P&H 2020 Minutes

Market Deeping Town Council – Planning and Highways Committee

Minutes of a meeting of Market Deeping Town Council’s Planning and Highways Committee held on Wednesday 5th February 2020 at 7pm in the Town Hall, Market Deeping.

Cllr Brookes presided over Cllr Hembrow, Cllr Mrs Redshaw and Cllr Davis. The Deputy Clerk was also in attendance and there were 5 members of the public present.

135 Chairman’s Welcome

The meeting opened at 7pm. Cllr Brookes welcomed everyone and wished everyone and invited the members of the public to speak and they collectively voiced their concerns regarding Lincolnshire County Council’s decision not to pursue an Order removing the public highway rights over Cross Road, Market Deeping. Cllr Brookes thanked them for their attendance and the public session closed at 7.20pm

7.20pm Cllr Miss Moran joined the meeting.

136 Apologies for Absences

Apologies had been received prior to the meeting from Cllr Shelton and Cllr Lester.

137 To Receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011

Declarations of interest made and recorded by Cllr Davis in relation to Agenda Item 11.

138 Minutes from the Meeting dated Wednesday 8th January 2020.

Cllr Brookes asked the committee if they were to accept the minutes of the meeting dated Wednesday 8th January 2020. It was proposed by Cllr Brookes, seconded by Cllr Hembrow and Resolved unanimously that the minutes should be signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting. The minutes were signed accordingly.

139 Clerk’s Report

Members had received a report prior to the meeting.

140 Correspondence to be Noted

Members had received a copy of the correspondence prior to the meeting.

Correspondence to be Noted – Planning & Highways Committee –February 2020

141 Correspondence to be Acted Upon

Members had received a copy of the correspondence prior to the meeting.

Correspondence to be Acted upon – Planning & Highways Committee – February 2020

142 Finance - Omega Report: Review of performance to date, budget/expenditure/income

The Deputy Clerk had provided a report at the meeting. Cllr Brookes asked if members had any queries regarding the report. Cllr Miss Moran enquired as to whether all outgoing payments for the Christmas Market had been made and the Deputy Clerk stated that there were still 2 payments awaited. There were no other issues.

143 For members to review the Council’s policies relating to the Green Walk

Members reviewed the Council’s current policies. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Redshaw, seconded by Cllr Miss Moran and Resolved unanimously to approve the current documents without amendment. Members then agreed that following the possible adoption of the proposed Neighbourhood Plan there would be no further need for separate policies on the Green Walk. Consideration should therefore be given to the withdrawal of these policies once the Neighbourhood Plan had been adopted.

Planning

144 To consider the planning applications up to 5th February 2020, as per SKDC Weekly Planning lists

145 Planning applications and their results received up to the 5th February 2020

Cllr Mrs Redshaw stated that it was important to hear the views of the residents on any proposed Planning Application and requested that the Deputy Clerk, when displaying the proposals on the Town Council noticeboard, add a clearly visible line of text, to invite members of the public to come along to the meetings or contact the Council with their views. This the Deputy Clerk agreed to do.

146 For Members to Review Compliance with Planning Conditions for Major Developments

Cllr Brookes stated that it is important that the Town Council is aware of any issues arising with regard to compliance as developments progress.

a) Persimmons Homes, Godsey Lane

The Deputy Clerk informed the members that, as mentioned in the Clerk’s report, a letter had been sent to the SKDC Enforcement Officer with a copy sent to both LCC and the town’s representing LCC Councillor, expressing the Town Council’s disappointment regarding SKDC decision not to pursue compliance with the planning condition for Persimmon to provide the town with a pedestrian crossing facility. A response was awaited.

b) Larkfleet Homes Development, Northfield Road

There are no issues to report at this time.

c) Housing Development, Halfleet/Towngate East

There are no issues to report at this time.

d) Linden Homes, Linchfield Road (Deeping St James)

There were no issues to report at this time.

147 For Members to Review the Progress of, and issues relating to, Section 106 Agreements.

The Deputy Clerk informed the members that instruction was awaited from SKDC regarding the next steps to take following SKDC’s receipt of the monies allocated, in the S106 Agreement relating to The Town Gate Inn development, for improvement works on Greensland and Cherry Tree Park.

Highways

148 For Members to consider issues relating to the 2020 Town Christmas Tree

It was proposed by Cllr Davis, seconded by Cllr Miss Moran and Resolved unanimously to continue to provide a real Christmas Tree for the people of Market Deeping, and that the tree should be sourced locally from a sustainable grower. The Deputy Clerk informed the Committee that the provider of last year’s tree had been in touch to confirm a suitable tree had been identified for this year and has invited the Town Council to pay a deposit. The Committee agreed that a deposit could be paid.

149 For Members to consider issues relating to grass cutting

The Deputy Clerk reported that the Clerk to DSJPC had confirmed that DSJPC had voted and agreed that the current contractor was their preferred choice to continue to provide the grass cutting services for both parishes. The Committee considered that, due to the number of complaints received from members of the public during last year’s grass cutting season, the Council should endeavour to provide a better service to the people of Market Deeping and choose a different contractor. The Committee agreed that they would prefer that the contact be given to EnvironmentSK. The Deputy Clerk was asked to contact DSJPC and work out a way forward.

150 For Members to discuss the implementation of a Community Speed Watch (CSW) Programme

The Deputy Clerk had provided members with a guide to the implementation of a CSW Programme prior to the meeting. Cllr Miss Moran informed the Committee that there were now 3 volunteers, including herself, that were undertaking the necessary training and, as this was the minimum required for a Programme to be set up, she was keen to progress this to the next stage. Cllr Miss Moran informed the Committee that she would contact the local coordinator and enquire about how to progress this forward and if there was any equipment readily available for the Council to borrow. Cllr Miss Moran agreed to report back at the following meeting.

151 For Members to review reported highway issues

The Deputy Clerk informed the members that the LCC had been advised of the following:

Highway Issues – Planning & Highways Committee –February 2020

With regard to listed item 4, members requested that the Deputy Clerk ascertain whether the removed sections of railing would be replaced. Cllr Hembrow expressed concern regarding the delamination of sections of Church Street and its general poor state of repair. Cllr Davis reported the continuing issue of littering along the hedgerows of the A1175 and requested that the Deputy Clerk once again further report this.

152 For Members to receive an update on the review of the Council’s current bus stop provision

The Deputy Clerk had provided a copy of the LCC Bus Shelter Grant Scheme to members prior to the meeting. As yet, it has not been decided whether LCC is to offer this scheme in the next financial year. If the scheme is available, then grants will be awarded on a first come first served basis. The Deputy Clerk informed members that an application form had been requested and it was important to ascertain the Committee’s preferences so that an application could be submitted as soon as practicable after the beginning of April. Members agreed that a shelter similar to those provided by DSJPC, possibly in black with gold lettering, would meet the Council’s requirements and the Deputy Clerk was asked to make further enquiries.

Cllr Mrs Redshaw stated that the existing heritage style bus shelters, particularly those on Church St, were looking very tired and in need of repainting and repairing and requested that this also be undertaken. Cllr Mrs Redshaw also asked the Deputy Clerk to identify the supplier of the heritage shelters in case replacements were considered appropriate. Cllr Hembrow agreed to look at the shelters and give his opinion as to the necessary repair work required.

Cllr Brookes further mentioned that regular meetings were held between local council representatives and local bus companies and it was important that Market Deeping Town Council also had representation. Cllr Brookes agreed to attend these meetings in future.

Conservation Area

153 For members to review any issues relating to the Conservation Area

Cllr Mrs Redshaw requested that further enquiries be made regarding the purple paint used on the windows of The Square. Cllr Hembrow raised concerns regarding the work currently being undertaken on the former “Hop Kweng” and in particular it’s listed building status and the planning permissions currently granted. The Committee agreed that Cllr Hembrow could act on behalf of the Council and make further enquiries to the Conservation Officer at SKDC. Cllr Mrs Redshaw informed the committee that a new sign had also appeared on the Factory Shop.

154 For Members to review any matters arising from the public session

Members discussed the issues raised by the members of the public and agreed that it was a matter of concern to the whole town. Cllr Davis suggested that councillors meet with the one landowner opposed to the progression of the Order to remove public highway rights and discuss the matter directly with him. Cllr Brookes agreed that this could be considered as a way forward. Members agreed that the Deputy Clerk should enquire as to whether LCC had identified Cross Road for any future use or upgrade, in particular, as a possible access onto the bypass. This would serve to reduce congestion through the town in addition to removing the threat from unauthorised encampments.

There being no other business, Cllr Brookes closed the meeting at 8.30pm. The next meeting was scheduled for Wednesday 4th March 2020 at 7pm.