Meetings 2020-2021

(These notes are a record of the meeting and are not accepted as formal minutes until duly signed on behalf of the Parish Council)

Chair: Daniel Simpson (DS) – Chairman of the Parish Council

Present: Peter Myers, J Duncomb, ELDC Cllr Andrews.

Present: 2 residents

1. Approval of the minutes of the last meeting (16th May 2019) – Approved with no changes

2. Annual report from the Parish Council Chairman – DS reported that as a consequence of Covid this is the first Parish meeting since May 2019. Covid has impacted on the lives of the residents of the village as it has all over the world.

The Parish Council has continued to meet via zoom and residents have occasionally taken part. The 2020 Parish Meeting did not take place and the 2021 meeting has been delayed until regulations permitted. There have been some changes to the Parish Council. In September 2020 Michelle Moss resigned as clerk to the Council due to commitments elsewhere. Michelle did an excellent job for the council and community being very efficient and friendly in the carrying out of her duties. Michelle’s tasks were varied and sometimes very time consuming for example, the research into community broadband and the setting up of the new website that the Parish Council has today. Many many thanks Michelle and we wish you well for the future. A new clerk Vivienne Davies has been appointed.

Cllr Steve Hunt resigned due to commitments elsewhere. Steve had been on the Council for several years and we would like to thank him for his time and contribution to both the Council and the community.

 

Throughout the Covid period planning applications continued to come through. It is pleasing to see investment in some growth and improvements and this assures viability of the community. Since May 2020 10 planning applications have been granted ranging from new build to improvement to existing property.

One such application resulted in the opening in August 2020 of a village shop at the Green Man Inn.

The Parish Council website provides updates and information about organisations in the village and schemes of work proposed by utilities etc.

A proposal has been put forward for the Parish Council to adopt the Phone box and hand it over to the school to manage.

In September 2020 the council looked at the community broadband scheme final costing and made a formal decision whether to take the application forward to the next stage. It was noted that a significant amount of work had been completed in relation to the application including consultation with all villagers, research of suitable providers, in depth application, investigation of current speeds for all properties to be included, negotiation with provider to reduce potential costs by e.g. self-dig. The final cost for 83 properties was indicated as £283 700. When the maximum possible grant was applied there was still a £130k shortfall, approx £1550 per household. After discussion the Parish Council unanimously resolved not to proceed any further with the application.

Thanks were given to those who live in and around Scamblesby who give their time and resources

Litter pickers

Mandy Roper for looking after and monitoring the defibrillator

Village Hall committee for looking after the interests of the Hall

Russ Geeson for setting up the Facebook page during Covid.

Wolds Community Centre for its contribution to the village life and enabling the Council to hold its meetings.

St Martins Church for its contribution to village life

Gardening club

 

Finance

In the financial year 2020-21 the Parish Council received receipts of £2175.00. Expenditure was £1653.63. All payments are subject to approval by the Parish council and are supported by an invoice.

The c/f figure into 2021-22 is £3140.78.

REPORTS FROM THE SCAMBLESBY CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

At the moment there are 67 pupils on roll. COVID has affected all areas of life and the school is no exception. The school had stayed open during lock down periods to provide care and education for Children of key workers and have worked hard to maintain remote learning provision for those having to stay at home.

During the past 18 months a new willow garden has been developed. In addition there have been refurbishments particularly new children's toilet and bathroom facilities.

CHURCH

This had been a difficult year due to COVID restrictions. The church closed some of the time. Later it was able to open 2 days a week. Services had been held via zoom during restrictions.

The church had been able to hold a very successful garden fete thanks to Mr and Mrs Duncomb at the Old Rectory. A Harvest festival service was also held at the Green Man Scamblesby.

 

A number of local churches are facing a very difficult future. St Martins church is safe for the time being and the next project will be to raise funds to instal toilet facilities at the church. The village church council is very grateful for the support from the Parish Council and looks forward to its continued risk.

LCC- CLLR ANDREWS

It has been a difficult year for all. A strategic alliance had been formed with Boston, East Lindsey and this year South Holland. This had resulted in a saving on staff costs and saving on manpower. The Horncastle hub is due to completed next year which will be bring great benefits to the community and businesses of Horncastle.

ELDC gave out many business grants to support small businesses throughout the pandemic.

 

Concern was raised regarding the condition of the telephone box. The door now requires replacement. In 2019 the cost to refurbish using volunteers was estimated to be circa £1k. A charity has purchased all the phone boxes and is offering the phone box to communities on different terms. The proposal is that the Parish council adopt the phone box and the school manage the phone box. The future of the phone box will be discussed by the Parish Council. Discussion would take place regarding the opinions of the parishioners as to whether to retain the phone box or to request the owners to have it removed.

 

Concern was raised regarding the condition of the bus shelter. The perspex and steelwork has deteriorated. Cllr Andrews advised East Lindsey District council would be prepared to fund £300 for either refurbishment of the bus shelter or the phone box.

 

Many residents were still experiencing very low broadband speeds.