March 2024 Minutes
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 11th March 2024.
Present: Chair: Cllr Mr D Graves
Councillors: Cllr D Wilson and Cllr Mrs J Wilson, and C/C R Wright.
Also in attendance: 4 members of the public plus Dan Cross, Managing Director of Dyson Farming and Ian Whitehead from RAF.
Ms Lesley Frances - Clerk to the Parish Council
As Trevor Batten had resigned, we had to appoint a chair and Cllr Graves as Vice-Chair was so appointed until the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May.
Public speaking:
Daniel Cross stated that we have had excessive rainfall since October and that he has looked at Home Park and College Road areas that were flooded. Dyson Farming have spent around
£20,000 on drainage recently. The culvert under Home Park is running well and they are looking at putting spikes in to hold back large obstacles (tree branches etc) which they feel will work better than a sluice or trash screen. College Road is more complicated as it is at a low point in the village – effectively a bowl. Highways drains need more capacity and certainly need cleaning out more regularly, and before the autumn, on an annual basis. Dyson Farming will be clearing theirs before the autumn on an annual basis. They have put a small temporary ditch along the back gardens and a bund in their field. They cleared all sorts of things from ditches – bricks, Christmas trees, rubble – and property owners need to be asked not to throw things over their fences into dykes. Cllr Wright said that all water from Cranwell ends up at Ruskington but it is minimal. The biggest problem is “the bowl” and Dan reiterated that Highways must clear their drains at the end of the summer. Cllr Richard Wright advised that Mark Spencer had visited and met farmers and the Internal Drainage Board. Flooded properties will be visited under the S19 Notice – it was pointed out that this visit was supposed to happen on 8th March but nobody had seen any evidence of the visit.
Cllr Wright advised that under LCCs budget, Council Tax will go up by 4.99% of which 2% is ring- fenced for Adult Social Care.
The Chair declared the ordinary meeting open at 7.32 pm
Clerk asked that item 15 of the Agenda be brought forward so that Ian Whitehead could leave the meeting, He has approximately 10 cadets available on the weekends of either 16th/17th March or 23rd/24th March and the Chair suggested that we would like them to clear the moss from the ginnels and cut back brambles. Councillors will supply any garden tools required and residents have said they would allow their brown bins to be used. This could be done in one full day and Ian will email the Chair tomorrow to finalise.
Ian was asked if he and the temporary Wing Commander would attend our Annual Parish Meeting and he accepted the invitation.
1. To receive apologies for absence and reasons given i.a.w. Local Government Act 1972, Sch 12, para 40.
DC Jim Clark and DC Andrew Hages had offered their apologies. Cllr M Collier had offered his apologies as he was away working and the Cllrs Cassidy had offered theirs as they were on holiday – all accepted.
2. 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. There were none.
3. To advise of councillor resignations and of legal process going forward.
The three councillors that have resigned will be sorely missed – they were each staunch supporters of the Parish and a vote of thanks was offered to each of them. After 22nd March, we can co-opt so long as no election is called.
4. Notes of the ordinary meeting of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council held on Monday 12th February and those of the Extraordinary meeting on Monday 26th February to be approved as Minutes.
RESOLVED to approve the Notes of both meetings of Cranwell, Brauncewell and Byard's Leap Parish Council, as Minutes. Approved unanimously.
5. Financial Matters
a. Approve the payments made since the last meeting.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the payments made since the last meeting. Appendix A. - approved unanimously.
b. Approve the payment of invoices etc. as listed on the Payments to be Authorised sheet. The Council RESOLVED to approve the payments of invoices etc. as listed on the Payments to be Authorised sheet. Appendix B – approved unanimously.
c. Approve the bank reconciliation as at 29.2 24.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliation as at 29.2.24 of £67,754.54. - approved unanimously.
d. Review the latest Summary of Reserves Balances
The Council RESOLVED to approve the reserves balances - approved unanimously.
e. Update regarding the edge of the pathway alongside the tennis court As soon as the weather is dry SR will do the work.
f. Cleaning of windows and front door of OSH The windows have been cleaned and invoice paid.
g. Update on purchase of two wardrobes and a cupboard for OSH All three items have been purchased and put together – invoice paid.
h. Increase in BT charges on 1st April by 7,9% - noted.
i. Mailchimp review
Clerk explained that this is a list of e-mail addresses which can be used to circulate information but the facility hasn’t been used for a very long time. Agreed we should cancel this and save £19 per month.
j. Update on electricity suppliers for OSH and Playing field
Clerk had looked at various comparison sites online and spoken with two brokers. It was resolved that we move from SSE to Valda but we have to clear the debt to SSE before they will allow the transfer. After a long and pointless discussion with SSE this morning, the Clerk worked out that if the correct meter readings had been used for both accounts, SSE would owe us in the region of £51.16 which would more than likely be less than we will owe them on the final read upon transfer to Valda. Agreed unanimously that Clerk should pay SSE £1,959.03 as soon as possible.
6. Planning Applications.
24/0056 – retiling of section of roof at Brauncewell Lodge, Long Lane, Brauncewell – approved. 24/0137 – tree height reduction at 1 Farriers Gate – approved.
7. Website (previously run by Mike Pears)
Clerk said that she had experience of the LCC website but that Cranwell’s was more complex than she was used to. Pete Langford works with LALC and LCC to help with websites and it was resolved unanimously that the Clerk could buy 5 hours help for when she needs it.
8. Village Hall Committee
Cllr Graves will arrange to talk to the VH caretaker regarding caretaking at the OSH. 9.Update on works at the Old School and resolutions where required
All flooring complete and paid for. Final clean also complete and paid for. All doors except the accessible toilet door are In place – the accessible toilet door should be in place this week – there have been issues with strengthening the door which SR has now overcome. It was resolved unanimously to purchase the sign Cllr Cassidy requested for said door at
£7.16. Clerk to purchase. Two mirrors have been bought – one is installed and the other will be hung on the back of the accessible toilet door.
Open Day date to be finalised at April meeting – agreed that Sleaford Advertiser should be invited.
A draft Hiring Agreement had been circulated for approval. One or two alterations had been suggested and incorporated into the draft. Agreed unanimously that it be accepted. We will need to consider whether we allow alcohol on the premises should this situation arise. We will not provide it at all but an outside bar could be requested (they would have their own licence).
Bookings – agreed that we will not need an online booking system at this early stage.
10. Pavilion
It was resolved to purchase two metal cabins bearing in mind the vote of the public at the Extraordinary Meeting at a cost of £34,660 from Cabin Depot. We will need the footing dimensions in order to get the corner pads required – noted that the cabins are on adjustable legs. Clerk to email Dan Killick giving our consent to use of one cabin by the CJFC and confirming that the PC owns the land – this is required for the funding he is asking for. It was noted that the overhead cable at the pavilion site will not be in the way when installation of the cabins takes place as they will work from a different angle in order to avoid it. Cllr Wilson had samples of cladding and a lighter olive colour was the preferred option but more samples are yet to come.
11. Update on replacing 3 wooden posts adjacent to footpath at playing field
18 posts have been ordered and paid for and delivery will be made this week to Dysons at their Farm on Sleaford Road. They will then install them as soon as they can.
12. To receive a report on Road Safety matters
Cllr Graves advised that the SID poles are now in place. As soon as we have some dry weather the SID will be moved. Carol Batten was the speedwatch co-ordinator but Cllr Graves hopes that speedwatch will be in the village next week.
13. Play area
Cllr Cassidy has requested the purchase of a new sign indicating the “under age 12” use of the play area. Cllr Graves believes that the existing sign behind the Monkey Wall can be ground down and moved.
Michael Peterken has requested a tree be planted and a plaque made in recognition of his late father and his involvement with the CJFC. Approved unanimously but the tree and plaque will need to be placed in the area of the new cabins once they are installed. Clerk to advise Me Peterken.
14. Tree in Garden of Remembrance
Four quotes were obtained for trimming of this tree and Cllr Wilson had spoken with P and P Tree Services. They said their recommendation was that it be reduced by 30% and not 20% at an additional cost of £50 (total cost then £370). Resolved unanimously.
The walnut tree should not be cut until the autumn but noted that P and P Tree Services was the cheaper quote here too.
At their meeting with Cllr Wilson they gave a verbal quote of £400-£500 for cutting back the very long hedge at the back of the playing field – written quote to come this week. When this work is done the adjacent properties will need to be informed so that they stay away from the hedge area whilst it is cut – H & S issue. The hedge between the tennis court and bowling green can be cut in the autumn and this will cost about £350.
The situation with Tudor and the hedge cutting was discussed. An offer of extra cuts to offset the overpayment for no hedge cutting having been done was not acceptable as the CJFC has their own mower for any extra cuts they need. Resolved to cancel the hedge part of Tudors contracts and ask for refund of the payments made for hedge cutting between April and November 2023.
15. Moved to start of meeting.
16. Fight Against Fraud information packs
It was resolved that the Clerk should ask for 50 packs – 25 for social club and 25 for OSH.
17. Councillors reports
There were none. Pantomime date is provisionally 14th December 2024.
18. Annual Parish Meeting
Cllr Graves will get the projector from Trevor Batten for this meeting. Presenters will be Matthew Bentley, NKDC Conservation Officer; St Stuart Mumby-Croft and Rural Beat Manager from the Police and Ian Whitehead and temporary Wing Commander from RAF.
19. Date of next meeting: 8th April and Annual Parish Meeting 22nd April. The Chair closed the meeting at 8.15 pm