Parish Council

Parish Council Report – 9th September 2014

In Councillor Kate Tyler’s absence, the meeting was chaired by the Vice-chair, Councillor Ian Goldsworthy.

The evening opened with residents’ questions:

• Use of Social Media:  It was suggested that use of Facebook by the Council might improve communications with the public.  It was agreed that the proposal be pursued once the Council’s own website had been revised – in a different part of the Doodle there is a request for someone to volunteer to make our website more user-friendly, up-to-date and informative and this additional way of communication could perhaps be included in this request.  So, if you have the necessary skills to carry out this important task, your councillors would welcome your support!
• VHMC Minutes:  It was agreed that, in future, the minutes of the Village Hall Management Committee would be published on the Council’s website.
• Village Hall Car Park: A resident asked if anything was being done about the potholes in the Village Hall car park.  Fortuitously, the Chair of the VHMC was present and was able to report that some 20 tons of road planings was being delivered for spreading and compacting.  He was hoping that volunteers would come forward to help him to carry out the work involved!
• Anaerobic Digester:  Finally a Wasps Nest resident wanted clarification of the route being used by the lorries taking chicken litter to the anaerobic digester and to confirm that the lorries and any stored matter would be covered.  It was suggested that the resident approach Robert Hall of Beeswax who it was felt would be happy to clarify the position.

The following is a summary of some of the other issues discussed at the meeting:

Crime

Two minor thefts were reported.  However, Councillor Jones was concerned that residents reporting incidents, including the recent ones relating to Nocton Hall, were not being informed of the action taken by the police.  Our PCSO asked that when reporting an incident, the fullest possible information is given, including registration numbers, make, type and colour of vehicle, direction of vehicle travel and any passengers, etc.  She promised, however, to ensure that the comments relating to lack of feedback were followed up.

Highway Issues

A Community Speed Watch Scheme is being rolled out across the county involving the use of Speed Indicator Devices and passive signage.  As we already have the use of a SID within our cluster, we are asking for six “FREE” passive signs which, from time-to-time, will be put up at various sites in the village in an effort to deter speeding vehicles.  The sites will be identified in consultation with the Road Safety Partnership.

Concern was also expressed over parking on Main Street in the vicinity of the bus stops.  However, it was felt that unless a heavy handed approach was taken throughout the village on all of our roads then there was very little that we, as a Parish Council, can do about it other than to urge all residents to make sure that when parking they do so as considerately as possible and in a way which does not impede buses from stopping at designated stops and passengers from using the drop-down sections of pavement.

Nocton Hall

Over the months and years, the Parish and District Councils have been working tirelessly to try to bring about a resolution of the situation at Nocton Hall.  Unfortunately, none of our collective efforts have led to anything positive so we have now put forward a strongly worded resolution to all the powers saying that enough is enough!  The full resolution can be read on the PC Website and Nocton Blog.

Village Hall Refurbishment Project

The Clerk reported that the architect, Steve Saunders, had been unable to make the last meeting but it was hoped that initial plans for a remodelled Hall would be ready for the next meeting on 25th September, or very soon thereafter.  All of us are keen to get started on this project!

Nocton Trail

A request for £1,000 for the printing of new Nocton Trail pamphlets was received and whilst it was agreed to offer some support, the limited funds available to the Parish Council meant that the Applicant would be asked to look at the possibility of obtaining additional funding from other sources.

Youth Club

Great news!  Vicky Rowding from North Hykeham has been appointed as the Nocton Youth Club Leader.  The Club should have its first meeting shortly and all residents with young folk need to keep an eye out for details of the launch!

Best Kept Village

Councillor Burr reported that Nocton had reached the final five villages but unfortunately had missed out on the top places – but well done to everyone involved for getting us this far!  After two years of stirling work, work commitments mean that Jilly Burr is standing aside from leading on BKV.  However, should another Group or individual wish to take up the batten to lead on this important activity, the Parish Council will be happy tp offer every possible support.

Nocton Village Planters

Winchester Growers are to supply spring bulbs for the next planting.  In the meantime, ‘green manure’ will be sown over the winter to feed and enrich the soil.

Local Plan for Central Lincolnshire

Our County Councillor, Marianne Overton, updated us on the current position relating to the Local Plan for our area.  This is now going out for public consultation and Councillor Overton urged everyone to make their comments known – this time around it should be much easier to do so and we were assured our opinions will be listened to!  The Parish Council will be considering this very important matter at its next meeting so that it can make its own comments on the draft Plan.

Proposed Wind Farm at Nocton Fen

Councillor Overton also reported that she understood that the grid which would take electricity from the proposed site of the new wind farm was currently at full capacity but wasn’t sure what effect this would have on the scheme.  It was, of course, possible that by the time any application is made, the position may have changed.

Date of next meeting: 21 October, 2014 at 7.00pm

“Remember: Praise loudly Blame softly”

Councillor MaryAnn Williams