April 2022 Minutes
DEEPING ST JAMES PARISH COUNCIL
The Institute, 38 Church Street, Deeping St James, PE6 8HD
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
Minutes of the Deeping St James Parish Council meeting held at the Open-Door Church, 5 Spalding Road, Deeping St James, PE6 8NJ on Thursday 28 April 2022 at 7.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Dilks (County and District), Gilbert, Hall, Halls, Hosking, Little, Olson, Robinson, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Thomas (District) and the Assistant Clerk.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk.
Open Forum
No members of the public were present.
AGENDA
22.148 To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies had been received and were accepted from Councillors Bowell, Denman, Fowler and Stevens.
22.149 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
None received.
22.150 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 31 March 2022.
Agreed and signed as a true copy.
22.151 To receive the Clerks report and receive an update on matters arising from previous minutes.
Arranged for annual parish meeting and beacon lighting poster to be advertised in The Advertiser and also for the beacon lighting information to be included in SK Today and I’d rather be in Deeping.
Put a representative from RailFuture Lincolnshire in contact who has an interest in re-opening Donington railway station with Councillor Bowell, Hall and Shinkins-Hoppe as representatives of South Lincs Connected, St James Signal Box group and the Deepings Neighbourhood plan group.
After the grant application had been denied the representative from the Deepings Bowls Club has been put in contact with representatives from the Open-Door Church and Deeping Rugby Club to discuss jointly raising funds for a community defibrillator.
Flags have been flown at Jubilee Park in support of the Ukraine and to commemorate the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 96th birthday and the anniversary of the death of St George.
A response has been issued to a visitor to the Cemetery after a complaint was raised about grass cutting and damage to an ornament.
Received a complaint about the highway repairs on Hereward Way especially relating to the finish and the workman’s unprofessional attitude. Advised the complainant to contact Councillor Dilks as the County Councillor for this area who is due to meet the Area Highways Officer on 4 May 2022
Confirmation has been received from a representative of the Priory Hall Trust that the plaque is now in place on the railings around the Oak Tree acknowledging the financial support from Deeping St James Parish Council and Deeping St James United Charities.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe and the Parish Clerk met with representatives from Wicksteed to progress the request to heighten the railings around the multi-use games area to stop the balls going in the playing field.
A HR company has completed a provisional review of all five staff contracts of employment and the staff
A report that the lock on the drop-down bollard leading to SKDC land between 116 and 118 Maor Way was missing and someone was parking their car there has been shared with SKDC.
The new financial year including new cost codes and amended cost centres has been set up and the Scribe accounting system.
The application for a .gov.uk domain is being processed by CloudNext and Councillor Little is investigating costings of new laptops
A new website maintenance service contract has been agreed with Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils for the financial year 2022/23 for 20 hours.
The Clerks annual appraisal has taken place and recommendations suggested to assist with workload.
The Clerk is in the process of organising the appraisals of the Assistant Clerk and Maintenance staff.
As part of the section requiring them to volunteer to something to improve the lives of others a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Student has contacted the office offering to complete some litter picking within the Parish over a three-month period.
Market Deeping Town Clerk has informed the Parish Clerk that the Town Council were investigating purchasing commemorative mugs to be donated to all Primary School Children and would also be purchasing Platinum Jubilee lampposts signs. The Parish Council agreed that the purchasing of mugs had been considered for previous commemorations and the Members had decided against it. It was however agreed that the Lamppost signs were attractive and 40 of these should be purchased to be placed near Churchgate, along major through routes and around Jubilee Park.
Councillor Little advised that work towards .gov.uk domain and the purchase of two new laptops was progressing positively.
22.152 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
Lincolnshire County Council – Councillor Dilks
Visited the Fire and Rescue Training Centre which was based at RAF Waddington and then the Emergency Centre in Lincoln. If anyone gets the chance to visit he would recommend it.
Attended the overview and scrutiny committee which included information on a 5 million spend on an amazing IT set up and also a discussion about the need for street lighting for highway purposes not being required on new developments, there would still be lights but not along the highway.
Pleased to confirm that the jet patching promised along Church Street had been completed and although not a new road like along Linchfield Road it was an improvement and would allow the road markings to be re-instated.
Along with Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe and the Clerk Councillor Dilks had compiled a list of places to visit during the scheduled walk around the Parish with the Area Highways Manager on 4 May 2022
South Kesteven District Council – Councillor Dilks
Attended the overview and scrutiny committee where the consultation results in respect of the Deepings Leisure Centre had been considered. The Chair had announced a restriction of 5-minute speaking for Councillors Baxter Dilks and Moran and had also said that a member of the public could not speak at the meeting as they had not registered to do so, this was overruled by the Legal Officer. The member of the public had circulated an alternative consultation because the District Council consultation did not ask for feedback about the loss of the learner pool. It was agreed at the meeting that the learner pool would stay and that there would no longer be a raising floor in the main pool as to include this would have meant that the pool was not deep enough for diving (it’s inclusion would have reduced the depth of the pool from 1.8m to 1.5m. Heads of terms had not yet been agreed between the District Council, County Council and the Anthem Trust Academy when they have they will need to be ratified by the Department of Education.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked about the Astro-turf as she was aware that South Kesteven District Council as leaseholders would have to apply for the grant funding required not Deeping United Football Club as first thought.
Councillor Gilbert requested that the District Councillors continued to push this forward. Councillor Dilks agreed that he would but also urged Deeping St James Parish Council to write requesting an update and pressing for speedy action.
South Kesteven District Council – Council Thomas
Had attended the Companies Committee where the question had been asked as to whether the Heads of Terms agreement had been signed. A clear answer had not been given when asked directly even though the paperwork for the meeting suggested that it had been agreed.
Introduced a good news item saying that she was trying to set up a community pantry to reduce the amount of food thrown away by Supermarkets. She has been speaking to other people and enquiring at venues and id optimistic that one will be set up. When it is volunteers will be needed to oversee it. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked if this would clash with the work of the Deepings Foodbank and was assured that they were different - the Foodbank operates on a means tested need basis and offers long life items, the community pantry would be available to all and provide fresh produce.
22.153 Financial matters:
1. To approve the payments for April 2022 – it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that payments valuing £20,934.71 were approved.
2. To note the income received in April 2022 – Income totalling £80,772.77 was noted.
3. To consider the grant application received from Deepings Raft Race Committee – It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED to award a grant of £500.
22.154 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 21 April 2022 – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced these minutes from which there was one observation and one recommendation. It had now been established that the resubmission of planning application S22/0446 in respect of 11 Locks Close was not a duplication but showed a change to room sizes which was acceptable. With regard to 98A Bridge Street the committee proposed that planning application S22/0509 was accepted. RESOLVED.
2. To consider provisional Tree Preservation Order T22/0001/TPPC1for land to the rear of 79 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HF – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced this planning application proposing that the Parish Council should write to the Planning Officer thanking them for the temporary tree preservation order and request that it becomes permanent. Seconded and RESOLVED
22.155 To receive an update regarding the stride and ride campaign including installing secure cycle racks.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe suggested that the Parish Council should complete a public consultation on this matter using the upcoming events such as the Annual Parish meeting, Platinum Party in the Park, Rose and Sweet pea Show, Raft Race and Duck Race as an opportunity to speak to the public. All agreed that this was a good idea.
22.156 To receive an update regarding the Annual Parish Meeting and the presentation of the making a difference awards, taking place on the evening of Monday 9 May 2022.
The Clerk advised that the Open-Door Church had been booked for the evening, refreshments had been organised, nominees for the making a difference awards had been invited along with their nominators as well as representatives from local charitable and voluntary organisations, Schools, Lincolnshire Police and the South Kesteven District Council Chairperson, Councillor Breda-Rae Griffin.
The Deepings Youth Group and the Deepings Community Library would be providing a table top display and artwork from Deepings School pupils would also be on display. There had been a total of 35 nominations received across the 6 making a difference categories and the worthiest nominee from each category had been chosen by the 15 Parish Councillors.
Councillor Gilbert encouraged all the Parish Councillors to attend this event and asked them to contribute to the presentation he was preparing.
22.157 To consider taking over ownership and therefore responsibility of Jubilee Park Thackers Way Deeping St James from South Kesteven District Council.
Councillor Gilbert introduced this item by saying that the South Kesteven District Councils costs for the financial year 2020/21 had been budgeted at almost £6000 to cover grass cutting, hedge trimming and play equipment inspections costs which if the Parish Council took over responsibility for the area would pass down to them. The Parish Council own many assets on the park including seating, bins, play equipment, the beacon, the flagpole and recently has paid for the installation and connection of an electricity supply as well as planted numerous hedge plants and trees and investigating the installation of CCTV. It was noted that at present the District Council do allow us to hold events on the land but it was acknowledged that owning it would stop it be used for residential building, allow the Parish Council to apply directly for funding for further improvements and hopefully obtain green flag status.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Parish Clerk should contact the District Council with the proposal that ownership and therefore responsibility of Jubilee Park should be transferred from the District Council to the Parish Council.
22.158 To consider bringing forward by one week the planning committee meeting and the annual meeting of the Parish Council scheduled to take place on 19 and 26 May 2022.
This item was not discussed as although the Parish Clerk would not be able to attend the annual meeting of the Parish Council on 26 May 2022 the Assistant Clerk was able to cover.
22.159 To consider the following correspondence:
1. South Kesteven District Council – Invitation to enter SKDC Best Kept Village 2022
As the letter that had been circulated only mentioned small and medium sized villages, and with an electorate of nearly 6000, Deeping St James was too large, the Clerk was asked to enquire as to whether there was a further category that Deeping St James Council could enter. It was agreed that the Parish Council should enter if they could. If there was a suitable category the Clerk should speak with the maintenance team and promote the entry via social media to get the public onside.
22.160 To receive and consider minutes and recommendations of other committees, reports from advisory committees, members reports from external bodies and reports of meetings, seminars, training and events attended on the Council’s behalf:
1. Staffing sub-committee meeting on Thursday 14 April 2022 – Councillor Hosking introduced the minutes from this meeting. Following the Parish Clerks appraisal, the staffing sub-committee were proposing that work should commence to draw up a job description and to advertise to recruit a third part-time (12 hours per week) member of office staff. The Parish Clerk spoke saying that she was disappointed that her appraisal had not been received or signed off and that none of the other recommendations or the concerns she had raised to the staffing sub-committee about this suggestion had been shared with the rest of the Parish Council. After some comments about recruiting an apprentice and a suggestion that more working parties should be formed when the Parish Council decide to run with a project or hold an event Councillor Dilks proposed as more information was needed in order to make an informed decision that the matter should be deferred for 6 months.
2. Lincolnshire County Council’s sustainability team cycling/walking plan workshop in the Deepings Community Centre on Wednesday 13 April 2022 –
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe provided the following notes from the meeting -
Present: Phil Watts, Members of the NP Team - David Shelton, Pam Byrd, Gordon Smith, Adam Brooks, Kate Shinkins-Hoppe, Debbie Jones and Deeping St James Parish Council, Hilary Hosking
The Lincolnshire County Council Walking Improvement Plan (LCWIP)
Phil explained that the LCWIP is an evidence-based plan for investment. Any plan has to comply with the Local Transport note 1.20. Having an LCWIP in place does not guarantee funding but it does provide a basis for funding applications. This also allows for prioritisation for investment – through active travel to new developments. Currently plans are underway to implement a plan for Stamford West and Spalding East. Phil explained that the Deepings warrant a Plan. There are currently no plans for Bourne. He explained that the LTN1/20 sets out certain requirements and recognises the need to segregate cars and pedestrians, also that cycles and pedestrians do not successfully share the same spaces. Under the requirements all the selected routes must lead to a destination, join together and ideally be designed by cycle users. An LCWIP does not hold any legal status but reference is made to them in the National Planning and Policy Framework. The question was raised about E Scooters and if they might be expected to be part of this exercise. It was confirmed that there is NO provision for E Scooters in Lincolnshire and therefore any users should be reported as they are illegal road users.
Three members of the NP Team have previously met with Phil Watts and had reviewed the walking and cycling needs within the Deepings. As the meeting on 13th April, Phil presented the findings and put forward proposals for both walking and cycling routes.
Godsey Lane had been identified as a prioritised route – which was agreed by those present. Other routes included Thackers Way – leading off into Crowson Way. After discussion it was agreed that the Thackers Way route should continue onto Linchfield Road. Other changes related to Wade Park Avenue. The biggest change came after discussions about Linchfield Road, as this had not been identified as a priority route. It was noted that a further presentation is due to take place with the Deepings School on 22nd April. After discussion it was agreed that this should be a priority route – due to the planned 680 houses there. Phil explained that he had not intended for this LCWIP to have three designated priorities but agreed that it would go forward on this basis. Other routes were discussed and the need for linking the developments on the outskirts of the settlement were important.
Details will be passed to Phil Watts in order to contact our neighbours across the river in Deeping Gate, Peakirk and Northborough – to build cycling and walking links there – working with Peterborough City Council.
3. Deeping’s Scout group St Georges Day Parade from the Deeping United Charities Gardens and Service at the Priory Church on Sunday 24 April 2022 attended by Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe.
4. Society of Local Council Clerks branch meeting held via Zoom on Tuesday 26 April 2022 attended by Parish Clerk attended by the Parish Clerk and Assistant Clerk.
5. Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils Charity Law held via Zoom on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 April 2022 training attended by Councillor Halls. This course had been cancelled.
6. Deepings Literary Festival launch event at Deepings Community Library held on Wednesday 27 April 2022 attended by Councillor Gilbert who confirmed that this was an excellent event and he followed this up by encouraging everyone, if possible, to support the Literary Festival over the weekend.
22.161 Parish Pump – items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Thomas advised that during the meeting she had contacted a representative of the Raft Race Committee who had confirmed that they were very appreciative of the grant of £500.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that as a representative of the Deepings Neighbourhood plan group she would be attending a meeting with the Head of Culture and Growth at South Kesteven District Council on 4 May 2022 and meeting with representatives from New River Retail and Aldi on 17 May 2022.
Councillor Gilbert advised that there would be no finance and general purposes committee meeting on Thursday 12 May 2022.