2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL

AT A MEETING of the BARKSTON AND SYSTON PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall, Barkston, on Monday 13 March 2023 at 7.45 pm

PRESENT

Councillor Miss M.E. Nussey in the Chair

Councillors A.C. Card, P.C. Connor, Miss M. Costall, S. Elnor, A.Hine, S.J.Kelly, C. I. Pell and A. Rowell.

Also present – County Councillor R. Wootten and District Councillor Ian Stokes.

PUBLIC FORUM

Two local residents attended the meeting to make comment on the proposed erection of a Care Home on land adjacent to The Gables, Honington Road, Barkston, following receipt of a letter from agents which had been circulated to local residents and the Parish Council.

The residents said that the proposal could affect them and other local residents overlooking the  site.  They referred to an application for residential development for four properties on the same site, which had been refused last week, but accepted that there would be some development on the site eventually, and asked if the Parish Council would consider deferring comment until the situation was clarified.

The residents further wondered why a Care Home was being considered, as there was no apparent need for one in Barkston, and indeed there were many available in Grantham.  Local residents wished to know a lot more, as there were so many questions and conflicting information that the situation was becoming very confused.  

District Councillor Stokes commented and said that in the event of a formal application, he would ask for it to be referred to the Planning Committee.

Following comments from Councillor Kelly, the Chair assured the residents that their comments would be taken into account during the Parish Council’s discussion later in the meeting, and she then closed the Public Forum at 7.50 pm.

2658. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2023, a copy of which had been circulated to all members, were taken as read and approved as a correct record.

2659. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were none declared.

2660. ROADS AND FOOTPATHS

Members considered the update circulated by the Clerk on 6 March, with reference to issues raised at and since the last meeting in relation to the following:

(a).   Blocked drains, Minnetts Hill/Church Street – the drains had been cleared, and a comprehensive scheme for action remained on the list for action as a priority in the next financial year.  Clerk to request a date for the commencement of works.

(b).   Parking provision, end of West Street, Barkston – the request for a wider cut of the verges to make parking easier had been made, but the requested update had not been received.  Clerk to again remind the Area Surveyor.

(c).   Road edges, Hough Road (near railway bridge), Barkston – works completed.

(d).   Community Speedwatch – Belton & Manthorpe Parish Council had now agreed to defer further action on the scheme until March 2023 at the earliest.  In the circumstances, it was agreed that Barkston and Syston would do the same.  The Clerk reported that since a recent accident on the High Road at Manthorpe, possibly caused by speeding, the Belton & Manthorpe Parish Council were considering other alternatives to Speedwatch.  For this reason it was suggested that further consideration be deferred to the May meeting, when a final decision on continuation or termination would be taken.  The Parish Council agreed.

(e).   Road sign, A607, near refuge/garage – the Area Surveyor had reported that this had been passed to colleagues to be repaired, or to consider an alternative.  Nothing had been done, and the Clerk was asked to remind the Area Surveyor.

(f)   Flooding, A607 – the blockage had been cleared some weeks ago and would be monitored.  

(g)  Footpath opposite Village Hall, Barkston – the condition of the path had been reported to LCC by Councillor Hine in view of the amount of road debris, grit, silt and soil present on the path.  This caused difficulties for users on foot and mobility scooters, as well as ultimately causing blockages during periods of rain, when the debris was washed into the drains.  LCC had advised that this issue was dealt with by SKDC, to whom it had been reported.  However, nothing had been done, and the Clerk was asked to repeat the request.

2661.  PLANNING MATTERS 

(a)    Comments/decisions:

i Decisions received:

Installation of free standing and roof mounted PV panels and siting of containerised battery storage units, Copper Hill Industrial Estate, High Dyke, Wilsford (Parish Council consulted as a neighbouring authority) - approved

Erection of extension for storage area, Cancer Research UK, Heath Lane, Barkston – approved

Regulation 5 submission for proposed upgrade to the existing 15m high lattice tower and associated works, Jericho Farm, Sand Lane, Marston – no objection – subsequently approved 

Height reduction of leylandii, removal of dead branches from three lime trees, The Granary, Hough Road, Barkston – no objection – subsequently approved

Residential development comprising the erection of four detached dwellings and renovation/enlargement of existing dwelling, The Gables, Hough Road, Barkston – no objection – subsequently refused

At this stage of the meeting the Chair suggested that consideration be given to the letter received in connection with the proposal to erect a Care Home on the site of The Gables, Honington Road, Barkston, the same site as the refusal above.

Members had all received a copy of the letter from the Agents, and took into account also the comments made by local residents during the Public Forum.  The Clerk then advised members that there was nothing in the Council’s agreed Planning Policy to cover this type of approach on a proposal.  The agents had suggested that the Council be given an opportunity to look at the application in advance of the formal process, and to submit any observations at this stage. He suggested that it would be preferable for the application to be formally submitted to SKDC and validated before any comments were made by the Parish Council, and gave several reasons for this approach.  After comments from members the Clerk suggested that the agents be thanked for the information and the offer to comment, but that they be advised that the Parish Council will consider the application in accordance with their planning policy after it had been submitted and validated.  This was agreed. 

ii Comments made following consultation:

Lawful development certificate for the installation of solar panels, The Grange, Hough Road, Barkston – no objection

(b)  Land off Drift Lane, Barkston – SKDC had been asked for an update, following the decision to serve a planning contravention notice.  As a reply had still not been received, and the issue had been outstanding for two years, the Clerk asked to request an urgent response from SKDC.

(c)  Dog training/walking site, Hough Road, Barkston – an application had been received to vary the condition relating to the size of the car parking area, and this, if approved, would allow the developer to comply with the requirement in the original application.  Tree planting was underway and the dog waste bin had been provided.

2662.  BURIAL GROUND

Nothing to report.

2663. PLAYING FIELD 

Councillor Kelly reported that following the safety inspection, the final log had been replaced.

The Management Committee were still considering the improvements mentioned at the last meeting. 
 
2664. PICNIC AREA

The Clerk reported that following meetings with Grantham College, the final design for the information board had been approved, and was now with Viking Signs for production.

After discussions with Councillors Connor and Hine it had been suggested that a formal unveiling be arranged, involving the Parish Council Chair and the student who had produced the preferred design.  Refreshments would be provided at The Stag, following the unveiling.  Following a discussion it was agreed to proceed with the arrangements as mentioned, the preferred date being 20th April at 2.30pm.

2665. MODEL COUNCILLOR CODE OF CONDUCT

The Clerk reminded members that they were all currently subject to the 2012 version of the South Kesteven District Council Councillor Code of Conduct.  However, the Code had been revised, and at a recent briefing to explain it, the SKDC Deputy Monitoring Officer had suggested that Parish Councils should consider adopting the new 2020 version, which the District Council had done in 2021.

A copy of the proposed new Code had been circulated to all members, and after a brief discussion it was agreed to adopt the Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2020 with effect from 4 May 2023.

2666.  PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE 

The Clerk reminded members that consideration had been given to advertising on the Council’s website, and he had developed a scale of charges.  Since the last meeting he had contacted all previous advertisers in ‘In Touch’, numbering 20, but had only received two positive replies and one unsure whether to advertise or not.  It was pointed out that advertising in the now defunct ‘In Touch’ magazine reached all residents in the area, whereas the website would not automatically be accessed. In the light of this response, it was decided to take no further action

2667. RISK REPORT

The Clerk reminded the Council that following the report on the risk inspection at the last meeting, the Council had agreed to replace the seat at St Nicholas Close, Barkston, as the District Council had said that it was not their intention to replace the seat.  However, the District had in fact replaced the seat, and therefore a new location was required for the seat agreed at the January meeting.  It was suggested, and agreed, that the Barkston Educational Foundation be approached in regard to a possible location on the land between the School carpark and the Church wall. It was agreed to purchase suitably worded plaques to accompany the seats.

In regard to the War Memorial, the Clerk reported that Messrs G H Linnell had agreed to carry out the inspection of the upper part of the Memorial’s stem. 

2668. GOV.UK EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR COUNCILLORS

The Clerk reminded the Council that discussion had taken place at the last meeting on a suggestion that all Councillors should have Gov.uk email addresses, but that there was no support from most members. It had been agreed to leave it to individuals to set up their own addresses, if they so wished, and to consider the situation at this meeting.  After discussion, there being no change in views, it was agreed to take no further action.  

2669.  ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The Clerk explained that this item was on the agenda at the request of a member, following a mention in a LALC circular in January.  The circular had commented on the differences between the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, and described these for the information of Parishes.  Ion addition if had been suggested that Parish Council publicise the Annual Parish Meeting, possibly with reports or guest speakers, in an attempt to encourage residents’ participation in local affairs.  After discussion it was agreed to take no further action.

2670.  CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III

The Clerk explained that following discussions with the Chair he had put this item on the agenda to consider any arrangements for the Coronation of King Charles III.  There had been no indication that anything was planned for either Barkston or Syston, as had happened for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.  If any arrangements were to be made, even at this stage, some funding was available.  It was agreed to take no further action.

2671.  PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2023

The Clerk advised members that packs containing appropriate information in regard to the forthcoming Parish Council elections were available at the meeting.  He gave some information on the timetable and procedure for the submission of nominations and answered queries from members.  In particular he advised that the electoral numbers were available from him on request.

2672. 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:-

 i  That payment of the following accounts be approved and confirmed (all online):

ii  Account for payment

That the following account now submitted be approved for payment:

M L Hall (Clerk’s half year salary)    £1240.16    

2673.  ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION BUT NOT DECISION

The Clerk advised members that the next meeting, which would be the Annual Meeting, could not take place on the usual date of 8 May, as it was a Bank Holiday.  Accordingly, newly elected Councillors would not take office until 9 May.   It therefore meant that the Annual Meeting would be on 15 May, preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm.