2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

These are draft minutes and subject to change or amendment until approved at the next Meeting on 12 May 2022

The Playing Field Meeting will be held on 9 June 2022 at 6pm and not the 19 May 2022 as stated.

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14 APRIL 2022 AT THE VILLAGE HALL

PRESENT:  John Midgley (Chairman), Paul Smith (Vice Chairman)

Councillors:  Mary Banks, Amanda Green, Tim Smith and Angela Stubbs

There were about 70 members of the public

The Chairman informed everyone that The Playing Fields Meeting would not commence as the Chairman had resigned.

The Chairman asked if anyone would like to stand for Chairman of the Playing Field.  There were two candidates Amanda Green and Angela Stubbs.  Both had two votes each; therefore, the Chairman had the deciding vote.  Amanda Green was elected as Chairman of the Playing Field.

Members of the public were encouraged to enter discussions and the Chairman informed them that, in fairness to everyone, they would only be allowed to speak for two minutes so that each person would be given the chance to put forward their viewpoint.  He informed everyone that the Planning Application would be discussed as an Agenda item as he realised that was why so many people had attended. The Chairman congratulated Mr Blanchard on his birthday and the members of the public gave a round of applause. A member of the public said that he had a couple of ideas for the Jubilee celebrations on Sunday 5 June 2022. One idea was an assault course, charging £1.00 each participant and the other idea was a run through the village via Thames Street. He suggested that any monies raised should go to the Ukraine to help with the appeal. Another member of the public pointed out that the cemetery had some issues regarding overgrown bushes and ivy covering gravestones and rubbish.  The Clerk informed him that she would resolve this problem. A member of the public asked the Chairman of the Playing Field if the car boots were going to continue. The reply was that she thought not as she had plans for the Playing Field.   It was also pointed out that the churchyard wall was leaning with the weight of the gravestones, but this was something that the Council was aware of and will resolve in the future.

Many members of the public came to the Meeting to raise their grievances against the Planning Application N/084/00625/22 for 104no. static caravans and alterations to existing vehicular access.  The person who submitted the application was also present.  A neighbour of the property in question spoke about the fact that she had lived at the address for many years, and it was so peaceful, and she did not want it spoilt by the introduction of a caravan site.  The noise, pollution, extra heavy traffic, safety of the general public and horses and no access of a footpath were just some of the things that she introduced. The Clerk has produced a Report that will be submitted to the Planning Office with objections. This is enclosed.

Interview and Acceptance of New Councillor – Mrs Ellen Joyce Smith was co-opted by Angela Stubbs to be elected as Councillor.  There were no objections by the Council.

154.  Chairman’s Welcome – The Chairman welcome everyone to the Meeting and was surprised at such a big turnout which was appreciated.  He informed them that were not allowed to speak or give their views whilst the meeting was in progress.

155.  Apologies for absence and acceptance of any reasons given.  There were no absences.

156.  Notes of last Parish Meeting held on 3 March 2022 to be approved as minutes.  Minutes were approved by full Council.

157.  To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation.  None given.

158.  To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings.  Mary Banks informed the Council that there were no problems with Charity Farm and the Allotments were looking neat and tidy.

159.  Election of the Playing Field Committee:   Amanda Green (Chairman), Tim Smith (Vice Chairman), Angela Stubbs (Member), and Paul Smith (Member).

160.  Playing Field grant money to be paid to (Chairman) of Playing Field from Parish Council account.  Agree a date to be paid back.  The Clerk is still awaiting confirmation of the Playing Field bank account and has a cheque to be deposited.  It was suggested to have the cheque re-issued with HSBC Bank in view of it now being out of date.

161.  Financial Matters.  Payment of Accounts.  Cheques were paid to:  AJ Johnson - £6,705.00, Clerk - £14.01, Clerk’s salary - £747.50, D.Emerson - £100.00, Kerry Stafford - £56.00, Clerk’s expenses - £57.48, Hogsthorpe Allotment Association - £250.00, Clerk training – CILCA £410.00 - £282.38 Clerk’s training by Maureen Clarke from Wainfleet St Mary’s, Clerk - £26.00, HMRC - £60.69.

162.  Ongoing training for Clerk CILCA , Certificate in Local Council Administration £410.00 for approval.  Full approval of the Council.

163.  Clerk’s Report.  The Clerk informed the Council that she had received a cheque for £822.50 from the Hogsthorpe Allotment Association for the yearly rents.  She had now completed the training sessions with Maureen Clarke who is the Clerk of Wainfleet St Mary’s and she thanked her for all her help and support.  The Clerk has also attended a zoom meeting training of the Hogsthorpe Website (Peter Langford, Webmaster). She has completed spreadsheets for the end of year accounts for the auditor internal and external. The Clerk informed the Council that she had received three quotes for the repair of the brick pier of the village sign and two for the wooden post.  RDR will produce an oak post with ‘Hogsthorpe’ engraved as previously. Darran Emerson will be building the brick pier as soon as RDR have completed the post as this has to be bolted in first. The top of the sign will be cast aluminium as suggested by RDR as this would be more cost effective and it will be attached to the post by RDR.  The clerk suggested a small fence around the Heritage Garden so that in future, the village sign has more protection.  She will speak to RDR about the cost of this. One of the benches in the churchyard will be replaced by a brown resin one by Pauline James as agreed in a previous meeting of the Council.

164.  Repair of the village sign.  After being hit by a vehicle, the village sign had become dangerous, therefore, the Clerk enlisted Darran Emerson to make the site safe by taking the brick pier away which was damaged and was a safety issue.  There is red and white tape around the site.  See Clerk’s report for details of new village sign.

165.  Churchyard wall.  It was suggested by Council that the Clerk meet up with Mr Blanchard to see which parts of the churchyard wall need fixing.

166.  Position of S106 monies.  There is £6,210.00 available to be used by the Council.  It was suggested that part of this money could be used for the village sign.  The Clerk will send this application for approval.

167.  Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations – the new Chairman of the Playing Field has quite a few ideas for the Jubilee Celebrations.  These will be held on Sunday 5 June 2022 at the Playing Field, Thames Street, behind the Village Hall.

168.  AGM – agree a date.  The date of the AGM will be 12 May 2022.  The date of the Playing Field Meeting will be 19 May 2022.

169.  The Playing Field have received a grant of £450.00 for a new basketball unit, either fixed to the wall or stand-alone fixed into the concrete.  The Chairman and Committee of the Playing Field have yet to decide which one will be appropriate.

170.  Key holders of changing rooms in Playing Field.   Paul Smith has keys to the changing rooms.

171.  Planning Application N/084/00625/22 – 0bservations by 27 April 2022.  Mill House, Sea Lane, Hogsthorpe, PE24 5QG.  Change of use to site 104no. static caravans and alterations to existing vehicular access.  The full council gave a vote AGAINST this application.  There is a report attached to these minutes that will be submitted.

Planning Application – Observations no later than 14 April 2022. Land at Langham Road, Hogsthorpe.  Change of use of land to site 3no.  transportable holiday units.  There was one objection on the grounds that more units would be wanted on the land in the future.  0ther Councillors needed more information.

Planning Application N/084/00723/22 – Observations by 8 May 2022. Avoca, High Street, Hogsthorpe – Councillors needed more information to comment further.

172.  Date on which the next meeting is to be held to be agreed – 12 May 2022.

The Playing Field meeting will now be held on 9 June 2022 at 6pm and not 19 May 2022.

Planning Application 104no caravans, Mill House, Sea Lane, Hogsthorpe – Ref: N/084/00625/22

We had a large turnout of Parishioners at our Hogsthorpe Parish Council Meeting on the 14 April 2022.

All residents that were present gave their comments and interests why this application should not go through.  All of their comments were valid and acceptable reasons for this application not to go through such as:

1. In a peaceful rural location this would give rise to pollution and disruption of the daily lives of the residents.
2. The road is not sufficient for the heavy traffic. Hogsthorpe already is overloaded with traffic which needs to be resolved. This will add to the great problem that already exists.
3. There would have to be a path made as the people and children especially would find it very dangerous walking along these narrow roads. 
4. There would be no access for people or children with disabilities.
5. The roads would have to be made wider to accommodate transporting caravans down them as this would be very difficult and incur safety issues.
6. There also would be more service vehicles, deliveries and extra refuse. There would also be increased traffic from the site residents.
7. There are flooding issues within this site. The already high risk flood zone 3 area.
8. There are no facilities in Hogsthorpe for the extra people.  There is only one shop. The residents living in the High Street have a problem with parking so this will escalate this.
9. This is a quiet village and it will be bombarded by tourist. This is not acceptable to the residents.
10. There will be increased safety concerns for Orchard Farm and other equestrian users regarding safety of horses and riders.
11. This application will bring the house prices down.
12. Anti social behaviour and more crime will be more apparent.
13. Surely there are enough caravan sites within the area so why bring Hogsthorpe down!
14. The local doctors and surgeries, dentists and hospitals are under great strain. This will add to it.
15. There will be added stress on the water, electricity and sewage. We already have powercuts in this area. Also water pressure problems.
16. We would stress strongly that we need a bypass to cope with the ever increasing traffic that we have and the speeding cars etc and the road rage that is apparent on the High Street and the surrounding streets.
17. FULL COUNCIL VOTED AGAINST THIS APPLICATION ON 14 APRIL 2022.  
18. IT IS OUR DUTY AS A PARISH COUNCIL TO LISTEN TO OUR PARISHIONERS AND THIS PLANNING APPLICATION MUST NOT GO THROUGH ON THE ABOVE GROUNDS. IT WILL AFFECT ALL THE RESIDENTS.