2023 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 4th Apr 2023 at 6.30pm

Present 23-27 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr S Lansdowne, Cllr F Parish,

Cllr C van Straubenzee, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), LCCllr C Vernon, SKDCllr B Green SKDCllr D Bellamy,

3 residents in attendance

Apologies for Absence 23-28 Cllr P Golding, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr J Oldfield (Vice Chair), Cllr A White

Chairman’s Remarks 23-29 Cllr Ashton advised councillors that they should not share fellow councillor’s notes/ minutes without obtaining their permission first.

Receive Declaration of Interests 23-30 none

Public Forum 23-31 none

Report from County/District Councillors 23-32

Cllr Vernon reminded all that Voter i.d will need to be shown when voting in person at the forthcoming SKDC and Parish Elections. There are free holiday clubs taking place over the Easter holidays for children who qualify for free school meals. The Good Citizen Awards are taking place, so nominations to be sent for any resident requiring special recognition for their community efforts.

Cllr Green advised that he will be reporting the vast amount of cones in the area to National Highways as they appear to have been left long after maintenance work has been completed. He also said that hopefully there will be a coordinated approach taken so that the A1 closures for drainage work, also has other workers out litter picking. Cllr Vernon to make enquiries of LCC re. a flooding issue in vicinity of houses no. 17-20, Moor Lane. A storm drain is currently blocked and Anglian Water have said it is not on its map so therefore not responsible for this drain.

To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 7th Mar 2023 23-33

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; 23-34

Village Hall, Cllr Parish & van Straubenzee

Taps in disabled toilets Cllr van straubenzee advised that the taps were left running in the disabled toilets recently. Clerk asked to check lease to ascertain who is responsible for the cost of any work undertaken. Suggestion being that they are changed to percussion taps. Clerk to add to May PC agenda.  

Heating issues There have been some issues lately with the VH heating being too high or not on at all. Therefore the VHMC have reminded all user groups how to make a temporary change to the heating should this be required for their group but they must put the temperature back to 15 degrees prior to leaving the hall.

CCTV cameras Cllr Parish is in receipt of a CCTV quote from Sensetec for £1607.06 plus vat, for a new HD-TVi CCTV system, to include 8 cameras. She is awaiting a quote from Chubb and is also sourcing other quotes. To consider quotes at the next PC meeting and to seek possible grant funding from SKDC for this project.

Other A grant application was submitted by the clerk to the Landfill Communities Fund, for funding towards new VH exterior doors as agreed by the PC last month. To hear if successful on 14th June 2023, no work to start prior. VH exterior lights timer to be adjusted, Cllr Parish to deal. 

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly accounts (see financial statement below)

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Apr 2023

To agree the purchase of an exterior noticeboard for the Great Close area (Witham Plaice wall) at a cost of £70.00 net, size A1 ( 8 x A4)  With all councillors in agreement and no abstentions, clerk to order the noticeboard.

PFK Littlejohn AGAR annual external audit for SWPC accounts, deadline Mon 3rd July 2023

Clerk to complete the AGAR ready for sign off by the PC at its 6th June meeting ready for submission. Clerk to ask Mr Andrews if he is willing to undertake the PC’s internal audit once again. 

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance In the absence of Cllr Oldfield, no report this month.

Dogs on VH recreational field It appears that there is a dog training club regularly meeting on the VH rec. The PC has no issue with this as all is being conducted in a responsible manner.

Planning Matters

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S23/0304, Tanyard House, conservation area, removal of 2 trees - 1 apple, 1 plum  - see permissions granted / refused below.

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 – 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

S23/0304, Tanyard House, conservation area, removal of 2 trees - 1 apple, 1 plum  - work allowed by SKDC 

S23/0478, 10 Church Street, rear storey single storey extension (resubmission of S21/2507- alter window to French door), SKDC advised this is permitted development.

Community Litter pick – Sun 16th April 2023, Cllr Parish 23-35

Clerk has delivered the litter pick equipment purchased by the PC to Cllr Parish who is once again in charge of this event on Sun 16th April, time 10 – 1pm. Purchased - 32 litter picks, 30 Hi Vis adult tabards and 15 children’s  tabards, various sizes. Advertising posters have been displayed locally and also on SW FB page. SKDC to pick up the filled bags on Mon 17th April from beside the VH. Cllr Hodgkin to assist with refreshments.   

The King’s Coronation – Weekend of 6th- 7th May 2023, Cllr Parish 23-36

Various activities are happening at the VH over the weekend, including a picnic, a car boot and the televised Coronation service. Cllr Parish requested councillor help putting the bunting up around the village. Cllr Kinning to assist with top area of the village.

Correspondence 23-37

LALC Enews, Lincs Police Stamford newletter Mar23 & Priority setting feedback information, Call Connect Saturday operating time changes, LCC Town & PC newsletter March 23, LALC media release re. Councillor elections in May 23.

Additional Items 23- 38 No reply as yet from SKDC re. information sought on the SKDC managed Wild Witham Play Park, Great Close area. PC asked clerk to chase this up.

Cllr van Straubenzee advised that Revd. Neil Griffiths will be leaving the area to take up a new position in Derby in May. The church will honour all bookings already made and Revd. Stephen Buckman will preside over these.

Date of next PC meeting 23-39

Tuesday 9th May at 6.30pm in the small hall of the VH, meeting to include voting in of Chair and Vice Chair following the elections.                                                                                   

The meeting closed at 7.20pm