Minutes 2024

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Draft Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 22 October 2024, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr Chris Brewis, Cllr Diane Cook, Cllr J Kirby-Fox (from 19:10hrs), Cllr T Judd, Cllr Sue McLaughlin, Cllr Mary Middleton (Chair), Cllr Melvyn Philpott (from 19:05 hrs.), Cllr Michelle Pitt, Mrs. C Smith (clerk), Mrs K Croxford (admin assistant).

Members of the Public: one (from 19:04hrs). Press: one. 

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

24.227. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr M Booth

24.228. There were no declarations of interest.

24.229. There were no Public Representations.

24.230. Co-option

19:04 hrs A member of the public entered the meeting

i. Mrs J Kirby-Fox introduced herself to members detailing the experience she would bring to the role.

19:05 hrs Cllr Philpott entered the meeting

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

19:06 hrs Two members of the public and the press left the meeting.

iii. It was resolved to Co-opt Mrs J Kirby-Fox to the Council

19:10 hrs Two members of the public and the press entered the meeting.

iv. Cllr J Kirby-Fox signed the declaration of office, as witnessed by the clerk.

24.231. It was resolved to approve the minutes of meeting held 24 September 2024 they were signed by the chair.

24.232. Chair’s Report 

i. A telephone conversation had been held with a lady from Lincolnshire NHS Foundation Trust who was looking for a free room hire to train people to work for the NHS in the community for a recruitment drive.  The Police room was identified as a possible suitable venue.

ii. A Councillor’s Surgery had been held, one resident had attended to discuss the rubbish bags along Bridge Road and Chestnut Terrace. The clerk would send a letter to the residents concerned.

24.233. Clerk’s Report

i. Under 7s play area – A meeting had been arranged with the contract manager on the 4 November to visit the site and go through the preliminaries. The start date of the project, weather permitting was the 12 December 2024.

ii. Tree Report and works – Quotes were waited for the tree work in the Memorial Park. There had been a report of a Cherry Tree (0554) where the branch was split and it was overhanging the roadway at the side of the pavilion. It was resolved to delegate authority to the clerk to remove the tree with a budget of £1200 and to liaise with the chair and vice chair. 

iii. Sutton Bridge Wombles Bin Bags – Further to last month’s report of a free donation of black bags a sample was sent to the company concerned. Unfortunately, the offer was for a quote and not free bags. The quote was still awaited.

iv. Village Seat – It had been reported that the damaged bench opposite Pippa’s Pantry could be relocated at the bus stop. Clarification was awaited on the maintenance and insurance for the bench as it was believed to belong to LCC.

19:20hrs A member of the public left the meeting.

v. Fly- Tipping off lane near Kestrel Close – This had been reported to SHDC 10 days ago and chased up again today as this had not been removed. It was believed to be drug plant remains and was on parish council land adjacent to a footpath.

vi. Electrical Problems at the old pavilion – Electrical problems had been investigated and power had been isolated to the post closest to the pavilion as this had been tripping the electric.

vii. Planning Training – An invitation had been received from SHDC regarding planning training on Thursday 14 November 2024 and Thursday 12 December 2024. Please let the clerk know if anyone is interested.

viii. Electric Vehicle – The electric vehicle had failed its MOT and parts were awaited.

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

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

i. He had given evidence at the planning enquiry concerning the Fields Farm caravan site.

ii. The rubbish and recycling consultation had resolved to keep the sacks.

iii. Social Housing – Residents would now be able to discuss housing matters as contacts were available on Tuesdays at the centre.

iv. It was quickest planning committee last week at under 15 minutes

v. Queen Elizabeth Hospital was still on track to be rebuilt early Autumn 2025

vi. A discussion had been held to keep the public car parking at King Street.

vii.   District Councillors budgets had been spent on helping the Wombles, Flower Festival, Diamond Club and Smartie Pants.  

24.235. Financial Matters 

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

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 23 October 2024 as circulated at Appendix A. Cllr Middleton and Cllr Philpott agreed to authorise bank payments. 

iii. A water leak from the cistern in the toilet block at the pavilion had been investigated and fixed. A bill of around £80 was expected.

24.236. Burial Ground

i. Quotes were to be sought to remove the tree stakes in the Garden of Rest.

24.237. Allotments.

i. A resident had been interested in the vacancy at the Wrights Lane Allotments, further details were awaited.

ii. Chris Brewis would contact the Youth Shed to see if they would be interested.

24.238. It was resolved to ratify the decision to agree to paint the bus stop in brick red paint.

24.239. Correspondence.

i. Christmas Event for the over 65s, part of a care home or support group would be held on Wednesday 4 December 2024 12.00 hrs to 15:00hrs at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park. 

ii. Fenland District Council Community Carol Service 6 December 2024 at 18:00hrs in St Peter & St Paul Parish Church, Wisbech. Cllr Mclaughin reported that she would like to attend 

iii. Norfolk Minerals and Waste Local Plan – Any representations to be made on the soundness and legal compliance on the main modifications were invited over an eight-week period between 17 October and 13 December 2024 please contact the website 

 https://norfolk.oc2.uk/document/67

iv. LCC East Bank Picnic Site – LCC had reported that a landowner had commented that anti-social behaviour had occurred at the site and had asked the Parish Council for thoughts on the matter of closing the site at night. No reports of anti-social behaviour had been reported to the Council. 

v. LALC training bulletin had been circulated to members anyone interested in attending any training please contact the office.

24.240. Planning Applications

i. H18-0867-24: The Curlew Centre, Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge work to Sutton Bridge Tree Preservation Order No 15. No comments were made

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

i. H18-0649-24: Former Conservative Club, 2 New Road, Sutton Bridge. - Approved

ii. H18-0452-24: Rear of 210 New Road, Sutton Bridge - Approved.

24.242. Committee Reports 

01. New Pavilion

i. Cllr Middleton reported that the project was at a standstill due to waiting for government to release further information on funding, it was hoped that a further announcement would be made on the day of the budget.

ii. Play zone – An architects plan of the proposed site had been required and a resident had kindly offered to provide architects services without charge. A letter of thanks would be sent to the resident concerned.

iii. SBUFC – Mrs. V Smith had been appointed Chair of the Football Club and Mr D Earth was the new secretary. It was resolved to co-opt Mrs. V Smith onto the Pavilion Committee

iv. After a discussion with the Lottery Fund, it was hoped that 25% of funding to which was required from the Parish Council would be funded by them.

v. The clerk reported to Cllrs that following discussions with other parties involved with play zones administration and maintenance costs should be considered. Costs in the region of £1500 for app subscriptions had been reported. Cllr Middleton commented that fundraising may have to be considered.

02. Events

i. The Firework Display was planned for Tuesday 5th November 2024, the Memorial Park would open at 17:30hrs and the display would commence at 19:00hrs. Hot food and drinks would be available together with a funfair, stalls, and face painting. Cllrs would be a point of reference and charity buckets would be collecting donations.

ii. If the event was cancelled due to bad weather this would be rearranged for a future date.

iii. The press would advertise the event in the What’s on Section.

24.243. Outside bodies

i. Cllrs Cook reported that 12 university grants had been awarded from the Allens Charity following the last meeting.

ii. Cllrs Mclaughlin and Cllr Middleton had attended the Phillips Charity meeting, and 1 application had been awarded for secondary school students and approximately 13 for college students.

24.244. Public Participation.

i. A member of the public caused a disturbance and was asked to leave the meeting.

20:20hrs One member of the public and the press left the meeting.

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

24.246. Quotes for work

i. It was resolved to delegate the clerk to proceed with the appropriate quote for the Pavilion electricity and to liaise with the chair and vice chair.

ii. It was resolved to approve the quote for the legionella testing in the Pavilion at an annual cost of £1507.00 per annum excluding VAT.

24.247. Staffing & administration matters 

i. The clerk report that the insurance company would pay the damage to the vehicle from the summer fete subject to an excess of £250.00. Thanks were expressed to the clerk.

ii. It was reported that Outside Operative staff members would hand over duties on the 31 October 2024. 

Appendix 

The chair closed the meeting at 20:37 hrs.