2023 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 7th Feb 2023 at 6.30pm

Present 23-01 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), LCCllr C Vernon, SKDCllr D Bellamy

Apologies 23-02 Cllr A White, SKDCllr B Green

Chairman’s Remarks 23-03 none

Receive Declaration of Interests 23-04 none

Public Forum 23-05 none

Report from County/District Councillors 23-06

Cllr Vernon reiterated the cost of living links on the LCC website to help those in need financially. PC agreed to share the links again via the various communication methods. LCC has prepared its final budget proposal for 2023/24 and this includes an additional £7 million to be spent on highways maintenance, taking this budget to £93 million. Council tax to rise by 4.99% to help fund this, including a 2% rise for adult care. The Parish, District & County 2023 elections to be held on the 4th May 2023 will require voters to have photographic I.D. to prove their identity. This will need to be shown before a voter is given their ballot paper in a polling station. Valid i.d. (in date/or expired) includes drivers’ licenses, passports, various concessionary travel passes, Ministry of Defence i.d. cards. If you do not have the relevant i.d., residents will need to apply for a “voter authority certificate” by visiting the following link; Apply for photo ID to vote (called a “Voter Authority Certificate”) – GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk) . Deadline to apply – 23rd April 2023 by 5pm. Postal votes are not affected by this requirement. PC requested the LCC official communication on this as soon as possible, so that it may be publicised in the village to advise residents. Cllr Bellamy advised that Cllr Green is still trying to establish PCSO visits to PC meetings. Police virtual meetings may possibility be an option. It was suggested that a rural crime prevention officer is invited to a future Wednesday village coffee morning to meet and discuss any issues with residents.

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 3rd Jan 2023 23-07

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

Parish & Town Council Elections – 4th May 2023 23-08

SKDC information on the Town and Parish Council Elections that are to take place on the 4th May 2023 was circulated to councillors by the clerk. Clerk to arrange for councillor packs to be sent to her which she will distribute to councillors seeking re-election. Further packs available for other residents interested in applying. Election notices to be displayed on noticeboards and PC website in due course by the clerk. New Councillors to take up office on Tuesday 9th May 2023. 

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 23-09

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Feb 2023

Additional items; Garden Angel invoice £200.00 for SW cemetery/ allotment grass cutting 7/10 & 25/10/22, 2 cuts @ £75 plus QPJ tree planted £50. Shelter Maintenance invoice to follow for North Witham Rd bus shelter broken glass pane that has been fixed, replaced with polycarbonate. PC insurers have been notified, clerk to reclaim cost once invoice received, (less £100 excess).  

Village Hall, Cllrs van Straubenzee / Parish

Village Hall doors Further quote received from EYG for £10,454 net, so three comparative quotes now in hand, (see Jan23 PC mins for other quotes). The PC voted and with all in agreement and no abstentions, agreed that the clerk applies for a Communities Foundation grant, prior to the application deadline of 8th March 2023.

Village Hall lease

Cllrs Ashton, Parish and van Straubenzee met with the VHMC to discuss the lease terms and conditions. Prior to the meeting, the clerk had prepared the last 3 yrs VH cost information, ie. costs  that the PC had spent on the VH. 

Cllrs discussed the lease and decided that as the VHMC are only just establishing bookings post Covid, that the rent should remain at a nominal £10 for the yr 2023/24 and the lease be for a term of one year. PC to remove clauses 4.6 and 5.2, with all Cllrs present in agreement with the changes and with no abstentions, clerk to alter the lease agreement ready for sign off by PC/ VHMC reps at the PC meeting on the 7th March 2023.Clerk to inform the VHMC accordingly.

Other The VHMC have repaired the internal bi-fold doors and the annual pat testing has been done, report on file with the clerk.

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance Cllr Oldfield to fix the skatepark ramp and to look at the VH rec bins as they also need repair. The can project is still ongoing with further funds raised to deposit towards the VH rec play area project. Cllr Hughes offered additional space for can storage prior to processing, this was gratefully accepted by Cllr Oldfield.

Planning Matters

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

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S22/2236 - 11 Wimberley Way, retrospective planning for erection of a single storey rear extension passed by SKDC

The Big Lunch Coronation – Sunday 7th May 2023, Cllr Lansdowne 23-10

This was discussed with the VHMC and they are to consider a possible event.

Correspondence 23-11

LALC Enews weekly/ training scheme, Lincs Police - Safer Together Police Priority Setting (deadline 26/3/23) & newsletter Q4, LCC survey re. Budget & Council Tax proposal 2023/24, (deadline 26/1/23),  Walking        England information on walks, LCC Town & PC newsletter Jan 23, SKDC - how to be a District Councillor- May 23 elections -  briefing 22/2/23, Lincs Police - Stamford Town & Rural  area newsletter Jan23. Clerk awaiting SKDC information on the Wild Witham Play Area from SKDC  rep.

Additional Items 23-12 The village annual Litter pick was discussed and a date of Sun 16th April   was agreed by the PC. Clerk to book out the equipment with SKDC. 

Date of next PC meeting 23-13 Tuesday 7th March 2023 at 6.30pm. Date of the Annual Parish Meeting - Tuesday 4th April at 6pm, prior to the April PC meeting at 6.30pm, clerk to book the large hall for this evening.  

The meeting closed at 8.10pm