13th March 2024
MINUTES of THE PARISH Council Meeting on 13th March 2024
at 7.00pm at THIMBLEBY VILLAGE HALL
Present
Councillors Cllr M. Doody (Chair) Cllrs A. Doody, P. Buckingham.
Not Present: All present
In attendance The Clerk, A. Everard.
Other representatives present: County Councillor Bradwell. Members of public present: Twelve.
Public Participation began at 6.45pm
Residents raised the following issues; a petition of 155 residents’ signatures had been submitted calling for a 30MPH speed limit on Green Lane; it was raised that speeds on Mill Lane were high and that another Speed Indicator Device (SID) should be purchased or one of the existing ones should be moved to Mill Lane; a tree required work next to School House protected by a Tree Protection Order; that an attempted burglary has taken place at a residence near the Church and that flooding remained a real risk and the public drains along Main Street were blocked. The Chair acknowledged receipt of the petition – it was on the parish council meeting agenda to be debated, he reminded residents present that the parish council was raising funds to purchase another Speed Indicator Device as quickly as they could without putting up the precept too high and due to the photovoltaic solar panels the existing SIDs were not mobile and they were first located on the Main Street as advised by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership taking into account the Archer Survey results showing higher speeds and in the meantime Community Speed Watch was still available and expressed his frustration that with more local volunteers he could operate this more frequently in Mill Lane to reduce the average speeds that local residents were complaining about. County Cllr Bradwell said following her discussions with Highways Officers that it appeared unlikely that Lincolnshire County Council Highways would grant a reduced speed limit on Green Lane because there were no dwellings and no known serious accidents and fatalities on that road, however, it may be possible to install ‘No HGV’ signs. Cllr Bradwell said she would also contact the Highways Officer about the blocked drains on Main Street. The Chair reminded all present that there remained two vacancies on the parish council that could be filled by co-option and this may help solve the issues raised – contact the Clerk for details. Other contributions and points were made on these issues by many of those present.
Formal Parish Council meeting began 7.30pm
29/24. Apologies for absence to be approved if appropriate.
None
30/24. Declarations of Interest and consideration of any requested dispensations
None
31/24. To adopt the draft minutes from the Parish Council meeting held on 15th February 2024.
It was proposed, seconded and unanimously RESOLVED to adopt 15th February minutes and the Chair signed them.
32/24. To consider any matters arising from the previous meeting 15th February 2024 not already on this agenda including Clerk’s Report and actions taken.
None not already on the agenda.
33/24 Correspondence Received
The Parish Council noted receipt of LALC E-News (two-weekly); LALC Training Bulletin (monthly); ELDC/LCC Town and Parish News; Resident’s emails regarding a petition to reduce a 30MPH speed limit on Green Lane, Thimbleby; Insurance policy claim settlement; LCC electric vehicle charging points acknowledged TPC offer; Thimbleby Village Hall Committee regarding ownership of the Village Pump; Resident’s email regarding the purchase of a Speed Indicator Device for Mill Lane, Thimbleby; ELDC TPO Tree-trimming application for comment; LCC Traffic Regulation Order closure Green Lane 25/03/2024 - 10/04/2024; Request for a donation towards the 100 x Horncastle Matters delivered to Thimbleby households; Invitation to a 6/3/2024 meeting about National Grid’s pylon extension; LCC S.19 Flood Investigation reports consultants starting work across Lincolnshire w/c 4/3/2024 for several months.
It was RESOLVED to support the proposed work to the tree with a Tree Protection Order on Dawber Lane and the Clerk to notify ELDC.
34/24 Planning – update on applications and any comments approved in respect of the following applications available to view on https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/applications
Previously considered and updates
- Application reference S/181/01013/23 and S/181/01014/23 Planning Permission - Change of use, conversion of, extension and alterations of existing barn which is a listed building to form a dwelling - VILLAGE FARM, MAIN ROAD, THIMBLEBY, HORNCASTLE, LN9 5RE
Thimbleby PC: Objection with comments.
ELDC Decision: Decision awaited. No update.
- Application reference S/181/00034/24 | Planning Permission - Erection of 13 no. detached dwelling and a public community open space, existing buildings on site to be demolished. | HALLGARTH FARM, MAIN ROAD, THIMBLEBY, HORNCASTLE, LN9 5RE
Thimbleby PC: Support with comments
ELDC Decision: Decision awaited. S.106 requests received by ELDC.
RESOLVED that the Clerk seek S.106 funds where available from this development.
35/24 To receive written and verbal reports from ELDC & LCC Councillors
ELDC councillors sent apologies due to another commitment. County Cllr Bradwell reiterated to seek further advice and support for resolving the blocked drains on Main Street. Cllr Bradwell will seek ways to ensure the Green Lane issue are considered by LCC Highways to reduce average speed and unnecessary traffic. Cllr Bradwell then left the meeting for another engagement.
36/24 To consider insurance claim, quotations and approve a replacement noticeboard near the Durham Ox following destructive storm damage.
Insurer had settled claim for £1,183.98. Councillors considered if they should replace the noticeboard. Verbal comments from residents indicated that it was useful for the residents near Durham Ox, Mill Lane, Thimbleby Hill and many passing pedestrians and that the likely replacement would have space for more public notices. Six prices for aluminium noticeboards suppliers considered. RESOLVED to delegate to the Clerk to obtain finalised quotes for Noticeboardcompany and The Parish Noticeboard Company for less than £1,400 and to purchase the best value in consultation with councillors.
37/24 To consider any highways, footpath and related issues.
a) To note petition from residents requesting a 30MPH speed limit on Green Lane, Thimbleby.
RESOLVED to support and to submit the petition to Highways Portfolio Holder, Lincolnshire County Council.
b) To receive an update on recent flooding issues in the parish
The Clerk reported that S.19 Flood Investigations were commencing and were expected to be completed by August and the team would contact him to arrange to meet councillors and residents when they were due to visit. Other steps by Cllr Bradwell were in minute 35/24.
38/24 To note and consider ownership and statutory duties relating to the Village Pump.
RESOLVED to add Village Pump to the Asset Register as a community asset following enquiries that it was not known to be owned by any other organization and to inform the insurance company by the time of the next renewal preferably with a local valuer’s valuation.
RESOLVED for the Clerk to obtain a sign to notify residents that ad hoc repairs to the asset may damage the heritage asset and to obtain further advice from Lincolnshire Heritage on the work to be carried out to maintain it and to seek the cost of a valuation for insurance purposes.
39/24 Finance
a) To approve the payment of bills paid between meetings and bills to pay on the payment schedule.
£236.84 Salaries Pay, tax, pension
Proposed, seconded unanimously RESOLVED to pay the listed payments.
b) To note the bank reconciliation and account balance.
Proposed, seconded and unanimously RESOLVED to note the bank balance £6,218.17 (12th February 2024). Uncashed cheque £95.42.
c) To receive update on amendments to bank signatories.
The Clerk reported that he was awaiting confirmation from the bank the signature mandate had been implemented. If necessary, the Chair would have to chase the bank for an update.
40/24 To consider and approve any nominees for co-option.
There were none to consider.
41/24 To approve any bookings for training.
The Chair was awaiting a place on the Chair’s Workshop approved in Minute 44/23.
42/24 To consider the request for a donation for Horncastle Matters magazine.
RESOLVED the Clerk to obtain more financial information from Horncastle Matters to enable a decision to be made.
43/24 To consider methods of sharing information in the parish, for example, QR Codes.
RESOLVED for the Clerk to obtain more information about using QR Codes on parish council documents and noticeboards.
44/24 To consider and propose items for the parish newsletter – Spring 2024
By special motion it was RESOLVED to revise Minute 24/24 to produce a newsletter in paper format delegated to the Clerk to procure. Potential items for inclusion were agreed. Distribution to be by parish councillors and the Clerk.
45/24 To approve the date, time and arrangements of the Annual Parish Meeting.
RESOLVED 8th May 6.30pm and local organisations to be invited to present their reports.
46/24 To consider and approve dates for parish council meetings during 2024-25 civic year and the room bookings in July 2024, September 2024, November 2024, January 2025, March 2025 and May 2025.
RESOLVED for six ordinary parish council meetings and village hall bookings to be made for 10/7/2024; 11/9/2024; 6/11/2024; 8/1/2025; 5/3/2025; and 7/5/2025.
47/24 To note date of next meeting of Thimbleby Parish Council – 8th May 2024 and any items to be proposed for the agenda.
AGAR; Horncastle Matters, Insurance renewal, Asset Register.
Meeting ended 9.20pm.