21 March 2024 Minutes
THEDDLETHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the monthly meeting held on Thursday, 21 March 2024 at Theddlethorpe Village Hall, Silver Street, Theddlethorpe All Saints.
In the Chair: Cllr K Simpson
Parish Councillors present: Cllrs R Aldrich, L White, N Barker, S Goodley, A Beet, M Crookes, B Swift, and A Spink.
Also, present County Councillors: N Sear and D McNally
District Councillor: T Hesketh
Parish Clerk: Mrs S Bristow
Public Forum
No questions were received in advance or asked on the night.
District and County Councillors’ Reports
Cllr D McNally stated that LCC had appointed the NWS funded engagement person position and that he was introduced to the CP this week. He commented that, at his first CiF meeting, there was a lack of local applicants for the funding pool. He noted this weekend is the Airfix weekend at the museum in Lincoln and that on 25th May there would be an open day at the LCC waste-energy generation plant, all are welcome.
Cllr N Sear noted that Highways have funding, but currently lack manpower. She reminded all to continue using Fix My Street to report issues. Additionally, it was noted that £1 Million was available for footpath (pavement sic) improvements. She noted her priority for highways was the Maltby straight and commented about the difficulties regarding hedge trimming due to ownership being different.
Cllr T Hesketh thanked his LCC colleagues for their support in opposing the National Grid’s pylons proposal. He discussed taking part in the recent CP update call and how, when he requested raw data on the NWS doorstep surveys, he found that the data didn’t add up. Thus, he has written to the CEO of NWS (letter tabled for councillors) and hopes the CP will take that on board. He also ran his own survey online and, although he could not share specific outcomes yet, he stated the results were in line with the parish survey the council undertook in 2022. He also noted writing to Victoria Atkins about the GDF and that he has a meeting with LCC Highways on 16th April.
Item 03/24-01 Chair’s Welcome
The Chair opened the meeting at 19:46 and welcomed six parishioners to the hall.
Item 03/24-02 Apologies and acceptance of absence
Apologies with valid reasons were received and accepted from Cllrs D Sear and H Cox.
Item 03/24-03 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest from members in accordance with Localism Act 2011
None.
Item 03/24-04 To Resolve as Minutes the record of the Monthly meeting on 22 February 2024
The minutes were RESOLVED and signed.
Item 03/24-05 Chair’s Report
The Chair read her tabled report aloud, highlighting the Pylons meeting held in Alford and a summation of the meeting with Cllr McNally.
Item 03/24-06 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk noted AGAR paperwork had been received and that the council had been selected for the 5% intermediate review. Internal auditor options were discussed and the AGAR should be ready for signature at the May meeting. She thanked the Village Hall committee for their acceptance of the incoming King’s portrait. Finally, she noted the Annual Parish meeting date had been published and that refreshments would be organised; the update on speaker invitations will be made in a later item.
Item 03/23-07 Parish Councillors’ Reports and Matters Arising
i) To resolve the proposed meeting schedule for 2024/25: Resolved.
ii) To receive an update on Community Asset and Neighbourhood Plan paperwork: the Clerk noted the asset paperwork was hand delivered to ELDC and that the plan was her priority for April.
iii) To receive an update on speaker invitations to the Annual Parish meeting: The Clerk noted that only the Police’s Safer Together representative had confirmed she will attend; previously the Rook Foundation noted sending a presentation but who will present it is still in question. Cllr McNally offered to come to speak about the CiF process and mentioned a few other LCC-related possibilities. Additionally, invitations will be extended to both the CP and NWS for representatives to come and speak, particularly as there is a shortage of funding applications from local groups.
iv) To receive an update on an application to the Rook Foundation for speed signage: The Clerk received a response from the Rook Foundation refuting our request and offering three alternative options. This was not met with pleasure by the assembled councillors and a letter will be drafted in reply. Items of concern include the manner of discussion prior to the decision, the decision making scenario, and others. The Clerk will circulate her reply prior to sending to ensure all salient points are included.
v) To consider erection of a flagpole on the Village Triangle: Resolved with a maximum budget of £150. Cllr Aldrich to manage the purchase (inclusive of the DDay memorial flag and installation).
vi) To consider installing rubbish/dog waste bins in the village: Resolved as a wall-mounted litter bin. The clerk will circulate quotes in due course.
vii) To consider costs of ivy removal from the Mill & Station Roads bus shelter: Withdrawn
viii) To consider a formal complaint to Northern Powergrid regarding service levels: Resolved for the Clerk to write this letter.
ix) To consider the Parish Council taking a formal position on various proposals affecting the village:
(1) Geological Disposal Facility
(2) Viking Carbon Capture Scheme
(3) National Grid Pylons corridor
The Council Resolved to take a formal position of object on all three proposals. Additionally, the councillors Resolved that the objection to item 7 (ix) (1) also demand an immediate test of public support. The Clerk will draft these respective letters for circulation prior to publication and posting to the various companies involved.
Item 03/24-08 Financial Matters
i) To note draft final accounts for 2023/24 and draft final budget heads for 2023/24: Noted
ii) To note updated budget heads for 2024/25 to include additional PC Meetings: Noted. Furthermore, the council resolved to accept the quote from last year’s internal auditor on the basis that the work could be undertaken without undue stress and expense on behalf of the clerk.
Item 03/24-09 Planning Matters
• N/180/00212/24, Planning Permission - Erection of a detached single garage with office and store. SUNNYDENE, STAIN LANE, THEDDLETHORPE, MABLETHORPE, LN12 1QB: This was noted and the council rendered no comment.
Item 03/24-10 Highways / Footpaths / Lighting Matters
i. Status of Applications for new footpaths: Cllr Goodley will work with the Clerk to submit these applications in April as all supporting evidence had been collated. She thanked the footpaths walking group and noted the kissing gate on the footpath from Salts Corner to the pub is being replaced.
Item 03/24-11 Parish on-going issues
i) Gas Terminal Future Use: Cllr Barker noted Harbour Energy are still undertaking works on the site. The last CP briefing featured so-called independent experts who say that three years (the amount of time the public have known about the proposals) is insufficient to form an opinion. Jon Collins challenged Cllr Hesketh’s claim about the manipulated surveys, which Cllr Hesketh is responding to. There are some “Ask the Experts” events upcoming. The EA’s flooding survey is now underway and it was noted that NWS are participating in careers fairs at John Spendluffe school. Cllr Barker also attended Victoria Atkins’ recent flood forum and noted it was more Horncastle focussed and that investigations are taking place in that town to ascertain blame for flooding caused by storm Babet in 2023.
Item 02/24-12 To confirm the date of the next Parish Council Meeting as 23 May 2024
Confirmed.
The meeting was adjourned at 21:19.