July 2017 Minutes
LEVERTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the Meeting held at The Church Hall, Main Road, Leverton on Monday, 24th July 2017.
D Durrant in the Chair
Present:- Councillors: Mrs J Moore, Mr N White, Mr D Horwat, Mr D Gaylor, Cllr P Bedford, Boston Borough Council
Apologies: Mrs J Self, Cllr F Ransome, Boston Borough Council
In Attendance: PCSO Rayment
1.0 OPEN FORUM
There were no members of the public present and no items for the open forum.
2.0 POLICE MATTERS
PCSO Rayment confirmed the following incidents for Leverton Parish:
1 x Road Traffic Collision – A52
1 x Traffic Offence – A52
1 x Offence with Violence – Lacey’s Lane
1 x Domestic Violence – Leverton Outgate
Concerns were raised by the Council about the periodic persistent obstruction by vehicles at the Sheepgate - Davids Lane junction, and of persistent speeding on the main road. PCSO Rayment explained the difficulties in dealing with these matters. The Council, whilst appreciating the difficulties, expressed its dissatisfaction with the lack of effective action.
PCSO Rayment then left the meeting.
3.0 APOLOGIES:
Apologies received from Mrs J Self and Cllr F Ransome, Boston Borough Council.
4.0 DECLARATION OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
5.0 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
The Clerk requested proposals for the post of Chairman.
Mr N White proposed Mr Durrant, seconded by Mr D Horwat.
There were no other proposals and Mr Durrant was unanimously elected.
6.0 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
The Clerk asked for proposals for the post of Vice Chairman.
Mr N White proposed Mrs Moore, seconded by Mr D Horwat.
There were no other proposals and Mrs Moore was unanimously elected.
7.0 MINUTES
The minutes of the Meeting held on 26th June 2017 were agreed as presented and signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.
8.0 Matters arising:
8.1 Application for Defibrillator
The firefighters from Leverton Fire Station will be competing in the Boston Dragon Boat Race on Sunday 13th August 2017 and the event was being well advertised in and around Boston. Mrs Moore reported that fundraising was still ongoing with Mrs J Welbourn holding various events in the village.
8.2 Play Park
The bark chippings have been delivered to the play park but have not achieved the quantity or standard that was expected. Mr Gaylor agreed to address this with T Woods. Mr Horwat reported that the orchard was thriving with various fruits being seen on the trees.
8.3 Poor Condition of Parish Roads
It was confirmed that resurfacing was underway in the parish however, the roads were still deteriorating in some areas.
8.4 Footway Lighting.
The clerk confirmed that replacement of the agreed lighting was being undertaken and Mr Horwat reported that one of the light which had been removed has now been replaced.
8.5 Leverton Toilet facilities.
The Chairman and Mr White confirmed they had spoken with the prospective tenant but there did not seem to be any progression. Cllr Bedford confirmed he would chase this with the Borough Council. Mrs Moore reported that she had been in contact with the Borough Council regarding the issue of the recycling containers overflowing but has received no resolution to this issue. Both Mrs Moore and Mr Gaylor stated how unhappy they were with the area being in a state of disgrace. Cllr Bedford confirmed he would address this issue with the relevant department.
8.6 Parish Councillor Vacancy.
Two applicants were invited to participate in an informal chat, which was carried out immediately before the meeting, after which a secret ballot was conducted. The result was Mr Michael Chevis to be co-opted to fill the vacancy of Parish Councillor. Both applicants have been officially informed.
8.7 Layby dyke cutting.
The clerk reported it had been confirmed that the dyke on the layby was not the responsibility of Witham Fourth Internal Drainage Board. Mrs Moore stated that she had been approached by Anne Blythe to confirm that the Parish Council still wished for her to complete the cutting on Meadowbank, Mrs Moore confirmed this and arranged for the dyke to be cut at the same time.
9.0 CONSULTATION AND PUBLICITY ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS
A letter regarding the new regulations in respect of removing the statutory consultee status of Parish Councils on planning applications was presented for consideration. The Parish Council chose the option that would retain the existing arrangement for the benefit of the parish and the clerk to respond to Boston Borough Council confirming this.
10.0 PAYMENTS
D Horwat (Petrol for mower and mower servicing) £ 106.08
TJ Woods (Layby grass cutting & hedge trimming) £ 210.00
Grant Thornton LLP (Annual Audit) £ 120.00
11.0 CORRESPONDENCE:
A letter from Matt Warman MP enclosing details of surgeries to be held around the region to be displayed on the Parish notice board.
A notice regarding 'Rural Isolation' was also received and considered. It was decided to take no action.
12.0 ITEMS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PARISH
Mr White confirmed he will contact Witham Fourth in respect of completing the works on the inspection chamber behind the notice board on Lacey’s Lane. Mrs Moore stated that she would like to see better access to the marsh at Dovecote and Cllr Bedford suggested Chris Miller, the Public Rights of Way officer could be contacted, he also confirmed that issues around that area were earmarked for development in 2018.
13.0 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting was agreed as Monday 18th September 2017 at The Church Hall, Main Road, Leverton commencing at 7.00pm.