2019 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the Village Hall, Kettlethorpe, on Monday 04th March 2019 at 7.40 pm 

Present 

Cllr Richard Barnard, V / Chairman,
Cllr: Lauren Flinders
Cllr Tim O’Callaghan 
Cllr Tony Scawthon,
Cllr Catherine Turner    
Mr. Ron Gee, clerk.

Mr Barrie Davies, Resident

Cllr Richard Barnard, Acting Chairman welcomed Mr Davies to the meeting, who said that chicken waste tipped nearby is causing continual problems for himself and his neighbours with a bad smell and much worse coming from the dump site.

The chickens are owned by a farmer from Newton on Trent, and their waste is being deposited on land rented by him at Hatchery Lane, Laughterton.  In addition, there is every indication that the site is being used as a ‘transit’ station for transfer of waste between farms, as it is also being brought into this site from other locations.  Tractors and trailers have been seen going in, and laden lorries going out, and it is unlikely that the necessary waste transfer licence is held. 

There is a limitation on the length of time that a site can be used, yet this site is known to have been in operation for at least 5 years and it was commented that the Rural Payment Agency may be unaware of the circumstances.

Mr Davies said that on several occasions the heap had spontaneously combusted, producing clouds of black smoke and dirt, leaving grime both inside and outside their homes and creating a hazard to health,.  He had photographed the situation and had been in touch with the farmer, who had assured him that the heap would get smaller, but nothing has happened.  Consequently, Mr Davies aided by several neighbours, had logged details and reported the issue to Environmental Health Following a discussion about Environmental Protection at West Lindsey and the Environment Agency, the Chairman took further details from Mr Davies and promised to investigate the issue on his behalf.

1. APOLOGIES

Cllr Richard Elliott, Cllr David Byrne, PC Martin Doherty, PCSO Glenn Patchett .

2 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING 

The minutes of the February meeting had been circulated to all members and were proposed as a true    record, seconded and agreed by the meeting 

3. MATTERS ARISING 

3.1 Local Policing issues – The Crime Report for February listed 4 thefts, 3 vehicle crimes, no burglaries   and no criminal damage.  None of the reported offences had taken place in Kettlethorpe Parish.

3.2 Jubilee Park

i. Tree lights – The circuit breaker had been checked to ensure that no electricity is being used by the Parish.

The standby battery and control unit discussed at the last meeting are to be bought later in the year to   maximise the guarantee period. 

ii. Fences and barriers – To be dealt with when the weather is more settled.

3.3 Highway Matters i. Tesco funding and Speed Watch  – It was suggested last month that sharing the  purchase of a Speed Gun with the neighbouring Parishes of Fenton and Torksey could provide  benefits for each of the  villages concerned and letters were sent to that effect, but in their responses,  both Parishes advised that they were currently setting up their own Speed Watch. (See Correspondence item 4.2).  It was learned that the cost of each Speed Gun was £286.50, plus ancillary expenses i.e.  joining the scheme, hi viz jackets etc making a total of £490.

It was asked if it would be worthwhile creating a flier, to ask if there is any interest., but the Chairman felt that it is not really necessary, as a number of keen individuals are already known to the  Council.  These residents are to be asked, because of the need and cost of training, if they are prepared to make a serious commitment to Speed Watch.  Several names were mentioned, and are to be approached with a view to pulling the scheme together.

As a result, the Chairman asked if the expenditure on a speed gun and training etc could be approved.  It was proposed, seconded and agreed that if the cash is not forthcoming from the Tesco ‘Bags of Health’ scheme, £500 could be used on the purchase of Speed Watch equipment and training.  

3.4 Parish Council Surgery – The February Surgery had been run by Cllr O’Callaghan who only had one visitor, Mr Davies, who was invited to bring his complaint about waste dumping to this meeting. The  clerk offered to create an advertisement advertising the surgery, giving dates in advance that should offer plenty of warning to residents of when each surgery is due.  The following dates will apply for the near future:- 18th March: 15th April: 20th May and 17th June,.

3.5 Parish Council Facebook – A reply had been received from the former Parish Councillor who had operated the Facebook page, to say that hopefully, he had had managed to de-activate it. A new Facebook page entitled Kettlethorpe Parish Council will be created and launched shortly at a more convenient time.

3.6 Leaning trough, near Millfield G.C. – The Chairman suggested raising the trough by means of a ‘Farmer’s Jack’ and sliding wooden blocks underneath to level it.  Arrangements will be made by members to meet up and resolve the problem.

3.7 Smells from waste – See opening discussion with Mr Davies.

3.8 Best Kept Village – After some debate it was decided not to enter this year.

3.9 Parish Council Dinner  – It was agreed by all to be a enjoyable evening with good food, good  company and a very pleasant atmosphere. 

4. CORRESPONDENCE 

4.1 Police Crime Report for February

4.2 Shared Speed watch, Messages to Torksey & Fenton PCs + responses

4.3 Best Kept Village Competition (c/f from last month for information)

4.4 WLDC – Parish Election papers, various

4.5 WLDC – District Election 

4.6 WLDC - Great British Spring Clean

4.7 WLDC - Transport and Travel in and around Lincoln

4.8 LCC - Reporting Highways Issues

4.9 Clerks & Councils Direct - magazine

4.10 WLDC - Independent Remuneration Panel - Vacancy 

4.11 Alex / clerk – Facebook 

E-mailed  items for February – see list appended to these minutes 

5. PLANNING 

5.1 Planning Application 138686 – Silver Trees Farm, result of appeal, Inspector’s report.  The Meeting   noted that approval has been given for the development to go ahead.

6, FINANCE

6.1 PAYE / Salary for end February  - Payment of these items had been proposed and accepted for the    year and it was agreed by the meeting that each item should be paid.

6.2 Parish Accounts for end February – the clerk reported a balance of £11,097 with an expenditure of   £8,049 to date as confirmed by the HSBC bank statements and the accounts sheet. It was agreed by   the meeting that the Chairman and clerk should sign the monthly Parish Accounts sheet.

7. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

7.1 Waste - Referring back to item 3.7, ‘smells from waste’, It was mentioned that the slurry tankers passing through Laughterton were not an issue at the moment.  It was suggested that this is probably due new equipment being brought into service that burns off some of the more unpleasant aspects of the waste.

This prompted a discussion on another facet of waste:  specifically, dumping, at the traveller’s site at   Drinsey Nook, where the present occupants are said to be very active.  Waste is being dumped willy   nilly in the protected woodland, which is rapidly is becoming an eyesore. Based on local knowledge,   there is a strong suspicion that waste is being taken in for cash.  A report is to be sent to WLDC.  

It was further noted that there are 7 or 8 wheelie bins, some of which have fallen over towards the carriageway, spilling out rubbish on the verge by the entrance to the traveller's camp.  A report is to be sent to LCC.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

This will take place in Kettlethorpe Village Hall on Monday 1st April 2019 at 7.40 pm

As there was no further business the meeting closed at 9.00 pm