July 2019 Minutes
TIMBERLAND AND THORPE TILNEY
PARISH COUNCIL
These are the Minutes of the Parish Meeting held at Timberland Village Hall on Wednesday 10th July 2019 at 7.30pm.
Recorded for minute purposes
12 Parishioners Present
The following issues were raised:
Speeding – B Road
A parishioner detailed the number of accidents and requested a reduction in speed (Agenda Item)
Planning Application for 7 Main Street
A statement was read from a parishioner representing affected properties reflecting concerns. (Agenda Item)
Present: Parish Councillors Stirling, Sharman, Sharplin, Kornat, Audis, District Councillor Ogden, Sanderson and the Parish Clerk.
1. Apologies
Cllr. Kendrick
2. Declaration of Interests
None
3. Minutes of the meeting held on the 13th May 2019
Agreed as correct and true record
Proposed: Cllr. Sharman Seconded: Cllr. Sharplin
All Agreed
4. County and District Councillor Remarks
The Clerk has distributed the monthly update from Cllr. Kendrick (available on request).
Cllr. Ogden reported that all new Councillors have undergone training.
District Boundaries are under review as there have been so many new houses built.
The Public Space Protection Order on the Metheringham Airfield is under review.
5. Planning
5.1 Main Street Development
A general discussion took place which included the agreed Planning Policy and the representations of parishioners. Cllr. Kornat informed the meeting of a Martin Goodall blog that can be helpful in understanding planning decisions.
Agreed: The Clerk to send a letter agreed by the Council to the Planning Department expressing a neutral response requesting that the representation of all parishioners to be taken into account and declare that one of the applicants had previously been a Parish Councillor.
All agreed
5.2 19/0843/FUL: Erection of covered horse exercise area on Top Farm – No comment
6. Highways
6.1 Parking on Main Street
As agreed the Clerk had written a letter to the Parishioners who, since receiving the letter, have parked the high sided vehicle on the drive to improve vision for road driver.
An email has been received from Cllr. Kendrick informing the Council that Highways were looking into the parking situation.
6.2 Speeding on the B road near the Thorpe Tilney Junction
A general discussion took place which included details of recent and historical incidents as a result of speeding along this section of the road.
Agreed: The council to write to the Road Safety Partnership to requesting a reduced speed limit.
6.3 Hole on Hallam’s Lane
This is near the corner of a parishioner’s driveway.
Agreed: The council agreed to report on line with photograph and at all times give advice to parishioners to report faults on line
7. Parish Items
7.1 Community Market Update
The next Community Market is the 25th July and a further update will be given at the next meeting.
7.2 Timberland Green
7.2.1 Church Wall
A further ‘strong’ letter has been sent to the Vicar expressing the concerns of the Council and he has responded saying he will contact the insurance company.
7.2.2 Dog Bags
Agreed: To continue to replace the cheaper bags on a regular basis
7.2.3 Condition of the Green
The chair commented on the excellent condition of the Timberland Green.
7.3 Grounds Maintenance
The purchase order has now been received and the details of the cuts have been handed to the Clerk to request payment.
7.4 Family Fun Day
A general update and discussion took place. A group to meet at 9am on Saturday morning to ensure everything is set up in time. This includes arrangements for the Porta-loo, bouncy castle, performance, falconry display, tug of war, football, welly wanging and dog show etc.
Agreed: Cllr. Audis to rope off the grave and dog show area and Cllr. Stirling to purchase the cheapest option ply board for the staging as agreed by the planning committee.
7.5 Timberland Village Hall
The renovation plans are moving ahead including quotes for the kitchen and the toilets. Applications for grants are ongoing and an update will be given at the next meeting.
7.6 Empty Property
Agreed: The Council to write to the Environmental Health again as it appears the owners have not taken any action.
7.7 Timberland Green Sign
A general discussion took place which included confirmation that the lease document restricts signs being laid across the entrance.
Agreed: Council to explore the cost of a sign and to agree wording at the September meeting.
7.8 LCC Signs
Signs have appeared around the village and parishioners have raised serious concerns about the possible restriction to footpaths which have been walked for many years.
Agreed: The Council to look into the options for the Parish Council to retain the footpath and residents to be pointed in that direction.
7.9 Church Lane Dyke
The Clerk updated the Council on the correspondence and discussions that have taken place. The bung has now been removed from the dyke and left on the side. This can now be removed by the Council as a month has gone by and it is un-slightly. Part of the dyke has been cleared by residents.
Agreed: Clerk to clarify whether Witham First are able to do anything in Timberland. Clerk to write again to Highways to seek clarification on whose responsibility it is to clear the dykes.
7.10 Timberland Cricket Club
The Club has now closed. A general discussion took place.
Agreed: The Chair and another Parish Councillor to meet with the owner the following week to look at possible options, if there are any, for its use.
All agreed
8. Clerk’s update
8.1 Finance
8.1.1 Cheques for payment
100639 LCC Lease 302.40
100640 HMRC Tax 197.87
100641 TA Fuel 57.15
100642 LALC Books 20.98
100643 Litter Picker 59.12
100644 Clerk 438.30
100645 Petty Cash 100.00
100646 Church Donation 100.00
100647 Cancelled
100648 EK Family Fun Day 674.35
Proposed: Cllr. Stirling Seconded: Cllr. Sharplin
All Agreed
8.1.2 Bank Statement Balances
Current Account £10808.02
Business Account 1960.08
8.1.3 2019-2020 Spread Sheet
This was presented to the Council. The clerk proposed a method of presenting figures that would save time. Cllr. Sharman stated that it the Council should be alerted to any information that hugely affects the budget forecast.
Agreed: In an attempt to save time in meetings, in future the Clerk will send the spreadsheet via email after each meeting which will include cheques agreed from the meeting.
8.1.4 Parishioners Rights Notice
This has been in the notice for the agreed time and will be removed after the 18th July 2019.
8.2 Correspondence
8.2.1 Dog Fouling
Agreed: The Clerk to chase the up to date signs from the Council
8.2.2 Footpaths Enquiry
Previously discussed
8.2.3 Parishioner Hedge Cutting
The Clerk had written to Parishioners requesting the hedge cutting and this has been completed.
8.2.4 Councillor Resignation
As a result of the recent resignation of the Cllr. Gullidge there are now 2 vacancies on the Council. This item to be agended at the next meeting to enable Councillors to give some thought as to how best to recruit Councillors to the role. This may include a requirement to attend training and possibly attending a meeting(s) before joining the Council.
Agreed: A letter of thanks to be sent to Mr. Gullidge and a new Councillor Vacancy poster to be put up.
8.2.5 Environmental Health
A message have been received from a Parishioner with regard to the condition of another property.
Agreed: Chair to contact the parishioner direct and the contact to be emailed from the Clerk.
8.3 Training
Agreed: Cllr. Stirling and the Clerk to attend the Chair and Clerk Training day on Thursday 11th July 2019.
9. Email Account
Agreed: to be agended for the next meeting.
10. Agenda Items for the Next Agenda
Email Options
Council Recruitment
11. Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 11th September 2019 7.30 Timberland Village Hall