2020 Minutes

Select for downloadable / printable PDF version

Minutes of Sutton Bridge Annual Parish Meeting, held 7pm Tuesday, 10 March 2020, at the Curlew Centre

Present:

Parish Council Chairman: Cllr S. Booth

Parish Clerk: Mr Robert Smith

Parish Council Members: Cllrs M.Booth (also District Councillor); Brewis (also District & County Councillor); Clery; Davies; Ebbs; Goodwin; Scarlett; York.

Other Local Electors: 19 

1. Welcome

The chairman, Cllr Simon Booth, welcomed all those present.

2. Signing of Minutes 

It was agreed to approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 12 March 2019 as an accurate record.

3. Report from the chairman of the Parish Council

The chairman presented a report summarising matters arising during the year.

4. Report from clerk to the Parish Council

The clerk presented a report summarising financial matters for the year to date.

5. Matters raised by local electors

1. The appalling and dangerous condition of the Bridge Hotel. 

• The chairman reported that a scheduled meeting between the Parish clerk and the South Holland District Council (SHDC) building consultancy manager to discuss the next steps to be taken by the District Council had been postponed by the District Council.

• The clerk reported that SHDC was the proper authority and held the power to deal with buildings such as the Bridge Hotel, that were derelict and dangerous. The Parish Council was largely limited to putting arguments to the District Council for them to act. Two recent resolutions resolved on by the Parish Council were thought to be either currently impractical, or in breach of the Parish Council’s authority. A request for a rearrangement of the postponed meeting with the District’s officer would by chased.

2. Were proper tenancies in place for Parish Council farmland?

• The clerk reported that arrangements had been made for Farm Business Tenancies to be signed and in place for all Parish Council commercially farmed land ready for 11th October 2020, the start of the new farm tenancy contract period.  

3. A request was made for Cllr Brewis, as county councillor, to take steps for Sutton Bridge to get the surplus generated by the marina from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and that he obtain a copy of the marina’s accounts for the y/e 31 March 2019..

• Cllr Brewis gave a background history relating to the Power Station fund money that paid for the marina. Cllr Brewis agreed to do his best to get some money back from LCC due to the marina and to obtain the latest financial accounts for the marina.

• Cllr M. Booth gave the opinion that it would be extremely unlikely to get any such money from LCC.

4. Poor condition of Wharf Street (photos passed to the clerk).

• The chairman said that the complaint would be passed onto LCC highways.

5. Clogged gulleys on the A17

• Cllr Brewis reported that new highways contractors were starting 01/04/20 and that an annual clear out of gulley was included in the provision of works.

• In the meantime, the blocked gulleys would be reported to LCC highways.

6. Police speed van.

• Cllr Brewis was pleased to note the presence of the police speed van in the Village

7. Mess at entrance to Nene Meadows

• To be reported by the clerk.

8. Poor and unsightly condition of the Old Barn on Bridge Road

• The clerk reported that the owners had been written to in 2019 asking for the building to be improved. The owners responded stating that they were looking to submit planning permission for works that would improve the building. No applications regarding this building had since been submitted.

9. Poor condition of the Old School on Bridge Road

• To be put on the agenda of the next Parish Council meeting

10. A comment was made that the main streets of the Village were looking much tidier.

11. Thanks were expressed to Cllr M. Booth for his work in getting the Village clean.

12. Enquiry as to the use of the old toilet block in Curlew Centre car park

• The clerk reported that the Parish Council had resolved for this to provide garaging for a new electric utility vehicle, as well as continued use for storage.

13. The lack of use of the Police Room at the Curlew Centre and the location of the Village’s police bikes was queried.

• It was reported that the bikes were still unused but remained in the police room.

• It was reported that the Police Room at the Curlew Centre was used for several purposes, including recent police surgeries attended by the PCSO and a local police officer. These had been publicised including on the Parish Council website.

14. Memorial Park Car Park lighting

• The chairman agreed that this matter would be on the agenda of the next Parish Council meeting.

• It was noted that subject to reaching an agreement with the Parish Council, SHDC plans for Electrical Vehicle charging points in the rear car park, with associated lighting, were close to being implemented.

15. Query about the sale of Parish Council land at Kenzie Drive

• The clerk reported that the land was under offer and that any sale would be reported at the following Parish Council meeting after completion.

16. Questions relating to the delay in the provision of a new sports pavilion in Sutton Bridge

Background information:

• Around June 2018, the Football Club (SBUFC) approached the Parish Council with a request to support grant applications for a new pavilion.

• In October 2018, a lease produced by the football club’s then chairman was rejected by Parish Council, the terms being considered unacceptable. The Parish Council set up a committee, which included three co-opted members from the football club, to oversee the financing and construction of a new sports pavilion.

• In January 2019, given that there was limited space for pitches on the Memorial Park, the committee decided to investigate pitches and a pavilion on Parish Council owned farmland to the north of the village (‘Speechleys’). Due to access issues, matters were delayed until an associated planning application was considered. Planning permission refusal at the end of April 2019 on this associated land, led to the conclusion that pitches and a pavilion on the ‘Speechleys’ land would be problematic. 

• In September 2019, SBUFC members of the pavilion committee reported that an opportunity had arisen for the acquisition of 7 acres of land near Wright’s Lane, for pitches and to build the new sporting facilities. 

• In November 2019, SBUFC wrote to the Parish Council asking for the Memorial Project to proceed on the basis that the ‘Speechleys’ site would be too expensive and the Wright’s Lane site could be developed over a longer time period, subject to an agreement with the Henry Smith Charity (HSC). Later that month the Parish Council resolved for the clerk to obtain design and build quotations for a new pavilion on the Memorial Park.

• On 20th January 2020 a copy of an email was forwarded to the Parish Council stating the willingness in principal by HSC to grant SBUFC a long lease to allow for a new recreation ground at Wright’s Lane. It was later confirmed that the building of changing and other facilities to support the sports ground was also considered.

• At the Parish Council meeting on 25th February 2020, it was noted that a meeting between the Parish Council and agents of the Henry Smith Charity would be taking place the following day, and that the sourcing of design and building quotations was awaiting the outcome of that meeting.

• A meeting between Savills (HSC’s agents) and the Parish Council took place on the 26th February 2020. It was indicated that HSC would be open to providing land either leased or purchased for the provision of sports pitches and facilities at Wright’s Lane. Savills would investigate and report back on access rights to the land.

• The matter would be on the agenda of the next Parish Council meeting.

17. Great British Spring Clean

• A spring clean event for Sutton Bridge was scheduled for 6th April starting at 1pm for the duration of the afternoon. During the clean-up the Pride in South Holland team would be available to support community groups and volunteers to Spring Clean areas in the Village that require more attention. Suggestions for areas to be targeted should be made to the clerk.

18. Report of rubbish along the A17 on the old King’s Lynn boards

• Due to health and safety reasons this had to be dealt with by LCC highways and would be reported by the clerk.

19. Thanks were expressed the chairman, Cllr Simon Booth, for his services and hard work at a difficult time. 

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.18pm.