2022 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 4th Jan 2022 at 6.30pm

Present 22-001 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr G Steele, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), SKDCllr D Bellamy, 1 resident 

Apologies for Absence 22-002 Cllr A White

Chairman’s remarks 22-003

Cllr Ashton wished everyone a happy new year.

Receive Declaration of Interests 22-004 None

Public Forum 22-005

One resident present who raised concerns re. road closures/ traffic resulting when Anglian Water improvement works take place in Spring 2022. Chair informed him that this was discussed at the last PC meeting with AW rep in attendance, who took back SWPC’s concerns. (see Dec 21mins). Other issues raised, state of village generally, roads/ pavements unswept, dog fouling, litter, untidy school/ pub frontages.

Report from SKDCllr Bellamy 22-006

SKDC is working on its budget for 2022/23. Possible bye election to take place to fill position previously held by LCCllr Bob Adam.

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14th Dec 2021 22-007

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

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 22-008

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council - Financial Statement   - Jan 2022

          Also Garden Angel invoice for cemetery mowing (Oct/Nov 2 cuts @ £75) £150.00

Village Hall, Cllrs Parish / van Straubenzee  

Update on VH matters

Cllr van Straubenzee advised that the heating timer has been fitted by Richard Medcalf this week, with the timer set to ensure the heating comes on morn, lunchtime and early eve. Mr Medcalf pointed out that the main hall lights use a total of 500 watts. PC agreed that he should provide a quote for LEDs which would use a total of 70 watts. Clerk raised that the VH fixed electrics 5 yrly check is due April 2022. Cllr van Straubenzee to arrange both with Mr Medcalf. No date as yet for VH flat roof work, Cllr Hughes to chase up.

VH Lease agreement Cllrs Ashton, Parish and van Straubenzee to meet and discuss the terms of the lease, then to arrange meeting with VHMC reps to consider, prior to approval by full PC.

SW Cemetery –review scale of charges / terms & conditions for 2022/23

PC agreed to keep charges / terms as per 2021.

Play area monthly inspection/maintenance, Cllr Oldfield Cllr Oldfield to do minor play area repairs when weather is drier. He reported that one of the VH rec bins needs cementing in properly as was only a temporary fix originally. PC agreed to works, Cllr Hughes to arrange with local handyman.

Planning Matters 22-009

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S21/2372 Coverley House, Church St, replace 5 windows at the front of the house with wooden Georgian sash windows - no objections from SWPC

S21/2373 Listed Building consent for the above property - 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

S21/1081 10 Church Street, single storey side extension- permission granted by SKDC

Queens’s Platinum Jubilee, Cllr van Straubenzee 22- 010

SKDC Queen’s Green Canopy Project – Cllr van Straubenzee outlined the scheme, Cllrs agreed to bring preferences to Feb meeting on the type of trees to plant, how many and where, to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. PC agreed to purchase a Platinum Flag to raise on the flagpole situated in SW Academy grounds, approx. cost £20, clerk to arrange asap so it may be raised on the 6th Feb 2022, 70 yrs since the Queen acceded to the throne. PC agreed that it would like to mark the occasion with some sort of celebrations over the extended bank holiday weekend, Thurs 2nd June – Sun 5th June 22. It was agreed to leaflet the village to seek volunteers to form a Committee for this purpose. PC agreed it would also like to provide SW children up to the age of 18 with a commemorative memento. A form for this purpose to be included on the leaflet to residents. Clerk to produce leaflet, Cllr Kinning to print off and along with Cllr Ashton coordinate the leaflet drop, with Cllrs to assist. Completed forms to be placed in a box in either shop, Cllr Kinning to provide boxes, deadline set 28/1/22. Cllr Parish to request the street distribution information from the ex. Witham Word team to assist. She will also check if the VE Committee would like to be involved with this project and enquire if SW Academy are doing anything to mark the occasion.      

Bonfire Night 22-011

Cllr Kinning would like to arrange/ take charge of a bonfire night occasion at the VH rec and requested permission from the PC to do so. She will look into all the rules & regs fully to ensure this is possible and comply with what is required. PC agreed to this request. Further information to be supplied at a future PC meeting.

Correspondence 22-012

Enews weekly, LCC Town & Parish news- “Fix our funds to fix our roads campaign,” SKDC Flood Prevention & Free sandbags, Lives Winter newsletter. Two further complaints received re.Thistleton Lane flooding and associated road diversions.

Additional items 22-013 Cllr Kinning to put LCC grit bin refill details on SW FB, FixMyStreet.lincolnshire.gov.uk to report.  

Date of next meeting 22-014 Tuesday 1st Feb 2022 at 6.30pm in the VH.

Meeting closed at 8pm