Minutes 2024

Select for downloadable/printable PDF

Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 24 September 2024, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr Chris Brewis, Cllr Michael Booth, Cllr Diane Cook, Cllr T Judd, Cllr Sue McLaughlin, Cllr Mary Middleton (Chair), Cllr Melvyn Philpott, Cllr Michelle Pitt, Mrs. C Smith (clerk), Mrs K Croxford (admin assistant).

Members of the Public: Four and then Five from 19:30hrs.

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

24.199. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mills & Scarlett.

24.200. Cllr Booth declared an interest in agenda item 12 (min.ref 24.210).

24.201. Public Representations.

i. A member of Sutton Bridge Wombles commented that vehicles were parking near to where they leave their rubbish bags. Cllr Pitt commented and recommended that it may be possible to leave them on the other side of the old toilet block.

ii. It was mentioned that the damaged bench from outside Pippa’s Pantry was still outside in the car park. Clerk to chase Highways.

iii. A company had given out their business card to Sutton Bridge Wombles regarding donations of Black Bags. 

iv. The owner of Top Shop Chippy had also mentioned that they were happy to offer a donation towards a new bin.

v. Vehicles were still parking in the car park along the walkway to the Memorial Park. Item to be included on next month’s agenda.

vi. Sutton Bridge Wombles commented that they were no longer able to cut back any of the vegetation or unblock the drains in the surrounding laybys and asked if anything could be done about this. Clerk to report to Highways.

vii. The East Bank viewing area had not been cut and one bin had been removed could something be done about cutting the area and reinstating the bin.

viii. There were still empty allotment plots at Wrights Lane was something being done about this. The clerk reported that this matter would be dealt with further in the meeting.

ix. E-Scooters were being used on the pavement and causing a nuisance. Clerk to report to the Police. Cllr Mclaughlin also reported that cyclists were using their bikes in the dark with no lights. 

24.202. Co-option -It was resolved to defer the co-option of a new Councillor to the next meeting to allow both candidates to attend the meeting. The vacancy was now closed.

24.203. It was resolved to approve the minutes of meetings held 23 July 2024 and 3 September 2024, they were signed by the chair.

24.204. Police Matters 

i. The Police were setting their quarterly priority setting and asked for any issues to be forwarded to them.

ii. PC Craft came into the office to say goodbye as he was posted to a new job. A new PC will be recruited to cover the area.

iii. Cllr Booth remarked that he was still getting complaints of speeding in the village and when would the speed reactive sign be installed. Clerk to chase up.

24.205. Chairs Report

i. Cllr Middleton reported that she and the two project managers had visited another modular company in Manchester to gain further knowledge of the product and was waiting for a further quote from them.

ii. She had attended the Propeller Memorial Service and was delighted with the interest from the community on social media enquiring about the history of the event. Cllrs Brewis and Booth would report on this in their upcoming newsletter.

iii. Following the Councillor surgery and conversation held with Sutton Bridge Wombles it was noted that only two members were currently undertaking litter picking in the village. Thanks were expressed to both members for all their hard work in the community keeping Sutton Bridge tidy.

19:30 hrs A member of the public entered the meeting.  

24.206. Clerk’s Report.

i. Newsletter – a two-page introduction to the Parish Council had been forwarded to Cllr Philpott. All further article contributions to be forwarded to the clerk.

ii. Under 7’s play area – the contract for the new play equipment had been awarded to Wicksteed. It was expected that the build would be completed before Christmas.

iii. Harriets Close – a member of the public had expressed an interest in maintaining the area. Cllrs Cook, Pitt and Brewis offered their help with the disposal of the waste with the possibility of looking into the purchase of a brown waste bin if required. The admin assistant would contact the member of public concerned.  

24.207. District and County Councillor Reports 

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

i. No response from Highways had been received concerning the extension of the speed limit along Bridge Road. 

ii. Tenants in sheltered housing were now receiving support, this had received a positive response.

iii. Some good news, the rebuilt programme was now going ahead on the new QE hospital in Kings Lynn.

iv. Internal Drainage Board special interest group – he was optimistic that this would be investigated

v. Greater Lincolnshire devolution – he was sceptical on how money from this would be spent.

2. Cllr Booth reported on the following SHDC matters.

i. The King Charles III Walk was now open, and Sutton Bridge had a big part to play. District officers had been down to look at the area and he was working with them to try and obtain some funding to provide a car park, electric charging area and possibly a tourist information area.

ii. Hare coursing Operation Galileo – if anyone sees this happening, please dial 999 immediately.

iii     Concerns were raised for coastal areas and habitats over plans for the new road across the wash connecting Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

24.208. Financial Matters 

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

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 24 September 2024 as circulated at Appendix A. Cllr Middleton and Cllr Philpott agreed to authorise bank payments. Details of a high-water bill and late payments were noted.

iii. The notice of conclusion of external audit and report certificate 2023/24 was noted. Thanks were expressed to the clerk and assistant for all their hard work on a good report.

24.209. Burial Ground

i. It was resolved to amend the rules and regulations to include notice that any items that hamper maintenance of the burial ground as a lawn area may be removed by the Parish Council.

ii. The tree report was noted, Cllr Cook & Cllr Pitt offered to remove the tree guards from the trees.

19:55hrs Cllr Booth and a member of the public left the meeting.

24.210. Allotments.

i. The admin assistant reported on the current vacancies at the Wrights Lane allotment. Cllr Brewis   would contact the Youth Shed to see if they would be interested in taking over a plot and report back.

ii. Correspondence concerning vandalism at the allotments was noted.

iii. It was resolved to defer the rent review notice that had been issued for October 2024 and issue a notice of rent review for 2025. The clerk had been in contact with the land agents and was making further enquires for marketing the five empty plots that remained empty on Wrights Lane.

20:07hrs Cllr Booth returned to the meeting and a member of the public left the meeting.

24.211. Memorial Park

i. It was resolved to set up a working party to go through the Memorial Park tree report. Cllr Brewis, Cllr Mclaughlin, Cllr Middleton and Cllr Pitt were appointed onto the working group, they agreed to meet and walk round the Memorial Park the following Sunday .

ii. It was resolved to allow Top Corner Academy to hold a football course on the Memorial Park and charge £12.50 per session.

20:25 hrs A member of the public left the meeting.

iii. It was resolved to appoint a mole catcher to deal with the mole problem in the Memorial Park.

iv. It was resolved to approve the visit from Tequila Circus in May or June 2025.

24.212. Sir Peter Scott Road

i. The tree report for Sir Peter Scott Road was noted no actions were recommended.

24.213. Sutton Bridge Solar Farm

i. The Sutton Bridge Solar Farm Community Fund on behalf of EDF Renewables was now accepting applications, closing date for the first round of funding was on the 14 October 2024. 

24.214. It was resolved to accept a donation for a new Notice Board at the entrance to the Curlew Car park.

24.215. The PA system brought by the district councillors would be donated to the Parish Council.

24.216. It was resolved to defer the consideration of a larger Beacon for a further meeting.

24.217. It was resolved to appoint the clerk to complete the survey on the Dog Control Open Space Protection Order. Councillors agreed to support the introduction of the PSPO.

24.218. Correspondence 

i. Details of the Place Making Project had been circulated to members and pictures had been displayed at the meeting for everyone to see what had been installed.

ii. A letter of appreciation had been received regarding a recent visit to Pippa’s Pantry. The clerk had also forwarded this to Pippa’s Pantry.

iii. An invitation had been received from South Holland District Council for a Charity Ball on 15 March 2025, if any members are interested in attending, please contact the clerk.

iv. A member of the public had made an offer of a Christmas Tree. Members discussed this but it was felt that this would be too big for the car park and retrieving the tree too difficult.

v. An invitation had been received from Lincolnshire Community Foundation for a Grass Roots Celebration on 7 November 2024, between 10am – 1pm at Moulton Community Centre. Cllrs Mclaughlin and Cllr Middleton would attend with the clerk.

24.219. Planning Applications

i. H18-0655-24: Rear of 9 New Road, Sutton Bridge: Demolition of workshop and erection of dwelling. It was resolved to support the application. Cllr Brewis abstained from voting.

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

i. H18-0632-24: Land Southwest of Chalk Lane, Sutton Bridge: Proposed alteration to agricultural access: APPROVED.

ii. H18-0401-24: Plot 1- Off New Road, Sutton Bridge: Details of external materials, surface water disposal & scheme of landscaping and tree planting. APPROVED.

24.221. Committee Reports 

01. New Pavilion

i. Cllr Middleton reported that they had met with the Football Association regarding the proposed play zone for the Memorial Park. Unfortunately, they were not happy with the proposed site and had suggested that it should be adjoined to the new pavilion. In the view of advice given and any subsequent meetings yet to be held, it was resolved to agree to the new position near the Pavilion and to delegate authority to the committee to make any alterations to the project so that the scheme can be progressed.

ii. The current funding for the proposed Pavilion project from the Levelling Up Fund had been put on hold following the new government, further details were awaited.

02. Events

i. It was resolved for Cllr Pitt to attend a First Aid Course in October @ £390.00. 

ii. The clerk reported that catering and other stalls and funfair have been booked for the Fireworks event on the 5 November.

iii. The clerk would purchase secure fundraising buckets for donations towards future firework events.

iv. The next meeting of the events working party will be on Thursday 26 September at 17:00hrs.

24.222. There were no representatives reports from outside bodies

24.223. Public Participation.

i. An allotment tenant asked if any security signs could be put up at the allotments at both entrances.

21:40 hrs Two members of the public left the meeting.

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

24.225. Quotes for work

i. It was resolved to accept the quote from LALC for the internal Audit @ £350.00

20:41hrs Cllr Philpott left the meeting.

ii. It was resolved to approve the quote for the brick work on the Propeller Memorial @ £440.00. The clerk would look into a possible grant to finance this before work commenced.

20:43hrs Cllr Philpott returned to the meeting.

iii. It was resolved to approve the quote for the electrical testing, installation and dismantling of the Christmas Lights @ £4285.00 + VAT. The clerk would look into future costs going forward.

iv. It was resolved to approve the quote to trim the hedge in the memorial park @ £216.00.

v. It was resolved to approve the quote to clear and strim the old railway @ £440.00.

24.226. Staffing & administration matters 

i. Details of a potential wooden cross that did not hold memorial rights in the Garden of Rest were noted.

ii. It was resolved to approve the design of a memorial stone in the Garden of Rest. Cllr Pitt abstained from voting.

iii. The Football Club invoice for the 23/24 season was noted.

iv. An update was given for the return to work for the Outside Operative

21.55hrs Mrs K Croxford left the meeting.

v. It was resolved to approve the Personnel Committee recommendation on staff salary.

Appendix A