March 2024

Meeting Minutes – 20th March 2024

19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church

Present

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

Cllr Gill Ikin                                                      Cllr Alan Gilbert                     

Cllr Jonathan Fisher                                       

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

Apologies

1. Apologies for Absence

Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)   Cllr Sarah Trotter (SKDC)

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 and on this occasion 2 people from Heydour parish attended. They expressed an interest in the various solar farms being proposed in the area and were particularly concerned about the Pasture Farm project. The Chair gave a detailed overview of the current status and how parish councils and individuals could engage with the planning process.

4. Minutes of previous meeting

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting dated 17th January 2024 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chair.

5. HSBC Bank Account Mandate

Was updated.

6. Flooding Issues

• Blocked drains: Highways are scheduling a jetter and repair team to check and repair the drains in the village as necessary.

• Welby Emergency Plan: a draft version has been shared with the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum for comment and review.

7. Solar Farm Proposals

WPC is aware of the following 3 proposals:

• S23/0587 – S24/0360: Church Lane: a full planning application is being submitted but no details available yet. A public information session is scheduled for Tuesday 26 March.

• S23/2235: ASH Tree Solar Farm: WPC have been notified of a possible change but no details available yet.

• S23/1845: Pasture Farm, Welby: no further update.

8.   Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: Two sessions have taken place on Church Lane with several cars recorded exceeding the speed limit.

• Meeting with Lincolnshire PCC: all enforcement needs to be carried out within the national guidelines. Welby does not meet the criteria for measures like a mobile speed camera. SID data was provided and will be reviewed by LRSP. Welby will be included in increased mobile policing rounds.

           Cllr Mike Priestley will follow up with Steven Batchelor from LRSP re the results of their data analysis and the provision of new signs.

• SID: review results to date: results delayed due to a technical issue.

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

• Update from County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters was provided by email prior to the meeting: Highways are scheduling a jetter and repair team to check and repair the drains in the village as necessary.

• Update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters was provided by email prior to the meeting:
  • Flooding: whilst SKDC are not in the lead when it comes to flooding issues, SKDC are looking at areas for improvement following flooding issues caused by Storm Henk.
  • Travelers sites: the proposed site at Cold Harbour remains empty after initial work was undertaken. Separately, unauthorised settlements are becoming an increasing concern in the region.
  • Solar Farms: the number of applications for solar farms on agricultural land and the impact on food security are of concern and are receiving increased scrutiny.
  • Budget: SKDC are required to set a balanced budget and this has resulted in a 3% rise in council tax.
  • Bins: some areas have suffered from “bingate” where silver coloured bins were refused due to containing contaminated items. Welby seems to have been unaffected by this issue. It remains important to put the right items in the right bins to avoid contamination and rejection.
  • Grantham High Street Heritage Action Zone: funding was secured to support the regeneration of the historic town centre. Focus of the work is on High Street, Westgate and the Market Place.

10. Correspondences

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

11. Planning Applications: 

Planning applications to consider with the following planning applications received:

12. Highways

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

13. Village Matters

a. Repairs to bench and village sign:

     * village sign: metal post needs sanding down and repainting – awaiting better weather.

     * park bench near bus stop: will need repainting at some point in the future.

b. Village green hedges: these have been given their annual trim back. Most of the hedge was planted with doubles but a small section was planted with singles. Additional plants will be bought to augment this section. Expected expenditure is £150 - £200.

14. Finance

Current bank balance stands at £3,246.14.

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.

15. 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.

16. Decide next meeting of the parish council.

The next AGM of Welby Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 18:30 in St. Bartholomew’s Church to be followed by the ordinary meeting.

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

Dated:………………………………………………………………..