May 2022

Meeting Minutes – 17th May 2022

Present

Cllr John Fisher (Chairman)                Cllr Michael Priestley (Vice-Chairman)

Cllr Ivan Jones                                     Cllr James Pask                       

Cllr Ian Shippey                                   Cllr Sarah Trotter (SKDC)

Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies from those councilors unable to attend.

2. Confirmation of eligibility, quorum and Declaration of interest

All councilors present remained 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, however there were 2 questions raised prior to the meeting which are covered under agenda item13.

4. Minutes of previous meeting

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting dated 22nd March 2022 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chairman.

5.   a) Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: no activity has taken place since the last meeting.

• SID: A summary report was produced covering the whole period the device has been in operation. The first half of the graph shows the speeds recorded when drivers faced the display side of the SID. Many drivers reduced their speed accordingly but still speeds were recorded well in excess of the 30mph limit. The second half of the graph shows the speeds recorded when drivers approached from the back of the SID so did not see the display itself. Most speeds are significantly higher and well above the 30mph limit.

Clerk has approached Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to ascertain if there were any possibilities of installing traffic calming measures in Welby. As there have been no fatalities within the last 5 years this is very unlikely to be approved however it may be possible for the police to carry out another formal week long survey using police equipment which may strengthen our case for traffic calming measures.

b) Fundraising strategies for Speed Indicator Devices (SID) and white gates.

All works are now complete and there are no outstanding invoices.

Cllr Shippey will obtain some quotes for hedging to be planted on the far-side of the white gates to increase the effect.

The 30mph signs on the Oasby side still need to be moved out to the new agreed positions. Cllr Hill will chase LCC Highways.

Overgrowth obscures the righthand side white gate on the High Dyke side which needs to be cut back.

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

• The following update from County Councilor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters was provided:

      New round-about on A52 near Cold Harbour / Old Somerby: there will be some significant road closures in June:

• Starting 6 June for up to 3 weeks, the roads from Old Somerby (B1176) and Woodnook (B6043) will be closed for extended periods.
• From 20 June to 1 July there will be overnight closures of the entire round-about.

       Whilst the main road has been surface dressed, the patch near the bus stop has been missed out. Cllr Hill to see if this can be rectified.

• The following update from District Councilor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters was provided:

      Best kept Village competition will take place again this year. Welby came 3rd in the small village category last year.

      South Kesteven community awards are coming up and will comprise of several categories. Nominations can be made via the SKDC website.

7. Lincolnshire Police Report

Several reports of suspicious activity within the village had been circulated via NHW. It is important to ensure these are also reported to the police so they can be taken into consideration when investigating other suspicious activity in the wider area as that can often lead to successful arrests. Cllr Mike Priestly to draft some suitable text that can be placed on the WPC website to that effect.

The following update was received by email:

A review was completed which hasn’t brought up anything of concern, other than some reports of trespass and potential sightings of hare coursing.

There is some positive policing news and there have been some details in the press of recruitment for PCSO’s in Lincolnshire. This should, when their training is completed put them out and about on patrol in early in 2023, of the 15 recruits, 5 are planned to come to Grantham and surrounding villages.

8. Correspondences

The following correspondence was received:

9. Planning Applications: 

The following planning applications were reviewed:

10. Highways

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

11. Village Matters

• Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Welby Weekenders have sent out personalized invitations to all villagers. The support of Wendy Carter of Village Link Magazine for the production of these invitations is highly appreciated. Welby Weekenders will need some help on the days before and after to set up and clear away tables, chairs and tents. There is also a need for more raffle prizes. Clerk will transfer £150 from WPC to Welby Weekenders as a contribution towards the costs.
• Signage in village: refresh of 30mph speed signs, dog-fouling signs, NHW signs – this work is now all complete.
• Dog-waste bin Red Lane: currently being emptied by councilors on a Rota basis. Clerk to investigate if the council can empty this as part of their regular waste collection rounds. WPC have purchased a general purpose waste bin so waste can be collected by the council. The installation will be scheduled for after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

12. Finance

The bank balance stands at £4,290.63 as of 17 May 2022.

Since last meeting the following income has been received:

Since last meeting payments made from bank account:

Cheques raised during meeting:

The petty cash has a balance of £7.06 as of today’s date.

Since last meeting payments made from Petty Cash:

The Chairman signed off Cashbooks as a true record after agreement from Councilors that both bank statement and cash books were accurate.

13. Urgent business

Two issues were raised prior to the meeting:

• The hedges on the left-hand side of the junction onto the High Dyke have become overgrown again, blocking the view at the junction, of vehicles travelling on the High Dyke toward Ancaster. This makes it hazardous for vehicles pulling trailers with livestock as these can’t accelerate fast or reverse back if required. Clerk to contact Welby Estates to see if they can cut back the overgrowth. In the past ownership of that strip of land has been difficult to establish. If the approach of Welby Estates is unsuccessful LCC Highways may be able to cut back this overgrowth.

• Church hire: WPC on occasion use the church to host meetings. In the past WPC has made an annual contribution of £75 to the church for this. The same amount has been approved for this financial year as well.

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.

14. Next meeting of the parish council.

The next ordinary meeting of Welby Parish Council will take place on Wednesday 20 July 2022 at 19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church.