2023 Minutes

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Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 18:00hrs Tuesday, 27 June 2023, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr Ann Billings, Cllr Michael Booth, Cllr Chris Brewis, Cllr David Bruch, Cllr Adam Landy, Cllr Mellissa Landy, Cllr Sue McLaughlin, Cllr Nat Mills, Cllr Ray Perkins, Cllr Melvyn Philpott, Mr. Robert Smith (clerk), Mrs. Karen Croxford (admin assistant), twenty members of the public.

Absent:   Cllr Mary Middleton

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

23.139.Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Middleton

23.140.Declarations of pecuniary or other interests in items on the agenda were received from Cllr A Landy and Cllr M Landy for agenda item 10.01 as they were organisers of the event.

23.141.The following representations from members of the public were received:

01.Congratulations were given for those involved with the arrangements for the circus, it was asked if the fair could be approached to come back again.

02.It was thought a good idea to cut back some of the vegetation along the Arnie Broughton Walk to reduce Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), noting the area was covered by a tree preservation order and old pipework from the factory was laid underneath.

18.05hrs A member of the public entered the meeting.

03.It was reported that the roundabout in the children’s play area shuddered & jumped when used.

04.An allotment tenant commented that the vacant allotments needed cultivation, as seeding thistles would cause a nuisance to neighbouring plots.

05.It was asked why the Jubilee Beacon hadn’t been retained in its original form for future generations. Cllr Bruch said that the inscription to Queen Elizabeth II had been tastefully blanked off in copper for reuse at the Coronation. The beacon was safely stored for future events.

06.It was asked if District Councillors had contacted the District Council (SHDC) about the parish parks. Cllr Brewis said that a visit was being arranged with the new SHDC Portfolio holder.

07.Mr Patrick Hickey from Prince’s Foods introduced himself. He explained he had been supporting Cllr Billings in her work, creating awareness and signposting those with substance and addiction problems to help organisations. He expressed his thanks to the Curlew Centre for holding Alcoholic Anonymous meetings which had saved affected employees from losing their jobs.

08.A member of Sutton Bridge Wombles recounted recent problems they had experienced after they had been asked to leave waste bags at the Railway Lane Industrial Units. The gate code had been changed without any notice and they were having to drive to Long Sutton to leave the rubbish bags at Cllr Tyrell’s yard. It was asked if another solution be found. Cllr Booth gave his thanks for all the Wombles’ work and would take the matter up with SHDC officers.

23.142.It was resolved to approve the minutes of the 16 May 2023 Annual Parish Council Meeting.

23.143.Police matters.

01.Letter from Supt. Patrick Coates East Area was noted. It was resolved to write to the police to confirm the number of PCSO’s the local area would have after the implementation of planned changes in September.

23.144.The chairman reported on the following matters:

01.Westmere primary school had been contacted about cultural exchanges with a school in Sedlec-Prčice, but no reply from the school had been received. Cllr Brewis suggested contacting the Czech Republic’s UK Ambassador.

02.A quote had been received from a local company for new CCTV equipment. A further remote meeting was to be arranged with a Rochdale company.

03.The chair had attended a meeting with the Port & Highways, raised later under agenda item 22.

23.145.The clerk reported on the following matters:

01. Information had been updated on the website.

02. Internal bank transfers had been made to cover payments.

03. Further work was required by Anglian Water to disconnect the water supply to the old toilet block, this was now scheduled for 29 June 2023.

23.146.Cllr Booth reported on District Council matters:

01.The Tri-Council Partnership was working to address Internal Drainage Board levies, currently included in the District Council’s precept.

02.The District Council was supporting a national campaign to urge residents to water parched trees in residential areas.

03.A complaint had been received about the overgrown hedge along the footpath on Bridge Road to the Garden of Rest

04.Prices were to increase to ~55p per kwh for the electric vehicle charging points in the area.

05.A complaint had been received about the state of St Matthews churchyard.

23.147.Cllr Brewis reported on the following District Council (SHDC) matters:

01.The footpath between Railway Lane North and Stanley Drive was overgrown & needed cutting.

02.The refusal of the appeal for the development of land north of Nightingale Way development.

23.148.Financial Matters

01.It was resolved to approve the May cash book and bank reconciliation.

02.It was resolved to approve payments to 27 June 2023 as below. Pending new bank mandates, previous councillors had agreed to authorise payments.

As members of Buns & Roses WI, Cllr Mclaughlin & Mrs Croxford declared an interest in the next item.

23.149.In accordance with LGA 1972 s137, it was resolved to approve a grant of £500.00 to The Bridge Buns & Roses WI for an afternoon event helping address loneliness & isolation in the community.

23.150.Correspondence.

01.It was resolved to approve a request to use Memorial Park on the 5 August 2023.

 Cllrs A Landy and Cllr S Landy declared an interest in the following agenda item.

02.It was resolved to approve request for a food truck to park and serve food in the carpark for a Comicon event 14 October 2023.

03.Information on tree planting and the community orchards scheme was noted, it was resolved to delegate this to the Open Spaces Committee.

04.A resident’s concern about a trench dug in the Memorial Park was noted. Cllr Bruch said that an electrical cable was required to supply the circus. For reasons of safely, a temporary trench in the park was dug into which the cable was laid. With the circus’ departure the cable had been removed and the trench refilled and resettled.

05.Two apologies received from members of the public about causing a disturbance at the New Pavilion Committee meeting 6 June 2023 were noted. Cllr Booth asked for the minutes of that meeting to include a reference to the disturbance & apologies. This was agreed to by the clerk.

23.151.Cllr Brewis, Cllr Bruch & Cllr Landy would attend the LALC summer conference 19 July 2023.

23.152.Planning Applications.

01.H18-0552-23: 124 Railway Lane South, PE12 9XA. Single Storey Side Extension. No comment

02.H18-0480-23: 45 St Matthews Drive. PE12 9RJ. Hardstanding for vehicle parking. No comment

18:54hrs a member of the public entered the meeting.

03.H18-0479-23: 110 New Road, PE12 9RQ. Replacement two storey dwelling including detached outbuilding It was resolved to approve the application.

23.153.District Council planning decisions.

01.H18-0340-23: 66 Bridge Road, PE12 9UA. Proposed replacement of rear door and basement windows to listed building. Approved.

02.H18-0090-23: Rear of 2 Wharf PE12 9UF. Condition compliance. Approved.

23.154.Notes of a Burial Ground Committee site visit 30 May 2023 were noted.

23.155.It was resolved to reduce the number of council members on the New Pavilion Committee to five and to reduce the quoracy from five to three.

19:08hrs Cllr A Landy left the meeting.

23.156.Open Spaces Committee.

01.The minutes of the Open Spaces Committee were noted.

02.Cllr Booth reminded the committee that Japanese Knotweed along the Arnie Broughton walk was under treatment and under control. It was advised that it should not be disturbed.

19:09hrs Cllr A Landy returned to the meeting.

03.Cllr Perkins said illegal raves had occurred in the park and that overgrown vegetation along the Arnie Broughton walk obscured the park from view. This should be cut back to deter ASB.

04.Cllr Booth reported on a local business owner who had expressed surprise after being thanked by the Council for agreeing to provide a location for a new Parish notice board. They were not aware that any permission had been granted. Cllr Bruch would contact the owners.

19:18hrs Standing orders were suspended to allow a member of the public to speak.

05.Regarding new play equipment, it was suggested contacting Mutual Gain about a £10,000 grant for play equipment allocated to a local resident’s group that had not been used and had been reabsorbed within Lincolnshire Police’s general budget.

19:19hrs Standing orders were resumed.

06.Cllr Perkins reported that a site inspection of the park was to be arranged soon.

23.157.Committee and working party reports.

01.Cllr A Landy reported that he now had nine volunteers for the Community Speed Watch training. The speed indicator sign would be installed next month.

02.Cllr Mclaughlin reported that £940 had been received in rent from Tequila Circus.

03.Cllr Brewis expressed his thanks to all those concerned with the arrangements for the Circus.

23.158.It was resolved that the terms of reference for the Open Spaces Committee included purposing the committee for the organisation of outside events.

23.159.It was resolved to form a youth committee with the following appointed members: Cllr A Landy, Cllr M Landy, Cllr Mclaughlin, Cllr Perkins, and Cllr Philpott

23.160.Outside Body Reports

01.Cllr McLaughlin had attended an extraordinary general meeting of the South Holland Voluntary Car Service (SHVCS) 14 June 2023.

02.Following the death of the previous chair, Cllr Angela Newton, the Charity Commission had imposed some requirements. These had now been fully met by the organisation.

03.SHVCS was partly funded by the Parish Council. It had provided transport to 59 parish residents last year. The organisation was looking for volunteer drivers. Cllr Mclaughlin or the clerk can be contacted for further information.

23.161.It was resolved on a statement of support for people affected by drug and alcohol problems to be drafted and then added to the website and noticeboard.

19:38hrs one member of the public left the meeting.

23.162.Cllr Bruch reported on the Sutton Bridge Port after attending an on-site meeting this morning:

01.To operate, the Port required fencing, for which a planning application was to be submitted.

02.There were proposals pending to change the route of the byway open to all traffic (BOAT), as it passed through the port.

19:43hrs Standing orders were suspended to allow a member of the public to speak.

03.It was stated that the Port did not plan to request any change in the status of the byway.

19:44hrs Standing orders were resumed.

23.163.It was resolved to get quotes for refreshments for the propeller service 03 September 2023.

23.164.It was resolved that future Parish Council meetings & Parish Meetings would start at 19:00hrs.

23.165.It was resolved to move into closed session [Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1(2).]

19:50hrs nineteen members of the public left the meeting.

23.166.Quotes for works:

01.It was resolved to proceed with the repair to the outside tap in the garden of rest @ £80.00.

02.It was resolved to proceed with the repair to the fence in the children’s play area @ £120.00.

03.It was resolved to procced to block off unauthorised gateway in the memorial park @ £80.00.

04.It was resolved to proceed to grind out the cherry tree stump in the memorial park @ £180.00.

05.It was resolved to proceed to spray the twitch grass in the garden of rest flower bed @ £150 (max), at a time to be agreed by the clerk, and the chairman or vice-chairman.

06.It was resolved for Cllrs A & M Landy to purchase 4 clematis @ £80.00 max. and to plant them around the posts of the Pergola in the Garden of Rest.

07.It was resolved to seek further quotes to trim the hedges and yew borders.

08.It was resolved to proceed with all tree work identified in the August 2022 tree report as being likely/foreseeable (high & low risk): possible (high risk); & imminent (high risk) @ £1,980.00.

23.167.Garden allotments.

01. It was resolved to issue notices to quit to those tenants who were in breach of their agreements.

02.Cllr Booth kindly agreed to cut back weeds on vacant allotment plots, helped by Cllr Mclaughlin.

03.Cllr Brewis offered his help with the marking out of the new allotments.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 20:23hrs.