Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held at The Institute on Thursday, 4 January 2001.

The Chairman, Councillor P Dilks, presided over Councillors D Abel, J Anderson, R Auger, V Bulmer-Jones, A Chambers, S Fisk, P Hill, J Lewis, K Shinkins, J Stevens, A Thompson, G Walker, M Watkins and the clerk.

No members of the public were present.

1. OPEN FORUM

The Chairman welcomed Tony Martin, Chairman of the Deepings Management Partnership, and Jeff Lloyd of South Kesteven District Council to meeting. Mr Martin gave a brief presentation on the constitution of the Partnership, which encompasses all of the Deepings, including those areas falling beyond the authority of South Kesteven. Membership consists of representatives from the public and private sector, although membership is fluid according to the projects currently being undertaken. A SWOT analysis has identified areas for attention and forms the aspirations of the two working groups – Access & Amenities and Attractions. A forthcoming survey of residents is intended to further hone the Partnership’s activities.

Many members expressed concern that the Partnership has created a potential for duplication of effort and overlap with the aims and activities of the parish and town councils of the area, and that there could be conflict in the future. The manner in which the Partnership was formed was unfortunate in that a public meeting had not been held and selected individuals appeared to have been approached with a view to membership and office, whilst other groups, not least the local councils, had not been invited. In some members’ view, a lack of accountability and openness exists, as the Partnership’s meetings are not open to the press and public, as council meetings are, and unelected representatives are spending council tax.

Mr Martin responded that each council now had representatives on the Partnership and that many of the issues raised were a matter of poor communication between the two bodies. The Partnership is accountable to South Kesteven District Council and works as a think-tank and catalyst for change. The overall and abiding aim of the Partnership is to look forward and be positive in their actions and activities to bring about an improvement to the Deepings as a whole. Mr Martin accepted that meetings had been closed, due to a problem caused by a member of the press, but that in future anyone would be able to attend. Members agreed that the two bodies should move forward in a positive manner and work for closer co-ordination and co-operation. Every effort to improve communication should also be made and in future, minutes of meetings will be exchanged.

Mr Martin and Mr Lloyd were thanked for attending and left the meeting. In the absence of members of the public, no further items were raised.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Warrick.

 

3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 November 2000, having been circulated beforehand, were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

4. MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

1. FOOTPATHS 2 & 5

The clerk reported that the landowner was no longer interested in seeking a diversion of the above paths and had agreed to their immediate re-instatement. Problems on other paths referred to the Countryside officer were all in hand.

2. THE CROSS INFORMATION BOARD

A revised quote specifying the cost elements to supply (£400 + VAT) and install (£120 + VAT) was received together with an outline drawing. The clerk reported that English Heritage was being consulted with regard to the proposals and that their response would have a bearing on whether planning permission was required. The draft wording is available and will be agreed by members before any order is placed.

3. PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINTS – THE CROSS

The Highways Engineer has noted the council’s concerns and agreed to inspect the area and report back.

4. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN DEEPING GATE

The clerk drew members’ attention to correspondence received from residents in Deeping Gate and Market Deeping expressing their objections to the proposals and requesting the council’s support. The clerk confirmed that replies had been sent detailing the council’s own strong objections.

5. RIVER WELLAND – EASTGATE FLOOD DEFENCE

Verbal assurances that the matter will be looked into as a matter of urgency have been received from the Environment Agency.

6. MEMORIAL PROJECT

Market Deeping Town Council has confirmed that it is now content for the next stage of the project to get under way. The clerk confirmed that Commissions East would begin drawing up a design brief in conjunction with the Arts and Landscapes Officers at L.C.C. for presentation to a joint meeting of both councils.

7. DEEPINGS CAMERA CLUB – EXHIBITION OF LIFE IN THE DEEPINGS

Councillor Anderson reported that he had represented the council at the recent exhibition and commended the club on an excellent display.

 

5. CORRESPONDENCE

1. DEEPINGS COUNCILS’ JOINT LIAISON MEETING

The next meeting will be held on 9 January 2001 at The Institute. Members were requested to advise the council’s representatives of any issue they would like raised.

2. HALL MEADOW ESTATE

The clerk to the D.S.J. United Charities has advised that, in his opinion, the council should seek to wind up the charity rather than merge it with the United Charities. The land would be worth in the region of £2,000. Alternatively, if the charity were to remain, the proper rent would now be in the region of £150 per annum. There were mixed views on the advice so it was agreed to make this an agenda item for the next meeting.

3. NEW POLITICAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Following recent legislation, L.C.C. has put up three options for its future management. Members agreed by 7 votes to 6 that option 2, a leader and cabinet, was the most appropriate due to the rural nature of the county. Reservations about the need to change the current committee system, which appears to work quite satisfactorily, will be passed on to the County Council.

4. RIVER WELLAND – BOAT ACCESS

Members heard a letter from Mr C Boardman of Caudle House, Market Deeping that had been sent to the Environment Agency concerning the lack of a boat launch in the area. It was agreed to support in principle the request for a launch to be provided somewhere in the Deepings but that further details would be helpful.

5. CLERK TRAINING

The Chairman reported that Market Deeping Town Council had requested this council’s clerk to undertake the training of their new incumbent. It was the unanimous view that the clerk does not have the time to devise and deliver a training course within her obligations to her post and that advice and assistance has regularly and freely been given to the previous appointments. The clerk confirmed that she was happy to continue to do this and the council agreed that it was content with the arrangement providing it did not become abused. Information concerning literature and courses provided by L.A.L.C. will be passed to the Town Council.

6. PROPOSED LAND SALE – ADJACENT TO 11 PENDLEBURY DRIVE

It was unanimously agreed to oppose South Kesteven District Council’s proposals to sell public open space to the owner of 11 Pendlebury Drive. There is a recognised shortage of open space in the parish and the loss of any land, no matter how small, is deplored. Years of development have reduced the opportunity to earmark new areas of public open space and existing areas should be protected as a matter of principle. Councillor Anderson further believed that the land was subject to a S.106 Agreement and that there were no valid arguments for this protection to be lifted.

7. COMMUNITY RAIL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Members noted the appointment of Helen Bush to this post and extended an invitation for her to address a future meeting on the way forward in the council’s desire to re-open Deeping St James station.

8. LICENCE APPLICATION – ROSE INN, FROGNALL

Members had no objection to the transfer of licence to Anthony William Bass and Andrew Spencer.

9. OTHER ITEMS

The following items were noted:

• Parish Paths Partnership. The final payment for 2000/01 has been received.
• Festival of Folk, Food, Dance & Drink in July 2001. Clerk will advertise.
• Seminar on pension fund to be held at County Hall, Lincoln on 9 February 2001.
• L.A.L.C. circular. Copies were made available to members.
• Community Council of Lincolnshire – 1999/2000 Annual review document.

Councillor Lewis requested that the clerk be asked to obtain prices for replacement bus shelters should the inspection reports indicate that action might be needed in the near future. Members unanimously agreed this course of action.

1. DEEPINGS MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP

Councillor Shinkins provided a written report on the last meeting of the Partnership. It was agreed to write to the Highways Department strongly supporting a 20mph speed limit in Park Road by the Deepings School. The next meeting will be held at the Community Centre at 5.30pm on 7 February 2001.

2. DEEPINGS COMMUNITY CENTRE

Councillor Anderson drew members’ attention to a recent advertisement concerning the Community Centre which implied political alliance with the Conservative Party. This advert had been placed without the knowledge or approval of the Trustees, who disassociated themselves entirely from the content. A disclaimer to this effect was appearing the current edition on the Advertiser.

1. Councillor Shinkins reported that the dykes in the Back Lane and Stowgate Road area are excessively full of stagnant water. The Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board will be asked to investigate.
2. Councillor Shinkins noted that the pathways in the old portion of the cemetery have become difficult to walk on due to a build up of mud and moss. The clerk will obtain a quote for re-gravelling.
3. Councillor Chambers, the council’s Red Cross representative, advised members that she was in the process of arranging a ‘Save a Life’ session to be held in March. Further details will be given later.
4. It was reported that the recent roadworks on Church Street near the bridge were defective. This will be referred to the Highways Surveyor.

1. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – 2001

The Chairman advised members that under the usual timetable this meeting would be held on 31 May 2001. In view of the fact that this falls during the Spring Bank Holiday period and is the meeting when officers and representatives are elected, it was agreed to move the meeting forward by one week to 24 May 2001.

 

2. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There being no other business deemed to be of an urgent nature by the chairman, the meeting was closed.