January 2021 Minutes
AT A MEETING of the BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL held on Monday 11th January
2021 via videolink (Zoom) at 7.45pm
PRESENT
Councillor Miss M.E. Nussey in the Chair
Councillors A.C. Card, P.C. Connor, Miss M. Costall, S.T. Elnor, A. Hine, S.J.Kelly and A. Rowell.
Also present – County Councillor Ray Wootten (from 8.35pm).
2483. APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs S Evans (accepted for the purposes of
an attendance), and District Councillors Mrs Rosemary Kaberry-Brown and Ian Stokes.
2484. MINUTES
The minutes of the Zoom meeting held on 9th November 2020, a copy of which had been circulated
to all Members, were taken as read and approved as a correct record, subject to it being noted in
minute 2476 that Councillor Kelly was Secretary and not Chairman of the Playing Field Committee.
2485. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none declared.
2486. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS
(a) Update on matters previously raised
Members considered the update circulated by the Clerk on 4th January, with reference to issues
raised at the last meeting:
1. Blocked drains, Minnetts Hill/Church Street and The Stag corner – there was nothing further to
report in regard to the proposed works at The Stag corner.
The Minnetts Hill/Church Street area had not been cleared, and another request had been made.
Following recent flooding of the footpath in front of the Bedehouses, Councillor Costall had
been contacted by a local resident, expressing concern.This had been referred to Councillor
Wootten, and as a result and following a meeting on site, a works programme had been put
together for action in the next financial year to design a solution to cover both the area in front
of the Bedehouses, as well as the drains on Minnetts Hill.
2. Hough Road, Barkston – remedial works had been completed in November.
3. River Lane, Syston – a forward programme brief had been submitted to cover both works to the
existing surfaced area, and new surfacing from the last house to the river.
4. Parking provision, western end of West Street, Barkston – there had been considerable
correspondence between Councillor Elnor, Councillor Wootten, LCC Highways and the local
MP over the increased use of the area for leisure purposes, with the consequent damage to
road verges. Inconsiderate parking was also an issue including the use of the passing bays and
Councillor Elnor’s farm drive, and blockage of access for farm vehicles. LCC had been in contact
with both the Parish Council and Councillor Wootten, to establish what immediate and long term
action could be taken.
A lengthy discussion ensued, during which Councillor Elnor expressed concern that LCC were not
fulfilling their obligations, particularly with the increasing use of the area caused by the Covid
pandemic. The Clerk read an email from Councillor Wootten advising that he had been active in
securing consideration of the issue by LCC via the ‘Councillor calls for Action’ procedure, explaining
how this would work. He suggested that the Council might wish to consider formally supporting this
initiative, although the Chair had already given her support to enable the process to proceed. It was
suggested that the County Council really had no other option than to provide spaces, and after
further discussion, it was agreed to support Councillor Wootten in the action he had taken.
Members made further comments, and it was suggested that when the better weather arrived, the
situation would likely be just as bad as at present, if not worse. A query on priorities also arose,
it being recalled that some time ago the Council had been asked to agree priorities for schemes
they had requested, and that existing promised schemes should not be prejudiced.
5. Potholes – LCC had advised that issue had been completed. However, Councillor Evans had
reported that this was not the case. It was agreed that the Clerk would again refer this to LCC.
6. Damaged inspection cover, A607, Barkston – a BT inspection cover on the A607 opposite the Village
Hall had become loose in its frame, and the surrounding surface was badly cracked and loose. Despite
two references to LCC via the online reporting system, and a further report by the Clerk, nothing had
been done. Following further concerns from a Parish Councillor, the Clerk had asked Councillor
Wootten for advice as to how best to proceed. As a result, Councillor Wootten had contacted BT
direct and the area had eventually been protected by fencing and, later, by traffic lights. Works to
repair the damage had now been completed.
(b) Speeding, A607, Barkston – Community Speedwatch Scheme
The Clerk said that because of the current lockdown situation, the scheme had been paused
Countywide.
(c) Parking issues – Church Street, Barkston
The Clerk said that the formal decision to raise no objection to the proposed bus stop clearway
proposals had been sent to LCC, although as nothing had been heard a reminder had been sent. He
updated the Council, and read an email setting out local concerns which had been received, together
with the response from the County Council which was clear that the Clearways would be installed,
although no date had been given.
In regard to the bus vibration issue and setting off of car alarms, a reminder had been sent to LCC
who had advised that the complainant had been told of the findings of the Parish Council’s survey, and
that in the light of this, no further action would be taken. Nothing had been heard from the resident.,
2487. PLANNING MATTERS
Decisions on applications already reported:
Discharge of condition 3 of planning application S20/0822, The Yews Barn, Church Street,
Barkston – approved
Following consultation, comments had been made on planning applications as follows:
Single storey side extension to existing garage, Eagle House, Main Road, Barkston – no
objection – subsequently approved
Section 73 application for the variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) of S16/0943 to allow
for alterations to the design of the dwellings, 12 West Street, Barkston – no objection
Tree 1, Sycamore – to reduce height by 6m, Tree 2, Sycamore – to reduce height by 6m,
Moatlands, Church Lane, Syston – no objection
For information, the Clerk advised that reference had been made to the SKDC Enforcement
Section, firstly in relation to the stationing of a mobile home on land off Drift Lane, Barkston, on
a site which had authority for the construction of a storage barn. SKDC had advised that the
building would be allowed to remain on site until work on the barn had been completed, when the
situation would be reviewed.
Secondly, a similar reference had been made in regard to the use of Maple Grove, Syston, as a foot
clinic, without permission. SKDC’s view was that in view of the limited use, no action was
necessary unless the use became problematic.
2488. BURIAL GROUND
No issues were raised, except that Councillors Card and Rowell reported that the plan to remove
the self- set bush had not been carried out, owing to recent bad weather.
2489. PLAYING FIELD
Councillor Kelly reported that the children’s play area had been inspected and the report filed by
the Clerk. Molehills in the field had been dealt with by the Committee Chairman. The electrical
inspection had been completed, and minor remedial work carried out. The Children’s Play Area
was still open for use, and appropriate warnings had been displayed. He intended to report to the
next meeting prior to submission of the Charity Commission report.
2490. PICNIC AREA
The Clerk reported that a quotation had been obtained for the trimming of the tree to the right of the
entrance, in the sum of £70, and the tree had now been trimmed and branches removed. There were
no other issues to report.
2491. REVIEW OF POLICIES
(a) Risk Policy
The Clerk reminded members that although the main part of the risk policy had been agreed at the last
meeting, it had been noted that although regular checks of the Children’s Play Area at the Playing
Field were carried out, no such checks were undertaken on the remainder of the Playing Field. It had
been agreed that the Clerk and Councillor Kelly would liaise and report with a suitable amendment,
if appropriate.
Following a check by the Clerk, it appeared that there was, in fact, a risk policy for the Playing Field.
Accordingly, he had discussed with Councillor Kelly, and it was recommended:
(i) that the play equipment check interval be amended to three months, from the two currently stated;
(ii) that the electrical check interval be confirmed at five years as stated, and that the period noted
in the document as the last check be amended from 2012 to 2020; and
(iii) that the remainder of the check periods stay at six month intervals.
The amendments to the Risk Policy, as noted above, were agreed.
(b) Appointment of Internal Auditor for 2020/21
The Council confirmed the appointment of Mr John Jackson as the Internal Auditor for the year
2020/21.
2492. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Barkston Post Office – the Clerk reminded the Council that after discussion on the use of the
St Nicholas Close Communal Room for the Outreach Post Office, it had agreed that the Clerk and
Councillor Stokes would request SKDC to consider reopening the Communal Room to enable the
facility to be reinstated. The Clerk said that he had contacted the SKDC Cabinet Member responsible
for housing, and had been advised that SKDC considered that at the present time the risk was too
great to reopen any of the Communal Rooms. Accordingly, the Parish Council’s request could not
be agreed. However, the situation was being reviewed regularly, and the Housing Manager could be
contacted for updates at any time. The Council asked the Clerk to ensure that an up to date report
was submitted to the next meeting.
(b) Barkston Educational Foundation – the Clerk reminded members that consideration of a
replacement for Mr John Jackson as the Parish Council’s representative on the Foundation had
been deferred to this meeting. The Chair said that she was willing to represent the Parish Council,
and as there were no other nominations, it was agreed that she be appointed as the Council’s
representative.
2493. FLY TIPPING AND DUMPING
The Clerk told the Council that both the fly tip mentioned at the last meeting had been reported via
the SKDC website, as had a further dumping of a fence panel/gate on Hough Road, Barkston.
None of these sites had been cleared, and in fact the tip of builder’s rubble on Frinkley Lane had
grown. The Clerk was asked to remind SKDC urgently, as it was considered that if tips were left too
long, further illegal dumping would be encouraged.
2494. FINANCIAL MATTERS
(a) Financial update and budget 2021/22
The Council received and noted the financial updates at the present date, and also the likely
financial position at the end of the current financial year, together with the budget report for
2021/22.
The Clerk then explained the accounts in detail with reference to the above circulated
documents, and took members through the recommendations for expenditure in the report, as
noted below. The Council confirmed the Chair’s action in authorising expenditure on the Village
Green Christmas decorations, following which members made decisions as follows:
(i) Clerk’s salary – the Clerk’s current hourly rate was the NALC pay scale point 21 (higher),
which was £13.78 per hour. The NALC pay scale for 2021/2022 was yet to be published. A
rise of 1.5% in the interim would mean £13.99 per hour, times 49.5 (hours per quarter), times
4 (quarters per year), which equalled a yearly salary of £2770. It was agreed to calculate the
Clerk’s salary on that basis. (Note: eventual salary could be different, when the NALC scales
are published, and would be back dated to April 2021).
(ii) War Memorial – an annual increase of £100 would mean that £942 would be available. Agreed.
(iii) Playing Field – 2020/21 figure of £3866 plus 1.5% = £3924. Agreed.
(iv) Picnic Area – a section 137 precept of £2000 to provide a reserve maintenance fund for any
additional costs. Agreed.
(v) Burial Ground – (a) a precept of £3000 to cover estimated excess expenditure, plus a small
float. Agreed.
(b) Review of fees – required to be reviewed every 4 years (last done in 2017). Consideration
was given to a report from the Clerk, circulated to members with a copy of the current scale
of charges, in which it was recommended that certain charges be reviewed, these being those
most frequently imposed. Inflation from 2017 to April 2021 estimated at 7.5% would result in
proposed new charges of:
Adult interments - £110; Ashes interments - £25; Headstones - £110;
Exclusive rights – single plot - £100; double plot - £200; ashes - £50.
All other charges unchanged.
All charges as noted above agreed, to operate from 1st April 2021.
(vi) Christmas decorations – Village Green – provisional allocation of £100 should the event be
repeated. Agreed.
(vii) General Fund – A precept of £3476, to approximate 2020/21 levels. Agreed.
Two quotations for mowing for the forthcoming year were reported, and it was agreed to accept the
figure of £220 per cut from BDG Mowing, the current contractors.
The Clerk asked members to note that adoption of all the recommendations in the report would
require a precept of £12,500, compared to last year’s precept of £12,750, and the fifth reduction in
a row. There were 247.6 Band D properties, meaning that the Community Charge Band for 2021/22
would be £50.48, a 1.3% reduction.
It was agreed to precept for £12,500 – General Fund £3476; Section 137 - £2000; Burial Ground –
£3000; Playing Field - £3924; War Memorial £100; for the financial year 2021/22.
(b) Accounts paid and for payment
RESOLVED:-
That payment of the following accounts be approved and confirmed (all online):
£
BDG Mowing Contractors (Mowing – September) 203.00
Anglian Water Business (Supply 12.5.20 – 11.11.20) 25.34
Lincolnshire County Council (Legal fees re picnic area) 104.99
Rachel Metcalfe (Paint for Village Green decorations) 99.00
Paul Johnson (Tree trimming – picnic area) 70.00
2495. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION BUT NOT DECISION
In response to a query about the current position with regard to improvements to the proposed
Quarry at Sudbrook, Councillor Wootten said that it was proposed to create passing places and
improve the road from the site’s entrance to the A153.
Councillor Wootten said that at a recent meeting of the Police and Crime Panel, the new Chief
Constable had expressed a wish to meet with Parish Councils to discuss matters of local concern,
and he suggested that the Council might submit a request for a meeting, possibly jointly with other
Councils in the area. This was agreed and the Clerk was asked to arrange.