June 2023 Minutes
MINUTES of a HOUGH ON THE HILL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held at 7 pm in Hough on the Hill Church on 21 st June 2023.
Present: Cllr Stewart Sharman (in the Chair), Cllrs S. Allen, R. Harris, V. McLean, J. Pope, and A. Seage and 17 members of the public.
The Chair welcomed all present and gave a personal statement.
A member of the public asked a question about speeding as he felt that the signage does not work.
If people are going to speed, they will speed regardless of any signs.
Openreach are putting full fibre broadband into the village and people need to register to sign up for it – only 38% have done so, so far.
The SKDC Local Plan will not be finalized until 2026.
15/23: Apologies had been received from Cllr Rann who was working away. It was resolved to accept her apology. Cllr Milnes sent her apologies but had submitted a Report (attached to hard copy of the Minutes).
16/23: Declarations of Interest – Chair in item 6 of the Agenda (S23/0302).
17/23: Minutes of meetings held on 9th May and 12th April had been read. Cllr Harris (who was the only Councillor present at that meeting) approved the Minutes of 12th April and Chair signed them.
18/23: Employment Committee – LALC recommend that we have an Employment Committee but we are not obliged to. The PC is a corporate body and as such is responsible for any staff. Suggested that if there is ever an issue then an advisory committee be set up to then report to full Council – unanimously agreed.
19/23: Civility and Respect Pledge – it was suggested that this matter be held over until after the new Councillors training on 3rd July – all agreed.
20/23: Planning:
S23/0302 – Non material amendments to barns at Church Farm – pending consideration.
S23/0640 – Tree works at 12 High Road, Hough – approved.
S23/0735 – Alterations to internal layout and more at The Old Hall, Brandon – pending consideration.
S23/1000 – Extensions at Grange Farm Cottages – pending consideration.
ENF22/0122 Beechers Farm – felled trees – Cllr Milnes advised that there is no update.
The Chair also cited a negative comment on NextDoor re the NP which was indicative of the culture that had existed within the Parish and the Parish Council and which he was keen to eradicate and move on to tackle wider issues across the Parish.
Neighbourhood Plan – Agreed that this new PC will concur with decision of previous PC and simply update the 4 amendments (Local Plan SP3, 4 and 5) and the Design Code and LGS matters will be deferred until 2026 or when SKDC Local Plan is finalized”. Clerk to work on this update. The Plan should then be reviewed in 2026 when the SKDC Local Plan should be finalized.
21/23: Highways – The new Speedwatch signs have been purchased and are now installed. Cllr McLean will set up a working party with members of the public from Hough and Brandon, with a view to taking forward the siting and installation of the recently purchased second hand SID. Clerk advised that names will be required for insurance purposes. Reminder that LRSP will inform us when there is somebody available to take on the site survey for positioning of SIDs. Thanks were given to Cllr Harris for clearing the drain on High Road – Fix My Street have work in hand for both drains to be cleared/jetted.
22/23: Footpaths – Cllr Allen received a request from 2 parishioners reference reinstating permissive footpaths – in particular those that would join Hough, Brandon and Gelston. Permissive footpaths expired in 2016 and the owner (who was in the audience) stated that whilst they had allowed permissive footpaths for 10 years, as a small number of locals had abused the practice he had withdrawn the privilege and is not minded to do it again.
23/23: Church – There is concern over the recent accident where an elderly person tripped on the footpath, due to the roots from the redwood trees, and was severely injured. The trees are protected by a TPO but it was suggested that the footpath could be re-routed. Chair will ask PCC what they propose and confirm to them that the PC are keen to support.
24/23: Defibrillators – Cllr Allen has taken on the monthly checks for the Brandon defibrillator. Each monthly check to be reported to the Clerk so she can advise on WebNos. Cllr Allen requires a checklist for items to be kept at the defib site (scissors etc) – Clerk to obtain from CHT. It was suggested that the profile needs raising in the villages and a training session be organized. Clerk has access to training for up to 50 people and will enquire if other local Parish Councils are interested. Clerk to look out invoice for fridge magnets and potentially order more. Cllr Allen will project manage this matter.
25/23: Litter pick – It was agreed that a litter pick should take place and this was agreed for Sunday 16th September at 11 am. Cllr Pope to manage.
26/23: Play area – The bark has been delivered and spread – thanks to all involved. Clerk had had two quotes for the various repairs – she is to ask Ed Morton to add the repair of the swing seats to his quote and re-quote. Clerk to order a further 6 bags of bark. Clerk to ask contractor to cut the grass at the lowest possible height. Cllr Seage will organize a working party to look at a sports area, orchard and other ideas – Community Ownership Fund and Prosperity Fund are possibilities for funding.
27/23: Highways project – work was due to be done on 20th/21st June but due to rain had to be deferred. New date is 4th July. All equipment has been handed over to the contractors.
28/23: Finance:
[i] Resolved to sign the bank reconciliation at 31.5.23.
[ii] New Bank Mandate now in place [Cllrs Harris, Rann & Sharman and the Clerk are signatories].
29/23: Correspondence: Reminder of training on 3rd July at Carlton Scroop.
30/23: Next meeting: 12th September 2023.
Meeting closed at 8.02 pm