November 2021 Minutes
DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL
The Institute, 38 Church Street, Deeping St James, PE6 8EP
E-mail: clerk@dsjpc.co.uk
Tel: 01778 343266
Webpage: //deeping-st-james.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk Facebook: Deeping St James Parish Council
Parish Clerk: Julie Fortnum
The minutes of the meeting of Deeping St James Parish Council held at the Open- Door Church, 5 Spalding Road, Deeping St James, PE6 8NJ on Thursday 25 November 2021 at 7.30 pm
Present: Parish Councillors Bowell, Dilks (County and District), Fowler, Gilbert, Hall, Halls, Hosking, Little, Robinson, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens (District), Thomas (District), the Assistant Clerk and three members of the public.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk.
Open Forum
Member of the public Andy Bundock addressed the Council saying that since the planning committee met last week when the planning application was referred to as being within the ‘speed limit’ – there being no planning grounds to object – he would like to know, assuming the application is approved, what would happen after the two- year permission expires. He is assuming that the answer is dependant on whether there is a useable leisure centre which no-one knows for sure. This is why he feels the building should be built on the same footprint as the old design and technology block as it is likely that the facility is likely to be needed longer term than two-years. He feels that in their response the Local Council should take account of local resident’s concerns. He added that the recent high winds had had a detrimental effect on his families sleep and was concerned that putting a structure in the way may impact further on the weathers effect. His Daughter would be attending this School in the future and he would like to see the education provider listening to the residents and spending money on the education of children not this building. Councillor Dilks advised that he had called the planning application in after last week’s planning committee meeting which meant it would be decided by a Committee not an Officer. He also advised that public concern was not a material planning consideration so he was using grounds of visual impact but he had not heard back yet. Councillor Dilks had also spoken to the Property Manager at Lincolnshire County Council who had advised that they had been working with Anthem Trust on the application and in his opinion, it is on the best possible site. Councillor Dilks also confirmed that Lincolnshire County Council are NOT putting any money into the build. Councillor Dilks stated that the application was originally for five years but had been amended to two years and he reassured the members of the public, supported by Councillor Stevens, that the planning committee will fight for this to be a condition of the planning consent. It was also confirmed to the members of the public that the School would have to reapply if an extension was required and Councillor Dilks at this point in time he was unable to confirm if that would be approved or not.
Councillor Robinson asked the District Councillors if there was an update on the repairs to the Leisure Centre as this had a bearing on how long the temporary building would be needed. Councillor Stevens said that no decision had been made as to what is happening. There is a meeting next week at South Kesteven District Council to consider the options and the decision of that will be put out to consultation at the end of the year.
Councillor Gilbert then offered some answers, obtained from the Deepings School, to the question raised by the member of the public, Andy Bundock, at last week’s planning committee meeting as to why the building had to be in that location. The build had to be within the School fencing not on the car park because of security and safeguarding; it needed to be near the new design and technology block for power and data supply; it could not be built on the new courts as they were needed for PE lessons and break-times so would not be dug up; and the grass area could not be used as hard surface was needed, plus more trenches would be needed to obtain a power and data supply and this would cause mud to be trailed into the buildings.
Member of the public Gareth Hennis stated that all they would see from their bedroom window would be this building which was a concern but more concerning was the working hours during the last construction with the contractors starting early, working late and even at weekends which he did not want to be repeated. Councillor Dilks advised that the temporary building would be a swift build so there should not be the same impact.
Councillor Gilbert advised that he intended to start the meeting and the planning application would be considered later in the meeting. He advised that the members of the public were welcome to stay to hear the Parish Council’s decision which all three of them chose to do.
22.90 To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillors Denman and Olson.
22.91 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests. Councillor Gilbert - agenda item 22.99 planning application S21/2236
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe – agenda item 22.99 planning application S21/2117 Councillor Bowell – agenda item 22.98
22.92 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28 October 2021.
Agreed and signed as a true copy.
22.93 To receive the Clerks report.
The Clerk contacted Lincolnshire County Council Highways confirming that the Parish Council did not require any further supply of salt but that the contents of the grit bins around the Parish may need replenished or replaced to be told that they do not come out and regularly check the contents of these and rely on local councils to advise them when they need filling. The grit that is within them continues to be useable.
On 2 and 3 November 2021 one of the maintenance staff attended an operational play inspection course in Nottingham run by an accredited Royal Safety for the Prevention of Accidents Officer.
Two sacks of Daffodil bulbs have been purchased and Councillor Stevens has shared many of these among local groups and individual volunteers within the community to plant around the Parish.
Confirmation has been received from Wicksteed that the request to install 27.7 linear metres of 4 m high rebound mesh fencing on two sides of the Multi Use Games Area has been passed to the installations department however there is an 18-week lead time.
Steve Gilbert Building Services Ltd and Western Power Distribution have been in communication to arrange the work to install the electricity supply at Jubilee Park off Thackers Way.
Emergency work was undertaken on two trees at Woody Heights recreation ground on Monday 1 November 2021 after they were damaged in the high winds over that weekend. Alongside this a number of other branches were moved by Parish Council maintenance staff to make pavements and public footpaths accessible.
A contractor has confirmed that they will cut the hedge in both the old and new Cemetery in January 2022
The Deepings School have advised that they are in contact with the contractors to reinstate the knee-high fencing and replace a silver birch tree (originally provided by the Parish Council) that were removed from the verge on Spalding Road when the area was used for a temporary entrance during recent building work.
The contractors have completed the hedge cutting at Woody Heights recreational area.
A teenager has approached the Parish Council to volunteer to clean headstones and weed grave beds to complete the community element of the Duke of Edinburgh Award. The Clerk met with the teenager and their parent to cover health and safety and risk assessment.
Councillor Bowell volunteered to investigate the ownership of the Riverbank and is awaiting a response form the Land Registry after requesting a copy of the title register and plan.
22.94 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
County Councillor report – Councillor Dilks
Councillor Dilks provided an update regarding the fence on LCC land on Broadgate Lane advising that as far as he is aware the occupant removed most of the fence after being threatened with legal action but he felt it was unlikely that the County Council would take action regarding the parking of vehicles on the grass even though Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe stated that local residents still felt that there was an impact on the visibility splay. Councillor Dilks suggested that the Parish Council should write to the County Council asking for more action however Councillors Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens and Thomas did not feel this should be necessary.
Councillor Dilks continued stating that there had been 5 briefings this week one of which was a Covid update which was still a major issue within the County.
District Council report – Councillor Dilks
Councillor Dilks advised that a report on the Cratus review (on how SKDC handles planning) will be shared with an informal meeting of the planning committee to be held tomorrow to which neither he or Councillor Stevens can attend. The report will hopefully provide recommendations which will be shared with full council. Councillor Dilks has concerns about the ability to call in planning applications for council decision as the Cratus report suggests these should be reduced and he is also concerned about the site visits as the Cratus report suggests there are too many. Being able to do these things has progressed matters and led to changes being made.
Councillor Dilks advised that the Deepings Leisure Centre is due to be discussed at a meeting of the two scrutiny committees next week where options with timeframes and costings will be considered and the recommendation will be referred to full council on 14 December. Councillor Robinson expressed concern that the Parish Council would not be ale to consider it as they were not due to meet until 16 December. Councillor Stevens said that the public had already voice their opinions. Councillor Dilks advised that it was a public meeting and would be livestreamed. Councillor Stevens said that nothing can happen until the leases are signed between all parties.
Councillor Dilks continued with his District Council report saying that a large solar farm (2000 acres/818 hectares) is due to be installed on grade 3 agricultural land over towards Tallington. It will not be determined by the planning authority but by the Secretary of State.
He continued informing the Parish Council that a tribute had been paid at today’s
meeting to Councillor Bob Adams who had sadly passed away.
Councillor Dilks then referred to the Chairman of a committee who had recently used racist language which had led to a call for mandatory training. This request had been turned down but there was still an expectation that Councillors should attend training. Councillor Dilks also took the opportunity to inform the members that Councillor Bowell had been nominated for the SKDC Lifetime Community Champion Award.
Councillor Thomas asked if there was any update on the improvements on Church Street and Bridge Street highway to which Councillor Dilks confirmed that he had no update on this or Linchfield Road highway.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked if Councillor Dilks could pursue the section 106 monies from the Springfield development off Linchfield Road which were due to the Parish Council for two bus shelters.
District Council report – Councillor Stevens
Councillor Stevens advised that the District Council had adopted a new code of conduct today and herself and Councillor Thomas were attending training on Monday. She advised that there had been local upset over an incident when one swan had been lost and another had been injured which had reinforced the fact that the Church Street traffic issues continued into Bridge Street.
Councillor Stevens said she has been in constant contact with the developer of the Springfield development off Linchfield Road to make sure they start using the Linchfield Road entrance instead of the Campion Drive/Burchnall Close entrance once the phase 2 development commenced.
In the interests of the members of the public present it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to suspend standing orders and consider the recommendation in respect of planning application S21/2117 for the temporary building at the Deepings School from the planning committee meeting minutes (agenda item 22.99.1).
Councillor Gilbert introduced this item saying that the building will be 27 metres from the nearest property on Spalding Road, over 30 metres from Lindsey Court and further away from the properties on Millfield Road. He continued by saying that he could not see any reason, that would stand up at appeal, to object to this application. He advised the members of the public that they must realise that the Parish Council are a consultee not the planning authority making the decision. Councillor Gilbert explained that Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe who is Chair of the planning committee would not be speaking on this item as she was also a Governor at the Deepings School. Councillor Gilbert continued saying that how much, who is paying and why the building is needed are not material concerns but as local residents have brought their concerns to the attention of the Parish Council should the Parish Council include them within their response to the planning authority? Councillor Little said that he felt public opinion should be taken into account to which Councillor Dilks replied saying that the public’s
objections were not material planning considerations.
Councillor Gilbert advised that the members of public have every right to object directly to the planning authority but the objections do need to be material considerations that cannot be challenged. Councillor Dilks added that if his call-in request is accepted and the planning application is decided by the District Council’s planning committee then the public will have the opportunity to speak.
Councillor Stevens suggested that it would be a good idea for the Parish Council to mention the long hours of work during the previous build so that a condition on working hours could be added as a planning condition.
It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the Parish Council would not object to the planning application as there were no material planning grounds to do so but would comment that members of the public had made the Parish Council aware of concerns which they had also shared directly with the District Council and that the Parish Council requests that conditions on working hours are included if the planning application is approved.
The three members of the public left the meeting.
It was RESOLVED to continue the suspension of Standing Orders to allow Maisie McMahon, Safer Together Coordinator for North and South Kesteven, working within the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office, who had joined the meeting during the last item, to address the Parish Council.
Maisie explained that she was one of a team of four liaising with the public and community groups in 152 parishes.
The Police and Crime survey is currently out for consultation and one section of it is about precept setting for 2022/23. The survey gives the public the opportunity to speak about how they feel about the Police, the fear of crime, response times, etc so she would encourage everyone to fill it in as a lot has been done to make it a more accessible document.
Councillor Bowell said that along with Councillor Halls he volunteers at the local Police Station and the most common question asked by the public was why they never see a Police Officer or PCSO. Maisie responded saying that she sees this as a good thing as it means all the Police and PCSO’s are busy doing something.
Councillor Little stated that the Police element of the council tax precept had increased previously yet Police resources had gone down.
Maisie replied saying the number of PCSO’s have decreased but manpower on dealing with other issues such as scams and cybercrime has increased.
Councillor Thomas said that although the Police were not visible on a daily basis when needed they do arrive. She went on to question the telephone facility on the outside of the Police Station as having had cause to use it recently she had been surprised that the message had told her to go home and ring 101, she thought using the telephone would have put her through to the control room.
Maisie was unable to explain this but said it needed to be checked and corrected as that is what should happen.
Councillor Stevens referred to the two previous PCSO’s who had been very visible, got to know the community very well and because there were two of them were available more often. Now if there is a flare up of antisocial behaviour when the PCSO is not on duty or no Police are available certain sections of the community become exorcised and there is vigilante potential. There is also a pernicious Facebook Page in the Deepings.
Maisie said she is currently working with another Village that has similar problems. She has attended 3 of their meetings and looked at their Facebook pages. Basically, there are a lot of comments being made on Facebook but NOT much is being reported to the Police. If it was reported and there was a need the Police would come.
Councillor Little mentioned that the local neighbourhood policing team newsletter said that they listen to the community and use what they hear to set their priorities. The Safer Together newsletter also says they listen to and meet the community but where? Maisie replied saying she can and does attend local meetings but the neighbourhood policing panels were disbanded and a letter explaining why was issued at the time.
Councillor Halls said the last one was held over two years ago but the PCSO had ceased being able to attend by then.
Councillor Little stated that when the PCSO had provided her job description to the Parish Council it had stated that she does not deal with crime so what is the role of a PCSO?
Maisie said that she is unable to comment on what an specific PCSO does but part of the role of the Safer Together Coordinator is to go into Schools and attend community meetings.
Councillor Dilks asked why the neighbourhood policing forums were disbanded as if it was because it was felt that they didn’t work well, they did in the Deepings. He referred to the meeting which led to more funding and resources to prevent hare coursing. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe also supported how much could be gained from the forums referring to the meeting about illegal encampments and how it had led to a cross county initiative.
Maisie said that if DSJPC wished to set up quarterly community meetings she will support them and work with the local Sergeant, Emma Crisp, and notes could be shared with her if she was unable to attend.
Councillor Gilbert thanked Maisie for attending and she left the meeting.
22.95 To consider reinstating the quarterly Neighbourhood Policing panel meetings. Councillor Gilbert asked the members if this was something they felt the Parish Council wanted to do on behalf of the wider community. Whilst most of the members felt holding meetings may be beneficial they did not feel the meetings needed to the organised by the Parish Council - a group of volunteers could arrange them as had happened previously – and the Parish Council would support them. Councillors Bowell and Halls volunteered to pursue this.
22.96 To agree the content and timing of the next Newsletter.
The Clerk advised that no newsletter had been distributed since Winter 2019 despite the publication of one having been mentioned numerous times under the parish pump. It was agreed to publish a newsletter in January 2022 and articles for inclusion were required to be sent to the Clerk and Councillor Stevens no later than 16 December. Councillor Dilks was asked to provide an article about highways issues, Councillor Hall would write an article about the Signal Box re-build and Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe would write an article about the Welland Footbridge Project. The four recently co-opted Councillors (Denman, Little, Olson and Rose) were also asked to provide an introduction piece and photo. The Chairs of each committee were also asked to forward any items of interest.
22.97 To consider the training needs of parish councillors with particular regard to standards and behaviour in public life.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe requested that this matter be deferred to a later meeting as training was due to be discussed at the staffing sub-committee meeting on Thursday 2 December 2021. Councillor Dilks who had requested this item to be included agreed to it being deferred.
Councillor Bowell advised that the Local Government Association had a publication entitled ‘Councillors workbook on equality diversity and inclusion’ available and asked the Clerk to see if a copy could be purchased.
22.98 Financial matters:
1. To consider the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance and general purposes committee meeting held on Thursday 18 November 2021- As there were no recommendations to Council the minutes were noted.
2. To approve the payments for November 2021 – it was proposed seconded and RESOLVED to make payments valuing £8,264.35
3. To note the income received in November 2021- noted.
4. To consider making a donation to the Priory Church towards the costs of refreshments provided after the Remembrance Parade and Service on Sunday 14 November 2021 – this item was not dealt with as the Parish Council are unable to make donations directly to the Church.
22.99 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 18 November 2021 – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes from which there were 4 recommendations one of which (S21/2117) had been considered earlier in the meeting.
S21/2045 Erection of 4no. detached dwellings on land North of 5 Station Road Councillor Dilks advised that after last week’s planning committee meeting he had requested that this application be called in for a committee decision and had been advised that it was likely to be refused on the grounds of not meeting SP4 and SP5 of the Local Plan. It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would object to this application quoting the grounds discussed at the planning committee meeting.
S21/2042 Erection of industrial units (Use Class B2) at the Global Centre 113 Spalding Road
It was RESOLVED to approve this application
S21/1776 Amended information for submitted application in respect of detached dwelling with garage at 1 Village Street Frognall
It was RESOLVED to continue to object to this application
2. To consider the following applications
- S21/2138 Erection of a new discount foodstore (Use Class E) with access, car parking, landscaping and other associated works. Land to the East of Peterborough Road, Market Deeping, PE6 8GQ – it was RESOLVED to approve this application making the comments about the site being a gateway to a market town so planting design and materials need to be well thought out, express concerns about the leeway for Wordsall lorries and the reversing of store delivery lorries and requesting a no right turn from Market Deeping to avoid the potential backlog of traffic.
- S21/2236 Fell to ground level T2 Sequoia giganteum (Giant Redwood/Wellingtonia) as tree is in advance stages of decline, shedding dysfunctional scaffolding limbs at 15 Brownlow Drive Deeping St James PE6 8HL – It was RESOLVED that a request should be made for a native tree to be planted as a replacement.
- S21/1671 Amended information regarding conversion of 1no dwelling into 2no dwellings, and construction of a single storey extension with balcony over, to one of the dwellings at 147 Eastgate Deeping St James PE6 8RB – It was RESOLVED to accept the amendments.
22.100 To consider the following correspondence received.
1. An invitation to support The Queens Green Canopy Project received from South Kesteven District Council on behalf of the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Mr Gary Waterfall CBE DL FRAeS – As it was the right time of year for planting trees now it was agreed to plant the Rowan donated earlier in the year by Councillor Rose and then in February 2022 put a plaque in place to acknowledged the Queen’s Green Canopy Project.
2. The Parish Precept letter, Parish Council Tax base and band D charge calculator received from South Kesteven District Council confirming that the Parish Precepts deadline is Friday 21 January 2022 – noted.
22.101 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. The Clerk and Chairman met with two Trustees from Deeping St James United Charities on Monday 1 November 2021 to consider the future of the Institute after the Charities have completed improvement works at the Cross School – notes from the meeting had been shared with the Councillors prior to this meeting.
2. One of the Maintenance staff attended a two-day operational play inspection training course organised by Nottingham City Council on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 November 2021 - Noted.
3. The opening of the Garden of Remembrance at 3pm on Sunday 7 November 2021.
4. The Deeping St James Remembrance Parade and Priory Church Service from 2.30pm on Sunday 14 November 2021 - Noted.
5. The Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Councillor Halls (Chair of the Allotments footpaths and open spaces committee) met with Market Deeping Town Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Councillor Shelton on Tuesday 18 November 2021 to share knowledge about the administration of Allotments - Noted.
5. The closing of the garden of Remembrance at 3pm on Sunday 21 November 2021- Noted.
6. Meeting with a representative from a local Civil Engineering Company at the site of the proposed Welland Footbridge on Wednesday 24 November 2021- Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that the Company would be providing a quotation for work to satisfy the planning permission so that it would not need to be renewed in May 2022.
7. To receive an update from a Parish Council representative on the Deepings Neighbourhood plan group – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that they were working with a representative from Lincolnshire County Council to develop a local listing of buildings of interest for future reference.
22.102 Parish Pump – items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
It was agreed that all the Parish Councillors and Staff would go to the Walnut Tree for Christmas drinks after the Council meeting on Thursday 16 December 2021.