Welby Parish Council - Home page

Welcome to Welby

Welcome to Welby

Welby Parish

Welby is a small, quaint village within the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. It lies 4.5 miles north-east of Grantham with a population of approximately 169 in 82 households (taken from the 2011 census). 

Welby Church Candlelight Carol Service

This year's Welby Church Candlelight Carol Service will take place on Sunday 15th December at 4pm.

Village Green Works

Following an inspection by a specialist company WPC have arranged for some tree maintenance work to take place on the village green on Tuesday 17 December. This will consist of some sympathetic pruning and crown raising of several trees. Also the rowan and the oak next to the millenium oak will be removed altogether and their stumps ground down.

Village Sign

This is currently being restored as it had weathered badly. It will be back in place for when the Christmas tree goes up.

Prince William of Gloucester Barracks - public consultation

As part of a wider £5.1bn investment portfolio to deliver a more modern and sustainable estate for the military to live, work and train on, Prince William of Gloucester Barracks has been identified as surplus to military requirements and is expected to close when the Army vacates in 2028. This provides a potential opportunity to create an integrated, new community that will continue to be part of local life when the army leaves.

For full details please visit: https://princewilliamofgloucesterbarracks.co.uk/

Local consultation

Two community drop-in events will be hosted in November to provide an update on the next steps for bringing development plans for the barracks forward. Click here to view a copy of the newsletter.

The events will be held at Grantham Cricket Club, Gorse Lane, Grantham, NG31 7UE.

Date: Friday 23 November 2024
Time: 4.00pm–7.30pm

Date: Saturday 24 November 2024
Time: 10am–2pm

Free parking to support shoppers and businesses ahead of Christmas

Visitors could be in line to enjoy more free parking in all South Kesteven District Council-run car parks in a bid to boost business in the run-up to the festive period.

This would be in addition to regular free Sunday parking, perfect for SKDC’s Grantham Christmas lights switch-on festivities already on the diary for Sunday 1st December.

On Tuesday, SKDC’s Cabinet will be presented with updated proposals for new car park tariffs in Grantham and Stamford following feedback from the public, community groups and other stakeholders.

A one hour’s free parking in Grantham short stay car parks every day is being proposed to help stimulate the local economy. Previous plans for Sunday, Bank Holiday and evening charging in Grantham and Stamford are proposed to be discontinued.

In the same meeting Cabinet will be asked to approve for consultation revised increases to parking charges following almost three years without a price rise. 

Cllr Richard Cleaver, Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement, said: “This positive news shows we have listened to local business and residents, and to the feedback received by our economic development team, as we target further increased footfall across our four busy market towns.

“The plan for some free Christmas parking would help more residents and visitors to enjoy shopping in our four towns ahead of the big day – and support our local businesses at the same time.

“If approved, we hope this will encourage more people to visit our town centres at what we expect to be a very busy period for local businesses, particularly our amazing independent stores.

“We’re already doing lots to help businesses across the District, including the provision of training and grants, workshops, economic development campaigns, plus work such as the Market Place renovation in Grantham and financial support for shop front improvements.

“We have so much to offer, with our shops, cafes and other Town Centre attractions so it’s great that we can encourage more people to visit with this offer.”

If approved, the free Christmas parking would operate each Monday to Wednesday from Monday 2nd December up to and including Tuesday 24th December. It would be for two hours in short stay and three hours in long stay car parks.

The free Christmas car parking periods would apply in South Kesteven District Council-owned car parks where charges apply, which are:

Grantham Long Stay:              Welham Street

Grantham Short Stay:             Guildhall Street; Watergate; Wharf Road; Conduit Lane

Stamford Long Stay:               Wharf Road; Cattle Market

Stamford Short Stay:              North Street; Bath Row; St Leonard’s Street; Scotgate

 

Dog Fouling on Red Lane

Sadly we have to report that there is a noticeable increase of dog fouling and the resultant waste not being picked up, particularly on Red Lane. This is despite the presence of the Parish Council provided bin in that area.

We ask and remind all residents and responsible dog owners to please pick up and dispose of dog waste created by their pets.

Red Lane is a byway which is covers under the same laws as a pavement and thus people who do not pick up after their pets are liable to be fined under existing legislation.

Like you, we want to keep our village and its surroundings in a pleasant condition so we ask that this is part of doing exactly that.

Solar Farms - Current Status

The current status of the various solar farms around Welby is as follows:

  1. Ash Tree Solar Farm: planning application has been submitted but still awaiting decision by SKDC. Welby Parish Council has previously submitted comments. Further changes had been made to the application. Application was refused by SKDC. For details follow the links below.
  2. Welby Solar Farm: a full planning application has now been submitted.
  3. Church Lane Solar Farm: an EIA (environmental Impact Assessment) Screening Opinion was requested which does not require a planning permission. A full planning application had been submitted. This closed for public comment on 29 April 2024. Welby Parish Council have submitted comments. SKDC refused planning permission on 11 July 2024 but an appeal has now been lodged.

The Church Lane Solar Farm proposal is probably of the most concern as it is by far the closest to the village. The full planning application for Church Lane Solar Farm has been submitted and Welby Parish Council have commented. An open forum was held so villagers could express their views which were taken into account. SKDC refused planning permission on 11 July 2024.

Flooding in Welby

Permits and gangs have been booked for a 12th August start date until 6th September. The main body of the works will include a full survey and clearing of the existing system, so a high powered jetting unit and a works gang will be attending and will clear roots and blockages, repair small breakages and camera everything they can get the camera unit into. If these investigations find some considerable damage, that the gangs are unable to repair there and then, then they will have to return at a later date to carry out these larger scale works, but the gangs will try their best to leave the whole system serviceable and flowing, even if there are other more extensive issues to address later on.

Be alert to future flooding: Flood Action Week

With many areas recently affected by flooding, it has never been more important for people to understand the risks it can pose to their home or their life.

Flood Action Week this week (14-20 October) aims to increase awareness of the risk of flooding and what to do to prepare.

SKDC shares flood warnings on its social media channels www.southkesteven.gov.uk/getsocial

Or people can sign up for their own alerts via www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings

In England, the Environment Agency provides three types of flood warning:

  • flood alert – flooding is possible so householders should “prepare”
  • flood warning – flooding is expected; householders should “act now”
  • severe flood warning – flooding could be a risk to life and significant disruption to communities

Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement, Cllr Richard Cleaver, said: “All flood alerts and flood warnings must be taken seriously, as there are different actions recommended to each stage.

“However, severe flood warnings can be issued before, during or after flooding, and should be acted upon immediately.

“There is lots of specific advice on how to be aware of potential flooding, how to prepare your home and what to do if the worst happens.

“Anyone who rents their home from the council and it becomes flooded should contact the Housing Team on 01476 40 60 80, out of hours this is 01476 40 60 40.”

Advice is available for anyone affected by flooding at:

https://www.lincolnshireresilienceforum.org/risks/river-surface-groundwater-flooding 

To report flooding inside a property, call Lincolnshire County Council's flood line on 01522 782082 at any time. External flooding should be notified to www.fixmystreet.com

During extreme weather conditions where flooding is likely, the first actions to be taken are:

  • Keep children and pets away from the flooded areas
  • If it's safe to do so, isolate all electrical circuits by turning off the supply at the circuit board or fuse box
  • Contact your insurance provider to report the damage and make a claim (keep receipts of emergency expenses). Any claims for loss or damage must be directed to your insurance provider
  • If it's safe to do so, take photos of the flooded area – these could support your insurance claim
  • If you live in a rented property, you should contact your landlord and let them know

People who rent from a housing association or a private landlord need to make them aware of the situation as they are responsible for the building.  

Full details: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/flooding

 
Emergency numbers
emergency details

Areas of responsibility:

* Homeowners are generally responsible for all pipes and connections within their property boundaries.

* Anglian Water is responsible for both the mains water supply and the sewage drains in the village (outside peoples’ properties).

* Lincolnshire County Council is responsible for the stormwater drains in the village (outside peoples’ properties).

* Lincolnshire County Council (Highways Department) is also responsible for the roads in the village.

* South Kesteven District Council is responsible for the sweeping of the roads in the village.

* South Kesteven District Council is also responsible for the street lights within the village.

* National Grid (Western Power Distribution) is responsible for the electricity cables in the village (outside peoples' properties).

Household battery collections start in South Kesteven

A new battery recycling scheme for South Kesteven is operating from Monday 16th September.

It is to encourage recycling of household batteries, which must be left in a small bag, such as a new freezer bag or clean nappy sack, tied to the lid of the black, silver or purple-lid wheelie bin on collection day each week.

The cross-party initiative by South Kesteven District Council shows a collective commitment across the political parties to drive progress on recycling and work to meet Climate Change goals.

It will also reduce the risk of fires in bin lorries and keep crews safe while supporting SKDC’s climate action goals.

Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Cllr Rhys Baker, said: “This service is available every week to all residential addresses with a wheelie bin, with the battery bags emptied into a separate container attached to each bin lorry. There’s no extra cost to householders for this.

“The fire safety issues we have experienced is a real danger to crews: when batteries are thrown away in the bin with your other household waste and recycling, they are likely to be crushed or punctured in the bin lorry or at the processing centre.

“Some batteries, particularly rechargeables, can ignite or even explode if they are damaged. If this happens, they can quickly set fire to other material in the waste, such as paper, which may lead to serious incidents that put lives at risk.

“From Monday 16th September, SKDC crews will accept all everyday household batteries, button batteries from watches and alarms, as well as batteries from e-cigarettes – but please no vapes, disposable or otherwise.

“If you live in a flat using communal bins, or a house on our pink/clear bag collections, please continue to take batteries and vapes to supermarkets, shops or the Household Recycling Centre.”

This additional service complements SKDC’s fortnightly general waste collections, which go for disposal at the Energy from Waste plant, to be turned into electricity, as well as the alternate two-weekly clean/dry recyclables (silver bin) and the paper and card (purple lid) collections. Households can also enrol on the green bin garden waste scheme, although there is an additional cost to this.

SKDC’s recycling commitments are helping the council move towards its net-zero targets following declaration of a climate emergency in September 2019.

The Climate Action Strategy, as well as outlining the council’s vision, aims and ambition to mitigate and adapt to climate change, also identifies waste as a resource – and pledges to generate less waste overall across the district.

All electrical items and batteries can continue to be disposed of at Household Waste Recycling Centres or in dedicated battery bins at retailers. If the batteries cannot be removed, for instance from toothbrushes, shavers, chargers and toys, these electricals should also be recycled separately.

Batteries that must be taken to the Household Recycling Centre

  • Car batteries
  • Laptop battery packs
  • Mobile phone batteries
  • Power tool batteries
  • Lighters
  • Remote control units
  • Disposable/non disposable vapes

SKDC is working to find a solution to offer the service to all residents in a safe way. Until then, residents can still recycle used batteries by taking them to any shop that sells them or to their local Household Recycling Centre.

Details of Lincolnshire County Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres can be found online at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/recycling-waste/find-recycling-centre

There is a handy link to find your nearest supermarket/hardware store disposal point: https://bit.ly/batterySKDC

Check you're putting the right thing in the right bin at home by visiting www.southkesteven.gov.uk/whichbin

 
Welby Church

St. Bartholomew’s Church

FNGO
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Police and Crime Commissioner Fraud Packs

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has launched a campaign to tackle fraud and scams by empowering communities to identify and report fraud through the distribution of FREE fraud and scam prevention packs. The packs include materials such as ‘No Cold Callers’ door stickers and information leaflets, and are designed to equip communities with the essential tools and knowledge to identify fraud and prevent themselves becoming victims. To order a free pack visit https://survey.lincolnshirealert.co.uk/Survey/GUID/a21b38a6-9e0c-4fa1-a6d8-800303265b1a

Litter Picking Kits

Lincolnshire County Council have made available a number of litter picking kits consisting of a litter picking stick, clear refuse sacks and a hi-visibility vest. Anybody wishing to borrow one or more of these kits, please contact the parish clerk. These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be borrowed for any desired period of time. The kits officially remain the property of Lincolnshire County Council.

Zero Tolerance Policy

We will not tolerate abusive language or threatening behaviour against any member of Welby Parish Council. Such behaviour may result in the offender being reported to the appropriate authorities and/or any further measures as appropriate.

Contacting the Parish Council

Please note that the Parish Council can be contacted in any of the following 3 ways:

  • Contact a councillor directly and this can be done by approaching the councillor in person, via email or via phone.
  • Email or write to the Clerk and the item will then be raised as a Residents Issue at the next Parish Council meeting. The matter will then be discussed as part of the agenda and minuted accordingly.
  • Attend a parish council meeting and raise the issue in Public Questions.

The Parish Council will not consider issues raised indirectly to avoid any possibility of confusion or misunderstanding.