Agenda January 2023

Meeting Minutes – 18th January 2023

19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church

Present

Cllr John Fisher (Chairman)                Cllr Michael Priestley (Vice-Chairman)          Cllr James Pask

Cllr Ivan Jones                                     Cllr Ian Shippey                                               Cllr Sarah Trotter (SKDC)

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

Apologies

Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)

1. Apologies for Absence

Nil.

2. Confirmation of eligibility, quorum and Declaration of interest

All councilors present remained eligible, the meeting was quorate and no declaration of interests declared.

3. Public Representations

The public were allowed to be in attendance, but on this occasion no parishioners attended.

4. Minutes of previous meeting

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting dated 16th November 2022 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chairman.

5.   a) Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: to receive an update from the speed watch team.

            No update as no sessions have taken place.

• SID: review results to date:

Latest results from Church Lane location were reviewed. These show some very significant speeds being recorded in both directions. With the renewed focus of Police Chief Inspector Jon Shield this will be raised and may get some additional enforcement attention.

6. County and District Councillor Reports (if Councillors present at meeting)

• Nil update from County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters.

• Update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters:

Conference call with Police Chief Inspector Jon Shield highlighted the following:

              *  Regular quarterly updates will be provided

              *  More focus on speeding issues

              *  More PCSOs should become available this year

              *  Thieves are targeting Landrovers in our area

An SKDC refuse collection vehicle is now operational advertising cancer charities' call to 'Wear It Pink'. It has prominent health check adverts on each side to underline health messages broadcast annually as part of October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and national 'Wear It Pink Day'.

South Kesteven District Council is asking residents and businesses for feedback on Council Tax proposals for 2023/24. The consultation runs for two weeks from Monday 16 January and asks for views on a proposal to increase SKDC's element of Council Tax by £5 for properties in Band D for the 2023/24 financial year, as well as feedback on spending priorities. This equates to an increase of 9.6p per week. The increase for households in Bands A, B and C would be less than £5 (6.4p extra per week for a property in Band A), while those in Bands E, F, G and H would see an average increase of more than £5 - but no more than £10.

7. Lincolnshire Police Report (if PCSO present at meeting)

No update available from PCSO Stuart Bowden regarding local police matters.

8. Correspondences

To receive a report from The Clerk on relevant correspondences received and action taken since last meeting.

9. Planning Applications: 

Planning applications to consider with the following planning applications received:

10. Highways

Update from The Clerk on highway faults including those reported by WPC to LCC Highways and SKDC.

11. Village Matters

a. Dog-waste bin Red Lane: this bin is now being emptied on a regular basis by Sara Barnes.

b. Repairs to bench and village sign on village green:

    * park bench on village green:

       * loose coping stones on one side: delayed till the spring due to the weather

       * woodwork could do with painting: delayed till the spring due to the weather.

    * village sign: metal post needs sanding down and repainting: delayed till the spring due to the weather.

c. Trees on village green: pruning works have been completed. Western Power will be trimming the branches that are growing into the power lines.

d. Parish council elections:  scheduled for 4 May. No further details available yet. Voters will need to show a photo ID before they are allowed to vote.

(http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=16025)

e. LGA Model Code of Conduct: newer version available which in due course can be referred to in WPC’s document. Registration of Interests is going to be more prominent. This will be considered later in the year post the May elections.

f. Church finances: a lack of funds and staff shortages are having a severe impact and this will also have a detrimental effect on regular services in Welby. Any possibilities for raising funds through appropriate use of the church building would be welcome.

g. Hedge village green: this needs trimming which will be done by Greenstripe.

h. Pigeons at Chestnut Farm: the netting has become detached and pigeons have entered the barn again. Cllr. Fisher will make contact to have the issue addressed.

i. WPC held a surgery on Saturday 7 January but no villagers attended so no issues raised.

12. Finance

Current bank balance stands at £3,317.82.

Since last meeting the following income has been received:

Since last meeting payments made from bank account:

Cheques raised during meeting:

The Chairman signed off Cashbooks as a true record after agreement from Councilors that both bank statement and cash books were accurate.

13. Urgent business

To consider any urgent business.

Please note if it is “urgent” only because it was not notified in time to appear on the agenda, it should be left till the next meeting. If it is genuinely “urgent”, that is it was too late for the agenda and it will be too late for action if left till the next ordinary meeting The Chairman and The Clerk need to decide whether an additional meeting should be called or actioned during this meeting.

14. Decide next meeting of the parish council.

The next ordinary meeting of Welby Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church.

Signed: ……………………………………………………………..   Chairman

Dated:………………………………………………………………..