2023 minutes

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

Present 23-115 Cllr F Parish (Vice Chair), Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr P Lancaster, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr A White, SKDCllr D Bellamy, SKDCllr B Green, LCCllr CVernon, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), 2 Distinctive Developments / 1 Curtis Communications representatives, 1 member of the Public

Apologies for Absence 23-116 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr L Hughes

Public Forum 23-117 A resident came to listen/ speak to LCCllr Vernon and the PC regarding the quarry planning application, see reports from County/District Councillors item 23-121 below.

Declarations of Interest for items on the agenda 23-118 Cllr White declared an interest in item 23-120 below.

Co-option to fill councillor vacancy 23-119

One application was received from Mr R Brabbin for the councillor vacancy. Mr Brabbin was proposed by Cllr van Straubenzee, seconded by Cllr Kinning and with all in favour and no abstentions, was voted on to SWPC and signed the declaration of acceptance of office to take up his position. Clerk to advise SKDC accordingly and update records.

Visit from Distinctive Developments to outline plans for 9 self-build houses on land north of Moor Lane 23-120 Handouts were given to SWPC detailing the proposed self-build homes on land next to the cemetery / allotment site on Moor Lane. It is envisaged that the outline planning application will be submitted in the next three months. Distinctive Developments will not be building the houses, they will   prepare the site and install utilities, ready for self-build projects to take up, if planning is granted.

Reports from County/District Councillors 23-121

LCCllr Vernon advised that at the Planning & Regulation Committee meeting (Mon 6th Nov 23), the following planning matter was discussed, LCC ref: PL/0056/23, SKDC ref S23/1472, development to vary condition 5 of the planning permission S19/0636 (REF S17/0563) to allow tipper trucks (HGVS) parked overnight on the site to leave South Witham quarry between the hours of 06:00 and 07:00, location South Witham Quarry, Mill Lane, South Witham. The Committee agreed that the planning decision is deferred so that a site visit may take place to consider the following - the 6am start time, noise implications and highway issues. The planning application will then further come before the Planning & Regulation Committee meeting for consideration. The resident present at the PC meeting advised that he had submitted to LCC a list of concerns/ errors with the submitted report that had gone before the Planning and Regulation Committee for consideration, this list was further shared with LCCllr Vernon and SWPC. He had also pointed out that this would make South Witham the only village in the County with a limestone quarry site that operates pre. 7am. The resident also expressed dismay that numerous reported alleged breaches of quarry operations between Dec 22 and May 23 had not been investigated by the LCC Enforcement. Agreed by SWPC, that its Quarry Group meets to discuss this matter further. Cllr Vernon to provide contact details for the LCC Senior Enforcement Officer. Other matters, Great Close flooding issue – established by LCC that Anglian Water and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are responsible jointly for the ownership /maintenance of the drainage system, more to follow on this. Photos of recent flooding requested by Cllr Vernon to add to the information held. Also raised that the recent Great Close flooding led to refusals of help with sandbags as houses were privately owned. Further, the two Great Close houses previously damaged by fire, have not had any remedial work done. The tarpaulin covering these houses creates an awful noise for nearby residents, one nearby house has water coming through the ceiling and there is a rat issue. Cllr Oldfield to find out more details for SKDCllr Bellamy to report to SKDC Environmental Health as this is unacceptable and needs action. Also to establish if the drain by Willow Cottage, High Street is privately owned or the responsibility of SKDC. SKDCllr Bellamy advised of the SKDC Local Plan review taking place, also that the Shared Prosperity Grant Fund is now closed for this year but is urging PCs to apply for the next funding allocation opening in Apr 24. He also asked for any village photos of the recent flooding, Cllr Parish to forward photos of a resident’s garden affected.   

SKDCllr Green had circulated information to the PC on proposed tree planting for the SKDC managed “Wild Witham” play area. Trees (whips) are available from the Woodlands Trust free of charge, with possible planting in Mar 24, hopefully with community involvement. Cllr van Straubenzee raised concerns of future upkeep, as SKDC would need to water/ nurture these trees for many years.  Agreed that this item should be put on the Dec PC agenda to give councillors time to consider this proposal. SKDCllr Green handed over an oak tree sapling to the PC, as he is giving one to all parishes he attends. He also advised that the Council Tax relief scheme for Veterans consultation is now closed and the scheme will go ahead, potentially helping Veterans in Council Tax bands A and B. SKDC household battery collections to start March 24 approx., once the new purple recycling bin collections for card/ paper are up and running.

   To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 10th Oct 2023 23-122

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

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 23-123

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly Accounts

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Nov 2023

           Additional items since the agenda was drawn up;

2024/25 Precept information received from SKDC, deadline for submission 19th Jan 24. PC Finance Group meeting to be arranged to discuss further, before reporting back to the full PC, clerk to arrange.

Other monies received – see firework event update below, plus clerk to prepare/ submit SWPC vat reclaim.

Other payments made – MCS, VH grass 2 cuts in Oct £340, RBL poppy wreath £20.00, Garden Angel, cemetery grass, 4 cuts Sept/Oct, £300.00,  

Fireworks event update, Cllr Kinning, with SWPC to agree fireworks donation

Cllr Kinning updated on the Fireworks event, the community had worked extremely hard and pulled together to make it a great success despite the awful weather. The PC agreed that it would like to contribute £750 to this event, proposed by Cllr Parish, seconded by Cllr van Straubenzee and with all in favour and no abstentions, this was agreed. Many local companies had generously donated to this event and with residents’ donations on the evening, a raffle held and the VHMC agreeing to contribute £300 from the sale of food on the night, it is envisaged that Play Project monies raised will be in the region of £2000. Clerk to confirm this, with Cllr Kinning to let the village know via SW FB.   Cllr Kinning also advised that she had been made aware of an old bank account for the “Friends of the School” (pre SW Academy) which will further boost Play Project Funds as proceeds to be split between SW Academy/ SWPC Play Project fund.

Renewal of VH gas & electric contracts due 20th Dec 23 Clerk to review prices and renew both supplies.

Village Hall, Cllrs Parish & van Straubenzee

Update on VH matters

Cllr van Straubenzee is arranging the annual boiler service with Mr Dalby. Cllr Oldfield to adjust the VH driveway floodlight so it comes on before it is dark. Clerk to publish the VH new doors press release as agreed with the FCC and to reclaim the FCC grant.

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance

Cllr Oldfield to undertake minor play area repairs. He also advised that he had banked £200 can monies this month, that there is a further £40 Winter Harvest monies and £600 from the Blue Cow pub quiz nights to be added to Play project improvements fund.

Planning Matters 23-124

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S23/1442, land adjacent to Morkery Lane, amended plans for timber building – 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

S23/1843, 31 Hillview Rd, trees in a Conservation Area,  pruning of T1, silver birch – work allowed by SKDC

S23/1691,17 Church St, trees in a Conservation Area work allowed by SKDC

LCC Highways proposed changes to carriageway markings outside South Witham Academy 23-125

Consultation letter received to relocate the zigzags markings outside the South Witham Academy and make them mandatory and to introduce a no waiting at any time zone in the vicinity of Water Lane/ Church St, as detailed on the plan, deadline for comments 17th Nov 23.  SWPC fully supports the proposal, clerk to advise LCC.

Correspondence 23-126

LALC Enews & Oct training bulletin, SKDC Housing Strategy Consultation working group 30/10/23 cancelled due to low take up, replaced with survey. Lincolnshire Community Foundation launch household support fund in South Kesteven, posters displayed in village, SWPC website / SW FB. Zero hour request for Climate & Ecology bill support from Councils, Anglian Water works to take place on 26/10/23 to reduce phosphorus in water, SKDC new website info, SKDC new wheelie bin for households in early 2024 for card/ paper only. LCC Schools Admissions Policy Consultations 2025/26 re. Kings School. Town & PC newsletter Oct23, SKDC street naming / numbering process information, Clerks & Councils Direct 

Additional Items 23- 127

Cllr Oldfield is still working on the SWPC FB account to publicise SWPC information. Cllr Lancaster agreed to lead the PC Village Upkeep Group he was nominated for at the Oct PC meeting. Cllr van Straubenzee asked to join this group also, clerk to add her. Cllr van Straubenzee advised that the Remembrance Service will take place on Sun 12th Nov at 10.45am at St John’s Church memorial. Cllr Parish to check the state of trees obstructing lighting in the High St to Church St jitty, clerk to deal.

Date of next PC meeting 23-128 5th Dec 2023 at 6.30pm in the small hall of the VH.

The meeting closed at 8.20pm