Minutes January 2020
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
MONDAY JANUARY 13th 2020 AT LEGBOURNE COMMUNITY CENTRE
PRESENT Cllrs: P Maw (taking the chair for this meeting), M Chapman, A Hallifax, S Cole, D Harrison, C Stephenson, County Councillor S Parkin; the clerk A Claydon.
117 / 2019 CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS – The Chairman welcomed everybody to the meeting. A public session was scheduled for this meeting (as with all others) but although an attendee was expected, there was no public presence.
118 / 2019 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None received
119 / 2019 MINUTES – The minutes for the meeting on December 9th 2019 were considered and it was RESOLVED to accept these as a true and fair record of the meeting. (p DH s CS)
120 / 2019 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST. No changes received or new declarations made.
121 / 2019 CLERK’S REPORT – the clerk outlined the position as regard the seat that Will Oliver had been co-opted into at the November meeting. As he had not completed and submitted the acceptance of office forms at the December meeting, based upon the advice of LALC, the seat was now vacant and a notice of vacancy would be posted on the noticeboard and on ELDC’s website. Co-option cannot be progressed until the statutory 14-working day period for electoral petitioning has expired in early February.
There was a discussion among councillors about conventions regarding chairing and voting. No changes to standing orders were mooted.
ELDC had given approval to planning applications relating to four dwellings at the Trout Farm in Mill Lane, a driveway to Ridgeway in Buston Lane and garages to two properties in Reston Road.
122 / 2019 PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
Application reference N/100/02303/19 - Planning Permission - Extensions and alterations to existing cafe/shop. CAFE AND TACKLE SHOP, FROG HALL, FURZE LANE, LEGBOURNE, LN11 8LR
Councillors were generally supportive of the proposals but, as with previous applications at the site, raised issues about the nature and adequacy of sewerage arrangements, which remained unclear from the information supplied. It was RESOLVED to support the application subject to the sewerage aspects of the proposal being appraised.(pDH sAH)
123 / 2019 STATEMENT OF LOCAL PLANNING PRINCIPLES / CONSIDERATIONS (SOPP). The desire to create small groups of members to work through issues was broadly accepted by councillors and arrangements to meet in order to populate these groups made for later in the month. The sustainability of local facilities such as the shop and school and how these might impact on the SOPP were raised in discussions.
124 / 2019 PARISH ISSUES –
a) Street Lighting – lamp 35 has been non-operational for one month – clerk to report. (LCC)
Lamp outside no 2 The Hollows also out – clerk to report (ELDC)
b) Highways matters – Cllr Cole to submit photographs of issues in Mill Lane to support fault report.
c) Parishioners’ issues: Cllr Stephenson has spoken to the keeper of the truck parked in Mill Lane but while the conversation was positive the vehicle remains in situ..
125 / 2019 FINA NCIAL MATTERS
a. Accounts to be paid/authorised: It was RESOLVED (pDH sAH) to make the following payments:
Clerk’s salary & expenses December 2019
HMRC – income tax deducted - £25.80
BellBrush (Litter picking equipment) – approval in principle to purchase 12 pickers (4 each of three different sizes) and 12 bag hoops, figure to be confirmed at next meeting, payable in advance of delivery on proforma invoice basis.
b. Budget 2020/21 – the clerk had prepared a range of scenarios. Councillors favoured a reduction in the precept and it was RESOLVED to set a precept of £5073, equating to band D council tax for parish activities of £19.00. (pDH sCS). Interest in possible local projects was still being sought and it was suggested that a clean-up or replacement of the bench outside Manor Cottages might be considered alongside other items that come forward.
126 / 2019 CORRESPONDENCE: councillors noted the items received. Cllr Stephenson asked if any guidance had been issued regarding VE day events. The clerk had not received anything but would ask LALC for advice.
127 / 2019 COUNCILLOR REPORTS – Cllr Hallifax enquired regarding the reasons for the lengthy power cut over Christmas. Clerk will ask Western Power. Flooding in Chapel Lane (access track for Anglian Water) was noted and the clerk will ask Highways for a view. Cllr Stephenson is undertaking a wellbeing session for residents including a walking / running group in March.
128 / 2019 AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: Annual Parish Meeting – initial trawl for agenda items.
129 / 2019 DATE & TIME OF NEXT COUNCIL MEETING – Monday 10th Febraury 2020 at 7.30pm
The meeting closed at 8.41pm
Clerk: Chair:
Date: Date: