2018-19 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Witham on the Hill Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting of Witham on the Hill Parish Council (Min 18-03) 17th September 2018 at 7.30 p.m. in St Andrew’s Parish Hall

Present:

Councillors: Andrew Greenwood (presiding), Janet Kirkwood and L O’Hara

Residents: John Stapleton.

Others: Bernard Champness – Clerk,

Not Present: Sue Pennant Jones

Open Forum

John Stapleton was present and explained that the Head Master at the school should be contacted about parents parking in Bottom Street and allowing their dogs to pooh but not cleaning up after the,

Cllr Kirkwood explained that she has spoken to the Head Master

The meeting was opened at 19.05

35. Apologies for absence, acceptance of Apologies

35.1 Apologies were received from Cllr C Henriques (work) Resolved that the apologies be accepted.

County Cllr Adams and District Cllr Wilkins had sent their apologies.

In the absence of Cllr Henriques Cllr Greenwood acted as Chair for the evening.

36. Declaration of Interest – To receive Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests, as set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011 and the nature of those interests relating to any Agenda item

36.1 No one declared an interest in any matter that was on the agenda.

37. Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on the 16th July 2108

37.1 Resolved: That the minutes of the 16th July 2018 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

38. Matters to Report

38.1 The following matters were reported:

• It was pointed out that at the last meeting Cllr O’Hara was holding off talking to the school as Cllr Henriques was going to have a word with the District Council to see what they were doing but she had not heard back from him and as such there was no progress. She had made five approaches to the school but so far nothing has come of having a meeting with them. She was now reluctant to go to the school until she knew what funding was available to us from other sources. The Clerk explained that funding might be available from Awards For All but was limited to £10,000.00. There was also a possibility that we could apply to Mike George for funding as Thurlby School had been very successful in a recent bid. Cllr O’Hara said that she was happy to look into both sources.
• Regarding the problem of dog fouling in Bottom Street it was agreed that Cllr Kirkwood was dealing with this matter and not Cllr O’Hara
• With regard to car parking on the street/pavement in front of the Church Cllr Kirkwood said that she had mentioned this to people who did park their cars there and they responded by saying there was nowhere else. It appeared that the main offenders were elderly and did not want to walk any distance to get to Church. The was a possibility that they could approach the school to see if people could use their grounds to park on a Sunday. Cllr Kirkwood would continue to see if a solution could be found.
• It was agreed that a letter of thanks be sent to Matt Dick for the hard work he had done in repairing the handrails at the Bywell’s. He had refused to take any money for the materials he used.
• There was an e-mail from Cllr Adams regarding the crossroads on the A6121 but unfortunately there had been no further action. The Clerk was asked to chase Cllr Adams to see if he could clarify what if anything could be done.
• Cllr Greenwood said that he was having difficulties in finding volunteers to help clear the footpath from the village to the A6121. He had not given up on this yet
• There was still a problem with getting notes into the Three |Towers regarding our meetings. Cllr Pennant-Jones was going to do this but she had not attended this or the last meeting. The Clerk was asked again to get the website up to date.
• Cllr Greenwood had contacted Ian Wright of the Conservation department to see if the Conservation Plan was still in force for Witham or whether it was being updated. He was told that the 1974 Plan was still in force and there was no prospect of this being amended for Witham, It appeared that amendments would only been in villages where there was likely to be development in.

39. To receive a report from the County and District Councillors.

39.1 County Cllr B Adams and District Cllr Wilkin were not present and had not sent a report

40. Clerks Report and Correspondence received.

40.1 A list of e-mails/correspondence received was circulated. The Clerk was asked to forward the e-mail from Larkfleet and County Innovations.

41. Planning applications:

41.1 Although there were no plans to consider notice had ben received of the following applications for which a decision had been made.

S18/0608 – erection of detached stables at the Six Bells Public House

S18/1509 – fell 1 x holly and 1 x sycamore tree at the Old Vicarage

42. To receive an update on the play equipment on The Green

42.1 There was nothing further to discuss as this was dealt with in Item 38

43. To receive an update on the problem of parking in Bottom Lane

43.1 There was nothing further to discuss as this was dealt with in Item 38

44. To receive an update on the problem of flooding at the corner of Palace Farm and Main Street.

44.1 There was no update and it was agreed that we would attempt to report this matter on Fix My Street website. The Clerk was given the details to accurately highlight were the problem was.

45. To confirm Expenditure

£194.28 – B M Champness (salary for July, August and September £129.60 – HMRC (PAYE & NI) [ ]denotes those payments paid between meetings, which have been approved by the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Parish Council or at a previous meeting but not listed

Payments made by Direct Debit - £

45 1 Resolved: that the above payment be made.

46. Any other business – Reminder – by law no decision can be made under this item only information exchanged.

46.1 The Clerk pointed out that at the next meeting we would be discussing the Precept for 21019/20 and if there was anything that could be added to the budget, they should let him know. He would prepare a budget and sent this out in time for all to consider before the meeting.

There being no other business the meeting was formally closed at 19.45

47. The date of the next meeting – to be held on Monday 19th November 2018 at 7.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Witham on the Hill.