January 2020 Minutes
Ingoldmells Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the council civic room on Monday 13th January 2020
The Chairman welcomed all present and informed them that the meeting would be recorded and would include the public session.
The Chairman reminded all present of the procedure for evacuating the building in the event of an emergency and on the use of mobile phones. He also reminded the public that they were not permitted to voice a view or speak when Council went into session and that the standards of the Council Constitution would be followed
Public session
Members of the public present: 5
Resident (1) gave thanks to the Parish Council for the use of the Royal Arthur Community Hall to provide lunch to Parishioners on Christmas Day. She also thanked Cllr J Sargent for the donation of food provided in memory of his late grandfather. Resident (2) spoke of a problem with vehicles speeding along Festival Avenue and into Chapman Court. He suggested that speed humps should be in place. He also reported that there is no access for mobility scooters and prams in Mill View where vehicles are being parked on the kerbs. Resident (3) wished a Happy New Year to all the Councillors and asked that they note agenda item 5 and adhere to the ‘Code of Conduct’ within the meeting.
There being no other matters raised the Council went into formal session.
Present:
Cllrs B Vincent (Chairman ), M Holyer, L Hemingway, Mrs J Ellis, S Chambers, J Sargent, T Stubbins, S Chamberlain, B Bellis, S Walmsley
1. Apologies
Councillor Mrs A Wormald (Vice Chairwoman), Cllr C Davie, District and County Council representative for the Parish
2. Conflicts of interests
None declared
3. To confirm the minutes of the council meeting held on the 9th December 2019
The minutes were confirmed by Cllr M Holyer and seconded by Cllr J Sargent.
All approved with the exception of Cllr’s S Chambers, Mrs J Ellis and S Walmsley who were not present at the meeting.
4. To approve a list of accounts submitted for consideration
Discussion took place with regards to the increase in the electricity bill at Glebe park. This seems to correlate to the installation of the new column lighting on the driveway. The Clerk shall request a cost to have separate meters installed for the Community group based at the old Bowling club and for the lighting columns. Cllr Vincent proposed that the accounts be confirmed. Cllr L Hemingway seconded the proposition - resolved unanimously
5. To discuss the code of conduct and recent breaches of it
The agenda item has been postponed until information is received from the Monitoring Officer.
6. To discuss the precept for 2020/2021
The Council conducted a lengthy discussion considering the setting of the 2020/2021 Precept. Cllr M Holyer proposed and Cllr S Walmsley seconded a 3.5% increase in the Precept, an additional £2.91 per annum, per household, based upon a Tax Base of 533 The precept amount to be requested is £43,470 – All agreed except Cllrs J Ellis, T Stubbins and S Chambers who abstained.
7 to consider any health & safety matters
Observations provided by Councillors were the following:
Cllr Mrs J Ellis reported a deep, dark pothole on the high street. Cllr S Walmsley spoke of a broken bench which needs replacing on Sea Lane, if repositioned it may hinder those wanting to park of the footpath. Cllr S Chamberlain informed those present of the dangerous and anti social disregard some people, both residents and visitors alike, have for both disabled and able bodied people. He spoke of vehicles parking on and completely blocking the footpath on the High Street and Station Road and there being no ramp off the kerb. Cllr Mrs J Ellis mentioned that the blind bend is very dangerous and pitch black where there is no street lighting. Cllr B Bellis commented that the hedge on the bend needed to be cut back as it can obscure vision. The Clerk explained that the hedge itself is the responsibility of Truelove property services, Lincoln and not the householder. The Clerk shall make contact with Truelove property services and ask that they cut the hedge again.
8. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals or amendments
S/090/02358/19 – G D Hardy Limited. Application to vary condition no. 2 (approved plans) and condition no.10 (temporary canopies) as imposed on planning permission reference no: S/090/02352/18. Council members considered the amendment to the original application and refused to support it. The material factors being that the amendment if permitted would alter the overall floor space and Councillors were concerned the units would then become fixed structures.
9 to consider any new planning applications
None received
10. To discuss the setting of the 2020/2021 budget
This item shall be deferred to the Finance Committee meeting of the 20th January 2020.
11. To discuss the future of the car park machines
Discussion took place with the emphasis being that the Council must ensure that it does not lose income from the car park. A managed system of recording vehicle parking in the Council Car Park was suggested. Cllr S Chambers suggested the Council members consider SMART parking as operated at Fantasy Island. Members of the Council and the Clerk shall approach companies to arrange presentations to the Council.
12. To receive verbal reports from the chairman and clerk
The Clerk reported the following:
• The contractor who was offered and accepted the contract to varnish the Royal Arthur Community Hall floor failed to commit to the work as arranged for the w/b 16th December. After some discussion the Council agreed that the work needs to be done and therefore asked the Clerk to revisit the other two contractors who provided estimates and ask if they could honour the estimates already provided.
• The Clerk reported the latest information received by the Community Warden of the ongoing problem of dog fouling and litter on the promenade and beach. The Community Warden also reported newly sprayed graffiti on signage and the sea wall. Concerns were raised by Cllr S Chamberlain with regards to the sea defence and in particular a gate by Bibby’s bar which is closed but not secured. . The Clerk reported that all the photographs taken of the defects were e mailed to the Environment Agency. The response provided was that the Environment Agency shall record them for inspection at the next visit.
• The Clerk reported that a grant of £3,290 for the Community Library was still waiting to be claimed. Ideas suggested were for: LED lights and a shredder. It was agreed that the Clerk should also ask the Library volunteers for their thoughts.
• The first phase of clearing and desilting the dyke at the back of the car park has commenced, work will continue until the end of January..
• The Clerk reported that a second meeting of the newly set up Community events working group took place on the 7th January. The group started to discuss an events plan and think about the costings involved. It was agreed that a figure of money could not be authenticated without a proper events plan and the costings investigated. In order to understand the implications involved it was suggested by the Clerk that a meeting be set up with representatives of the Coastal BID to ascertain all that is involved in hosting an event and the management plan required.
• The Clerk reported that the Motor Caravanners booking went without hitch except for a blockage in the sewer, which was cleared via ELDC and they shall be returning for three nights in March.
• The Clerk presented to the Council information regarding changes to the West Yorkshire Pension Fund which fall in line with the Local Government Pension Scheme, Discretions Statement for Employers.
• Notification has been received that a new location for a Post Office in Ingoldmells will be considered by the Post Office. This follows the recent closure of the One Stop shop in Ingoldmells
13. To discuss community matters which need referring to the district/county council representative for a response
Cllr C Davie, District and County Council representative for the Parish was not able to attend the meeting and therefore this item did not progress.
14. To transact any other business
• Cllr S Walmsley spoke of the need for up to eight benches or seats to be replaced or newly installed throughout the village. Discussion also took place with regards to maintenance of the bus stops. Cllr S Walmsley had spoken with Lincolnshire County to identify which need replacing.
• The Clerk brought to the attention of the Council that the date of the April Council meeting falls on Easter Monday. The Council agreed to bring the date forward to the 6th April.
• Cllr L.Hemingway informed the meeting of the changes in the booking of appointments in the Beacon Medical practice. As a member of the PPG (Patient Participation Group) he was only informed of the changes by e mail.
• Cllr S Chamberlain voiced his observations that the dyke from the drain up to opposite Coastfields was in a poor state. The Clerk shall speak to a representative of Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board to ask if they are responsible for the maintenance of the dyke.
• Cllr S Chamberlain also informed the meeting that the matting underneath pieces of play equipment in both the Queen Elizabeth Park and Glebe Park needs replacing.
• Following an arranged meeting between the Chairman and Clerk with the Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID Manager at the Council Offices, her interest was roused regarding potential office space within the building. A letter to the Council was subsequently received requesting consideration for a proposal to lease the Council Chamber as office accommodation. The BID are required to vacate the Skegness Town Hall offices and have been actively seeking new office accommodation. A lively and heated discussion followed the item being raised at the Council meeting with mixed opinions and strong view points being expressed. It was proposed by Cllr B Vincent that at this stage a meeting to be arranged between the Chairman and Clerk to determine if the Civic Room would be suitable for office accommodation as an alternative to the Council Chamber. The proposal was seconded by Cllr M Holyer. Those who raised their hands in favour of the proposal were: Cllr’s B Vincent, L Hemingway, T Stubbins, Cllr Mrs J Ellis and S Walmsley. Councillors who voted against opening consultation for the lease of the Civic room were Cllrs S Chambers, B Bellis, J Sargent, S Chamberlain.
15.. To dispose of any correspondence received
• Planning applications and amendments
• Projected Budget information for 2020/2021
• Special Needs Playground Equipment information
• Precept calculations table
• Letter from the Lincolnshire Coastal Destination BID Manager
• Estimate for the planting and maintenance of the flower tubs and baskets for 2020
The meeting of the Council closed at 9.25 pm
Date of the next Meeting of the Council – Monday 10th February 2020 at 7.15pm
Chairman of the Council..…………………………………………………………………………
Clerk to the Council and RFO …………
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10th February 2020