2023 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 9th May 2023 at 6.30pm

Present 23-40 Cllr P Golding, Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr A White, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), LCCllr C Vernon, SKDCllr D Bellamy, no resident.

Apologies for Absence 23-41 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr F Parish, SKDCllr B Green

In the absence of Cllr Ashton, Cllr Oldfield presided over the meeting.

Election of Chair of the Parish Council and signing of the Declaration of Office as Chair 23-42

Cllr Ashton was proposed as Chair by Cllr Oldfield, seconded by Cllr White, with all in favour and no abstentions, Cllr Ashton was elected Chair. To sign the declaration of office as soon as available.

Election of the Vice Chair 23-43

Cllr Oldfield was proposed as Vice Chair by Cllr van Straubenzee, seconded by Cllr White, with all in favour and no abstentions, Cllr Oldfield was elected Vice Chair.

Receive Declaration of Interests 23-44 none

Public Forum 23-45 none

Report from County/District Councillors 23-46

Cllr Bellamy advised that the SKDC elections had taken place and as no individual party won the majority vote, there is no overall control at SKDC currently. Cllrs Bellamy and Green were re-elected for the Isaac Newton Ward and therefore remain as district councillors for South Witham. 

Cllr Vernon had been advised of the poor state of the Church Lane carriageway along Fishpool Dyke and is to request a LCC Highways survey of this road. She will also arrange a walkabout for the LCC Highways Manager, Rowan Smith / councillors to look at other areas of the village that require attention. Councillors to advise clerk of any issues. Cllr Vernon will also make enquiries to see if LCC will supply a highways road sign for the North Witham Rd Industrial estate area to advise HGV drivers to turn left when pulling off the site, to prevent traffic through the village.     

To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 4th Apr 2023 23-47

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

Co option to fill the councillor vacancy 23-48

The recent Parish Council elections resulted in an uncontested election for South Witham and all existing councillors were re-elected. There remains one councillor vacancy which the clerk will advertise, to be filled by co-option at the June PC meeting.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 23-49

Village Hall, Cllrs Parish & van Straubenzee

CCTV cameras – to consider the three quotations received, as circ. by Cllr Parish

Quotes received for a HD-TVI CCTV system - Nick Cleaver £995, Sense tec £1928.47 (gross) and ADT £2923.65. Councillor Oldfield proposed Sensetec is contracted, seconded by Cllr White and with all councillors in favour and no abstentions, this was agreed by SWPC. Clerk to contact Sensetec to arrange and to sort the deposit required (35%).

Taps in disabled toilets PC agreed to leave as they are for now.

Other Further questions answered by the clerk in relation to the FCC Communities Foundation grant application for new village hall windows/doors, grant decision to be advised on 14/6/23.

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - May 2023

SWPC Insurance review Clerk in receipt of Zurich annual insurance renewal due on 1/6/23, £2034.23 1 yr £1846.21, 3 yr long term agreement if sign up by 19/5/23. Clerk to obtain further quotes and to go with cheapest option as agreed by PC.   

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance Cllr Oldfield to undertake minor play area repairs and submit receipts to the clerk for reimbursement. Further can monies to be banked towards the Play Project.

Dogs on VH recreational field The PC is to reconsider this matter, however it is deferred until the June PC meeting while further information is sought.

Planning Matters

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

S23/0815, 4 Water Lane – T1 beech tree lower branches removed, no objections from SWPC

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S23/0422, 25-27 The Maltings, High St – single storey rear extension, velux roof light/alterations, demolition & rebuild detached garage with roof mounted solar panels – permission granted by SKDC

The King’s Coronation – Weekend of 6th- 7th May 2023 23-50

The VHMC put on a great weekend for villagers, despite the erratic weather. It was raised at the PC meeting that the VH rec grass had not been cut prior, clerk to chase up contractor.

Correspondence 23-51

LALC Enews, Lincs Police Stamford newsletter Apr23, LCC Town & PC update Apr23, SKDC District / Parish Council election notices – displayed by the clerk, C & C Direct, LCC Traffic order -  road closure 30/5/23 – 9/6/23, Mill Lane / High Street for resurfacing work.

Additional Items 23- 52

The Community litter pick on 16/4/23 was well attended by 25 people approx. who were thanked for their efforts. Reply received from SKDC re. the SKDC managed Wild Witham Play Park, Great Close area. Clerk to request the maintenance cost information, as still not provided. Cllr Oldfield to provide photos of the current play area defects to submit to SKDC. Clerk to put on June PC agenda for further discussion.

Cllr Oldfield raised the idea of a SWPC specific FB page to display information, clerk to add to June agenda.

Date of next PC meeting 23-53

Tuesday 6th June at 6.30pm in the small hall of the VH.

The meeting closed at 7.45pm