Minutes 2024

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Draft Minutes 

Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 23 July 2024, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr Chris Brewis, Cllr Tony Judd, (from 7.10pm minute 24.171iii) Cllr Mary Middleton (Chair), Cllr Melvyn Philpott, Cllr Michelle Pitt, Cllr Anne Scarlett, Mrs. C Smith (clerk).

Members of the Public: 6

Unless otherwise stated, actions are to be undertaken by the clerk.

24.167. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Michael Booth, Cllr Diane Cook, Cllr Sue McLaughlin, Cllr Natalie Mills,

24.168. There were no declarations of interest or considerations for dispensation.

24.169. Public Representations – there were no comments.

24.170. It was resolved to approve the minutes held Tuesday 25 June 2024.

24.171. Police Matters – no report.

24.172. Chairs Report

i. LALC – the training provided by LALC had been informative and it was good to meet Councillors from neighbouring Councils.

ii. Route 50 bus – a meeting had been arranged by the clerk of Tydd St Mary inviting all Councils on the 50 bus route to discuss the subsidised service. The outcome of the meeting was to establish the need and viability of the service; and if timetabling or route could be improved to meet the needs of the rural population. It was suggested that a consultation exercise may be run in each locality. Cllrs discussed the issue it was a complex one with subsidies and cross boundary issues. Cllrs agreed that SBPC continue to be represented in the group 

iii. Football Club - a meeting was held with the football club to discuss fees for 2024/25 – it was agreed to maintain the same level of fees as the previous year.

iv. Sir John Hayes – the chair reported that she had written to Sir John Hayes to ask him to help establish if the COF grant would re-open. He had responded confirming he was trying to find the information.

24.173. Clerk’s Report.

i. Planning – Cllrs noted the extension of consultation period until 30th July for planning application H18-0528-24 erection of an asphalt plant at Greenworld Park Sutton Bridge The deadline for comments has been extended to 19th August.

ii. Cllrs noted the response from LCC that they were not able to help recover costs for maintenance for the alley between Railway Lane and Stanley Rd.

iii. Sutton Bridge United Football club – There was a meeting held with the football club to discuss the fees for this year. It was proposed that the fee stayed the same as this year with a shared bill for utilities over the last year. We are in the process of preparing this bill and will bring it to Council in the September meeting for ratification.

iv. Co-option of a Councillor – The vacancy has been advertised on the website, noticeboards and social media. The co-option policy had been copied to all Councillors. Co-option would take place at the September meeting.

v. Tree issues– a branch of a tree had fallen at the memorial park blocking a path, a contractor was engaged to clear the path and make safe the area. A bill for this emergency work would be received in the next month.

24.174. Cllr C Brewis reported on the following SHDC (South Holland District Council) matters:

i. Potholes – many of these had not been addressed, Cllr Brewis continued to report the problems. 

ii. District Special Interest Group – the work of the group meant that there may be more funding available to Districts as Drainage Board funds were separated from the calculations in setting out District funding.

iii. Ragwort – this is a reportable weed and there was a lot of it in the local area. It would be a big problem if not tackled.

iv. Funding – district councillors funding for the year would be spent on providing the Police Room and contributions to the Bowls Club and security arrangements for the Curlew Centre.

24.175. Financial Matters 

i. It was resolved to approve the June cash book and bank reconciliation.

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 23 July 2024 as circulated (see appendix 1). Cllr Middleton and Cllr Philpott agreed to authorise bank payments.

iii. Unity Trust Tariff change – the clerk reported the change in tariff from level 1 to level 2 due to level of turnover in the last financial year.

iv. Q1 summary report – Cllrs received and resolved to accept the Q1 summary and budget report.

v. August Finance meeting – Cllrs resolved to delegate the Finance committee to approve August payments.

24.176. Councillor Surgeries – It was resolved to hold monthly Councillor surgeries to give members of the public more opportunities to engage with the Parish Council and give their views on issues affecting our community. The first three surgeries will be held in the Police room, the venue would then be reviewed to see if there would be a benefit to holding a surgery in another area. The first surgery would be on 14th September 10am – midday, Cllrs Middleton and Pitt to attend.

24.177. Newsletter update – Cllr Philpott reported that he would be co-ordinating the production of the newsletter. 6 A-5 sides were available for the Parish Council. The clerk would produce an information page. Cllrs are asked to have their contributions forwarded to the clerk by the end of August. These would be forwarded to Cllr Philpott.

24.178. Perch Here Project – Cllr Brewis reported on the event to unveil the completed perch here project with improvements to steps and riverside, complemented by interesting and decorative wooden art installations. It had been a very successful scheme encouraging local involvement including young people. The project leaders were enthusiastic that the scheme might be extended Cllr Brewis hoped the Parish Council would support this if it went ahead.

24.179. Correspondence 

i. One Stop Shop Parking – Cllrs received the letter from a resident concerned about the offer to pay parking fines for anyone parking in the bus stop. Councillors were concerned that contravening parking orders should not be encouraged. It was resolved to forward the letter to the Police and Highways.

ii. Connect bus information – Cllrs noted the scheme running until September of a free return journey for all new customers. Fares would also be capped at £2.

iii.   VE Day 80 – Cllrs received information regarding a beacon lighting event to mark VE day 80th Anniversary.

24.180. Planning Applications

i. H18-0603-24 It was suggested that the Parish Council write to the applicant of the Solar Farm straddling the Norfolk Lincolnshire Border asking for a contribution to the local community. The clerk reported that the planning for this development related to a change in the design of the bund defending the electrical area from flooding.

24.181. Planning Decisions – Councillors noted the planning decisions made by South Holland District Council as listed below

24.182. H18-0459-24 175 ROOKERY ROAD SUTTON BRIDGE SPALDING PE12 9QG Proposed Extensions & Alterations 22-05-24 FULL Approved

24.183. H18-0356-24 Rear of 68 Bridge Road Sutton Bridge Spalding PE12 9UA Details of roof tiles, external doors & frames & window frames (Conditions 3, 4 & 5 of H18-0729-23) 18-04-24 CONDITION COMPLIANCE Approved

24.184. H18-0298-24 Bridge Road Sutton Bridge Spalding PE12 9EG Installation of new regulator building within existing operational site 02-04-24 FULL Approved

24.185. H18-0309-24 Former Conservative Club Hall 2 New Road Sutton Bridge Residential Development - Erection of Pair of Semi-Detached Houses - approved under H18-0722-22. Modification of Condition 2 to allow amendments to previously approved plans. 02-04-24 SEC 73 MODIFICATION Approved

24.186. Committee Reports 

01. New Pavilion

The chair reported that a meeting had been held with the consultant engineer that was very informative. 

Councillors resolved to suspend standing orders to allow Mr L Marchant and Mr D Wall co-opted members of the Pavilion Committee to speak for this item.

The report from the contract managers confirmed that investment in solar and air source would be higher than conventional heating systems but the benefits of lower bills and greener running of the building would be worth the cost. Government grants for installing greener energy solutions would also be explored.

Another contractor had been identified who may be able to supply a building and they had been asked to quote a price for the project.

It was noted that Cllr Cook had raised £130 for the Pavilion Fund thanks to items donated from Mr Brandon-King. The Council thanked Cllr Cook for her work and initiative.

02. Events – the next event was the fireworks on 5th November in the Memorial Park.

24.187. Representatives on Outside Bodies

i. LALC – Councillor Brewis reported that he would be attending the LALC AGM the following day 24th July.

24.188. Public Participation.

i. Long Sutton Fire Station – Members of Long Sutton Parish Council had attended the meeting and asked if a grant could be considered for the service to buy a piece of Gym equipment. This is a voluntary service and covers Long Sutton and surrounding villages. The clerk shared contact details so that information could be forwarded, and this could be considered at the next meeting.

24.189. It was resolved to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1(2).

24.190. Quotes for work

i. It was resolved to approve the extended quote for the tree surveys @ £750 +VAT

ii. It was resolved to ask Men’s Shed if they would help fix the brick work at the War Memorial.

iii. It was resolved to accept the quote for maintenance work at the Burial Ground, but Cllrs would prefer the new grassed area to be seeded.

24.191. There were no staffing & administration matters 

The chair closed the meeting at 20:35hrs.