2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

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

 

 

Present: Parish Councillors Denman, Dilks (County and District), Gilbert, Hall, Halls, Hosking, Little, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens (District) and 4 members of the public.  

The Parish Clerk took the minutes. 

 

OPEN FORUM 

One of the two representatives from the Rotary Club spoke in support of the grant application for funding to provide a free coach for residents of the Deepings to Kingsgate Parnwell Peterborough. They would like to offer two 61 seat coaches to transport those without their own transport who wish to attend. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked what the ticket price would be and it was advised that they would be between £20 and £30 and that the Grimethorpe Brass band concert is one of their fundraisers which allows them to do more in the local community. They have also approached Market Deeping Town Council and Deeping St James United Charities for funding. 

The two representatives left the meeting.

One of the two residents in attendance spoke about theirs and their neighbours’ concerns regarding 43b Broadgate Lane Deeping St James. The fence which they had extended at the side and front of the property still remained in place at the side and now the front area was being used for the storage of hardcore and sand. There was also constant loud music and bad language heard from the garden area behind the fence. Councillor Dilks advised that Lincolnshire County Council’s enforcement and legal departments had been involved and had resolved the issue with the fence at the front of the house but he will pursue it again. Councillor Stevens said that these issues could be dealt with by the neighbourhood team at South Kesteven District Council and it was agreed that the resident would contact them once the Parish Clerk had provided the contact details. 

 

23.52 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, Fowler, Olson, Robinson and Thomas.

 

23.53 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests. 

Declarations of interest were received from Councillors Stevens in respect of agenda item 23.57.3 and 23.57.4 

 

23.54 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 25 June 2022. 

With one amendment relating to the date of the day trip to Hunstanton amending it from 28 July 2022 to 10 July 2022 the minutes were agreed and signed. 

 

23.55 To receive the Clerks report and receive an update on matters arising from previous minutes.

-The Insurers have been contacted and the Regalia is now separately insured for an annual fee of £52.47. The question regarding the valuation and insurance of the ancient monument The Village Cross and lock-up is still being investigated. 

-Investigation after a report to the office (and posts on local social media pages) -regarding the installation of additional bollards (it is assumed to stop Cyclists and Motorbikes cutting through) at the south end of  Bell Lane as you enter the Bell Public house car park, which have restricted access for some mobility scooters and pushchairs, has established that the area is privately owned by some of the residents of Bell Lane and is not a public right of way so the action that has been taken is not illegal. The Parish Council can apply for a definitive map modification although user and documentary evidence would be needed and the application is unlikely to be dealt with promptly by LCC Countryside Access due to caseload and limited staff.  

-A number of road work signs left behind after recent resurfacing have either been removed and disposed of (if plastic and attached to lampposts) or the contractor has been contacted to arrange collection 

-After the document was approved and signed at the meeting on 21 June 2022 the AGAR was sent to PKF Littlejohn 24 June 2022 and the notice of the public right to view the accounts and the dates during which this can be done was placed on the webpage and noticeboards on 28 June 2022  

-There has been some more graffiti at the skatepark which again has been shared with the neighbourhood policing team the Deepings secondary school and also the Linchfield Primary School this time as the CCTV footage showed some skatepark users as wearing this uniform. Both Schools continue to reinforce the importance of respecting this equipment and the consequences of being identified as being involved. The neighbourhood policing team have the CCTV footage and have been liaising with the schools to identify culprits and speak to them.  

-More reports of Lorries causing issues accessing the barn at Back Lane have been witnessed and LCC County Councillor Phil Dilks has referred this matter to the Areas Highways Manager to at least get the advisory HGV signage changed.  

-A report of Lorries exiting the Parish from Church Street Deeping St James crossing the Packhorse Bridge onto Deeping St James Road Deeping Gate have been reported to the office and been posted on local social media pages. This bridge is protected by a different restriction to the one that covers the rest of the Deepings in that there is no exception for deliveries. The bridge should only be crossed by vehicles over 7.5t if they - 

are removing an obstruction to traffic, 

maintaining, improving or reconstructing the structure, 

laying, erecting or altering the land either side of this section of roadway, 

supplying gas, water, electricity or a telegraph pole,

Fire, Ambulance or Police or,

in the service of a local authority or water authority fulfilling statutory powers or duties.  

The bridge is the responsibility of Peterborough City Council although enforcement of the order is a Police matter and they can only take the enforcement action in the event of a breech not historically. 

The Clerk has had some (limited) success contacting the hauliers concerned, sharing the footage, time, date and registration number with them so they can speak to the drivers and re-route.  

-A resident of Broadgate Lane has approached a Councillor with further concerns relating to anti-social/nuisance issues (large amounts of litter, bonfires left unattended, activity at all hours and HGV deliveries in the early hours) around the barn on Back Lane. As the Parish Council has no power or duty to resolve this matter the resident has been referred to the Neighbourhoods team at South Kesteven District Council 

-A request for weed cutting on riverbank prior to 7 August 2022 has been received from Raft Race Committee and the Clerk has spoken with both the maintenance team and the contractors to see who is best equipped to assist. Note the Environment Agency weed cutter was spotted in the water during week commencing 11 July 2022  

-A parishioner has contacted a Councillor with concerns about an Illegal encampment on a privately owned field on Back Lane. Once again as the Parish Council has no power or duty to resolve this matter it is likely that the said Councillor will visit with another to establish authority this should be reported to for the appropriate action and / or help.  

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked if another Councillor would accompany her to further investigate the illegal encampment on Back Lane however as pointed out by Councillor Gilbert as the parish council has no power or duty to get involved in such matters as this and also the problems associated with the barn on Back Lane it was agreed that the complainants should be advised that they should contact the Neighbourhood Team at South Kesteven District Council who would be able to take action or signpost to the appropriate organisation.

-There have been several incidences of flytipping in the Parish some of which have already been cleared away by South Kesteven District Council’s waste management team and some evidence of ownership has been found which is being investigated. 

-Some items have been purchased (black table cloth and condolence books) as part of Operation London Bridge and the current official condolence photographic image has been sourced ready to order when the need arises. 

-On several occasions recently the 1100ltr wheelie bin has been full part way through the week and the current contractor are unable to empty it more than once a week. The Clerk is communicating with an alternative provider who can provide two empties per week which is not cost prohibitive. 

-All the Staff appraisals have been completed by Councillor Gilbert and any comments from them will be considered by the personnel sub-committee at their next meeting (date to be agreed) 

 

Councillor Little stated that he was disappointed to see that there was no mention of an update from South Kesteven District Council’s Head of Leisure Services regarding the leisure centre and AstroTurf refurbishment despite Councillor Dilks obtaining reassurances that one would be forthcoming within a week of the last Parish Council meeting on 21 June 2022. In answer to this Councillor Stevens offered the following – the football Foundation have said that tin order to release grant funds the changing facilities on the playing field would be required to be updated. South Kesteven District Council have now asked for the cost of this work to be included as part of the grant funding bid so that they do not have to stand the cost. 

 

23.56 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.

County Council 

Councillor Dilks provided an update regarding the dangerous kerb edging on the A15 (Peterborough Road) junction where the new BP garage is being built. At a recent surveillance it was noted that this kerb edging led to 8 out 10 cars crossing over the central double white lines when leaving the roundabout at this junction. It was also known that a HGV had already hit the kerb and damaged it. The County Councillor responsible for Highways has instructed Engineers that this kerb needs moving back 2 feet so action should soon be taken.

Councillor Dilks advised that he had attended the Local Government Association conference in Harrogate and had learn a lot. The then Secretary of State Michael Gove had spoken saying that finance for local government would be set for 2 years instead of 1 as now (although with the recent changes in the Government this may change) 

District Council 

Councillor Dilks had attended the finance scrutiny committee where the results for the first quarter of 2022/23 had been shared. SKDC had already agreed to put aside a quarter of a million pounds from reserves to cover the increased costs of fuel and energy but the Chief Finance Officer had confirmed that this would not be enough. It is hoped that National Government will help local Government. 

Councillor Dilks also shared results showing that people were generally happy with the response time from SKDC (with 80% of calls being answered in the allocated time). This was a poor measure of satisfaction as it only reported the response time of the reception team not the response time of the department to which calls were being transferred. He asked anyone who was having difficulties getting through to the correct department to keep a diary.

Councillor Stevens advised that SKDC had removed most of the flytipping which had been reported to them - there was still some at the Deepings Lakes. 

Councillor Stevens also asked for Councillor Dilks help getting the library access to the core Library System which had been denied due to GDPR restrictions. At present if a new member wishes to join the Library the Library Worker has to telephone Lincolnshire County Council from a telephone in the public area of the library to register the individual which also has GDPR implications  

 

23.57 Financial matters: 

1. To approve the payments for July 2022 – it was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that payments totalling £13,743.02 should be made. 

2. To note the income received during July 2022 – It was noted that income totalling £ 2880.09 had been received.

3. To consider the grant application received from the Rotary Club of the Deepings- 

It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that a grant of £500 should be awarded to  towards the cost of a 61-seater from Deeping St James to the Kingsgate Centre at Parnwell Peterborough for the Grimethopre Brass Band Christmas Concert. 

4. Grant application from Deepings Community Library –

Councillor Stevens as Chair of the Deepings Community Library explained that the library was no longer large enough for the growing population it served and that lottery funding had been received which had been used to cover the cost of architectural designs and a public consultation and now plans were being drawn up. She confirmed that Market Deeping Town Council, Deeping St James United Charities, the Deepings Lions and the Deepings Rotary Club had also been approached for support.  It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that a grant of £500 should be awarded to support the costs of applying for planning permission to extend and improve the facility. Councillor Stevens abstained from the vote. 

 

23.58 Planning matters:

1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 12 July 2022 – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes of this meeting from which there were two recommendations.

Agenda item 20.23 – the committee recommended that representatives from the Parish Council spoke to the landowners prior to making an application for the route through the Bell Public House car park from Bridge Street to Bell Lane to be listed as a definitive public right of way rather than a permissive one. RESOLVED   

Agenda item 24.23 – the committee recommended that Parish Council should object to planning application S22/1231 for the erection of a dwelling at 16 Park Estate as it would have a negative effect on the character of the area. RESOLVED  

2. To consider the following planning application 

S22/1275 – Land at rear of 28 & 31 Broadgate Lane Deepings St James PE6 8NW

Change of use of land to residential garden. 

Planning search - S22/1275 (southkesteven.gov.uk)

It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the Parish council should object to this on the grounds that it would change the street scene. 

S22/11493 – 153 Eastgate Deeping St James 

Section 73 application to vary conditions 1 (approved plans), 11 (hard landscaping), 12 (soft landscaping), 13 (drainage), 14 (levels) and remove conditions 2 (tree protection), 3 (ground survey), 4 (hard landscaping), 5 (soft landscaping), 6 (ecology), 7 (drainage), 8 (levels) associated with planning permission S20/1253 (Section 73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of S18/2111 (Demolition of 2 existing dwellings and erection of 12 dwellings)).

Planning application: s22/1193 details (southkesteven.gov.uk)

It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the Parish Council should approve the variations of conditions. 

 

Although not on the agenda Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that the three District Councillors had been informed of a request that had been made to South Kesteven District Council to purchase a piece of open space in Pawlett Close. Although the Parish Council had not been directly consulted on this, she felt that the Parish Council should object to this referring to the protection sited in the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan. The question as to why Parish Councils are not consulted on such matters should also be raised. This was agreed by all. In her capacity as Ward District Councillor, Councillor Stevens confirmed that she would also be responding. 

 

23.59 To consider the following correspondence. 

1. Keep Britain Tidy – introducing ‘Love Parks Week’ which is running from 29 July to 5 August 2022 and inviting the Parish Council to get involved. Love Parks Week | Keep Britain Tidy

It was agreed that it was too short notice to organise an event to coincide with this campaign so it was decided that the campaign should be promoted via the Parish Councils Facebook page using the using resources from their webpage. 

2. London Hearts Defibrillators – providing a quote for a wall mounted defibrillator London Hearts.

As the Parish Council had budget £2000 to purchase a community defibrillator it was agreed that this should be purchased with a view to locating it in the vicinity of Jubilee Park. The Clerk was asked to contact the owners of the Marville shop units to see if a unit could be installed there and also to investigate the installation of a free-standing device near to the Parish Councils electricity supply on Jubilee Park.  

 

3 National Allotments Society – invitation to attend an Allotment Officers Forum via zoom to be held at 2pm on 15 September 2022.

The National Allotment Society – National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd (nsalg.org.uk)

The Chair of the Allotments Committee, Councillor Halls, would not be able to attend this forum and there was no interest from other Parish Councillors. 

 

4. British Register of Approved Memorial Masons has invited the Parish Council to enter the Cemetery of the year awards 2022

Cemetery of the Year Awards 2022.

It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED not to enter in 2022 but to work on improving the Cemetery and consider entering from 2023 onwards.

 

23.60 To re-introduce a skills audit to be completed by each Parish Councillor.

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced this item saying that it would be beneficial to know each Members skill set so that they could be called upon to assist with specific events and projects. This was agreed by all. 

 

23.61 To review the Parish Council Action Plan and establish a project list.

It was agreed to defer the consideration of this document to the finance policy and personnel committee meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday 16 August 2022 

 

23.62 To consider increasing the Allotment rents on an annual basis from 2023. 

Councillor Halls introduced this item proposing that the allotment rents should be increased annually by £1 per half plot and £2 per full plot from 2023. Councillor Gilbert understood that the assistant clerk had been asked to make enquiries of neighbouring parishes who have allotments and report back to aide debate. Councillor Halls advised that the Assistant Clerk had contacted some places but what had been received had  referred the Parish Council back to what was within their own tenancy agreement. It was agreed to defer the decision until the August meeting when hopefully more information would be available. 

 

23.63 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. Rose and Sweetpea Show on Saturday 25 June 2022  - Several Councillors attended and agreed it was a good opportunity to mix with members of the public. 

2. Meeting with South Kesteven District Council Asset Manager on Tuesday 28 June 2022 regarding taking over the ownership of Jubilee Park – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that since the meeting the Asset Manager had advised that the District Council were agreeable to the transfer of ownership however no financial support would be made available to the Parish Council if they did so.  

3. SKDC teams meeting to introduce the Government’s UK shared prosperity Funding attended by Councillor Stevens and Shinkins-Hoppe -Councillors Shinkins-Hoppe and Stevens attended this meeting and have since put in two suggestions (Welland footbridge project and improved/additional play equipment) where some of the funding could be used within Deeping St James 

4. NALC reviewing neighbourhood plans training via Zoom on Wednesday 29 June 2022 – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe had attended this training. 

5. Cemetery committee meeting on Tuesday 5 July 2022 – In the absence of the Cemetery Chairperson, Councillor Olson, Councillor Denman introduced these meetings from which there were no recommendations but he did support the request to cut back the conifer in the open space area. 

6. Recreation areas and opens spaces committee meeting on Tuesday 5 July 2022 – Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes from this meeting from which there were no recommendations.  

7. Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils training and networking event at Woodhall Spa on Wednesday 6 July 2022 – this was attended by Councillor Hosking and the Parish Clerk who had been nominated for the Lincolnshire Clerk of the Year award. The presentations from the event had been circulated to all Councillors and Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked for the generic risk form provided by BHIB Insurers  to be considered at the finance policy and personnel committee meeting on 16 August 2022. She also suggested that the Emergency plan should be reviewed as well.  

8. South Lincs Connected meeting on Wednesday 6 July 2022 – No report was received. 

 

23.64 Parish Pump – items for information or inclusion on future agendas.

The Clerk and Councillors Shinkins-Hoppe provided an update about the Parish Council funded summer activities on offer to primary school aged children in Deeping St James which were being run by Our Forest Garden Madcaps and Artivity Studios. Due to the short notice the Artivity workshops had not been distributed vis Parentmail prior to the end of term but there was going to be an article in the DSJ newsletter being circulated to all households on Friday 22 July 2022 and the Clerk had also promoted all the activities on the Parish Councils Facebook page so it was hoped places would be filled. Councillor Stevens said she would also promote it and spread the word to her contacts.