Minutes
MINUTES OF THE FRISKNEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT FRISKNEY VILLAGE HALL
ON WEDNESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2024 AT 7.30PM
PCM24022 - PRESENT
Councillors: M Hill (Chair)
K Smith (Vice-Chair)
P Holland
S Holt
D Patrick
R Scott
A Shaw
A Simpson
W Twigg
K Wickham
Attendees: W Trigg – Clerk
M Weedon – P3 Co-Ordinator
Dist Cllr Dickinson (Part)
Cnty Cllr Bowkett (Part)
PCM24023 - APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Wood and Cllr Reeves was absent.
PCM24024 - PUBLIC FORUM
None present.
PCM24025 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None received.
PCM24026 - P3 FOOTPATHS
Mill Lane/Eaudykes (P322 Northern) – Footpath is drying out and good to walk on. Paddock fence has been repaired.
Eaudykes/Lenton’s Lane (P322 Southern) – Path is drying out and okay to walk on but part of it has been cultivated.
Sea Lane/A52 (P335) – Full length of the path is good and solid to walk on.
Sickling Lane/3 Way Post (P336) – Path drying out and good to walk on. Missing signpost at Sickling Lane and missing arrow on wooden electrical pole near the house. Action – Clerk to report.
Chapel Lane/Eaudykes (P337) – Signpost is down near Eaudyke Road. Action – Clerk to report.
Field Lane/School (P338) – Footpath sign is down by the school. Bridge has been fully replaced.
Beacon/Church (P339) – Ground has been worked and drying out but good to walk on.
PCM24027 – DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
The Government has confirmed it will allocate £3m in the next financial year, to the councils most affected by the Internal Drainage Board levies. Details of how that will be shared out are not yet known.
DEFRA are introducing Biodiversity Net Gain to all major planning applications from 12th February 2024.
Grants4Growth could help local businesses with a share of £1.85m. Funding must be allocated before December 2024, for further details visit https://www.sholland.gov.uk/Grants4Growth
The Home Energy Advice & Retrofit Team are continuing their community sessions across East Lindsey. Residents are encouraged to meet the team for energy-saving advice or tips to reduce energy bills if they are struggling.
(Cnty Cllr Bowkett joined the meeting)
A FREE Fraud Pack from the Police and Crime Commissioner can be requested via this link PCC Free Fraud Pack
Lincolnshire Event Safety Partnership are running training days on 4th March 2024 and 4th October 2024. The content of both events will be the same and will not be season/event specific.
(Dist Cllr Dickinson left the meeting)
PCM24028 – COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Devolution hosting events have been well attended and received findings are that most attendees were in support.
LCC are calling on the Government to provide support and plug the gaps left from continued funding cuts. LCC need an extra £40m a year to clear the roads maintenance backlog, LCC are asking for the 25% that was cut from the Lincolnshire roads budget to be given back as a start.
LCC expect to spend £650m on providing services this coming year, £305m for adult care, £114m for children's services, £49m for highways and £25m for Lincolnshire fire and rescue. Last year LCC managed to save £9m by reducing bureaucracy and streamlining operations through technology. LCC face £61m additional cost pressures from rising prices and increased demand for services particularly in adult care, child protection and school transport.
Government announced a proposal to ban disposable vapes which is very much welcomed.
National Grid are currently consulting on plans to install pylons from Grimsby to Walpole. They will go through our area and LCC appeal for everyone to fill in the consultation. There have been local presentations and you can fill in the consultation at https:/www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade. LCC are objecting to the plans and hope Parish Councils and residents object too.
A flood resilience meeting took place on 9th February at Batemans. Mary Donahue from Somerset attended with her flood house. Agencies were there to answer questions along with Matt Warman MP. It was well attended and residents took home useful information.
(Cnty Cllr Bowkett left the meeting)
PCM24029 - CHAIR’S REMARKS
Damaged trees in the Play Area have been dealt with.
The Cemetery Caretaker has stated the mower needs servicing in June to maintain the warranty. He has offered to take it in himself if required.
A quote is due for 3 more CCTV cameras and a new transmitter.
PCM24030 - PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes from the January Parish Council Meeting were presented for approval. These were resolved to be a true and accurate record having been proposed by Cllr Twigg and seconded by Cllr Holt.
PCM24031 - ACTION LOG
The Clerk gave an update on the new, current and completed actions which are minuted below or within their respective topics.
The Woodland Trust have approved our application for free tree packs which will be delivered in November.
The grass cutting contract has been reviewed and alternative quotes are higher than currently. However, the frequency of the cuts being invoiced has been queried. Action – Clerk to request cut dates for last season.
The willow tree on the corner of Church Lane has been cut.
PCM24032 - PLANNING (Appendix 2)
Land adjacent to Lynwood, Burgh Road – New application for change of use to equestrian.
Sewage Treatment Works, Burgh Road – Decision pending.
Fairfield, Small End – Decision pending.
Land off Low Road – 22no modular homes for over 55s & construction of vehicular access – Decision pending.
Camp Site, Manor Bungalow, Howgarth Lane – Decision pending.
Everest Lodge/Robins Nest, Holland Lane – With enforcement.
Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm – Formal application now with ELDC.
Highfield House, Field Lane – Change of use reported to Planning Enforcement.
The Bungalow, Sea Lane – No change of use required.
PCM24033 - FINANCE (Appendix 3)
With the exclusion of T A Blackamore, all February payments were resolved for payment having been proposed by Cllr Smith and seconded by Cllr Shaw.
Cllr Smith advised that Witham Fourth IDB have approved a 20% increase. The budget incorporated a 10% increase so additional costs will be incurred.
PCM24034 - VILLAGE HALL
Batemans have advised some of their products are due a price increase.
The hall floor has been varnished and polished and a new floor covering is to be sought for the bar area.
Events to be held this year include a tabletop sale on 6th April, Friskney Show on 9th June, Casino night on 7th September, Craft Fair on 17th November, Milton Keynes shopping trip on 23rd November, New Years Eve Bar & Disco and various bingo nights.
The application for a wedding license is no longer going ahead due to the costs involved.
PCM24035 - PLAY AREA
A tree root is lifting the tarmac at the play area entrance. The car park has the same issue. Cllr Twigg to contact Vere Bros to quote for repairs.
Cllr Twigg has confirmed the dimensions of the replacement gym equipment handle cap which is now on order.
Vere Bros have advised Cllr Twigg that the latest tarmac repairs in the play area would be free of charge.
PCM24036 - CEMETERY/CHURCHYARD
The Cemetery Caretaker vacancy has been advertised and a few people have registered an interest. Interviews may be held on 6th March with Cllr Hill, Cllr Smith and Cllr Patrick on the interview panel. Action – Clerk to confirm details after vacancy closes on 29th February 2024.
Cllr Twigg advised that the Churchyard Caretaker’s mower might need replacing. Cllr Hill suggested there could be a replacement with the Cemetery Caretaker. Action - Cllr Twigg to liaise with them.
PCM24037 - ALLOTMENTS
Cllr Smith confirmed drainage works have been completed and an invoice from the contractor would follow.
PCM24038 - CORRESPONDENCE
Gallagher have sent the insurance pre-renewal questionnaire. The Clerk advised that replacement values of some equipment had been updated and that the sums insured are still adequate. Cllr Smith asked if the Church wall was Parish Council responsibility. Action – Clerk to check responsibilities.
Friskney United Charities have advised that Tony Scarborough and Terence Twigg have been re-appointed for a further four-year term. The Parish Council were happy with both appointments.
PCM24039 - HIGHWAYS ISSUES, REPAIRS & DEFECTS
The drain on the corner of Church Lane is still flooding. It is thought that it could have been damaged. Also the drain on Field Lane outside Millway 1 & 2 needs jetting. Action – Clerk to report online.
PCM24040 – COUNCIL DOCUMENT REVIEW
An updated Play Area Inspection Report including the Rotaweb Climber was presented for approval. It was resolved to adopt the new version having been proposed by Cllr Wickham and seconded by Cllr Smith. Action – Clerk to update website.
A new Grant Awarding Policy and Grant Application Form were drafted by the Clerk who explained that further input from the Councillors was required. It was agreed that they should be adopted at the next meeting. Action – Clerk to resend the documents for review/feedback.
PCM24041 - URGENT MATTERS
The National Grid high voltage upgrade plans were raised following Cllr Patrick’s attendance at a consultation. With a deadline for response of midnight on 13th March 2024, it was agreed to discuss the issue further at a meeting on 6th March to allow Councillors time to review the information. Action – Clerk to set up the meeting.
PCM24042 - DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 20th March 2024. There being no other business the Parish Council meeting closed at 9:13pm.