March 2021

Draft notes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Bracebridge Heath held remotely via Zoom on Tuesday 2nd March 2021 at 7pm.

Present: Cllr Moran chaired the meeting. Clerk to Council Mrs S Knowles & Assistant Clerk to Council Mrs R Fraser were in attendance.

23 members of the public were present.

The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies for absence – Apologies for absence were received from L Hauton.

2. To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting – 3rd March 2020 - The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting, held on Tuesday 3rd March 2020 were accepted as a true record and signed by the chairman.

3. To receive a report from the Chairman of the Parish Council – A written report had been submitted by Cllr Moran. An overview of Council activities over the last year was given. The Chairman thanked Council’s members, staff and the community for working together during a difficult year.

4. To receive parish council reports –

a. Amenities committee – A written report had been submitted. Cllr Trought reported on the work of the committee.

b. Environment committee – A written report had been submitted. Cllr Manders reported on the work of the committee.

A member of the public asked about the latest revision to planning application 20/0057/OUT, Land off Sleaford Road, Bracebridge Heath and the provision of a primary school on the land. The process for deciding the provision of new primary schools was explained.

Information about grant providers for the area was provided by a member of the public.

A resident asked about the protection of green spaces in the village and whether this would include the burial ground. It was confirmed that the burial ground would be included in the application to Fields in Trust.

Cllr Cawrey noted that the neighbourhood plan for the village was of vital importance in obtaining the maximum Community infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for the community.

c. Finance & Policy committee – A written report had been submitted.  Cllr Kilcoyne reported on the work of the committee.

d. Executive sub-committee – A written report has been submitted. Cllr Kilcoyne gave a verbal summary.

e. Neighbourhood Plan sub-committee – A written report had been submitted. Cllr Walker gave a verbal summary.  

5. To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Councillor – Cllr Cawrey reported that:

• Household waste recycling centres were now fully open but must still be booked online or via the Customer Service Centre. Thanks were given to residents for their patience during this time.
• A site visit with a highways officer would take place in Bracebridge Heath. Cllr Cawrey would highlight ongoing highways issues including the pedestrian/cycle access to the bypass.
• Reopening of schools in the county on Monday 8th March.
• The County Council budget including an increase of 1.99% to the precept.
• The ongoing work at developing a cycling infrastructure for the area.

The clerk to council noted that roads were planned for resurfacing in Bracebridge Heath from April 2021 and asked whether footpaths would also be included. Cllr Cawrey would discuss this at the highways site visit.

It was requested that Cllr Cawrey follow up on the condition of Bath Road due to repeated roadworks. This would be looked into. Cllr Cawrey explained that utility companies need only give notice to the County Council about forthcoming roadworks and that permission is not required before this commences.

It was reported that comments regarding revised planning applications would be submitted by Parish Council but would like to reiterate the importance of the cycle ways for separate developments being joined up to create a network of cycling infrastructure.

6. To receive reports from District Councillors – Cllr Cawrey reported on fly tipping and actions taken by NKDC; the census to be held on 21 March 2021.

Cllr Burley reported on the successful move to remote meetings at the district council; thanks to the Planning department who had continued working throughout the pandemic; thanks to waste collections teams returning to work following an outbreak of Covid-19.

Cllr Moran thanked the Economic Development team for administering support and grants so quickly to local businesses during the pandemic.

7. To receive reports from village organisations - Written reports were received in advance from community groups. Further comments were made by representatives as recorded.

Verbal reports were provided by:

Mrs Lynn from the Bracebridge Heath preschool.

Mrs Shaw from the Allotment Holders Association.

Mr Cobbold from the Heath U3A

Rev Bell from St John the Evangelist Church.

Mrs Manders from St John’s Primary Academy.

The clerk to council read a report on behalf of the Community library.

8. To thank community volunteers and receive volunteer reports – Thanks and appreciation were given to all of Council’s volunteers in the last year, including those involved with the Community Support Group. Thanks were also given to the team at the Branston Food Bank who have provided support to residents of the village during the pandemic.

9. Questions or points raised by residents and members of the public – Nil

The chairman thanked everyone present for their attendance and reports and informed them that a meeting of the parish council would immediately follow. There being no further business the meeting was closed at 20:55

Signed_________________________________Chairman                                          1st March 2022