15 August 2023 Extraordinary Meeting
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Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 15 August 2023, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.
Present: Cllr Ann Billings, Cllr Chris Brewis, Cllr David Bruch, Cllr Sue McLaughlin, Cllr Mary Middleton, Cllr Melvyn Philpott, Mr G Patrick (Sutton Bridge Port), Mr. Robert Smith (clerk), Mrs. Karen Croxford (admin assistant), seven members of the public.
Absent: Cllr Booth, Cllr A Landy, Cllr M Landy, Cllr Nat Mills, Cllr Perkins
Unless otherwise stated, actions are to be undertaken by the clerk.
23.191. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Booth, Cllr A Landy, Cllr M Landy, Cllr Mills, Cllr Perkins.
23.192. No declarations of interest were received.
23.193. The following representations from members of the public were received:
01. It was asked whether standing orders could be suspended to receive further representations from the public once information had been received further on within the individual agenda item.
02. It was resolved to suspend standing orders when appropriate to allow further discussion from members of the public. Cllr Brewis voted against the resolution.
23.194. Planning Application H18-0674-23
01. Cllr Brewis commented and stated that this application returned access to the BOAT to previously where it was in the past, this gave sufficient room and places for vehicles to pass.
19:10 hrs standing orders were suspended to allow members of the public to speak on the agenda item.
02. A member of the public expressed that as a previous owner of the Port they supported the application as it was in the best interest of both the public and the Port, so that they could continue to conduct business in a safe manner. It was suggested that the Parish Council should support the new owners and encourage them as this created employment within the community.
03. It was questioned whether a weight restriction should be implemented through the village due to the number of lorries that would now be driving through.
19:13 hrs A member of the public left the meeting.
04. Mr Patrick commented and stated that all vehicles should come from the A17, there was no need to come through the village.
05. Cllr Bruch stated that a possible weight restriction could be investigated at a further date.
19:17 hrs Standing orders were reinstated.
06. Cllr Bruch questioned who had right of way at the passing places if an HGV drove over the BOAT.
19:18 hrs Standing orders were suspended to allow a member of the public to answer the question.
07. Mr Patrick replied and stated that no HGV would need to drive on the BOAT as they could go another way. There was a one-way sign along the BOAT.
08. It was asked who would be responsible for the maintenance of the BOAT. Cllr Brewis replied that this could be the responsibility of LCC Highways.
09. A member of the public asked if the BOAT was still assessable for walkers. Cllr Brewis confirmed that yes it was a byway open to all traffic.
19:24hrs A member of the public returned to the meeting.
10. It was questioned if there were any provisional plans to develop on the North Side of Petts Lane. Mr Patrick replied that currently there were no plans in place.
11. It was reported that the turning from Petts Lane into the Port would be changed to a junction to allow vehicles to turn left and right.
19:35 hrs Standing orders were reinstated.
12. It was resolved to support the planning application. Cllr Brewis abstained from voting.
13. It was further resolved to send a letter of thanks to the Port for persevering with the planning application to reach this position.
23.195. It was resolved to submit a complaint to Lincolnshire County Council about the performance of its duties in relation to the Sutton Bridge Byway no 503 running through the port.
23.196. It was resolved that depending on the reply received from LCC regarding their duties over the BOAT that it was not the intention to make a complaint to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman at this time as it was hoped for a favourable outcome from LCC.
23.197. It was resolved to add the administration Assistant to the TSB online bank mandate.
19:42hrs Three members of the public left the meeting.
23.198. It was resolved to subscribe to Scribe accounting software, as recommend in internal audit report.
23.199. It was resolved to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1 (2).
19:43 hrs Five members of the public and the clerk left the meeting.
23.200. Staffing and administration matters.
01. Following the resignation of the clerk, it was resolved to delegate the admin assistant to advertise the position in liaison with the chair, or vice-chair.
02. It was resolved to authorise the Personnel Committee to pursue the recruitment process for new clerk, subject to the final decision on employment of new member of staff being referred to full council for resolution.
The chairman closed the meeting at 20:12hrs.