March 2024 Minutes
GEDNEY HILL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING held at Gedney Hill & District Memorial Hall on Monday 18th March 2024 at 6.30pm
PRESENT
Councillors N Watson (Chair), M Shepherd (Vice-Chair), K James, A Watson.
Also present: Cllr L Eldridge, South Holland District Council and six members of the public.
PRESENT
Various matters were raised, most of which were Agenda items and covered later in the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr P Redgate
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING on 15th January 2024
The minutes were approved by acclaim.
4. TO DISCUSS ANY ISSUES RELATING TO THE PARISH PAVILION
a) CCTV
The works have been instructed, and will be completed as soon as ground conditions are suitable.
b) Disabled access
Disabled access to the pavilion can be gained by driving down to the concrete apron at the front, from there the pavilion is fully accessible. It was agreed that the Council would investigate improving the access to permit access to the site without a vehicle.
c) Storage Area
There are Council documents and equipment that need storage in secure conditions. It was suggested that a dedicated storage area be created within the pavilion for this purpose. After discussion, it was agreed to wait and see if the new Clerk is able to store the items at home before proceeding with provision at the pavilion.
5. TO DISCUSS UPDATING THE BUS STOPS
Access to two of the Parish bus stops is across grass/mud, and the floor inside needs attention. It was agreed to contact Highways department to discuss what improvements might be made to the access across highways land.
6. PUBLIC FOOTPATHS
On the footpath between Mole Drove and Luttongate, the bridge has collapsed – to be reported to Lincolnshire County Council.
On the footpath between Mole Drove and North Road the footpath is being used by horses, and is poached up in places. This is also to be referred to LCC.
7. SPEEDWATCH GROUP
The Group has carried out a small number of sessions by using a volunteer fron Shepeau Stow. The lack of enforcement by Lincolnshire Police makes it very difficult to encourage more volunteers to the Group.
8. PROPOSAL FOR A PARISH PLAYGROUND
This item was brought back to the Council as some residents had asked if the project was going ahead. The item was well publicised with a view to assessing interest from villagers to help to achieve, then run, a parish playground. One member of the public expressed an interest in helping – Councillors noted that there didn’t appear to be wide interest in the project so no further action is proposed at this time.
9. CONSIDER THE PURCHASE OF LAMPPOST POPPIES
Councillors agreed that 20 poppies could be purchased for use around the D-Day celebrations in June and Remembrance Day, they were not to be up permanently as the Parish already has a good deal of roadside signage.
10. LITTER PICKING SESSION
The Parish has some litter picking equipment available, the Parish insurance needs to be checked and procedures for a litter pick put in place before volunteers are sought.
11. FLY TIPPING
Councillor Eldridge advised that, following an incident in the Parish, enforcement officers were undergoing an investigation. No further details can be released at this time.
12. PLANNING
a. Current planning applications
There is current planning applications outstanding:
H07-0195-24 Sycamore Farm, Station Road - Proposed workshop
H07-0118-24 32 Hillgate - Condition Compliance
Three planning decisions have made since the last meeting:
H07-0024-24 5 Hillgate - Approved
H07-0927-23 Little Birch Barn - Approved
H07-0173-23 Land at West Drove - Approved
13. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) TO NOTE THE YEAR TO DATE ACCOUNTS FOR 2023/24
The figures were accepted by acclaim
b) TO APPOINT THE INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR 2023/24
Alison Day has agreed to act as auditor again, and Councillors approved her appointment by acclaim..
14. UPDATE ON THE CLERK VACANCY
Interviews have been scheduled for the end of the month.
15. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 20th May 2024 in the Parish Pavilion – the Annual Parish Meeting to be followed by the Annual Parish Council meeting.
Meeting closed at 7.15pm