April 24 2024 - MINUTES
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL OF FENTON & TORKSEY LOCK,
held on Wednesday 24 April 2024, 4.30pm,
at Poppies Community Centre and Hub, Lincoln Road, Fenton, Lincoln LN1
PRESENT: Cllr A Woods (Vice Chair / Acting Chair), Cllr D Buck, Cllr I B Smith, DCllr R Pilgrim.
Also present: Ruth Keillar (Clerk).
3 Members of the public
The meeting commenced at 4:41pm.
Vice Chair Cllr A Woods welcomes everyone to the meeting and opened with the first item to appoint an Acting Chair.
1043. To appoint an Acting Chair.
Cllr A Woods, as Vice-Chair, indicated that he was prepared to Chair for the duration of the meeting.
1044. Current Chair
a) It was noted that the current chair, Cllr G Newton had resigned from the role of Chairman and remains on the PC as a Councillor.
b) It was proposed by Cllr I B Smith, seconded by Cllr D Buck and it was RESOLVED that a period of extended leave be granted to Cllr G Newton, with no closing date.
1045. Apologies. To receive apologies and reasons for absence.
None received.
1046. Declarations of Interest. To receive Declarations of Interest on any item on the Agenda.
Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them at any point during the meeting.
No Declarations of Interest received.
1047. Public forum. To suspend the meeting to allow no more than 15 minutes of public forum.
3 members of public were present.
a) A member of the public raised the recurring issue of the speed limit between Torksey Lock and Fenton and signage. It was noted that the speed limit, recently reduced to 30mpc, reverts to 60mpm over some sections of the Highway.
DCllr R Pilgrim explained that the requirement for a reduced speed limit depended on areas along the highway where there was habitation (private homes) and that this is why certain sections did not qualify for a reduced speed limit.
It was noted that any decrease will only be by 10 mph, as a matter of national Government policy and that the PC had no power per se to change this. An approach to Parliament would have to be made to request any change.
b) A member of the public expressed frustration at the lack of Police presence to deter speeding and to apprehend speeding drivers. It was noted that Police numbers and allocated duties had been severely restricted over the past few years and priorities for patrol work meant that it was unlikely to have a police presence for this unless there was a significant rise in accidents/injury/loss of life.
A member of the public reported that their relative was a police officer and that he had offered to undertake a presence in the parish on behalf of the community.
c) A member of the public asked about any Speedwatch Scheme 9CSW) being of use in this matter. It was reported that the Pc is already a member of this scheme, which has been operating for some time. It was noted that the scheme has currently ceased patrols due to a lack of volunteers. The member of the public expressed an interest in joining the CSW scheme and Cllr I B Smith, as CSW organiser, took note of this offer.
DCllr R Pilgrim suggested that the PC request a new Archer Analysis Test ; it was later added that the last test had been carried out in 2022.
d) A member of the public enquired about grass-cutting within the parish and who is responsible. It was explained that LCC reduced the cuts it carries out to 3 per year, from 2017 onwards; the PC had the option to take on some of this and receive a grant from LCC. It was noted that the Pc spent around 1,200 on grass-cutting in the financial year 2023-24, the grant received was 197. The grassed area at Torksey Lock was of concern to the member of the public and this is not cut by the PC s contractor. It was agreed to investigate the additional costs for the PC to take on this cutting, which is not within the current budget.
1048. Notes of the Parish Council meeting:
Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18 January 2024 to be approved and signed as minutes.
It was proposed by Cllr I B Smith, seconded by Cllr D Buck and unanimously RESOLVED to approve the notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 18 January 2024 and these were duly signed as minutes.
1049. Crime reports. To receive reports from Police with crime information.
The Acting Chair did not highlight this agenda item for discussion
To receive reports from Police with crime information.
Gainsborough Rural South | Police.uk (www.police.uk)
February stats: 1 burglary in Fenton
1050. Planning Matters.
Planning Applications
APPLICATION REFERENCE NO: 148016. Received 11/03/2024
PROPOSAL: Application for approval of reserved matters considering access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following outline planning permission 140259 granted 30 December 2019 to erect 5no. dwellings being variation of conditions 1 & 2 of planning permission 141731 granted 12 November 2020 - amend plot 1 house type & materials
LOCATION: Land off Newark Road Torksey Lock Lincoln LN1 2EJ
APPLICATION TYPE: Reserved Matters Application
APPLICATION CATEGORY: Minor Dwellings
It was agreed to make no comment.
APPLICATION REFERENCE NO: 148178. Received 16/04/2024
PROPOSAL: Application for approval of reserved matters considering access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following outline planning permission 140259 granted 30 December 2019 to erect 5no. dwellings being variation of conditions 2 of planning permission 141731 granted 12 November 2020 - amend plot 2 roof materials.
LOCATION: Land off Newark Road Torksey Lock Lincoln LN1 2EJ
APPLICATION TYPE: Reserved Matters Application
APPLICATION CATEGORY: Minor - Dwellings
It was agreed to make no comment.
1051. Speedwatch. To receive any updates regarding the Speedwatch scheme and to consider any action.
Activities in Fenton remain suspended pending more volunteers coming forward to join that team.
Activities in Torksey Lock have been curtailed by non-availability of team members.
Cllr I B Smith is in contact with CSW Admin regarding training of more volunteers. Reference minute 1047 c above, a member of the public volunteered.
1052. Parish New Bulletin. To receive any updates regarding the A4 news-sheet bulletin.
Cllr I B Smith continues to oversee this project.
1053. Training. To consider Training arrangements for Cllrs. To receive any feedback on training attended.
No Cllr training had been attended since the last meeting. As requested, Cllr A Woods continues to have a printed version of the Training Bulletin by post.
Cllr A Woods requested that he and the Clerk by booked on the the Chair/Clerk training session, 28 May 2024 ant Welbourn Village Hall.
It was agreed that the PC re-join the ATS, budgeted as 132 and within cost.
1054. Clerks report
a) Cllr P Jenkinson tendered his resignation on 18/03/2024; WLDC has issued a Notice of Vacancy which has been posted. If no call for election was made by 12/04/2024 and Co-option to the vacant seat is available.
b) Website analytics are available to view on the PC website HERE
1055. Financial Matters.
a) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliations as at 31/03/2024.
YEAR END 2023-2024:
The RFO reported balances as at 31/03/2024:
i. Lloyds Current Account (49206968) 2,131.13
ii. Lloyds Bus Savings A/C (55156860) 16,408.79
iii. Equals Account (31615978) 200.00
Total 18,739.92
Includes Interest accrued Feb/March 36.18
Payments received, included in balances: NIL
Payments received, excluded from balances: NIL
Transfers:
26/01/2024 - From Current Account (49206968) to Equals A/C (31615978) 64.44
29/02/2024 - From Current Account (49206968) to Equals A/C (31615978) 87.25
To note any approved payments made between 11/01/2024 31/03/2024:
To note expenditure against budget at year end:
It was proposed by Cllr I B Smith seconded by Cllr D Buck and it was RESOLVED that the statement of accounts and bank reconciliations as at year end 2023-24.
b) To approve the Statement of accounts and bank reconciliations for financial year 2024-2025, as at 19/04/2024.
The RFO reported balances as at 19/04/2024:
iv. Lloyds Current Account (49206968) 9,131.13
v. Lloyds Bus Savings A/C (55156860) 16,425.74
vi. Equals Account (31615978) 200.00
Total 25,556.87
Includes Interest accrued April 16.95
Payments received, included in balances: £7,000.00
WLDC Precept 2024-2025
Payments received, excluded from balances: NIL
Transfers: NIL
To note any approved payments made between 01/04/2024 19/04/2024:
To note expenditure against budget at 19/04/2024:
It was proposed by Cllr I B Smith seconded by Cllr A Woods and it was RESOLVED that the statement of accounts and bank reconciliations as at year end 2023-24.
c) It was noted that AGAR 2023-24 documentation has been received from External Auditor PKF-Littlejohn. The deadline is Monday 1 July 2024.
For note only.
CIL funds. April 2023 742.74
1056. Highways matters
a) Footpath maintenance - Torksey Lock.
b) New Footpath - Torksey Lock.
c) Enhanced crossing of A156 - Torksey Lock.
d) Traffic calming measures on Maltkiln Road, Fenton.
CCllr R Butroid had reported that he had received no updates.
It was requested that the Clerk follow up with CCllr R Butroid on the bollard previously discussed, located at Torksey Lock and reported as being unlight.
1057. Parish Speed Limits.
a) It was noted that there were concerns regarding the speeding through Maltkiln Lane. Various suggestions were aired, including members of the public welcomed to comment.
Suggestions included:
i. traffic calming
ii. one-way system
iii. Speed Indicator Device (SID).
iv. A request for LRSP to survey the road.
DCllr R Pilgrim reported that there was a SID available via LRSP at a reasonable cost (estimated at around 3000 and that he would investigate further and report back at the next meeting.
It was agreed that the Clerk contact LRSP/LCC regarding a, b, d.
It was noted that a report from Cllr G Newton, minuted at the last meeting in his opening remarks, 18/01/24, recorded that LRSP had undertaken surveys in Fenton in 2022.
b) Card cut out cops the Clerk reported that these were yet to be purchased; DCllr R Pilgrim reported that
he has raised this proposed purchase with LRSP and they had advised caution as the figures could act as a distraction. It was noted that this was the reason that they were found to be effective, similarly to the presence of a real police officer, and that other PCs had found them to be effective and affordable. It was suggested that the agreed resolution to purchase 4 could be revised to the purchase of 1 and to postpone any purchase at this stage.
c) At this stage a member of the public engaged with the meeting and suggested that large planters could be
purchased and positioned in locations tbc, which could hold signage warning drivers to slow down. It was agreed that this could be investigated and considered at a future meeting. It was noted that all the necessary background checks, costs, permissions, planter type and contents preference/costs and maintenance of same would have to be investigated.
1058. Notice Board at Fenton.
It was noted that the posts at Fenton have been replaced as noted at the last meeting.
The posts at Torksey Lock have also been replaced.
Cllr A Woods suggested that the posts be painted, although the wood is treated and should remain good for approximately 20 years. It was agreed to consider this at the next meeting.
1059. Parish Project
Bus shelters x 2 on opposite sides of the A156 near the defibrillator station and x1 at Torksey Lock.
The Clerk reported that she had followed up on this twice and no updates to the funding grant had been available.
A member of the public engaged with the meeting to emphasise the need for the shelters due to school-children getting wet, and it was confirmed that the PC had acted on this hence the project being initiated at the meeting of 19/10/2023, minute 1003, and funding sought.
1060. Any urgent items for discussion
Matters can be raised and may become future agenda items. Items will only be taken if notified to the
Chairman 24 hours prior to the meeting.
Under this agenda item, an item for addition to the next meeting was suggested during this item; the bench at Torksey Lock and the suggestion that some re-working of the ground-works be made to improve the installation. It was agreed that costs for the suggested upgrade be sought and brought to the next meeting so that the PC would be armed of the facts to make an informed decision. Cllr I B Smith offered to investigate these costs.
1061. Date of next meetings.
Regular Meetings July 18, Sept 19, and Nov 21.
Annual Parish Meeting (APM) May 16 2024 to be followed by the AMPC.
Annual Meeting of the Parish Council (AMPC) May 16, to include the Regular meeting.
It was noted that the next meeting, 16 May 2024, would revert to the regular venue and time, Kettleworth Village Hall, at 7pm.
It was noted that any change of venue and time would be added to the agenda for consideration and that the full details of the legislation regarding meetings and the pros/cons of a move be fully considered. It was noted that the Clerk had circulated a draft report into this issue as a starting guide for Cllrs.
It was noted that as a member of the public had expressed an interest in being co-opted, that they were invited to complete the co-option application form which is available on the website, by emailing the Clerk and the clerk offered to post the form out to any interested persons if required. It was agreed that co-option would be added to the next agenda.
As there was no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 18:14
Any discussion after close of meeting is not noted.
Signed (Chair)....I.B.SMITH.....................Date............16/05/2024.............
255/2024