Full Council Minutes 2024

CHAPEL ST LEONARDS COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

7:00pm on 09 September 2024 at the Village Hall

Present:  Cllr P Robinson (Chair), Cllr P Hamilton, Cllr S Whitmore, Cllr R Christie-Smith,

Cllr B Holmes, Cllr D Wilson, Cllr G Ward

Parish Clerk: A Maynard

8 Residents

Cllr R Dawson (ELDC)

Apologies from Cllr C Davie (LCC) and Cllr S Evans (ELDC).

Apologies: Cllr C Briggs, Cllr C Jude.

Absent: None

Public Participation

There were no residents’ comments and therefore we moved to District and County Cllrs comments:

Cllr R Dawson (ELDC)– There is an East Lindsey Investment Fund (10 million) able to give grants to towns and parishes within the local community, there are four types of criteria – clean up (environment), business support, local small business support and tourism related projects with Viking Link and other projects will be available in late September, Cllr Dawson will let us know.

Devolution issue (nationally) and Lincolnshire Senior Councils being given greater powers has gone quiet recently, but this cannot be finalised until the change of government are in favour of this.

Cllr Dawson received the Council’s request for a Community Grant, and this has been approved and processed for the full amount due later this week in our bank account.

There are changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, housing targets were 500 and are now proposed to be increased to 1500, this poses a serious re-think to the district plan which has now been delayed further. This will mean it is more difficult to protect agriculture in this area.

Cllr Dawson has had two enquiries from residents in Chapel St Leonards this month, with relation to adult care and social housing.

Cllr C Davie (LCC) could not be present but sent items for the Chair to read out as follows:

Grimsby to Walpole National Grid Proposals - The County council remains absolutely focussed on the fact that a proposed overhead Pylon line on this route is the wrong choice not just for Lincolnshire but the country at large. We believe strongly that the best option is for a subsea cable down the coastline which takes the power to where it is needed in the south of England. We have recently met with the leaders of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk County councils (who have similar proposals) and we have agreed to work together to challenge the government about these proposals. All councils will work together using the best lawyers available to challenge the government throughout the process. We have recently confirmed our formal objection to the Grimsby-Walpole scoping opinion which I have shared with your clerk. The next big battle will come early in 2025 when they commence a second round of consultation, on the proposals. Something we should all be prepared for.

Major Roadworks - Old Roman Bank Chapel St Leonard's - Sandilands - You will be aware I was successful in securing £5.5 million from the County Capital budget for these major improvements. I am pleased to be able to confirm that works will commence on Monday September 16th and last some 6 months. Because we are weather dependent and have added additional works in the area south of the North Sea Observatory, that programme may be extended, but we will work to complete those works as quickly as possible. Our Highways team will try and keep you and residents informed throughout as there will need to be a number of rolling road closures throughout the project.

Winter Fuel Payments - The County council is very concerned by the decision of the new government to end Winter Fuel payments for pensioners, other than those on pension credit. In Lincolnshire we now know that some 160,000 pensioners, who do not receive pension credit, will lose the winter fuel monies that many rely upon to get them through any cold periods in the winter. It is clear to me that many who live in coastal Lincolnshire will suffer the greatest hardship from this decision. There is an Age UK petition on this issue, please sign as individuals if you are able to. Additionally on a personal level if anyone needs help with the online petition please call into the office and the Clerk will be happy to help.

24/46   Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllrs Briggs and Jude. The apologies were proposed, seconded, and accepted.

24/47   Declarations of Pecuniary Interests not already registered

            None

24/48   To receive and approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 August 2024

Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the draft minutes, as the minutes of the 12 August 2024 meeting, which the Chair signed.

24/49   Chair’s Report

1. Thatched Cottage update

The Chair had spoken with Jo Parker (Enforcement, ELDC) and it was hoped that the cottage would go to auction in the near future although no definite date had been set.

2. Update on MUGA Fencing

The Chair and Cllrs Wilson and Whitmore had met this evening with a local tradesman who would be able to supply, and fit fencing and the Chair will forward the quotes when they are received, there will be one for netting and one for grills. Although an extension was added to the original structure this was not enough and balls kept landing in resident’s gardens. After raising the netting another metre, the residents agreed that the council have done all it could to alleviate the problem.

3. GrassRoots Interim Impact Assessment

An interim report was required for GrassRoots funding. The report stated that the original idea of netting on the MUGA to go over the top was not suitable and that we were now getting quotes to extend the MUGA upwards, and we will report further. There is no more funding available, but GrassRoots will let the Council know as soon as any funding becomes available.

4. Summer Family Fun Festival

This is a Council run event each year and the weather was not good on the Saturday but on Sunday it was sunny and busy.

24/50   To discuss the disability beach access wheelchair

An email was received by the office asking for a grant for a disability beach wheelchair and many Cllrs have seen these and think it is a good idea but there are questions around this that need answering i.e. where it will be stored, how it is maintained, and who takes bookings; therefore, more information is needed before any taxpayer’s money can be used. The Clerk is to invite the fund raisers to the next Parish Council meeting to explain more, and in the meantime submit a business plan.

24/51   To adopt and sign the Member/Office Communications Protocol

It was RESOLVED to adopt the Member/Office Communications Protocol, and the Chair signed on behalf of Capel St Leonards Parish Council.

24/52   Assistant Parish Clerk Vacancy update

The closing date for the Assistant Parish Clerk vacancy was Friday 06 September 2024 and four applications had been received.

Shortlisting will take place on Thursday 12 September 2024 with interviews taking place on Friday 27 September 2024.

24/53   Cemetery Committee update

The next Cemetery Committee meeting takes place on Thursday 26 September at 10:00am, Church Hall.

24/53 Events Committee update

Family Fun Weekend - It was decided at the Events Meeting on 22 August 2024 to cancel the wrestling that was due to take place on Saturday 24 August as rain was forecast and the wrestling cannot take place in the rain, no charge was levied for this cancellation. The Alford Silver Band and Ukulele band also cancelled as did three stalls and Saturday was a wash out due to the weather.

Sunday 25 August was a sunny but windy day, the Cllrs tent was the first to collapse and all around collapsed until only two remained until the end of the day, despite this a good time was had by all.

We will see what next year brings!

24/54   Finance Committee

1. Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to pay the amounts shown in the circulated payments schedule.
2. Account ending 002                £22,364.46

Account ending 118                £123,184.91

24/55   E&A Committee – update following the meeting on 22 August 2024

Amphitheatre painting will begin mid-September and the steps in October, all weather-permitting.

The metal cabinet that is currently covered in graffiti will also be painted in keeping with the amphitheatre.

24/56   Councillor Surgeries – update from 27 August 2024

The last Councillor Surgery was 27 August and was well attended. The next Councillors’ Surgeries are 24 September 10:30 - 11:30 at the Village Hall, and on Tuesday 29 October, same time, and place.

24/57   To consider new planning applications as a statutory consultee and to note Planning Authority decisions and receive updates on previous application consulted on

• N/031/00499/24 - LABURNUM HOUSE, WIGG LANE, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS, SKEGNESS, PE24 5RL - Planning Permission - Change of use of land to form a touring caravan site, erection of a shower/toilet block and construction of an access road. Full Permission Granted.

24/34   Date of Next Meeting – Monday 14 October 2024, 7pm, Village Hall

Agenda concluded at 20:01