2021 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held by Zoom on Friday 12th Mar 2021 at 5pm

Present 21-051 Cllr D Smith (Chair), Cllr C Ashton (Vice Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr F Parish,

Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr G Steele,  Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk),

1 resident

Apologies for Absence 21-052 Cllr A White, Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr M Kinning

Outline of proposed works to the village hall car parking area to stop unauthorised access by vehicles, in light of recent anti social behaviour Parish Council to agree funding towards works, in the region of £1k approx., other costs funded by local businesses , Cllr Golding 21-053

Cllrs Golding, White and fellow councillors had met outside the village hall this week to assess what may be done to stop vehicles accessing the village hall recreational field, in light of recent anti-social behaviour.  Cllr Golding advised that Cllr White in conjunction with Whites Recycling will install a lockable steel barrier gate on the right hand side of the VH, preparing groundwork first and installing metal posts to hold. This will be similar to the one already in place at this site ( left hand side of VH ) . There will be sufficient room for residents to walk past the barrier with buggies etc… but it will prevent vehicular access. An additional area the other side of this barrier ( on the scrub)  will be cleared to give ample parking as required. This will be closed Mon - Frid but opened as necessary for overflow car parking, such as football match days and VH event days. Cllr White will also contact the quarry to replace the damaged boulders with larger ones and put several more in place than currently at the site, to reinforce the outer barrier of the VH rec.       

All costs now to be met by Cllr White, Whites Recycling and Cllr Golding’s employer, so nil cost to the Parish Council.

Cat scan to be hired to access the VH grounds. Cllrs Golding and Oldfield to assist with groundworks, work to be arranged for Saturday 20th March 2021.

Councillors voted for the work to take place as outlined above and with all in agreement, Cllr Golding to contact Cllr White to arrange.

Discussion also took place during this meeting regarding a lockable barrier to the edge of the VH driveway onto Water Lane to prevent cars accessing the VH car park area  “out of hours” . This had been raised in previous years and is not practical at all, as the VH is used at all hours day/ night 7 days a week, during non Covid times. There is also an agreement in place with South Witham Academy for teachers/ parents to park at the VH safely during the day, to get vehicles off Water Lane. For volunteers to be sought to unlock / lock the gates daily around all these times ongoing, is not possible. Also with the VH rec being a Public open space, emergency vehicles may also need to get onto the car parking area as necessary. The external barrier idea was once again dismissed.

Date of next meeting 21 -053 Tuesday 6th April 2021,                                           meeting closed at 7.50pm