Minutes

Coningsby Town Council

September 26th 2019 meeting – 7.30pm Coningsby Community Hall

4 members of public in attendance.

Councillors in attendance –  M Foster, P Donnellan, M Mason, G Olive, M Wilson, R Sharples, M Walker, S Beamish, T Bannister & M Lynch.

District Councillor Stan Avison, County Councillor Tom Ashton

Public forum – Local dog owner attended bringing his concerns to Council regarding the insulating tape left on the field after football matches, (this had been reported previously to clerk and passed to council and Coningsby FC) resident repeated that he was unhappy with the way this had been handled by the Council and this was his reason for attending tonight. Chairman thanked him and asked if the Coningsby FC would like to respond, Vice Chairman replied – explaining that all the managers have been informed and the club endeavour to clear the pitch and immediate surrounding areas after each match. Vice Chairman Coningsby FC wished it to be recorded that he marks out the pitch each week and collects the dog fouling on that day and also on match day just 24hours later. Complainant was happy with the response from the football club.

44.1        Welcome from Chairman Cllr Martin Foster

45.2        Apologies and reasons from Cllr D Johnson were given and Resolved accepted

46.3        No declarations of interest at this point.

47.4.1     Proposal Cllr Walker the notes previously circulated are true and correct record of  meeting held on 25th July  2019, seconded Cllr Mason, all voted in favour resolved

48.5        Meeting with Cllr Perraton Williams – village drive around, Hawthorn Hill, speed issues and hedges; Cross Keys Lane, road markings and signage; Gibbet Nook, all traffic issues seen by officers, Cllr PW is arranging to bring the new in post highways officer for this area back to spend some time on site to look at what can be done short term; long term funding will hopefully be requested with the B1192 improvements including Langrick Bridge rebuild. Pilgrim Square, Photos taken of the paths that were missed, contractors will be contacted for information. Cllr PW is going to feedback on all the issues visited after speaking with her fellow officers.

49.6        Outside Groups – Scout Hut opening was very well attended and is a great community asset. Sibsey Lancaster Trust – service in the field 28th September.

50.7       Planning - Full PP S/035/01165/19 Change of use, conversion of and alterations to part of existing day nursery into headmasters/teachers accommodation. Full PP S/035/01368/19 Scout hut given permission to build a storage building.

51.8        St Michaels Clock painting – scaffolding is up and the clock has been cleaned down, Fred Gillard is assisting with this to prevent lone working issues.

52.9        Community hall car park – Work is progressing well, wooden fence has been installed, metal fencing will be in during the next couple of weeks; tarmac is expected to be finished by the end of October. Proposal to have entry bollards Cllr Olive, seconded Cllr Mason, all voted in favour resolved

53.10     Liaison meeting Victoria Burgess ELDC – Cllr Walker & Cllr Lynch – Car park flooding, Grey bins resident issues, dog fouling, roadside parking, hedges along roadsides. V B gave us some useful information regarding enforcement officer and Clerk has made contact regarding the Allan Barker field

54.11     County Councillor Tom Ashton – Lincolnshire Highways has won a national award for management of services across the county. Libraries are getting new mobile units which are smaller internally only allowing one or two persons inside at a time. Funds for more up to date Fire appliances have been sourced and these are starting to be seen out and about. Cllr A praised the Council for setting up the meeting with Cllr PW he believed Council have had a more thorough visit than had it been part of the multiple ward walks arranged, he will be pushing for funds for major improvements at Gibbett Nook.

EL District Cllr Stan Avison – Animal welfare enforcement has been stepped up and the business test for dog owners who sell puppies be it one or six rom a litter this is classed as a business and a licence is required, this came into force October 2018 since then 26 new licences have been issued and all reports of dog/puppy sales reported will be investigated. Cllr Avison replied to question regarding a recent enforcement order on Park Lane property which has still not complied with the order, this has been revisited just this week, the team are still working on this one. Clerk will send out enforcement email address to councillors.

55.12     Annual Audit Cleared – External auditor commented on the public rights to inspect, the fact that it was longer than recommended due to this the suggestion is that council should answer no to assertion 4 & 7 on this year’s accounting statements, to clear this up. The clerk disagrees with this and is not at all happy to do this as the statement relates to issues raised originally in 17/18 and feels that this has now been dealt with correctly.

4.           during the year gave all persons interested the opportunity to inspect and ask questions about this authority’s accounts.

7.           Responded to matters brought to its attention by internal and external auditors.

Clerk is taking advice from LALC on this matter.

External audit report and certificate from PKF Littlejohn for the 2018/19 annual governance and accountability return (agar)

Members were provided with a copy of an e-mail from the external auditor and the reply from the Clerk regarding the except for matters reported on section 3 of the AGAR.

It was noted that the External Auditor report seemed unfair and councillors supported the Clerk’s view on the matter.

56.13     Finances - Proposal to pay accounts as listed August after copy had been viewed Cllr G Olive, seconded Cllr R Sharples, all voted in favour. Resolved. Proposal to pay accounts as listed September Cllr M Walker, seconded Cllr M Mason,   all voted in favour. Resolved.

August

September

57.14 Football Club meeting – Council and Con FC met to discuss forthcoming season, there will be no Sunday matches as no teams signed up. Fees will remain the same for the season with additional fees for the MUGA use. Top pitch needs spraying to kill weeds.

58.15 Clerks report – Local farmer has attended the field to look at the weed situation, he would not want to spray until April and then the pitch would need fencing off; maybe not the best option. He can cut hedges and clear out dykes to two sides of field for a cost of £150.

Cemetery is undergoing revaluation by the government, looking at 2021 for any increases.

Council requested Clerk take up conversation with RAF regarding the land opposite BBMF for potential burial ground.

Meeting Closed