Minutes 18.11.20
MINUTES of the Hougham Parish Council meeting held virtually on Zoom on Wednesday 18th November 2020 at 7.30 pm
Present: Cllr John Wright (in the Chair), Cllrs Chalklin, Forbes, McAllister and Joanna Wright and Cty Cllr Alexander Maughan.
There were no members of the public present.
18/20. Dist Cllr Paul Wood had offered his apologies.
19/20. There were no declarations of interest.
20/20. The Minutes of the meeting held on 5th August had been read and approved and it was unanimously agreed that the Chair should sign them.
21/20. Planning matters:
S19/0506 – The Old Rectory – new gates and piers – approved.
S19/0735 – amended plans for coffee shop on A1 – planning application approved but ongoing regarding Highways England and TRO.
S20/0600 - new dwelling at Windrush, Coach Road – pending consideration – Clerk and Cllr
Wood have chased but nil response.
S20/1340 – Change of use from outbuilding to annexe at Chapel Farm House – approved.
S20/1412 – Equine turn round area at Chapel Farm House – approved.
S20/1428 – New shed and workshop at 1 Grange Farm Barns – approved.
S20/1702 – West Hill Farm – change of use – pending consideration.
S20/1709 – extensions at The Lodge, Main Street – pending consideration.
22/20. Highways – no updates available. The footpath at 4 The Park was walked by Cllr Forbes who said it was now acceptable. However, there is moss on the path as a whole, which needs clearing.
23/20 Western Power - works on The Green - clerk to enquire if any date available yet.
24/20. Cllr Maughan had circulated his Newsletter prior to this meeting. Covid patients are increasing in both Lincoln and Boston hospitals. It is likely that on 2nd December (when the lockdown ends) that we will go into Tier 1 or Tier 2. The Thorold Arms can claim the new Business Grant. There are a number of groups helping across the County. LCC’s budget is still in a good position.
Regarding the A1/Toll Bar Road – the Highways England meeting was dreadful – they were totally unprepared. In the 2018 Safety Audit for Stamford to Blyth it was said they will improve accident hot spots but they say there is no funding which is in contradiction of earlier information. Caroline Johnson MP is now taking this forward. Any mitigation should include a new road from Downtown roundabout to Toll Bar Road.
25/20 –The new litter bin is in place and SKDC has confirmed they will start emptying it next week. Check whether they put bin liners in and if not, question why not, as they do in Marston.
26/20 – Defibrillator – Chair does regular maintenance checks but Cllr Chalklin has offered to help – they will liaise with each other. There is a training video - link to be put on HAMES. Also a request to not dump books but to put them on the shelves in the phone box should be put on HAMES.
27/20 – Procedural documents: Risk Assessment – unanimously approved.
28/20. - Financial matters - It was resolved to approve and sign the bank reconciliation/income/expenditure accounts as at 31.7.20, 31.8.20, 30.9.20 and 31.10.20.
LIVES had sent a letter of thanks for the donation made.
Clerk had prepared a projection of expenditure to 31st March 2021 with a suggested figure for the precept. At the end of March our bank balance is likely to be down to approximately £447 which is very low. Agreed that the precept should allow for £700 for unforeseen expenses so that we will ask for a precept of £3,485.
29/20 – Meeting dates – Clerk to send to the Village Hall bookings clerk for confirmation of availability should physical meetings resume.
30/20. Other matters –
Agreed that the PCC could put notices in our noticeboard - either take them to the Chair or email them to the Clerk. Cllr McAllister will draw up a heading to go into the noticeboard saying “Hougham Parish Council” and adding the website address.
31/20. Next meeting will be on Wednesday 10th February 2021 at 7.30 pm.
Meeting closed at 8.18 pm.