September 2025

At the beginning of the meeting there will be a 10 minute public forum when members of the public may address or put questions to the Parish Council on any matter connected with the agenda, or for inclusion in a future agenda.

Note that we routinely record our meetings to ensure an accurate record can be produced.

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AGENDA – 17th September 2025

19:00 in St. Bartholomew’s Church

1. Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies from those councillors unable to attend.

2. Confirmation of eligibility, quorum and Declaration of interest

• To confirm eligibility of councillors and quorum present to make a legal meeting; and
• To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interest, both disclosable and financial and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

3. Public Representations

To receive items and comments from members of the public.

4. Minutes of previous meeting

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9th July 2025 as a true and accurate record.

5. Flooding Issues

To review current status and any further actions that may be needed.

• LCC plan of works.
• Welby Emergency Plan: the weather station had developed a faulty rain gauge and was swapped out for a new unit.

6. Solar Farm Proposals

To review current plethora of proposals and potential impact on Welby:

• 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 refused but a subsequent application for appeal was allowed. WPC will be providing a response once open for comment again.
• 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. An allegation was raised by Mr David Wallis, a resident of Welby, that WPC had been “offered a large sum of money to downplay the affect these solar schemes”. Furthermore Mr Christopher Dennett, also a resident of Welby, submitted comments in response to the Glebe Farm Solar Application on the SKDC website which included allegations stating “Why spread the unsightly industrial plant around and increased expense to the shareholder when it can be dumped around the unsuspecting sleepy village of Welby. Who appear to have a very weak and compliant Parish Council (more to be said on that subject) Lets just say 'grease and palms' “. After raising a complaint with SKDC this last comment has now been removed. WPC has been in discussion with SKDC about possible actions to counter these baseless allegations. It should be noted that WPC had already lodged its response to the Glebe Farm Solar application listing many reasons to reject this application prior to the email from Mr David Wallis and the planning application response from Mr Christopher Dennett. Discussions with SKDC about possible future actions are ongoing.
   

7.   Reducing speeding through Welby

• Speed watch: to receive an update from the speed watch team.
• SID: review results to date

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

• To receive an update from the County Councillor Martin Hill on Lincolnshire County Council matters.
• To receive an update from the District Councillor Sarah Trotter on South Kesteven District Council matters.

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: in the process of being repainted.

b. Fallen tree Walnut Cottage: trees have been cleared from the village green – fence has been repaired. LCC are in contact with the land owner about any remaining tree clearance required on Blacksmith’s Lane.

13. Finance

Since last meeting the following income has been received:

Since last meeting payments made from bank account:

The Chairman signed off the bank statement as a true record after agreement from Councillors that the bank statement was 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.

Councillors and Clerk to agree date and time of next meetings.