2024 Town Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of the Meeting of Market Deeping Town Council held on Wednesday 10 April 2024 at 7.30pm at the Town Hall, Market Deeping

Present:

Cllr Broughton
Cllr Mrs Sked
Cllr Shelton
Cllr Miss Collins
Cllr Dr Byrd
Cllr Hughes         
Cllr Mrs Steel
Cllr Ms Reed   
Cllr Hanson
Cllr Mrs Jones

The Clerk and Deputy Clerk were also in attendance.

At 7.30pm Cllr Boughton welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

There was a member of the public present as an observer.

A representative from the Deepings Bowls Club spoke requesting financial support towards the cost of a new sprinkler at a cost of £779.84.  He explained that the club had raised about £2,500 in fundraising efforts in 2023/24.  Cllr Broughton explained that a decision about support would be made later in the meeting.

Cllr Dr Byrd reported that there had been lots of changes this year at SKDC.  Cllr Dr Byrd is on 3 committees and has attended every Committee meeting and every Full Council meeting this year.  Cllr Dr Byrd has reported back fully to SKDC on all our flood efforts in The Deepings.
 
182. Chairman’s Welcome & Introductions

Cllr Broughton asked whether members wished to close the open session and open the meeting.  It was unanimously RESOLVED to open the meeting.

Cllr Broughton welcomed members to the meeting at 7.36 pm.

183. To note apologies and accept valid reasons for absence

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Neilson prior to the meeting. 

184. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 

There were none. 

185.  Acceptance of the minutes of a meeting held on 13 March 2024 

Cllr Broughton asked members if they accepted the minutes of the meeting of 13 March 2024.  It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the meeting as a true and accurate record.   The chairman signed the minutes. 

186.  Reports: Including reports from Committees: Planning and Highways, Deepings Neighbourhood plan, Amenities and Open Spaces, Finance and Personnel, Mayor’s diary and the Clerk’s report.

Planning & Highways

Cllr Shelton reported:

•   There are now monthly reviews of planning applications and outstanding S106 funding for Market Deeping.
•   Highways issues are being reviewed
•   The New River Retail and Aldi project is progressing.

Deeping Neighbourhood Plan

Cllr Byrd informed that the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP) held its AGM on 6th April and reported: 

Productive meetings. Having been elected to the Chairman role in April 2023, I am delighted to report that the group has worked positively towards achievement of the DNP long-term Vision and Objectives. Full group meetings have taken place on the first Monday of each month, except on Bank Holidays.  Plus, we have had the option to call an additional meeting if necessary to ensure a timely outcome for a specific purpose.  Many other project meetings have also taken place by various sub groups as required i.e. with representatives from Bidwell’s, Allison homes, SKDC, AECOM Consultancy, LCC, West Deeping, Friends of Millfield, and others.  We also engaged with a presentation of outline plans for the site west of P/B Road last spring/summer and had display boards created for a public consultation activity as part of the Christmas Market.

Stable membership.  The DNP membership has remained the same over the past 12 months – including 3 of the original founding group of 5 still attending (since 2016).

Professional Planning input.  The group has continued to engage with new development proposals across the Deepings and to make representations to the SKDC Planning Department to highlight issues arising that are potentially in conflict with the policies of the Neighbourhood Plan.  These submissions have been in addition to formal responses from Town and Parish Councils, in addition to reviewing the outcomes of S106 monies.

Monitoring Implementation of policies within applications.  It is encouraging to see and note that the DNP Policies are now frequently referenced in applications and within SKDC Planning Officer reports.  They are being used as intended – to guide land use across the Deepings in accordance with the wishes of residents.

Monitoring development of Projects.  In addition to overseeing the implementation and interpretation of DNP policies, we have had a productive year monitoring and supporting the progress of a number of Deeping Improvement Projects i.e. A second town supermarket (monthly updates from New River Retail (NRR) = slow progress due to legal issues):  Leisure Centre  Provision (monthly updates on the Deepings Leisure Centre (DLC)) = slow progress due to legal issues):  parks and green spaces; pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, plus others.

Commissioning new work.  To take us forward, project funding has provided us with the opportunity to develop a Design code for The Deepings, and Master-planning of the large site west of Linchfield Road (680), reinstatement of the process to complete the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

Review of the SKDC Local Plan.  This work in on-going and our considered responses will be presented to the Town and Parish councils, and also to the Planning department before the end of the consultation period – 25th April.

PB06/04/24.          

Amenities and Open Spaces

Two  volunteers have been working with Cllr Broughton and Cllr Dr Byrd on the Cherry Tree Park off Church Street.  The grass has been mowed and the area is starting to be used more by families.  

Cllr Broughton requested an amount of money to purchase some cherry trees and lavender plants.  Cllr Mrs Sked proposed that £1,000 be allocated to fund plants and trees for Cherry Tree Park this was seconded by Cllr Ms Reed and it was RESOLVED unanimously.
 
Town Hall & Cemetery

There were no updates.

Finance and Personnel

The Clerk explained that the end of year clearance was booked for 18th April at 1.30pm.

Mayoral Diary

The Mayor and Cllr Byrd attended SKDC’s Chairman’s Civic Charity Dinner at Bourne Corn Exchange on Friday 22nd March 2024.
The Mayor and Cllr Byrd attended Whittlesey Town Council’s Charity Dinner Dance at the Manor function Centre on Saturday 23rd March 2024
The mayor judged the Children’s pictures at Tesco for Rotary on 26th March 2024
The mayor attended the Deepings Churches Together blessing of the Town Hall on Good Friday 28th March 2024
The mayor attended the opening night for the Circus on 4th April 2024

Clerk’s Report – 10 April 2024

187.  Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon

188.  Council Finances

a)  Income and expenditure by cost centre

Members had received a copy of the Council Finances and Omega report prior to the meeting. Cllr Broughton asked if there were any questions.  There were none.

b) Accounts to be paid for April 2024

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the council pay its bills for April 2024.  See appendix A. 

c) For members to review Council Finances to 31.3.24

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the Council Finances are in order. 

d) For members to consider Ear Marked Reserves to 31.3.24

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the Ear Marked Reserves were in order.  

e) For members to consider the asset register

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the asset register was in order.  

f) For members to review amounts paid under S137

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the amounts paid under S137 for 2023/24 and projected figures for 2024/25 were in order.  

g) For members to consider payments made under direct debits

It was RESOLVED unanimously to continue making payments via Direct Debit
 
189. For members to receive an update from Parish Council Engagement Session on Road Safety -JR

Cllr Ms Reed reported back about the session she had attended on 20th February led by Mark Jones PCCE via Teams.

Lincolnshire has a high number of accidents.  The South West are running a scheme called Vision Zero where no fatality is acceptable and Lincolnshire hope to emulate this.

Lincolnshire is first in the UK to run Operation Snap which encourages the general public to submit dashcam footage to the Police. They are engaging with the NHS, RAF and businesses and offering training.  They are trying to catch repeat offenders and have the motto “They can’t be everywhere but could be anywhere.” 

They have 1382 trained volunteers and Cllr Ms Reed was tasked with contacting the PCCE to find out how MDTC can get involved and get more volunteers.

Cllr Ms Reed was thanked for attending the meeting and feeding back to the Council. 

190. For members to consider a response to Local Plan Review 

DSJ Parish Councillor Gordon Smith has submitted a response on behalf of the DNP. 

The following response was sent on 24th April 2024:

John Hayes has written to Debbie Barnes asking for support regarding the Green Lane status for Millfield Road, which if granted will be the 1st quiet lane in Lincolnshire. 

Village services & Facilities survey 2024 

Cllr Dr Byrd explained that this was an additional piece of work to look at local amenities and suggested that a small working party was set up to complete the survey.  It was RESOLVED that the party comprise the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Cllr Dr Byrd, Cllr Shelton and Cllr Mrs Jones.

191. For members to consider locations for Electric vehicle chargers

A discussion took place regarding possible locations for fast charging electric vehicle chargers which were Coronation Hall Car Park, Eventus Centre, New River Retail car park, Community Centre.

Cllr Dr Byrd offered to feed back potential locations to SKDC.

192. For members to consider the Election of a new Councillor

As there has been no call to SKDC for an election to be held, it was RESOLVED to procced with the cooption for a new Councillor at the full Council meeting dated 12th June 2024.  

The deadline for applications from prospective new Councillors is 31st May 2024.

193. For members to consider meeting schedule for 2024/25

The meeting schedule for 2024/25 was reviewed and it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the dates for 2024/25.

194. For members to consider a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for The Spinney

As it is an area in which ashes are scattered, the Councillors feel that the PSPO is relevant and still needed.  It was RESOLVED unanimously to instruct the Clerk to contact SKDC to request that the PSPO is renewed.

195. For members to consider Grant Aid for Market Deeping Bowls Club

Cllr Mrs Sked proposed that a grant of £400 should be given with a further amount of £400 to be given if Deeping St James Parish Council (DSJPC) were not able to contribute, this was RESOLVED with 9 in favour and 1 against.

NB.  DSJPC voted to contribute £500 at their meeting on 23rd April 2024.

196. For members to consider funding for the Green Walk

Cllr Dr Byrd explained that she had put in a funding application to SKDC for 20 wayfinding posts, 10 activity trail posts and a number of benches.

It was RESOLVED unanimously, if the funding application is successful, to allocate £2,000 from the Planning and Highways budget (4498 -300 Benches and installation) towards 2 more benches on the Green Walk.  

197. For members to discuss forthcoming events:  Mayor’s Civic Dinner (20.04.24) Annual Town Meeting (30.04.24), Civic Service (9.6.24) Funday Sunday (7.7.24) and Celebration event.

Cllr Broughton brought the dates of the above events to members attention: 

Mayor’s Civic Dinner (20.04.24) – The Clerk reported that plans were in full swing and that approximately 40 tickets had been sold.

Annual Town meeting (30.4.24) - The Clerk advised there would be presentations by Lincolnshire County Council Waste Officers, Market Deeping Army Cadets, Deepings Rotary Club, Citizens Advice Bureau (Foodbank), Deeping Neighbourhood Plan and Deeping Men in shed. 

Stalls and displays are expected from Age Concern, The Lions, Deepings Men’s Group and the Deepings Youth Group amongst others.

Civic Service (9.6.24) – Councillors were reminded of the date

Funday Sunday (7.7.24) - The Clerk reported that the insurance, Community 4 x4, Vehicle show, Police and fire presence, first aid provision and permission from LCC were in the process of being organised.

Cllr Shelton proposed a contribution of £1,000 towards The Funday Sunday and stated that Deeping St James Parish Council were going to contribute the same amount, this was seconded by Cllr Broughton, this was RESOLVED unanimously.

Celebration Event – Cllr Mrs Jones reported that she was in the process of obtaining 3 quotes for an information lectern at Cardyke.  Cllr Mrs Jones will liaise with ex Cllr Mrs Redshaw regarding the wording and information to be displayed on it. 

198. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the public session 

There were none

199. Personnel Matters: Consideration to go into Closed Session to discuss: Staff Issues

The member of the public left at 8.55pm

It was RESOLVED unanimously to go into Closed Session to discuss staffing issues. 

Staff matters were discussed 

It was RESOLVED unanimously to end the Closed Session.

200. To consider items for inclusion on the agenda for the next meeting of the Town Council, to be held at the Town Hall, Market Deeping on 8 May 2024.

The Chairman thanked all members for attending and declared the meeting closed at 9.00 pm.  The next scheduled meeting of the Full Council will be held on Wednesday 8 May 2024.