11 September 2023
CHAPEL ST LEONARDS COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
7.00pm on the 11 September 2023 at the Village Hall
Present: Cllr P. Robinson (Chair), Cllr C. Jude (Vice Chair), Cllr P. Hamilton, Cllr R Christie-Smith,
Cllr Whitmore, and Cllr Caroline Seabrooke
Parish Clerk: A. Maynard
ELDC - Cllr R Dawson
LCC – Cllr C Davey
11 Residents
Absent: Cllr F Doko
Apologies: Cllr S Evans
Public Participation
A resident was concerned about the state of Acacia Avenue’s surface, as it had only had pothole filled, Cllr Davey assured the resident that the potholes had to have a temporary filling as they were so bad and that the whole road is going to be resurfaced in late October 2023. The resident was further concerned about the parking on the corner of Acacia Avenue, and Cllr Davey asked that the Clerk write to ELDC Safety Partnership and inform them that the parking is caused by a change of use and more cars, and a change is needed. There was a comment about speeding, and this will be dealt with later as an agenda item. A further comment was made regarding the surface work of South Road being very substandard, Cllr Davey asked that if any resident felt that any work was substandard, they are to write to the Clerk, and she will let Cllr Davey know formally.
A resident asked that we have a larger Give Way sign on Ancaster Avenue, and this was fully supported by Cllr Davey, also that we request the crossing be moved, as it is in a dangerous place. Clerk to write to Safety Partnership in the first instance.
There was discussion about the infrastructure and the need for investment as our village is getting larger and many temporary residents are now staying all year. This puts a strain on our emergency services, doctors, hospitals etc. There is a need for planning for the sea infrastructure, power and sewage as more powers are going to be devolved to Councils there will be more requests for investment.
Another resident wanted to compliment the Parish Council on the Green and surrounding garden saying it was the best they had seen it in years, they also thanked Cllr C Jude for organising the clearing/cutting the area on South Road as promised at the last meeting.
A resident commented on the recent visit by the travelling community and felt that some on the language on Facebook was negative and inappropriate given that the travellers were clean and tidy, caused no trouble and left no mess. Cllr Whitmore stated that 90% of the comments on Facebook were not from Chapel St Leonards residents. The Chair stated that the travellers broke the park gate lock to gain entry to the playing field and it was an illegal encampment that required the police and multiple agencies to work together to evict them, they also left a mess with human excrement left on the ground which needed clearing away. Although the travellers were not aggressive, the villagers were in fear as previous ones had been aggressive and unkind, and this has filled the older residents with fear. The Village Hall closed and that is a lifeline to some villagers, businesses closed and lost money on the last weekend of a difficult season.
Cllr P Hamilton wanted to thank the Chair and Colin Davey for working together and drawing the traveller incident to a satisfactory conclusion so quickly, and the village litter pickers for tirelessly keeping the village green and surrounding areas free from litter. The Chair thanked Cllr Colin Davey, the Police, Jo Parker from ELDC and the Clerk for all their input. The Chair stated that lessons were learned and that the Police and Parish Council will have a meeting and any training needs for these incidents will be done.
Cllr Davey stated there are no transit sites for the travellers within Lincolnshire, although one was mentioned at/near Burgh Bypass some time ago, Cllrs Dawson and Evans were asked to carry this forward to ELDC.
23/27 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Steve Evans.
23/28 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests not already registered.
None
23/29 To consider application for co-option – the co-option candidate sent apologies they could not attend this meeting and therefore we moved to point 23/32.
23/32 To receive and approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on 10 July 2023.
Proposed, seconded, and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the draft minutes as the adopted minutes of the 10 July 2023 meeting which the Chair signed.
23/33 Chair’s Report
a) Communication – The Chair received a written request to consider the provision of a buggy parking area for the residents who have limited mobility to be able to park whilst going to Skegness and thus giving some independence to them, this was discussed some years ago by previous council members, but nothing was actioned. This will be passed to Cllr Steve Evans to move forward with ELDC.
b) Thatched Cottage Update – the cottage is well known in the village and has many stories of owners and haunted people wandering but has been empty for years. The Chair was contacted by Vaughan Grylls, Vaughan Grylls - Fine Art Photographer, who lived in the cottage when he was nine years old (1959) and was saddened by its state. The Chair contacted Jo Parker, ELDC; a enforced sales order has been issued and there is a charge levied at the land registry, the next step will be a valuation and then auction.
c) Bench – the Clerk has sent a letter to the Doctors Surgery Practice Manager regarding the bench outside of the surgery, there are two choices either the Parish Council can dispose of it as it is unsafe or replace the slates and salvage what they are able and to make a new bench – awaiting a reply to date.
d) Speed – Community Speed Watch update – following on from a complaint by a resident regarding the speeding on South Road the Clerk contacted Speed Watch and signed up to them and in turn they will send 30mph speed signs to put up in places of excess speeding and they will provide a speed gun for residents and the Clerk to record speeds and report offenders, this will be rolled out in late October.
e) PSPO – to sign the Memorandum of Understanding and approve training for staff. It was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt and sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of Enforcement activities under the East Lindsey Public Space Protection Order by Authorised Persons, the Chair, Cllr Pam Robinson signed the document and dated it as of 11/09/2023 and authorised with the full Parish Council agreement the training of all staff within the office as follows:
Mark Broughton, Jon Maskrey, David Lomas, David Williamson, Stef Bristow, Annie Maynard. The Clerk is to send the document to Molly Fitch, ELDC.
23/34 Cemetery Committee
The Chair of the Cemetery Committee reported that everything was in order and no issues to be reported on.
23/35 Administration Committee
The Administration (Admin) Committee meets on Monday 18 September 2023 at 2:00pm, Church Hall, the minutes will be available online.
23/36 Events Committee
The Chair of the Events Committee reported that Summer Family Fun weekend was a resounding success and bookings are already taken for next year, the weather let the event down towards the end of Saturday.
Remembrance Day – lampposts are being decorated with poppies and the knit and natter group have made over two hundred poppies for the Bell Tower.
Xmas – this is to be discussed further at the meeting tomorrow, 12/09/2023 at 10:00am, Church Hall
23/37 Finance Committee
a) Proposed, seconded, and unanimously approved RESOLVED to pay the amounts shown in the circulated payments schedule.
Chapel St Leonards Parish Council Payments 01 August - 31 August 2023
Payee Amount Reason
Salaries £8,949.28 Work done
British Gas £194.90 Electricity
Screwfix £69.88 Maintenance Equip
GRS Signs £111.07 Banner
Beltons £109.25 Fuel & Service
Wilkin Chapman £1,680.00 Contract Fees
M Broughton £142.98 Expenses
Charlotte House £50.00 Hotel Fee
R Aldrich £1,911.00 Grass Cutting
LALC £404.40 Prof Fees
Matthew Hodson £13.50 Strimmer Maint
Protec £176.40 CCTV
ELDC £614.00 Insurance
Hallgate Lincs £136.61 Electric Maint
MHP Electrical Ltd £372.00 Tower Maint
R Bryant £240.00 Grave Digger
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance £50.00 Donation
Mowermagic £519.00 Lawnmower
SCIS £200.64 IT
JA Maynard £96.75 Expenses
IPS £900.00 Parking Machine
Zurich Ins £410.47 Avant Ins
Lloyds Bank £45.53 Service Charges
StinkyInk £82.39 Printer Ink
E.On NEXT £45.81 Electric
Personnel Advice £120.00 Personnel Advice
Be Furniture £48.60 Chair Hire
CSL Village Hall £105.00 Hall Hire
Amazon £18.56 Stationery
Mark Bird £500.00 Music Hire
Citation £252.00 H&S/HR Advice
Anglian Water £509.48 Water Rates
Alford Silver Band £180.00 Summer Fun Day
Chapel PCC £44.00 Room Hire
J&A Int ID Workwear £63.22 Uniform
Account ending 002 £14,213.67
Account ending 118 £46,944.80
23/38 Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee has not met and therefore has no report.
23/39 To consider new planning applications as a statutory consultee and to note Planning Authority decisions and receive updates on previous application consulted on:
N/031/01340/23 - OAKLANDS CARAVAN PARK, SKEGNESS ROAD, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS, PE24 5UQ
Planning Permission - Alterations to existing caravan park which previously had permission for 66 no. touring caravans and 11 no. static caravans to provide an extra 5no. touring caravans bringing the park total up to 71 no. touring caravans and 11 no. static caravans. 5 objections on the planning portal re: noise and disturbance.
N/031/00990/23 – 34 EAST VIEW CLOSE, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS, SKEGNESS, PE24 5UP
Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation. Permission Granted.
N/031/01059/23 - BUTTERCUP MEADOWS, GOLDEN ANCHOR CARAVAN PARK, TRUNCH LANE, CHAPEL ST LEONARDS, PE24 5TU
Planning Permission - Change of use of land for the siting of 43 static caravans, 5 no. lodges, excavation of land to form a lake, construction of roads, siting of associated sheds and deckings. Permission Granted
23/40 Date of Next Meeting
Parish Council meeting - Monday 09 October 2023, 7pm, Village Hall.