2022-23 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard’s Leap Parish Council

Minutes of the ordinary meeting of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council held at Cranwell Village Hall, Old School Lane, Cranwell Village, NG34 8DF on Monday 25th July 2022 at 7:00 pm.

Participating:   Chairman:   Cllr Mr T R Batten

Councillors:   Cllr Mrs C Batten, Cllr Mrs M Cassidy, Cllr Mr M A Cassidy,  Cllr Mr M Pears (Vice Chairman and Acting Parish Clerk) 

Also in attendance:   D/Cllr J Clark and RAF Community Liaison Officer Ian Whitehead

Mrs B Pears, Assistant Clerk to the Parish Council

6 members of the public were in attendance.

All the members of the public were attending to present a complaint about a boundary hedge in a neighbour’s garden that has been uncut for years.  They were representing homeowners on North Road and Willow Lane who have been trying to get a resolution to the unsightly and now dangerous condition of a hedge that has become tall trees. The Chairman assured them that the Parish Council is aware of the situation and sympathises.  The Council has made efforts in the past to have something done by LCC highways.  Little more has been achieved than low-level side trimming beside the road as the hedge is on private property.  The Chairman confirmed that the Parish Council will write an emphatic request to Highways and follow it up to obtain action as this is now creating a significant physical Health and Safety hazard for pedestrians, vehicles, and nearby properties.  In addition, dry vegetation is a threat and the height renders one homeowners desire to have solar panels to be pointless. 

District Councillor Jim Clark brought the meeting up to date with recent decisions by NKDC and made special reference to the greatly increased costs of the new Enterprise Park, due mainly to the costs of services to the site.

Ian Whitehead, the RAF Liaison Officer, suggested that Cranwell Village and RAF families could take advantage of a fund he oversees to hold an event and get together by way of an exchange.  The Chairman welcomed the suggestion and recommended it be held at our Social Club.  He will be the liaison for this himself.  Mr Whitehead also suggested that the R.A.F. wanted to do escorted tours of their College Campus starting in September 2022 for local residents.  They wanted to start by hosting members of the Parish Council.  Cllr Michael Cassidy asked, yet again, for Mr Whitehead’s assistance with a street light near RAF buildings that has not been working for 5 years.

The Chairman declared the ordinary meeting open at 7:26 pm.

119   To receive apologies for absence and reasons given i.a.w. Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.

Cllr M Collier was unable to attend, and his reasons were made known to the Council.  

Ms A Holden’s resignation as Councillor was presented.

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve Cllr Collier’s reasons for absence.

Proposed by Cllr Mrs C Batten, seconded by Cllr Mr M Cassidy and approved unanimously, no abstentions.

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve Ms A Holden’s resignation.  Proposed by Cllr Mr M Cassidy, seconded by Cllr Mrs M Cassidy and approved unanimously and no abstentions.

120   To receive declarations of interest and to consider applications in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

Disclosure of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests is to be in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.  The need for disclosure is to be based upon agenda items, or at any suitable time during a meeting when it becomes apparent to a Member.

Cllr Mr M Cassidy, Cllr Mr M Pears and Cllr Mrs M Cassidy declared an interest in minute ref: 122a. page 42-2022 as they are a payment recipient.

121   Notes of the ordinary meeting held on 13th June 2022 of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council to be approved as Minutes.

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 13th June 2022 of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council, as Minutes.

Notes of the Closed Session at the Ordinary Meeting held on June 13th 2022 to be approved as Minutes.

Action: The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the Closed session as Minutes.

Notes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 24th June to be approved as Minutes.

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the notes of the Extraordinary meeting as Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Mrs M Cassidy, seconded by Cllr Mrs C Batten and approved unanimously, no abstentions

Financial Matters

122.   a.Approve the payments of invoices etc. as listed on the “Payments to be Authorised” sheet: 

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the “payments to be authorised”.

Proposed by Cllr Mrs C Batten, seconded by Cllr Mr T Batten and approved unanimously with 3 abstentions, Cllr Mr M Pears, Cllr Mrs M Cassidy and Cllr Mr M Cassidy.

b.  Approve the payments made since the last meeting:

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the payments made since the last meeting.

Proposed by Cllr Mrs C Batten, seconded by Cllr T Batten and approved unanimously. 

c.  Approve the bank reconciliation from the previous month.

Access to the bank account is pending Lloyds certifying Cllr Mr M Pears’ application as new bank mandate.  Figures presented are backed by invoices and Scribe records without a bank statement to reconcile.

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation from the previous month.

Proposed by Cllr Mrs C Batten, seconded by Cllr Mr T Batten and approved unanimously, no abstentions.

d.  Consider – tired Play Area equipment would benefit from paint treatment to deal with rust etc.  Suitable enamel paint recommended by Caloo is available in different quantities and prices. 

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to undertake restoration.  Cllr Mr M Cassidy proposed to buy  RAL6001 paint at £16.99 plus delivery.  Seconded by Cllr Mrs C Batten, approved unanimously and RESOLVED.

e.  Consider using algae inhibiter in Garden of Remembrance.  Treatment should be carried out before there is a greater build up.  Research by Cllr Mr M Cassidy established that there are different concentrates available.  

Action: The Council resolved to undertake the work and buy appropriate product.  Cllr Mr M Cassidy proposed best price Wet and Forget £26.98 from Amazon, seconded by Cllr Mrs C Batten. Approved unanimously therefore RESOLVED.

f.  Consider giving some funds to the newly formed ‘Christmas Committee’ – offshoot of the Jubilee committee. Cllr C Batten advised that the group intend to charge for drinks and food and they plan to have carol singing  – especially as it’s easier to read hymn sheets now that the Parish Council has installed lighting  on the green.  

Action:  Cllr T Batten pointed out that there are funds remaining from an allocation to the Jubilee event and proposed that £200 of this remaining amount should be contributed.  Seconded by Cllr Mrs M Cassidy and approved unanimously, therefore RESOLVED.   

g.  Consider adding an extra (June) cut of the hedge between the bowling green and the tennis court as a regular requirement.  It seems to be a requirement now rather than an extra.        

Cllr Mr T Batten recommended this be discussed at the budget meeting proposed for December.  The hedge was cut as an “extra” today at a cost of £85.

h.  To consider the insurance cover.  The Insurance quote for this year has been received and Cllr Mr M Pears reported that it is approximately £500 more than last year.  As there are some items that should be added to the cover, Cllr Mr M Pears will contact the company to update the cover and obtain a revised quote. 

Action: Cllr Cassidy proposed, and Cllr C.Batten seconded that we accept the quote and continue cover with the same company.  RESOLVED unanimously.

123   Receive a report from the Clerk on matters pertaining to the Parish Council.

i.   A complaint has been received about the hedge near the bus stop on College Road/Crane Close.  As discussed, it is likely to be the responsibility of NKDC as they own the nearby bungalows.  Clerk to find out and action.

ii.   Complaints received about the overgrown private hedge on Willow Lane/North Road corner.  This is a longstanding problem as discussed in the public part of this evening’s meeting.  Clerk to write to LCC with new information, including pictures. 

iii.   Legionella testing is required at The Old School.  Clerk to obtain the samples this week after obtaining a key to access, then send for processing and certification.

iv.   The latest Romper Room invoice for hire of The Old School has been issued.  They are now fully up to date with payments and the Clerk has advised them of this.

v.   The AGAR is confirmed as received on time and is now in a queue for scrutiny.  A Public Notice has been up since 30th June.

vi.   The Parish Council received a document from the Pensions Regulator that had been overlooked.  As the PC does not employ anyone who is entitled to a pension with us, it simply required a nil return by the end of June to avoid a fine of £100.  This was done.

124   Planning Applications.

a.   LCC application – ref PL/0088/22.  Installation of Filter Press at Brauncewell Quarries Ltd, Long Lane Brauncewell.  View applications at http://lincolnshire.planning-register.co.uk

b.   22/0993/FUL – Change of use from holiday let back to residential annex – Oxenford Farm, Willow Lane, Cranwell.

c.   22/1012/HOUS – erection of conservatory to the front and porch to the side – 3 Harrington Rise, Cranwell NG34 8XH

No objections remarked.

125   Receive reports from Councillors on their Areas of Responsibility.

Cllr Carole Batten. 

Noted a streetlight out by the bus stop on Crane Close/ College Road.  She will take the number and report.  Also, noted a tree overhanging the children’s play area could be becoming more of a danger.

Cllr Michael Cassidy

BYARDS LEAP 

The A17 and B6403 now have various signs ( led matrix A17)  re the road closures in July. 

Note it’s 20.00 hrs  to 0600hrs. 

The overhanging branches obscuring the view to exit from A17(t) declassified to join the B6403 reported. 

The damaged light pole on the traffic island a17/B1429 still not replaced.  

(Possibly when the A17 is closed ) 

B1429 

The missing light no 64 RAF responsibility is now at least 5 years overdue for replacement. Have reported again.  This was also mentioned to the RAF Liaison Officer at the beginning of the meeting and he will investigate again too.

Pavement Lighter Than Air area -  some surface degradation, not serious.  No other issues in this area.  

CRANWELL VILLAGE GREEN AREA  

Willow Lane road surface/potholes getting worse.  Will report again, probably not yet meeting criteria for repair. 

Jubilee tree and Christmas tree watered and fertilized both looking good. 

Meter box has rusting on the door, coating coming away. Contractor will replace f o c circa 18th July. 

The flood light is now installed, operated from within the meter box entirely manually controlled, marked flood light.  Due to the light evenings it’s not possible to accurately align the two lights although best endeavours have been made. 

GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE  

Suggest the paved area be cleaned before it’s in need of substantial cleaning.

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT 

Some initial rusting on the notice board and the ball chute looks tired.  P C to consider painting/ordering paint.  The actual sign needs a good scrub (field side).  

TENNIS COURTS, 

Basketball hoops missing nets, PC ordering replacements.  Net winder far net. Net seems to lose its tension on an ad hoc basis.  Just wondering if it happens when in use, ie being hit. 

Best left to be kept under review. Replacement winder is circa £100 +  and a pain to fit. 

Footpath between bowling club and tennis court needs the hedge cutting due to overhanging the path. 

PLAY AREA  

All up and running  and certified.  

The short fence R.H side  of the single gate continues to slowly lean away from the vertical. 

Needs resetting  i.e. concreting in to withstand the constant slamming of the gate against the fence post, it is supposed to close on this post.  Crane Close grassed area previously planted with small trees.  A number died due to the dry weather in spring 2021 

In spring 2022 I re-staked and refitted tree guards to all the clearly living.  I now notice several of the guards now have no trees in them and one or two are dead  that were alive in the spring. 

In all only about 20% of the original planting remain.  A line that formed an avenue parallel to the play area fence completely vanished along with stakes and guards.  Should the P C be offered any free trees in future I suggest only those of a height of 2+ft be requested.  With the support canes these would be clearly visible, and as in the case of the jubilee tree larger bare root ones often fare better. 

Cllr Mike Pears

Analysis from the one operating SID shows that after nearly 600,000 recordings there is still considerable speeding in the village from the Sleaford side.  10% of all traffic has been recorded at over 40 m.p.h., nearly 50% are travelling at over 30 m.p.h. and, alarmingly, 444 vehicles have been recorded at over 70 m.p.h.  Repairs to the units are still needed and are being chased, although lack of parts seems to be the problem.

Speedwatch is almost ready to be put into operation but I am getting no response whatsoever from the Training contact.  I am now awaiting the return from holiday of L.C.C. contact to pull it all together and set up the teams.

126   Consider adopting the new NKDC Code of Conduct – guidance for behaviour.  All individual Councillors to sign.  

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to adopt and sign individually.

Proposed by Cllr Trevor Batten, seconded by Cllr Maureen Cassidy and approved unanimously, no abstentions.

127   Consider adopting LALC updated standing orders.  These have been updated to include the new Code of Conduct.  

Action:  Cllr T Batten wanted to be sure the Council knows exactly what changes there are to the document before adopting.  Cllr Michael Pears will scrutinise the document to ensure that all changes are noted ready for the next meeting. 

128   Consider investing in Dropbox, a Cloud system that will enable other Councillors to read files Parish documents rather than requesting them from the Clerk.  Also, with having both a Clerk and an Assistant Clerk as we have at the moment, it means access to Council business can be from more than the one Parish Laptop.

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to go ahead with the installation.

Proposed by Cllr T Batten, seconded by Cllr C Batten and approved unanimously, no abstentions.
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129   To resolve to go into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972, to discuss the following matters.

a.Consider the application and co-option of a new Parish Councillor

Action:  The Council RESOLVED to go into closed session. 

Proposed by Cllr T Batten seconded by Cllr C Batten and approved unanimously no abstentions.

This part of the meeting closed at 8.10pm.

Members of the press and pubic left the meeting 8.10pm.

The meeting continued in the absence of press and public at 8.12pm.

130   To resolve to go into return to open session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended by Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972 

Proposed by Cllr T Batten seconded by Cllr C Batten and approved unanimously no abstentions.

Meeting re-opened at 8.25pm

The applicant, Mr Alexander, returned to the meeting and Cllr Trevor Batten confirmed that the Parish Council would welcome him joining the team.

Proposed by Cllr Pears, seconded by Cllr Cassidy that we co-opt Mr Alexander onto the Council.  RESOLVED unanimously. 

Mr Alexander signed the declaration and was appointed.  He took away the “Register Of Interests” document to be completed and returned.
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131   Meeting dates.

a. Confirm the date of the next meeting.

The next meeting was confirmed, being Monday 12th September 2022 in Cranwell Village Hall, starting at 7:00 pm.
   
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.27pm.