January 2024 Minutes
BIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 16th JANUARY 2024
CHAIR – COUNCILLOR D. COWLING
PRESENT: Councillors – H. Aukland, D. Cowling, C. Gandy, B. Orr, , C. Wilson
Also in attendance: -
Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council
Cllr. P. Morris - WLDC
Cllr. Tom Smith – LCC
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
75 Notice convening the meeting.
Taken as read and approved
76 To Receive Apologies and Reasons for Absence
Cllr. W. Pinney
76 a) To Record any Declarations of Interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below. Members declaring interests should identify the Agenda Item and the type of interest being declared.
None
b) To Note any Dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the Agenda Items listed below.
None
78 Police Matters
There have been some online Parish Council Engagement sessions in December.
The online meetings provided a briefing on policing activity over the previous six months, an overview of crime statistics, and future plans. It was also an opportunity for parishes to put questions to senior officers.
79 To Receive any Correspondence (for information only).
a) Email received from Neil Laminman, Secretary to Somerby Parish Meeting, regarding the recent road closures due to work being done by Anglian Water. Notification of these are coming to the Clerk from LCC Highways as some of the work lies in the Bigby Parish.
Cllr. T. Smith advised that he has written to Sir Edward Leigh, MP, to raise the matter of poor water infrastructure in the North Kelsey Ward, with a view to initiating some remedial action by Anglian Water.
b) WLDC has advised that there was no call for an election to fill the vacancy on the council. Therefore, the council can now co-opt.
80 To Receive the Clerk’s Report and Update on any outstanding issues.
a) The Clerk advised that Councillor Aukland and herself had surveyed all the drains as per the request from LCC. Reports were made on ‘Fix My Street’ concerning
• A blocked drain, 480572 – response that it had been noted and that it will be cleared on the next scheduled visit of the drainage team
• Damage around a drain – has been fixed
• Damaged salt bin on exiting the village for Barnetby – latest feedback reports that this is a more complicated issue than first thought. A further update will be provided
b) The sale of the M and G Charibond is now completed.
c) No progress has been made regarding a potential villager to grit the paths during icy weather.
81 To Receive any Questions from Members.
None notified
82 Public Question Time.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
83 a) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED, OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 21st NOVEMBER 2023
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 21st November, 2023, with the addition of the questions, should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
84 ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
a) To Receive the following Financial Report and Approve the Accounts for Payment: As at 8th January 2024 (Documents attached)
It was resolved that the accounts for payment listed above and the Statement of Accounts be approved.
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
b) To Undertake a Quarterly Review of the Accounts. (Documents attached)
It was resolved that the Review of the Accounts for the third quarter be accepted
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. C. Wilson
c) To note that there is £652.47 left in the Community Infrastructure Levy Fund
Noted
d) To approve the use of a further £420.00 of the £652.47 above, to totally fund the repair of the Village Hall Roof (Currently this has come from earmarked reserves.)
It was resolved that the above recommendation be approved and that the Clerk should adjust the accounting record to reflect the changes
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
e) To approve a further donation to the Village Hall from earmarked reserves
The Clerk advised that she had had to transfer further funds to the Village Hall Bank Account to allow it to stay in funds for future payments.
It was resolved that this additional £380.00 should be donated from Village Hall earmarked reserves and that the Clerk should adjust the accounting record to reflect the change.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
85 PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND DECISION NOTICES
Members are reminded that applications can be received after the deadline for the publication of the agenda. The clerk will forward any further applications to you before the meeting for your consideration.
PLANNING REFERENCE: PL/0104/23 CATEGORY A
Development: for a southern extension to the consented Kettleby Quarry, retention of the existing haul road, bagging plant and mineral processing plant and restoration of the extension area to nature conservation interest including grassland, reedbeds and waterbodies
Location: Kettleby Quarry, Brigg Road, Kettleby
Grid reference: 504364 408040
The Clerk reminded the meeting of the presentation that was made to the Council in July, 2023. MINUTE NUMBER 25
At that meeting, Cllr. C. Wilson asked that Breedon Aggregate consider the following questions:
• How does the development fit in with the Net Zero Strategy for Parishes?
• Is the company considering solar energy for the plant and equipment?
• Is the company considering the production of hydrogen gas from solar energy to power vehicles?
• Has the local railway line been considered for the transport of the aggregates?
• Has an adequate number of trees been planned to offset the carbon footprint of the plant and also to allow for Net Gain in Biodiversity.
It was resolved that the Council object to the application, based on a lack of response to the concerns raised at the presentation in July, either directly to the Council or in the detailed Planning Application that is under consideration
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland
86 TO CONSIDER TENDERS FOR THE CUTTING OF GRASS IN THE CEMETERY AND THE VILLAGE HALL.
The Clerk advised that she had sought quotations for the above work, but had only had a response from the current contractor, A J Williams.
The quotation is the same price as last year, based on the fact that A J Williams also has the contract for the verges, so all 3 areas can be programmed onto the same cutting schedule. The prices are:-
Cemetery £75+VAT per cut 10 cuts (£750per annum)
Village Hall £40+VAT per cut 10 cuts (£400 per annum)
Both contracts would include mowing with a mulching mower, and strimming of static objects and end edges. Hardstanding will be blown clear of debris and clippings.
It was resolved that the contracts for the cutting of the grass in the Cemetery and Village Hall be awarded to A J Williams as detailed above.
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
87 TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE PAYMENT FOR AN ADDITIONAL 15 HOURS OF WORK TO THE CLERK
The Clerk advised that she had already accrued 19 additional hours by the end of December. Ordinarily, this would be balanced out by the end of the year. However, with the additional work required for the Village Hall bid for grant funding for the roof and the work associated with agenda item 92, this is unlikely to happen.
It was resolved that the Clerk be paid for the additional hours worked in the February payroll.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Gandy Seconded: Cllr. B.Orr
88 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR MORRIS ON DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Morris advised that:
• Planning fees have increased by 35% and 25% for major and minor works respectively
• An email to the Prosperous Community Committee may be a different way of raising awareness and action regarding the use of the Melton Ross Recycling Centre
89 TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR SMITH ON COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Smith advised that:
• It appears that some remedial work is about to begin on Smithy Lane, yellow markings on the road.
• A Lincolnshire Devolution Consultation event will take place in Market Rasen on 22nd January, 2024.
• If the referendum confirms a will for Devolution, the three current leaders of the major councils are committed to restricting the powers of the mayor. I.e. an elected Mayor would not be able to act unilaterally.
• The power to veto would also be in place.
• £720 million across 30 years, i.e., £24 million a year would not be enough to make good the current pothole problem.
90 TO CONSIDER A RESPONSE, FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL, TO THE REFERENDUM ON GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE DEVOLUTION
Cllr. C. Wilson had produced a detailed response, circulated in advance of the meeting, which was discussed. SEE APPENDIX 1 FOR DETAILS
It was resolved that this be submitted as the official Bigby Parish Council response; to be submitted by Cllr. Aukland.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland
91 TO CONSIDER A POSSIBLE VILLAGE EVENT TO COMMEMORATE THE 80th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
Several nationwide events are planned for 6th June, 2024. This will include the lighting of beacons, the lamp lights of peace, (for those communities without a beacon), and the ringing out for peace of church bells.
It was resolved that Bigby Parish Council purchase a lamp light of peace, at a cost of £55.00. A suitable event for 6th June will be determined at the next meeting.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
92 BIGBY SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT
a) To receive an update from Councillors Wilson and Cowling on the continuation of the project
SEE APPENDIX 2 FOR DETAILS
b) To approve the recommendation from part a) that the Parish Council should be the named body to apply for further funding to progress the project.
It was resolved that the Bigby Parish Council will be the named body.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
c) To approve the recommendation from part a) that a working party be formed to deal with matters arising from this project and that all matters be reported to the Full Parish Council for decision making
It was resolved that a working party be established and that all matters be reported to the full Parish Council for decision making.
Proposed: Cllr. C. Wilson Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
The meeting closed at 7.50 pm
APPENDIX 1 – DEVOLUTION RESPONSE
Response to Devolution Consultation
1. We recognise that there are positive opportunities for local decision making to shape places and a commitment to create more opportunities in life and work for Greater Lincolnshire residents, but we need to be reassured that Central Government will not devolve responsibility for work to be done without necessary funds to enable it to happen.
2. There is not enough emphasis of the term ‘sustainable development’ or ‘circular economy’ within all the proposals that demonstrates an overarching commitment to care for each next generation as we use scarce resources.
3. In describing the proposals actions and outcomes there is no reference to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. These goals and outcomes were agreed by all UN Nations states in 2015. In 2021 the International Institute for Sustainable Development highlighted 4 areas where the UK is falling behind. These can be addressed within the new proposals for the new Greater Lincolnshire.
The four areas:
1 Leadership. Good governance and institutional mechanisms are the basic building blocks for any country trying to implement the SDGs in an inclusive and effective way. Where governments assign leadership for implementing the SDGs indicates the level of political commitment as well as lines of accountability. Leadership on the SDGs around the world usually resides with Heads of States, but this is not the case in the UK. As a result, ambition and commitment to SDG implementation is insufficient, and there is a lack of ownership and understanding of the SDGs in most government departments.
2 Stakeholder engagement. Consulting and engaging with non-state actors, such as civil society organisations, ensures a whole-of-society approach to implementing the SDGs. The vast majority of countries reporting in 2021 make use of formal and informal mechanisms for engagement. The UK Government, meanwhile, despite committing to establishing a stakeholder engagement mechanism in 2019, has yet to take action to establish this critical implementation tool.
3 Implementing the Leave No One Behind promise. In 2019 the UK outlined its promise to leave no one behind, where it pledged to commit to putting the last first. However, since then, we have seen an alarming lack of political commitment to carrying out these plans. In 2021 the UK government published its national planning framework, with no mention in any of department’s plans of how they will help to implement the government’s promise to Leave No One Behind. Also, while the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published its Action Plan to implement the Inclusive Data Charter, the UK Government, as one of the Charter’s earliest champions, is yet to publish a whole-of-government action plan with clear guidelines of how it will monitor progress on the Charter.
4 Policy coherence. Policy coherence is critical to ensure that action in one area does not undermine progress in another. Currently, UK development assistance is undermined by other UK investments and strategies across a range of sectors and themes. Last year, when the UK government published its national planning framework, it missed an opportunity to resolve this through critical analysis about how each government department’s plans affect the other, or how domestic policies affect the UK’s work internationally.
APPENDIX 2 – BIGBY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROJECT STAGE 2
Introductory video:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_LFitVOObQ&t=28s
Introduction
Following the stage 1 report from Arup Consulting there has been a period of uncertainty and pause because of the problem of grid connectivity.
Information about a potential green energy development at Elsham Industrial Estate was shared by Dan Clayton ( Lincolnshire CC Sustainability Manager) with Clive Wilson ( Bigby PC) in October 2023.
The consultant in the Elsham Project, Dan Downs, of Land 360, was introduced to Clive Wilson by Dan Clayton (Lincs CC) along with his technical partners, Richard Canning ( SSI SSI services) and Ian Chilvers (Smart Power Systems Ltd) . A zoom meeting took place on 6 November with Dan Clayton(LCC)Clive Wilson (BPC) Dan Downes, Ian Chilvers and Richard Canning was held on . It was revealed that there is now new technology available that could be used to create a localised ‘micro grid’ that could be created to serve Bigby, as well as the possibility of a local ground source heat supply. Each of the technical partners have significant experience in this technology.
A wider meeting of local land owners and land 360 with Dan Clayton and Debbie Cowling and Clive Wilson (BPC) Peter Morris ( WLDC) and others was held at the Village Hall on 7 December.
At the meeting the local land owners shared some thinking about green energy production and the ARUP report for Bigby was discussed.
Dan Clayton (LCC) informed the group that the Midlands Energy Hub has Stage 2 funding streams that could support a detailed costed feasibility study for the development of sustainable localised energy supply for Bigby Village.
The application process is similar to the Stage 1 that Bigby PC completed. There is up to £100k per application that could be applied for, however the first panel date is January 2024, applications need to be signed off by end of March 2024 and spend needs to be completed within 12 Months.
Some Background Links and Examples
From Midlands Energy Hub Website
Stage 2 Development Grant of up to £100,000 for a more detailed investigation of the technology, for planning applications and to develop a business case.
Please note: the fund is for the development of projects from concept to investment-ready scheme. It does not provide capital funding for the installation of projects themselves.
https://www.midlandsnetzerohub.co.uk/community-energy/feasibility-studies/
A video of Community Energy Funds programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_LFitVOObQ&t=28s
Below are links to another example of a Lincolnshire Based Project . Wilsford, near Sleaford.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilsford,_Lincolnshire
The pdf from Wilsford is particularly informative, and it might be good to have contact with them to learn from their experience.
Proposals:
1. That Bigby Parish Council support an application for Stage 2 funds from the Midlands Energy Hub.
2. That Bigby Parish Council establish a ‘working group’ with powers to co-opt to complete the application and source consultants to carry out the work
Key items to be covered in the stage 2 report identified by ARUP in stage 1, following the HM treasury Green Book requirement to produce a viable option and well structured deal.
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1. Promotion |
2. Development of Property |
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3. Customer |
4. Land Ownership |
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5. Governance |
6. Landlordship |
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7. Regulation |
8. Installation |
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9. Funding |
10. Operation |
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11. Asset Ownership |
12. Sale of energy |
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13. Supplier of last resort |
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In addition to the sourcing and payment of consultants, payments can be made to working group members who have the appropriate skills and experience at a competitive market rate.
This paper should be read with reference to the Community Energy Fund Stage 2 Guidance Notes
This Government Initiative is designed to empower communities to have control and ownership ( in partnership as needed) so that the benefits can be locally shared.