payments valuing £10,756.76 (For the month of December 20190 and £7,437.55 (for the month of January 2020)
2. Request for funding from The Friends of Deeping St James to allow the volunteers to continue to purchase, plant and maintain the planters and flower beds within the parish – As the Trustee of the Hall Meadow Charity the Parish Council
Resolved to release £500 of the funds to the Friends Of Deeping St James to be used to purchase plants to enhance the Village
It was Resolved to move into closed session in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relation to the following matters. The member of public in attendance left the room.
3. To consider the quotations received for contractual grass cutting (in closed session) – The 3 quotations obtained were considered and it was proposed seconded and Resolved to offer the contracts for the cutting of grass on the Highway verges at Woody Heights and on the Riverbank to Glendale. The 4 open spaces being gifted to the parish Council by the District Council would also be offered to Glendale when/if the transfer is/was completed.
It was Resolved to move out of closed session in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due.
The member of public in attendance return to the room.
4. To receive the minutes and consider recommendations from the finance and general purposes committee meeting held on Thursday 16 January 2020 – Councillor Bowell introduced the minutes of this meeting and referred to item 55.20 from which the Committee recommended that a budget was included in the 2020/21 precept to enable the Parish Council to take steps to recruit an additional part-time member of office staff. It was Resolved that a budget should be included in 2020/21 and that the Parish Council should move forward with recruiting an additional part-time member of office staff
5. To agree the budget and set the precept for the financial year 2020/2021 – Councillor Bowell referred to the budget paperwork and the 4 precept options that had been shared with everyone prior to the meeting. Since these papers had been circulated the further reductions had been made in the budget and the proposal was that the precept for 2020/21 should be £165,463.66. This is an increase of £12.09 per annum (per Band D property). The percentage figure which will show on the council tax bill is 21.9%. This proposal was seconded and Resolved. Councillors Bowell and Dilks agreed to work together to write an article to be included in the next newsletter to explain the increase.
98.20 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and consider recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting held on Thursday 12 December 2019 – Councillor Blessett introduced the minutes of this meeting updating the members on item 65.20 confirming that the independent Arboriculturalist’s report commissioned by the Parish Council and carried out on 3 January 2020 had resulted in a Tree Preservation Order being placed on The Prince Of Wales Oak Tree in the Priory Hall Car Park. The three District Councillors present confirmed that they were due to meet with representatives of the Priory Hall Trust and had each agreed to offer a proportion of their District Councillor Allowance to help cover the cost of the work required. Councillor Gilbert asked the members whether the Parish Council should contribute towards the costs of the work as well. It was agreed that the Parish Council would look favourably on a request from the Priory Hall Trust for financial help towards the cost of the work. The three District Councillors were asked to mention this during their meeting with the representatives of the Priory Hall Trust.
99.20 To receive and agree the Council’s response to correspondence received since the last meeting.
Lincolnshire County Council
LCC now have a new accessible and mobile friendly website and will now upgrade the Town and Parish Council website they host. Training will be offered during March. As well as the office staff does anyone else wish to attend? Does the Parish Council wish to offer a venue for such training to take place?
The Clerk confirmed that sufficient venues had been found and that she had booked a place on the training at the SK access point in Bourne on 2 March 2020
Rotary Club of the Deepings
Requesting permission to use Woody Heights as part of the annual Charity 10K Road Race and 3K Fun Run to be held on Sunday 17 May 2020.
It was agreed that permission should be granted.
Lincolnshire Environmental Awards
Requesting 250-300 words describing a project and how it contributes to the environment and sustainable development. Deadline for entries 31 March 2020. Two Councillors have suggested that the Parish Council should nominate The Deepings Lakes.
It was agreed that the Parish Council should nominate The Deepings Lakes. Councillors Hall and Shinkins-Hoppe agreed to prepare and forward the nomination.
Market Deeping Town Council
Following the recent changes to Policing in The Deepings and the suggestion made by Councillor Stevens that the Parish and Town Council should consider a joint press release and letter representatives from the Town Council have confirmed that they would like to meet to work on this.
It was agreed that Councillor Gilbert and the Parish Clerk should meet with Councillor Miss Collins and the Town Clerk to progress this further.
Lincolnshire County Council Legal Services
Confirmation that after consultation not all of the landowners had agreed with the removal of public highway rights in respect of Cross Road Market Deeping meaning the County Council would be unable to prove the road was an unnecessary highway so the Road will remain a public highway for all vehicles. The County Council will be requesting the removal of any obstructions that are across the Road.
It was agreed that the Clerk should reply expressing the Parish Council’s disappointment at this decision and requesting reassurance that prompt action would be taken if any further illegal encampments took place after the temporary barriers were removed and New Road became accessible again.
Rotary Club of the Deepings
Thanks for the grant towards the costs of inviting The Grimethorpe Colliery Band to perform prior to Christmas – an annual event that has occurred for over the last 30 years.
Noted.
Peakirk Parish Council
Advising that they have declared a Climate Emergency supporting Peterborough City Council. It is the intention to hold a public meeting and set up a working group to undertake the Parish’s impact on climate change. They would welcome ideas and support from Deeping St James Parish Council.
Noted.
Allied Health South Lincolnshire Ltd
The Practice Care Co-ordinator is requesting the opportunity to do a presentation to the Parish Council to promote a project within The Deepings offering support services associated with mental health wellbeing, social isolation anxiety and low mood similar to the services on offer in Spalding Bourne and Stamford.
The Clerk was asked to invite the Coordinator to give the presentation at the February meeting within the open forum extending the length of the open forum by starting earlier if required.
Deeping St James United Charities
Invitation to attend the consultation event on the development of The Cross School to be held on Saturday 15 February 2020 from 2pm to 4pm and/or complete the consultation questionnaire
Deeping St James Community Primary School
Request from the Headmaster to ask if any of the Parish Councillors are interested in becoming a School Governor.
No interest shown in this opportunity although two Parish Councillors are already Governors at the Secondary School and one is a former Governor at a Primary School.
100.20 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. Tree Charter Day on 30 November 2019 when several Councillors planted hedging and trees in the Old Cemetery – Noted
2. ParishOnline training Tuesday 3 December 2019 completed by the Parish Clerk – Noted.
3. Grimethorpe Colliery Band on Saturday 7 December 2019 attended by Councillor Gilbert – Noted.
4. Meeting with the South Kesteven District Council’s Head of Leisure and the Clerk and Chairman of Deeping St James Parish Council on Wednesday 8 January 2020 – Councillor Gilbert confirmed that talks were ongoing
5. To receive the minutes and consider any recommendations from the Events Committee held on Thursday 16 January 2020 – Councillor Stevens introduced the minutes of this meeting from which there was one recommendation – to trial the use of an outside panel to choose the winner in each category of the making a difference awards. Resolved
6. Meeting at The Woodland Trust on Tuesday 28 January 2020 attended by Councillors Bowell and Stevens – Councillors Bowell and Stevens attended this meeting and will put forward the ideas to the Events Committee for a recommendation to be made to the Council
7. South Kesteven District Council meeting on Thursday 30 January 2020 attended by the Parish Clerk to receive the Best Kept Community 2019 Certificate – Councillor Halls had attended in the Parish Clerk’s place and along with Councillors Dilks, Stevens and Thomas had received the certificate from District Council Chairperson Councillor Smith and Councillor DR Moseley on behalf of the Parish
101.20 To receive an update about and consider the next steps for the Deepings First Neighbourhood plan – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that the plan was being revised in response to the comments received from the recent consultation. The constitution of Deepings First is focussed on making the plan happen not on ongoing monitoring are aware that after the plan has been accepted it must not just sit on the shelf and needs to be monitored and Deepings First are looking at how this can/will work. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe has been requested to ask Deeping St James Parish Council what they would like to see happen – should Deepings First amend the constitution and take responsibility for the monitoring role or will the Town and Parish Council’s take on this monitoring role? It was decided that this needed more time than was available in this meeting to discuss so it was agreed that the Parish Councillors should give this some consideration and it will be included as an earlier agenda item on February’s agenda.
102.20 To receive an update regarding the erection of a Flagpole within the Parish – The Clerk advised that the Environment Agency would not give permission for a flagpole to be located on the spur of land at High Locks. Permission had been given to erect a flagpole on the green at Churchgate although this location had limitations due to its size, there already being a large Oak Tree there and its proximity to housing. South Kesteven District Council had provided permission for the flagpole to be erected on Jubilee Park. It was proposed seconded and Resolved that erecting a flagpole on Jubilee Park should be pursued. The Clerk should contact the District Council to discuss the exact location on Jubilee Park and then report back to the next Parish Council meeting.
103.20 Parish pump – items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Hardy requested that as the meeting scheduled to take place at 7.45pm on Thursday 23 January 2020 had been cancelled the Allotments Footpaths and Open Spaces committee should meet at 7.45pm on Thursday 20 February 2020.
Councillor Stevens requested that all members should forward items to her for inclusion in the next newsletter as soon as possible
Councillor Dilks encouraged everyone to attend the Deepings Shorts film nights presented by InvestSK on behalf of SKDC and in association with (and at) The Open Door Baptist Church from 7pm on 1, 8, 15 and 22 February 2020.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe requested that the Events committee meeting scheduled to take place at 7pm on Tuesday 7 April 2020 should be moved forward or an additional meeting should take place at 6.30pm on Thursday 20 February 2020 to finalise the arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting.
Meeting closed at 10pm