22nd June 2020

Grimston, Saxelbye & Shoby Parish Council

Minutes of GRIMSTON, SAXELBYE & SHOBY ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY 22^nd June 2020 via Zoom

Present: Chair - Cllr Etta Madocks Wright, Cllr Rupert Marsh, Cllr Tony Lomas, Cllr Fleur Read, Cllr Ronan Browne of Melton Borough Council, Cllr Joe Orson of Leicestershire County Council, Clerk Janice Kemp and 6 members of the public.

Apologies: Cllr Richard Easom,

Cllr Madocks Wright welcomed everyone to the meeting and briefed the protocols for the on line meeting, including the information that the meeting would be recorded.

During the public questions and comments session a member of the public thanked the Parish Council for their excellent response to the Black Horse planning application. Cllr Orson and Cllr Browne gave an overview of the impact of Coronavirus on LCC and MBC, as it still dominates the councils.

Cllr Orson stated that £28m extra has been spent directly as a result of Coronavirus, there may be additional funding available but nothing has been confirmed. In Melton there have been no deaths for 12 days, which is very encouraging. However, there has been a spike in positive test results in Leicester City. There has been a strain on adult social care and care homes. The cutting of grass verges has also been a topic with cutting now in place.

Cllr Browne also shared that MBC focus had been on coronavirus and their support of the local communities, such as food parcels, business grants etc. Melton town is opening up again with Cllr Higgins leading the next stage of the opening of pubs and restaurants. He confirmed there had been funding for dairy farmers and that general farming support was being reviewed. Cllr Browne confirmed that he is now on the planning committee for the next 12 months.

Declarations of Interest on items on the agenda – none

The Councillors unanimously approved the minutes of the previous meeting of 11^th May 2020 and these were signed by Cllr Madocks Wright.
Matters arising from Minutes 11^th May 2020

Confirmation on the Village Green registration is outstanding. This has been delayed by Mr Layzell-Smith of Hunters Law not being able to access the files as he is working remotely due to coronavirus and that the Land Registry is operating a reduced service.
The village trough – Correspondence with Toby Ebbs of MBC was read out “As Historic England have refused it for listing I will ensure it is regarded as a non-designated heritage asset of the highest value (we do not have a local list at MBC so it has to be acknowledged on an informal basis). Please be rest assured that I would in no circumstances support its removal.”

“The only other means of protection is to place an Article 4 Designation on the trough which takes away permitted development rights from demolition (it would require consent to demolish). But this would only be placed if there was a perceived level of threat to the structure, which I understand there is not at present?”

As there is a planning application adjacent to the trough, Clerk Kemp confirmed that she has passed this information onto the planning officer. The Parish Council confirmed they wish to understand what an Article 4 is and what is involved.

Wayleave Information was sent to Councillors 5^th
Cllr Browne to update at next meeting on CTS – Council Tax Support.

Matters Arising:

Play Area Report received, the full 27-page report and a summary has been sent to the Parish Council. There are no urgent repairs required (no red rating, 11 medium rating, 9 low and 3 very low ratings). Cllr Lomas is to review the findings on site and advise what action is required.
In March Caroline Hartley of Grimston, set up a phone coronavirus support group. Through this, various requests for help with shopping, prescriptions and food parcels were organised. The Parish Councillors wish to thank her and the volunteers for their help. As restrictions are now being lifted it was agreed that the funding for this phone of £16 / month will cease.
Cllr Madocks Wright updated the meeting on the Asset of Community Value for the Black Horse.

The Appeal Hearing of 4^th June, with The Director for Governance and Regulatory Services of MBC as Reviewing Officer, has considered all relevant information and concluded the land/building nominated as The Black Horse should continue to be listed on the Assets of Community Value register.

Correspondence:

A member of the public emailed reference the planning application on Sleaths yard ref 20/00477/FUL, being concerned on the height profile of the proposed buildings. This was included in the discussions on site with agents and further drawings supplied which show the height in keeping with the surrounding buildings.
Member of the public contacted a Councillor reference the planning application opposite 73 Main Street, Grimston ref 20/00418/FUL. Expressing disappointment in the comments put in for this application by the Parish Council
NHS Citizen Panel – the local NHS organisations have launched a new online network, NHS Citizens’ Panelfor people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR), to help people stay connected and participate and share views about their local healthcare service. Further information will be put onto the noticeboards.

Website Arrangements:

There has been no response from Stuart Inkley or the contact supplied by the previous clerk. Clerk Kemp now using YouTube and similar, work out what to do and has had assistance from the previous clerk. Contact with Stuart Inkley will be tried again.

Finance including AGAR - Annual Governance and Accountability Return

9.1 The internal audit of AGAR page 4, carried out by Clerk Kemp, was accepted by the Councillors.

9.2 Certificate of exemption confirmation page 3 was signed by the Chairman Cllr Madocks Wright, having been previously signed by Clerk Kemp, and confirmed the Parish Council has a gross income and gross expenditure of less than £25K p.a

The Annual Governance Statement page 5 was unanimously agreed by the Councillors and signed by the Chairman Cllr Madocks Wright, having been previously signed by Clerk Kemp.
The Accounts from 1^st April 2019 to 31^st March 2020 page 6, were unanimously approved by the Councillors and signed by the Chairman Cllr Madocks Wright, having been previously signed by Clerk Kemp. In addition, the spreadsheet with all receipts and payments was signed by the Chairman Cllr Madocks Wright, having been previously signed by Clerk Kemp.

9.5 The Councillors unanimously confirmed to send the AGAR and accounts to Auditor

The dates for the period for the exercise of the public to view the accounts will include the 1^st September 2020 as required.

Financial update 1^st April to 30^th May was presented as below:

Date	Name	Description	Receipt	Payment
25/04/2020	B. Rana	Clerks Pay - 3months		525.00
25/04/2020	LRALC	Clerks 1 training of 6th February 2020		40.00
25/04/2020	LRALC	membership 2020-21 for LRALC & NALC		150.58
25/04/2020	e.on	Electricity invoice February		55.53
25/04/2020	e.on	Electricity invoice March		59.37
24/04/2020	Saxelbye Schoolroom	hire for 19/20		40.00
24/04/2020	Grimston Village Hall	hire for 19/20		200.00
04/05/2020	Melton Borough Council	Precept for 6 months - April to Sept 2020	3200.00
12/05/2020	BDG mowing contractors	Mowing for April		50.00
12/05/2020	e.on	street lighting maintenance 1/4 ending 30/03		44.64
12/05/2020	BHIB	Local council insurance renewal		335.90
12/05/2020	J. Kemp	stamps		13.00

Outsourcing payroll update - The Annualised cost would be £140 + vat with the one off set up of £56.50 + vat.

Payments approved at the meeting

Date	Name	Description	Payment
23/06/2020	e.on	Electricity invoices April & May	116.82
23/06/2020	LRALC	Webinar training for 3 council members for virtual mtgs	60.00
23/06/2020	ROSPA play safety	Annual inspection of village green play area	82.20
23/06/2020	BDG mowing contractors	Mowing for May	50.00
23/06/2020	e.on	street lighting maintenance 1/4 ending 30/06	44.64
23/06/2020	Grimston PCC	19/20 contribution to mowing and ground maintenance	125.00
23/06/2020	Saxelbye Parish PCC	19/20 contribution to mowing and ground maintenance	125.00
23/06/2020	J. Kemp	Chairman’s expenses for outgoing Clerk's leaving gifts	49.50
23/06/2020	J. Kemp	Zoom monthly subscription 15.06 to 14.07	14.39
23/06/2020	J. Kemp	NETT Salary May and June	280.00
23/06/2020	HMRC	PAYE for J. Kemp salary for May and June	70.00

No bank reconciliation was available as HSBC have not yet changed the contact address to Clerk Kemp.

Planning Matters.
Update on 20/00391/FUL Black Horse Change of use – part conversion of public house to 2 bedroom flat. Alterations to first floor flat access. Conversion of outbuilding to 2-bedroom dwelling. Retain part public house.

The Parish Council have submitted comments and further comments. This application be presented at the online planning meeting on 2^nd July – Chairman Cllr Madocks Wright will attend on behalf of the Parish Council. Concern was raised if you went off line during your presentation. Cllr Browne confirmed that in that event your submission is read by a MBC member, these are required before the meeting. A member of the parish has registered to speak at this meeting as well. Other members of the public can view it on You Tube.

Update on 20/00270/GDOCOU Brook Farm, Saxelbye application. Conversion of existing open hay barn to dwelling. The Submitted details below were read out

The Parish Council would like to ensure Highways take into account that Church Lane is single track and is the only access to all the properties at the bottom of the lane.

Update on 20/00477/FUL ‘Sleaths Yard’ Grimston application – demolition of workshops and erection of 2 dwellings

The Submitted details below were read out

4 Parish Councillors of visited the Yard with the agents, Planit - X town and country planning on 22nd May 2020. At this, concerns about the height of the houses were raised, this has now been resolved as further documents sent to the Parish council show the 'street scene' view showing the houses to be in height profile with surrounding buildings.
As this is a brown field site the Parish Council support this application with the following points of note:
To ensure the brick of the houses is sympathetic with its village location
To ensure the houses do not encroach and overlook the neighbours
To ensure during construction and in the future that the historic spring and surround, near the entrance to the proposed development, are not damaged and the spring continues in good working order.

Update on 20/00418/FUL Stable opposite 73 Main Street, Grimston application – demolition of existing commercial building and erection of new commercial buildings to accommodate offices, storage for milk, groceries and vehicles

The Submitted details below were read out

3 Parish Councillors visited the site on 28th May 2020 with the applicant and Tenacity Planning were involved by phone.
Tenacity Planning (TP) explained that the drawings available on the MBC website have been revised to include a projecting roof above the doors to the storerooms to provide a sheltered loading area as requested by the applicant.
TP mentioned that the design was deliberately domestic in character - but previous applications for multiple houses on this site were rejected by both the Parish Council and MBC (and on appeal).
For that reason a design in keeping with its use, as offices and storage, would be considered more appropriate.
This brown field site is in a prominent position on the entry to Grimston village, and as such, consideration to its appearance is important.
The proposed building is larger and higher than the current existing building. The floor space being approximately 3 times the size of the current, with the same number of employees i.e. one person.
Section 17 of the application show the existing gross area is 42 square meters increasing to a proposed new gross area of 133 square meters.
The proposed building would be located next to a field, right next to an established oak tree and the new building, including its footings, could impact upon this tree.
With the current plans in front of the Parish Council, this application is opposed.

Update on 20/00524/TCA proposed Crown reduction of Beech, Ash and Walnut by 30% at The Spring House, Grimston

The Submitted details below were read out - The Parish Council of Grimston, Saxelbye & Shoby have no objections to this tree work being carried out.

Discussion of Prior approval for Proposed Steel framed open agricultural building, principally for lambing ref 20/00579/GDOAGR at Saxelbye Lane, Grimston

A submission on behalf of the Parish Council to state that there is no objection.

Any Other Business.
Request for a meeting on August 24^th was agreed.
A discussion at the next Parish Meting around planning applications and developments, what aspects should / could the Parish Council comment upon. And if they are aware of building in the parish which has not been raised via the planning portal what should be the course of action.

Date and Venue of next Meetings

Online 27^th July 19.30 by Zoom

Parish Meetings 2020 agreed as 24^th August, 28^th September, 26^th October, 30^th November – these will be held either in the Parishes’ Village Halls or by online arrangements.

Parish Meetings 2021 dates – January 11^th, February 22^nd, March 29th

Annual Parish Meeting April 12^th 2021

Annual Parish Council Meeting AGM May 17^th 2021