2023 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

UPTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held on the 4th July 2023

Present:  Cllrs. D Spittlehouse. P Rushton.   K Smith. P Fotheringham. S Barrow. M McDaniel. J Elvidge.

Clerk. E Holman.  Cllr. Emma Bailey.

Also Present: 2 Members of the public. 

Absent:  None.

Matters Raised in the Public Forum

Hedge overgrown on public footpath from Ave A leading to Church Rd, also the hedge that is owned by the Church Hall is overgrowing onto footpath. Clerk to write a letter to the owner of the Church Hall..

Drain blocked near phone box. Previously reported, status action scheduled.

Potholes on Ave A filling up with water after rain. Clerk to report.

The meeting commenced at 7.15 pm.

55/23     Cllr Stuart Barrow handed a letter of resignation to the Chairman.

His resignation was accepted by the Councillors and was thanked for his time on the council and will be sadly  missed.

56/23     To receive resolve to accept apologies of absence:

No apologies of absence.

57/23     To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011:

No declarations of interest.

58/23     Minutes of the meeting 18th May 2023:

It was proposed by Cllr Rushton and seconded by Cllr Barrow, that the official minutes of meeting held 18th May 2023 are approved as correct records and signed by the Chairman. Resolved.

59/23     Solar Farm update:

Cllr. E Bailey reported that she had attended the meeting held on the 4th July and it had been agreed that all of the planning applications for solar farms will be considered as a group.

The recent solar farm application for Stow Park will be considered by the local planning not the planning inspectorate. Plans have not been submitted as yet,

No more information on the ones already submitted. Clerk to ask about posters for the village that have been seen in other villages.

60/23     Church Road Public Footpath update:

                Quickline declined our application for a grant as we didn’t meet the required criteria.

Cllr E Bailey suggested we apply to Grant White at West Lindsey District Council. The clerk had written an    email but had received no response.  Cllr. Bailey to chase.

61/23     Community Speed watch update:

A piece had gone into the recent newsletter asking for volunteers to join a community speed watch. There had been no response. In the meantime Cllr Bailey said that a former volunteer who withdrew has now come forward.  So we now have 3 volunteers. Training date to be confirmed.

62/23     Kexby PC re- proposed dog walking area.

Kexby PC has asked for a representative to their meeting on the 12th July to hear from a resident asking for a dog walking area on the playing field. Cllr Spittlehouse and Clerk to attend.

63/23     Bus shelter repair update:

A hole appeared on the bus shelter roof. A quote has been given and has been accepted.  A claim has been made on the Parish Council insurance.   The cleaning of them has been put on hold until the repairs have been completed.

64/23     Complaints received of dogs barking:

                Two complaints had been received regarding nuisance dog barking.

The clerk informed both parties that although there was nothing the PC could do; if more letters are received then the PC would write a letter to the environmental in support. In the meantime it was suggested that they keep a log of the times when the dogs are barking and to write to the Environmental at West Lindsey.

65/23     Parking on High St:

A complaint had been received from a resident regarding parking across her drive on Fish Shop opening times.  She was informed that the PC has no authority over parking on the highway and to get in touch with the local Police officer or highways. The clerk made the resident 2 signs to put up requesting people to leave the driveway clear at all times.  Cllr Bailey to ask PC Patchett to take a look at the situation during peak opening times just to remind road users the rules of parking in the Highway Code.

66/23     Post Office Closure:

Following a letter of notification of the closure of the Outreach Post Office at Upton/Kexby Village Hall the clerk had replied to the email asking if there would be a replacement.  The response was that there were no postmasters in the area who can provide an Outreach service.

After the Chairman and the Clerk had visited Stow Post Office, the postmaster said that he was more than willing to take it on.  He suggested to get as much support from locals as possible and to reply to their letter proving that a service is required in Upton and Kexby.  Clerk to do a poll on Facebook and to get a petition going. Action required.

67/23     Lighting of the Beacon on 6th June 2024:

There is to be a national lighting of the beacon on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. All Councillors agreed that we should take part and possibly hold it with a bit of a do.  Village Hall to be provisionally booked and more details to be discussed nearer the time.

Cllr Fotheringham to ask those involved with the previous lighting of the beacon if they are willing to do it again.

68/23     Financial Issues:

The Clerks salary for period May/June was proposed for approval by Cllr Rushton and seconded by Cllr Barrow. Resolved

69/23     Payments made since 18th May 2023

Proposed by Cllr. Elvidge and seconded by Cllr Barrow to accept.  Resolved.

70/23     Planning application decision:

                Application 144574 decision. Appeal allowed.

71/23     Village Hall report:

                Cllr. Elvidge was in attendance.

                Expressed their thanks for the donation from Upton PC.

                The Post Office has outstanding debts of close to £1000.

                The hall floor now completed.

                New kitchen floor still under consideration.

                Upcoming Events:

                Proposed fashion show in August.

                Xmas Fayre 19/11

                Jumble Sale 16/9

                The next meeting to be held 7th August at 7.30pm.  Cllr. McDaniel to attend.

72/23     Crime report:

                No crime reported in Upton.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.40 pm.

Signed…………………………………………………………….Date………………………………………………………………………..

Date of next meeting 5th September 2023 7.0 pm.