2019 Parish Council Minutes

Minutes of the Saltfleetby Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 5th March 2019,

which started at 7pm at the Marshland Community Centre

Present:                          Cllr L Dover                LD                    Madam Chairman

                                             Cllr S Harrison          SH                   

                                             Cllr Stapleton             BS

                                             Cllr Dykes                    SD                                                                                

                                             Cllr Rick Smith          RAS

                                             Cllr D Lowcock         DL

                                             Mrs C Owen - Clerk

Meeting commenced at 7.00pm.

There were 10 members of the public present including 2 representatives from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (LWT).

Madam Chairman opened the meeting inviting the representatives of LWT to talk through their proposals for the 2 planning applications that have been submitted (items 7a & 7b on the agenda) and expressed the disappointment, on behalf of the Council, that this face to face meeting had not happened before the applications were made.

It was explained that LWT is a charity which rely on funding.  Feedback had been taken into account from previous comments submitted by various consultees including the Parish Council (cabins rather than Z-Pods).  For the farmhouse to be habitable again, it would need to be demolished and rebuilt due to damp ground floor which would require concreting and raising to prevent flood risk. It has been decided that the house would be kept intact and used to promote selective wildlife. The proposal for 2 cabins is to house volunteers/wardens etc. on a temporary basis and is not a permanent housing solution. These cabins are believed to be more in keeping with the area, which was requested by the residents.

There was a question around whether moving the bank on the area of wetland was in keeping with traditional farmland as the grazing land would be reduced to become wetland. It was explained that the flood defence was required and that additional washland/wetland brought with it a very rare freshwater habitat. It was clarified that LWT would not be in a position to compensate farmers for the destruction of crops due to increased wild fowl that could be enticed to the area.

There was a question around whether LWT had procured a structural survey on the farmhouse to ensure it was a safe structure. It was felt that leaving the farmhouse to wildlife would be changing the character and look of the farmstead. The barn is in poor condition. It was confirmed that the hay that is currently stored there in the winter months has alternative provision. A resident stated that they would like to see the farmhouse preserved and made habitable again. The house had not been enhanced and is a traditional Lincolnshire Farmstead.

LWT stated that they did not want to see the house go into dereliction but to maintain its current condition. The plan would be to house a suitably placed box for Barn Owls.

It was stated that regularly structural surveys would be undertaken and that the building was insured. It was questioned why the structural survey had not been included in the planning application.

A question was raised around whether LWT had applied for funding. The representatives confirmed that they had spoken to Heritage Lincolnshire and the organisation had agreed the approach that LWT was taking was in keeping with their aims. It was agreed that subsidies were granted to organisations for wetlands.

LWT confirmed that there would be no impact on Footpath 55 and that there was a separate application for the diversion of this footpath.

It was confirmed that LWT intention was to preserve the building. It was also confirmed that there is no intention for LWT to compensate residents for any potential increase of insurance premiums arising from the moving of the flood banks that may cause an increased risk of flooding.

A resident raised a question regarding the traditional finger signs throughout the village being replaced. Cllr McNally will raise this with Highways.

Statutory proceedings commenced at 7.45pm

00976   Apologies for absence – Cllr Robin Smith.  

00977   Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 5th February 2019 had been circulated. It was resolved to accept the minutes, p RAS, s SD. The minutes were duly signed by Madam Chairman. 

00978  Minutes of the Confidential Parish Council Meeting held on 5th February 2019 had been circulated. It was resolved to accept the minutes, p SH s SD. The minutes were duly signed by Madam Chairman. 

00979   Declarations of Interest – None

00980   District/County Councillor Reports – Cllr McNally reported that it had been approved for the verges to be cut 3 times per year rather than the twice per year.  He also reported that all the dykes are being cleared. An Environmental Officer had been appointed. There are now 11 electric car charging points across ELDC.  Cllr McNally reported that he has given Cllr Stapleton the update from the Highways Walkabout. He also stated that the chevrons at Saltfleet bends were on the list. 

00981   Councillor Vacancies – No requests for co-option onto the Parish Council for the three current vacancies.

00982    a. Planning Application – N/145/00008/19 – SEA VIEW FARM, SEA VIEW ROAD, SALTFLEETBY, LOUTH, LN11 7TR - Planning Permission - Erection of 2 no. cabins to provide temporary accommodation for volunteers and staff which will replace the domestic status of the existing dwelling on site. Construction of an embankment to a maximum height of 2.0 metres. Existing barns and cattle sheds on site to be demolished.

The Council discussed the application again and it was decided to resubmit the same comments as there was no change to the Councils view on this application.

b. PLANNING APPLICATIONS – N/145/00008/19 – SEA VIEW FARM, SEA VIEW ROAD, SALTFLEETBY, LOUTH, LN11 7TR - Planning Permission – The configuration of a flood defence embankment, and construction of 2no. new flood defence banks to provide an area of washland for wildlife benefits whilst ensuring flood protection of existing properties.

The Council discussed the application in light of the public forum earlier and resolved to submit the same comments with the addition of the issue of potential insurance premiums increasing for the residents and impact of wildfowl on arable farmland in the area.

00983   EK Wind Farm Application dates (>£250 applications) – It was resolved to set 2 dates this year being 24th June 2019 and 21st October 2019.                                          

00984   EK Wind Farm applications – It was resolved to go into closed session at the end of the Parish Council Meeting to discuss the application, p SD, s RAS.

00985   Financial Matters –

a. Accounts to be paid/authorised

• Clerk’s salary, outstanding holiday pay and expenses for February 2019 including HMRC payment

- PP Garden Maintenance invoice PPGM20181788 for £40.00 for maintenance at St Clements Churchyard

It was resolved to approve the above payments, p SD, s RAS

b.  Noticeboard maintenance costs of £67.18 (inc VAT) and lettering replacement costs of £10 were preauthorized, p DL, sRAS

c.  Appoint Internal Auditor for 2018/19 Saltfleetby Parish Council accounts. It was resolved to appoint J Cooper as internal auditor, p RAS, s BS          

d. Monthly Councillors Report – For the month up to January 2019 was presented by the Clerk to the Council. It was resolved to approve the report, p RAS, s SD

e. Bank Reconciliation and Receipts & Payments Report to 30th January 2019 – was presented by the Clerk to the Council. It was resolved to accept the report, p RAS, s DL.

00986   EK Financial Matters –

a. Accounts to be paid/authorised

• Fund Administrator salary (outstanding holiday pay) for February 2019
• The Warple Press invoice 4233 for £90.00 - printing of Saltfleetby Village Newsletter

It was resolved to approve the above payments, p DL, s BS

b. Bank Reconciliation and Receipts & Payments Report to 30th January 2019 – report not available due to no bank statement being received in time for the meeting

00987   Dates for Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting – It was discussed and resolved to hold the APM on Thursday 23rd May from 7pm and the APCM on Tuesday 7th May at 7pm preceding the May Monthly Parish Council Meeting. Both meetings to be held at Marshlands Community Centre.

00988   LALC Annual Training Scheme – It was resolved to subscribe to the ATS for 2019/20.

00989   Reports from Outside Bodies – None

00990   Correspondence – None

00991   Councillor Reports – It was reported that the Council were in receipt of the parts for the repairing of the BT Phone box. Cllr Robin Smith to report back at the next meeting.  It was reported that now that the supplies for the noticeboards had been pre-authorised (Item 00985 b) the work will continue to restore the noticeboard.

It was reported that the lych gate at St Clements needs some consideration to ensure that it is safe to leave unlocked for visitors to the graveyard. It was discussed whether headless screws would prevent theft of the gates. The new boundary fence is close to the lych gate and therefore the new grounds maintenance contractor may not be able to get equipment to the site. Cllr Stapleton agreed to meet with Wold’s Gardening to look at the situation. It was discussed to add verge cutting to the next agenda.

It was discussed how disappointed some Councillors were that the planning enforcement decision for Appletree Lodge had been that there was no breach of planning control.

00992   Parish Clerks Report –The Clerk reported that the potential sale of the speed signs was in progress and there had been interest from another parish. Their offer is £500 for all of the equipment. This was discussed and agreed that this would not be considered. The Clerk would contact them and let them know. It was suggested that the Clerk contact LALC to ask if they would consider advertising the signs.

The removal of the Royal Mail post box was still in progress, there is no further update and that there may be a possibility that Royal Mail will decide that the criteria is not met to constitute locating the post box back in the village. To be added to the next agenda for an update. The Clerk has applied for listed status for Sea View Farm (Farmhouse and granary barn) and will report back to the next meeting.

00993   Items for the Next Agenda:

• Progress on Listed status on Sea View Farmhouse
• Councillor’s Reports on BT box; Noticeboards; Marshlands
• Royal Mail post box
• Speed signs
• Planning application – Site opposite Luan House
• LALC Membership
• Report on the Highways Walkabout
• Locations of new village signs

00994   Village Signs Quotations – Council moved into closed session to discuss this item.

The meeting closed at 8.32pm and meeting went into closed session.

Next Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 2nd April 2019 at 7.00pm

Chairman         …………………………..............                        Date     ………………………..

Clerk                   ……………………………………                       Date     ……………………