29 March 2021
DONINGTON ON BAIN PARISH COUNCIL
NOTES OF THE REMOTE MEETING VIA ZOOM OF MONDAY 29 MARCH 2021
THE MEETING WAS OPENED AT 7.30PM.
Present: Cllr. K. White, Cllr. M. Fisher, Cllr B Gill-Stafford, Cllr. N. Bodian, Cllr R Wright and Cllr B. Gill-Stafford.
In Attendance: Mrs V Davies, Clerk.
32.21 APOLOGIES WITH REASONS FOR ABSENCE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES WHERE VALID REASONS, GIVEN TO THE PARISH CLERK PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
Apologies were received from Cllr F Beaney. LCC Cllr Andrews,
33.21 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 – BEING ANY PECUNIARY INTEREST IN AGENDA ITEMS NOT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON MEMBERS’ REGISTER OF INTERESTS AND ANY WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION.
There were no declarations of interest
34.21 TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD, THE NOTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 22 FEBRUARY 2021 AND TO AUTHORISE THE CHAIRMAN TO
SIGN THE OFFICIAL MINUTES.
It was proposed Cllr Bodian, seconded (Cllr White), and resolved by all Cllrs that the notes of the meeting held on the 22 February 2021 be approved as a correct record. These would be signed by the Chairman.
35.21 CLERKS REPORT.
The Clerk reported the following:-
It is proposed that the Parish Council agree the annual Governance and Accountability Return before 7 May 2021. It was also proposed to hold the annual meeting to appoint a chairman before 7 May.
Cllrs agreed to hold the Annual meeting of the Parish Council on Wednesday 5 May 2021 and approve the Annual Governance and Accountability return at this meeting. This would replace the meeting scheduled for 26 April.
A parishioner who works for HSBC had nominated the Parish Council for a grant for playground refurbishment. The clerk was in the process of completing the application form.
A resident had raised concern that parents were parking on grass verges during school drop off. The Chairman had spoken to the Headteacher who would put an entry in the School Newsletter reminding parents to park considerately.
36.21 TO DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND DECISIONS.
Proposed Cllr Bodian, seconded Cllr White and unanimously approved by all councillors to submit the following comments:-
Donington-Bain Parish Council object to the above planning application.
The Egdon Resources Biscathorpe Oil and Gas drilling operation represents a significant industrialisation of the Lincolnshire Wolds within the AONB and jeopardises East Lindsey District Council’s Local Plan 2018 Strategic Policy 23 that states “the highest level of protection will be given to the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is designated at a national level because of its landscape quality”.
We do not see any benefits to our local economy or community from this operation rather we fear considerable potential risks from oil and contaminated run off water to the River Bain, one of the world’s rare chalk streams which runs through the centre of our community. This further poses a threat to our communities’ health and prosperity from local tourism.
We are perplexed by the unsustainable nature of this development in light of current national policies which are heavily tilted towards developing renewables and to a zero-carbon target by 2050.
The Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) Carbon Management Plan January 2019 states that “LCC is determined to play a full part in delivering on our collective responsibility to reduce carbon emissions.” Surely an Oil and Gas exploration within the Lincolnshire Wolds and AONB lasting for 15-20 years is not compatible with this policy.
Further there is no “benefit to the national interest” as the contribution to UK oil that Egdon Resources claim (60 tonnes of oil per day) is miniscule - less than 0.03% of UK consumption.
We have serious concerns about the further development of Petroleum Exploration and Development Licence (PEDL) 253 which covers 95 square kilometres of the district around Biscathorpe. Egdon Resources have not ruled out further oil sites.
There are other areas of concern – methane gas emissions from flaring which increases pollution, noise and light pollution and traffic and road safety (3 x oil tankers per day during 15-20 years of production).
37.21 FINANCE. TO AUTHORISE THE SIGNING OF ORDERS FOR PAYMENT AND TO NOTE INCOME FOR MARCH 2021
Proposed. Cllr Bodian seconded Cllr White and resolved by all Cllrs to approve the following payments. Cllrs also noted the balances in the accounts and the Income received.:-
Chq no
1021 LALC Allotment Training £27.00
1022 LALC Cemetery Training £108.00
1023 V Davies Clerk Salary £255.60
1024 V Davies Clerk Expenses £12.00
Bus Bank Instant £912.29 (9.2.21)
Treasurers A/c £12427.28 (16.2.21)
Income
9.2.21 Interest Lloyds Bank £0.01
Cllrs noted the monthly financial report detailing the actual expenditure against budgeted expenditure. The Chairman had verified the Bank reconciliation against the bank statement.
38.21 NEWSLETTER
The Parish council would put two pages in the next Asterby Group newsletter. One page would include the comments made in response to the Biscathorpe Oil planning application.
39. 21 MUGA/PLAYGROUND
An issue had been reported with a broken tennis net. The parts for the repair had kindly been ordered by a parishioner.
Cllr Gill-Stafford would look into pressure washing the MUGA in the near future.
40.21 FOOTPATH
There were no issues.
41.21 ALLOTMENTS
Cllrs White and Beaney had conducted a safety inspection on the allotments. Three sheds were deemed to be unsafe. Action: Clerk to contact the allotment holder to request that the structures be made safe or remove them. It would also be requested that the sheds were moved to the back of the plots. It was resolved that Cllr Wright and Cllr Beaney would inspect the allotments on a quarterly basis and any issues raised would be followed up with the allotment holders. The clerk would write to all allotment holders to remind them to keep the allotments clean and tidy.
42.21 CEMETERY
The cutting of the Cemetery hedge had almost been completed. Cllr Beaney had liaised with the contractor and relatives of cremated remains plots to ensure the work could be completed with minimal disruption. Thanks were given to families for their patience during this difficult task and the Parish Council apologises for any distress caused.
43.21 WELSDALE ROAD.
LCC Highways had been to view Welsdale Road and had passed on the case to the signage team. Action Clerk to contact highways.
44.21. DEFIBRILLATOR
The Parish Council resolved that the Parish Council would continue to check the defibrillator annually. Cllr Fisher would demonstrate to Cllr White how to access and check the defibrillator battery and pads. The clerk would report to LIVES when the check had been made.
45.21 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The clerk would advise the Parish Council on the legislation regarding the requirement to hold a meeting with Parishioners.
A parishioner was interested in coming onto the Parish council when a vacancy arose.
46.21 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would take place on Wednesday 5 May 2021 at 7.30pm.
THESE NOTES ARE DRAFT UNTIL ADOPTED AT THE MAY MEETING