Minutes of Meeting 15 July 2024
Present: Councillors: Richard Burbidge, Charles Henriques, (Presiding) Susan Pennant-Jones and
Paul Smith,
Residents:
Others: Bernard Champness – Clerk, District Cllr P Robins
Open Forum
There were no residents present and there was no open forum, and the meeting was formally opened at 19.00
19. Apologies for absence, acceptance of Apologies
19.1 As all Councillors were present there were no apologies
20. 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
20.1 No one declared an interest in any matter that was on the agenda.
21. Minutes of the last meeting held on the 13thMay 2024 (24-01)
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21.1 Resolved: That the minutes of the Annual Meeting held on the 13th May 2024 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
22. Matters to Report
22.1 • The Clerk was able to report that the advertising of the Audit had concluded on the 12 July 2024, and no one had asked questions. We now need to hear from the External Auditor that the accounts had been dealt with and the Certificate of Exemption being returned.
• Cllr Pennant-Jones said that residents had complained to het that some streetlights were not working which she would report on FixMyStreet. However, some of them were the newly installed lights. Cllr Smith said that he was aware that one was not working but the others were, Cllr Pennant-Jones said that she would inspect them again before sending of her report.
• Cllr Pennant-Jones stated that the grass near the garages was bring cut and she asked the contractor to cut the grass around the garages. She was told it was not on their list and not their responsibility. As a result, the hedges have not been cut back which means they are overhanging the footway. District Cllr Robins said she would look into this for us
• Cllr Pennant-Jones said that whilst the public house car park had taken some cars off the road there were still cars parking outside the building. After a discussion it was felt that the car park has and was a success in that the problem of parked cars had reduced considerably.
• Cllr Burbidge said that the grass on The Green had not been cut and was looking untidy. Cllr Robins aid that she would check how often it should be cut. Cllr Burbidge also said that The Green was again was being invaded by moles. The Clerk was asked to instruct MozzyMak Pest Control to carry out the work.
23. To Co-opt a Councillor
23.1 The Clerk was able to report that no one had asked for an election, and we could now co-opt a Councillor. A notice would go on the noticeboard and website. It was hoped we could co-opt at the September meeting
24. To receive a report from the County and District Councillors.
24.1 County Cllr Charlotte Vernon was not present and had not sent a report
24.2 District Cllr Penny Robins gave the following report:
1. Some weeks ago, there was a murder on the Wellhead Park in Bourne. Five people have been arrested in connection with the crime. The police have released details on their website: Five arrested as murder investigation launched in Bourne | Lincolnshire Police (lincs.police.uk).
2. Another crime was committed at our Customer Service Centre at St Peter’s Hill yesterday. A member of staff was punched by a member of the public who was seeking Housing Advice. Consequently, security will be increased at the Customer Service Centre which is due to be transferred to the Ground Floor of the Picture House offices in October.
3. Grantham Market Place is due to be completed in mid-August. It would be well worth a visit to Grantham to see the changes that have been made. In other news, there is still money available in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. If you know of organisations or projects which might be suitable, please contact me or the Economic Development team led by Nick Hibberd. The Fund has already supported projects across the district including solar panels, community buildings, business improvements and arts projects4
4. A meeting took place at Grimsthorpe Castle between LCC and Anglian Water to discuss the reasons for the delay to the water pipeline being built from North Lincolnshire down to Essex. It is the largest water infrastructure project in Europe and is the reason why we see large blue pipes all over the place. Unfortunately, the project has been delayed due to the familiar reasons of Covid, war in Ukraine and inflation. The issue of Ukraine was a particular problem because much of the steel pipework was apparently being sourced from Mariupol. The project has been re-sequenced which will mean the blue pipes in the South of the District will not be put underground for many months yet.
5. As the project is due to finish, another is due to begin. A new reservoir is proposed just North of the A52. The site is slightly outside South Kesteven but the pipework to take the water to a treatment works in Peterborough is likely to wend its way across our District and will affect many householders and landowners. A public consultation process is open until 9th August and details can be found on the following website: www.lincsreservoir.co.uk
6. For those of you who have not heard Mallard Pass Solar scheme has been approved by the Secretary of State Ed Milliband. Alicia is far from happy as you can imagine and will be looking into all avenues to challenge the decision, with a possibility of a judicial review. If you would like to subscribe to the action group the link is as follows https://www.mallardpassactiongroup.com/
7. Finally, Congratulations go to Alicia Kearns on keeping her seat In the new constituency in Stamford and Rutland.
25. Clerks Report and Correspondence received.
25.1 The Clerk had circulated in advance notice of the various e-mails received since the last meeting. If anyone wanted to see any e-mails they should let him know and he would send it on.
26. Planning applications:
26.1 Planning Applications to Approve: there were no applications to approve
26.2 Planning Applications approved:
S24/0796 - Proposal: Submission of details reserved by conditions 4 (lighting details) and 5 (gate details) of planning permission S23/1876 (change of use of agricultural land to car park) at The Six Bells Main Street
S24/0670 - Proposal: Section 19 application to vary Condition 2 (approved plans) of
S22/0889 Conversion of existing barn to two storey dwelling (amendments to S08/LB/7038) at Palace Farm Main Street, Witham On The Hill
S24/0593 - Proposal: Section 73 application to vary Condition 2 (approved plans) of
S22/0888 Conversion of existing barn to two storey dwelling (amendments to S08/0987) at Palace Farm Main Street, Witham On The Hill
S24/0592 - Proposal: Proposed timber frame car port.at Palace Farm Main Street
Witham On The Hill
26.3 To note any Planning Applications refused or withdrawn: S24/0656 - Proposal: Proposed detached dwelling and outbuilding at Land Adjacent To The Anvils Main Street Witham On The Hill (refused)
26.4 To note any Application appealed or any decision made regarding an appeal: none to note
26.5 Cllr Smith said that he had a problem with the public house car park. Planning permission was granted with a clause which stated that before it was opened for use screening would be planted. The car park had and was open, but no bushes had been planted. He had been in touch with the Enforcement Officer and copied in Cllr Robins. The Enforcement officer had been out and confirmed that what was being reported was correct and he would give them to the 12 July 2024 to plant the bushes. It was now the 15th and no work had been carried out. Cllr Robins would contact the Enforcement Officer to make sure the work was undertaken immediately
Cllr Smith was also concerned about the fact that the person who had been out to inspect the trees on the car park site did not know his trees. It appears that he had overlooked a species of tree which was very invasive and was commonly known as Tree of Heaven. It produces chemicals that prevent other plants from growing near it, creating monocultures that reduce biodiversity and wildlife habitat. It grew very fast and should be removed
27. To receive any data from the reactive sign
27.1 Cllr Henriques said that the battery needed to be recharged which he would undertake.
28. To discuss the LCC Rights of Way survey and if appropriate complete the same and to discuss an email from a resident about the condition of the Public Footpaths.
28.1 The survey was circulated in advance for Councillors to consider which they did and agreed there was no need to complete the same.
Regarding the email from a resident this complaint was more about the footpaths around the village streets and not the Public Rights of Way. It was agreed that a reply should be sent saying that we will investigate what can be done but we understood some bushes will be cut back as being part of a rolling process.
29. To discuss the Mallard Park Solar Farm update and questions raised by a resident.
29.1 A resident had written about his concern that if planning consent was given that large construction lorries would travel through the village. He wanted to know if the Parish Council knew if this was going to happen. In the meantime, an email had been received with an update explaining that a decision may be some months away due to the General Election. However, it had since been noted that the new Secretary of State had approved the application. This had taken everyone by surprise. It was felt that it was time for us to apply for a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes to be applied to the village roads. It was agreed that |Cllr Henriques would send a letter to County Cllr Charlotte Vernon to see what could be done.
30. To confirm Expenditure
[ ]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 - £
30 1 Although there were no payments to approve on the agenda since the agenda was posted the Clerk had received an invoice from David Haydon for £279.15 for making 2 village planters, 4 poppies and 4 Tommy Silhouettes. The invoice had been circulated in advance and it was resolved that payment be made.
31. Any other business – Reminder – by law no decision can be made under this item only information exchanged.
31.1 There being no other business the meeting was formally closed at 20.14
32. The date of the next meeting – to be held on Monday 2 September 2024 at 7.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Witham on the Hill