2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the meeting of Pointon & Sempringham Parish Council held in Pointon Village Hall on Thursday 15th July 2021 commencing at 7.30 pm.

Present: Cllrs Wesley (Chairman), Greenwood (Vice Chairman), Clarke, Freeman, Green, Ramm and Taylor, Parish Clerk W Gray, County Cllr M Hill and 28 members of the public were also in attendance.

The Chairman reiterated Standing Orders in place, rules that we abide by.

Chairman advised - just before we start with questions I think Cllr Taylor would like to read a statement out.  Cllr Taylor – thank you Chairman.  I am going to stand up for this so that people can hear me.  Cllr Taylor then read out statement.

1. The Chairman invited questions from the public prior to opening the meeting (15 minutes in total allocated)

Question: Car Rally – not on this agenda was on previous one – is it still going ahead?

Response: Yes - think was missed off by mistake.

Question: Footpath No.10 – changed to include all footpaths will include all footpaths going across fields etc.

Response: On agenda.

Question: Plans for Playing Field – long term issues – going forward – work in progress, on agenda for tonight - not going to happen overnight.

Question: Trees in serious state – tree survey.Survey has been done report will be read out later.

Question: Playing Field, Play Equipment surveys, what is happening – Cllrs Clarke and Green will report later in meeting.

With no further questions from the public Cllr Wesley read out a letter he had received from a member of the Public (Carol Mackenzie) – Following my dismissal from the previous Parish Council on 7th March 2021 I wish to inform you that I have sought legal advice on this matter and I now write to you to convey my intention to take the Parish Council to an ACAS Employment Trubunal – the substance of the complaint was listed in letter.  Cllr Wesley advised he had spoken with LALC who advised that a HR Committee should be set up (does not include the Chairman and Vice Chairman).  Cllr Wesley will circulate letter to all those named at end of meeting when moving into closed session.

2. Apologies for absence - District Cllr Moseley.

3. Declarations of interest- Cllr Wesley – Planning Application for Millthorpe.

4. Reports from outside bodies -

• County Councillor – Cllr Hill reported most work finished at Pointon Fen, but still not resolved issue on Millthorpe Road.  Nothing further to add from previous meeting.

Resident – is there a particular reason why Fen Road shouldn’t be re done – all other areas done.

• District – No report.
• Playing Field – Update (No.9)
• Pointon School – Emma Hunt reported looking to get the community together for the benefit of both adults, but more importantly the children of the Parish that have missed out on so much social interaction over the past 18 months – looking at a Community Day to be held sometime in September – it would be great if Parish Council would be involved in the plans i.e. a representative of the Parish Council – Cllr Freeman (as a teacher) said she would be more than happy to be involved.
• Linkwell – Jayne Keeley explained what linkwell was all about (Good Neighbour Scheme) covering several villages – request for volunteers who may be interested to help.
• Police – Update from Lincolnshire Police – Parish Clerk read out letter received.
• Village Hall – Post Office open from 9.30 to 11.30 every Friday morning – to keep it need to use it.  Offers majority of services.  Café open at same time.  Short mat bowls restarted.
• Parish – see below:

Hoop Scoops – local brownie group asked some time ago to make holders for dog bags to be stored and placed around the village (suggested on lamp posts) – so that people are encouraged to pick up after their furry friends whilst out walking and then dispose of bags in bins around the village.Permission is required for attaching to lamp posts i.e. SKDC and LCC – are there any other areas i.e. fences etc?Attach to bins, High Street, Village Hall, at end of Millthorpe, Playing Field.Parish Clerk will contact SKDC/LCC re lampposts.

Noisy Motorbikes – Cllr Freeman concerned about number of bikes coming through the village (early mornings) etc – Cllr Wesley advised a Police matter – Cllr Freeman will pass on to the Police.

Wedding – Cllr Freeman wanted to ask Cllr Green substance of her conversation with couple following the last Parish Council Meeting.Cllr Green – all I said was waiting for Pavillion to open, cannot see being an issue.Cllr Freeman concerned that a couple of days later it became apparent that couple very distressed, trying to find alternative venue – understand impression you gave was NO!Cllr Green email received from Leanne “nothing said by you that meeting could not go ahead.”Ian (partner stood up) conversation with Cllr Green – issues with safety on playing field, but these should be resolved.Cllr Wesley we have a legal responsibility (do not have correct paperwork) more than happy to let have wedding.

Cllr Greenwood proposed let couple have use of field for free – seconded Cllr Wesley, Cllr Freeman and Cllr Ramm – all in favour.

Telephone Box – Cllr Ramm reported has been shot blasted, primed and now just doing final coating.Funds all in LCC 240.00 29/12, SKDC 300.00 19/1 agreed shortfall 260.00 16/2 item 9 would be approved.Total 800.00 plus VAT.

Siting 26/11 agreed defib should be housed in it, it can go back on original site outside village hall.Response to Neighbourhood Plan re siting 54% Village Hall, 23% elsewhere, 2% outside Christchurch.

Cost re electricity supply/lit up at night.Ownership needs to be discussed – currently box is privately owned by Mr S Freeman, paid for and never refunded money i.e. 1.00.Look at cost for putting in a new base for it.Agenda item for next meeting.

Bench Seats – Cllr Green proposed we ask parishioner to repair and Parish Council reimburse cost of materials as long as not astronomical.All Cllrs in agreement.

Car Show from 19-22 August – donation is made to the Parish Council.Use Club House for facilities, will not affect footballers.Cllr Green proposed, seconded Cllr Wesley, all in agreement for Car Show to go ahead.

5. Minutes of meeting held on 17th June 2021 to approve as a true and accurate record - Cllr Wesley reported he was unable to put his name to said minutes.

6. Insurance - Was there a valuation on the Club House – covered under building insurance on square footage.  If had condemned building – would look at valuation on it.  Insurance company have been informed has been done up, all about legalities.

7. Aliro Limited - Certificates for Safety – Mr Burt (not possible for me to be filmed, very personal reasons.  Still chasing up one or two certificates, most we have got.  We need to write H&S Policy – no mention in the lease of H&S Policy.  Fire, done paid for and have certificate.  Two items – no requirement in lease – to display certificate of insurance (because of Data Protection) we no longer have to.

Cllr Wesley – can we have copies (as landlords)?Mr Burt – will make up a PC file, not prepared to send through on the internet.

Cllr Wesley – would it not have been right to have them all in place before opened?PC in difficult position – if not in place leaves landlord liability – Mr Burt – in place, have just not put together.Mr Burt – very busy at moment running pub, wax leisure etc – assure you are in place.

Cllr Wesley – will allow 5 working days for you to get them to us to view – need A Rating – new PC regulations.

8. Planning (New Applications) - Cllr Wesley abstained.  Response to SKDC below-

S21/1223 the application changes the original conversion of the grain store (S21/1849) from 3 small terraced properties into a proposal to demolish the unsightly grain store and build 3 desirable detached properties more in keeping with the surrounding area.  We feel this development would be more attractive than its current use.  

However, the Parish Council have raised the issue of safety at junction (which is an ongoing issue with highways) this small development may add leverage to our demands to improve the junction.  The road is only single track and leads into a cul-de-sac, this was not highlighted on reports (highways and transport impacts) with all traffic entering and exiting the same way.  Before a decision is made we would request highways look more seriously into the traffic implications that would be created.

9. Playing Field – Part one of RC and CG Report

Cllrs Clarke and Green looked over play equipment (see reports).  Funding in very poor supply – biggest issue.  Member of public offered to help out – like to see play area located further down – there would be H&S issues – look into regulations etc.

Rospa Report – inspection due to be carried out August/September – they have courses for volunteers (dates/type of course/cost requested).

Cllr Freeman – does gate need latch or something (gate does not fully close) minor repair required to make gate more secure.

Cllr Greenwood – can we get some more diesel i.e. 500 litres – tank is bunded.  Cllr Freeman – surely can go a little bit longer – if going to outsource next year do we need to pay for 500 litres (min deal) – more cuts required outside of season.  Cllr Green proposed all in agreement that order is placed and paid for (J J Fuels) – Cllr Wesley - need to be able to get a better deal i.e. get price and look at best deal – all Cllrs in agreement.

10. Finance, Bank Statements and Signatories -

Bank statement address changed to be sent to Parish Clerk.

Current signatories Cllrs Ramm and Greenwood – Cllr Wesley received paperwork to be completed to add on as a signatory – paperwork given to Cllr Ramm to process.

Internet – DD cancelled.

Approve the following payments -

• PCPF – June – £100.00
• Parish Clerk Salary - May/June/July £509.16

All above payments approved – invoices signed off by Cllrs Freeman and Ramm, all in agreement for payments to be made.  Cllrs Ramm and Greenwood will arrange to process payments.

Receipts -

• Aliro Ltd – £50.00 – question for Clive Burt – what name are you trading under down at the Pavillion.  Aliro – Limited Company – did not make sense to split into 2 companies!  What rating value if profit making organization?   Club licence, cannot make profit, if limited company need proper licence – need to apply for rates and licence to run as a limited company.  Clive Burt – licence have changed name – need to speak with licencing authority – difficult to speak to people, licensing seem to be happy with what we are doing.  Cannot make profit under club licence - agenda item for next meeting.

11.  All Footpaths including No.10 – Approval to develop footpath – as public playing field if sort gate will not cost anything to divert it.  Footpath going through bottom of building that was added on – planning permission granted but nothing mentioned about footpath.  Footpath Authority look at definitive map that we go by – we do not want to spend money when public playing field.  Fence put up by no.21 – should be other side – new fence that has been put up now – can we not put in a gate so that anyone wants to go out i.e. Fire Escape.  Need to speak with Andrew Savage.  Cllr Greenwood and Cllr Wesley will make contact to meet with Andrew Savage hope to fully resolve issue.

Other footpaths – Robin McCard, Tony Patterson taken it upon themselves to cut other areas plus Colin Upton, Ken Kitchen and Mel Hollinworth – thanks to them all – great job done.

12. Play Equipment – See part one of RC and CG Report

13. Traffic Calming for Pointon and Millthorpe cross roads – Parish Clerk to look into what available/costings.

14. Newsletter - No requirement for Parish Council to produce it.  If villagers looking for newsletter, need volunteers.  Information could be put on website – allocate page within minutes!  Agenda item for next meeting.

15. Update from around the Parish and from Parishioners - None.

16. Date of next meeting: Thursday 12th August 2021

Apologies received in advance from Cllr Green – unable to attend September meeting.

Meeting closed at 9.40 p.m.

17. Closed session – The Parish Council moved into Closed Session.