Minutes of meeting September 2020
GLENTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a Virtual Meeting of the Parish Council on 3/9/2020
Present:- Cllr A. Shaw (Chairman), Cllr S. Shaw, Cllr P. Smith, Cllr V. Smith, Cllr J. Summers.
In attendance: Helen Pitman (Clerk).
Visitors: None.
1. Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given:- None.
2. Co-option of Councillors: Deferred as no interest so far.
3. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act:- Cllr P. Smith declared a pecuniary interest in item11 as he was claiming a refund of items purchased for council.
4. Notes of last meeting on 2nd July 2020, to be approved as minutes:-
The minutes were signed as a true record.
5. Chair and Council’s Comments:- No comments to make.
6. Report from District Councillor:- Cllr Summers informed council that the Covid situation in West Lindsey has been handled well with very few cases in the area. Market Rasen Leisure facilities are now open.
7.. Crime & Vandalism:- No police report received.
8. Clerk's Report on Matters Outstanding:- The clerk informed council that the blocked drains on Bishop Norton Road have been cleared by LCC and that she has spoken with the Environment Agency about maintenance of the beck. No response forthcoming as yet. Council raised concerns about the low water level at present .
9. Planning:- 141373: 90 day consultation for removal of payphone. Council objects as previously due to the poor mobile signal in the village in case of emergency.
140729 The Willows: approval of reserved matters following outline permission granted on 17/7/2017 for 19 dwellings.
10. Correspondence:- Letter of thanks for donation from LIVES.
11. Finance & Accounts for payment:-
Payments for authorisation: Resolved to pay: salary costs: £605.01; P Smith: £44.20; MKS Groundcare £450; Came & Co £413.67.
The clerk confirmed VAT of £3682.86 has been reclaimed and paid into the account which stands at £20,752.93 as at 31/7/20.
12. Report on the play area and to discuss & resolve on quotes for replacement equipment:- Cost of replacing one rotten pole on the junior swing is £503.26. Cost for all to be replaced is £2040.22 which includes installation and two new wetpour patches. The chairman proposed the latter spend. Seconded, Cllr P. Smith. To be resolved upon re- circulation of quotes.
Sovereign are to undertake an inspection of the adventure trail as this may also be under warranty and replacement of rotten timbers may be at no cost to council.
13. To receive justification of need for number of parking spaces requested by the village hall committee and discuss in light of WLDC recommendations:-.
The update from Cllr Summers is that the Village hall committee cannot agree to the chair's proposal as discussed at the joint meeting and last council meeting. The chairman said that there needs to be a compromise as he understands the village hall needs to be sustainable but council needs to preserve the green space for the residents. He stated that it had been agreed at the joint meeting that a study would be undertaken by the committee to justify the number of spaces requested. This has not been forthcoming. He went on to state that the village hall should be for the benefit of parishioners at the forefront of its purpose, not to be run as a business providing car parking spaces for attendees from outside the village. As it is parish council land there is the need for council to vote for a plan of six or twelve spaces or none at all. Any improvements made, he said, need to ensure safety and the preservation of the village green.
The chairman asked for the individual views of councillors. Cllr V. Smith said that she would prefer none but would compromise with six spaces on the green. The chairman added that he would agree with this plus parking at the rear and two disabled bays as has been discussed. No vote was taken.
The clerk informed council that the Conservation Officer will not advise on use of the green for parking in a conservation area without submission of a planning application. Council feel this would need to be prepared by the village hall committee and submitted to parish council for approval. Cllr Summers agreed.
During this conversation Cllr S. Shaw tried to interject but was on mute so councillors could not hear what she was saying.
After the meeting was resumed on Zoom she, together with Cllr P. Smith, said that they do not agree with the use of the village green for any parking as she has seen the benefit of keeping it over recent months. Once done, it cannot be undone.
Cllr P. Smith said it should be a phased approach with the first phase being resurfacing of the road and parking to the front and back of the hall. In his opinion the road is a priority.
Cllr Summers stated that he is in favour of his and the village hall committee's original proposal.
A resolution could not be reached as the village hall had failed to give justification on the number of spaces. Council agree to concentrate on repair to the road as used by villagers, particularly people accessing the bus stop and Bishop Norton Road. Councillors expressed difficulty in making a resolution due to concerns of loss of green space and what benefit the scheme will bring to residents.
The Clerk suggested that the parish council hold a consultation with residents to clarify the decision. The wording needs to be agreed by the council as a body and undertaken with all parishioners.
It is agreed that justification is needed by the village hall to put to parishioners ie how many bookings need the use of 12 parking spaces. Cllr Summers agreed to bring this to the next meeting. The consultation will then follow.
14. Items for next meeting:- Parking and road improvements at the village hall; Replacement traverse logs; Co-option.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30pm.