January 2024 Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 8th January 2024 at 7pm at Hale Magna Village Hall
Present: Councillor N Turner (Chairman)
Councillor G Cooke
Councillor M Barnatt
Councillor A Broom
Councillor J Cope
Councillor N Dady
District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
County Councillor A Key (Lincolnshire County Council)
Apologies Councillor L Mountain
In attendance: Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk)
Public Forum
The Public Forum Opened at 7.00pm
There was 1 member of the public present.
The member of the public stated that he had received an email regarding the railway culvert under the level crossing. The email said that the work had now been completed. He said that the input from Caroline Johnson MP had been invaluable. Councillors thanked the member of the public for all of his work with this issue.
He continued regarding flooding in Great Hale. He said that Great Hale is now a medium risk for flooding. He asked who is responsible for the ditch as it needs to be kept clearer.
Chairman closed the Public open forum at 7.05 pm
Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.05 pm
Official Business of the Council
1. Chairman’s Welcome (23/174)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2024. He said that he had had a meeting with the Clerk regarding the budget, but there was little else to report.
2. Apologies (23/175)
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Mountain and DC Ogden.
3 Previous meeting held on Monday 4th December 2023 (23/176)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 4th December 2023 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4 Clerk’s Report (23/177)
a. Letter to Highways regarding accidents at East Heckington
b. Attended Litter Pickers thank you tea
c. Accepted Heritage Grant for Church wall
d. Completed and submitted grant for climbing wall
e. Worked with web developer regarding links to go on website
f. Met with Chair regarding budget and precept
g. Communication with tree surgeon re survey and walnut tree
h. VAT return submitted
5. To receive declarations of interests (23/178)
Cllr Cooke made a declaration of interests on Item 8
6. To receive reports from County and District councillors (23/179)
DC Tarry had sent the Clerk an email regarding what the District Council is doing. This is following the Council’s annual report.
Cllr Tarry asked if Great Hale has an emergency plan. She said that there is help for Parish Council regarding emergency training. The Chairman said that previously the emergency planning had been aimed at larger communities and hadn’t been relevant to Great Hale. DC Tarry said that she would be happy to go back to the LRF and see what was available to smaller communities.
DC Tarry raised the devolution proposal. She said that there is a drop in consultation on the10th Jan at the Source in Sleaford.
The Chairman asked Cllr Tarry about the proposed Solar Farm at Little Hale. We have not received any information as a neighbouring Parish.
He continued to ask about the increased risk of flooding for our area and whether NKDC were aware or part of the decision making. Cllr Tarry said that it was likely to be the Environment Agency.
Cllr Broom asked about proposed planning for homes in a flood plain.
CC Key wished to discuss the devolution from Lincolnshire. Cllr Key said that he had voted for devolution.
Leas Road was raised. The footpath in Cllr Key’s top 2 priorities. Road markings are deemed adequate by Highways.
He continued to say that along Carter Plot Road, there are passing places. They exist but are not signposted or maintained.
The Chairman asked Cllr Key about the Little Hale Solar Farm. Cllr Key said that he wouldn’t support such plans.
The Chairman asked if Cllr Key was aware that Great Hale had been deemed a medium flood risk.
Action: Clerk to email Cllr Key to request signage for Passing Places.
7 Planning Applications (23/180)
(7.1) Planning Application Reference:
No planning applications and resolutions received.
8 Finance matters
(8.1) To approve the December 2023 bank reconciliation and spend to date. (23/181)
Council approved the December 2023 bank reconciliation and acknowledged the spend to date.
(8.2) To approve accounts for payment (23/182)
It was unanimously resolved to approve the accounts for payment.
(9) Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(9.1) Leas Road (23/183)
There is no update on Leas Road at present. CC Key said that he hoped to arrange a meeting with Highways.
(9.2) East Heckington accidents (23/184)
The Clerk had sent an email to Highways. The response from Highways was that there were not enough accidents to warrant any further action. The speed limit will be reduced to 40mph at East Heckington.
(9.3) Highways – further issues (23/185)
Cllr Cooke had submitted a Fix my Street regarding a rotten pole on Kings Lane. This had been replaced quickly but the ‘No Cycling’ sign had yet to be attached.
Cllr Dady said that Orchard Road was flooded and drains were bubbling up.
Cllr Cope said that Black Sluice, an internal drainage agency may need to clear ditches.
Action: Cllr Cooke to do another Fix my Street to have the No Cycling restored on Kings Lane.
Action: Clerk to write to Highways regarding flooding on road. Clerk to write to Black Sluice regarding the drain behind Orchard Park, which had overflowed with a view to dredge it.
10 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
10.1 To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (23/186)
Cllr Broom had completed this month’s inspections. All was good, with a small amount of litter. The equipment will need to be wiped down in March.
Action: Next month’s inspections: Cllr Barnatt
11 Other matters
(11.1) Grass Cutting (23/187)
Cllr Cooke said that he would like to see the grass being cut more often to smarten up the village. There is currently some flexibility in the number of cuts and frequency. We will allow for 1 extra cut next year and will monitor as to whether this is adequate.
(11.2) Draft budget (23/188)
Councillors went through the proposed budget. One item was changed.
Action: Clerk to submit the precept request to NKDC
(11.3) Church wall (23/189)
A sum of £3000 has been awarded to the Parish Council towards the repair of the Church Wall. We have obtained 2 quotes from Contractors supplied by the Diocese. We are now in a position for work to begin on the wall.
Action: Clerk to contact the Contractor to ask about the lead time for the wall.
(11.4) Trees (23/190)
It has been some time since a tree survey has been done in the village. The Clerk has been in touch with a tree inspector, who now needs a map of the trees to survey.
Action: Chairman to provide a tree map to the Clerk to allow a survey to be quoted for.
(11.5) Little Hale solar energy farm grant (23/191)
There have been a number of Social Media posts on Little Hale solar farm energy grants to local communities. Discussion continued as to what the conditions are to obtaining a grant.
Action: Clerk to investigate the Grant and conditions
12 Future agenda items (23/192)
(12.1) Beacon Fen energy presentation
(12.2) Clerk’s appraisal – defer to March
(12.3) D-Day Celebrations
(12.4) Flooding risk in Great Hale
(12.5) Grass cutting
14 Date and place of next meeting (23/193)
Monday 5th February 2023 @ 7pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the meeting at 8.34 pm