2024 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 3rd Dec 2024 at 6.30pm

Present 24-113 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr F Parish (Vice Chair), Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr A White, SKDCllr D Bellamy, LCCllr C Vernon, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk)

Apologies for Absence 24-114

Cllr P Golding, Cllr J Oldfield, SKDCllr B Green

Declarations of Interest for items on the agenda 24-115 none

   Public Forum 24-116 none

Reports from County/District Councillors 24-117

Cllr Vernon advised that devolution is in progress and a Mayor of Lincolnshire will be elected on 2/5/25, the same timescale as County Council elections. She had spoken to South Witham Academy re. parking issues on Water Lane and advised that the message of parking considerately has been relayed to parents/ carers by parentmail, plus SWPC’s offer of parking at the village hall. Enforcement officers have been seen in Water Lane around school drop off / collection times. The A1 Road Safety meeting hosted by Alicia Kearns MP on Friday 15th November at South Witham VH had been well attended by 106 people. Petitions are being collected by local villages in support of A1 safety improvements. Cllr van Straubenzee to lodge South Witham’s petition forms next week. Cllr Vernon o/s matters - No HGVs visual signage for Church Lane and Church Lane replacement barriers, to report on at next meeting. Cllr Bellamy advised that the Local Plan review has been delayed until later 2025.

To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 5th Nov 2024 24- 118

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

 Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 24-119

 Councillor Vacancies, clerk

 Clerk advised that no election has been called, therefore the two councillor vacancies may now be filled by co-option. Clerk to display notices, application deadline set - Frid 24th Jan 2025.

 Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly Accounts

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Dec 2024

Additional income – SWPC Vat return submitted for period 1/11/24-30/11/25, £3819.42.

         Additional payments; MCS (VH grass cutting, 1 cut Nov) £170.00, LRH Roofing (VH roof fix), £300 plus vat. Eon Next, VH gas bill for Nov, £362 plus vat.

SWPC to agree the 2025/26 Precept

Detailed cost information was circulated to councillors prior to the meeting for the current financial year, forecast to the end of 2024/25. High village hall utility costs, unseasonal weather resulting in higher than normal recreational field / cemetery grass cutting costs and various other VH works – new flood lights / new water cylinder have impacted SWPC’s finances. Agreed by SWPC that the general reserve should be drawn upon to meet these additional costs. Also noted that employer’s national insurance (N.I) contributions will be charged at 15% over 5k from 1/4/25, so an annual cost of £765 approx. to SWPC. Clerk to deal, plus N.I. liability owing for previous yrs - £420 approx. SWPC precept for current year 24/25 is £25k and so Cllr Ashton proposed that the 25/26 yr precept is set at £26k, seconded by Cllr Parish and with all in favour and no abstentions this was carried. This gives an average band D of £55.14 per property, up £2.85, 5.5% increase, clerk to advise SKDC.

SWPC Cemetery – Review of T & Cs and agree Scale of Charges for 2025/26, clerk

Clerk had forwarded to councillors suggested price increases for consideration. Cllr Kinning proposed that the prices are adopted, seconded by Cllr Hughes and with all in favour and no abstentions, clerk to adjust accordingly. Cllr van Straubenzee to make slight alterations to the wording for the scale of charges/ T & Cs where necessary.

Village Hall update, Cllrs Parish & van Straubenzee

Cllr Parish advised that the new flat roof had been installed. Since then a further roof leak (unconnected to the new roof) had been reported by Cllr Oldfield and LRH Roofing has repaired the damage, cost £300 plus vat.Cllr van Straubenzee advised that Mr Dalby has undertaken the VH annual boiler service, report given to the clerk for her records. He had also fitted the new hot water cylinder on Mon 2 Dec, balance invoice for works to follow.

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield VH rec play park monthly maintenance

In the absence of Cllr Oldfield, no report.

Planning Matters 24-120

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

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S24/1503, 26, Coverley Rd, application for a certificate of lawful development for proposed single storey flat roof extension to the rear of a standalone garage- refused by SKDC.

Appeal Ref: APP/E2530/W/24/3346859, re.planning matter S23/2099, 33 High St, development proposed-  the demolition of existing outbuilding, erection of a 1.5 storey annexe with adjoining car port. Appeal dismissed by Government Planning Inspectorate due to the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the host dwelling and the South Witham Conservation Area. Also the living conditions of the neighbours at No.35 High Street, with regards overlooking and the living conditions of the future occupiers, with regards natural light.

A1 Gap Closures Little Ponton to South Witham – safety measure to close 16 gaps 24-121

SWPC fully supports the proposal, clerk to advise.

Correspondence 24-122

LALC Enews, SKDC Christmas event and lights switch on Sun 1st Dec 2024, 11-5pm, SKDC new team formed for action to combat household damp & mould for council tenants, A1 South of Grantham Resurfacing & Safety Improvements Scheme, South Witham to Little Ponton, mid Jan - March 25, 8pm – 6am fully closed, diversion Stamford to Grantham. Police & Crime Commission survey for Lincolnshire, Environment Agency Winter readiness, helpful links and advice, Rutland Local plan pre submission reg.19 consultation (deadline 2/12/24). Free parking in Council run car parks in Stamford & Grantham Mon- Weds, from 2/12/24 until 24/12/24, information put on village FB page by Cllr Kinning. LCC Town & PC update Nov24, SKDC design code stall to be held at local markets - Grantham, Stamford & Bourne early December.    

Additional Items 24-123 none

Date of next PC meeting 24-124 Tues 4th February 2025

The meeting closed at 8.20pm