November 2025

Meeting Minutes – 26th November 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                                              Cllr Martin Hill (LCC)

In Attendance 

Roel van Aken (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence

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 17th September 2025 were an accurate record of the parish council meeting and were signed off by The Chair.

5. Flooding Issues

• LCC plan of works: completed but some flooding has occurred subsequently on the corner of Main Street and Church Lane which appears to have been caused by the large run-off of rainwater coming down Church Lane. This has been reported to LCC. WPC will keep a watching brief in case of any reoccurrence.

• Welby Emergency Plan: The Emergency Box has now been located in the Church. The replacement weather station is now in place and operational.

6. Solar Farm Proposals

WPC is aware of the following 4 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 was initially refused but a subsequent application for appeal was allowed and planning permission was granted.
• S24/1040: Pasture Farm, Welby: approved by SKDC.
• S25/0972 – S25/1194: Glebe Farm Solar Farm: SKDC decision that an EIA Screening Opinion is not required. A full planning application has now been submitted and WPC has submitted comments. Planning permission refused by SKDC on 14 October 2025.

7.   Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: no sessions have taken place.
• SID: review results to date. SID was moved to the west end of the village. Results will be reviewed once a the unit has recorded for a suitable period.
• Feasibility of an additional SID unit for Church Lane: units similar to the one we already have are quite expensive (£2.5k - £3.5k). However there is a possibility to acquire a refurbished unit with reduced capabilities at a much lower cost. Cllr. Mike Priestley will further investigate.

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

• Update from County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters:

Grantham by-pass road: will be at least another 2 years before this is completed.

Impact of the budget will need to be reviewed.

As a result of the Fair Funding Campaign LCC will probably be in a substantially better financial position.

Strategic reorganization: central government will look at all submitted proposals and is expected to make a decision in 2027 / 28. The impact is expected to be substantial.

• Update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters:

The complaint will be further dealt with once the new monitoring officer is in post.

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. Christmas tree for the village green: WPC agreed to fund this at £60.00.

13. Finance

Current bank balance stands at £2,903.16.

Precept for 2026/27: agreed to increase this by 4% to £1,755.50.

Since last meeting the following income has been received:

Since last meeting payments made from bank account:

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 28 January 2026 at 19:00 in Wel-But Cottage.

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

Dated:………………………………………………………………..