2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes from the meeting of Bardney Group Parish Council, which was held at St Oswald’s Park, Bardney on Thursday 21st July 2022 at 7pm

Attendees                                                 

Cllr Robin Darby – Chairman

Cllr Peter Waddington – Vice Chair

Cllr Luke Cluett

Cllr Frank Bates

Cllr John Papworth

Cllr Malcom Speed

Anna Lawson (Clerk/RFO)

Laura Allen (Admin Assistant)
 

Absences

Cllr Charles Shaw and Cllr Mary Corbould

Members of the Public

One member of the public present

Meeting commenced at 7.00pm  

     Public Forum

A member of the public who was an allotment holder wished to enquire about the Parish Council installing an additional water point for more convenience and a new gate to stop people blocking access to the allotments. The Chair concluded that both of these issues would be looked at and they would be updated in due course.

30-2022/23  To inspect the Insignia and Apologies for Absence i.a.w Local Govt Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.

Apologies for absence received from Cllr Shaw and Cllr Corbould.

31-2022/23   To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Member’s Register of Interests.

None received.

32-2022/23   To receive and consider any dispensation requests on agenda items and decide whether they are to be granted.

None received.

33-2022/23   To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on 16th June 2022 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes.

An amendment was proposed by the Chair to correct an incomplete sentence and then approve the minutes. .

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Speed and UNANIMOUSLY resolved to approve the amended minutes.

34-2022/23   To receive the report from the Chairman

The Chairman expressed that while there were no other reports to make, we are full steam ahead for the St Oswald’s Feast Day Event on Sunday 7th August, and that we hope that the weather is with us for a great day to be had by all.

35-2022/23  To receive update on actions arisen at the 16th June 2022 meeting and report from  the Clerk to the Council.

Clerks report as follows:

A large dip is appearing on the Village Green.  This dip has been noted for several months however it appears to be increasing in size.  Due to the fact that the Village Green is a public facility it is imperative that we find out the cause of the dip.  The obvious causes; broken drain and mine workings have been ruled out.  We have been informed that there was an air raid shelter on the Green however the position of this has yet to be confirmed.  We will continue to look for the potential source however please note that there is a chance that we may need to do groundwork and as such we would look to cover the cost via our insurers.

BGPC have been contacted by a solicitor representing Bardney Cemetery Improvement Group.  After a conversation with them they understood and were happy with our position and have advised BCIG to meet with BGPC, which should be happening next month.

Plans are underway for St Oswald’s feast day and the accompanying magazine should be out shortly.  The banners will go up early next week.

The weather has slowed work however the Office was usable even on the hottest days and performed better than the old Fire Station Office, which would have been unusable.

We are aware of the increased fire risk and are taking the relevant steps and have asked allotment holders not to have fires, especially due to the close proximity of the corn field.

Anti-Social Behaviour continues to be a problem in the village and although the WLDC ASB team have been supporting our area it appears that communication between the ASB team and the police team is not always happening.

Unfortunately we are being asked by LCC and WLDC to do more of the tasks which normally fall to them to carry out.  This is causing problems as we do not have the training or skills set to do these tasks.

LCC has given permission for the new bench to be installed in Southrey on Ferry Road close to the Public Right of Way.

    36-2022/23  Financial matters:

1. To approve the bank reconciliation statement for June 2022

Bardney Group Parish Council

Bank Reconciliation for June 2022 as at 30.06.22

Balance as at 01.06.22                    £91,036.08

Total income                                           £982.50

Admin                                                   2425.44
Salaries                                                3955.59
Handyman                                           1212.15
Villages                                                    18.26
Cemetery                                               588.00
CIL                                                          768.00
Grasscutting                                         2697.02

Total expenditure                               £11664.46

Balance as at 31.05.22                    £80354.12

2. To ratify payments of accounts, salaries, BACS payments & payments already made

Payment Ratification PDF document

37-2022/23  Planning matters.  To note any approved applications received and to consider any planning applications and decide any comments that the Council wishes to make. 

There were a number of applications this month, however as there were no apparent objections, the Parish Council has no comments to make.  

145091 - To to erect second storey extension and porch at LN8 5JL.

145127 - To erect two rear extensions and a side garage extension at LN3 5XW. 

145134 - The creation of a second vehicle access at LN3 5XG.      

145158 - Two storey rear extension at LN3 5UD.

145161 - Single storey front and rear extensions at LN3 5TZ.

38-2022/23  To receive a report from the Village Hall Representative

Items raised by the Village Hall Representative included:

1. The Cherry Trees: It was noted that the trees will need tidying at the appropriate time after bird nesting season and LCC has agreed to carry out the necessary work.
2. Cherry Tree Stones: A request was made for our handyman to tidy the stones on the ground near the cherry tree.
3. Bench outside the Village Hall: It was asked if Bardney Group Parish Council could adopt the bench as West Lindsey District Council and Highways do not acknowledge any ownership.
4. Adventure Area: It was asked if BGPC council would consider using an area of St Oswald’s Park for the older children to utilise, with equipment such as zip wires. Owing to safety and liability considerations, the representative stated that they would gather further information on what the Village Hall would be looking for and present it at the next meeting.

The Chairman stated that this would all be taken on board and the bench request would be added as an agenda item for further discussion at the next meeting.

39-2022/23  To receive insurance quotes

Due to necessity and too few suitable alternatives, the insurance quotes were retrospectively discussed at the meeting. We opted for Company B: Community Action Suffolk who we were already familiar with and was deemed to be the safer option.

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Papworth and UNANIMOUSLY resolved to retrospectively approve the insurance quote from Company B.

40-2022/23  To consider picnic area quotes

History
The area is part of the Community Orchard.  Currently there is no designated picnic area in Bardney, with the nearest one being at Dunston Fen.

Proposal

1. Level the ground
2. Create a hedge row fencing around the edges
3. Add one large gate for access for the tractor to cut the grass and trim the trees, and one small gate for people to access the site from the other side.

     Works required

1. Level the ground.  Could be done in house.
2. Install temporary post and rope fencing until the hedging is installed.
3. Hire a digger to install the gates. This would require a digger for one day.

     Costs
     The hire of a digger for one day;

NB companies identified as prices are on the internet.

     Timeframe
     To be carried out in Autumn or Spring due to soil and hedge planting

     The council voted to approve in the principle whether to develop a picnic area for the benefit of the local community, but as this vote was defeated it was not necessary to consider the quotes               obtained.

PROPOSED Cllr Speed SECONDED Cllr Cluett with two in favour, three against and one abstention. The motion was unsuccessful.

41-2022/23  To consider proposal for street names

A request to consider Street names for the development on Wragby Road was agreed to be reconsidered at a later date if and when the planning application is successful.

PROPOSED Cllr Darby with no seconder to vote in principle to consider the proposal, therefore the motion was unsuccessful.

     42-2022/23  To consider cutting back the trees on the Village Green near the Memorial

      It was agreed to consult with the landowner and defer making a decision about cutting back the trees overhanging the war memorial until the next meeting.

     43-2022/23  To consider improvements to the entrance to the Community/Allotments car park

History
The entrance to the site had stones laid in the dips approx. two years ago.  The stones have moved over time which has created further dips in the ground.  There is a small tree (large shrub) on the entrance to the allotments which narrows the area for cars to use.

Proposal

1. Level the ground
2. Remove the tree (shrub) to widen the access and increase the width of the entrance.

Works required

1. Remove the tree.  Could be done in house.
2. Hire a digger to level the entrance.  This would require a digger for one day.

Costs
The hire of a digger for one day;

NB companies identified as prices are on the internet.

Timeframe
Needs to be done in the summer when the soil is dry.  Ideally needs to be done before St Oswald’s Feast Day due to volume of traffic using the site.

Future
Need to consider long term solution and cost for installation of a more robust solution.

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Speed and UNANIMOUSLY resolved to approve entrance improvements utilising GG Cannon.

      44-2022/23  To consider quotes for hedging plants for Cemetery

      These are for Bareroot stock for delivery and planting in October/November.

       Twenty plants at 60cm high.  Prices are online so not bound by GDPR

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Speed and UNANIMOUSLY resolved to opt for purchasing hedging plants from Mill Farm Trees.

     45-2022/23  To consider becoming Dementia Friendly

It was considered to adopt the free national scheme to help to improve knowledge and communicate more effectively with people who have dementia.

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Speed with five in favour and one against to adopt the scheme.

46-2022/23  To consider request from Bardney Panthers to create new football pitches on St Oswald’s Park

It was agreed to vote on the principle of creating new football pitches and also request further information on the requirements needed to implement the idea.

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Waddington and UNANIMOUSLY resolved.

 47-2022/23  To consider small grant to Bardney Panthers to cover cost of training equipment for the girls team.

As the equipment is needed for the current training season, it was agreed to award an emergency grant for the sum of £150 towards one junior team’s equipment.

PROPOSED Cllr Darby SECONDED Cllr Speed and UNANIMOUSLY resolved.

48-2022/23  To confirm date of next meeting Thursday 15th September - Venue TBC

Meeting closed 9.04pm

* Please see the Council’s policy on the audio recording of meetings for more information. Items at meetings are taken in order of inclusion, subject to the Chairman’s (with the Council’s) discretion to bring items forward or back in order to orderly manage the meeting and not unnecessarily exceed the recommended time for meetings.