2022 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 6th Sept 2022 at 6.30pm

Present 22-098 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr P Golding,

Cllr M Kinning, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr A White

Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), SKDCllr D Bellamy, SKDCllr B Green

Chairman’s Remarks 22-100 Cllr Ashton welcomed all councillors back after the summer break.

Receive Declaration of Interests 22-101 Cllr Ashton declared an interest in agenda item “nuisance dogs barking 22-106”

Public Forum 22-102 none

Report from County/District Councillors 22-103

SKDCllr Bellamy reported that should the Bullimores development go ahead (S22/1241 outline planning), S106 play area monies available to SWPC will be in the region of 10k (not £4k as quoted to the clerk in error by SKDC). Clerk had put in an application during the summer to secure the funds. Clerk to further check the funds available with SKDC.  

SKDCllr Green reported that the Lincolnshire Police Office, off Back Lane in Colsterworth will remain open. It is an operational facility that supports the Policing deployment plan in the South of the County. Cllr Green hopes to restore PCSO attendance at Parish Council meetings periodically. The first Isaac Newton Ward Parish Council Summit took place in the summer. During August, the SKDC Big Clean Team undertook various work in South Witham. Areas improved included the overhanging hedge on the High Street and clearing the jitty, opposite the Blue Cow. The High St wall, opposite the Blue Cow Pub was raised as an issue as it is perishing. This is owned by various Hillview residents and some will be dealing with their portion of the wall in the next few months. To investigate what can be done re .the rest of the wall. Information reported back to SWPC with regard to the SKDC maintained play area, rear of Great Close and routine inspections. Any issues to be reported to SKDC to deal. New bollards have been installed by LCC along Fishpool Dyke, Church Lane. Some of which have been displaced already and therefore reported to LCCllr Vernon to raise issue with LCC. LCC to undertake Thistleton Lane bridge drainage remedial works between 26/9/22 – 7/10/22, road closure and local diversions will be in operation.  

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 5th Jul 2022 22-104

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

Co option of a Parish Councillor to fill the current vacancy 22-105

The councillor vacancy deadline had been extended to the 1st September 2022, however no applications were received. The PC agreed that the vacancy will remain unfilled, until Council elections take place in May 2023.

Nuisance dogs barking Cllr Ashton 22-106 Cllr Ashton mentioned that there had been several incidents of barking dogs at unacceptable times of day/ night of late. He asked SKDCllrs what could be done about this. It was suggested residents should report such matters to SKDC.

Civility and Respect pledge 22-107

The clerk had circulated information on the Civility and Respect pledge and the Dignity at Work policy to councillors prior to the meeting. 

To pass a resolution to sign up to the Civility and Respect pledge Proposed Cllr van Straubenzee, seconded Cllr Oldfield, for 10, against 0, abstentions 0, with all in favour the PC agreed to sign up to the Civility and Respect pledge.

To pass a resolution to adopt the Dignity at Work policy Proposed Cllr van Straubenzee, seconded Cllr Oldfield, for 10, against 0, abstentions 0, with all in favour the PC agreed to adopt the Dignity at Work Policy. Clerk to publish this information on the SWPC website.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 22-108

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

Additional expenditure – C C Cleaning (bus shelter clean on 27.6.22) £20.00, Playsafety Ltd  - annual Rospa inspection £147.00 plus vat.

Play Project account – balance as at Sept 22 £467.65, includes £100.00 donation from SW Community Group & £93 raised by Cllr Oldfield’s tin can project ( £21/ £72)

Finance Committee Meeting findings

A meeting was held by the Finance Committee during August to review SWPC’s finances in light of the additional expenditure incurred this year. Items such as the village hall roof repairs, electrical 5 yr check, electrical repairs, allotment fencing, QPJ medals and the impending increase in fuel costs. It was agreed by all councillors that the business support grant reserve is utilised to cover the additional items, therefore £5k is to be released, leaving a balance of £2k in this reserve.   

Village Hall update, Cllrs van Straubenzee / Parish

The guttering on the corner of the building is leaking, Cllrs agreed that a local tradesman should be asked to clean out the VH guttering, Cllr Oldfield to arrange. The ladies toilet percussion taps stay on too long when pressed, Cllr Ashton to ask Paul Dalby to adjust. Also to chase up with him the outstanding VH window beading work. Cllr White to sort out temporary fix for main hall fire doors to secure, with PC to look into grants available for new fire doors (Acre - new grant scheme being launched).    

Play area inspection / maintenance, Cllr Oldfield

The annual Rospa report highlighted various issues needing attention, Cllrs Oldfield & Hughes to deal with some of the matters raised. Cllr Oldfield estimated that a budget of £500 was required for the work, proposed Cllr Parish, seconded Cllr van Straubenzee , with all in favour and no abstentions, this was agreed. Any additional work will then be put out to contractors to submit quotes. Cllr Oldfield reported that the Angel Fest held last weekend had raised £144. Cllr Kinning handed over £62.58 from the SW Living Advent Calendar. Monies from both, to be banked towards the Play Park project. Other donations over the summer, £100 from the SW Community and a further £72 from can crushing (already banked).

Cllr Oldfield currently has a large quantity of cans to process and along with Ocktober – Fest, a ticketed event to be held on Sat 8th October at the VH, will further add to funds.

QPJ replacement tree for Water Lane/Church St island, Cllr van Straubenzee

Approval granted by SKDC for SWPC to replace the tree at this location. Cllr White agreed to remove the old crab apple tree this month, soil to then be prepped for the planting of a silver birch tree.

Planning Matters 22-109

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S22/1407- 27 Water Lane, replace roof structure & tiles, construct new rear first floor bedroom extension & new windows to rear of house – no objections from SWPC

S22/1582 – 37 High St, fell tree 1 & 2 and crown thin tree 3 - no objections from SWPC

S22/1663 – 28 High St, 2 storey extension to side and rear of existing property, porch, veranda & vehicular gate - no objections from SWPC

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment after the publication of the agenda

S22/1686- 5 High St, fell maple tree – no objections from SWPC

S22/1712 – 7 High St, fell & reduce various trees - no objections from SWPC

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S22/1216 - 5 High St, fell Maple & Conifer CA Section 211 notice – work allowed by SKDC

S22/1040 - 27 Wimberley Way, 2 storey rear extension – granted by SKDC

S22/1292 - 7a Church Lane, replace white UPVC white windows with white UPVC french doors to front – permitted development SKDC

Correspondence 22-110 LALC news and Enews weekly, C & C Direct, Lincs Police & Crime Commissioner - Lincolnshire Safer Together qtr 2 newsletter and Safer Together Project – Strong Voices 11-21 yrs old - info to SW FB & VH n/ board, LCC free bus pass scheme- to SW FB &  VH noticeboard, Lincs Police Neighbourhood Policing priority setting ( 6/9/22 deadline) and Policing survey (23/9/22 deadline) – Clllr Golding responded to latter, Highways England Essential maintenance A1 South Witham to Wothorpe Southbound carriageway 25/7/223- 31/11/22. Dance your cares away - Guildhall Grantham 8 weeks, free event- Sept / Oct 22 info to SW FB & VH noticeboard, LCC County views survey, Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance Project, Afternoon with Lives- Lincolnshire Showground 15/9/22, YMCA news, Doris Johnson peace of mind foundation info, LCC Town & PC newsletter July 22, Anglian Water Services Ltd – investing in two new reservoirs in the Fens & Lincolnshire, NALC legal update Aug22, SKDC Gaming principles consultation by 15/9/22 deadline. Resident letter received re. various issues noted by the PC.

 Additional Items 22-111

First aid training (defibrillator) - daytime courses are available free of charge from British Red Cross Education. PC agreed that the clerk should arrange an initial course in Oct / Nov 2022, to be held during the Community Group Wednesday coffee morning, Cllr Parish to provide suitable dates.    

Date of next PC meeting 22-112 Tuesday 4th Oct 2022 at 6.30pm

Meeting closed at 8pm