July 2025

Meeting Minutes – 9th July 2025

19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church

Present

Cllr James Pask (Vice-Chairman)                    Cllr Gill Ikin

Cllr Jonathan Fisher                                        Cllr Alan Gilbert

Cllr Sarah Trotter (SKDC)

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence

Cllr Michael Priestley  (Chairman)      Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)

2. Confirmation of eligibility, quorum and Declaration of interest

All councilors present are 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 6th May 2025 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chair.

5. Flooding Issues

• LCC plan of works: Following contact by Cllr Michael Priestley the drainage works are now confirmed for later this year.

• Welby Emergency Plan: The Emergency Box will be located in the Church. The weather station has been relocated to its final position.

6. Solar Farm Proposals

WPC is aware of the following 3 proposals:

• S23/0587 – S24/0360: Church Lane: planning permission refused but appeal had been lodged. Planning permission was approved on 15 January 2025 by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State.
• S23/2235: ASH Tree Solar Farm: planning permission refused.
• S24/1040: Pasture Farm, Welby: approved by SKDC.
• S25/0972: Glebe Farm Solar Farm: currently only a Request for an EIA Screening and Scoping Opinion so as per SKDC advice WPC will be submitting an objection if and when a full planning application is submitted for consideration. The impact on the village is likely to be significant as not only will there be road closures during the construction as the connection cable is installed but it will also be the 4th solar farm in the direct vicinity of Welby adding to the feeling of encirclement. Cllr. Sarah Trotter advised that it will be called in to Planning Committee. In the interim, we will gather all our facts, (traffic flow data, road closure impact on farming and residential, any other major impacts) promptly but in detail and build a strong case for that stage.

7.   Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: no sessions have taken place.

• SID: results were reviewed during the last meeting and the next review of results will be during the next meeting.

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

• Update from County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters (via email):
  • Drainage works now confirmed for later this year.
  • Ongoing discussions with highways who have agreed to chase the issue of overhanging trees on Blacksmith’s Lane with the property holders.

• Update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters:
  • Anti-social behaviour / unregistered car problems: these are being dealt with by SKDC and the DVLA.
  • Devolution / local government reorganization: full details can be found on the SKDC website of events to date and state of affairs.

9. Correspondences

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

10. Planning Applications: 

Planning applications to consider with the following planning applications received:

11. Highways

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

12. Village Matters

a. park bench near bus stop: is in the process of being repainted.

b. Fallen tree Walnut Cottage: trees have been cleared from the village green – fence has been repaired. LCC are in contact with the land owner about any remaining tree clearance required on Blacksmith’s Lane.

13. Finance

Current bank balance stands at £2,532.45.

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 Councillors that both bank statement and cash books were accurate.

14. 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.

15. Decide next meeting of the parish council.

The next ordinary meeting of Welby Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church.

Signed: ……………………………………………………………..   Chair

Dated:………………………………………………………………..