Minutes 2nd December 2019
Minutes 2nd December 2019
Chair: Cllr Wardle (SW)
Present: Councillors: Oates (JO), Maplethorpe (BM); Coton (AC)
Clerk: M Moss (MM)
District Councillor Andrews (DA) and 7 members of the public
COMMUNITY BROADBAND SCHEME - Presentation from Steve Brookes from Onlincolnshire, about Community Gigabit Broadband Schemes – Followed by Q&A - All residents are invited to attend (7.30pm – 8.10pm) – Steve Brookes explained that: there are 2 Government schemes which have been introduced to support rural areas in getting superfast broadband and he is trying to encourage local communities to take the schemes up; there is a Government initiative to put gigabit capacity into every property by 2025; fibre to the premises (FTTP) is a scalable solution which gives capacity and also adds value to a property; 30-40mbps is probably adequate for now but in the future there will probably be a need for more.
The first scheme is ‘Gigabit Voucher Scheme’ – where owners of residential properties can apply for £500 towards the cost of FTTP and businesses £2500, the money is usually pooled together by members of the community who have applied and put towards the cost of getting FTTP for applicants in the community. A community champion is appointed, they contact a supplier, typically Openreach as they have the experience of delivery, Openreach complete a survey and provide a community cost. Steve Brooks noted that if total build cost exceeds total funding then LCC could make up the shortfall between the actual cost and the grants made, subject to cost ceilings. Individuals or the entire community can pull out at anytime before connection.
The second scheme is the ‘Rural Gigabit Connectivity Scheme’ – similar to the voucher scheme, but any business in the community can claim £3500, each business signed up to the scheme can then support up to 10 residential properties and enable them to claim up to £1500 per property. Properties can only enter this scheme if they have a speed of less than 30mbps and everyone must commit to take the service for a minimum of 12 months.
It was noted that many properties in Asterby and Goulceby already have speeds in excess of 30mbps, but that residents do need to contact their provider to upgrade to the faster service.
Both schemes require a community champion, someone to collect names, addresses, telephone numbers of residents/businesses interested and then to work with the supplier to make the project happen. The running costs are the same as for normal superfast broadband.
With regards to the LCC contract for delivering superfast broadband, they are entering phase 3 at the moment with tender responses due at the end of December, contracts in place by March 2020. Phase 3 is all FTTP and is due to be complete by June 2022.
Steve Brookes also noted that LCC are in talks with EE at the moment to try to increase 4G mobile coverage for rural areas, and that there is a Government strategy to guarantee 10mbps to every property.
PUBLIC FORUM – One member of the public thanked the PC for arranging the talk by Steve Brookes.
1. Chairman’s remarks – SW welcomed MM back to the position of Clerk and thanked all of the Councillors for their hard work whilst the PC had no Clerk.
2. Apologies for absence and reasons given - None
3. Declaration of interests and requests for dispensations - To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider granting dispensation(s), as per written requests received by the proper officer, to councillors under section 22 of the Act - None
4. To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12th Nov 2019 – SW requested a change to the notes to indicate that the ‘Lincs Police and Crime Commissioner spoke to the group of Parish Councillors and one Parish Councillor asked what is being done about rural crime’. The notes were unanimously approved with this change.
5. To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding – No actions outstanding.
6. To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) – DA noted that ELDC were definitely purchasing Mareham Rd College in Horncastle and moving operations there once it is fit for purpose. He noted that Boston College had also committed to running some courses in Horncastle. DA also noted that ELDC were looking for alternative methods of raising funds to support the District and to this end there would be a vote on Thursday to decide whether to purchase a development company.
7. To receive an overview of the issues reported to highways by Councillors since the last meeting and agree any action – JO noted that the Parish Council had sent a detailed letter, via email, to Doug Girling, LCC Highways, advising him of highways issues in the village and inviting him to visit and make his own assessment. Also noted was the lack of response when reporting faults through ‘Fix My Street’, for example since the new bridge was installed the associated flooding had been reported approximately 20 times but no action has been forthcoming. Unfortunately, he responded to say that the email account was not being monitored and asked that all issues be reported via ‘Fix My Street’. It was agreed that the issues would be prioritised and then MM would call or write to the Cllr Hugo Marfleet, explain the issues and ask for his support in resolving them. The top 3 priorities were agreed as: 1 – the flooding on Shoe Lane/Watery Lane; 2 – the inaccurate depth gauge; 3 – The collapsed section of Horncastle Rd where the badgers have tunnelled under the road.
8. To consider whether the Parish Council should pursue a bid for funding to install a local gigabit connection – It was agreed that the information provided by Steve Brookes was useful and that it was a good idea. It was agreed that a section about the schemes would be included in the newsletter and would ask for volunteers to become the community champion to take the scheme forward for the villages, if there is enough interest.
9. To receive an update on the defibrillator, to revisit the matter of servicing it and agree next steps (BM) – BM explained that the defibrillator had been installed for 3 years and not been serviced in that time. The service would cost £165 and would include full checks of the batteries and pads, and ensure that the device would still deliver the correct level of shock at the correct time etc. BM noted that she had attempted to get 3 quotes, but other service companies had refused to quote as they had not supplied/installed the machine. It was unanimously agreed to spend the £165 and get the Defib Shop to service the defibrillator. It was agreed that once the service was complete BM would undertake the ongoing weekly and monthly checks. It was also agreed that the PC should aim to service the defibrillator every 3 years.
10. To review the Risk Assessment and agree any changes required – Several changes were agreed to the risk assessment including: addition of the defibrillator; striving to obtain 3 quotes for work over £250 rather than £500; an update to the PC assets recorded on the assessment for inspection. MM to amend the assessment, circulate and place updated version on the website.
11. To consider planning applications / correspondence –
a – Notification that planning permission is not required - Application N/008/01670/19 - SMART METER, GREEN LANE, ASTERBY - Determination of whether or not Prior Approval is required for the siting and appearance of the proposed smart metering pole to the maximum height of 9.15 metres and associated antenna's and equipment enclosure. Noted.
12. To consider correspondence received since the last Council meeting:
Ref From Correspondence Action
A Environment agency Information for residents within your parish, regarding the Flood Warning Service provided by the Environment Agency To note and agree what, if any action – It was agreed that MM would place the information on the website.
B Lincs Fieldpath Association Newsletter To note - noted
13. Financial matters:
a) To receive the updated bank reconciliation and projections from RFO – Received and unanimously accepted. Appendix 1.
b) To agree the budget, salaries and precept for 2019/20 – It was agreed that the precept would be increased slightly to allow for a fund to build up to enable the defibrillator to be serviced every 3 years. It was unanimously agreed to set the precept at £1700.
c) To consider and approve payments due before next meeting including: LALC AGM attendance (SW & AC) £48; Salaries £137.40 – All payments unanimously agreed.
14. To agree items to be included in the next newsletter
• Information on the Gigabit schemes and the search for a Community Champion.
• Summary of the meeting
• Defibrillator service
• Call connect service over Christmas
15. To agree agenda items for the next meeting - It was agreed that the next meeting would be 23rd March 2020. The decision to move to quarterly meetings would be on the agenda.
Meeting closed at 10pm
Appendix 1: Bank reconciliation
22nd Sept 2019 3,763.18
Income Payments Total
Income
0.00
3,763.18
Expenditure
LALC Cllr training day 666 34.20
M Moss Postage 667 5.92
Newsletter (6 editions) 668 75.00
Salaries SO 286.00
Total 401.12
Closing balance 30th Nov 2019 3,362.06