May 2024 Minutes

Minutes of Anwick Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 8th May 2024, 6.30pm in Anwick Community Centre, River Lane, Anwick.

Attendance:-   Cllr. T Curtis Chair, Cllr. E Coulson Vice Chair, Cllr. L Curtis, Cllr. M Head, Cllr. M Corbett, Jeanne Flanagan, Clerk/RFO.

25 members of the public.

A very warm welcome was extended to Cllr. M Corbett our new Councillor.

Two questions had been received by the Clerk, details as follows:-

Question:- What is happening to the playing field?  

Response:- Nothing is going on. The Parish Council have a number of options such as Community Gardens, Allotments to explore.

Question:- If you were aware the club roof needs 16k spent on it, then why didn't someone put the word about and suggest getting residents together to start doing fundraising things.

I would be only be too glad to help and suggest and put things on.

Like most things though, most people don't want to help, suggest and do things, just moan about nothing on at village hall and when there is, most of Anwick residents don't come.

Always same people doing things and no support given.

Response:- The flat roof has been patched up over a number of years, but now needs a new roof. The Parish Council is not a social committee, however, we have been fortunate to have been successful in obtaining two funds which will mostly pay for the roof, If we were to go down the route of fundraising it would take a number of years to fund the amount of money required for the repair. On that basis then the Community Centre would have to close as the mould is coming through the walls and is a health and safety hazard.

1.   Apologies for absence and reason given – Cllr. A Key Lincs County Council.

2.   To receive any declarations of interest and to consider for dispensation in relation of Dpi’s. Disclosure of Pecuniary and Non Pecuniary Interests to be in accordance with Localism Declaration to consider any applications form dispensations are relative to Dpi’s. The need for declaration to be based upon agenda items or at any suitable time during the meeting when it becomes apparent to a member. – There were none.

3.   Welcome new Councillor to the meeting ¬ - The Chair was pleased announce that Cllr. Maureen Corbett has agreed to join the Parish Council.

4.   Minutes of the Anwick Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 26th March 2024 – Already emailed to the Councillors was AGREED as a true record, then signed and dated by the Chair. The Clerk to include on the Anwick Parish Council website.

ACTION:- JF

5.   Stream Bioenergy update from 15th April 2024 – The Chair gave a brief update on the Parish Council’s position from the public engagement held in April. The Chair read out the response which will be sent to Stream Bioenergy, which the Councillors have already AGREED with the content. The Clerk to send the response by end of the week via email.

ACTION:- JF

6.   Anti Social Behaviour and Crime Issues

(i)   Crime Statistics/Incidents for Anwick – update. The Chair read out details of a spreadsheet already emailed to the Councillors detailing figures for years 2023 and 2024, which showed a decline in 2024 to the end of March 2024.

(ii)   Reporting and Logging Antisocial Behaviour and Crime incidents (update following Police meeting)  Cllr. E Coulson will be attending on behalf of Anwick in June 2024.

7.   Highways Issues

(i)   Street Lighting – It was suggested to conduct a walk round the village later in the year at night to identify which lights need to be reported.

(ii)   Pedestrian Crossing A153 – Cllr. T Curtis met with Richard Fenwick from Lincs County Council to discuss a pedestrian crossing. The data collected in 2020 identified low figures due to Covid. A new survey will be arranged which will record vehicles and people using the road. It was advised to encourage people the cross the road on a certain area of the road in order to meet the needs for a signal type of crossing. The Parish will advise residents when this will take place.

(iii)   Beacon Energy Park- If planning goes ahead the access route would be via the A17 and may increase traffic coming through to Anwick. The Clerk to provide a copy of the brochure to Cllr. M Corbett.

ACTION:- JF

8.   Planting of trees Pumping station

The Clerk had been in touch with Paul Waite from the Garden Centre and will be meeting with him on site to sort plants for that area towards the end of May 2024.

ACTION:- JF

9.   Parish Engagement Session 25th June 2024

This subject has already been covered in item 6. (ii)

10.   Mobile for Parish Council

The Councillors felt that a dedicated mobile telephone is required by means of contact for the Parish Council.

11.   Funding Progress

The Clerk was pleased to advise that we had been successful in obtaining funding from North Kesteven Rural England Prosperity Fund to the value of £8,208.00 and also funding from Sleaford REP Grant to the value of £1,908.50. Total £10,116.50 which is the majority of the money required to repair the roof.

12.   Community Centre

(i)   Kitchen Refurbishment – The Clerk advised that all the units, sink, taps and appliances have now been installed. New flooring and tiles to be installed soon. The Clerk is meeting with Susannah Willis, Authorised officer NKDC to inspect the kitchen on Friday 17th May 2024.

(ii)   Repair to the roof – The Clerk advised that the roofing company is scheduled to repair the roof in May 2024.

(iii)   Playpark and playing field grass cutting – Unfortunately the previous contractor has failed to respond to all the texts, messages, emails and a letter was sent ‘To be signed for’.

M Jacobs has very kindly stepped in and given the playpark, rear and side of the centre a well needed cut. The Clerk was approached by a resident who has offered to cut the playing field grass. On that basis Cllr. M Head will find out who the contractor is that cuts the grass in other nearby Parish Council villages to give the grass its first cut and source a sit-on mower for the future.

13.   Accounts

(i)   Income and Expenditure to 31st March 2024 – already emailed to the Councillors was AGREED as a true record. The Chair signed and dated each sheet and the Clerk to include on the Anwick Parish Website.

(ii)   Income and Expenditure to 1st May 2024 – already emailed to the Councillors was AGREED as a true record. The Chair signed and dated the sheet and the Clerk to include on the Anwick Parish Website.

(iii)   Funding – this item has already been covered in Agenda Item No. 11.

ACTION:- JF

14.   Date, time and venue of Annual Parish meeting – Wednesday 5th June 2024, 6.30pm in Anwick Community Centre, River Lane, Anwick. It was highlighted that this meeting is not a Parish Council meeting and will be in conjunction with Anwick Action Group.

ACTION:- JF

15.   Date, time and venue of Annual General Meeting – Tuesday 25th June 2024, 6.30pm, followed by Anwick Parish Council meeting in Anwick Community Centre.

ACTION:- JF

16.   Any Other Business

Cllr. M Head gave an update on the sewage pollution in the River Slea extending down to South Kyme affecting wildlife, spawning fish etc. This issue has been raised with the Environment Agency and included NKDC and requested that someone from EA visits the site on a very urgent basis and carry out water testing to ascertain the environmental damage caused by the sewage leak.

A resident raised the issue of some of the conditions of the properties and gardens in River Lane, Anwick. Cllr. M Head responded by saying the Parish Council had already written to NKDC and is ongoing. He will also flag up again with the Housing Department, NKDC. He also advised that residents can contact him with their concerns.

Cllr. L Curtis advised residents to ring or email NKDC as well to complain about the mess and conditions of some of the properties.

ACTION:- MH

There being no further business the meeting was closed.