MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SCAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2025 AT BSA HALL, AISTHORPE AT 7.00PM
ATTENDANCE: Cllrs. Bulteel (In the Chair), Newham, Patterson, Rumble, Sneath, Somerville and Thompson together with County Councillor Butroid, Brian Elliott (Parish Clerk) and six members of the public.
APOLOGIES –There were no apologies for absence.
REGISTER OF MEMBERS’ INTEREST
Members of the Council were reminded that at any time during the meeting they could declare an interest, but none were needed.
0206-01 OPEN SESSION – Councillors heard (a) an outline of reactions to ideas for changes to 11 High Street, Scampton, (b) appreciation from the ROSE group for the recent donation and a copy of the results of their recent survey.
Any response to item (a) must await the request for comments on the formal planning application but this has yet to arrive.
0206-02 MINUTES – Cllr. Bulteel proposed, and Cllr. Sneath seconded, the approval of the previous meeting's minutes and their signature as an accurate record.
0206-03 VILLAGE SIGNS – Changes to the height of the new Scampton Village signs had been delayed, but should be completed shortly.
0206-04 HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS – A report on the speed recording equipment was noted, as was the police view that hand held equipment could be used, simply for information purposes, between Scampton and Aisthorpe.
County Councillor Butroid reported on planned work on the return of a salt bin at Scampton Cliff, the appearance of the Showground roundabout and pavement damage in Scampton Village. However, requests for a 50mph speed limit between Tillbridge Lane and the edge of Scampton Village had been rejected as the accident record there was good.
Meanwhile, though, a site meeting had also been proposed to consider bus stops, footpaths to – and near - the new filling station as well as how best to tackle the dangerous exit onto the A15 from Scampton Cliff.
0206-05 LITTER PICKS – These would take place on 16 March, 29 June, 21 September and 23 November. In addition, Parish Councillors should monitor the volume of material in selected dog waste bins to see whether they should be emptied weekly, instead of fortnightly as at present. The District Council prefer this approach rather than providing more bins.
0206-06 WEB PAGE & SOCIAL MEDIA: Nothing to report.
0206-07 NOTICE BOARDS: It was proposed by Cllr Bulteel, seconded by Cllr Patterson and agreed that new (larger and higher quality) notice boards should be bought to replace the current weather damaged ones.
Action: Cllr Patterson to discuss with Sturton-by-Stow.
0206-08 BUS SHELTER MAINTENANCE: Of the four quotes received for work on the shelter opposite Scampton church, it was decided to accept the offer by Ryland Decorators, although the finished colour had yet to be resolved. This was proposed by Cllr Somerville and seconded by Cllr Patterson.
Action: Councillor Newham.
0206-09 FUTURE OF SCAMPTON – Cllr Bulteel reported that West Lindsey District Council’s proposal to buy the former RAF Camp site still needed ministerial approval. If successful, the Council then planned to re-sell the site to Scampton Holdings – although the process is lengthy. They did not envisage any part of the site being used for piecemeal development. More details may emerge when the District Council meets local Parish Councils early in March.
0206-10 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN – Uncertainty over the future of the former RAF Camp site made some aspects of compiling a Neighbourhood Plan difficult, but action would begin soon on the scoping work, which was more general in nature.
0206-11 IT AND PLANS FOR A PROJECTOR – The DVD approved at the December meeting is expected to be delivered shortly and acquisition of a dedicated projector is being explored – with the possible involvement of another potential user. Meanwhile, insurance cover would be discussed with the Village Hall Committee.
As for IT., Cllr Newman stressed the need for Council business to be restricted to its own email service as security issues arose if private emails were used.
0206-12 HEALTH & SAFETY- Nothing new to report.
0206-13 ENERGY – Potential contractors for maintenance work on lamp standards have been slow to provide estimates, so alternative action would now be considered.
0206-14 COMMUNITY SOCIAL EVENTS – Vendors and other suppliers had been booked for the Dambusters Flypast and the date was fixed for 10 May – although insurance requirements needed to be clarified.
Cllr Newham would investigate the costs for the suggested firework display while we should find out the dates of neighbouring Christmas events before deciding on our own event.
0206-15 POLICIES – No changes were needed to the policies in respect of Social Media, Expenses or Health & Safety although a new Accident Book was needed.
0206-16 FUTURE PLANS – There seemed no major problems repeating the Community Skips event although delivery and collection of a skip on a Saturday could be difficult. The site or sites on Scampton Cliff also needed to be finalised.
0206-17 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – Cllr Patterson reported that wardens now toured the District checking on, and dealing with, dog waste problems and incidences of anti-social behaviour. In addition, a recent Peer Review has been broadly positive in its conclusions about West Lindsey Council.
0206-18 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT – County Councillor Butroid reported that the Mayoral election on 1 May would go ahead although it was known that County Council elections had been deferred for a year.
0206-19 CORRESPONDENCE – Items considered included (a) the increase (from £106 to £110) of Defibrillator maintenance, (b) an enquiry about a lamp standard at Rutland Way, (c) a campaign to improve safety around lithium batteries, (d) questions about seats and dog walking, that Cllr Newman had dealt with, (e) requested information about broadband and (f) routine updates from the Parish and Town Council newsletter and, from LALC, about training.
Item (a) was accepted, items (d) and (f) were noted while items (c) and (e) would be investigated further. However, National Grid would be told that the lamp in question was not one of the Parish Councils [item(b)].
0206-20 FINANCE – The meeting (a) approved the payments in the attached schedule (proposed by Cllrs Newman and Patterson) (b) heard that all was now in place to open our Investment Account with The Charity Bank – although the questions of signatories would be clarified and (c) noted that forms were almost complete to request Debit Cards – for which the maximum figure, it was agreed, should match the sum the Council could spend under delegated powers.
0206-21 PLANNING – All necessary clarification had been successfully received in respect of Application WL/2024/01022 (Showground Filling Station) but more details were needed on Application WL/2025/00124 (13 Suffolk Road).
0206-22 RESIGNATION – Councillors were sad to hear that pressure of work was forcing Jane Rumble to resign, and Cllr Bulteel thanked her for the major contribution she had made over her five years on the Council. His gratitude was endorsed with acclamation by all those present, and Cllr Rumble suitably replied.
0206-11 NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be on Thursday 6 March 2025 at the usual venue and time.
0206-12 ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
- Village Signs
- Law enforcement and speed awareness
- Litter Picks
- Web page and social media
- Highways and footpaths
- Grass Cutting
- Bus Shelter and Lamp Standard Maintenance
- Future of Scampton
- IT and AV Equipment
- Health and Safety
- Energy Report
- Community Social events
- Policies
- Future Plans.
- District Councillor’s report
- County Councillor’s report
- Correspondence
- Finance
- Planning (13 Suffolk Road)
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm.