2021 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 6th July 2021 at 6.30pm

Present 21-108 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish, Cllr G Steele, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), LCCllr B Adams, SKDCllr D Bellamy

Apologies for Absence 21-109 Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr A White

Chairman’s remarks 21-110

Cllr Ashton said there had been a good turnout for the Community litter pick on Sunday 27th June and thanked all Councillors involved, particularly Cllr Parish for leading this. SKDC had also emailed a thank you letter following this event.

Receive Declaration of Interests 21-111 none                                               

Public Forum 21-112 none

Reports from LCCllr Adams/ SKDCllr Bellamy 21-113 Cllr Adams advised that the planned Local Authority reorganisation for SKDC due in 2023 has now been shelved. He also said that as Chairman of the Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee, a task and finish group is currently being formed to look at road speed and weight limits and enforcement, plus traffic calming measures (working with the LRSP) with particular emphasis on speed issues into/out of villages. A review will consult with twelve million stakeholders.

Cllr Adams asked for all o/s highway issues to be sent to him by September for his meeting with Rowan Smith, LCC Highways Manager. Noted pot holes are being fixed in the village, some with the saw, cut and seal method (best fix), some with a temporary quicker fix, for instance if a road is on list to then be resurfaced.  

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 1st June 2021 21-114

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

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 21-115

Vacancy on the Parish Council to be filled by co-option, clerk

Lesley Hughes having applied for the vacancy, attended the meeting and introduced herself to Councillors. With no other applicants, Lesley was voted onto SWPC and welcomed by all. Councillor paperwork to be completed/ submitted to SKDC by the clerk.

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council - Financial Statement – 6th July 2021

Streetwise  - increase grass cutting fees to £70 per cut, plus vat.

Village Hall, Cllrs van Straubenzee/ Parish

Update on VH matters

Tim Smith (Complete Maintenance) had submitted his invoice for the roof repairs done last month, £200. Cllr Parish is still looking for companies to quote for the flat roof work, which is proving difficult as companies are so busy. She has also contacted Richard Medcalf to do the VH Pat testing.

Clerk asked to request up to date VH key list from VHMC.  

Play area monthly inspection/maintenance, Cllr Oldfield Cllr Oldfield ( absent)  had reported to the clerk

that there were no outstanding issues at the rec play areas.

Planning Matters 21-116

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S21/1081 10 Church Street, single storey side extension no objections from SWPC

S21/1158 3 Church Street, Parkstone House, remove tree no objections from SWPC

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

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S21/0848 7 North Witham Road, South Witham, Lincolnshire, NG33 5PN, erection of single storey rear link extension and erection of front porch – granted by SKDC

S21/0779 14 Church St, repaint rear doors & windows- granted by SKDC

Emergency arrangements for the village, Cllrs Ashton/ Parish 21-117

Cllr Ashton explained that they wish to make the VH available to residents should an emergency evacuation situation arise affecting an area of the village. Discussions took place regarding having a couple of main key holders for such an emergency and communicating this information to residents. PC agreed to put on Sept agenda to agree emergency reps, info to then be circulated.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Cllr van Straubenzee 21-118 Cllr van Straubenzee agreed to find out what is planned across the UK to celebrate this, in addition to the lighting of the beacons. Cllr Ashton to speak with village pubs/ shops re. involvement in celebrations. Clerk to put on Sept agenda.

Correspondence 21-119

Letter received from the SW Ladies Welcome Club explaining that they are unable to continue with the maintenance of the small garden opposite SW Academy. PC to see if Toni from SW Garden Centre would like to take this over. Blocked drains issue on Station Rd, clerk to report on LCC website. Cllr Parish had also reported a further blocked drain issue on the North Witham Rd.

SKDC Community Awards 2021, LCC road closure notice 14/7 – 16/7/21 High St ( between Water Lane & Thistleton Lane) – for Anglian Water chamber, cover & frame repairs. LCC Broadband Connectivity information, Lives magazine, SKDC Arts Centre monthly e newsletter, YMCA Lincs Draft Community Strategy and Community Lincs News & Updates Bulletin, Lincs Youth Commission Service Recruitment, NHS Big Weekend of Vaccination, Lincs Police letter re. Neighbourhood Policing & Engagement with Communities, Town & PC newsletter June 21 , Lives magazine, British Red Cross face to face workshops,      

LALC news and Enews 15/6, 22/6, 29/6 & 6/7/21 

Additional items 21-120

Cllr Steele advised that he had spoken with John from Savemores Store re. PC displaying notices on the shop noticeboard and he is happy for the PC to do so.

An ILiffe Media reporter had contacted the PC regarding an article to appear in the local papers re. A1 safety and issues faced by SW villagers as a result of A1 accidents. Cllr Parish, as PC Road Safety Group Chair agreed to collate Cllrs comments for submission, clerk to find out deadline for comments. 

Date of next meeting 21-121 Tuesday 7th Sept 2021 at 6.30pm in the larger hall of the VH. (no August PC meeting )                                                                                                                

Meeting closed at 7.45pm