May 2020

May Minutes

WELBY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting of the Welby Parish Council (WPC) held via webinar on:

Thursday 20th May 2020 at 7.00pm.

Present
Cllr John Fisher (Chairman)              Cllr Ivan Jones                 Cllr James Pask           Cllr Ian Shippey           
Cllr Michael Priestley (Vice)
 
 In Attendance  
Richard Houghton (Clerk)       Sarah Trotter (SKDC)
 
1. Apologies for absence        
 
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
Due to Covid-19 it was not possible for the public to be in attendance on the webinar. The villagers were offered the opportunity to raise questions prior to the meeting and one response was received – see 11. Village Matters below.
 
4.  Minutes from previous meeting.
It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting dated 26th March 2020 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
 
·      Speedwatch team ceased operations due to the Coronavirus issues and are likely to continue this for at least a further two weeks. 
·      It is currently believed the official rules may not have changed yet, and after some discussion and subject to agreement with Roel, due to the increased (and speeding) traffic through our village it was felt this could be restarted again in a few weeks’ time providing social distancing rules and the latest Government guidance is followed by the Speedwatch team, and these are also seen to be, and providing the Speedwatch team were prepared to continue. Clerk to contact Roel
 
b) Fundraising strategies for Speed Indicator Devices (SID). 
It was agreed at previous meetings that WPC would support fundraising for a SID device for Welby. A review of fund-raising firms’ accounts and the charges applicable, was completed by the Clerk in December 2019 and notification sent to councillors for review.
  • It has been very difficult to make any progress with HSBC on opening a new account to receive the funding donations. As a consequence, Cllr Ian Shippey is now also researching other Banks in an attempt to resolve problems with opening a new account with a bank. 
  • Review next meeting   
 
6. Lincolnshire County Council and South Kesteven District Councillor Representation
District Councillor Sarah Trotter was in attendance and updated us on the delays in the appeal hearing for the Land at Cold Harbour and the proposed development of a traveller’s site. Due to Coronavirus issues this has been postponed and until further notice. Sarah also confirmed that if local villagers had any concerns regarding matters associated with housing or related items, to contact her at SKDC. Tel: 07500 705508.
 
In addition, Sarah updated us on some of the recent fly tipping experienced in and around the Welby region (see 11. Village Matters below) and confirmed the villagers should report immediately if they see either vehicles or vans with anyone behaving suspiciously or actual dumped waste. Finally, there have been a number of recent thefts from properties in, and also villages around Welby, please ensure you lock your outbuildings and try not to leave out or on open display items of value, including: bicycles, power tools, quadbikes etc.
 
7. Lincolnshire Police Report.
PCSO Stuart Bowden was unable to join the meeting.  
 
8.  Correspondences
The clerk reported to the meeting below relevant correspondences received since last meeting;
Date
Type of Correspondence
Received from
Reference
Action taken
2/3/20
Email
SKDC –Planning 
Summary of weekly planning list for district.
Circulated to Councillors for information. 
3/3/20
Email
LCC
Website updates
Clerk attended training & now awaiting software to complete the upgrade

  This information was received by councillors and agreed that appropriate action taken.

 
9. Planning Applications
a. Planning applications to consider:
Reference:   S18/0944  
Mr Joseph Bryan (Appealed)*
*This has not progressed due to Covid-19. Update supplied when re-scheduled mtng date is known
Location:  Land between High Dyke & B6403, Cold Harbour
Proposal: Use of land for stationing caravans for residential purposes, erection of six day rooms and one toilet block, with access
Sarah Trotter (SKDC) advised the situation is waiting for the Covid-19 rules to allow for the meetings to continue before any further discussions can be considered. The councillors sought an explanation as to precisely what the reasons given for the appeal were, for it to now be re-considered again? Sarah will try and source this information if possible and let us know.
 
10. Highways
a) The Clerk updated on previous highway faults reported by WPC to LCC Highways and SKDC.
Council Reference
Date Logged
Description of Fault
Update
355385
(LCC)
29/03/2018
Gulley close to Welby Turn off on High Dyke need refilling
WPC felt work completed is not adequate! Clerk contacted council & not yet received reply. Sarah will try again for an update
 
26/03/2020
Damaged path on Church Street
Clerk checked availability of Colin Hewitt to complete the work and after viewing, agreed he can do it.
 
20/5/20
Water damage to a villager’s wall in Main Street 
This has again been reported to SKDC and we await their comments or action
 
20/5/ 20
Due to two accidents within the village SKDC to be contacted regarding extending speed limit boundary
Clerk to follow up with SKDC Highways dept
 
b) Other Highway matters
Councillors to consider other highway matters within Welby including – see 11. Village Matters below
 
11. Village Matters
a)  The Councilors Surgery’s are cancelled for at least another three months due to Covid-19.
 
b)   Update on condition of derelict property on Main Street. This is currently being actioned and Chairman John Fisher will again check on the latest position.
 
c)   Concerns raised by a villager over the potential damage to BT cables by a tree in Main Street. Clerk spoke with Colin Hewitt who has agreed to remove the offending branch parts free of charge. However, he feels the whole tree could do with pruning in the Autumn, designed to maintain the lollipop shape, but as this is a much bigger job he will need to make a charge. A quote will be supplied in due course.
 
d)  Fly tipping within the Welby village has been reported by Cllr James Pask to SKDC & they have now agreed to get this removed.
 
e)  Discussions were held regarding the Whites field chemical treatment near Welby village, and the lorries and subsequent smell impacting on houses. Clerk to write to them again.
 
 
12.  Finance
a) Cash Book: The Clerk reported that the cashbook shows a balance of £3213.90 as of 3/5/20. Note: Until I receive the bank statements direct I am unable to confirm the very latest figures.
 
Since last meeting the following income has been received:
Date
Method
Amount
From
For
7/4/20
BACS
1571.27
SKDC
Precept
 
Since last meeting payments made from the bank: 
Chq No
Amount
Payee
Payment for
DD
£22.94
E-ON
Electricity for village green 
258
£94.17
SKDC
Return of unused grant
261
£264.00
Simpson
Arboriculture – reduce &/or remove trees
 
 
 
  
       
 
b) Cheques raised during meeting:
Chq No
Amount
Payee
Payment for
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The petty cash shows a balance of £7.06 as of today’s date. 
Since last meeting payments made from Petty Cash: 
Folio No
Amount
Purchased From
Payment for
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Chairman signed off Cashbooks as a true record after agreement from councillors that both bank statement and cash books were accurate. 
 
 
13. Urgent/any other business 
To consider any urgent business:
  • Clerk asked to check the insurance will be renewed from 1st June 2020 – Clerk confirmed & subsequently supplied the Certificates
  • A request was received to consider the pub, when it opens perhaps in July/August, to be able to utilise the village green for its customers to keep ‘socially distant’ as may still be required by the Government. It was accepted that this should be permitted as the pub had continued to support the village, providing they agree to tidy up litter, glasses, bottles, food debris etc left by their customers. Also, to check the safety requirements for customers when crossing the road to their pub.  
 
14.  Date of next meetings of the parish council on:  8th July 2020 at 7pm and 9th September 2020 at 7pm
 
Note: Due to the on-going Coronavirus issues it is very likely these meetings may be held as a webinar link between councillors and therefore no public access. Please ensure you submit any questions and points to be raised by at least seven days before this meeting – thank you.
 
 
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.