2023 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 10th Oct 2023 at 6.30pm

Present 23-98 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr P Golding, Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr F Parish (Vice Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee, SKDCllr B Green, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk),

Apologies for Absence 23-99 Cllr P Lancaster, Cllr A White, SKDCllr D Bellamy

Chairman’s remarks 23-100 Cllr Ashton asked all present to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Martin Wilkins, who had sadly died. Mr Wilkins was the Parish Council chairman for several years and also a District Councillor in the area.

Councillor Vacancy 23-101

Clerk had displayed the vacancy notices and with no petition for a by-election received, the position is to be advertised/ filled by co-option. Clerk to advertise the position with any potential candidates invited to the November PC meeting for a short interview.

Public Forum 23-102 none

Declarations of Interest for items on the agenda 23-103 none

Report from County/District Councillors 23-104

SKDCllr Green advised the Council Tax relief scheme for veterans is agreed in principle, detail to be sorted with potential relief of 5-25%. SKDC household battery collections are proposed to start in 2024, as part of its refuse collection service. Further discussion on the Wild Witham Play Park, Cllr Green explained that there may be the possibility of SKDC accessing the Prosperity Fund and other grants to refurbish the park. This would require heavy involvement of SWPC to access grants and possibly SWPC agreement to take this play area over afterwards. PC in agreement that it is for SKDC to look after / refurbish its play park as owners. SWPC to continue to with its project to improve its VH play areas.

To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 5th Sept 2023 23-105

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

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 23-106

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly Accounts

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Oct 2023

Additional items since the agenda was drawn up;

monies received - FCC refund of 3rd party funding overpaid due to change of contractor, £183.18, half year precept £12500, firework monies received –Bullimores £200, Hudson Whites £350.

Invoices to pay - Security Gates & Doors - 70% balance of payment for VH doors, £5586.70 plus vat, £6704.04 gross,  MSC Groundcare & Garden Services - 2 cuts of VH rec grass in Sept 23, £340.00. Alarmline Security Ltd (VH alarm sensor reconnections), £163.88 plus vat. Reimbursement of expenses to Cllr Parish – flowers for troughs £30, £12.25, VH keys cut £95, total £137.25. 

Review of Councillor Responsibilities

 The following groups and members were agreed by the PC.  Clerk to check that Cllr Lancaster is in agreement to lead the newly formed village upkeep group, as nominated in his absence. Groups to arrange their own meetings and report into PC monthly meetings as required.  

Village Hall, Cllrs Parish & van Straubenzee

Update on VH doors project

Door work has been completed by Security Gates & Doors, with minor door strip work to tidy up front door edging to be done on 13/10/23. Clerk has paid the 70% balance invoice (see finance section) and is to now claim the grant from the FCC. Alarmline has reconnected the alarm sensors and keys have been cut, clerk to reimburse Cllr Parish accordingly. VHMC have been issued with replacement keys for VHMC members and groups and PC keys are held by Cllr Parish, van Straubenzee and South Witham Academy for emergency purposes.

Other VH matters

Cllr Parish advised that Tim Smith will look at the roof and that the VH corridor will be monitored for any sign of further leaks. SWPC agreed to the VHMC request to install a concrete pathway to the storage container, VHMC to pay/ arrange install.

Cllr Kinning advised that she has sent out letters to local businesses to raise funds towards the Firework event on Sat 4 Nov at the VH, proceeds to go to the Play Project Funds. Monies received to date - Bullimores £200, Hudson Whites £350. A1 Truckstop/ Stadium Diner has also pledged £300. VHMC to provide food on the evening. PC to agree its donation at the next PC meeting.

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance

Cllr Oldfield advised he will make minor play area repairs as highlighted in the Rospa Inspection report with help from Cllrs Hughes and Lancaster (as offered last meeting). He has £205 to bank towards the Play project improvements from cans etc.. Other fundraising taking place by both pubs, the VHMC and the firework event. He agreed to call a meeting of the Playground Safety and Future Improvements Group to progress the Play Area Project.

Fundraising ideas for Play Project, Cllr Lancaster In the absence of Cllr Lancaster this was only discussed very briefly. It was noted that Cllr Lancaster has set up a personal Crowd funding page to raise funds and has also stated that he will undertake odd jobs locally to contribute to funds.    

Planning Matters 23-107

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

S23/1691,17 Church St, tree in a Conservation Area notice for work to a Cherry Plum and a Maple tree, no objections from SWPC.

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused none

Buckminster Estate - the future of the Angel Inn, Cllrs Parish & van Straubenzee 23-108

An informal meeting took place on the future of this pub which has a lease in place until 2031, this was outlined to the PC.

War Memorial, Cllr van Straubenzee 23-109

The annual clean has been done by Cllr van Straubenzee and her husband. Cllr van Straubenzee to check if there is a Remembrance Service being held at St Johns Church.

Cllrs van Straubenzee & Golding agreed to put the giant poppies up around the village to mark the occasion.

Councillors to consider setting up a dedicated SWPC Facebook page 23-110

With all councillors in agreement and no abstentions, SWPC is to set up a dedicated FB account for the sole purpose of displaying notices and getting information out to residents, rather than this being done as currently, via Cllr Kinning’s personal FB page. Cllr Oldfield to set this up and Cllr Kinning to run the page by displaying SWPC information as required.

LCC Highways road network survey and drainage information request (deadline 15/10/23) 23-111

Revised deadline 30/11/23, however the PC agreed that it does not have the time to check all the drains in the village. Agreed that as any drain problems arise, these should be reported to LCC via “ fix my street” in the usual way by the PC or residents.

Correspondence 23-112

LALC Enews, Age UK Warm & Wise – free home energy checks over 50yrs, Rutland & Stamford Sound info, St Barnabas Hospice info, Lives Sept 23 newsletter, SKDC leader message to Parish Councils Sept 23, SKDC developing a new housing strategy questionnaire (deadline 31/10/23) & Parish Councils workshop  30/10/23. LCC Town & PC newsletter Sept 23, Lincolnshire Police Parish Council Engagement session North & South Kesteven teams meeting on 7/12/23 6pm-8pm, Cllr Ashton to attend, clerk to advise. Request from NKDC for help in the village for a vulnerable person, Cllr Parish has responded. SKDC review of polling districts & places (deadline 27/10/23), no change to South Witham venue to remain as the village hall. Lives newsletter Sept 23.

Additional Items 23- 113

RBLI has supplied a new commemorative plaque to replace the faulty one for the coronation tree on Water Lane, Cllr van Straubenzee to put in place. Curtis Communications / Distinctive Developments, to meet with SWPC at the VH on Tuesday 31st October at 6.30pm to discuss plans for 9 self-build homes on a site north of Moor Lane.

Date of next PC meeting 23-114 7th Nov 2023 at 6.30pm in the small hall of the VH.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm