May 2021 Minutes Annual Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting of Cowbit Parish Council held on Monday 24th May 2021, 7.30pm at the Cowbit Village Hall
Attendance. Cllrs Tyrrell, Elliott, and Fragale.
District Cllr Casson and Woolf, County Cllr Pepper, 3 members of the Public and Miss D Leedham (Parish Clerk).
1. Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, mentioning it had been over a year since the last face-to-face meeting. The Chairman congratulated County Cllr Pepper on continuing to be a County Councillor and thanked him for all his help and advise in progressing Highways concerns over the years.
Public Forum
A resident raised concerns with the distribution of new properties in the Parish. Discussions occurred regarding the national housing shortage, the Local Plan, planning policies including s106, farm development and wildlife.
Cllr Casson raised a concern on behalf of a resident, regarding dog mess and dog mess bags. The Clerk confirmed the bags had been ordered.
Litter bins were also discussed, Cllr Casson noted that the Parish now had two routes.
The CSW co-ordinator enquired whether it would be possible for a Police Officer to regularly attend speed watch sessions, Council agreed for the Clerk to speak with the area co-ordinator.
2. Election of Chairman.
a. Cllr Tyrrell was proposed by Cllr Elliott and seconded by Cllr Fragale. All agreed
b. Cllr Tyrrell signed the Acceptance of Office as Chairman.
3. Election of Vice-Chairman.
a. Cllr Elliott was proposed by Cllr Tyrrell and seconded by Cllr Fragale. All agreed.
b. Cllr Elliott signed the Acceptance of Office as Vice-Chairman.
- Apologies.
a. None received.
5. Declarations of interest.
a. A declaration of interest was received from Cllr Elliott regarding the discussions on the Village Hall, Cllr Elliott is a Village Hall Committee member and he will not directly financially benefit from any decisions relating to the Village Hall.
6. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 8th March 2021 to be approved as the new minutes.
a. It was resolved to accept these notes as minutes. The Chairman duly signed.
7. Matters arising from the minutes/admin matters.
a. The Council asked the Clerk to chase for an update on the Grit Bin refill for Drain Bank south.
8. To review and resolve accordingly on:
a. Council representation on
i. Playing field/pavilion.
The Council resolved for representatives to remain as Cllrs Elliott and Sandhu.
ii. SHPVCS.
The Council resolved for the representative to be Cllr Barnes subject to Cllr Barnes agreement.
iii. Village Hall rep.
The Council resolved for the representative to remain Cllr Tyrrell.
d. Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC).
The Council resolved to continue with membership to LALC.
e. Inventory of council land and assets.
The Council resolved to accept the asset register.
f. Insurance cover.
The Council resolved to accept the insurance and asked the Clerk to confirm with the provider that they half pipe has been removed from the policy.
g. Website
The Council resolved to continue to pay for the village website. The Village Hall Committee Chairman and Clerk noted they were in the process of arranging the training on the website for the Clerk. Discussions occurred regarding moving the Parish Council information from the LCC website to the Cowbit Village website including the use of the email addresses and internet access for the Village Hall. The Council resolved for the Clerk to migrate the information from the LCC website to the Cowbit Village website and to look into access for the Village Hall.
9. Police matters.
a. The Chairman read through the following Police report:
1 x ASB malicious communications (threats over social media)
1 x Domestic
1 x Abandoned call, (accidental dial)
1 x Drugs (smell of cannabis)
1 x Criminal damage
1 x Theft (scrap metal)
Sus activity Lucksbridge Nursery
Sus activity Croft Close (nothing suspicious found)
The Chairman also noted that 2 men had been caught stealing scrap metal. The scrap was eventually paid for, however, thefts then occurred in Moulton Chapel. The Chairman advised the Police had requested concerns such as this be shared far and wide, especially via social media.
10. Cemetery matters.
a. Ongoing to find suitable land, no update at present.
11. Highways matters and CSW.
a. The Chairman updated on the progress of the ungritted road, Mill Drove, noting he and District Cllr Casson had met with Jan Whitbourn and agreed for Jan to take the matter up with LCC and LRSP. The Chairman advised that once a response was received the next steps could be decided.
The Council discussed the speed limit through the main Village and it was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with Cllr Pepper to draft a letter to LCC Highways.
b. The Chairman read through the following CSW report:
Since lockdown ended, we have carried out 4 sessions, 2 at Barrier Bank/Ash Tree junction and 2 by the Village Hall which is a new site. 136 vehicles were checked with 31 reported for being over the speed limit. The highest speed was 65mph in the 40mph zone on Barrier Bank.
c. The Council discussed the Welcome Gates and agreed to review locations for discussion.
12. Bus Shelters
a. The Chairman advised he had received one quote and was awaiting another. Cllr Fragale noted that sponsors were waiting and the materials for repairs remained available.
13. Financial matters.
a. The financial report had been circulated and it was resolved by all to accept the figures given. Cllr Elliott enquired whether the precept had been received, the Clerk confirmed the precept had been received.
b. The Clerk advised that the internal auditor was no longer carrying out audits and asked if a new auditor could be appointed. Council resolved for Clerk to appoint a new internal auditor.
14. Planning matters.
a. Planning applications had been circulated and any comments made were listed on the SHDC portal.
15. Village Hall representative.
a. The Village Hall Chairman updated the meeting, noting a number of upgrades had been made during the period of lockdown including the log cabin, new hand driers, hot water in the men’s toilets. The concerns raised regarding subsidence had been assessed and the committee were awaiting the solution. He also noted that the committee were awaiting the confirmation of stage 4 before opening fully for bookings.
b. The Council discussed the request to temporarily suspend the dog ban on the playing field, discussions included the location of the dog show and the availability of additional bins, dog poo bags and volunteers. Council resolved to temporarily suspend the dog ban on the playing field on 21st August 2021.
16. Playing field/Pavilion representative.
a. Cllr Elliott updated the meeting, noting that the Pavilion and field were now being used regularly by the football team.
17. Correspondence.
a. The Clerk advised that EON had been in touch regarding upgrading the smart meter at the Pavilion. All agreed, the Clerk to email confirmation of date/time to Cllr Elliott.
18. Councillor’s reports & items not on the agenda and also for Councillors to raise items for next meeting’s agenda. Councillors are requested to use this opportunity to report minor matters of information not included elsewhere on the agenda and to raise items for future agendas. Councillors are respectfully reminded that this is not an opportunity for debate or decision-making.
a. None.
19. Date of the next meeting.
a. Date of the next meeting, Monday 12th July, 7.30pm at the Cowbit Village Hall.
20. To resolve whether to move into closed session and exclude public, police and press (who will be required to leave the meeting at this stage), in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972), due to the confidential nature of business to be discussed in relation to the following matters:-
a. None.
Meeting closed at 8.45pm.