FC July 2024 Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting of Market Deeping Town Council held on Wednesday 10th July 2024 at 7.30pm at the Town Hall, Market Deeping
Present:
Cllr Dr Byrd
Cllr Broughton
Cllr Wey
Cllr Ms Reed
Cllr Mr Piper
Cllr Mrs Sked
Cllr Mrs Steel
Cllr Guerge
Cllr Hanson
Cllr Miss Collins
The Clerk was also in attendance.
It was noted that due to the general election staff at SKDC had been working very hard.
Cllr Dr Byrd reported that a full report about West Deeping Gravel pits had been received. It was recognised that well-being of West Deeping’s residents was a priority. The Clerk was asked to forward this to members.
Cllr Dr Byrd said that she is on the following committees at SKDC:
• Rural and Communities (includes local policing)
• Planning Committee – solar farms are a big issue
• Standards Committee - Chair
There being no further business the public session was closed.
50. Chairman’s Welcome & Introductions
Cllr Dr Byrd again welcomed members to the meeting at 7.35pm.
51. To note apologies and accept valid reasons for absence
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Neilson, Cllr Hughes and Cllr Mrs Jones. These were accepted.
52. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were none.
53. Acceptance of the minutes of a meeting held on 12th June 2024
Cllr Dr Byrd asked members if they were to accept the minutes of the meeting of 12th June 2024. It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the notes of the meeting as a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
54. Reports: Including reports from Committees: Planning and Highways, DNP, AOS, Mayor’s diary and the Clerk’s report
Planning and Highways
Grass cutting issues will be discussed later in the Clerk’s report.
There has been a proposed reduction of speed on Northfield’s Road to 40mph. MDTC have responded that they would prefer this to be 30mph.
There is a consultation period in respect of double yellow lines on Dovecote Road. The Clerk was instructed to forward this to the resident who originally raised his concerns.
There has been a meeting regarding the proposed development on Wellington Way. The car parking spaces will be reduced and 3 bungalows are proposed in the car park.
Concerns have been raised regarding pubs and cafes who have seats on the pavement not holding pavement licenses. The Clerk is going to approach businesses and offer advice and assistance on how to obtain a license from Lincolnshire County Council. It was noted that A boards also require a license.
Deeping Neighbourhood Plan
Cllr Dr Byrd reported that a meeting for all DSJ and MDTC Councillors about Biodiversity Net Gain took place on 24th June 2024 in the Town Hall Chambers. This is likely to result in a reduction in back garden developments in the future, this dependent on the new Government’s policy.
The design code work is at the final draft stage.
A letter has been sent to New River Retail regarding Aldi.
Mayoral Diary
The Mayor waved off local England supporters who were heading off to watch the UEFA football tournament on 14th June 2024.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attended Peterborough City Council’s Mayors Installation at Town Hall for procession to Cathedral on 16 June 2024.
The Mayor attended the Deepings Rotary Annual dinner on Monday 1st July 2024
Clerk’s Report – 10 July 2024
All Councillors need to complete Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest forms. This needs to be completed annually and submitted to SKDC.
A new photocopier is being delivered next week.
Urban grass cutting – There continues to be numerous complaints regarding the grass cutting and the quality of the cut. The Clerks are responding to the residents and are continuing to liaise with Deeping St James and the contractor to ensure that this matter is rectified as soon as possible. A significant amount of time is being spent in dealing with this issue.
A lengthy discussion took place regarding the grass cutting. It was RESOVED that the Clerk should not pay any further invoices at this point.
The Clerk was instructed to request a meeting with Deeping St James Parish Council which Cllr Dr Byrd and Cllr Wey are to attend as representatives of the Planning and Highways Committee.
Legend on a bench – a meeting has taken place and a possible suitable location is being consulted upon with interested parties. A possible installation date is being sought and a celebration event may possibly take place between 16-18th September 2024.
Much work is being done by the Clerk, Cllr Mrs Steel and Cllr Hughes for the Deepings Funday Sunday which is taking place on 7th July 2024.
The Gate has been removed on Cross Road. A letter dated 20 January 2020 from Legal Services Lincolnshire stated that not all landowners agreed with the removal of public highway rights therefore Cross Road has to remain as a public highway and the gate had to be removed.
55. Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon
Correspondence to be Noted – Received up to 10 July 2024
| No. | Received From | Date | Received Subject | Committee Response |
| 1 | LALC | 14.6.24 | eNews to 14.6.24 | Noted |
| 2 | Cllr Stevens | 27.6.24 | SKDC Arts Consultation | Noted |
| 3 | Rural Services Network | 28.6.24 | Rural Funding digest | Noted |
| 4 | LALC | 14.6.24 | eNews to 14.6.24 | Noted |
| 5 | Walk and talk movement | 18.6.24 | The Walk and Talk Movement | Cllrs Mrs Steel is going to refer existing walking groups from The Deepings to the Walk and Talk Movement |
| 6 | Age Lincs UK | 17.6.24 | Connect to support Lincolnshire | Noted |
| 7 | LALC | 28.6.24 | eNews to 28.6.24 | Noted |
Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 10 July 2024
| No. | Received From | Date Received | Subject | Committee Response |
| 1 | Deep in Kindness | 26.6.24 | Grant AID application – A trip to the beach £1,000 | Application withdrawn |
| 2 | Cllr Baxter | 10.6.24 | Paddock parking | This will be monitored |
| 3 | SKDC | 26.6.24 | Sustainability project – Glebe field | This will be referred to AOS agenda |
56. 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 Dr Byrd asked if there were any questions. There were none.
b) Accounts to be paid July and August 2024
It was RESOLVED that the council pay its’ bills for July and August 2024. See appendix A. Discussion took place regarding grass cutting this was reported in the Clerk’s report.
c) For members to review Council Finances to 30.6.24
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the report.
d) For members to review S137 payments
It was RESOLVED to accept the S137 payments as correct.
e) For members to review the Internal Auditor’s report for May
It was RESOLVED to accept the report and noted that the report said “Really good records held providing a good audit trail.”
57. For members to appoint a new Councillor
Cllr Franz Guerge was unanimously appointed as a Councillor. The Councillors introduced themselves to him.
58. For members to consider and adopt changes to Standing order 5e.
It was RESOLVED unanimously that Standing order 5e should read:
5. Ordinary council meetings
a In an election year, the annual meeting of the council shall be held on or within 14 days following the day on which the new Councillors elected take office.
b In a year which is not an election year, the annual meeting of a council shall be held on such day in May as the council decides.
c If no other time is fixed, the annual meeting of the council shall take place at 6pm.
d In addition to the annual meeting of the council, at least three other ordinary meetings shall be held in each year on such dates and times as the council directs.
e The first business conducted at the annual meeting of the council shall be the election of the Mayor who is the Chairman and Deputy Mayor who is the Deputy-Chairman of the Council.
The position of Mayor will be held for one year only and shall not be held by the same person for a further period of four years.
The process of election by formal, written nomination forms to be issued at least two weeks prior to the election date for return before the meeting. within 7 days of the issue date, allowing sufficient time for the Proper Officer to collate all nominations.
Each nomination requires a proposer and a seconder and acceptance by the nominee. The proposer can only nominate one candidate for each position. the post of Deputy Mayor. Nominees shall be advised of their nomination prior to election. and be requested to accept or decline the nomination.
The position of Deputy Mayor shall be voted on at the May meeting. (already specified above). In the case of prolonged sickness, the Deputy Mayor shall take on the Mayor's role. An election shall take place to elect the second deputy. Should the Mayor return from illness during his/her mayoral year the Deputy Mayor would resume his/her position of office. and a newly elected Deputy would stand down.
Words in red are additional words
Words struck through are to be deleted.
Standing order 5e now reads:
The process of election by formal, written nomination forms to be issued at least two weeks prior to the election date for return before the meeting.
Each nomination requires a proposer and a seconder and acceptance by the nominee. The proposer can only nominate one candidate for each position.
Should the Mayor return from illness during his/her mayoral year the Deputy Mayor would resume his/her position
In the case of prolonged sickness, the Deputy Mayor shall take on the Mayor's role.
59. For members to receive an update on the Section 106 agreement - PH
Cllr Hanson has obtained the paperwork and gave an update on the Section 106 agreement. It is felt that there is now only one issue holding up the agreement and the Anglian water transfer is complete. It was noted that a RoSPA report still needs to be undertaken to ensure that the play equipment is in good repair before handover.
The matter has been referred to SKDC to resolve.
60. For members to consider a new phone and broadband contract
The Clerk suggested that the existing provider should be retained because this would ensure that there is full continuity of service, particularly as MDTC is a burial board.
It was RESOLVED with 9 in favour and 1 against to go with the 60-month contract at a cost of £90 exc. VAT which is cheaper than the existing contract.
61. For members to consider the purchase of bleed kits
Cllr Ms Reed presented this in the absence of Cllr Mrs Jones.
Bleed kits save lives. They can be used in stabbings, traffic accidents, work/ domestic related injuries. A bleed out can cause a fatality in less than 4 minutes.
There is a shortage of bleed kits in our area and our nearest bleed kit is at the Ice Rink in Bretton, Peterborough. Bleed kits can be kept in defibrillators and are known to save lives. Users who administer first aid are protected from prosecution in the event of failure by the Good Samaritan Law.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to purchase 3 bleed kits at £85 plus VAT and publicise their existence to members of the public via our website and social media.
Cllr Mrs Jones was commended for her through research
62. For Councillors to consider health care provision
Cllr Ms Reed has approached the Deeping’s Health Centre who appear to be willing to facilitate a meeting with the Council.
Cllr Ms Reed and Cllr Mrs Steel will take this forward.
The Clerk was requested to make this a permanent agenda item.
63. For members to discuss forthcoming events: Remembrance events, Christmas Market (1.12.24) and Celebration event.
Remembrance events
Remembrance parade was discussed at length. It was acknowledged that Market Deeping’s service in the morning is oversubscribed but there are insufficient numbers at Deeping St James in the afternoon. A solution needs to be considered in consultation with both Churches.
Christmas Market (1.12.24)
A discussion took place regarding fees. It was RESOLVED to increase fees by £10 per stall and to charge food stalls an additional amount for vehicles remaining on site.
A budget of £3,000 was RESOLVED unanimously from EMR347.
The Clerks will shortly start to issue application forms to stall holders.
Celebration event
No further update available at this time.
Walking the footpaths
Cllr Piper, Cllr Sked and Cllr Steel agreed to talk this forward and arrange the event.
64. For members to discuss and consider any points raised in the public session
A discussion took place regarding an overgrown hedge. It was stated that SKDC will take enforcement action if issues are reported to them.
65. Personnel Matters: Consideration to go into Closed Session to discuss: Plaques
A discussion of a confidential nature took place regarding plaques and chains
74. To consider items for inclusion on the agenda items for next meeting of the Town Council, to be held at The Town Hall, Market Deeping on Wednesday 11 September 2024
The Chairman thanked all members for attending and declared the meeting closed at 9.30 pm. The next scheduled meeting of the Full Council will be held on Wednesday 11 September 2024.