May 2021 Minutes
TIMBERLAND AND THORPE TILNEY
PARISH COUNCIL
These are the Minutes of the Parish Meeting held via zoom.
Wednesday 5th May 2021 at 7.00pm.
Meeting Recorded for minute purposes.
One parishioner present.
Issue raised – Dog fouling nuisance which continues to be a problem.
A suggestion was put forward that some metal sign deterrents in gardens have worked for some parishioners. The cost is around £10.00 each and are available online.
It was also suggested that posters could include details of how Parishioners can report to NKDC.
These could be displayed for parishioners enabling them to quickly report offenders.
Thanks were given to the parishioner for the help in laminating the signs.
It was acknowledged that the Parish Council would not want to ‘flood’ the parish with too many signs, but it remains one of the main options alongside encouraging parishioners to report offenders.
It was reported that at least one parishioner would be receiving a letter from NKDC for not picking up dog litter after a parishioner contacted NKDC directly.
Agreed: Dog fouling poster to be included on the website by Cllr. Lenton. A scanned poster was suggested.
A notice has been put up in the notice boards clarifying action to take if this anti-social behavior is witnessed with the NKDC contact details.
Those present:
Parish Councillors: Stirling, Kornat, Audis, Sharplin, Sharman, Slater and Lenton
1. Welcome to the AGM
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies
Cllr. Ogden and Kendrick and the Parish Clerk
3. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Cllr. Stirling was nominated for the Chair for 2021-2022
Proposed by: Cllr Sharman Seconded: Cllr. Kornat
Accepted by Cllr. Stirling and all agreed
Cllr. Kornat was nominated for vice-Chair for 2021-2022
Proposed: Cllr. Stirling Seconded: Cllr. Sharman
Accepted by Cllr. Kornat and all agreed
4. Agree Representation
Village Hall Committee - Cllr. Kornat
Proposed: Cllr. Audis Seconded: Cllr. Sharman
All agreed.
Personnel Sub-committee for future vacancies
This committee will consist of the Chair plus two parish councillors.
Agreed: Cllr. Stirling, Kornat and Sharman.
All agreed.
5. Declarations of Interest
None
6. Minutes of the Parish Meeting 17th March 2021
Proposed: Cllr. Slater Seconded: Cllr. Sharman
All Agreed
7. Chairman’s Report
Please see attached.
8. Asset List
Agreed: To be updated by the Clerk to include the additional bin and to include all the non-highways signs. An amount for replacement of around £750.00 for the painted sign to be added. The new laptop and printer will also be included on the new list.
The old laptop to be written off and donated to charity.
9. Standing Orders
These have recently been updated and sent out electronically to all Councillors.
Agreed: Cllr. Kornat to send out to all Councillors and the Clerk.
Cllr. Lenton to put these on the website.
10. County and District Councillor Remarks
Councillors not present reports sent via email.
11. Planning
Agreed: Cllr. Sharman to draft email/letter to send to Planning via the Clerk to seek clarity on Anglian Water’s response to the Manor Farm application, which does not address the Council’s concerns about infrastructure capacity.
12. Highways
Discussion included concerns raised again about the access from the Junction on to the B1189 road from Thorpe Tilney Junction.
Agreed: Clerk to ask Highways to ask the residents to cut the hedge to ensure safe exit from the junction.
A reminder also to be sent to Highways about the remaining potholes that need repairing across the Parish.
Clerk to contact the Street Scene team to review highways litter and fly tipping.
13. Parish Items
13.1 Community Market Update
Cllr. Kornat reported that the Community Market is anticipated to be resumed in June realistically at the Chapel and hopefully back in the VH in July.
13.2 Timberland Green
All maintained to date and in good order.
Agreed: Furniture to be treated soon for ongoing maintenance
Permission has been given to retrieve balls as directed via the Estates Department.
13.3 Grounds Maintenance
Confirmation has been received that the Bayfield cutting will continue at £16 per cut.
13.4 Timberland Sign
Cllr. Audis reported that the cost of refurbishment was £80.12.
This has now been renovated and replaced. Many thanks for all those involved. A formal thank you to be sent to the Parishioner Artist for her efforts.
A Parishioner has informed Cllr. Audis that there are some funds left over from the Golden Jubilee fund money raised by Parishioners some time ago. It is possible to put this money towards the cost of the renovation. The chair expressed the view that all contributions are gratefully received.
Agreed: A wooden trivet held by Cllr. Kornat to be handed to Parishioner as a thank you at a value of £20.00.
Proposed: Cllr. Audis Seconded: Cllr. Sharman
All agreed.
Cllr. Audis to speak with Parishioner about the donation.
13.5 Family Fun Day
Updates will be available as soon as possible.
13.6 Village Hall Update
The latest update has been forwarded to all councillors detailing the ongoing renovations with the support of the volunteers.
The Clerk has suggested that the income expected from the Community Infra Structure Levy (CIL) could be considered for use towards the ongoing renovations.
Agreed: Cllr. Sharman to clarify what exactly the CIL can be spent on and to look at the options.
Cllr. Kornat to look into the funding gaps for the Village Hall for the Parish Council to discuss in July.
13.7 Notice Board
Agreed: Due to changes in the renovation of the village hall, notice board quotes to be re-visited ensuring that the Council has 3 quotes to compare for replacement of both using the initial allocation of the CIL. These quotes to include solar lights.
Cllr. Audis to liaise with Chair of the Village Hall.
Proposed: Cllr. Sharplin Seconded: Cllr. Slater
13.8 Parish Website
Cllr. Lenton gave update on the challenges posed by the new website development which continue.
The website will be up and running as soon as possible.
13.9 Social Media
A discussion took place with regard to the parish Council having a social media presence.
Currently the Parish has two social media pages:
Community Market and Timberland Village Hall and Community Facebook which are used by a number of Parishioners.
A Parish Council Facebook Page would need to be administered closely but could work well with the above. It was noted that the Billinghay Facebook page is a good example of this.
Agreed: The Lincolnshire County Council Parish website to be used for formal business including legal requirements e.g., minutes and agendas. Social media sites can be discussed further into the future and could be used more for social events and community highlights.
13.10 Local Plan etc
Agreed: Cllr. Stirling, Audis, Lenton and Sharplin to review footpaths when map has been received and look at the feasibility of linking Thorpe Tilney and Timberland.
The Parish Council to ensure input into the forthcoming consultation.
13.11 Parish Meeting 2022
Dates agreed and will be distributed by the Clerk asap.
14. Clerk Update
14.1 Finance
Although the Clerk was absent all finance information was distributed via email showing all updated bank balances etc.
14.1.1 Cheques for Payment
Details of cheques sent via email in advance of and since the meeting of the 17th of March 2021.
100712 JLP Laptop and Printer £579.98
100713 Petty Cash 100.00
100714 Petty Cash 100.00
100715 Clerk Salary 458.34
100716 Came and Co Insurance 602.69
100717 Litter Picker Salary 62.52
100718 Petty Cash 100.00
Proposed: Cllr. Stirling Seconded: Cllr. Sharplin
All agreed.
14.1.2 Bank Statement Balances as at 31.03.2021
Business Account £1963.63
Community Account £6052.06
14.1.3 Audit 2020-2021
All audit paperwork sent to the Council and signed off by the Local Auditor.
Governance Statement agreed by the Council.
Proposed: Cllr. Sharplin Seconded: Cllr. Sharman
All Agreed
14.2 Correspondence and Communications
Previously discussed.
15. Agenda Items for the next meeting
Local Plan
Annual Parish Meeting 2022
Social Media
Footpaths
16. Dates of the next meeting
Wednesday 21st July 2021 7pm - Venue to be confirmed.
Chair’s Report 2020-21
The Parish Council has worked hard for the Parish over the last 12 months in what has been a challenging time for all. There has been one resignation and one new Councillor.
Covid19 has affected all parishioners and populations across the world. Responding to the pandemic has led to a period of great uncertainty and each of us individually has had to come terms with the reality of the situation. As a community I believe we have acted responsibly protecting each other and supporting individuals and groups when possible.
Meetings have been held via zoom in line with Government Guidelines.
MATES (Martin and Timberland Emergency Support) was a community response to help those who were most vulnerable to the virus. The Parish Council nominated MATES for an award which it ultimately, deservedly, won. Individual Parish Councillors and staff also offered their time and generosity. This support continues today.
Whilst the crisis it is not yet over it is hoped the current vaccination program will ultimately lead to lives returning to normal.
I am pleased to report that the 2020-21 accounts have been sent to and signed off by the Local Auditor.
The Council took the decision not to increase the 2021-22 precept which means that the precept has not been increased for several years although this will be considered on an annual basis.
The new Clerk who began work in January 2020 vacated the post in July 2020 and the previous Clerk agreed to return to the post temporarily until a new Clerk is appointed. The decision was then made to recruit a new Clerk once Covid restrictions have been lifted.
The litter picker continues to work 1 hour per week keeping the litter under control. The Council successfully applied for a grant towards the litter picker salary in 2020.
Unfortunately, the annual Family Fun Day and Community Markets, which are supported by the Council, have not been able to continue during covid. Cllr. Kornat however has been involved in organising temporary covid safe ‘mini markets’ outside the Chapel which have been very popular.
The Timberland Green was closed for a time through the pandemic, but it is now open again for use. Safety signs have been placed around the Green and will remain in place until they are no longer necessary.
Cllr. Audis is the lead Councillor for the maintenance and upkeep of the Timberland Green and continues to maintain the space to a high standard.
The Timberland Green is an attractive and calming space for Parishioners and visitors to the Parish to enjoy. The ROSPA inspection was undertaken in August 2020 and will continue on an annual basis to ensure the safety of all users.
We are still waiting for the Church wall to be repaired.
Walk around regular safety inspections are also undertaken and recorded by a Parish Councillor.
The secure storage continues to be used for storing the mower and equipment.
Posters have been displayed requesting all users to be respectful and considerate to neighboring properties and to use the equipment safely to avoid damage and personal injury.
The Parish Council website has been replaced by a new system. There are initial teething problems, and it is hoped all will be solved soon.
Cllr. Lenton has kindly offered his expertise and time to work with the Clerk to develop the site.
The council is committed to producing a welcoming and informative platform for use by parishioners and anyone with an interest in the work of the Council and the Parish of Timberland and Thorpe Tilney.
The notice boards and locations have been beneficial to the Council and Parishioners to ensure transparency and access to council business. Community Infrastructure Levy monies has been set allocated to replace the old notice board in front of the Village Hall.
Standing Orders including Financial Regulations, complaints procedure, planning, media policy and Code of Conduct are available via the Clerk and will also be accessible in the public file held in the Community Library when the Village Hall renovation has been completed. These will also be on the website in due course.
The parish council continues with the responsibility of maintaining the land on access to Bayfield for which the council receives payment from LCC Estates. Throughout the summer Cllr. Audis cuts the grass on a regular basis.
With regard to highways, the extension of yellow lines on the sharp bend near the Penny Farthing car park have now been completed. Potholes continue to be a concern across the Parish and although some work has been completed there is still work to be done.
Some new speed signs have now been erected on Station Road and Fen Road.
Meetings have taken place with Parish Councillors, County Councillor, Parish Council flood wardens and Witham First Drainage Board regarding the on-going flooding concerns. Plans are still being discussed to decrease the risks of flooding in vulnerable areas. Some clearing of the dykes has taken place by the local farmer which may help.
A local parishioner and Parish Councillors have worked together to restore/repaint the Timberland sign. This was originally gifted to the Village and it is now greatly improved. Many thanks to all of those involved in the restoration.
Dog Fouling continues to be a concern for the Parish on occasions and further dog fouling signs have been put up. An additional bin has also been purchased by the Parish Council and located on Hallams Lane.
One of the recent highlights of the year was celebrating the 100th birthday of Frank Massingham. It was heart-warming that so many parishioners turned out to wish him a very happy birthday which he enjoyed, and a note of thanks was published by his family.
In the coming year one of the main priorities is the Lincolnshire Local Plan consultation.
The Council intends to ensure that access to green space is seen as a priority for all and support has been offered by County Councillor Kendrick.
Sadly, over recent years the Parish has lost various facilities including the shop, post office, bowling green, walking paths and the cricket pitch.
The Parish has submitted an application to re-instate previously walked paths to the rear of the Church.
In addition to this the Parish are also in the process of applying for the Timberland Green to be designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
The Penny Farthing listing of ACV was successfully re-applied for in 2020.
The Parish Council, whilst welcoming planning developments to improve and welcome new parishioners, it is seeking assurances that the existing infrastructure of sewerage and drainage is sufficient to cope with the pressure on the system.
Finally, the Parish Council continues to demonstrate its commitment to the quality of life in the Parish and will always listen to concerns of parishioners, taking action when needed.
As Chair I thank everyone for the hard work and commitment over the year.
Cllr. Ian Stirling
Chair 2021
Timberland and Thorpe Tilney Parish Council