Minutes of Meeting 7 July
Present: Councillors: Richard Burbidge, Valentino Calabrese, David Hayden, Charles Henriques, (presiding) and Paul Smith.
Residents:
Others: Bernard Champness – Clerk, and Simon Thompson
Open Forum
Simon Thompson wanted to talk about his planning application under item 26.1. He understood why we had objected to his previous application (which was turned down by SKDC) but he had altered the plan to offset some of the planning officer’s comments, and he felt that it should now be more acceptable. He also felt that the objections registered so far only reflected the opinions of the immediate residents in Bottom St and not necessarily the village as a whole, so he wanted to address some of the issues that have been raised, as follows:
1. He made clear this is not a commercial venture, he wants to build a home.
2. It is not inappropriate land use for ponies as he can access fields adjoining the site.
3. Concern about smells, vermin and flies associated with the stables, would be his concern also and he would be taking appropriate action to prevent this from becoming a nuisance.
4. He did not agree that Bottom Street would have to carry an appreciable increase in traffic.
5. He did not accept that if permission was given it would set a precedent for future applications to develop outside the curtilage/conservation area boundary.
6. While he acknowledged the development was outside the curtilage/conservation area boundary, in his experience SKDC did not always accept that as a valid reason for refusal. He also wanted to draw attention to the conservation officer’s comments, to the effect that the building would have very little impact on the immediate area.
He urged the Councillors to give serious consideration to the application and adopt an independent view when coming to their decision.
The Chair then gave each Councillor an opportunity to ask questions or make comments.
Cllr Smith was not in favour as he felt it could encourage other applications to develop outside the village boundary. He also felt that very little had changed from the earlier application.
Cllr Haydon had no objections but would listen to further debate.
Cllr Burbidge was a reluctant objector, but he was also anxious about more development applications.
Cllr Calabrese was against the plan as it would set a precedent for other development outside the curtilage of the village and cited the pub car park as another example.
Cllr Henriques was against the application for several reasons, but primarily the additional traffic burden on Bottom St, which is a single-track road in poor condition and more traffic would only make the situation worse. He also felt that if allowed, this plan would invite further development outside the conservation area. He acknowledged that had already registered an objection, as a resident, to SKDC. He explained that the formal meeting to follow would go into closed session to discuss item 26.1, so that Councillors might not feel inhibited to debate the issue freely, if interested parties were present. Simon Thompson expressed his disappointment and therefore decided not to stay on for the formal meeting. The Chair thanked him for taking the time to attend to address councillors.
The meeting was formally opened at 19.23
20. Apologies for absence, acceptance of Apologies.
20.1 No apologies were received as all Councillors were present. District Cllr Robins had sent her apologies as she had another meeting to attend.
21. 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
21.1 No one declared an interest in any matter that was on the agenda.
22. Minutes of the Annual meeting held on the 12 May 2025 (25-01)
22.1 Resolved: That the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council held 12 May 2025 be signed by the Chair as a correct record.
23. Matters to Report
23.1
1. The Clerk reported that he had received an email from LCC saying they would write to Cllr Haydon and create a new login to the Parish website for him to use, following his offer to assist in bringing it up to date.
2. The Clerk had drafted a receipt for JJ Mac Farms Ltd, in response to their generous donation to PC funds to the value of £2,500. Cllr Smith had printed off a copy which was circulated and approved. Cllr Smith mentioned a request by the donor that the payment be made by BACS, and noted the bank account details for the PC, so that he could pass this on.
3. There was no update on the grant for trees as Cllr Haydon had written asking if there was any flexibility on how this might work. It was explained that Cllr Robins was the one to ask and the Clerk would raise it with her. The possibility of self-funding was discussed as a possible alternative.
4. Cllr Henriques said that the footpath leading off the bridleway in the woods was blocked because of a fallen Hawthorn tree. He would have a word with the landowner to see if he could clear it.
5. It was reported that the telephone kiosk had been painted, and it transpired that this was undertaken by BT. The green benches on the Green had also been repainted, and thanks be recorded to Martin Hyde for doing this.
6. Cllr Calabrese reported that he had removed the office chair that was dumped by the Stocks, and our thanks were to be recorded for his doing so. He also mentioned that the tabletops of the fixed picnic benches were in a serious condition. The Clerk was asked to report this to Cllr Robins to see if SKDC could resolve this.
7. Cllr Burbidge asked that the matter of the Stocks and the edge repairs to the footpath from the village down to the crossroads on the A6121 be included on all future agendas until they had been resolved. Resolved that these would be added.
8. The Clerk reported that the noticeboard needed refurbishing or replacing and that the cost of a new one was in excess of £900. Cllrs Haydon and Calabrese would see what work needed to be done and consider doing the work voluntarily.
24. To receive a report from the County and District Councillors.
24.1 County Cllr Charlotte Vernon had not sent a report.
24.2 District Cllr Penny Robins sent her apologies, and a short report stating that SKDC are busy looking into food waste bins and devolution, so I do not really have anything solid to report now. I am busy with housing issues.
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:
S25/0692 - Proposal: Proposed residential dwelling and stable with car port and associated
Landscaping at Land Between Witham Grange and Cleeve Acre, Response: extended to 8 July 2025. Resolved: that the application be objected to with the following comments being made
i) As an infill development outside the curtilage of the village it would set an unwelcome precedent and encourage similar applications for development. A particular vulnerability of this village.
ii) Bottom Street is already inadequate for the traffic it carries.
iii) The narrow farm track from Bottom Street to the proposed site, is not wide enough to accommodate vehicles and pedestrians at the same time. This is because of the steep bank and hedge either side, on a bend, which restricts the forward view from a vehicle. As a result, pedestrians are already at risk accessing the public footpath because there is insufficient space to step out of the way.
iv) The proposal includes a stable block in close proximity to a neighbouring property which will inevitably cause an odorous nuisance.
v) Two earlier, almost identical planning applications S99/0398/82 and relatively recently S23/0222 were both refused. In the interim there has been no change in planning policies, or the essence of the scheme proposed or the character of the location. Therefore, it was felt the reasons for objection should remain unchanged.
S25/0935 - Proposal: Demolition of existing conservatory and porch, construction of replacement structure to form orangery and porch and the provision of a new first floor
and roof and re-facing external ground floor walling at Cleeve Acre, Bottom Street, Witham On The Hill Response: extended to 8 July 2025. Resolved: No objections
S25/1077 - Proposal: Section 211 notice to remove three Conifer trees at Cleeve Acre, Bottom Street, Witham On The Hill. Response: extended to 8 July 2025. Resolved: No objections.
EN0110022 – Kilnside Energy Park – EIA Scoping and Consultation and Regulation 11 Notification Response: by 21 July 2025. Resolved: we had no comments at this stage but wanted to be consulted on any further applications to be lodged.
26.2 Planning Applications approved: S25/0717 - Proposal: Section 211 notice to remove horse chestnut tree at Palace Farm Main Street
S25/0714 - Proposal: Section 211 notice to re-pollard weeping willow tree (T1) at 6m.
at Chilterns Main Street
26.3 To note any Planning Applications refused or withdrawn: none to note
26.4 To note any Application appealed or any decision made regarding an appeal: Planning Inspectorate APP/E2530/X/23/3332736: Carlby Hawes Wood PE10 0NG - S23/1324 and S22/1733 Appeals Dismissed
27. To receive any data from the reactive sign
27.1 Cllr Smith said that the reactive sign had now been moved to the other end of the village by the school but before that he had downloaded data and whilst there was no major increase above the 30-mph limit there was just one person at about 4 a.m. travelling at 55 mph through the village. There was a discussion about what if any action could be taken.
28. To discuss a request from a resident about the defibrillator and to confirm who is responsible for the regular checks and ensure that this is done.
28.1 Jane Clark wrote an email saying:
As Secretary of Witham on the Hill WI I have been involved in the NFWI campaign concerning saving lives, doing CPR and using defibrillators. I was quite shocked to discover that the defibrillator at the parish hall is registered as "not available" on "The Circuit". I understand this probably means that the machine has not been checked regularly (should be every 6 months) and that the battery may be low.
I would be very grateful if you could establish who is actually responsible for the regular checks and ensure that this is done
Cllr Henriques said that he was the one responsible and although the defibrillator was registered on the circuit it needed to be updated which he would do. He explained that we needed a new battery and a set of pads as one of the two available would soon be out of date. It was agreed these would be purchased. He also said the battery was still serviceable but getting low on charge, so this should be considered for early replacement also.
There was then a discussion about first aid training and how to use a defibrillator. The Clerk explained that he had organised 4 sessions over the last few years for a Save a Life session which was free and very well attended and helpful. He was asked if a session could be arranged for Witham on the Hill and he agreed to investigate.
29. To discuss the purchase of a laptop for the Clerk
29.1 Although this had been approved some while ago it wasn’t actioned. A quote had been obtained from Bourne Computer Store and circulated. However, Cllr Haydon said that he could provide a laptop for £200.00 and produced an example for the council to look at. Although it did not have Office 365 loaded, it was fully compatible with our needs. The Clerk asked about backing it up to OneDrive. Cllr Haydon said that he could set something up to remind the Clerk to back up manually on a periodic basis. It was agreed the Clerk would take the laptop home to familiarise himself with it. Cllr Haydon would make enquiries about a compatible printer.
30. To confirm Expenditure
£204.00 – D Thornburn (Internal Audit fee)
£6.80 – B M Champness (book of stamps)
[ ]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. It was resolved that the payments be made
31. Any other business – Reminder – by law no decision can be made under this item only information exchanged.
31.2 There being no other business the meeting was formally closed at 21.02
32. The date of the next meeting – to be held on Monday 22 September 2025 at 7.00 p.m. at St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Witham on the Hill
Signed: Bernard Champness - Clerk Parish Council Witham on the Hill