2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

June 2022 DRAFT Minutes

These are draft minutes and are subject to change or amendment until approved at the next Council meeting on 7th July 2022

 

MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 9 JUNE 2022 AT 7PM

AT THE VILLAGE HALL, HOGSTHORPE.

 

Present:  Acting Chairman:  Tim Smith 

Councillors:  Amanda Green, Paul Smith, Ellen Smith, and Mary Banks

Clerk & RFO:   Valerie Anne Worley

District Councillor:  Graham Williams

Also Present:  9 members of the public

Apologies for absence and accepted:  Chairman: John Midgley and Councillor Angela Stubbs

 

PUBLIC FORUM

The subject of the Playing Field was discussed.  The Chairman of the Playing Field suggested that the Council cannot keep supporting the Playing Field and something must be done to bring funds in.  A Councillor replied that ‘Most Councils support their play areas’.  The Chairman of the Council said that now it’s benefitting the people of Hogsthorpe.  He said that he didn’t want it to be a housing development.  It could be sold in the future for this but with the project of the woodland trees this would not be possible.  A member of the public stated that it is a charity and former members of the village worked very hard to achieve this play area.  The Chairman of the Playing Field stated that the Charity would be given £500.00 per year for the maintenance of the area.  This funding will help create a lovely tearoom.  It will be a reserve.  There will be a zip ride and skateboarding facility.  Everything is an idea.  If we put the trees in no houses can be built.  The trees are very small.  The Chairman of the Playing Field informed everyone that she had been in contact with Phil who is the son of the people who raised funds to gain the playing field/playpark.  She also stated that she is looking for ideas from everyone.

The Chairman was asking everyone to get together, cleaning and tidying.  All groups in the village should be working together.  Out of 960 people very few came to the Jubilee.  The Chairman thanked Roy and Jen for their usual participation in the event.  The Chairman of the Playing Field and the Clerk were also thanked for all the work that they had achieved for the Jubilee celebration.

A member of the public enquired about the car boots.  The Chairman of the Playing Field said these were not viable and only brought in an income of £150.00 per year.  Each car boot would need at least two people to run them each time.  It would mean more rubbish clearance and the cleaning of the kitchen area and the toilet. A member of the public suggested that the GNS were willing to run the car boots and teas and cakes had been sold in previous car boots which amounted to £90 profit of which £20 had been donated for electricity used. It was suggested that a football match has never been played on the Playing Field but there would still be room for five a side football, a skate park and zip wire.  A Protection Order to prevent dogs from pooing on the field is needed but this was allowed to lapse in the previous year.  The school have been unable to use the Playing Field because of this situation.  A member of the public suggested that the cemetery needed clearing and tidying of shrubs on the west side.

A summer fete was suggested for next year and that everyone should be working together to benefit the community.

  1.  CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME – The Vice Chairman, Tim Smith welcomed all to the meeting.  He informed everyone that he would be acting Chairman until John Midgley, Chairman returns as his absence is due to injuries sustained in a road traffic accident.   He stated that, ‘we are a new committee.  We want to make things good for Hogsthorpe’.  He informed everyone that the public forum will be for 20 minutes in the future as this was the maximum guide and each person would have 3 minutes to speak on one subject.  Any disruption to a meeting will be dealt with by a public vote and the person will be asked to leave.  If not, the Chairman will close the meeting.  Mary Banks read out a statment which stated she was not confident in the current Vice Chairman or the outcome of the AGM.  The Chairman stated that full Council had voted and Notice of Acceptance were signed in front of everyone at the meeting.  The Chairman stated that there would be a closed session after the meeting to discuss an incident that took place before the AGM.
  2. Apologies for absence and reasons given – apologies accepted - Chairman: John Midgley and Councillor:  Angela Stubbs.
  3. Notes of the last Parish Meeting held on 12 May 2022 were signed and approved.
  4. To receive any declaration of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensation – non received.
  5. To receive reports from outside bodies and other meetings – Mary Banks stated that there was an Inspection for the charities – damp problem in the big house. Goodwin Charity had had a good response from people regarding becoming trustees.  The Village Hall - The AGM did not take place in June for lack of a quorum but would take place in July.  Councillor Graham Williams stated that the £150.00 payment to A-D band house groups will not be paid as a discount against council tax.  The name on the bank account must be the same name as the person who pays council tax.  This will take a while to be put into their account as it is a substantial job to do, and they must get people in to do this.  There will be many new developments such as Skegness railway station, Sandiland Golf Course (National Trust Wildlife farm) and many more. They met the budget for last year.  The problem it’s facing is fuel and power, costs of materials and the costs of labour. It is difficult to recruit staff.  There are several people leaving the Council.
  6. Payment of accounts – cheques were duly signed - Gallagher Insurance £784.09 - Playpark Inspection £180.00 - Clerk's homeworking allowance £26.00 - Currys £20.00 – Robert Aldrich £665.00 - Postage £11.35 - Bray Design £65.00 - Stationery £16.99 - Marmax picnic benches - £1,497.60 - Clerk's salary £597.90 - HMRC £149.60 - Wave water £162.29 - Tesco £127.95 - Flowers £22.50 - GNS Donation £100.00 
  7. Ongoing training for Clerk – An Arnold Baker book that was bought by the Council for £103.00 for the Clerk has been misplaced.  The Chairman, John Midgley suggested to purchase an updated book which will be of assistance to the Clerk.  Mary Banks will also ask the previous clerks if they know where the book would be located.
  8. The Clerk’s Report – The Clerk read the report out and stated that she had spoken to Ridgequest regarding producing a new galvanised aluminium sign for the top of the village sign and was awaiting quotes.  She suggested trimming the trees of the Heritage Garden and power washing the tiles and painting the chairs and boards as this would improve the area for the community and visitors to enjoy.
  9. Planning – No applications listed.
  10. Update on Mill House – 104 caravans – Lindsey Stewart, Planning.  Councillor Graham Williams stated that there are several questions that have been raised and will be submitted back to the applicant whether to approve or object.  A decision will be listed on the website.  The Planning Authority must by law look at the plan.  Mary Banks asked if anyone had seen the criteria from Lincolnshire Highways and asked that all should keep an eye that all should be followed. The footpath from the bottom of Mill Lane must be a made-up footpath with lighting.  There are flooding dangers from drainage, and it may be an archaeological site.
  11. Thames Meadow Drive Update – Councillor Graham Williams stated that this was never an adopted road.  It was built by the standards that were in place at the time.  It was Spilsby Rural District Council and Lincs C.C.   It has never been built to a satisfactory standard.  ELDC never adopted it.  There is no documentation. The bell end is part of the highway, but it would be more viable to mend the whole road not just the entrance. Councillor Mary Banks informed the Council that Councillor Colin Davie suggested getting some statements from all residents of Hogsthorpe as well as Thames Meadow Drive.
  12. Churchyard – The Clerk informed everyone that quotes were being obtained for the churchyard walls and the trimming of the trees and bushes in the churchyard and the cemetery.
  13. Facebook – The Chairman emphasised that comments on Facebook should not be directed at Hogsthorpe Parish Council.  Some comments are slanderous and very unfair.  We want Hogsthorpe Parish Council to become a friendly environment where people can put their viewpoints across.  All groups should work together for the community to benefit.
  14. The next meeting will be held on Thursday 7th July 2022.
  15. The meeting closed at 8.20pm.