October 2021 Minutes - Autumn Parish Meeting
Minutes of Cherry Willingham’s Autumn Parish Meeting held on Monday 25th October 2021 in the Main Hall of the Priory Pembroke Academy.
Present: Cllr Jenny Robinson and Gill Shaw (Clerk)
Guest speaker - Phil Scafton from Globe Consultants Ltd.
88 Members of the public
Meeting started at 7.02pm.
1. Welcomes, introductions, apologies and explanation of purpose of the meeting.
Apologies had been received from Mrs Christine Hodgson (RFO) who was recovering from an operation.
The Chairman welcomed residents to the meeting and introduced Gill Shaw, the Clerk to the Parish Council. The purpose of the meeting was to hear about the work and projects the Council had been working on during the year and also to present projects for the budget 2021-22. There would be a guest speaker from Globe Consultants Ltd to give a presentation on the progress of the Marina.
2. To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 28th October 2019
It was RESOLVED to approve them and they were duly signed.
3. To award the Stead Community Award 2021
This had been awarded to Odette Millar who had been nominated by Jenny Pepper of The Vine Community Church for her consistent positive contribution to the community whether it be formerly with her work with the Women’s Institute, volunteering in the library, for Assist and in the Community Response to Covid or informally during the lockdowns with little gifts and encouragements on her fence for children and adults as they walked past her house. Unfortunately, Odette was unable to attend due to Covid isolation but she had been invited to switch on the Christmas lights.
4. To receive a presentation of plans for the new Marina, followed by questions and answers (Globe Consultants)
Phil Scafton gave a presentation on the current progress of the Marina development supported with layout and building designs. Thanks were given to residents for their patience with the large volume of lorries which had enabled the ground works to be completed in 1 year instead of the anticipated 4 to 5 years. Discussions were ongoing with a premium local builder of sustainable houses.They were keen to create an estate that was sympathetic to the village and that made the most of the local views. The 155 houses would consist of 2 to 5 bed properties with an average of 3 car spaces each. Access to the Marina would be public with ample parking, to avoid on street parking. Open spaces were considered vital.
Question raised by residents included:
- What trees would be planted? Answer : A variety of native trees.
- When would the bridge be completed? Answer : Hopefully within 18 months
- What is the access to the main road? Answer : One T junction with a pedestrian crossing.
- Would the open space be public? Answer : Yes
- Would there be public parking? Answer : Plenty of spaces to avoid on road parking.
The plan would be on display at the Millennium Hall for the next month.
The Chair gave thanks to Phil Scafton.
5. To receive a brief explanation of the precept and Parish Council finances (RFO)
In the absence of the RFO, the chair explained that the precept received in this financial year from West Lindsey District Council was £74,418 which equates to £54.81 per year for a household in band D. A request for an additional £10,000 would add £7.40 per year. Running costs were increasing and in order to provide the community with existing amenities and introduce new projects, the precept would have to be increased. The precept was not increased last year and is low in comparison to other villages which is helped by councillors and volunteers doing work that would otherwise be contracted out.
6. To receive a report on the provision of allotments (Cllr Fleetwood)
The council owned two potential sites being Cherry Fields and Tanfaine. Approximately 25 households had expressed an interest in having an allotment. The council had set up a working group to discuss various aspects of providing allotments, including setting up costs, soil quality, vehicle access, water supply and plot size. It may cost around £25,000 to set up and the council were making sure that all aspects were considered properly. An Extraordinary meeting of the Full Council was to be held shortly, to make a final decision.
A report from the allotment feasibility group was available on the website and from the clerk.
7. To receive a report on the provision of a new burial ground (Cllr Brylewski) A new burial ground would be needed in about 10 years. The council owned several pieces of land in the village but most were not suitable for a burial ground, leaving Cherry Fields and Tanfaine. Recently, holes had been dug at the Tanfaine which showed that one part of the field would be suitable, as holes to a depth of 6’ were required. It had been suggested that Tanfaine was big enough to also be the site of a Green Burial Ground and allotments. The cost would include putting in a car park and landscaping.
8. Questions and comments from residents,
Q: How would you get to Tanfaine as there is no footpath past Waterford Lane.
A: The council are presently talking to Highways about getting the verge cut and if there was a demand, a path would have to be created in the future.
Q: Is the land next to Cherry Fields available?
A: Enquiries have been made but the land is not for sale.
Q: Is Cherry Fields still being considered?
A: If it was decided that Cherry Fields would be used then there would have to be further investigations.
Q: Can the burial ground and allotments be in the same place?
A: Yes and at Tanfaine there could be allotments, burial ground and still available space for a Natural burial ground if the council decided on that.
Q: Could both be at Cherry Fields?
A: Some people may feel uncomfortable with a burial ground there.
Q: Who would manage the burial ground at Tanfaine?
A: The council who also manages the present burial ground.
Q: Where are the survey results?
A: Available on the website.
Q; Would the 24 people who showed an interest in allotments, still be interested?
A: 11 people originally showed interest which has now increased to 25. There is a duty on the Parish Council to explore the provision of allotments when requested by at least 6 residents. It is a dilemma for councils as it is expensive for the benefit of a few.
Q. Could the Oasis be used for allotments?
A: The Oasis was rented out with 20 years left on the lease. It was rented out at the market value and increased every 2 years in line with inflation.
Q: Has it been considered to extend the usage of Tanfaine by putting in a crematorium?
A: Not at this time.
A resident stated that a lot of people enjoy Cherry Fields and it was strange that this was being considered when there was a spare field.
- The Chair asked for a show of hands in favour of providing allotments - majority in favour.
- The Chair asked for a show of hands in favour of Tanfaine for a burial ground and allotments or Cherry Fields - large majority in favour of Tanfaine.
9. To receive reports from committees on their proposed projects for 2021/2022
- Nigel Hooper gave a report from the Cherry Fields Committee.
Projects funding: Budget request was £1,000 for final phase of development/tree planting. £500 for the dog exercise area gate, dog equipment and tree identification boards. They had been successful in the past in getting grants and donations. The budget's aim was to ask for funding from the council which would then be matched by grants. There was a £300 contingency fund.
- Cllr Brylewski gave a report from the Leisure and Amenities Committee. A complaint had been received from residents next to the Cricket Club that cricket balls were being hit into their gardens with the potential of injury and damage. A report had been commissioned at a cost of £400 paid jointly by the cricket club and the council. The report on the cricket ball trajectory showed that a safety net was required 30’ high and the cheapest estimate was for £18,500. The council were encouraging the cricket club to apply for a grant from the English Cricket Board (upto £10,000) and the balance paid by the club and the council.
The budget request was for £5,000 which would be used for the contribution to the safety net and any balance would be for under 5’s play equipment and a pendulum swing.
- Cllr Andy Burge gave a report from the Village Improvement Committee. The committee wanted to tidy up the village: currently pruning trees on the parade, dead tree at St Mark’s to be felled, hedge cut back at Gilbert’s Pond, 3 flashing speed signs and purchase 2 Remembrance Tommys.
The project budget request included: 2 more flashing signs (depending on success of the new ones), CCTV on The Parade, flood lighting the union jack (which enables the flag to be flown at night instead of being lowered each evening), a shelter on The Parade, extra bins and dog bins. Suggestions for other projects would be welcome.
Question from residents:
Q: Plot on Fiskerton Road used for building material storage.
A: The council had recently put in another complaint to WLDC, residents were encouraged to write individually.
Q: Will there be an outdoor gym built?
A: The VIC is looking at it although previously there had not been much public support.
Q How many play parks in the village?
A: The council only owns 2 of them and the others are looked after by the developers management group.
Q: Can another dog bin be put at the other end of Cherry Fields
A: The council is under discussion with WDCD to assess the access needed to empty one.
Q: Bleak Farm is an eyesore.
A: WLDC turned down the planning application and there had been no progress because the developer was working on other projects.
The chair asked for suggestions on projects
Residents raised the following:
Questions and comments from residents.
- Could the under 5 play equipment be purchased by public fundraising?
The Chair confirmed this, if a group would be interested in organising it (by a show of hands, the majority were in favour of the council putting another £5,000 into the budget for under 5 play equipment)
- Could Tanfaine be used as a cricket club?
The council had considered this but it would take years to establish a cricket pitch, facilities were needed and it was very expensive.
- The cricket club should be prioritised (by a show of hands the majority were in favour).
11. To discuss the possibility of joining the “20’s Plenty” speed limit campaign.
The national campaign for the adoption of a speed limit of 20mph on residential roads.
Lincolnshire County Council are considering trialing the scheme.
By a show of hand, the majority were in favour of Cherry Willingham supporting the scheme. More information could be found on the 20’s Plenty website.
10. To discuss suggestions for the Platinum Jubilee next year
On Thursday 2nd June - beacons lit
On Friday 3rd - thanksgiving service
On Saturday 4th - Platinum Party to be held at the Priory Pembroke Academy.
On Sunday 5th - Street Parties.
On 16th July - Platinum Community picnic at Cherry Fields
Ideas from residents:
- Encourage Street Parties
- Street Party on The Parade
- Use the Gala to raise funds for childrens play equipment.
- Light a beacon/bonfire - the majority were in favour - held at Cherry Fields. A piper would be needed and the fire lit at 9.15pm.
The Council have set up a group who are organising the event and the next meeting would be on 8th November at 10am in the Millennium Hall. Residents were encouraged to join the group.
11. To receive suggestions for any other future projects for the council
More facilities for older children and teenagers - Answer - the new Cherry Willingham Community and Youth Centre will be opening very soon and there are a lot of local clubs for children listed in The Cherry News.
Upcoming events:
- Community tree planting at Cherry fields (Nov 20th and 27th)
- Christmas lights switch on at The Parade on 27th Nov at 4.30pm (childrens fancy dress competition, lucky dip, mulled wine and mince pies)
- Christmas quiz at the Village Hall on Saturday 4th December at 7pm. Tickets £5pp to include refreshments available from the Millennium Hall from 8th November or from Cllr Andy Burge. The proceeds go to village clubs/groups.
- Next Annual Parish Meeting will be in April/May 2022
12. Vote of thanks and close
Cllr Jenny Robinson closed the meeting at 9.12pm and thanked everyone for coming.