Full Council Minutes 2024

26

Open Meeting

The Chairman welcomed those in attendance

27

Apologies

Apologies were received from Councillors Easters and Hassan 

28

Public Forum

Representations were made by 4 members of the public relating to:

• The accuracy of May’s draft minutes
  • This matter would be discussed at the corresponding agenda item
• Councillors’ eligibility to serve as Councillors
  • There are several eligibility criteria for serving as a councillor which does not limit a candidate to being a resident on the electoral roll
• Availability of parking for Mill Road residents and the problems poor parking creates for emergency vehicles in the area 
  • Lincolnshire County Council Highways enforcement has been hampered by the signage to be more active moving cars on 
  • There is a live public consultation by Lincolnshire County Council into the parking problems in the area
  • Inconsiderate parking is heightened at school drop off & pick up times
  • Lincolnshire County Council does not have any plans to compensate residents who may be need to park elsewhere as a result of the introduction of resident parking
• Dear Street flooding
  • The resident was asked if they had reported flooding into their property. As the flooding was not serious, it had not been reported.

29 

Declarations of Interest

No declarations of interest were made

30. 

Minutes

The minutes were APPROVED subject to a correction relating to the election of the Deputy Chairman. It was agreed to make that change at the end of the meeting with the chairman signing the minutes after the correction was made.   

31

Clerk’s Report

No report was available

32

District & County Councillor Reports

The town was subject to another severe thunderstorm on 26 May 2024 with the capacity of surface water overwhelming the road drains. Roads were blocked due to the deluge of water. Road barriers were put in place around Olive Street and the Old Police Station to close side roads. No reports of flood water into houses had been received. 

In response to previous floods and future mitigation measures, Lincolnshire County Council, as the flood authority, is in discussion with the Co-op about the provision of a swale or SUD tank. 

Dear Street will be re-surfaced in the autumn with consideration into creating a one-way system and yellow lines is to be revisited. 

The inward investment for the Scampton site is proceeding. 

It is expected that Lincolnshire County Council will be making a request for an area within Bell Park to create a sensory garden. County Councillor Bunney requested the matter be included on a future agenda.

During this item, 2 members of the public arrived. Standing orders were suspended to allow their representations in relation to Dear Street flooding and Mill Road parking. Both items had already been discussed under the public session and are recorded in agenda order. Standing orders were reinstated. 

33

Planning Applications

148193 – 55 dwellings - Chantrey Park, Middle Rasen

It OBJECTS to the application unless the following mitigation measures are put in place:

Water management - there is sufficient SUD provision made (at a known flood site which pre-dates the housing) to alleviate the flood potential to Brimmer Beck which would impact the centre of Middle Rasen 

Highway safety – that 30mph speed signs are moved out beyond 108 Caistor Road and the vision splay as you come out, turning right by the pond, the 40mph speed sign is moved further out. 

148308 – Change of use of workshop/store building into 2 dwellings including first floor extension – 28 Oxford Street

It was RESOLVED that the following observation be put forward that there is consideration made for safe access and egress for pedestrians and vehicles and that pedestrians have safe passage across the pavement.

34

Policies

It was RESOLVED that the Financial Regulations be adopted with an amendment to sections 6.9 Banking and Payments and 9.1 Payment Cards. The limit which the Clerk/RFO has delegated authority to make payments was increased to £750.

35

Financial Matters

a) The current account reconciliation to 30 April 2024 was DEFERRED as the transfer of data between financial software providers has not yet been completed

b) The savings account reconciliation to 30 April 2024 was DEFERRED as the transfer of data between financial software providers has not yet been completed

c) The current account reconciliation to 31 May 2024 was DEFERRED as the transfer of data between financial software providers has not yet been completed

d) The savings account reconciliation to 31 May 2024 was DEFERRED as the transfer of data between financial software providers has not yet been completed

e) The accounts for payment were APPROVED along with a request to change a description against a payment to clarify between De Aston school’s own defibrillator and the Willingham Road defibrillator owned by the Town Council

36

Vice-Chair

Council had taken legal advice and the process to elect a Vice-Chairman at last month’s meeting was incorrect. Hence why the matter has been brought before Council this evening. 

Councillor Dale was nominated and duly ELECTED as Vice-Chairman. Councillor Dale signed the acceptance of office form and in her acceptance speech encouraged her fellow councillors to attend and support community events. 

37

Laptop Lease

It was RESOLVED to seek a 3-to-6-month extension to the contract which would enable the in-coming clerk to be part of a wider review. Councillor Gray offered to carry out an audit and initial review of the tech at the Festival Hall site. Council RESOLVEDto accept Councillor Gray’s offer.  

38

Market Place

Following consultation with residents, the decision was made to suspend the closure of the Market Place as an informal car park. Local businesses in the immediate vicinity were not supportive therefore it was RESOLVED to put the decision on hold.  

This will allow for a wider consultation and to build an events plan for next year, where the Market Place could become a focal amenity space for events and the like.

39

Confidential Session 

It was RESOLVED to move into closed session with members of the public requested to leave

40

Staffing Matters

The update was NOTED and it was RESOLVED to proceed with the recommendations made in the report.