January Minutes
WELBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting of Welby Parish Council (WPC) held at St Bartholomew’s Church on:
Tuesday 21st January 2020 at 7.00pm.
Present
Cllr John Fisher (Chairman) Cllr Ivan Jones Cllr James Pask
In Attendance
Richard Houghton (Clerk) Sarah Trotter (SKDC)
1. Apologies for absence
Cllr Michael Priestley (Vice) PCSO Stuart Bowden Cllr Ian Shippey
2. Confirmation of eligibility, quorum and declaration of interests.
All councillors present remained eligible, the meeting was quorate and no declaration of interests declared.
3. Public Representations
No public present.
4. Minutes from previous meeting.
It was resolved that the minutes of previous meeting dated 19th November 2019 is an accurate record of the parish council meeting and was signed off by The Chairman.
5. Reducing speeding through Welby
a. Update from Welby Speedwatch
· Confirmation now received from Cllr Martin Hill regarding the formal request to apply to extend the speed limit and adding markings / signage on Main Street following advice from LCC Highways on the process; and check exact location, roughly 50 yards further out
· Update on Councillors and Speedwatch team to plan fundraising strategies for SID Fundraising.
b) Fundraising strategies for Speed Indicator Devices (SID).
It was agreed at previous meeting that WPC would support fundraising for a SID device for Welby. A discussion took place between councillors and Speedwatch members present at the previous meeting and the Clerk researched into crowd funding schemes:
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Review of fund raising firms completed by Clerk and notification sent to councillors for review.
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Chairman tried to open account with bank but meeting arranged for 7th February 2020.
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Various villagers originally offered sums but this has gone quiet and needs raising again.
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It is believed that Wendy Carter owner of Village Link Magazine is arranging the village fund raising events and has kindly offered to advertise events through this magazine, design & distribute leaflets free of charge.
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Review next meeting
Fundraising suggestions were discussed at meeting:
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A Welby summer fayre – with open gardens, stalls, teddy bears picnic, garage sales, brick and brack sales, cakes, tea & Coffee; and
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American style event at Aisby Village Hall with band, entertainment, food, raffle tickets etc.
6. Lincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Councillor Representation
District Councillor Sarah Trotter was in attendance and updated us on: church robberies of lead, various villages in the area all under watch. Land at Cold Harbour for the development of travellers site has gone to appeal.
7. Lincolnshire Police Report.
PCSO Stuart Bowden was unable to attend meeting but sent through his report:
I’ve had a look through the incidents in the Grantham and surrounding area for the last few months.
There’s nothing specifically related to Welby or nearby, in the wider area there has been theft of lead from churches (Irnham and Pickworth), in Great Gonerby numerous cars were entered (all left unlocked overnight) hence ‘entered’ rather than broken in to.
Please report any suspicious activity via 101.
There have been several reports of hare coursing in the Ropsley / Folkingham fields, on investigation and arrival it turned out to be landowner approved vermin control or game shoots. Please continue to report any groups that may be involved in coursing, it is better for police to arrive and discover whether they are legitimate or acting illegally. Landowners and those taking part in rural pursuits are pleased when we arrive and enquire what they are doing in the countryside as it demonstrates that local residents are reporting and the police are actively engaging with potential illegal rural activities.
Regards
Stuart
PCSO Bowden
8. Correspondences
The clerk reported to the meeting below relevant correspondences received since last meeting;
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Date
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Type of Correspondence
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Received from
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Reference
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Action taken
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08/01/20
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Email
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SKDC –Planning
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Summary of weekly planning list for district.
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Circulated to Councillors for information.
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01/11/19
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Email
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LCC
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Invite for Councillors to consult on LCC draft 2020 Corporate Plan
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Circulated to Councillors.
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07/01/20
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Email
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SKDC – Finance
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Invoice received from SKCC for hedge removal & installation
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Clerk checking this has not already been paid.
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08/01/20
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Letter
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E-on
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Request to renew our electricity contract
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Consider leaving this unchanged at present – review again next year
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This information was received by councillors and agreed that appropriate action taken.
9. Planning Applications
a. No current planning applications to consider.
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Reference: S20/0041 Mr & Mrs Paul Carter
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Location
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Proposal: Councillors to visit the site to check details
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Garage conversion and glazed link block, new roof light to existing first floor bathroom
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5 Long Row Cottages Main Street, Welby
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10. Highways
a) The Clerk updated on previous highway faults reported by WPC to LCC Highways and SKDC
This information was received by councillors and agreed that no further action was required at this time.
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Council Reference
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Date Logged
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Description of Fault
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Update
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343105 (LCC)
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11/12/2018
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The Road sign at the Junction on the High Dyke/Welby turn off that signpost to Welby, Oasby and Aisby has been knocked down.
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Sign is now repaired.
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347458 (LCC)
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19/02/2019
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Water damage to parishioner’s wall on Main Street due to uneven road service.
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LCC assessed this issue and determined that no action will be taken. Although case was initially closed, after discussion LCC have since asked for photographic evidence of splashing & actual damage to wall. Clerk offered to do photos
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355385
(LCC)
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25/01/2018
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Gulley close to Welby Turn off on High Dyke need refilling
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LCC have assessed this issue and authorised repair to be carried out by partner agency. Not yet sorted Clerk to chase up works!
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357196
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16/10/2019
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Light opposite church not working.
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SKDC repaired
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10/10/2019
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Damaged path on Church Street
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Clerk authorised contractor to carry our repair work but he’s no longer available. As work not yet done - Clerk to check availability of Colin Hewitt to complete the work
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Regarding council reference 347458 – councillors raised concerns regarding the inspection/assessment of this case and questioned in which weather conditions this inspection was carried out and would like it be re-assessed as they felt that this is an ongoing problem that needs to be resolved as this wall is severely damaged due to the uneven road layout.
Resolved/Action to be taken: The previous Clerk emailed Highways to request this case is re-opened and re-assessed. They responded by asking for more evidence; photos as it happens, wall damage. Clerk to contact owner and check this will be possible
b) Other Highway matters
Councillors to consider other highway matters within Welby including:
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Councillors to further consider lack of drop curbs for pushchair access on Main Street.
As agreed at last meeting The Chairman assessed the concerns around the difficulty of manoeuvring prams onto pavements from the road at the bottom of Red Lane due to lack of drop curbs. The Chairman reported to the meeting that there are curb drops but they are covered with overgrown grass.
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Action to the taken: The Clerk to contact Contractor to clear away this grass. James Pask to sort & send invoice
11. Village Matters
a) Feedback from Councillors Surgery held on 18th January 2020:
Cllr Michael Priestley (Vice) and Cllr Pask hosted the surgery. One parishioner attended the surgery and complimented the new hedging & fencing on village green although more work is still required. It was agreed to continue hosting surgeries in the future on a bi-monthly basis. It was resolved to hold the next surgery at St Bartholomew’s Church between 10-11am on Saturday 21st March 2020.
Action to be taken: The Clerk to book venue and advertise event via website, noticeboard & social media.
b) Derelict property on Main Street update.
As agreed at the previous meeting The Clerk contacted Welby Estate to raise concerns regarding the poor condition of a derelict property on Main Street. Welby Estate granted that the property required urgent attention and agreed to carry out required works very shortly. No action possible at present
c) Update on hedge laying on village green
Possible discussion of similar replacement to hedge behind the water pump on Main Street. Not possible yet as hedge belongs to farm!
d) Dead tree by Main Street bus stop
Consider what to do with this – Clerk to speak with SKDC Highways to check if they will do this. If not, Clerk will speak to Colin Hewitt to action
e) New dog waste bin update
The dog waste bin has now been erected on Red Lane, signage SKDC grant awarded and signs purchased and installed. However, a request has been received for a process of volunteers to complete the emptying of the bin on a regular basis to be agreed – Councillors to take it in turns. Rota required for fortnightly emptying ideally just before Black bin collection – Clerk will compile this with James to be last!
New bags need to be stronger to fully retain content! Also, four more keys for bin required. Councilor Pask and/or Clerk to buy.
12. Finance
a) Cash Book: The Clerk reported that the cashbook shows a balance of £3,792.26 as of 3rd January 2020. Note: Until I receive the bank statements direct I am unable to confirm the latest figures.
Since last meeting the following income has been received:
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Date
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Method
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Amount
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From
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For
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10/12/19
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BACS
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£87.15
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SKDC
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WM Grant
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Since last meeting payments made from the bank:
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Chq No
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Amount
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Payee
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Payment for
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100253
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30.00
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?
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?
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Credit
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£154.67-
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Glasdon UK Ltd
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Credit note re-excess charge on Dog bin items
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b) Cheques raised during meeting
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Chq No
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Amount
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Payee
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Payment for
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100255
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£876
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Environment SK Ltd
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Hedge removal & installation on new hedge
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100256
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£18.00
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LALC
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New Clerk First Meeting
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The petty cash imprest shows a balance of £16.40 as of today’s date.
Since last meeting payments made from Petty Cash:
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Folio No
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Amount
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Purchased From
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Payment for
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None
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The Chairman signed off Cashbooks as a true record after agreement from councillors that both bank statement and cash books were accurate.
14. Urgent/any other business
As this is The Clerks last meeting following her resignation, Cllrs thanked Jen Fisher for her dedication and hard work to her role as Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer for the last 3 years and welcomed Richard Houghton into these roles.
15. Date of next meeting of the parish council – To be agreed as likely to be a date change?
It was resolved that the next meetings for Welby Parish council meeting will now be held at St Bartholomew’s Church on 25th March 2020 at 7.00pm. The AGM is Wednesday 20th May 2020?? – Check with Ian & Michael. Next dates after this: Tuesday 21st July 2020. Each Surgery to be the Saturday before the meeting, so the next one will be Saturday 21st March 2020 from 10:30am.
Action Point: The Clerk to book venue.
Signed: ………………………………………………………… Chairman Dated:……………………………
It is important to understand that the information that this document represents notes of the meeting which took place and do not become Minutes of Welby Parish Council until accepted or otherwise at the following meeting.