MEETING OF ROPSLEY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
Notes of the Ropsley & District Parish Council Meeting held in the Memorial Hall, Ropsley on Thursday 20 March 2014
at 7.15pm.
Public Forum: The Chairman, Councillor Arundel welcomed 23 parishioners to the meeting and ascertained the
reasons for their attendance.
Mr Clark addressed Council Members stating that he and his wife would like to proceed with the application to reposition their son’s coffin. Councillor Arundel asked Mr Clark to liaise with Holland’s Funeral Director in the first
instance. It was agreed that all parties involved wanted to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion. Mr Clark was
asked to communicate with the Parish Council through the Clerk. Mr Clark thanked Council Members and left the
meeting.
The remaining parishioners wished to address the council following the submission of two planning applications
relating to the Ropsley Fox namely S14/0401, the erection of three detached dwellings and S14/0402, the change of
use of the public house to three dwellings and one shop. Councillor Arundel informed the parishioners that the Parish
Council would submit their views to the planning department at South Kesteven District Council (hereafter referred to
as SKDC).
Mr Chambers reported that one of the proposed detached dwellings will back onto his property and he claimed that
its size will lead to a loss of privacy, a loss of light and ultimately a reduction in their quality of life. He also stated that
the development would devalue the price of his property. He explained that he and his wife were opposed to the
development and had already submitted a letter to the case officer at SKDC.
Mr Chambers, supported by both Ms Baker and Mrs Pointon’s, also went on to say that in his opinion, the public house
as a business had been deliberately ‘run into the ground’ to make way for this proposed ‘money making’ development.
Mr Chambers stated that the proposed shop is a ‘sweetener’ to rally public support for the development. There was
general consensus among other parishioners present indicated by their verbal responses of ‘here’.
Mrs Miles added that there was no guarantee that the shop would ever open and she termed this a ‘smokescreen’.
Mr Newton asked how the residents of Ropsley would benefit from the development. His view was that if the shop
did open, ’it would not last five minutes’ as parishioners do the bulk of their shopping elsewhere.
Nr Newton put forward the argument that the Ropsley Fox car park is used by the parents at school drop off and pick
up times. He felt that the loss of this facility would lead to highways safety issues including an increased risk to
pedestrians, especially during construction phase. Ms Baker agreed with Mr Newton’s comments and added that the
development would have a negative impact on the locality as the loss of the car park would ultimately place unfair
pressure on the residents of School Lane from increased parking during these times. She also highlighted the loss of
safe access for the children to school.
Ms Baker raised the issue of the social impact of a village shop, in particular the selling of alcohol to young people, she
queried whether this might lead to an increase in social delinquency and criminality.
Mr Thomas noted the loss of employment opportunities for local people from cleaning staff to bar staff. Mr Docherty
raised the issue of a public house viability test and irregularities with the application.
Mr Wade said that in his opinion the village could not support any further housing due to the unsustainability of the
parish including the lack of retail facilities, a post office, the absence of medical services, the traffic and transport
infrastructure and drainage and sewage capacity among others.
Ms Barratt pointed out that there are currently 13 houses for sale in the parish, some of which have been on the
property market for over a year. She asked why the village needed more for sale signs.
District Councillor Peter Stephens introduced himself to parishioners and he asked that they be concise, coherent and
be mindful of material considerations in their response to the application.
Parish Council Meeting
1.0
WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman, Councillor J Arundel welcomed Members to the meeting and thanked them for their
attendance. Those in attendance: Councillors Coulthard, Gosbee, Grossmith, Rowbotham and Sentence.
2.0
2.1
APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillors Leslie and Sheard. Reasons for absence noted and accepted.
3.0
3.1
DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS
Councillor Arundel reported her interests in relation to LIVES and agenda item 10.8.1.
4.0
4.1
SIGNING OF THE MINUTES
The Clerk’s notes from the meeting of Thursday 9 January 2014 were agreed to be a true and accurate
record and were signed and dated accordingly by Councillor Arundel.
5.0
5.1
CLERK’S REPORT
Councillor Arundel reported that the remaining three defibrillators had now been purchased and were being
held at LIVES Headquarters pending collection.
The Clerk informed Members that the letter received from Miss Parker, Areas Planning Officer, SKDC dated 27
January 2014 indicated that planning consent was not required for the siting of a defibrillator at 4 Chapel Hill.
The Clerk informed Members that Miss Parker’s letter dated 28 January 2014 reference College Farm, Braceby
indicated that an application for listed building consent was required.
Action: The Clerk is to liaise with Councillor Leslie to complete the listed building consent application form.
Councillor Arundel presented the two quotations received from Registered Electricians in relation to the
installation of the defibrillators. Councillor Arundel proposed that Mr Smith install the defibrillator at the
Ropsley MOT Centre and Mr Bush install the Sapperton and Braceby defibrillator. Members resolved to
approve the proposal and expenditure involved.
5.1.1
5.1.2
5.1.3
5.2
The Clerk provided Council Members with a copy of the asset register noting the absence of audit values.
Action: Clerk to draft a letter to Mr Harden in relation to the bench in Humby. Clerk to obtain audit values.
5.3
The Clerk provided Council Members with a copy of the February risk assessment document and highlighted
the assets that require attention. Members agreed to enlist the services of a local handyperson to provide a
quotation for repairs to be presented at the May meeting.
Action: Councillor Arundel to liaise with Mr Rudkin. Councillor Gosbee to action repairs to cemetery gate.
5.4
Members agreed to defer the adoption of new Model Standing Orders and the Model Publication Scheme to
the May meeting.
5.5
The Clerk informed Members that they could apply to SKDC for a Councillor copy of the electoral register. The
Clerk read out regulation 103 which stipulates that ‘no councillor may supply of copy of the full register to any
person, disclose any such information contained in it that is not contained in the edited register, or make use
of any such information, otherwise than for the purposes in connection with the office by virtue of which he/she
is entitled to the full register or for electoral purposes’.
Action: Clerk to submit Councillor Sentence and Rowbotham’s applications to SKDC.
5.6
Members noted the email dated 27 February 2014 received from Mr Mason in relation the request for
contributions to fund a seat in recognition of Roman & Ann Hoffman dedication to the Village Hall Committee.
Members agreed to defer this to agenda item 10.8.
5.7
The Clerk informed Members that Mr C Coyle would be able to continue in his community cleaning role for
the 2014/2015 season. Mr Coyle had expressed a desire for one of his sibling to succeed him. Members
agreed that the post will be re-advertised.
Action: Clerk to respond to Mr Coyle’s email.
5.8
The Clerk informed Members that a letter had been sent to Nick Boles MP from Debbie Barnes, Director of
Children’s Services at Lincolnshire County Council dated 17 February 2014 in relation to the school bus service.
The Clerk apologised to Council Members for not circulating with this item with the agenda.
Councillor Arundel reported that Marion Overton, a Lincolnshire County Councillor and MP had encountered
a similar problem in another parish and their short term solution to the problem had been to use Call Connect.
Action: Clerk to circulate the letter to Councillors.
5.9
The Clerk reminded the Council of the importance of posting notices to noticeboards and of the legal
implications of failing to do so. There was general discussion surrounding the issue.
5.10
There was general discussion surrounding the subject but Council Members agreed to invite the community
cleaners and those organisations awarded Section 137 funding to the Annual Parish Meeting.
Action: Clerk to send out invitations and to confirm availability of the village hall from 6.45 on 8 May 2014.
5.11
Councillor Rowbotham reported that the noticeboard in Humby was irreparable. A parishioner has offered to
replace the noticeboard and Councillor Rowbotham queried whether some funding might be available to
offer to the donor as a good will gesture.
Action: Clerk to liaise with insurance company.
5.12 Councillor Arundel updated Council Members regarding emails received from a parishioner reference:
5.12.1 Members noted the comments in relation to the solar farm.
5.12.2 Members noted that a motorbike club has been granted permission to use of Robert Hazelwood’s field behind
Chain Lane for motorbike scrambling up to a maximum of 14 times per year. Councillor Arundel reported that
the parishioner had been concerned about noise pollution.
6.0
COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCIL & COMMUNITY MATTERS
6.1
6.2
County Councillor M Hill. Not present.
District Councillor P Stephens left the meeting at the conclusion of the public forum.
7.0
7.1
HIGHWAYS
The Clerk told Members, in an email dated 17 January 2014, that Mr Frisby, SKDC had said the trees on Hall
Close and Chapel Hill would be attended to prior to the end of February. Council Members reported the work
as still outstanding.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Steve Frisby.
7.2
Councillor Arundel summarised the email received from Bryan Gault dated 10 March 2014 in relation to
outstanding highways works.
 Grit bin, Braceby to be assessed over the next few days.
 Braceby Road not included in previous surface dressing to be including in the forthcoming scheme for
Chain Lane later in the year.
 Infilling of potholes (a number of locations).
 Enquiries to be made with Signs and Lines team in relation to signage for the A52/Long Lane junction.
 Footway reconstruction in front of the Church has been scheduled for the 2014/2015 financial year.
 Chain Lane Hedge is to be addressed along with the trees at Chain Farm House.
 Church Lane, Great Humby to be resurfaced in the coming financial year.
Action: Clerk to investigate the nature of the work forcing the closure of Sapperton Road (7 days).
Clerk to investigate whether Church Lane in Great Humby has been adopted. Clerk to make
enquiries in relation to the adoption of Water Lane.
7.3
Council Members discussed the removal of residue from ditches/dykes on the road past the golf course from
Old Somerby to Ropsley. Mr Gault from the Area Highways Department has informed the Clerk that this is in
contravention of the Highways Act, Section 148/9. Mr Gault has written to Ropsley Farms to request they
remove the detritus. Failure to do so will ultimately lead to clearance by Lincolnshire County Council with
Ropsley Farms being billed accordingly.
8.0
8.1
8.1.1
PLANNING MATTERS
Decisions received since the last meeting:
S13/2717/FULL/PC1 – Mr D Timms, 24 The Chapel, Chapel Hill, Ropsley – Domestic transformations (Change
of use from commercial to residential dwelling including removal of front boundary wall to create off street
parking. Member noted that this application had been withdrawn by applicant.
8.2
8.2.1
Applications awaiting decision.
S14/0188 – Mr D Timms, 24 The Chapel, Chapel Hill, Ropsley – Domestic transformations.
This has been resubmitted in place of D13/2717 above. The Clerk had submitted Members’ response to the
plans to SKDC.
S14/0313 – Mr Handley, 17 Church Lane, Ropsley – Erection of a single storey detached garage to the front of
the dwelling. Noted.
S14/0401 – Mr Smith, Ropsley Fox, 23-25 High Street, Ropsley – Erection of three detached dwellings.
Councillor Arundel circulated an email from Mr Smith dated 20 March 2014 which accounted for the
unsustainability of the Ropsley Fox. There was general discussion surrounding the item but Members agreed
to submit the comments made during the public forum to SKDC on behalf of the parishioners.
S14/0402 – Mr Smith, Ropsley Fox, 23-25 High Street, Ropsley – Change of use of the public house to three
dwellings and one shop. See 8.2.3 above.
8.2.2
8.2.3
8.2.4
9.0
9.1
CEMETERY
Members resolved to approve the memorial for David Edwin Smith from G H Linnel Stonemasons.
9.2
Councillor Arundel with the full agreement of Members and in accordance with the Public Bodies Act
1960 moved the meeting to closed session due to the sensitive nature of items to be discussed.
Councillor Arundel re-opened the meeting following discussion.
9.3
Members noted the burial charges for other local burial authorities including Ancaster, Ingoldsby and
Barkston.
9.4
The Clerk recommended to the Council that Mr Barnacle’s firm of Gravediggers be contracted by the Parish
Council as the Parish Council gravedigger. There was general discussion in relation to the item. Councillor
Arundel reported the high standard of Mr Barnacle’s work. The Clerk reported that their fees are
comparable with the charges that Hollands pass onto their clients. Council Members resolved to approve Mr
Barnacle as their Parish Council’s contracted grave-digger for all future burials.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Mr Barnacle. Clerk to provide Councillor Grossmith with the necessary details.
9.5
Councillor Arundel presented the Ropsley and District Cemetery Rules and Regulations.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Councillor Arundel to amend headstone dimension. Document to be circulated.
10.0
10.1
FINANCE
Interest and income noted on bank reconciliation.
10.2
10.2.1
10.2.2
10.2.3
10.2.4
10.2.5
10.2.6
10.2.7
10.2.8
10.2.9
To note payments made since January meeting (with authorisation of two signatories).
Autela Payroll Services (Payroll backdated to April 2013)
£63.00
Autela Payroll Services (January)
£10.50
Autela Payroll Services (February)
£10.50
Anglian Water
£33.93
Clerk’s January Hours 35.5 includes general/cemetery
£298.91
Clerk’s Contacted Hours February 12 hours
£101.04
HMRC
-£79.80
Clerk’s Wage with HMRC Deduction
£320.15
LIVES (approved at the November meeting)
£2002.86
10.3
10.3.1
10.3.2
10.3.3
Members resolved to approve the following payments:
LALC Annual Subscription (April 2014- March 2015)
LALC Annual Training Scheme (April 2014-March 2015)
SKDC Business Rates Bill for 2014-2015
£228.47
£70.00
£0.00
10.3.4 Clerk’s Wage, March
10.3.5 Clerk’s Expenses
Photographs
Envelopes
Ink
10.3.6
10.3.7
10.3.8
10.3.9
HMRC
Autela (March Invoice 4921)
December/January Mileage 96 miles
Fuel, Barry Buxton (January, February, March)
£96.76
£4.29
£1.10
£4.99
£10.38
£101.20
£10.50
£43.20
£43.40
There was general discussion regarding the LALC annual training fee of £70.00. Members agreed against this
payment.
10.4
The Clerk explained that Councillor Rowbotham had made a mathematical error in relation to the invoice that
she submitted at the January meeting, minute reference 10c. A further reimbursement of £7.98 to Councillor
Rowbotham for expenses incurred was due. Members resolved to approve the payment.
10.5 The Clerk informed Members that there was no error in relation to the Clerk’s wages as recorded on the bank
reconciliation.
10.6 The income and expenditure account was verified and signed and dated accordingly by Councillor Sentence.
10.7 The Clerk updated Members in relation to Payroll Services:
10.7.1 The Clerk informed Members that Autela Payroll Services had suggested that the community cleaners should
be classed as employees as they do not fall within the self-employed category.
Action: Councillor Arundel to investigate employment legislation and advice from third parties.
10.7.2 The Clerk informed Members that Autela Payroll Services would be increasing their prices by 25p per month.
10.7.3 The Clerk updated Members in relation to pension legislation, auto-enrolment and the staging date.
10.8
10.8.1
10.8.2
10.8.3
10.8.4
10.8.5
10.8.6
Council Members reviewed the Section 137 requests.
Lives First Responder Group. Members resolved to award £126.00
Ropsley Village Playground Committee (annual safety inspection). Members resolved to award £196.00.
Ropsley Baboons Cricket Club (replacement cricket nets). Members resolved to award £176.00
Ropsley Baboons Junior Cricket Club (junior safety equipment). Members resolved to award £126.00.
Ropsley Colts Football Club. Members resolved to award £176.00.
Members resolved to award £100.00 to the Village Hall Seat in honour of Roman and Ann Hoffman and
£100.00 to St Peter’s PCC and £1200.00 to the Village Hall Committee.
Action: Clerk to inform applicants and effect payments. Clerk to add Section 137 grants policy to the May
agenda.
11.0
11.1
11.5
11.6
CORRESPONDENCE
Members noted the letter received from Jonathan Platt, Head of Libraries & Heritage, LCC dated 13 January
2014 reference Changes to Library Provision in Lincolnshire (circulated by email 27 January 2014) indicating
that Ropsley and Humby will continue to receive some form of mobile library service.
Members noted the letter reference Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment 2014 dated 6 February
2014 from Rachel Armstrong, Senior Planning Policy Officer, SKDC (circulated by email 11 February 2014).
LALC News, Winter 2014 (circulation file). Noted.
Email from LALC dated 13 February 2014 reference Financial Briefing F01-14 – Repeal of Section 150 of the
Local Government Act 1972 with regard to cheque signatories (circulated by email 19 February 2014). The
Clerk informed Members that new model Financial Regulations had been introduced to cover the repeal of
the two signature rule.
Action: Clerk to add to the May agenda.
Email from LALC reference the Local Accountability Act dated 20 February 2014. Noted.
Parish Update, February 2014 (circulation file). Noted.
12.0
12.1
DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS
2014: 8 May (AGM Parish & Parish Council Meeting), 10 July, 11 September, 13 November.
11.2
11.3
11.4
Councillor Arundel closed the meeting at 9.42pm.