Minutes November 2024

Minutes for Orby PC - November 2024

Orby Parish Council

Orby Parish Council meeting took place on:

Wednesday 27th November 2024, Village Hall, Orby at 7pm

Prior to the meeting, there was an address from Mr Richard Fenwick – LCC Highways commencing at 7pm and during this time, Members of the public could ask questions.

The Council meeting commenced at 7.40pm.

Signed: Alan Vassar –Alan Vassar. Clerk to the Council (Tel: 07935 150634)

Public Session Notes

Mr Richard Fenwick from LCC Highways was in attendance and gave a wide ranging presentation.

  • A walk through has been done in the village and work needed has been prioritised

ongoing improvements because of this. Chevrons have been replaced and footways repaired.

  • The footpaths scored 70 out of 100 and this score dictates the propriety and speed of repair. Over the next couple of years the main footpath through the village will probably be totally replaced but this dependant on funding from the Government.
  • Questioned about the traffic congestion and speed of vehicles transiting the village, Mr Fenwick said that a feasibility study recently completed for a possible £50m bypass was unable to show the necessary benefits:cost ratio demanded by the Government and so has been rejected.
  • Asked if this was a waste of money, reply was that Orby is better prepared now than most other locations requesting a bypass and the document is ‘live’ and can be used readily if Mayoral monies become available.
  • Speed surveys will continue to be done in Orby and if these prove the problems then Enforcement will be brought in.
  • Average Speed Cameras are the only effective way forward but there are strict guidelines as to when they can be installed. They cost between £85000 to £10000 and in reality, every village could make a case for their installation. If the road had experienced fatalities then this would strengthen the case for their implementation.
  • Need to work with the police to get them more involved in speed traps etc. and 75% of traffic going through the village went through at over the 30mph limit but they are the only body that can prosecute.
  • Next Archer survey to be done on a random week in the new year and will liase with PC for siting of equipment, dates etc.
  • RF reacted to a photo of a blocked gulley on Church Lane and promised to deal with it.
  • Damage is being done to the verges due to the size of vehicles passing through Orby. LCC can prohibit overweight vehicles but it is actually a Legal Order made by the King. The NFU, Hauliers Association, PC, Highways etc will all be consulted on this matter but if there is just one objection to the proposal then the application will have to go through Committee and can be easily refused. Cllr Davie interjected that the PC would be happy to support this initiative.

Parish Council Minutes

  1. Apologies for absence
  2.  
  3. To receive Declaration of Interests

None

  1. Notes of meeting held in September 2024 to be approved as Minutes
  2.  
  3. To receive reports from outside bodies

Mr Richard Fenwick from LCC Highways had previously addressed the meeting and thanks were extended to him for his time and advice.

  1. Reports from Councillors re: external meetings

Cllr Walton stated that he had been checking the accounts for the Council and found that the PC had stopped paying the customary £125 for each grass cut etc.

Cllr Davie excluded himself from this item as he had an interest in  the finances of the Church. The other Councillors agreed that the payment should be reinstated and as a token of good will – a one off extra payment of £150 should be made to the PCC and this was agreed.

  1. District Councillor Grant – application?

Application for DC Grant approved - £500. Form to be submitted.

  1. Planning updates?
    1. Decision notice for N/134/02323/23 | Planning Permission - Change of use of 2 no. buildings containing 20 no. training flats into 20 no. holiday flats. ORBY HOUSE, GUNBY ROAD, ORBY, PE23 5SW – REFUSED
      1. This application was refused but only by the casting vote of the Chairman. Residents must be aware of any Serco activity on the site, as Gov looking for suitable sites to house illegal immigrants.
    2. Transfer of land asset to Orby PC for conversion to a Village Green – update on law regarding such designation.
      1. The Clerk brought the law regarding conversion of land to an actual Village Green to the attention of the attendees.

Most Greens were registered in the late 60’s under the Commons Registration Act 1965. Subsequent to this, an application can be made on land not so captured at this time, under section 15(1) of the Commons Act 2006 but this will only be valid if the said land has been used by local people for lawful sports and pastimes ‘as of right’ (without permission, force of secrecy etc) for at least 20 years. This is not the case with the parcel of land discussed and therefore there seems little reason to pursue the matter.

  1. Finance:
    1. To pay other outstanding amounts to be detailed £150 to Church for grass cutting
    2. Pay increase award for Clerk as per the NALC agreement - deferred
  2. Next meeting January 29th 2025

Any other business for discussion (only) and/or inclusion in th

Wednesday, 29th January 2025