January 2023
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF MALTBY LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, MAIN ROAD ON MONDAY 9 JANUARY 2023 @ 7.00PM.
PRESENT; Cllrs D Whitehouse, B Williams, A White, S Hill-Andrews, J Gray and clerk G Simpson, along with County Cllr N Sear, District Cllr S Harrison and one member of the public.
Public Session.
Information was requested regarding latest bus services. There is a link for latest bus services on the parish council website.
22/058] Chairman’s welcome.
The Chairman opened the Council meeting thanking everyone for their attendance.
22/059] Apologies for absence and acceptance of any reasons given.
No apologies.
22/060] Declarations of interest and applications for dispensations.
None.
22/061] Conformation of minutes of the meeting on 14 November 2022 as a true record.
It was proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the distributed notes as the minutes, signed by the Chairman.
22/062] Clerk’s report on outstanding matters.
The Clerk reported all approved payments had been made and the agreed precept request had been submitted. The grass cutting contract for 2023 to 2025 had been sent out for tender. It had been agreed with Robert Aldrich that no further work on the footpath near the Water Works was necessary. The pension regulator has sent notification for the compulsory 3-year re-enrolment and redeclaration of compliance. LCC has a consultation regarding the annual budget, Council chose not to respond as a body leaving it to individuals if they so wished.
22/063] Chairman’s report.
The Chairman had seen the police camera van present on the 7 & 14 December, a welcome sight. Thanks to an observant neighbour, the mystery around the aerial on the bus shelter at Hodgetoft lane has been solved. It did belong to Anglian Water despite them claiming it was not theirs over a year ago. The Chairman is in negotiation with senior officials regarding some form of compensation for the 18 months it was present without permission. The Chairman asked if the litter picking equipment obtained by the Village Hall Committee, which the parish council also provided a grant towards any costs, was actually being used? Cllr Williams to investigate at their next meeting.
22/064] Reports from outside bodies.
Cllr Harrison was disappointed she had been unable to help persuade the planning committee to refuse permission for the proposed caravan site at “Rose Marie”. East Lindsey has received large sums of money through the levelling up program which will go to various projects in Mablethorpe, Sutton on Sea, Skegness and Spilsby. Through Lincolnshire Strong Voices the police are attempting to get younger people’s views on police policies and local policing issues.
Cllr Sear encouraged local parish councils to apply for grants from the GDF partnership. She is still trying to get action from Highways regarding the state of local roads and provided information about a group which has been established to help tidy and clear community areas.
22/065] Financial matters.
The current budget report was presented and the bank reconciliation was approved. It was resolved to make payments; J Alldridge £50.00, Village Hall £54.00 + £292.00, and Clerk expenses £33.00.
22/066] Footway light.
After 26 months the issue with Pole 20 is still not resolved. LCC are now the contractors for EL’s footway lights and the clerk contacted customer services in November for an update. They were unable to help but said the clerk would be contacted directly by the street light department. When this did not happen the clerk again spoke with customer services asking to be put through to the appropriate department but was told this was not possible but somebody would get in touch shortly. Again, nothing was heard so on the third time the clerk raised an official complaint with the Customer Relations Team, details were taken (ref;5762505) and a response provided by email 2 weeks later. However, this response provided no new information nor any time-line for the matter to be resolved. With no end in sight the 2 ward councillors agreed to make further inquiries if the clerk could provide them with all correspondence he held on the matter. The clerk would also reply to the complaint response explaining the parish council was not satisfied no progress was being made after such a prolonged period.
22/067] Planning.
N/112/02451/22 Sapphire House was discussed and it was agreed to submit a neutral no comment. All approved applications were noted.
22/068] Correspondence.
The following was noted; Clerk & Councils Direct, Lloyds Bank, Pension Regulator.
22/069] Date of next meeting.
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 13 March 2023 at 7.00pm.
22/070] Motion for closed session because of the confidential nature of the business.
Resolved. Grass cutting contract 2023/25.
There being no further business the meeting was closed at 8.36pm.