2021 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Corringham Parish Council Clerk to the Council: Mrs A Hayward
Lindale Villa, Gringley Rd, Walkeringham DN10 4HT Tel: 01427 891118, email: angela@lindalevilla.com

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 2 February 2021 at 7.30 pm held remotely via Zoom

Present:   Cllrs. P Hardwick (Chair), P Arthy, S Blades, J Stanser, D Semley, J Sims, M Parr, R Brown, A Lowe- Hall, Cty. Cllr. Perraton-William, Dist. Cllr. Howitt-Cowan and A Hayward (Clerk) Members of the Public: 0

01.02.21   Chairman’s Remarks

Cllr. Hardwick welcomed everyone to the meeting.

02.02.21   Apologies for absence and reasons given

No apologies received

03.02.21   Declarations of interest

The following declarations of interest were made:

Cllrs. M Parr & P Hardwick – allotment matters Cllrs. J Sims & P Hardwick – village hall matters

04.02.21   Public Discussion

None

05.02.21   Notes of the last meeting of the Council

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2021 were discussed and resolved as being a true record.

06.02.21   Reports from Outside Agencies and Sub-Committees

Corringham Village Hall

Cllr. Hardwick reported that things were still very quiet at the moment due to COVID-19 restrictions and there was nothing further to report other than the is a possibility of further grant funding.

Neighbourhood Plan

Cllr. Semley had circulated an update prior to the meeting together with a draft Neighbour Plan.  Cllr. Hardwick agreed to proof read it.

07.02.21   Matters for Consideration

Replacement Fence

One quote had been received. It was agreed to seek further quotes before making a decision.

Facebook Advertising File

There was a discussion about the management of FB posts and whether or not commercial advertisements should be permitted. It was agreed that advertisements would be restricted to one- day a week. Cllr. Lowe-Hall agreed to become a FB Administrator.

Aisby/Corringham Connectivity

Cllr. Brown reported that he is currently liaising with BT Openreach and expected to receive further updates/information in two weeks or so.

Aisby Village Planters/Speed Signs

Cllr. Brown thanked Cllr. Perraton-Williams for the Highways’ application forms.

Grass Cutting 2021

It was agreed to offer the current grass cutting contractor an extension to the current contract for another season based on the current rates.  It was also suggested that the Parish Council lookd again at creating a wildflower meadow. It was agreed to consider this later in the year and maybe enlist the help of the primary school.

Community Speedwatch Scheme

For various reason, including the lack of volunteers, it was agreed not to progress at this time.

08.02.21   Financial Matters

Financial Report:

Income to date:   £20,343
Outgoings to date:   £ 9,838
Funds available:   £17,367
The following payments were proposed, seconded, voted and agreed.

09.02.21   District and County Councillors’ reports

County Councillor

Cllr. Perraton-Williams reported that the traffic lights at Corringham Road will be fully functioning next week. There was no further news re. the resurfacing of the A631.

District Councillor

Cllr. Howitt-Cowan had forwarded the following report:

Planning

142098 - development near the Church, Middle Street – a new dwelling

I have supported this application which currently remains open for comments. I have every reason to think it will be approved under delegation.

Gainsborough Market:

The stall charges are not to be increased from April and a consultant is to be engaged to carry out a study on the future of the market. Markets are in general decline however, there are market towns bucking the trend. We are living through a revolution in the way we shop; shops were popular; one on every street corner! then came the supermarkets, where almost everything was under one roof, highly popular and now we have ‘on line’ shopping which has accelerated due to Covid and reducing the footfall of supermarkets but not their takings! Gainsborough’s market is over 800 years old, the Tuesday market was the original market day and this was extended in the 19c, to Saturday. And many argue, that the creation of Marshalls Yard signalled the demise of the Market Place.

Cllr’s Allowances

At Full Council, the independent body which reports on Councillor’s allowances, recommended a 1% increase equivalent to c £1.59 increase per week. The recommendation was refused unanimously because residents are burdened enough as a result of Covid - 19.

Dog Fouling

There is a surge in dog fouling across the district and if you are encountering problems we have an officer who may be able to help – Thomas Rawle.

Grants to Village Hall

The Government has made further grants available to closed village halls and several village halls in the Ward are in the process of applying for a further £5k which is in addition to the £10k awarded last year.

Lea Fields Crematorium

This was set up as a commercial venture, which is performing very well, and more so, as there was a fire at the crematoria in Boston and Lea Fields has been undertaking extra services to help them out. It has received an Apse Award for its excellent customer service

The grounds are to be landscaped this year with tree and shrubs to soften the building which looks stark at the moment. It is exploring a bespoke service for strewing of ashes, memorials etc and a café/snack bar may be built discreetly attached to the complex to provide a greater ‘offer’.

Full Council 1st of March when the budget for 2021/22 shall be tabled for approval.

Composition of the Council

Currently 35 Cllrs, there is a vacancy Kelsey Ward pending a bye election on 6 of May 2021
Conservatives 14
Liberals 12
Independents 8 [there has been a significant increase in this category of late]
The Conservatives are supported by 4 Independents forming The Administration.

Covid – 19 Vaccinations

Earlier this month John Coupland Hospital opened its doors to become the latest vaccination centre to open in the district, along with the Lincolnshire Showground. In the first 9 days, around 3,500 people were reported to have received their vaccinations at the Gainsborough site.  At John Coupland Hospital there are about 16 volunteers per day who are working in roles such as car park attendants, reception, directing patients to seats and monitoring after them for 15 minutes after the vaccination, (to free up the medical staff time).I would encourage everyone, once invited, to attend and be vaccinated.

Harpswell Church, St Chad’s

This ancient pile, well over 1, 000 years old is due for closure and the process is well under way.

Gainsborough Old Hall to reopen 3rd of July 2021 under English Heritage.

Market Rasen

This market town is to receive £200k towards a heritage project to address its built heritage some of which is listed or in a conservation area, the award should help with match funding to attract more monies for this welcomed and ambitious project.

Green Bins

Orders for 2021 are being taken, each bin £35 and please contact Customer Services to subscribe.

Census 2021

The next census will take place on Sunday 21st  March 2021.

Elections

County County Elections, along with Police Commissioner elections are scheduled for 6th of May 2021 with the Village Hall acting as Polling Station unless voters subscribe to a postal vote.

Police Report

PCSO McFaul reported that there had been no reported incidences in the last 4 weeks.

10.02.21   Planning Matters

New Planning Applications:

PA: 142098 – Planning application for the conversion and extension of former agricultural buildings Location: Middle Street

Resolved: No major reservations to this planning application, but request to be mindful of the policies in the draft Neighbourhood Plan in particular the contents of the Character Assessment. It was also agreed to included the observations made by Cllr. Brown in terms of possible site overdevelopment, possible structural issues, off-site parking and lack of detail re. primary materials.

WLDC Planning Decisions

None

11.02.21   Councillors’ reports and items for inclusion on the next agenda

Agenda Item – Employment of a Litter Picker.

Cllr. Blades had recently litter picked some of the verges around Corringham. This is an on-going problem and Cllr. Blades agreed to request litter picking kits from WLDC.

The grit bin near the school had now been replenished. Cllr. Brown requested a grit bin for Aisby which he agreed to monitor. There had been incidences where residents were using the grit for personal use. Cllr. Perraton-Williams advised that LCC were looking at putting stickers on the bins advising that the grit was for use on the highways only.

Cllr. Hardwick would like to record her thanks to Arnie Richards for the removal of broken concrete on a path on Middle Street and to Carl Willey for gritting the school corner.

Cllr. Lowe-Hall offered to help any residents who were having difficulties with subscribing to the green bin scheme on-line.

12.02.21   The date of the next meeting is planned for Tuesday 2 March 2021 at 7.30pm to take place remotely via Zoom.

Meeting closed at 8.30 pm