2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

North Thoresby, Grainsby & Waithe Parish Council

North Thoresby Village Hall, The Square, North Thoresby, DN36 5QL
  
Minutes of Meeting 03 June 2024

Present:

Chair   Colin Goodwin

Councillors   Keith Butters (Vice Chair), Ian Bunn, Lynne Gale

District Councillor   Terry Aldridge

Public   10 members of the public

Acting Clerk   Lynne Gale

1.   Open and Welcome by the Chair.  

The Chair opened the meeting and reminded attendees the proceedings will be recorded.

2.   Declarations of Interest:  

a)   No declarations of interest by any member of the council. 

b)   There were no dispensations.
 
3.   Apologies:  

Apologies had been received from Councillors Willerton, Orrill and Marfleet.

4.   Adoption of Previous Minutes:  

The minutes of the Annual meeting held on Monday 13 May 2024 were proposed, seconded and approved.

The minutes of the Extra-ordinary meeting held on Monday 29th April 2024, were proposed, seconded and approved.

5.   Open Forum:  

A resident asked when the notice boards would be replaced.  A full update in item 12.  The consensus is the fencing looks attractive.

David Drury planning application for Meadow Cottage.  Mr Drury spoke about his organisations planning application and took questions.  A copy of his statement is attached to the minutes.

6.   District/County Councillor Reports:  

District Councillor Terry Aldridge advised attendees that he had now be voted to Vice Chair of Planning.  Edward Mossop was now Chair following the recent AGM of the Council.  There has been mention of funding being available to reopen toilets. Cllr Aldridge has joined the local Patients Panel.  Councillor Aldridge had received many complementary messages regarding our own Annual Parish Meeting.  He has access to some funding we may be able to access

7.   Planning applications.

N133007202424 8 Robinsons Lane North Thoresby – Extension to current home.  Proposal to support the application, seconded and approved.

N13300714/26 Meadow Cottage North Thoresby – Change of use.  No Objections from the Council.  Proposal to support the application, seconded and approved.

8.   Clerk’s Report:  

To receive an update on any matters arising since the last meeting. 

i   Current Grass Contractor has agreed to take on the Mapletoft Playing fields

ii   Fans – request from hall hirer.  Located two.  Caretaker to organise PAT test. Donation of cash to doner for charitable use.  Proposed, seconded approved.

iii   Pre-election briefing documents circulated.  For Councillors to read and be familiar with

iv   Election being held 4 July.  Usually a pop-in lunch day. Mark is liaising with Di King re change of dates.

v   Parishioner Correspondence

a.   Dickensons Lane Traffic issue – Clerk to write to Highways

b.   Beanfield – Hedges. – Clerk to write to Developers

c.   Dog Waste – Church Lane  - Unable to follow up as anonymous

vi   Penalty Charge HRMC 100.00 for not recording income tax payments.  This is due to a late payment as tax duties were not resolved before 1 February.  This was then compounded by our inability to access the bank.

vii   External Auditor

a.   Penalty charge 804.00 external auditor.  Issues regarding submission of AGAR and also the period available for public viewing.

b.    Have had notice to complete audit documentation by 1 July.  We are on target with this.  The internal audit has started and the chair and I are meeting with him on 11 June.  We are on track for the public viewing to be available for the period commencing 1 July.

viii   2 FOI received (from the same resident), both dealt with within the allocated time scale.

ix   Pruning in the memorial garden – managed by Mark within his Village Hall hours.

x   Web Site –  All compliancy and links to certain pages had been removed by an ex employee.  They are in the process of being re built.

a.   Accessibility compliant – still a lot to do.  This was previously removed and LCC Web master is working with me to put it right.

b.   Minutes and agendas – All of last years minutes have been returned to the web site.  We are still trying to access old Agendas.

9.   Locum Clerk/RFO – Update on Recruitment 

The vacancy has now been advertised.

An expression of interest has been received from an experienced clerk to step in as Locum Clerk and RFO.  A Teams meeting will be set up for the Chair and Vice Chair to interview the candidate.

10  Finance:  

a)   To receive a financial summary from the Clerk.

•   We now have two signatory and one inputter operational.  A third signatory and three inputters have all had problems in setting up their credentials.  This is a bank problem and is being dealt with.
•   There is a meeting scheduled with the Internal Auditor Next week to go through the audit report.  We need to organise an EOM to sign of the AGAR.  12 June at 6.00pm was agreed.
 
b)   To approve a Schedule of Payments for invoices received since the last meeting.  

The recent Fire Health and Safety Report, completed by Castle Consulting has thrown up a significant number of safety issues.  Each has been given a time limit and it is now necessary to agree a budget and work plan to ensure the Village Hall can continue to function safely.  A copy of the report has been filed on the website.  The report is being worked through.  There appear to be an issue with the internal doors in the Village Hall.  Being investigated.
Fire sensors have been fitted for the meanwhile that when one alerts, they all alert.  This allows us time to get funds together for a fully compliant L2 alarm system.

12.   Update on Railings  

Have now completed first stage of railings.  Lots of positive feedback. The next step is to fit the notice boards.  Notice boards will be kept locked with key access to restricted persons.  The National Lottery will send signage to confirm funding.

13.   Update on Best Village/Village in Bloom  

One parishioner has stepped forward to assist Cllr Willerton.  Look at dates, maybe leave until next year.

14.   Litter Bin on Ludborough Road 

We have reached the maximum number of bins for the area allowed.  Cllr Goodwin is going to organise to reallocate some of the bins in the surrounding area to become dual use and hopes this will resolve the issue.

11.   Date and Time of Next Meeting

Monday 1 July at 7.00pm 

THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT PROVIDED BY DAVID DRURY OF THE MEADOW COTTAGE PLANNING APPLICATION

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to talk this evening. Firstly, let start by introducing myself and provide a brief overview of my background.

I grew up in Cleethorpes and currently reside in Humberston so a fairly local lad. I have over 26 years of experience working in local authority children’s services, primarily managing, and overseeing children’s residential care.

Throughout my career, the services I have led have consistently received GOOD and, on numerous occasions, OUTSTANDING ratings in all areas from the regulator Ofsted.

In recent years, I have worked as a consultant, helping failing regulated organisations to achieve significant improvements and successful turnarounds.

Running my own children’s residential services has always been a personal ambition. For several years, I have been seeking the right investors to join me in this venture. With NCCC and the new partnership, I believe I have found investors who share my values and principles in social care, prioritising quality, and investment before profit.

I understand why you might have concerns, as children’s homes often face stigmatisation and negative perceptions comparing them to Borstal-type settings.

To address this, I’ve prepared a list of frequently asked questions. I hope my responses to these, along with any questions you may have, will help alleviate your concerns.

1. Where will the looked after children be educated?

All children will have access to education which will be in line with their needs. It would be impossible to say at this stage what school that will be.

We always aim for continuity with schooling, however if that’s not possible we liaise with the placing local authority, who then liaise with our local authority to obtain a suitable education placement depending on the age, capabilities and needs.

It isn’t uncommon for some children in care to have an ECHP (Education, Health Care Plan) which will articulate individuals needs and cater accordingly. It could be a local school such as Humberston or Louth Academy or it could be a more specialised provision. It remains unknown until the child is in placement.

2. What will the general age range of the children be?

The children will be between 8 and 17 years old.

3. Can you give a general reason why these children are in the Children's home?

Children are placed in the children's home for various reasons, often due to circumstances that make it unsafe or unsuitable for them to remain in their family home.

This can include situations of neglect, physical/ sexual abuse, family breakdown, or the inability of parents or guardians to provide appropriate care.

The children's home provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where their needs can be met, and they can thrive.

4. Where will they access medical care? GP services? Dental care? etc.

All children will be registered with the local GP and dentist, unless they are already registered with a GP or dentist in the area.

5. How are you intending on meeting the health and social care of these vulnerable children?

We are committed to meeting the health and social care needs of these vulnerable children through a comprehensive approach. Each child will be registered with a local GP and dentist to ensure access to regular medical and dental care.

We will also work closely with healthcare professionals, including emotional and mental health specialists, to address any physical, emotional, or psychological/ therapeutic needs.

Additionally, we provide a nurturing and supportive environment with qualified trained staff who are equipped to offer personalised care and support.

Our team will coordinate with children’s local authorities and children’s services to create individualised care plans, ensuring each child receives the necessary resources and interventions to thrive.

Regular assessments and reviews will be conducted to adapt and enhance the care provided, promoting the overall well-being and development of each child ensuring our care has an impact and positive progress.

6. How long will they be staying in the property? Long term/short term?

We are registering with Ofsted as a medium- to long-term home with the goal of providing a stable and nurturing environment for children.

Our aim is for children placed with us to settle in and remain throughout their developmental years, allowing us to support and prepare them for a future of happy and independent living.

We are dedicated to building strong, solid foundations that will help them thrive as young adults.

7. Will there be a constant turnover of new children coming?

As part of our robust assessment criteria, our goal is to offer a home to four carefully matched children, ensuring that we can meet their needs and provide them with the best chance to settle, be supported, and heal from their past traumatic experiences.

By creating a safe and nurturing environment, we aim to show these children, that not all adults are dangerous and uncaring,

challenging the perceptions and values of those who might overlook the importance of compassion and understanding in a child's life.

8. Why have you chosen a RURAL village with no bus connection, no after school activities and poor social links to children of similar ages?

Choosing a village to set up a children's home offers several compelling benefits. A village setting provides a peaceful, safe, and close-knit community environment that can be highly beneficial for children's emotional and psychological well-being and healing.

Meadow Cottage in North Thoresby offers the tranquillity and natural surroundings which will help create a calming atmosphere, conducive to healing and personal growth.

North Thoresby appears to have a strong community, allowing children to form meaningful relationships and feel a sense of belonging. The local schools, amenities, and activities in the nearby towns (only 10 minutes travel) and villages ensure that children have access to a wide range of educational and recreational opportunities.

Children who currently reside in the village I imagine will participate in these activities, forming friendships and social links. Our home will ensure the children have the same opportunities, fostering a supportive and engaging community environment.

In addition, property has a large garden, approx. just under 1 acre, which will be utilised to provide a range of activities.

It is my understanding that there are bus connections within the village, every hour? and the home will have its own vehicle, ensuring transportation is not an issue, operating much like any other family home currently, who raise their children in North Thoresby.

Overall, I strongly believe Meadow Cottage, and North Thoresby village setting can provide a nurturing and supportive environment that helps children feel safe, valued, and integrated into the community, all of which are crucial for their development and recovery.

9. Have you considered the impact on the elderly neighbouring residents.

It's important to address any potential misconceptions about the establishment of a children's home in the area.

I understand that there may be apprehensions about children's homes, often fuelled by misunderstandings and lack of information. It's essential to acknowledge that stereotypes exist, portraying these facilities as resembling 'Borstal type' institutions where troubled youths are placed. However, it's crucial to dispel these misconceptions.

There are approximately 75,000 Looked After Children in the UK. These are not just statistics; behind each number lies a story of neglect and abuse suffered at the hands of adults. These children have been removed from harmful environments for their own safety, not because they pose a risk to others, including elderly individuals.

It's essential to recognise that these children, among the most vulnerable in our society, deserve the chance to grow up without fear of harm or abuse. They have the same inherent right as any other child to experience safety, emotional warmth, and opportunities for a fulfilling life.

We are striving to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to thrive and reach their full potential. I ask you to consider extending compassion and support to those who need it most, fostering a community where every child is valued and protected.

Our aim with Meadow Cottage is to create a safe, modern children's home that prioritises providing a supportive, family-like environment. Contrary to stereotypes, our dedicated staff members work tirelessly to ensure the well-being and development of each child, fostering a sense of belonging and security.

It's important to note that Meadow Cottage will accommodate up to four children only, operating on the same principles as any other family home.

We deeply value the concerns of the community and are committed to addressing them transparently. Our goal is to be good neighbours and contribute positively to the well-being of the surrounding area, including the residents of North Thoresby. If there are specific concerns or further discussions needed, we are open and available to address them respectfully.

10. What will be the expected volume of traffic going to and from the property? With reference to staff shifts, deliveries and visitation.

I anticipate that the volume of traffic at our children's home will be comparable to that of any large family residence.

Staff changes will occur every two days, approximately at 8 am, ensuring continuity of care. A seasoned manager will be present daily to oversee operations.

Regarding deliveries, we don't expect them to exceed the typical amount received by a family home, such as a Tesco delivery. Additionally, children's social workers visit once every six weeks, although these visits may not always take place at the home itself.

Currently, this is a large four-bedroom family home on spacious grounds, suitable for a family of five/ Six people, each with their own car, plus visitors. Therefore, it is unlikely that our vision for Meadow Cottage would generate more traffic than this scenario.

Thank you for your time, any questions?