Full Council Minutes 2024

CHAPEL ST LEONARDS COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

19:00 on 14 October 2024 at the Village Hall

Present: Cllr P Robinson (Chair), Cllr C Jude, Cllr P Hamilton, Cllr S Whitmore, Cllr D Wilson, Cllr G Ward, Cllr C Briggs

Parish Clerk: A Maynard

Assistant Clerk: Mrs V Worley

11 Residents

Cllr C Davie (LCC)

Apologies: Cllr B Holmes.

Absent: None

Public Participation

Cllr C Davie (LCC)

Devolution – It has been confirmed that Greater Lincolnshire will have a draw down payment of £28m and a further £24m guaranteed for 30 years. This means a mayor will be elected in May 2025. Their role will be to drive investment, infrastructure, new roads, enhancing skills for young people, repairing and maintaining sea defences, managing water and protection from water.

Grimsby-Walpole National Grid Proposal – LCC will fight this proposal for pylons in favour of off-shore or underground alternatives. Pylons will devalue property, and have a negative effect on tourism. Cllr Davie met with Richard Tyce MP, and he is also opposing the proposed development.

Road works – Roman Bank – This has been at a cost of £5.5m from the Devolution Fund, and this road will be in good order and make it easier for residents and tourists to move around the area. There will be a delay due to the condition of the land being worse than expected, but it will be worth the wait.

Winter Fuel – LCC and ELDC would like the decision reversed as in this area there are approximately 36,000 single pensioners and vulnerable pensioners that rely on this money.

Tourism – It has been a tough year for tourism, with a drop of 25% less spending, the caravan trade has been poor. Whilst some fared better than others, it is feared that next year may be worse, due to the increase in energy costs, and many small businesses may not survive.

A resident asked why we were not making better use of water turbines under the sea, and wind turbines to produce energy. Cllr Davie agreed in principle and stated that a grid cable around the UK would be a good idea. Cllr Davie was disappointed that National Grid were not showing their costings so that a comparison could be made with the alternatives. Cllr Davie stated that the cost of pylon maintenance was high and was concerned that we would be importing high amounts of steel from China. National Grid will have a full consultation in summer, 2025.

19:15 Cllr Davie left the meeting.

A resident asked if the waste bin that was missing from Sunningdale Road would be returned, the Clerk said this would be the case in the next week.

The Chair thanked the litter pickers for all their hard work.

24/59 Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr B Holmes. The apologies were proposed, seconded, and accepted.

24/60 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests not already registered

None

24/61 To receive and approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 9 September 2024

Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the draft minutes, as the minutes of the 9 September 2024 meeting, which the Chair signed.

24/62 Chair’s Report

a) Resignation from Ron Christie-Smith – the Chair acknowledged the service to Chapel St Leonards Parish Council. Ron had served on the Council for two and a half years, the majority of that being Chair of the Finance Committee, he was also on lots of other committees and the Chair would like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication and wish him all the best for the future.

b) Introduction of new Assistant Clerk – Mrs Valerie Worley, known as Val, is the new Assistant Clerk, and we would like to give her a warm welcome. Val’s hours will be Monday, Thursday and Friday, 08:00 – 12:00.

c) The Chair would like to acknowledge that the Police telephoned regarding antisocial behaviour in the play park to ask if things had improved, or if more help was needed. They also informed the Chair that we missed out on having a PCSO for the area, this was due to there being very little reported crime.

24/63 Update from Cllr Wilson re: The National Planning Policy Framework

The National Policy Framework has been popular in national and local news. It is a blitz on the planning process, road infrastructure electricity supply, pylons, and renewable energy sources.

Housing – local targets are mandatory, there will be an increase in mandatory targets and they can over-ride our local plans. The fear is that this may make appeals easier and create additional social housing.

Two or three new towns will be created, although not in this area.

24/64 Discussion re: new notice regarding memorials along sea wall

The notice was RESOLVED to be produced and placed on both notice boards. There was discussion on providing alternative boards where plaques could be placed, however it was RESOLVED to keep things as they are.

24/65 Training for Councillors – update

Cllrs Whitmore, Jude, Robinson, Ward and Holmes will be enrolled on Finance for Councillors on 30 January 2025 at 18:30.

Cllrs Whitmore and Briggs will be enrolled on Internal Controls pm 4 December 2024.

All councillors will be enrolled on Budgets on 7 November at 10:00 and Year End and Audit 13 February 2025.

Cllr Wilson is to be added to the Citation Heath and Safety programme.

24/66 Banner requests

A request from Terry Barrs to place a banner on the railings by the green to publicise the Old F.A.R.T.S. next performance was agreed.

A request from Chapel St Leonards Slimming World group to advertise all year round on the railings was refused.

24/67 Defibrillators

It was AGREED that a monthly inspection of the defibrillator at New Point Stores be carried out by the Clerk. The defibrillator at the Village Hall be inspected by Cllr Briggs, Cllr Wilson will also be trained to do this to cover when needed. When the inspections have taken place by the councillors, they are to report the condition of the battery and pads to the Clerk in order that she can update The Circuit who maintain the national register.

24/68 ELDC Community Investment Fund

There is a multi-million pound Investment Fund to boost growth and prosperity, and Cllr Wilson is keen for the Council to apply for a share. Although applications for funding are not being accepted yet, members discussed projects that they would like to be considered when applications are open.

These included

Replacing white posts that surround the green, these are very expensive as they are powder-coated. The Clerk is to obtain quotes.

Exercise machines for the Play Park which adults can use and this would make it more attractive.

Litter pickers new equipment.

Benches around Ancaster Avenue and Sea Road for people to rest on whilst out and about.

Buggy Park for protecting mobility scooters from the elements opposite the bus stop at the Bus Station. This could also be used for bicycles.

24/69 Cemetery Committee – update.

The plaques denoting the rows arrived recently and have been placed in the cemetery. One quote had been received for the path repairs and Cllr Whitmore is meeting with another company this week to obtain a further quote. It had been agreed to plant trees between the Old Vicarage and the cemetery, Cllr Whitmore has ordered 15 saplings and requested some free trees which are available through LCC.

24/70 Events Committee – update.

Remembrance Sunday is 10 November at Chapel St Leonards Parish Church. Monday 11 November on The Green at 10:50. The wreaths have been ordered, the bugler confirmed, and the programmes have been printed.

Lights Switch-On will be 6 December 2024.

24/71 E & A Committee – update.

Provision of the MUGA fencing is proving to be difficult, as trades people in this area of speciality are few and far between. It was agreed to keep looking for a supplier. Cllrs Robinson, Hamilton and the Clerk will be attending a GrassRoots meeting in November where we can discuss the difficulties and success of this project.

The Chapel Enhancement Fund bid was successful and we have been granted £600, this was used for plants for The Green.

Grass cutting – There have been some issues with the verges and we are monitoring ways of avoiding the same issues next year.

Amphitheatre – The wall has been painted and the steps will be repaired and painted in Ivory Sandstone.

24/72 Finance Committee

Cllr Jude is temporary Chair of the Finance Committee and also thanked Ron Christie-Smith for his dedication to the Committee. Cllr Whitmore has been co-opted onto the Finance Committee. They are learning the roles and regulations and stated that they will be producing a Finance Report.

1. Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to pay the amounts shown in the circulated payments schedule.

2. Account ending 002 £9,539.85

Account ending 118 £194,189.00

24/73 Councillor Surgeries – update from surgery dated 24 September 2024.

The Councillor Surgeries continue to be well attended. A resident suggested that the first grass cutting of the year be collected, rather than mulch-cut; this is being looked into for next year. There was a request for more dog-waste bins at Draycott Way and Well Vale Drive; due to the £300 cost of each bin, this can not be done this year. The next Councillors’ Surgery will be Tuesday 29 October, 10:30 – 11:30 at the Village Hall, with Cllrs Whitmore and Ward in attendance.

24/74 Planning – To consider new planning applications as a statutory consultee and to note Planning Authority decisions and receive updates on previous applications consulted on.

Update re: Public Inquiry for Roman Bank – This will take place 25 February 2025 at 10:00 in the main room at the Village Hall.

N/031/01444/24 - LAND TO THE SOUTH OF REGINA WALK, REGINA WALK, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS - Planning Permission - Erection of 1no. holiday let 1no. machine/tractor store with an extension to existing access road. After discussion the Council RESOLVED to support the application.

24/75 Date of Next Meeting – Monday 11 November 2024, 18:45, Village Hall.

24/76 TO RESOLVE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 DUE TO THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE FOLLOWING: -

24/77 Memorabilia issues

Cllr Wilson produced a policy document to be placed in both Council Notice Boards informing the public of the removal of plaques, padlocks and artificial flowers. This will be in the Notice Boards for two weeks, after which the removal of the items will take place.

Agenda concluded at 20:48