2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

1.

Public Forum:

James Tickler had come along at the request of Cllr Atkinson to discuss concerns of villagers re large farm vehicles (harvest) travelling through the village and try to address issues raised by residents re the speed and size of vehicles.

Mr Tickler runs a small farm run by Father, Son and one employee.  During the harvest period July to September take on temporary workers all of whom are employed on an hourly basis.  Incentive to slow down is paramount – modern-day trucks give out the impression of producing a lot more speed than actually doing.  Request drivers when going through the village(s) to keep speed to a minimum.

Resident: – tripped while walking in the village (no footpaths) but heard vehicles coming down from fields, very frightening.  Any one day 25 loads per day going in one way and out the other way system. 

It was mentioned that do not deal with all movement – other vehicles from other farms too!

Would like to think amount of disruption in village is minimal – trying to do as much as they can – bring in over 3 weeks & take out over 10 months using open ended lorries.

Start at 7 am from Yard and leave at 8pm at night over a period of 3 weeks – once done it is done.

Resident: – could we get cameras i.e. Road Safety Partnership

Endeavoring to use one-way system through the village.

Cllr Roberts expressed thanks to Mr Tickler for coming along to meeting and hearing residents’ concerns.

Cllr Leighton – need to identify vehicles – banks are tight – have to use their common sense – if tractor/trailer meeting car generally easier for car to reverse back.  Trucks cannot do more than 30 mph.

Mr Tickler – we are constantly telling drivers to slow down.

2.

Opening of Meeting: Cllr Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

3.

Apologies for Absence: Cllr Fairhead.

4.

Declaration of interest: None.

5.

County Councillor: 

No Report.

District Councillor Report:

Storm Babet hit Lincolnshire 19-21 October with high winds and torrential rain. Which led to extensive localised flooding throughout the county.  Incidents in Aveland included Aslackby’s Aveland Way running briefly as a river and localised flooding in Pointon.  SKDC activated its dedicated emergency response team, warnings and updates were issued and Parish Councils used initiative and resource to prepare for and deal with incidents.  The event will likely feature as a case study in an emergency planning session planned for Councillors on 21 November, so if anyone has any points or comments on emergency planning and response in South Kesteven during Storm Babet, please let me know.

Meet the SKDC Cabinet The next public ‘Meet The Cabinet’ event will take place at the Corn Exchange, Bourne, on Monday 27th November, timings and details to follow.

Remembrance The time of paying respect to those who gave their lives in war with short periods of silent, respectful reflection is nigh.

Armistice Day on 11 November: “…The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918. … To this day we mark Armistice Day around the UK with a Two Minute Silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month…”

Remembrance Sunday on 12 November is “…a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.  We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism…”. 

Acknowledgement for quotes: the Royal British Legion

6.

To agree Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 25th September 2023: All in agreement for above minutes to be signed.

7.

Matters Arising from Minutes:

None.

8.

Finance:

Parish Clerk and Cllr Carr-bilas had met up earlier in the day to contact Lloyds re changing to online banking – on this occasion were more successful in that new bank forms would be sent to the clerk for signatories to complete forms and returned to bank – anticipated use of online banking would be available in 30 days!

Authorisation of payments presented by Parish Clerk:

Parish Clerk salary (October/November) – £437.82

BDG Mowing – £224.00

9.

Parish Clerk Update: How to search for Planning Applications – website instructions (SKDC).

10.

Planning – new Planning Applications: None.

11.

Highways:

Hedge – complaint forwarded to Cllr Roberts (SL Engineering) re state of overgrown hedge that PC look after – sorted.

Street light permanently on – sorted.

Gravel from car park coming and spilling on to highway - SL will deal with when they can – highways will arrange to come out and meet PC to ensure we are doing the right thing etc.

12.

Neighbourhood Watch:

Issues with people from Aveland Close knocking on people's doors etc - mindful that is happening.

Break in at an empty house – radiators removed – Police advised.

The litter bin near the Telephone Box is very smelly – next to where people sit waiting to get on the bus. The suggestion made to move across the road - done

Unauthorised car rally arranged to Airfield – several police cars in attendance: locks broken, cameras smashed at the site.

Trespassing – unsocial behavior continues – Police still doing occasional trips to the village. The landowner advised to put signage up.

Flooding – most bags used last time have rotted– there are approximately 50 left. Need to organise more sand, bags and storage:

MD contact Fix my Street for a load of sand tipped

PC to store unfilled bags. Potential central point where people can help themselves.

Cllr Hill will send link – request sand bin

Brian cleared gutters in the past: 2 silt traps at top of village need clearing out which is PC responsibility. To be discussed further.

13.

Cemetery: Cllr Roberts was contacted regarding the unkept state of the Memorial (Air Force) As it’s a PC problem – MD will ask Lionel to clean it. – completed.

14.

A.O.B:  Aveland Way Access Point has been adopted by Highways. There is no legal reason to stop anyone parking there. PC can apply for double yellow lines, but this is a lengthy process, and then, who will enforce it?

Question –do we want to apply for double yellow lines or not?

One resident was under the impression that parking bay was part of highways.  Cllr Hill advised that there isn’t any TRO (Traffic Restriction Order) that would support this and it’s now classed the same as any other part of the road.

Regarding the communication from the previous clerk – this matter has been referred to our insurance solicitor and they are dealing with it.

Dates to be agreed for meetings next year – commencing at 7pm.

15.

Closed Session: Cllr Roberts closed meeting for members of the public – thanking them for attended.  Cllrs then went into closed session.

The meeting closed at 8.22 pm.

16.

Date and time of next meeting to be agreed:  Monday 4th December 2023 at 7 pm in the Village Ha