November 2019 Minutes
At A Meeting Of The Barkston And Syston Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Barkston on Monday 11th November 2019, at 7.45pm
Present
Councillor Miss M.E. Nussey in the Chair
Councillors A.C.Card, P.C.Connor, Miss M. Costall, A. Hine, S.J.Kelly and A. Rowell.
Also present – District Councillor Ian Stokes.
2415. Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Elnor and Mrs Evans (accepted for the purposes of an attendance), and Councillors Mrs Kaberry-Brown (District Council) and Wootten (County Council).
2416. Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 9th July 2019, a copy of which had been circulated to all Members, were taken as read and approved as a correct record.
2417. Declarations Of Interest
There were none declared.
2418. Roads And Footpaths
(a) Update on matters previously raised
Matters raised at previous meetings which had been referred to the County Council for comment, were discussed as follows, together with further matters raised at the meeting:
1. A607 central refuge – completion of white lining work – still not finished, Clerk to remind the County Council again.
2. Waiting restrictions – Church Street and West Street, Barkston – all lines now in place. Clerk to remind the County Council and Police about enforcement in regard to waiting on the lines and at bus stops.
3. Bedehouses area, Honington Road, Barkston – a meeting had taken place on the 11th September on site, when the Area Surveyor had agreed that as a clear undertaking had been made that action would be taken, this would be programmed for the next financial year.
4. Parking on Village Green, Barkston – the improved signs requesting no parking had not yet been sourced for display on the Village Green, but this would be addressed shortly. It was noted that the owners of The Stag were very supportive of the Council’s action and took steps themselves to discourage parking on the Green.
5. ‘School’ sign, A607, Barkston – a price had been obtained for the provision of signs, the School had been advised, and had decided to take no further action.
6. Barkston Gorse Road – this had been referred to the Area Surveyor, who had replied advising the Council that the road was not classified as a road, but as a green lane/bridleway. As such, there should be no vehicle use except for those required for maintenance, emergencies and landowners’ use. There was little finance available for maintenance, and as such it was unlikely that anything would be done. The Council were advised that the owner of surrounding land had taken action himself to ensure that access was maintained to the nearby farm and land, and that signage was not obscured.
7. Reactive speed sign – the top right quarter of the sign near West Street was not working properly, and the Clerk advised that this had been reported to the County Council.
8. Blocked drains – Minnetts Hill/Church Street – the Clerk said that local residents had advised that the drains were blocked by grit and soil washed down the hill. This was a particular issue following recent heavy rain. Clerk to remind the County Council of the promise to carry out regular drain clearance.
9. Entrance to Syston Park – water was flowing from the entrance to the Park onto the A607, and there was a fear that this would be become dangerous in colder weather. This had been reported, but the water was still flowing onto the A607 and Main Street, Syston. The Chair said that she would approach the site owner, and if the problem was not one for the Park to solve, would advise the Clerk for reporting to Anglian Water/County Council.
10. Manhole, Church Street, Barkston – damaged manhole cover outside Sumach House, to be reported to the County Council for action.
11. Lorry parking, Syston – reference was made by several Councillors to regular lorry parking near the northern exit from Syston. This was considered to be a hazard on a bus route and detrimental to the area. Situation to be monitored.
(b) Speeding, A607, Barkston – Community Speedwatch Scheme
The Clerk reminded the Council of decisions taken at the last meeting, and said that action had been taken as agreed, notices were on the boards, on the website and there was also a page in ‘In Touch’. In addition, all properties in Barkston had been leafletted. Belton and Manthorpe Parish Council had taken similar action.
So far, six local residents had volunteered, and there were two volunteers so far from Belton and Manthorpe. The Clerk said that he had been advised by the Belton Clerk that a nearby Parish had a complete set of equipment for sale at a lower cost than if purchased new, having ended their scheme.
The Council considered this offer, but expressed a preference for a new set of equipment. Councillor Stokes said that he had some funding left in his Ward Councillor allowance, and would set aside some of this for the purchase of equipment. The Council thanked Councillor Stokes, and accepted the offer.
Following a discussion, during which it was pointed out that the proposed Speedwatch scheme was a good deterrent to speeding through the village, it was agreed to proceed with the Community Speedwatch Scheme, subject to Belton and Manthorpe Parish Council confirming their participation.
2419. Planning Matters
Decisions had been taken on planning applications as follows:
Proposed manege and replacement double garage, Rose Cottage, Green Lane, Syston – Planning and listed building consent approved
Erection of single storey extensions, demolition of car port and alterations, 60 Hough Road, Barkston – approved
Fell Plum (T1), Kelling, 17 West Street, Barkston – no objection
Following consultation, comments had been made on planning applications as follows:
Work to a Hornbeam tree at Lynton, The Drift, Syston – no objection – subsequently approved
Work to various trees at The Coach House, Church Street, Barkston – no objection – subsequently approved
Work to a Hornbeam tree, Lindisfarne, The Drift, Syston – no objection
Fell a Black Locust tree, The Granary, Hough Road, Barkston – no objection
An application for the renewal of a consent at the recycling facility at Barkston Heath had been received and circulated to Members. The Council had been consulted as a neighbouring authority.
As no comment had been made at the application stage, and nothing had been received from members, the Chair had advised that no comment was necessary.
An appeal had been received into the District Council’s refusal of the application for development at 12 West Street, Barkston. Details had been circulated to members, but nothing had been received, and the Chair had agreed that no further comment was necessary as nothing had changed since the comments were made at the application stage.
2420. Burial Ground
The repairs to the Bier Shelter had been completed and the account, in the sum of £160, had been paid.
The application for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission sign had been completed and sent in. Information on the history of the two servicemen interred in the Burial Ground was available, and would be displayed when the sign had been received.
For information, the Clerk said that a request had been received from the Valuation Office, to help the revaluation of the Burial Ground for the 2021 rating list.
2421. Playing Field
Councillor Kelly reported that there had still been no response from the insurers in regard to the insurance for the container. He would continue to chase the Insurers.
2422. Picnic Area
Nothing had been heard from the County Council, and the Clerk was asked to again chase the County Council, and to request a speedy answer.
2423. Correspondence
(a) LALC Circular 170, previously circulated by email, was noted.
(b) The LALC Annual Report for 2018/2019 was received and noted.
2424. Tree Planting
The Clerk advised that as agreed at the last meeting a beech hedging pack for the Burial Ground had been ordered. Delivery was expected in March 2020.
2425. Financial Matters
(a) Financial update
The Council received and noted the financial updates at the present date, and the Clerk explained these for the information of members.
(b) Accounts paid and for payment
Resolved:-
That payment of the following accounts be approved and confirmed (all online except where stated):
BDG Mowing Contractors (Mowing – August) - £406.00
HMRC (Clerk’s PAYE) - £255.00
Fineturf (Supply of loam for playing field) - £330.24
BDG Mowing Contractors (Mowing – September) - £406.00
Fineturf Machinery (Repairs/maintenance to mower) - £282.68
Simon M.Williams (Repairs to Bier Shelter) - £160.00 (Cheque 479)
(c) Parish Council computer
The Clerk reminded members that an informal discussion had taken place at the last meeting about the purchase of a computer for carrying out the Parish Council’s business. At present the Clerk’s own computer was used. Details were given of a price which had been obtained, which was less than £500 for a suitably equipped machine, and the Clerk suggested that if another price was obtained for comparison purposes, the Chair and Vice-Chairman be authorised to approve the purchase. This was agreed.
2426. Items For Discussion But Not Decision
The Clerk told members that following advice in recent LALC circulars, he would be preparing a Health and Safety policy for consideration at a future meeting.
The Clerk reminded members that the next meeting was the budget meeting, and he asked that any (costed) requests be sent to him by just after Christmas. Following a brief discussion, the Clerk was asked to check if the already submitted prices for the work at the picnic area required updating.