January 2025 Minutes
MINUTES of MEETING for the PARISHES OF BARKSTON AND SYSTON
Held in The Village Hall, Barkston, on Monday 13th January 2025 at 7:45 pm
Present: Councillors M.E. Nussey (Chair), A Card (Vice Chair) A Hine, R Parke, C.I. Pell, A. Rowell, S Micklewright, S Elnor. & Cllr P Stephens
Also Present: 3 Members of the public.
1) Apologies.
P Connor
2) Approval of the Minutes of the last meeting dated 11.11.2024
Proposed for approval By A Card & Seconded By A Rowell – Unanimous
3) Members’ Code of Conduct and disclosable pecuniary interests.
No Interests declared
4) Roads and footpaths update on matters previously raised
Dog Fouling Syston – Bin now in place and being emptied by Cllr P Connor
Overgrown footpath between The Drift and Bus Shelter -
Council who originally responded to say that they had assessed the footpath and decided that at present doesn’t require urgent repair and is on longer term improvement scheme. The PC
asked the clerk to contact highways to advise them that the verges had deteriorated further due to the fiber broadband works in the village
Gravel and Potholes North of Bridge on Hough Road - This issue has been reported a number of times since April. Latest status on 14/08 is that the issue has been assessed and is with a delivery gang for action. Clerk has not progressed since last meeting but will contact highways for update. Advised that a cyclist has previously come off their bike due to this issue
Request for Mirror to Improve Visibility Near Picnic Area: - Still awaiting copy of risk assessment evidencing the risk of putting mirror in this position.
Damage to Bus Shelter Roof Syston: This has been reported to SKDC and it was advised at the meeting that this had been completed.
Temporary Road Closure Reference: TTRO/TTR010180
Barkston For Annual Level Crossing Test Hough Road Level Crossing
14/01/2025 - 15/01/2025 22:00 14/01/2025 to 07:15 15/01/2025 – Clerk has shared on local Social Media
Dropped Kerb near Village Green
This was requested to help improve access for mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Clerk to meet with A Card to obtain exact location to report
Verge along main street encroaching on footpath
Reported Via Fix My Street Current status: With Highways Team for Assessment
Minutes Hill Breaking Up & mud on road from verge
Reported Via Fix My Street Current status: Highways have assessed the road and whilst there is mud on the road it doesn’t warrant action at this time however they will continue to monitor it and have requested that I report it if it gets any worse!!
Flooding On Station Road:
Flooding Reported on Fix My Street: The road was closed during the floods and the report is still open
Flooding Near Stag:
Reported on 06/12/2024 and updated again on the morning of floods requesting Flood
Signs.no signs were provided however R Parke Kindly dug one out of a hedge to warn drivers – the original drainage issue is with the Delivery Gangs for action and the PC should consider purchasing our own Flood Signs that we can deploy as required in Barkston & Syston. – The
meeting agreed unanimously that this issue needed escalation and that the responses from LCC were not acceptable. It was agreed that the PC would write to the Head of Highways, local councilors and MP highlighting the issue and the PC’s concerns over safety of residents,
road users and emergency services that regularly use the road. If this did not prompt a response then the PC would consider getting the local press involved.
Cars For Sale outside Playing Field
The Clerk noted another car for sale by the Playing Field. Not sure how long it was there for but again there appear to be a precedent being set. Should the PC consider a sign requesting no sale of vehicles? It’s not enforceable but may assist – no action to be take at present
Alms Houses:
The Clerk took pictures of the state of the verge at the beginning of December and reported again to fix my street. There was a very quick response that they had assessed the issue and then that they had fixed the issue however all they did was put a small patch of tarmac on the edge of the road which did not resolve the puddle & mud issue. So the clerk re opened the case however they closed it again without comment so the clerk has e-mailed the case to Cllr Stephens to see if he can assist us.
5) Planning Report of Comments and Decisions
Construction of 3 Meter Wide Access Track
Orchard Corner Farm Drift Lane Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2PZ
Ref. No: S24/1732 | Received: Tue 15 Oct 2024 | Validated: Tue 15 Oct 2024 | Status: Approved
Application for reserved matters relating to layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access, for the erection of 5 dwellings following outline planning permission S22/1065
The Gables Honington Road Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NG
Ref. No: S24/1453 | Received: Wed 21 Aug 2024 | Validated: Wed 21 Aug 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision – PC entered Objection – Still pending decision (was not discussed at committee in December)
Application for reserved matters relating to layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access, for the erection of 5 dwellings following outline planning permission S22/1065
The Gables Honington Road Barkston Lincolnshire NG32 2NG
Ref. No: S24/1453 | Received: Wed 21 Aug 2024 | Validated: Wed 21 Aug 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision – PC entered Objection still waiting for Planning committee date.
6) Burial Ground
Nothing to report
7) Playing Field
S Micklewright advised the meeting that the Playing Field Committee had obtained a grant of £6k for the upgrade of the flooring and heating of the pavilion.
The clerk advised the meeting that the Playing Field Committee had agreed subject to full funding from the lottery commission to install an activity wall for older children (and adults) in the village. The clerk to work with the Activity wall company to submit the grant request.
8) Picnic Area
The hole near the entrance is getting bigger and the PC requested that the Clerk obtained quotes for its repair
9) Village Welcome Pack
The final copy of the welcome pack was circulated by the clerk with a temporary picture of the Village Hall. Sadly, the request to villagers to submit a picture for the front page resulted in no responses.
It was agreed that the front picture should be replaced with pictures of the 2 village churches otherwise it was Proposed for approval by A Card & Seconded by R Parke - Unanimous
10) Village Hall.
The clerk advised the meeting on behalf of P Connor that the Village Hall Committee has agreed for the PC to look at registering the hall with land registry. The clerk will look in to how best to do this.
11) Financial Matters:
A) Accounts paid and for payment since last meeting:
The PC reviewed the income and expenditure up to 31/12/2024
Income Received:
Barkston Charities £1000.00
Payments Made
|
J Ingamels - Mowing |
£100.00 |
|
BDG24/1722 |
£628.80 |
|
Anglian Water |
£40.89 |
|
Sutcliff Play - Swing |
£646.15 |
|
Gladston Uk (Dog Bin & Bags) |
£357.98 |
|
Donation For Christmas Decs |
£150.00 |
B) Current Years Income & Expenditure and Budget Position
The clerk shared the current budget position with the meeting and advised the meeting that the PC was on schedule to be within budget for this financial year
C) Approval of the Basic Budget and Precept for 2025/26
The clerk shared the current budget working papers and suggested a reduction of precept to £10,600 for 2025/26 a reduction of 13.2% on last year.
A Hine proposed the budget for approval and A Card seconded – unanimous
D) Medium Term Financial Plan/Funding proposals
S Micklewright shared possible proposals for expenditure from reserves and outside funding/grants these included.
Outdoor Gym – It was agreed that the PC would consult with the village
Secure storage facilities at the Playing field – SM advised the meeting that there was a requirement for secure storage to tidy up the pavilion and make it more useful for functions. The estimated cost of this would be around £2,500 plus Vat. The Clerk advised that there was sufficient funds available held by the PC for the playing field to cover this. S Micklewright proposed this for approval and it was seconded by A Rowell – Unanimous
Winter Grass Mowing: S Micklewright advised the PC that originally the Playing field were looking for another mower that could cope with the winter cuts however it is now thought that it would be more cost effective to pay a contractor to complete the cuts (2/3 time a year) The Current cost is £100 per cut and requested that the PC fund these. A Card proposed the PC fund the proposal & S Elnor seconded - Unanimous
12) Any other business for discussion but not decision
It was proposed that a £40 meal voucher was gifted to the residents who have kindly been storing the Christmas decorations on behalf of the village. This was unanimously agreed
Next meeting to be held on 10th March 2025