2021 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 14th Dec 2021 at 6.30pm

Present 21-164 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr S Lansdowne,  

Cllr F Parish, Cllr A White, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), SKDCllr D Bellamy, Dodie Honisett (AW Project Manager)

Apologies for Absence 21-165 Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee

Chairman’s remarks 21-166

Cllr Ashton held a minute’s silence in memory of our County Councillor, Bob Adams who died this month. Bob worked hard for South Witham over many years and will be greatly missed.

Cllr Ashton reminded Councillors to consult with others on their PC Committees before making any decisions.

Receive Declaration of Interests 21-167 None

Public Forum 21-168

Anglian Water Project Manager Dodie Honisett attended the meeting to discuss the PC’s concerns over works going ahead early next year and the 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week proposed road closure of the North Witham Rd from 21st Feb 22 to 8th May 22 with traffic diversion via Stainby, Sewstern, Mill Lane and reverse, in place. Dodie outlined the improvement works being done and the methods employed. The PC and SKDCllr Bellamy raised concerns of the blanket road closure / traffic diversion which will cause major disruption to residents, local businesses on the stretch of the North Witham Rd and Public/ school buses. It will result in a greater volume of traffic through the heart of the village during this period, particularly along the High St and Water Lane, so ignoring the 7.5t weight restriction imposed.  Also noted that the village is used as a diversion / cut through should there be an incident on the A1, which is quite regular.  It was suggested that LCC comes and looks at the diversion route to see if it is workable as concerns raised re. NW Rd businesses having to use Moor Lane to reach its destination, impossible with HGVs and the carriage width of this road, likewise for HGVs along Water Lane with the sharp bends and parked vehicles. Dodie suggested that various works of the carriageway and crossovers could potentially be done at weekends when traffic is much reduced and will suggest that a mixture of closures and traffic lights are employed, rather than a blanket closure of the road for the whole period to take on board the PC’s concerns. She will report this back to Anglian Water/ LCC Highways. All SW residents/ local businesses to receive a letter re the road closure and a site office to be based on the NW Rd by AW whilst works undertaken which the PC / residents may visit to discuss any problems. Dodie was thanked for coming to the meeting and it was stressed by the PC that it is pleased that the work is going ahead to future proof the pipework but hopes it may be done with as little disruption as possible for the village. 

   Reports from SKDCllr Bellamy 21-169

   PC had asked SKDCllr Bellamy to check on Thistleton Lane works to stop the flooding issue under the bridge. He confirmed it is budgeted by LCC for the current financial year but as yet no date agreed for the works. This has not     changed since the May communication comfirming this. It was noted that should this area flood during the period Feb- May 2022 when the NW Rd works are occurring, this will add to the disruption for the village. This has been         communicated to LCC by the clerk to try to expedite the Thistleton Lane work.

   Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd Nov 2021 21-170

   The notes of meeting were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair in acceptance of minutes.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 21-171

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council - Financial Statement   - Dec 2021

Clerk advised that SWPC’s BMM account held with HSBC Bank has been reclassified as a Charitable bank account with a £5 monthly charge. Clerk to query this with HSBC Bank.

VH gas contract review/ change of supplier re.CNG Ltd ceasing to trade

Clerk advised that CNG Ltd had ceased trading with the supply taken over by Pozitive Energy. Clerk has secured better prices through Bionic, with gas supply to transfer to British Gas Lite 2 yr contract starting 23rd Dec 2021, rates 6.5p per kwh, standing charge 75p a day. Credit balance on account with CNG Ltd £73 approx. to be refunded by Pozitive Energy to SWPC.     

SKDC Parish Precept 2022/23

Clerk had circulated financial information to Cllrs prior to meeting to assist with Precept setting.

PC agreed that the Precept should remain at £25k as per Precept for Fin yr 2021/22, so £52.80 band D equivalent, -0.40% decrease on 2021/22 Precept. Clerk to submit return to SKDC by deadline of 21st January 2022.  

Village Hall, Cllrs Parish / van Straubenzee  - Update on VH matters

Cllr Parish advised that there is a timer fault with the VH heating, Richard Medcalf to source the part/fit. Cllrs Hughes/Parish have both been advised by contractors that a new flat roof is not necessary, instead it can be fixed to make good. Cllr Hughes has a quote to fix / seal the flat roof, including labour £800.   PC agreed for this remedial work to go ahead as soon as possible, Cllr Hughes to arrange.

VH 3yr lease agreement ends on 31/3/22, clerk to put on PC Jan agenda. SWPC VH reps along with Cllr Ashton to meet and discuss the lease. To then meet with VHMC reps to agree terms before sign off by PC prior to 31/3/22. 

Play area monthly inspection/maintenance, Cllr Oldfield No report this month

Planning Matters 21-172

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment after publication of the agenda none

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S21/1938, 16 Wellfield Close, single storey front extension – permission granted by SKDC.

S21/1499, 27a Water Lane Partial retention of bungalow (previously approved for demolition S17/0601), change of use to an ancillary outbuilding for home office and storage use and re siting of approved garage - permission granted by SKDC.

   S21/1817, 35 High Street, render to front and part of side elevations and demolition of chimney, 2 bay windows and conservatory. New bay window to north elevation and single storey extension to south - permission granted by         SKDC.

S21/2072 6 Templars Way, single storey rear extension and front porch - planning not required

S21/2139 21 Church Street, Trees in CA - Section 211 Notice, Cherry tree - prune as crossing branches are rubbing against each other – work allowed.

Holiday Activities Grant Application, Cllr Parish  21-173

Cllr Parish to enquire with school to see if a grant has been secured for 2022/23 fitness.

Correspondence 21-174

SKDC Queen’s Green Canopy Project, Anglian Water pipework improvements/ local road closures Jan-May22- dealt with under Public Forum, LALC news / Enews weekly, C & C News, LCC Town & PC update. Resident letter on various village highway issues, clerk to contact SW Quarry, Buckminster Estates, Padleys Chicken farm over matters raised. Another resident letter re. various matters, clerk to contact village street cleaner re. emptying VH rec bins that are full, other items noted.

Additional items 21-175

Cllr Parish had reported to LCC the light out on lamp post in the jitty - Blue Cow to Church St. Ivy growing up telegraph pole also obscuring, clerk to request SKDC “Big Clean” team sort and sweep the jitty also.

Date of next meeting 21-176 Tuesday 4th Jan 2022 at 6.30pm in the small hall of the VH.

Meeting closed at 8pm