June 2024 Minutes
Great Hale Parish Council
Notes taken at Parish Council Meeting held on
Monday, 3rd June 2024 at 7pm at Hale Magna Village Hall
Present: Councillor N Turner (Chairman)
Councillor G Cooke MBE (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor M Barnatt
Councillor A Broom
Councillor N Dady
Councillor L Mountain
County Councillor A Key (Lincolnshire County Council)
District Councillor S Tarry (North Kesteven District Council)
District Councillor C Collard (North Kesteven District Council)
Apologies Councillor J Cope
In attendance: Mrs Tracy Cooke – (Parish Clerk)
Public Forum
The Public Forum Opened at 7.00pm
There were 7 members of the public present.
Official Business of the Council
1. Chairman’s Welcome (24/47)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and said how pleased he was to see so many members of the public.
One member of the public wished to say that they have major concerns and distress regarding issues surrounding the Gables. 6 members of the public came from The Gables to describe the situation, which includes inadequate and poor drainage; the road has not been adopted; landscaping (which is in their contracts) that has not been undertaken or completed and the builders’ site office / yard being a danger and hazard. Children are playing in the area, signs are not displayed and there is a rat infestation.
The Chairman directed the questions to the District Councillors as they had previously been contacted regarding the issue and were abreast of the situation.
D Cllr Tarry said that the Enforcement team at NKDC were aware. They had been waiting for the outcome of the planning application before proceeding as this would have had a direct impact on their decision. The next planning phase has been determined and was rejected. Cllr Cooke had already raised the situation with NKDC under anti-social behaviour.
On the 28th May 2024 the Enforcement team were waiting to hear from the developer. D Cllr Tarry said that this was only a few days ago and she would give them a little more time.
A member of the public asked if any photos would be useful. Cllr Cooke had already sent some so no more were required.
D Cllr Tarry said that this is in the hands of Enforcement and she would continue to monitor the situation.
A member of the public asked what would happen if the Developer were to plead poverty. D Cllr Tarry said that she did not know the answer to this.
Cllr Turner asked about the road being adopted and was this a Highways issue? D Cllr Tarry said that she would look into this, but if the road was not of a sufficient standard, then Highways would not be able or willing to adopt the road.
A member of the public passed D Cllr Tarry a list of things that should have been included in their contract and hasn’t been.
A further Member of the Public stated that he had received a reply from the Environment Agency (EA) regarding flooding on Orchard Close. The response from the EA was that there is a lack of money, and that Black Sluice cannot get into the EA ditches as they are so overgrown. He continued that he was unsure who to write to at present with the change in Parliamentary boundaries and the General Election.
Chairman closed the Public open forum at 7.09 pm
Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.09pm
2. Apologies (24/48)
Apologies were received and accepted from Parish Councillor J Cope.
3 Previous meeting held on Monday 13th May 2024 (24/49)
It was unanimously agreed that the draft minutes from the meeting held on 13th May 2024 were a true record. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4 Clerk’s Report (24/50)
Acceptance of office scanned and filed
Sleaford Standard contacted
Email to Highways re Orchard Park speed
Pigeon spikes put up (with Cllr Cooke)
Dates changed on policies – also changed on website
Assets register, AGAR and Internal audit on website
New bench ordered
Insurance renewed
AGAR scanned and submitted to Auditors
‘No dogs’ signs made and put up along park fence and around the village (with Cllr Cooke)
Signatures redacted on AGAR for noticeboards and website
Fix My Street submitted for cherry tree on Orchard Close (reported by resident to me)
5. To receive declarations of interests (24/51)
Cllr Cooke made a declaration of interests on Item 8
6. To receive reports from County and District councillors (24/52)
CC Key said that the Annual Meeting of the council had been held. He is entering the last year of his term. Despite it being his last year, he has been promoted to Chair of the Public Protection Committee, which includes the Fire and Rescue Service. This is an area that he is passionate about.
Cllr Turner referred back to the onsite Highways meeting with Rowan Smith. Potholes have been filled but signs have not been put up. CC Key said that he would chase this. Also, the gulley on Chapel Lane. The resident has cleared mud from the top of the gulley. There doesn’t need to be a new one, the gully just needs to be cleared out.
Cllr Turner asked if there was any news on Leas Road pavement. There is none yet.
D Cllr Collard discussed Polling Districts and Boundaries. This was agreed on the 29 Nov 2023 to come into effect with the next Gen Election. North Kesteven is now split into 3 groups:
Sleaford / N Hykeham
Grantham and Bourne
Lincoln
Cllr Collard said that there would be no change in services
Cllr Broom asked what publication had been made. It has been going on for some time but has only come to the fore front with the upcoming General Election.
D Cllr Tarry asked about Anglian Water and whether we were all aware of the Reservoir meeting being held on Friday 12th July at Great Hale Village Hall, amongst other local places.
CC Key had a briefing with Anglian Water and there is a lot more information forthcoming.
Citizens Advice have now obtained some office space on a Monday and Wednesday at NK Offices, Sleaford, having moved from Money’s Yard.
D Cllrs Tarry and Collard left the meeting.
7 Planning Applications (24/53)
(7.1) Planning Application Reference:
24/0073/FUL
Proposal: Creation of overflow car park and hard standing to existing car park and erection
of an ice cream hut (part retrospective)
Location: Abbey Parks Farm Shop Boston Road East Heckington
Application approved
8 Finance matters
(8.1) To approve the May 2024 bank reconciliation and spend to date. (24/54)
Council approved the May 2024 bank reconciliation and acknowledged the spend to date.
(8.2) To approve accounts for payment (24/55)
Cllr Broom wanted to question the account to be paid to PJ Gardening Services. He asked what period the bill covered as some areas had not been done. Following some discussion, It was unanimously resolved to approve the accounts for payment.
(9) Highway matters for discussion and resolution
(9.1) Highways – Orchard Park (24/56)
The Clerk read the email from Highways regarding speeding along Orchard Close.
Discussion included involving the PCSO and / or the Police.
CC Key asked if we could move our speed sign to a lamp post to Orchard Close. Cllr Cooke said that it isn’t a sign that can be moved easily and requires a bracket, and permission to have on a lamp post.
CC Key suggested repeater signs, which reminds people they are in a 30mph limit area.
Action: The Clerk to contact the PCSO / Road Safety Partnership / Police. To include in the next Newsletter.
(9.2) Highways – any other issues (24/57)
New 40mph signs have been erected in East Heckington. Cllr Turner asked CC Key to check the fixed repeater signs to make sure they are correctly spaced.
CC Key left the meeting at 7.47pm
10 Orchard Green for discussion and resolution
10.1 To receive an update on Orchard Green Inspections (24/58)
Cllr Cope undertook this month’s inspection. He was not at the meeting but will continue next month.
Action: Next month’s inspections: Cllr Cope
11 Other matters
(11.1) Wicksteed inspection (24/59)
The Wicksteed report on the Park raised some minor points:
It is recommended that signage, with information including the site address, contact information for maintenance issues and emergency contact details are provided for the facility. The Clerk had designed an emergency details poster, which was amended slightly. This will be printed and displayed.
There is some damage to the chain link fence sections - Monitor for any further deterioration and repair as required
Baby swings - The timber has a number of splits/shakes or air cracks and
the swing bearings are slightly loose on the top bar fixings. This may affect the stability or allow water ingress which will accelerate the rotting process.
Tighten the fixings if possible - Monitor to ensure the splits do not cross through fixing points of the structure and/or cause any instability
This design of swing joint has been known to fail on the weld connecting the joint to the threaded stud. We would recommend that the joint be dismantled and checked on a regular basis or a Secondary Safety Device be fitted
See saw - One fixing is missing on the item - Replace missing fixing
Multi-play - The timber has a number of splits/shakes or air cracks.
Bridge walkway has been removed - Consider replacing as this may affect the stability or allow water ingress which will accelerate the rotting process Monitor to ensure the splits do not cross through fixing points of the structure and/or cause any instability.
There is some evidence of rot in the timber - Monitor for any further deterioration and replace as required. There is surface corrosion present in places - Consider treating the affected areas
Main swings - Fixing cover caps are damaged at one swing bearing -
Bird faeces on the basket and one flat seat at time of inspection
Replace the affected caps - Clean and maintain
Climbing wall - The timber has a number of splits/shakes or air cracks and this may affect the stability or allow water ingress which will accelerate the rotting process - Monitor to ensure the splits do not cross through fixing points of the structure and/or cause any instability
Goal - The surface has eroded in front of one goal - Reinstate the surface
Action: Clerk to order replacement parts where required.
(11.2) Poppy wreath for November (24/60)
Poppy wreaths are in high demand in the approach to Remembrance Day in November. It was unanimously agreed for the Clerk to order a wreath on behalf of Great Hale Parish Council, to be laid in the Church.
Action: Clerk to order a wreath with a ceiling budget of £50
(11.3) Thanks to members of the public for work in the Churchyard (24/61)
Cllr Barnatt said that he felt that Nick Needham should be thanked for his work in the Churchyard tidy up. Councillors all agreed.
Cllr Dady said that in relation to the churchyard, the alley leading out of the church was becoming overgrown. Cllr Cooke said he would do a Fix my Street.
Cllr Mountain continued regarding Fix my Street that the laurel hedge on the corner of Little Hale Road has caused a blind spot when turning right to Grove Street.
Action: Clerk – write to Nick Needham
Clerk to write to Highways regarding the blind spot
(11.4) Dog fouling signs / map for the field (24/62)
There was a discussion on what should be put onto a sign and a map for the field.
Action: To continue to research
(11.5) Grass cutting specification (24/63)
The grass has grown rapidly with the warm weather and rain. The grass cutter needs to inform the Clerk when he is coming to cut the grass in the village.
Currently, the Park is cut every 2 weeks, and the village verges every 3 weeks
Cllr Cooke asked about the length of the grass specification.
Action: Clerk to ask about tender specification in Clerk’s forum
(11.6) D Day (24/64)
It is the 80th anniversary of D Day on Thursday 6th June 2024 . Councillors from Great Hale, Little Hale and Members of the Hale Parva and Hale Magna Burial Committee will attend the Cemetery and lay a wreath in remembrance.
The Chairman of the Burial board will carry the wreath and 2 Chairman to walk alongside.
The Last Post to sound via a speaker
Action: Clerk to advertise via Facebook and Notice board. Information is already on the website.
(11.7) The Gables builder’s yard (24/65)
This was discussed in the Open Forum and with the County and District Councillors.
12 Future agenda items (24/20)
(12.1) Reservoir – Anglian Water
(12.2)
(12.3)
(12.4)
14 Date and place of next meeting (24/21)
Monday 1st July 2024 @ 7pm in Hale Magna Village Hall.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the Parish Council meeting at 8.19pm