2023 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 3rd Jan 2023 at 6.30pm

Present 22-150  Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), LCCllr C Vernon, SKDCllr D Bellamy, SKDCllr B Green & 1 resident

Apologies 22-151 Cllr M Kinning, Cllr A White

Chairman’s Remarks 22-152 Cllr Ashton welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2023.He expressed thanks to Cllrs Parish and van Straubenzee for all their hard work in connection with the remembrance service and the recent Queen’s Platinum Jubilee tree / bulb planting. Cllr Ashton had attended the Christmas meal at the village hall and had enjoyed this greatly, with the school children putting in an appearance to sing carols. The clerk was asked to write to the Head teacher to thank him for allowing the school to be part of all three events. Also to thank Alex van Straubenzee and Rev Neil Griffiths for the Remembrance service. 

Receive Declaration of Interests 22-153 none

Public Forum 22-154

 A resident attended to join in discussions on agenda item 22-157 below, consultation on potential mineral sites nominated for allocation in the updated Lincolnshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan, LCC (deadline for comments 6/1/23)

Report from County/District Councillors 22-155

SKDCllr Green reported that the SKDC budget is being finalised currently and it is expected that the band D council tax rate is envisaged to rise by £5, with SKDC using its reserves to meet any budget shortfalls. Noted that 80% of Councils across the country charge more than SKDC. SKDC is also planning to change street lights over to LEDs for further cost savings.       

Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 6th Dec 2022 22-156

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

Consultation on potential mineral sites nominated for allocation in the updated Lincolnshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan, LCC (deadline for comments 6/1/23), SWPC to agree response 22-157

The draft response prepared by SKDCllr Bellamy with input also from a resident, was circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting. A few minor changes were suggested, these changes were proposed by Cllr Oldfield, seconded by Cllr Parish and with all in favour agreed by the Council. Clerk to adjust for these changes and SKDCllr Bellamy to further add a couple of points he is awaiting clarification on. He was thanked for all his hard work on this over the Christmas period, as too was the resident. Clerk to submit response by Frid 6th January 2023.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 22-158

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Jan 2023

Additional items; Cllr Oldfield refunded £45.60 for a drain cover purchased to fix the VH drain, he was thanked for fixing this. Burial income received £530.00.

Village Hall , Cllrs van Straubenzee/ Parish

Village Hall doors Two quotes received for replacement VH fire door / external doors, SDG Access Ltd £9685 plus vat, Security Gates & Doors £7981 plus vat, quotes circulated to cllrs prior. Further quote to be sought and grant funding to be looked into for this project.

Other  Clerk to report broken connecting door between small and large hall to VHMC to fix. To also chase up overdue pat testing with them. PC agreed not to seek any further quotes for works to VH taps in ladies and gents for the current time. VH lease expires on 31/3/23, clerk to put on PC Feb 23 agenda and to circulate current lease document to councillors and the VHMC to review. Cllrs Ashton, Parish and van Straubenzee to meet during Jan23 to consider the lease.

Cemetery, Cllr van Straubenzee

PC to review / agree the scale of charges for the Yr 2023-24 

SWPC to keep cemetery fees at 2022 rates, remove cheques as form of payment and adjust the cremation stone sizing (dimensions as suggested by Shepherd stonemasons), all proposed by Cllr Oldfield, seconded by Cllr Parish and with all councillors in agreement and no abstentions, this was carried. Clerk to amend accordingly and publish 2023/24 scale of charges on SWPC’s website.  

PC to review/ agree the terms & conditions No changes made.

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance

Cllr Oldfield advised that the can project is still going well, with plenty of cans still coming in. He also has further funds to transfer over to the PC Play Project account. 

Planning Matters

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S22/2236 – 11 Wimberley Way, retrospective planning for erection of a single storey rear extension

- no objections from SWPC

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

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

none

Correspondence 22-159

LALC Enews weekly, LCC Town & parishes Maths skills survey, Lincs police – Stamford Town & Rural newsletter, ACRE VH grants information, SKDC letter re. future management of play areas within the district – clerk asked to request further information from SKDC on the Wild Witham Play Area - latest Rospa report / maintenance costs/ SKDC funding available. Buckminster Estates reply (12.12.22) to complaint raised by clerk re. the state of the Angel Inn roof and surrounding area on Church Street, work is in hand and roof to be repaired early 2023, with barriers and signage to stay in place until fixed. Clerk to further chase. 

Additional Items 22-160 none

Date of next PC meeting 22-161 Tuesday 7th February 2023 at 6.30pm

Meeting closed at 7.50pm