June 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
The minutes of the meeting of the Deeping St James Parish Council held in the meeting room at The Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD on Tuesday 21 June 2022 at 7.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Denman, Dilks (County and District), Fowler, Gilbert, Halls, Hosking, Little, Olson, Robinson, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens (District) and Thomas (District) and the Assistant Clerk.
The Parish Clerk took the minutes.
There were no members of the public present so the open forum did not take place
23.38 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 accepted from Councillors Bowell, Hall and Rose.
23.39 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
No interests were declared.
23.40 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 26 May 2022.
The minutes were agreed and signed as a true copy.
23.41 To receive the Clerks report and receive an update on matters arising from previous minutes.
Five (three at the skatepark, one at Jubilee Park and one at Linchfield Road bus shelter) separate incidences of graffiti have occurred during June. All have been reported to the Police and the Deepings School along with photos and CCTV footage.
South Kesteven District Council’s Asset Manager has responded positively to the suggestion of transferring responsibility of Jubilee Park to the Parish Council and a meeting is being arranged to progress this.
A request for an update regarding the all-weather pitch and the Leisure Centre has been issued to South Kesteven District Council’s Leisure Service Manager. This meeting is scheduled to take place at 11am on Monday 27 June 2022.
The independent operational play inspections are booked to take place during August 2022 at a cost of £420.
The new laptops have been installed and work continues to progress to get the .gov.uk emails in operation. Thanks go to Councillor Jack Little and IT Technician Peter Wilkinson.
The request to install a concrete sectional storage unit in the grounds at the rear of the Institute has been accepted by Deeping St James United Charities and quotes are being obtained for this work to be completed as soon as possible.
The information and booking forms for the Summer Forest School have been forwarded to both the Deeping St James Primary Schools.
Two articles have been sent to Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils about the annual parish meeting and the Jubilee beacon lighting event.
E-on have installed a smart meter in the cabinet at Woody Heights recreation area.
The memorial plaque at the base of the flagpole has been damaged presumed by the District Council’s grass cutting contractors and has been reported to them. The Parish Council’s maintenance team will install some edging around the flagpole base to avoid a reoccurrence.
Following the finance, policy and personnel committee meeting on Tuesday 7 June 2022 the Clerk has contacted the Insurers to clarify the cover for Regalia and also to add the Village Cross and Lock Up to the insurance cover requesting guidance on how to value ancient monuments.
23.42 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
County Councillor report
Councillor Dilks advised that many Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Lincolnshire some in the Deepings. At the moment the County Council carries out thorough checks on host Families however both LCC and SKDC have concerns as the Home Office are suggesting they intend to extend the scheme to unsupervised children so safeguarding has become a major issue.
He also advised that he was the opposition leader for the forthcoming year.
Councillor Dilks ended by introducing the Move Now project aimed at getting people in Lincolnshire moving and active.
District Councillors reports
Councillor Dilks advised that planning application S20/0632 to site a dog exercising ability/agility and training area along with customer parking on Back Lane Deeping St James the appeal of which had been with the Planning Inspectorate for months had now been dismissed on the grounds of nuisance to neighbours.
He advised that he had not attended the Annual District Council meeting but was aware that the constitution was considered and many contradictions within it were being sorted out. An unpopular (to the opposition) addition in the constitution was the point that non-members of scrutiny committee are no longer allowed to contribute to debates. There had also been a challenge to the leadership which had narrowly failed.
Councillor Thomas advised that there was a problem tree at Exeter Close which after investigation would need to be removed.
After being contacted by some parishioners Councillor Stevens was investigating why trees on Park Road had been disseminated by LCC (the Parish Council had received a road closure notice for the works but nothing more). Councillor Denman expressed concern as a thorough check for nesting birds was unlikely to have been able to take place. Councillor Dilks was disturbed because this work had not shown on the report he receives which advises him of what work the County Council are going to carry out.
Councillor Stevens also mentioned that the hedge on public right of way 3 from Sorrell Close to Brewton Drive was not a good condition and was being investigated.
She stated that as part of the Move Up Lincolnshire initiative a Personal Trainer was being employed to work at Wyndham Park in Grantham to run sessions and improve use. Hopefully it will be rolled out to other parks including Jubilee Park Deeping St James.
Councillor Stevens announced that Grantham is applying for Town status, presently it does not have this so the South Kesteven District Council acts as both District and Town which gives the impression that Grantham gets more than other areas.
Elaborating on Councillor Dilks comments about refugees Councillor Stevens stated that there was lots of literature for them in the library and coffee mornings were being held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. A day out to Hunstanton had also been arranged for the refugees and their host families on 10 July using the Scout and Age Concern mini-bus. The day would include tickets for ‘Sealife’ and a meal at the ‘Ancient Mariner’.
Councillor Stevens concluded that there was to be an Arts review and as the Deepings did not have an Arts Centre the three District Councillors needed to push to make sure some of the funding was spent in the Deepings
23.43 Financial matters:
1. To approve the payments for June 2022 – It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that payments to the value of £14,525.84 should be paid.
2. To note the income received during June 2022 – It was noted that £1,199.70 had been received.
3. To receive the minutes of the finance policy and personnel committee meeting held on Tuesday 7 June 2022 – the minutes from this meeting contained no recommendations to council so were noted.
4. To agree and sign section 1 (annual governance statement) of the Annual Governance and Accounting Return for 2021/22 - This document had been shared with all the members of the Council prior to the meeting and Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe read out each statement requesting the members confirm their agreement to each one. It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the document should be signed by the Parish Council Chairperson and the Parish Clerk.
5. To agree and sign section 2 (accounting statement) of the Annual Governance and Accounting Return for 2021/22 – This document had been shared with all the members of the Council prior to the meeting and Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked for confirmation that the members agreed that it should be signed. It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the document should be signed by the Parish Council Chairperson and the Responsible Financial Officer.
23.44 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 14 June 2022.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes of this meeting from which there was one recommendation from minute 6.23. The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan group had become aware that the Planning Authority, South Kesteven District Council, had approximately 3 million in 106 monies still to be allocated. As the Deepings Neighbourhood plan group have a list of improvements that they are keen to obtain funding for to progress the Parish Council need to consider the best way for 106 monies relevant to The Deepings to be administered when they do become available.
Three options had been considered by the planning committee
a) both Councils (Parish and Town) should retain total control over the section 106 monies for their area,
b) the Deepings Neighbourhood plan team should have control over the section 106 monies for The Deepings,
c) that both Councils should work with the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan team to achieve the best results for the community.
The recommendation from the planning committee was to accept option c)
Councillor Stevens stated that 106 monies tended to be spent on capital projects and advised that there was some government funding coming forward so the Deepings do need to come up with a wish list and timeframe of projects for it to be used on. This funding is similar to the recent Welcome Back Fund and the District Council, although late in doing so, were consulting with Towns and Parishes now as to how it could be utilised. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe suggested that the installation of CCTV at Jubilee Park could be one such project. Councillor Stevens expressed concern about any 106 monies not coming direct to Deeping St James Parish Council as she did not wish Deeping St James to lose out if the Deeping St James Parish Council representation on the Deepings Neighbourhood plan was small and that others involved did not favour Deeping St James projects. She was supported by Councillor Thomas and Dilks. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe offered an amendment to the original proposal as follows
‘Deeping St James Parish Council remain in control of the 106 monies due to them and work with the Deepings Neighbourhood plan as appropriate in the allocation of their use’
This amended recommendation was seconded and RESOLVED.
2. To consider the following planning applications -
22/1157
Works to 1 larger Sycamore, remove 1 smaller Sycamore, remove 1 dead/half dead Hawthorn and raise 3 Ash by approx. 6-8m
Kevin Laughton Waterton Arms 68-70 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD
Planning application: s22/1157 details (southkesteven.gov.uk)
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe referred to this application and proposed that it should be approved with no comments. This was seconded and RESOLVED.
S22/1081
Erection of single storey rear extension.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey 9 Kesteven Close Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8JW
Planning search - S22/1081 (southkesteven.gov.uk)
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that consultation was not required regarding this planning application as it came under permitted development.
23.45 To consider the following correspondence.
1. A complaint about the condition of the paths in the old Cemetery has been received stating that not only are they full of weeds they are also uneven – it was agreed to delegate this item of correspondence and the discussion about the appropriate measures to take to the Cemetery Committee who were due to meet on Tuesday 5 July 2022.
2. Letter received regarding the refusal of the Lidl planning application addressed to both the Parish Council and the County Council – The Assistant Clerk advised the parishioner to contact South Kesteven District Council as they were the planning authority.
3. Questionnaire from Lincolnshire County Council Pensions Fund to ascertain how each Authority dealt with the 2021/22 pay increase to assess its impact on the 2022 triennial valuation results – The Parish Clerk had actioned this on the Parish Council’s behalf.
23.46 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. Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting event held on the evening of Thursday 2 June 2022 at Jubilee Park – It was estimated that over a 1000 people attended this event and on the whole the feedback suggest that the community enjoyed the event
2. Falklands War Commemoration Wreath laying at Riverside Park High Street Market Deeping at 6pm on Tuesday 14 June 2022 – Councillors Shinkins-Hoppe and Halls attended on behalf of the Parish Council.
3. To receive the minutes of the Allotments committee meeting held on Tuesday 14 June 2022 - Councillor Halls introduced the minutes from which there were no recommendations.
4. Deepings Community Forum held at the Open-Door Church from 7.30pm on Monday 20 June 2022 – In the absence of Councillor Bowell, Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that those present learnt a great deal about South Kesteven District Council’s neighbourhood team and the relationship with other agencies such as the Police, Social Services, Child Welfare and Mental Health Services.
23.47 To agree attendance at the Rose and Sweetpea Show and Garden Party on Saturday 25 June 2022.
It was agreed that Councillors Dilks Halls Hosking Little Olson Robinson and Stevens would help with the setting up, staffing and packing away the gazebo tables and display boards. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked if everyone was happy for the signal box group to share the parish council gazebo on this occasion – all agreed.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe suggested forming an events working party to agree these matters in the future, Councillor Denman suggested this should be an events and communications working party. All agreed with Councillor Gilberts suggestion that a working party should be formed for the organisation of larger events but for small events such as this it was not necessary
23.48 To consider how to utilise the donations received at the Platinum Jubilee Beacon Lighting event.
The Clerk advised that a total of £147.00 had been donated and that three suggestions had been put forward
1. to donate the amount to the Ukrainian appeal
2. To put the amount towards the purchase of a platinum jubilee commemorative bench to be placed at Jubilee Park
3. To donate the amount to a local benevolent fund
After some discussion Councillor Little proposed that the money collected was donated to the Deepings Foodbank and that Deeping St James Parish Council also funded the purchase of a bench to mark the occasion. This was seconded and RESOLVED.
23.49 To consider creating a working party to assist with organising events hosted and attended by the Parish Council.
This item was covered under agenda item 23.47
23.50 To agree who is responsible for doing what regarding the flagpole and re-visit the list of agreed flag-flying dates.
It was agreed that Remembrance Day (11 November) should be added to the list of flag-flying days as it had obviously been omitted by mistake.
It was agreed that the flag flying protocol, policy and information about Operation London Bridge would be shared with the members of the flag flying working party (Councillors Bowell, Hall, Olson, Robinson and Stevens) so they could review and consider it.
23.51 Parish Pump – items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Dilks mentioned that after numerous comments had been received about the angle of the kerb that had been installed at the entrance to the new petrol station on the A 15 roundabout towards Langtoft and the Executive Councillor for Highways Transport and IT, Lincolnshire County Councillor Richard Davis, had agreed to visit the location.
Councillor Little advised that a .gov.uk email had been sent to everyone.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked for the following two items to be added to the next council agenda – the introduction of a skills audit and the reviewing of the Councils action plan.
As the Parish Council had now returned to meeting at The Institute the Clerk was also asked to work with the Deeping Mens Group as some of their scheduled meeting dates clashed with the Parish Council meeting dates.
Dates for the diary for the coming month –
1pm to 4.30pm Saturday 25 June 2022 – Rose and Sweetpea Show and Garden Party
Wednesday 29 June 2022 – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe attending National Association Local Councils training ‘How to review neighbourhood planning policies’
7pm Tuesday 5 July 2022 – Cemetery Committee meeting in the Cemetery
7.45pm Tuesday 5 July 2022 – Recreation and Open Spaces Committee meeting at the Institute.
Wednesday 6 July 2022 Councillor Bowell attending the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils networking and training day in Woodhall Spa.
Wednesday 6 July 2022 Councillor Bowell attending South Lincs Connected virtual meeting.
7pm Tuesday 12 July 2022 – Planning and Transport Committee meeting at the Institute
7.30pm Tuesday 19 July 2022 – Council meeting at the Institute