March 2025

Meeting Minutes – 12th March 2025

19:00 in Wel-But Cottage

Present

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

Cllr Gill Ikin                                                      Cllr Jonathan Fisher

Cllr Alan Gilbert                                             

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

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, but on this occasion no parishioners attended.

4. Minutes of previous meeting

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting dated 15th January 2025 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chair.

5. Flooding Issues

• LCC plan of works: The planned future improvements, which include 2 new manholes, repairing a collapsed drain, drilling out roots as well as some other repairs, are expected to take place in the new financial year. LCC have been contacted re plans for next financial year.

• Welby Emergency Plan: a final session took place on Wednesday 5 March in Lincoln. WPC received an Emergency Box which will be stored in the church. The Emergency Plan document will be updated with some minor changes.

• There is a supply of sand stored at Ivy Farm but we will need additional sand bags which may be available from SKDC.

6. Solar Farm Proposals

WPC is aware of the following 3 proposals:

• S23/0587 – S24/0360: Church Lane: was approved.
• S23/2235: ASH Tree Solar Farm: planning permission refused.
• S24/1040: Pasture Farm, Welby: was approved.

7.   Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: no sessions have taken place. Will attempt to have a session next week due to the increased traffic resulting from the road closure on High Dike.

• SID:
  • no results to review at this point as the SID is still in place near Ivy Farm. Solar charging system appears to be working fine. Full results will be reviewed during the next meeting in May.
  • solar upgrade and system installed and operational.
  • Due to the solar upgrade, the periodic moving around the various locations has become more involved so consideration will be given to keep the SID longer in each location.
  • Several poles are too short to accommodate the solar panel. It may be possible to install pole extenders to create extra space for the solar panel. Funding may be available from the Road Safety Partnership, SKDC or LCC.

• Siting of SID on Church Lane:
  • The pole seems to be unsuitable to accommodate the solar panel as well so the SID only may be an option.

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

• Update from County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters: no update available.

• Update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters: no update available.

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: will need repainting at some point in the future.

b. Village Green tree canopy: another tree trimming was necessary. A quote had been obtained and the majority of the work took place on 17 December. Some additional pruning was required once National Grid had finished their upgrading work. This work was completed on 20 January.

c. Lilac bush on Blacksmiths’ Lane: was partially pruned back. Verges are badly rutted due to delivery vehicles swerving to avoid the remaining overhanging branches.

d. Fallen tree Walnut Cottage: trees have been cleared from the village green – fence still awaiting repairs.

e. Red Lane dog litter bin: Sara is stopping with her service. Alternative solutions are being explored.

f. Tree near bus stop: needs some pruning as it is growing into the phonelines. This will be attended to.

g. Pricing from Greenstripe for next financial year was approved.

h. Overgrown trees Walnut Cottage: these are growing into the power and phone lines. WPC will contact Strutt & Parker as this is a private matter between tenant and land owner.

13. Finance

Current bank balance stands at £578.96.

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 7 May 2025 at 19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church.

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

Dated:………………………………………………………………..