Minutes 2023

MINUTES

MEETING POTTERHANWORTH PARISH COUNCIL 25 SEPTEMBER 2023

In Attendance   -              Cllr Sardeson

                                                Cllr Ott

                                                Cllr Copsey

                                                Cllr Giles

                                                Cllr Clarke

Also in Attendance -       George Holmes, Keith Orton and Ralph Wilford representing the Pavilion Committee

                                       Cllr Lundgren – NK District Council

1.         Chairman opened meeting by welcoming everyone back and Ralph Wilford stood briefly to congratulate Cllrs on the new Play Park.

2.         Apologies received from Cllr Nightingale and NK Cllr Turner and County Cllr Carrington.

3.         No declaration of interest to report.

4.         Draft notes from meeting of 31 July 2023 approved as Minutes.

5.         Reports from outside bodies –

    a.     Police.uk website reports one incident in Potterhanworth in July, an incident of anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the Chequers.

    b.     NK District Cllr Turner provided no report.

    c.     Lincolnshire County Councillor Carrington provided no report.

6.         Public Forum

    a.     George Holmes stood to discuss the grass cutting within the park, this could be an issue if the hedges are not sorted, both the one between the play park and

            skate park and the one at the back.   As Continental are being asked to quote for push mowing round the new park, these hedges will need to be taken back. 

            Cllr Giles has said he will have a look at the hedge between the two parks.  George will speak with Stuart at Battles to resolve the back hedge and also moving the            JG

            soil heap at the back.

    b.     George says he has had reports of the gate into the play park sticking and of an issue with dogs being taken into the park and then not being cleaned up after. 

            He has said he will resolve the issue of the sticking gate and also make some ‘no dogs’ signs.

    c.     Keith Orton informs that as the Youth Club is no more, the bank account at Barclays has been emptied and the £750.00 has now been handed over to the PC for

            safe keeping.  It was agreed that a new bank acct be opened for safe keeping of this money.  Clerk to action.                                                                                                 LB

            Keith also informed he has the Youth Club Xbox and other electrical equipment in store at his house.

7.         Matters from previous minutes still outstanding –

    a.     Cllr Copsey reported she has prices for the construction of the raised beds and has the agreement of Amanda Crosbie, Scout Leader that the Scouts will take on

            looking after these beds along with their other gardening tasks, planting them up with herbs and soft fruits.

    b.     Cllr Copsey also reported that Amanda was looking for grant funding to cover the £400 cost of the requirements the scouts/cubs would need to allow them to properly

            perform their gardening tasks.  It was suggested by Ralph that they could contact Christ’s Hospital for a grant.  As a large part of the yearly cost of running the scouts/

            cubs is the hire of the Pavilion and Memorial Hall, it was suggested that Amanda contact the Beer Festival to help cover this cost.  Cllr Copsey with liaise.                         SC        

    c.     Cllr Clarke informs she has been speaking with Stuart Wallace regarding the Wi-fi in the Pavilion and will report back as he is investigating cost.

    d.     Cllr Giles reported back on his offer to complete the Highways and Drainage Survey.  With regard to the Drainage part of this survey, he must note on the

            existing list which we are responsible for, but also, more importantly must report any water courses/ditches/drains that are not on the list.  He has informed

            that he will walk the village.  It was suggested that this could be looked at as part of the Parish Walk.  It was felt that this survey was the perfect opportunity to                   JG

            highlight the issue of the Moor Lane drainage.

    e.     Cllr Copsey reported that she had ascertained that Church Hill will be resurfaced somewhere between April 2024 and April 2025.

    f.      Chair informed he was still to investigate the income generated by the solar panels.                                                                                                                                         NS

    g.     Regarding the PCSO reduction in numbers – Chair informs he has had confirmation from Police Commissioner Jones who informed he would visit us if we wished. 

            Cllr Ott has offered to create a letter, Chair will assist, that go out to all other Parish Councils to ask if they wish to attend a meeting to discuss.                                            MO/NS

    h.      Play Park Update – Cllr Clarke informs she has received a card from Children at the Play Group, thanking us for the wonderful new Play Park.  Ralph informed

            he has seen a marked increase in kids, Mums and toddlers visiting.

    i.      Keith Orton informed on his investigations into the construction of the Pergola off the side of the Pavilion.  It should be noted that the cost of constructing this should

            be included in the improved sports facilities.  Keith felt that best option would be to ask a professional opinion on the best way to construct the Pergola and perhaps          KO/SC

            the Pavilion Committee should hold a meeting to discuss.  SC said she would contact Mr Marks from the Gingerbread Cottage on the Green and ask him to attend to

            offer his advice.

    j.      Following the questionnaire that was put out at the Autumn Festival and the useful responses or lack of, that we received, it was discussed that we should set up

            a sub group.  Cllr Clarke will use ‘Spotted’ to recruit someone from the community to be on this sub group and we will also need someone from the Pavilion Committee.    AC

            Cllr Ott informs he is already investigating funding.

    k.      Chair confirmed that he has requested of Tim Hunter, Resilience Officer with Lincs CC that the grit bin at the entrance to The Park be removed.

8.         Finance Matters –

    a.     Clerk updated Councillors on the issue with the TSB/Signatories delay.

    b.     Cllr Ott asked if our insurance with Zurich already included the Play Park.  Clerk to report back.                                                                                                                      LB

    c.     Clerk requested to ascertain location of the smart meter.                                                                                                                                                                                    LB

9.         Correspondence –

    a.     Clerk reported on another complaint received regarding the parking outside the school at drop off and collect time.  Clerk confirmed that she had written to

            the Headteacher to ask that she liaise with The Chequers after the first complaint and informed that she had asked the second complainant to contact the

            school herself.  Cllr Lundgren suggested that this issue be discussed with the Lincoln Traffic Parking Authority and to the Police.  Chair to follow up.                                   NS

10.       Planning –

    a.     The planning application to divert the footpath that currently runs across the lawn at the front of the Battles land at 8 Station Road, around the lawn and round

            the drive was unanimously supported as an improvement.

    b.     There was similarly no objection to the planning application for a side extension to the Old Rectory on Station Road.

11.        Monthly Risk Assessment – nothing to report.

12.       Dates –   Next Meeting will be Monday, 27th November.