February 2024 Minutes

ASLACKBY & LAUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT ASLACKBY VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2024 COMMENCING AT 7 PM.

In attendance: Cllrs Carr-bilas, Dodds, Fairhead, Leighton, Miller, Roberts. 15 members of the public were also in attendance.  

1.   Public Forum:

Volumes of rain over bridge – residents Colin, Shane and Ryan went out to clean some of the drains.  Problem with drains around most of the village – Cllr Hill will report back to highways – there is cleaning programme - he will find out and report back to us.

Concerns raised about Consultation Event and lack of information – some residents not notified - 43 signatures – major impact on village in particular drainage!  Several residents in attendance issued their concerns. Cllr Dixon-Warren advised will sit on Planning Committee – i.e.call it in so that it has to go before Full Planning Committee.

Cllr Roberts agreed to contact Mr Thompson to set up further consultation whereby everyone in village will be given the opportunity to have their say i.e. whether in agreement or not.

Mud on road causing problem for motorbikes – who is responsible!  District Council do come and clear the roads but only do kerb side – slowing down traffic would be best way to stop.

2.   Opening of Meeting: Meeting proper opened at 8.15 pm - Cllr Roberts welcomed everyone to the meeting.  

3.   Apologies for Absence: None. 

4.   Declaration of interest: None.

5.   County Councillor:  Following major issue over last 2 months over 800 properties have been flooded.  LCC is lead flooding authority – plan to jet and dig down and sort out drains – if have issues need to report on LCC website.

Drains in the village – realized more to it than that i.e. put in new plan – extra money (from government) will enable LCC to come out more often – would be helpful if people would report blocked drains.

Road Closures (Opal) legal situation is not intended to close road – LCC give them permission – if go over time LCC fine them.

Road closure on A15 – (launching surface dressing programme later this year) – should have done work overnight.  Cllr Hill wrote to company abut service – concerns raised from residents abut access for emergency services etc. whilst all this work has been going on.

District Councillor Report: Aveland Update will be circulated in due course.  Emergency Plan (flooding) everyone understands that when get weather like we have had there are issues (Cllr Dixon-Warren happy to provide advice) not necessarily PC that will do it – do not have any statutory responsibility!  People get upset when do not know what is happening.

Bins update – going to give people more time to get used to idea.  Member of public – thank you that came back to collect etc.

6.   To agree Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 15th January 2024: Information on Trees to be added.

7.   Matters Arising from Minutes: Tree update from January meeting – see below.

8.   Finance: 

Authorisation of payments presented by Parish Clerk:

Parish Clerk salary (January) – £218.91.
Reimbursement to Parish Clerk re AW invoice – £19.10
Lionel Fisher (Cemetery Grass cutting) – £420.00

9.   Parish Clerk Update: 

Income received £45.00 Co-0p re Memorial for the late Maurice Russell Briggs.

Grass cutting/Strimming (BDG Mowing) quote of 17th February 2024 – Cllrs agreed the following:

To mow and strim through Aslackby Village plus extra verges as discussed: 1 cut a month April to October £120 per month - 7 cuts in total £840.00 - Strim footpaths from Aveland Way to the other side of Kirkby Underwood Road: 2/3 strims during April to October - 3 strims in total £159.00

10.   Storage of Sand and Sand Bags: Cllr Dodds has 50 filled bags at the moment behind gate on right hand side – share information on website (also have supply of sand and bags to be made up) Sand at Dylans, Bags at Malcolm’s. Would be helpful to have more volunteers on board to help with filling etc.

11.   Flooding Issue (re Changes to Dyke in field above property):

Problems outside Kierens home – water running through the village and not drain (drain has water pipe in it>

12.   Planning – new Planning Applications: None.  

13.   Consultation Event (review): 

Good turn out – lot of feedback – let’s get Mr Thompson back and allow people to ask questions etc.  Potential of moving on and organising community meeting with him – he should bring someone with him i.e. Architect not just himself.

14.   Highways: 

Cllr Hill has spoken to highway’s regarding the overgrown hedge on Temple Rd.  They are now content for the hedge to remain but trimmed well back to allow 16 foot road clearance.

14a   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 to where bungalows are.  Either way, there is road management involved. PC told not up for discussion.  There is a SKDC Prosperity grant that the PC can apply to for this.

Cllr Hill will have a look – Cllr Miller advised many years ago people living in bungalows opposite wanted units blocking out from their side – PC decided a long time ago to plant trees on land or bank as long as PC looked after them – more and more units were  built – if take trees down bank will subside!  We need to know what is best way to deal with issue.

14b   Car Parking: SL Engineering and Cemetery – no room for parking to go to cemetery- propose when go down the side i.e. Michael Thompson land – he may want something in return!

15.   Neighbourhood Watch: Aware of some activity in SL Engineering (banging of doors etc) – 6 police cars in attendance as night progressed, aware of several cars turning up in area. 

 Someone’s head covered in paint caught on camera but only showed back of person.

Kirkby Underwood Road – road traffic race!

Laughton Lane – traffic backing up – police car in attendance!

Dog attack (someone on close) happened last week i.e. Aveland Close – child had 36 stiches (face) – dog still alive!

16.   Cemetery: No issues.  Brian Wilkinson notified of extra Memorial for the late Maurice Russell Briggs to be added to existing headstone.

17.   Community Garden: Cllr Roberts has been in touch with SKDC advised approached by village to look into possibilities – no response received as yet – Cllr Roberts will get back in touch with SKDC for an update.  The PC do not own any land – maybe a no go from the start!

18.   A.O.B.  

We have not heard anything from PC re Consultation?  Think PC should be putting back up plan together i.e. look at opportunity Parish Plan etc. think more needs to be done in preparation.

Cllr Roberts – going to be moving on  – speak with SKDC/County Council –possibly have a short meeting and presentation – what can we do to protect village i.e. set up a Community Group – move together, moving forward with Parish Council – opportunity to put forward a better scheme.  Consider leverages of the Dovecote etc.

Why live in a village with no shop, no school!

Invite to another meeting, get as many people there as we can and minute meeting – if cannot be Parish Council then volunteers – get working group together from the start!

19.   To resolve whether the council move into closed session: No requirement.  

20.   Any Matters for general discussion or inclusion in next agenda.

None - the meeting closed at 9.13 pm.

21.   Date and time of next meeting to be agreed:  Monday 8th April 2024 at 7 pm in the Village Hall.