April 2025 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Carlton Scroop and Normanton on Cliffe Parish Council held at Carlton Scroop Village Hall on Tuesday, 1st April 2025.
In Attendance:
Councillor Thomas (Chair), Councillors H Baines, J Baines, Hankinson, Balfe, Hands, England, Worrell.
There were no members of the public in attendance and no apologies were received from the County Councillor or District Councillors.
The Chair opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
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1. WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN
1.1 The Chair welcomed those present and thanked them for their attendance.
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2. APOLOGIES: TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND TO RESOLVE TO ACCEPT REASONS GIVEN (1/04)
2.1 No apologies for absence were received.
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3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION (01/04)
3.1 No declarations of pecuniary interest or requests for dispensation were made.
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4. STAFFING
4.1 To resolve to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies Act of 1960 due to the confidential nature of matters to be discussed.
4.2 To receive an update on the Clerk’s vacancy.
4.3 The Clerk vacancy has been filled with the appointment of Florence Hill as Clerk.
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5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1 To resolve to move back to open session and accept the Chairman’s notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th January 2025.
5.2 Approved by Councillor David Balfe, seconded by Councillor Hands.
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6. REPORT FROM DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS
County Councillor Maughan joined the meeting at this point.
6.1 Report on speed limits: The attempt to reduce the speed limit on Sudbrook Road has been unsuccessful due to it not meeting the County Council criteria. The overarching policy is under review. Recommendations for reassessment are in progress. Incidents should be submitted to ensure they are recorded on the database.
6.2 Costings for footway: Chased with Rowan Smith regarding the cost of footway between the two villages, probably in excess of £200,000. If the cost is high, there may be consideration for a contribution from the parish council.
6.3 Investment in A607 road improvements - Highways are working on night-time closures to minimise disruption.
6.4 Flooding issues: A scheme is in place to provide services to fix flooding issues in Normanton-on-Cliffe.
6.5 Roadworks and flooding issues near Rainthorpe Transport: Discussion on the gully cleaning and missed areas. Report these issues on Fix My Street is recommended.
6.6 A1 road safety: 100 members of the public attended the event. National Highways plans to close all 59 access points between Blythe and Stamford, leaving only major slip roads. Public commitment has been made, but there is no current budget.
6.7 Local Government Reorganisation: The new government intends to abolish two-tier council areas, with a single council covering all requirements. Lincolnshire will not be part of the first wave. The proposed systems are: a two-council model for Greater Lincolnshire or a split down the middle of the county.
6.8 Councillor Hands asked who is responsible for the A1: The answer was National Highways, Midlands Division.
6.9 Councillor Thomas thanked Alexander for his commitment and work for the area as County Councillor.
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7. REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN IN THE ABSENCE OF A CLERK
7.1 No updates.
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8. FINANCE
8.1 To note income received as follows:
|
Received From |
Purpose |
Amount (£) |
|
Alpha Memorials |
Brackenbury headstone |
60.00 |
|
This payment has been approved and the headstone put up. |
|
|
8.2 Councillor Worrell proposed and Councillor Hankinson seconded expenditure as follows:
|
Payee |
Purpose |
Amount (£) |
|
Shaw & Sons |
Cemetery Register |
246.00 |
|
Cllr Hankinson |
Bulbs |
37.19 |
|
LALC |
Webmaster Service |
108.00 |
|
Caythorpe Electrics |
Lloyds Bank, Installation of new defib cabinets |
130.00 |
|
Who Lets Your Dog Out |
December, January, February services |
277.20 |
|
South Kesteven District Council |
Grass maintenance 2024 |
672.90 |
8.3 Councillors noted the budget monitoring statement showing expenditure and income against the 2024/25 budget.
8.4 Councillor John England proposed, and Councillor David Balfe seconded, the approval of the March 2025 bank reconciliation.
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9. PLANNING
9.1 Councillors discussed relevant planning matters.
9.2 Planning permission for the traveller’s area is expiring in May. This needs to be monitored.
9.3 Application for two single-story extensions: Discussed and noted.
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10. HIGHWAYS
10.1 To receive Highways reports from Councillors: No further updates were given.
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11. CEMETERY
11.1 To receive an update on the purchase or manufacture of row markers for the cemetery.
11.2 To consider progress on hedge maintenance.
11.3 Councillor Thomas displayed a prototype for a marker for grave diggers, which Fine Turf are going to produce.
11.4 The cemetery hedge needs attention; it is tied to a stone wall with trees growing in it. Councillor Baines has offered to provide diggers and materials removal. A site assessment will take place tomorrow.
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12. JUBILEE FIELD
12.1 The hedge between the cemetery and the churchyard will be trimmed by Councillors’ Baines and Hankinson.
12.2 Discussion about whether to cut trees down to allow more grassy areas. Decision deferred until autumn when it would be more appropriate for tree cutting.
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13. COMMUNITY UPDATES
13.1 To consider progress with the repair of the bus shelter opposite Newark Lane, Carlton Scroop. No updates.
13.2 To consider quotes for the dog bin emptying service in 2025/26. Contacted Caythorpe to discuss who provides their services.
13.3 To consider the replacement of 2 defibrillators: Quotes will be sourced. Defibrillator training scheduled for the 5th of June.
13.4 VE Day celebrations: The Community Hub will provide a lunch. No further plans made.
13.5 To receive community updates from Councillors:
● Councillor Baines reported that the village hall car park has not been sprayed.
● Manhole cover has been broken for over two years.
● Village hall posts are broken.
● Overgrown plants are protruding into roads on Charity Street.
● Three mounds on the restricted bye-way (Howdale Lane) need to be cleared or reported on Fix My Street.
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14. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
14.1 Councillor Thomas proposed and Councillor Balfe seconded the Lone Worker policy.________________________________________
15. CORRESPONDENCE
16.1 To note all general correspondence circulated for information since the January meeting. No major issues raised.
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16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
16.1 Monday, 19th May 2025.
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The Chair thanked all Councillors for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.15pm.