Minutes

 

Public Forum. There were four members of the public present to observe the meeting including two who were applicants for co-option.

a) ELDC Ward Member Cllr Adam Grist was not present and did not send any update.

b) LCC Ward Member Cllr Hugo Marfleet was also not present and had no updates.

 

24/08-1 Record of Members Present and Apologies. 

Present: Cllr Lou Fear (Chairman), Cllr Rowena Larkin (Vice-Chairman), Cllr Jo Walsh, Cllr Steve Samuel, Cllr John Stainton, Cllr Kim Larkin and Cllr Jerome Higgins-Commowick

Apologies accepted: Cllr John Williams

Also in attendance: R Howard (Churchwarden), E Hairsine and N Must (Parish Clerk)

 

24/08-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. The Vice Chairman and Cllr J Walsh declared their interests on item 24/08-4 Co-option as their partners were both applicants.  They both left the meeting when the applications were being considered.

 

24/08-3 Minutes from 7 May 2024.  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting were accurate and the Chairman signed the minutes. 

 

24/08-4 Co-option.  The Council RESOLVED to co-opt both candidates who then signed their declaration of acceptance of office and participated in the meeting proceedings thereafter. The two co-options now meet the full complement of councillors for Tathwell and Haugham Parish Council.

 

a) Chairman’s Remarks.  The Chair reported that the hedge reported on the Tathwell Community Facebook page had been cut back.  The hedge along Green Lane also needs maintaining and he will action this.

 

b) Actions from Previous Meeting. Noted. 

i. The repaint of rails and posts by the War Memorial is work in progress.  The Chairman will action when he feels better.

 

c) Communications.  Noted.

i. Rights of Way Survey. The deadline had passed but the Chairman reported that he completed the survey.  It was noted by the full council that public rights of way in the parish are well maintained by the landowners bordering the paths.

ii. Minerals and Waste Local Plan Consultation.  The Council did not have any comments.

iii. Parcel pick up points.  This was discussed and the Council decided that there was no need for this in the parish.

iv. Safety of Lithium-ion batteries.  The Parish Council will send its support for the legislation.

 

d) LCC Highways. The residents’ request for speed indicator devices as a suitable traffic calming measure was discussed and the Council was in favour of such measures in principle.  This was in response to the previous requests of the parish council to lower and extend the speed limits which have not been successful.  The costs were however restrictive and the Council did not have sufficient funds in the reserves.  The Clerk was tasked to find suitable grant funding schemes that may be available.  Failing that, the Council will then have to make a decision of increasing the precept to pay for the devices.  In the meantime, it was agreed to invite an LCC Highways Officer to come and discuss suitable locations.

 

e) Parish Clerk Performance Appraisal 2024. The Council noted the report completed by the Vice Chairman and the Clerk.  It was resolved to accept the report and was duly signed.

 

a) Payments approved for August 2024

To Amount (£) VAT Element (£) 1 Parish Clerk Salary and expenses - June to August 2024 985.27   2 HMRC PAYE Income Tax 54.80   3 Annual Parish Meeting Refreshments (Reimbursement to Parish Clerk) 4.53      Total       1,044.60

b) Budget Monitoring and Latest Receipts and Payments.  Noted.  The Clerk has reconciled the receipts and payments with the bank statements.

c) Next year’s Budget proposals.  It was resolved to hire the portable loo for the whole duration of May 2025 to coincide with the Arts Festival.   It was also suggested to put a bench outside Cornerways.  The costs of speed indicator devices will also be included in the proposal, if no grant funding schemes are available.

 

a) Fence at War Memorial.  The Chairman will action.

 

b) Ginger Cat.  This has now been resolved and the Council thanked Cllr J Walsh for successfully catching the cat called Maxwell which was delivered to the Ark Animal Rescue in Donna Nook.

 

c) Haugham Bench. This has now been installed and the Council agreed to buy a suitable plaque similar to those installed on the Tathwell bench and picnic table.  The Clerk will get some quotes.

 

d) Haugham postbox.  Royal Mail has taken the broken post box for repair to a specialist company.

 

e) Lamp post outside Cornerways.  LCC came to straighten the post.

 

f) Water leak on Church Lane.  Anglian Water visited the site but could not take any samples to assess the source of the leak but will continue to monitor.  Sawdust had been spread to contain the leak.  No further leaks had been seen.

 

g) Flooding issues investigation as a result of Storms Babet and Henk.  This was noted and there were no other reports of flooding identified.

 

a) S/174/00772/24 | Rookery Farm, Haugham Road, Tathwell LN11 9ST.  The Council discussed the application and wants to send the following observations.

i. Support the comments made by the owners of Ivy Cottage based on previous flooding incidents.

ii. Materials to use for the bridge should be made of bricks in keeping with the other structures in the property

iii. It will be inappropriate to use tarmac to reinstate the old front drive towards the house.

 

 

The meeting closed at 9:02pm.