March 2019 Minutes
TIMBERLAND AND THORPE TILNEY PARISH COUNCIL
These are the minutes of Timberland and Thorpe Tilney Parish Council meeting held at Timberland Village Hall on Wednesday 13th March 2019.
Public Session
There were 5 parishioners present who raised issues which included:
- Concern with regard to speeding and dangerous bends along Fen Road and correspondence with the Parish, Highways and Planning.
- HGV signs and whether these were needed
- Recent Planning application on Main Street
- Increased parking on Main Street
- Sign near the Timberland Green
- Planning Application for proposed development on Church Lane and the impact on the village.
- Planning – Alleged Bias by the Parish Council
- Support for the Parish Council acknowledging the hard work of the Parish Councillors and the Clerk for the Parish and the parishioners living there. The Parishioner requested that these comment were put on record.
Cllr. Matthan confirmed that Highway matters will now be dealt with directly via the County Councillor.
Cllr. Kornat informed those present that the council has very recently drafted a planning policy clarifying the role of the Parish Council when informed of planning applications. This draft clarifies that the only time the Parish Council will intervene is if there is a negative impact on village and only after consultation with parishioners.
It was clarified that the sign recently erected near the Timberland Green has been erected by Lincolnshire County Council and not the Parish Council.
Agreed: County Councillor Kendrick to meet on site with the Parishioner raising concerns regarding the speeding on Fen Road.
It was confirmed that the Main Street application had recently been refused by Planning.
One Parishioner was asked to put in writing any concerns for which a response is required.
Parish Council Meeting
Present: Cllrs. Stirling, Audis, Sharplin, Kornat, Gullidge, Kendrick, Matthan and the Parish Clerk.
1. Apologies
Cllrs. Ogden, Phillips and Sharman.
2. Declaration of Interest - None
3. Minutes from the previous meeting
Agreed: The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting on 9th January 2019.
Proposed by: Cllr. Kornat Seconded by: Cllr. Audis
All agreed
4. County and District Councillor Remarks
Cllr. Matthan clarified that purdah commences on the 14th March so usual business will cease until after the election.
A reminder that ID is now needed to vote in elections was also given.
Cllr. Matthan congratulated the Council on their hard work acknowledging both the engagement with parishioners and the success of events supported and/or promoted through the Council.
Cllr. Kendrick referred to his recent newsletter which has been sent to all Councillors by the Clerk (available on request).
Heritage Services are currently undertaking a consultation which brings in a huge amount of funding to Lincoln of over £1billion. The consultation can be accessed via the County Council website.
A joint strategy on dementia is also detailed on the website. He pointed out that £600,000 per day is spent on Social Care.
The County Council budget has now been agreed
Cllr. Kendrick also raised the following:
The Moon installation touring the world is now on in the museum.
North Sea Observatory now in operation in the vicinity of a 16 mile walk in that area.
Cllr. Stirling reported from an email from Cllr. Ogden confirming the new Council Tax banding amounts and the increase in the Police commissioner and NKDC amounts etc. Precepts have increased by an average of 5.5%.
The cost of garden bins remains the same.
The dog fouling law has been repealed. All training and guidance will be available through the District Council only.
Cllr. Matthan confirmed that parishioners should be reminded that if dog litter bins are not available a general waste bin can be used (not recycling bin).
5. Planning
The following planning was received since the last meeting and distributed to the Council.
18/1579/FUL Installation of a new access and private driveway, demolition of existing outbuilding and partial garden wall and removal of timber shed. Erection of a new five bedroom dwelling. This has been refused. Location: Land At 7 Main Street Timberland Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3RZ.
19/0215/FUL Change of use of part of existing detached garage to a nano brewery. The Maltings 1 Church Lane Timberland – No comment
19/0117/HOUS Erection of single storey rear extension Location: 4 Martin Road Timberland Lincoln Lincolnshire LN4 3RU – No comment
Cllr. Kornat report on the progress of the draft planning document which will be adopted in the Annual Parish Council meeting.
Cllr. Kornat again clarified the Parish Council role when looking at planning applications.
Parishioners are able to make comment directly to the Planning Department via Planning Online or in writing.
6. Highways
6.1 Witham Bank and Thorpe Tilney Fen
Cllr. Audis and Stirling reported the unacceptable state of the road from Timberland Fen and Thorpe Tilney Fen. Both Councillors reported that the road was now considered dangerous as it has deteriorated over the last year.
Agreed: Cllr. Kendrick to speak to Highways
6.2 Sign on the Corner of Fen Road and Church Lane
The Clerk informed the Council that this has been reported and a photograph from Cllr. Kornat had been submitted.
Cllr. Audis has also reported the sign being broken.
Agreed: Cllr. Kendrick to follow up.
6.3 Station Road Yellow Lanes
The Clerk confirmed that the work was in progress. The Clerk presented the map from highways to the chair confirming that the process had begun with regard to extending the yellow lines.
6.4 Parishioner Correspondence – Fen Road
Agreed: Cllr. Kendrick to discuss with Highways and meet with Parishioner for site visit.
6.5 Parking on Main Street
Cars are legally parked here but it does come as a surprise to vehicles coming around the corner.
Agreed: Cllr. Kendrick to look into this.
7. Parish Items
7.1 Community Market update
Cllr. Kornat reported that the Community Market continues to be a success. All future money raised will be for the proposed renovations in the Village Hall.
The next Community Market is Thursday 21st March 2019.
7.2 Timberland Green
7.2.1 Church Wall
This has not yet been repaired but it is understood that someone has agreed to repair the wall and it was discussed recently in a Diocese meeting.
Agreed: Cllr. Stirling to follow this up and report back to the Council.
7.2.2 Dog Poo Bags
There is some concern that the bags are not being used properly.
Agreed: Purchase and use of the bags to be monitored and consideration to be given to further purchases and the type of bags used.
7.2.3 Sign on the Entrance to Timberland Green Access Road
It was clarified that Estates and Highways do not own the part of the lane which leads up to the Timberland Green. Highways have indicated that they would not have any objection to an acceptable sign being erected to prevent vehicles entering other than for access.
Agreed: Clerk to check with the residents of the properties their knowledge of the lane
7.2.4 Football Nets
Agreed: The Clerk to request again funding/support from Lincoln City and Cllr. Audis to purchase nets to the value of £50 excluding vat in the hope that we may receive a contribution.
Proposed: Cllr. Sharplin Seconded: Cllr. Kornat
All agreed
7.3 Grounds Maintenance
Resolved: Clerk to contact the Estates Officer to confirm contract for 2019-2020 and also an additional cut for 2018-2019 for the grass on Bayfield.
7.4 2019 Election
A general discussion took place which included the importance of reading all documentation thoroughly. Parish Councillors must complete their own nomination forms and are responsible to ensure that they are completed accurately and submitted on time. The final date for submission and withdrawal is the 3rd April 2019.
The Clerk offered to book an appointment with NKDC to submit all forms on behalf of the Council.
Agreed: The Clerk to collect Electoral roll from Sleaford and distribute to all Councillors.
Appointment to be made by the Clerk to submit nominations forms for all Parish Councillors who do not want to make their own appointment.
7.5 Family Fun Day 13th July 2019
Cllr. Kornat reported that planning is well underway. The Events licence has been received with slight amendments to include live music. The bar will be managed by the Penny Farthing. The Licence covers the event from 12 noon until 10pm.
It is hoped that some of the Community Market stall holders will also have stalls on the day as well the Timberland Young Gardeners and the Village Hall Committee.
7.6 Timberland Village Hall
Cllr. Kornat attended the last Village Hall Committee on behalf of the Council.
Quarterly Bingo and Quiz nights will continue to raise funds for the running costs.
Any additional monies raised will go towards the proposed renovations.
Finally, there is also a consultation exercise being undertaken to seek the views of Parishioners of what they would like to happen in their Village Hall. The findings should be known in May.
7.7 Timberland Green Sign
Agreed: The Clerk to contact owners of the two properties on the lane not adopted by highways and report back to the Council. A decision will then be made with regard to the sign.
8. Clerk’s Update
8.1 Finance
8.1.1 Cheques for payment since the last meeting:
100624 108.00 Training LALC
100625 165.56 Subscriptions LALC
100626 62.64 Litter Picker - Salary
100627 Cancelled
100628 456.34 Clerk - Salary
100629 22.00 Paint and Fuel
100630 90.44 HMRC - tax due
Proposed by: Cllr. Kornat Seconded: Cllr. Sharplin
All agreed
The Clerk requested a Councillor to shadow the Finance Officer 2/3 times a year to introduce another accounts check to include in the Financial Regulations. Examples of closer scrutiny could be the final record of clerk’s hours and HMRC.
A general discussion took place.
Agreed: Cllr. Gullidge to become the shadow councillor for the accounts.
Proposed: Cllr. Kornat Seconded: Cllr. Sharplin
All agreed
8.1.2 Bank Statement Balances as at 4th March 2019
Business Account Balance £1959.10
Current Account Balance £8407.54
These were checked by the Chair.
8.1.3 2018-2019 Updated Spread Sheet
This was presented to the Council and each Councillor received a copy.
8.2 Clerk’s Time Sheet
Cllr. Matthan pointed out that the Clerk should not be required to undertake an admin task that adds to the workload unnecessarily.
Agreed: The Clerk to complete time sheets to the end of the Year to calculate the hours worked and ensure it is a reflection of the work undertaken for transparency purposes.
8.3 Social Media Contract
Cllr. Matthan suggested that Councillors also look at the Standards in Public Life (Nolan principles)
Agreed: The Social Media Contract to be included in the Standing Orders in May along with the Code of Conduct.
8.4 Planning Guidelines
Already discussed.
9. Correspondence
Closed Session
10. Agenda items for May meeting
Parish Council Planning Policy
11. Next Meeting Date:
Annual Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday May 8th 2019 7.00
Parish Council Meeting
May 8th 2019 7.30
Timberland Village Hall