January 2024 Minutes
ASLACKBY & LAUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT ASLACKBY VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 15TH JANUARY 2024 COMMENCING AT 7 PM.
In attendance: Cllrs Atkinson, Carr-bilas, Dodds, Leighton, Miller, Roberts. 6 members of the public were also in attendance.
1. Public Forum:
2. Opening of Meeting: Meeting proper opened at 7.30 pm - 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:
Cllr Dixon-Warren had circulated December report highlights were SKDC flooding. Cat 1 responder – does not have people on standby to deal with issues.
Storm Henk most intense overrunning drainage system. Pretty much affected every village in the Aveland Ward suffered flooding.
6. To agree Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 4th December 2023: All in agreement for above minutes to be signed.
7. Matters Arising from Minutes:
Has Mr Thompson been in touch – understand leaflets going out to everybody i.e. 10th February Public Meeting in the Hall, will invite everyone in the area?
Landscaping business asked to take down residents hedge to certain height – resident had received letter from SKDC – hedge 10 ft tall.
8. Finance:
Savings Account closed down funds transferred to cheque account. Cllr Carr-bilas advised would like to write to financial ombudsman i.e. being told to close account and given no alternative! All Cllrs in agreement for letter to be sent. Suggestion that contact LALC – it is their job to support Parish Councils.
Authorisation of payments presented by Parish Clerk:
Parish Clerk salary (January) – £218.91.
9. Parish Clerk Update:
Precept request for 2024/25 was submitted to SKDC by deadline.
Letter re Water Rates given to Cllr Roberts from retiring clerk – Current Clerk to contact with new details etc.
9a Flooding/Flood Prevention: There have been posts on social media regarding the flooding in the village and the amount of water coming from the A15. It had been discussed via the Facebook (FB) platform that the Parish Council should be clearing the drains out. Cllr Roberts went to clear the drain opposite the telephone box and ensure that the drain was still clear next to Temple Farm. Cllr Dodds had already ensured the drain was cleared opposite The Robin Hood but it appears there is some kind of block in the drainage system under the A15 which is not in our remit and something GA responded to on FB saying that it had been reported.
9b Water Rates: Payment to Wave) Sept/Dec £19.10 – Parish Clerk will pay outstanding invoice and claim back - will also supply new address for invoices to be sent to.
10. Storage of Sand and Sand Bags:
11. Planning – new Planning Applications: None.
12. Highways: complaint received about trees at the approach to Temple Road. Cllr Roberts met up with Roz Nichols (Highways) to establish what ideally needs to happen. Trees need to be taken down to at least the road sign, if not the whole length of the embankment. Cllr Roberts has requested a couple of quotes or we need to apply to the latest Rural Prosperity Fund for help towards this as we will need a road management system in place and then fencing will have to be erected to replace the trees.
Roz Nichols (Highways) also mentioned gravel spilling onto the road from SL Engineering car park – some tarmac had to be taken up – both items have now been actioned.
12a Trees: The removal of the trees is non negotiable. Cllr Roberts has been told by highways (Roz Nichols) they have to come down up to a point, and topped after another. It’s just whether we take down up to the sign or continue and remove the lot. Either way, there is road management involved. There is a SKDC Prosperity grant that the PC can apply to for this.
12b Car Parking: Roz Nichols (highways) also Gravel spilling on to the road from SL Engineering and some tarmac that had to be taken up – actioned. Cllr Roberts looking into what can be done.
13. Neighbourhood Watch: Cllr Roberts - how are we notified of any reported incidents in and around the village be? Suggest we ask for an update from Bourne Police prior to our meetings.
14. Cemetery: No Issues.
15. Community Garden: The area at the back of the Council Houses where there are a few garages and a bit of rough ground – it has been suggested that this could be a lovely area to site a Community Garden. Cllr Roberts to contact SKDC re possibility of repurposing this area of land!
16. A.O.B.
Michael Thompson is preparing a leaflet and has ensured that a draft copy will be forwarded to the Parish Clerk prior to posting out to all the residents.
Policing – it was agreed that some form of formal communication would be useful to receive prior to our meetings. Parish Clerk to request.
17. Closed Session: Precept 2024-2025
18. Date and time of next meeting to be agreed: Monday 26th February 2024 at 7 pm in the Village Hall.