2020 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Old Leake Parish Council Meeting

11 March 2020

In Attendance:

Councillor David Norton, Councillor Frank Pickett, Councillor John Baxter, Councillor Guy Bull, Councillor Ian Money and Councillor Nigel McCulloch.

Lincolnshire County Councillor Paul Skinner was also present.

Public Forum

No members of the public were present.

1/3/20 Opening of the meeting by the Chairman

The Chairman welcomed Councillors to the meeting.

2/3/20 Apologies for absence and reasons given

Apologies were received and acknowledged from Councillor Crouch due to a personal commitment.

3/3/20 Declarations of interest in accordance with 2011 Localism Act

No declarations were made.

4/3/20 To note the report from the Police Liaison Officer

PCSO Kym Rayment provided the following information via e mail:

Please find enclosed a list of recorded incidents to date.

2 x incidents of violence -Mayflower Gardens.

2 x incidents of anti-social behaviour -Church Road.

2 x thefts- The Gride & Meadow Way.

2 x suspicious circumstances -Meadow Way & Church Road.

2 x concern for safety -School Lane & Meadow Way.

1x transport hazard -Church Road.

1x road traffic collision -Main A52.

5/3/20 To note reports from representatives of outside bodies

The Clerk attended a funding workshop in Skegness run by the Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service. LCVS. It was a very useful session with network opportunities with funding officers and other local groups.

6/3/20 To note CCTV requests

There were no requests.

7/3/20 To accept the playgrounds and Enos Wood monthly check sheets and action any repairs

Leylandii trees had been blown over in the recent strong winds at the side of the playing field at Furlongs Lane, Thomson Tree Services are to be instructed to remove and make safe.

8/3/20 To consider the draft notes of the meeting held on 12th February 2020 and resolve to adopt

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to accept the notes as the minutes.

9/3/20 Resolution to approve the payments of accounts

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to approve the payment lists for March.

10/3/20 Highways matters: items requiring maintenance or repair

LCC Councillor Paul Skinner updated the Council on issues raised in the area. New road maintenance contractors will be in place at the start of April, an improved service is anticipated in response to repair and maintenance requests.

11/3/20 Planning matters

There were no planning applications to comment on.

12/3/20 To consider and resolve moving the School Lane Grit Bin to the other side of the road

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to relocate the grit bin.

13/3/20 To receive an update from the Enos Wood working group

Councillor Crouch sent the following report via e mail as he was unable to attend the meeting:

As per the previous month, we have still only been able to plant the roadside boundary with hedging, and although they appear to be untouched from being nibbled by animals, they will at some stage require the tree guards which Anne has. When I find a suitable moment I will call and make arrangements to collect and start to put them in place.

And if possible, I will try and start the planting along the rear fence boundary.

The pallets for leaf collection can now wait until later in the year and we will make arrangements with Nigel to collect and construct.

I have found 2 sources of suppliers for bird boxes, Howson Mill Old Leake Commonside and one that John passed onto me which he found on Facebook, which is the reclaim yard in Manby, I am initially thinking 6 to start with, a couple of each of the sized entrance holes of 25, 28, and 32 mm.

This will hopefully give an idea of the uptake and we can add to that if required.

Howson’s costs were in the region of £8.00 if I recall and the lady from Manby is offering a trade price for 6 of £60.00 - (these will need to be collected if we decide on these), but my thoughts were perhaps to encourage Howson’s also to offer a 'trade' price and keep it local? now would be a good time to start placing them.

The wood floor has produced swathes of snowdrops, and a fine display of daffodils along the front fence and some hellebores amongst the woodland undergrowth as well. These have all been recorded to be used on the display boards and for reference. We will keep an eye out and record throughout the coming months other species of wildflowers, wildlife and butterflies.

The paths still need to be cleared and bark laid but currently Jared will be working on the car park area at Washdyke as soon as play equipment has been installed. I think we can afford to wait until the end of this month for this to be accomplished.

I am also hoping to retain 6 Hazel whips to plant in the open spaces to be used for coppicing in years to come! If not, I think I probably have a few hear that I could lift and transplant.

The Log seating still remains in place and hopefully as we move through the seasons we can start to tell 'groups' of people that it is there for their use as recreation or for learning purposes.

14/3/20 To receive an update from the Washdyke Lane Working Group

Kompan have started the installation of the play equipment however complaints have been received stating the site is very untidy with packaging blowing about the place. The Clerk is to contact the supplier and ask for better contractor management to be in place.

15/3/20 To consider the recommendation from the Working Group regarding appointing the Village Community Worker and resolve action

The Working Group (Councillor McCulloch, Baxter and the Clerk) had conducted the interviews and recommended the Council appoint Michelle Cound as the Village Community Worker. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to appoint Michelle Cound.

16/3/20 To receive an update, consider & resolve plans and costs for the May Event

The plans for the event were shaping up, notably the marquee is to be hired from Wells, tables and chairs for the main marquee have been sourced free of charge along with fairy lights and PA system. Music leads were being followed up and light refreshments were being donated by Cusina Sano.

Toilets and generator have been confirmed and the Chairman is to source floral displays to brighten the stage area.

Details are to be finalised at the April meeting.

17/3/20 To consider applicants for the Parish Council vacancy and resolve to co-opt

Boston Borough Council informed the Clerk that the Parish Council can now co-opt to fill the vacancy of Parish Councillor. No applications were received prior to the meeting.

18/3/20 To note general correspondences

A poster detailing surgery dates from MP Matt Warman was noted along with a copy of Clerk & Council Direct publication

19/3/20 Agenda items for the April meeting

May Event, Boston Bulletin – congratulations to Councillor Pickett becoming the Mayor of Boston, safeguarding policy

20/3/20 To resolve to go into closed session to discuss staff matters

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to move into closed session to discuss staff matters

21/3/20 To resolve staff payment

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to increase the Clerks salary by one scale point, effective immediately, in line with her contract after obtaining the Certificate in Local Council Administration, CILCA.

The next Parish Council Meeting is scheduled for

7.00pm Wednesday 8 April

At

Old Leake Community Centr