PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
held on Tuesday
18th February 2025
in the Village Hall, High St.
Present: Councillors Gerry Kirt (Chairman), Denis Batty, Claire Bysshe, Steve Jackson, David Lane, Bob Randall, Sukhvinder Singh, Andy Staines & the Clerk, Mr J Haste.9 members of the public were also present.
MINUTES OF MEETING
1042. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllrs. Liezl Rossouw & Rita Joshi-Boparai, sent apologies as absent from Peterborough
1043. MEMBERS DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – None.
1044. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION –
a) Jon Ibbison and Mrs Jacobs attended to express concern at the speed at which the planning application for 24 homes had been refused without consideration of the additional information requested by, and supplied to, the planning authority, Jon also hoped that the parish council would support the planning application when re-submitted.
b) Mrs Jacobs also spoke about the upsetting tone of comments on social media regarding the noise from the use of bird scarers. The use of the scarers is temporary to protect the early stages of food crops against the increased volume of pigeons. Parish councillors acknowledged that we live in a rural community and also noted the positive explanation on Facebook. Parish councillors expressed support to the local farmers.
c) Residents of Lincoln road attended to seek parish council support in addressing concerns to Ward Councillors at the application to discharge conditions 2,4,5,7 & 8 of the planning consent to the traveller’s site adjacent to 1705 Lincoln Road. In the view of residents, the documents submitted by the applicant and their agents did not satisfy those conditions.
1045. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS – We unanimously RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18th January 2025. These were duly signed by the Chairman.
Proposed Cllr. Bob Randall Seconded Cllr. Denis Batty
1046. MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES (information only) – None
1047. PLANNING
a) Local Plan Review (LP) – We noted that the draft LP is not now anticipated to be available until Mid-March. The Clerk reported a response from Gemma Wildman to our enquiry about prospective land allocations. The planning policy unit is unable to share thoughts on allocations prior to publication of the draft LP but are are to then engage with the parish council.
b) Status of current planning applications – The Clerk reported the apparent inconsistency in determining planning applications in that the applications by Hereward Homes and Larkfleet had both been refused but the older and larger application by Gladman for 250+ homes remained “awaiting decision”. The only application permitted since the previous meeting was that for an extension at Ashcroft, Waterworks Lane.
c) Planning Applications –
i 25/00064/HHFUL – 36 Peakirk Road – erection of single storey rear extension. We supported this application.
ii 25/00073/CTR – 12 Lincoln Road –repollard a Lime tree back to previous points and to remove an Ash tree and have no observations to make.
iii 25/00100/CTR – 12a Rectory Lane – We noted the intention reduce by 2.5-3m and shape a Beech and Reduce the height of an adjacent Leylandii hedge by approx. 3 m off height and have no observations to make.
iv 25/00121/LBC – Manor Farmyard High Street – Conversion and extension of dovecote to form one dwelling house. We strongly oppose this application and consider inadequate thought has been given to preservation of the characteristics of a traditional Dovecote. Furthermore, in the opinion of parish council, the proposed extension of the dovecote to create a dwelling lacks architectural merit, contrary to Neighbourhood planning policies. Cllrs. Kirt and Randall undertook to prepare an initial draft response, taking in to account the relevant planning policies.
d) Planning Appeals in progress.
21/00405/ENFCOU – 14 Rectory Lane – Appeal against Enforcement Notice – The Clerk reported sending parish council comments in respect of appeal references – APP/J0540/APP/J0540/C/24/3352409 & APP/J0540/APP/J0540/W/24/3352403 to the planning inspector by Royal Mail guaranteed next day delivery.
e) Neighbourhood Planning (NP) – The chairman reported on positive discussions with the city council officers responsible for the early consideration of Neighbourhood planning policies and undertook to circulate to all parish councillors the documents considered in that meeting.
1048. COMMUNITY MATTERS
a) Planned Events 2025 – Nothing new to report since that reported to the previous meeting.
a) Ashburn Close Play Area –
i. The Clerk reported that the city council had agreed to carry out the routine safety inspections once the city council had been notified that the equipment had been installed and the statutory post installation independent safety check carried out.
b) Anti-social behaviour – We noted that the graffiti is still there at the bus stop, recreation ground and the stone John Clare bridge. We asked the Clerk to write to the city council requesting removal.
c) AMVC – rear contractor entrance, Lincoln Road (opposite playing Field gated entrance). We noted that this had been raised at a very positive meeting With the Head of AMVC and that he had agreed to explore possibilities to improve the appearance of that gateway
d) Nature Recovery Areas – Cllr Staines reported that he awaited further contact with PECT regarding the Bee Orchid fences. We also noted the recent damage and repair to the post and rail fence and considered that a ditch and Bund arrangement would be a better long-term solution. A quote for the work had been received for £595 and we unanimously RESOLVED to accept that quote and put the work in hand subject only to approval by the Highway authority.
Proposed Cllr. Andy Staines seconded Cllr. Claire Bysshe
e) Climate Change – standing item The Chairman reported that PECT 9without further involvement of the parish council) would be undertaking a door to door survey and prepared to offer advice if sought. We agreed that this would be a practical, hands-on, way to make some progress within the village.
f) Booster Mast – Cllr. Lane reported that he had several attempts to get information on the possibility of support for the project but still awaited meaningful responses.
g) Defibrillator Training – Cllr Randall asked that this be carried forward to the March agenda as he is still trying to contact the trainer.
h) Community engagement – (standing item) Cllr Jackson displayed the most recent statistics. We tanked Cllr. Jackson and agreed that the move to social media had been positive and had increased Parish Council visibility.
i) Bird scarer Noise – We considered that this had been adequately dealt with in the open forum and on social media.
j) Village Hall –The chairman reported that grant applications had been submitted to Biffa and Viridor. We await the outcome of those applications. Still to do were applications to the Post Code Lottery, Anglian Water and National Gas.
k) Speed Sign – Deferred to March meeting
l) Village Sign – Cllr. Randall gave a presentation of the work required to install the sign on the village Green. Further consideration deferred to March to allow time to seek prices from contractors.
m) Village Crest – Deferred to March meeting
n) Community Orchard – The chairman reported on Official Opening and we await photos and the extent of media coverage.
o) Playing Field – Cllr Batty requested consideration be given to the provision of benches and additional dog poo bins. We asked that costs of benches be obtained for consideration at a future meeting
1049. REPORTS – Standing item
a) AMVC Liaison meeting – (see also 1048(c) above) The chairman reported on the meeting with the new Head of AMVC, John Gilligan. John Had been informed that the parish council had agreed to fund his transport to and from the London Marathon. The meeting was very positive and the Head wished to promote engagement with the village beyond the boundaries of the college, including possible support to litter picks, subject to the school timetable. Dangerous a parking in Helpston Road was also discussed and a draft letter prepared to be sent to AMVC with the hope and intention that it would be then sent out to parents in an effort to stamp out the practice.
1050. GOVERNANCE MATTERS
a) Trees Planted on Village green – The Clerk reported that the ownership of the village green by the parish council had been approved by locating a document registering the land under the Commons Registration Act 1965. We RESOLVED to ask the city council to remove both recently planted trees.
Proposed Cllr. Bob Randall seconded Cllr. Claire Bysshe
b) Society of Local Council Clerks – We RESOLVED to continue to share cost of the Clerk’s subscription fee with Castor Parish council based on relative salaries
Proposed Cllr. Denis Batty seconded Cllr. Gerry Kirt
1051. OFFICIAL NOTICES AND CORRESPONDENCE –
a) Cllr Jackson reported the notification of the acceptance of a nomination of the pharmacist Osman Rafiq for a civic award for his services to the community beyond that required of him as a pharmacist.
b) The Clerk reported on a communication from Dave Grierson confirming his availability to continue with the cemetery maintenance for the next 12 months. We considered his outstanding efforts in the cemetery and noted in particular his added efforts to remove the slippery Moss from Pathways. On the recommendation of the Clerk we RESOLVED to increase the monthly payment to Dave to £250 commencing with the payment on 1st April 2025
Proposed Cllr. Bob Randall seconded Cllr. David Lane
1052. HIGHWAYS & other issues within the village –
a) Congestion / Safety – Junction of Rectory lane & High street – Cllr Kirt undertook to have a further dialogue with Rebecca Pressland.
b) Head of Highways village walkabout – Deferred to the New Financial Year
c) Parish councillors Observations. We discussed the Mess on the highway verge on the West Side of Lincoln caused by ditch drainage work, possibly by the internal drainage board, and asked that this be taken up with highways
1053. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS –
a) Grant funding – recruiting a fund raiser
b) Village signage and heritage plaques / information boards incl. by the pump
c) Good Neighbours report
d) Community Cinema
e) Local Plan consultation & referendum
1054. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – The next scheduled meeting of the parish council is to be held on Tuesday 18th March at 7.15pm in the Village Hall 2025.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.36pm.
Clerk/Proper Officer,
28th February 2025