Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting 11 December 2023
Minutes of the meeting of Scredington Parish Council held on Monday 11h December 2023 7.30pm
Present: Councillors R. Johnson Chairman, A. Pywell vice-chairman, J. Johnson, K. Sweeny and I. Metcalfe
County Councillor A. Hagues,
Environment Agency representative P. Reilly
10 members of public present.
1. Chairman’s welcome.
Councillor R. Johnson Chairman presiding over the meeting, welcomed everyone.
Public forum.
Flooding at Northbeck -
A member of the public spoke on behalf of some residents of Northbeck regarding concerns over flooding that has occurred at Northbeck and in particular during storm Babet. This resulted in numerous residents seeing water encroach close to their properties. The member of public thought that insufficient annual maintenance has resulted in a build-up of vegetation that has impeded water flow, compounded by slippages on the Beck banks to the east of the Pack Horse bridge which have not been remedied. Concerns were also raised over the personnel railings on the Pack Horse bridge which “caught” floating weed and slowed flow rates down further, causing flooding not seen before at Northbeck. Photos illustrating the level of flooding and weed burden were shown to the Parish Council.
The member of public did comment that he had been in communication with the E.A. for numerous years about the Beck maintenance but had received limited responses, although it was noted that E.A. employees had been on site previously to monitor the Beck and that 2 E.A employees had been out to “look and take photos” at the Beck early that day.
The member of public went on to say that residents of Northbeck would like a commitment from the E.A for an increased level of annual maintenance and that the Parish Council should ensure this maintenance occurs. It was also felt that road closures should be in place if flooding occurred. Sandbags should be made available to residents by the Parish Council and stored locally to mitigate flooding of their properties, as well as an emergency plan being in place should a flood event occur again, with the provision of the community centre as a refuge should properties be flooded. It was proposed that this plan was available to see on the parish council website and social media.
Another member of the public from Northbeck added that they would like to work together with the Parish Council to help achieve these outcomes.
Childrens Play equipment at the Community Centre –
A member of the public raised concerns about the play equipment and the provision for new equipment alongside the condition of the play surface around existing equipment and the timescale of it occurring.
Signpost –
A member of the public asked if the signpost north of the village on Station Road had been reported to highways.
2. Apologies:
District Councillor R. Jackson
3. Notes of the meeting held on Monday 25th September 2023 be approved as the minutes.
3.1 It was resolved by all to accept these minutes as a true recording of the meeting.
4. Matters arising from the minutes
4.1 None
5. Declarations of interest according to the Localism Act 2011.
5.1 None
6. County and District Council reports:
6.1 Environment Agency – Pete Reilly
Full report and Parish council correspondence to be attached.
It was the first Parish council meeting that Pete had spoken on behalf of the E.A. where a house had not had internal flooding. He thanked the Parish Council for their emails and correspondence over concerns of flooding and allowing him to speak with local residents.
In summary Pete gave a report about the flooding that occurred during storm Babet and that 30mm of rain had been predicted with an average rainfall of 70mm but up to 90mm in places. This in turn gave an increase of 364% above Octobers average rainfall.
The pumps at Black Sluice pumping station on the Soth Forty Foot were built and sited in the 1930’s and were running up to 2018 when they were decommissioned. When it was felt that they were no longer required as 98% of water could be managed through Boston by tidal flow and whilst the gravity sluice and dual-purpose lock play an important role in managing flood risk to people and property, the pumps do not.
The Environment Agency does provide a warning service with flood alerts should members of the public subscribe to it.
Pete went onto to say that the E.A. were responsible for main river maintenance which the Beck falls under. The E.A. only has limited funds for works to be carried out and will prioritise spending where properties have been internally flooded. Fortunately, no properties in Northbeck were or have been internally flooded to date.
The Parish Council have been in contact with the E.A. prior to the meeting and it has been agreed to increase the level of maintenance of weed cutting on the Beck banks from 1 cut per year to 2 cuts per year going forward. Also, the bank slip to the East of the Pack horse Bridge will be repaired. However further slips downstream would not be repaired currently, as it would be too costly and funding would be better spent elsewhere.
Pete also reported that only the police have the authority to close roads and not local residents, he did however comment that it has been known for local residents to use cars to block roads successfully. It was also commented that sandbags should be available from the local county council.
6.2 District Councillor R. Jackson sent local Christmas bin collection dates that were different to normal collection dates.
6.3 County Councillor A. Hagues was in attendance.
Councillor Hagues reported that 684 homes across the county have been reported with internal flooding from storm Babet and that they would all be individually assessed to see if flooding could be avoided in the future, although this may take time.
Sand and sandbags are available from the county council and would be better stored locally on site where required, rather than wait for an emergency event and hope they arrive on site in time.
County council have voted for a devolution and will be represented by a Mayor in 2025 with more details to follow.
7. Planning applications:
7.1 None
8. Finance report:
8.1. The finance report had been distributed prior to the meeting. It was resolved to accept these figures. Current balance of £66,112.92
8.2 No further issues
9. Highway matters
9.1 On going work still occurring on Church Lane. The signpost north of the village on Station Road has been reported but still awaiting repair.
10. Matters affecting village/correspondence
10.1 A member of the local community has applied for the position of Parish Clerk. An interview and appointment to be arranged.
10.2 Anglian water have set up a Lincolnshire Reservoir community Liaison Group (LRCLG). Multiple parish councils and other community bodies have been invited to discuss the proposed reservoir. There will be four meetings a year. RJ and JJ attended. It was personally felt that this group was more of a tick box exercise in consulting the local bodies and it may not affect outcomes. A chairman for the meeting had not been appointed.
10.3 A bench for Raymond Bell has been bought and sited outside the community centre commemorating Raymond Bell and his legacy to the community.
10.4 Aswarby estate are proposing to create a new solar park to the West of Scredington bordering the Mareham lane. A meeting was held by the developers at the community centre where it was proposed that they leave a barrier of trees and hedging to buffer the view from Station Road and to leave the junction onto the Mareham lane clear of trees and vegetation so not to impede views from the junction effecting safety. The developers were hoping to submit a planning application by the end of the year with the view to have planning approval by the end of 2024.
10.5 There has been correspondence between the Parish Council and the E.A. regarding the flooding around the village and maintenance of the Beck. Copies were circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting and shall be attached to the minutes.
300 tulip bulbs have been bought and planted within Scredington and Northbeck.
Scredington Church is part of a group of local churches called Living Stones. There is going to be a church café on the end of the month held at Scredington Community Centre and Living stones would like to put a banner (approx. 2x1m) advertising it on the roadside corner of Church Lane and Main Street. It was unanimously agreed by all councillors to allow the banner to be sited.
11. Date of the next meeting has been set for 11th March 2024
Meeting closed at 9.20pm.