2024 minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held in the village hall on Tues 6th February 2024 at 6.30pm

Present 24-01 Cllr C Ashton (Chair), Cllr F Parish (Vice Chair), Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr P Golding, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr A White, SKDCllr D Bellamy, LCCllr CVernon, Mrs H Sandon (parish clerk), 4 residents

Apologies for Absence 24-02 Cllr C Hodgkin, Cllr C van Straubenzee, SKDCllr B Green

Public Forum 24-03 Matt O ‘Dell (electrician), at the request of Cllr Parish attended the meeting to outline the work required to change over the external VH lighting (flood and emergency) to energy saving LEDs. This will future proof the VH lighting, making any further repairs simpler and significantly reduce the electric running costs of the VH.  Written quote to follow, estimated cost 2k, with further quotes to be sourced by Cllr Parish, PC agenda item for March. A resident raised the issue of a damaged verge, location - opposite the Industrial units’ entrance on the North Witham Rd, damaged by HGVs accessing the site. Also raised, the flooding issue at the Church Lane/ High St approach to the village from the A1 /Broadgate Rd. Two residents in attendance to ask what progress is being made to stop the flooding issue (storm drain) threatening their properties, location - house nos 17-20 Moor Lane. This was reported 18 months ago to SKDC/ LCC and no remedial action has been done. The gulleys in this area are also clogged with grit and need attention. SKDCllr Bellamy has been dealing with this and explained there is an issue with the ownership of the drain system and hence responsibility for the remedial work which has held matters up, he will chase again. LCCllr Vernon to also make enquiries with LCC and to request LCC clean the gulleys at this location and also in the Great Close area. PC agenda item for March.   

Declarations of Interest for items on the agenda 24-04 none         

Reports from County/District Councillors 24-05 SKCllr Bellamy reported that the A1 verges are to be cleared of litter, request made for known grot spots to be reported on the “fix my street” app. Also fly tipping generally is on the increase and may be reported this way. The devolution of Greater Lincolnshire is being phased in. The SKDC green bin renewal cost has been set at £51, with £42 for any additional bins. Cllr Bellamy asked to find out when the swings will be replaced at the Wild Witham play area as they have been removed. LCCllr Vernon mentioned the Greater Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Champion Awards, nominations via LCC website, deadline 11th Mar 24. Village Emergency plans discussed. SWPC has emergency telephone numbers in place should an emergency arise. SWPC emergency information to be reviewed at March PC meeting along with other PC policies.

To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 5th Dec 2023 24-06

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

Councillor Vacancy 24-07

Following the resignation of Paul Lancaster due to home/work commitments, there is currently a councillor vacancy. Clerk to report to SKDC and display the by-election notices as required.

Clerk’s and Councillors’ reports on; 24-08

Financial Matters, clerk

Monthly Accounts

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Feb 2024

Additional items since the agenda was drawn up;

Other monies received - £500.00 from the SW Community Group towards the Play Project Fund.

Village Hall, Cllrs Parish & van Straubenzee

VH lease renewal The VH lease is due for renewal on the 1 April 2024. Cllr Ashton to call a meeting of the PC / VHMC, with PC reps Cllrs Ashton, Parish and Golding to attend, to discuss the new terms of the lease. Findings of the PC Finance committee meeting (30 Nov 23) to be discussed, with lease renewal to be added as March PC agenda item for sign off by both parties.

Update on other matters

Update on proposed works to external lights detailed in “Public Forum” agenda item 24-03 above. Clerk has reminded the VHMC that the annual Pat testing is due.

Play areas, Cllr Oldfield

Monthly inspection/maintenance

Minor repairs and equipment painting to be undertaken when the weather improves.

Planning Matters 24-09

New planning applications received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

S23/2099, 33 High St, demolition of existing outbuilding, erection of 1.5 storey annexe with adjoining car port – no objections raised.

S23/2256, Land north of Moor Lane, outline application for the delivery of up to 9 serviced plots for self-build and custom housebuilding with associated infrastructure (Access for approval only)- the following comments/objections were submitted by Cllr Parish on behalf of SWPC;

1.This development is outside the curtilage of the village. This doesn't seem necessary as land has already been earmarked for development within the local plan.

2.The land is not currently used for agriculture but food security nationally is a pressing issue so why use potential agricultural land to build 9 houses?

3.The land in question is often waterlogged.

4.There is also a big problem with flooding issues in Great Close. Unless significant upgrades to the current drainage situation are included in any planning application, this may only add to the existing problems.

5.Moor Lane currently has no properties on land on its northern side. Will the residents welcome this? Having read 2 public comments from residents the "country side feel" would be lost. I think local residents would not welcome this development.

6.The proposed houses do not appear in keeping with the existing properties nearby.

S24/0012 Listed building consent sought for 14, Church St;

1) rebuild garden wall that is suffering from loss of mortar and cracking stones. Also to widen the steps to give a wider access to the lawn, top the wall with stone slabs rather than pantiles. 2) create an additional wall along the front in line with the height of the existing wall, new wall to be topped with stone slabs to match existing wall. Level the soil, which will reduce the height of the soil against the house and then level the grass – no objections raised.

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

SKDC planning permissions granted/refused

S23/1738, 33 North Witham Rd, hard surface to form driveway to front & insertion of dropped kerb – approved by SKDC

S23/2272, 44 Coverley Rd, SKDC Lawful development certificate issued for the erection of single storey rear extension measuring 4m by 3.8m built from matching materials.

South Witham Combined Charities 24-10

The PC has been approached regarding taking on the running of the South Witham Combined Charities (SWCC). Cllr Ashton to arrange a meeting with Mr Watson (SWCC treasurer) to discuss further, Cllr Parish to assist.

Parking issues reported 24-11;

Harold Rd/ Thistleton Lane area Complaint received by the PC regarding parking issues in this area. Clerk to advise that any illegal parking should be reported to the Police as the authority to deal.

Unwin Green Complaint re. parking issues on Unwin Green and concerns over inadequate parking for health/ care staff to visit an ill resident once home from hospital. Cllr Oldfield, a resident of this road highlighted the ongoing parking problems and how residents are trying to work together to ease the situation.  Cllr Brabbin had also made contact with the family to talk through this matter and offer support.

Great Close housing situation 24-12

The Parish Council expressed concern that no progress has been made to resolve the many issues a private homeowner is facing, as a result of the nearby house fire, approx. two years ago. Details/ photos were sent over to SKDCllr Bellamy Nov 23 to raise with SKDC Environmental Health Dept, PC to chase and add support.

Correspondence 24-13

LALC Enews, C & C Direct, Have your say Greater Lincolnshire Devolution (deadline 29/1/24), SKDC draft Animal Licensing Policy survey (deadline 3/1/24), LCC Police post Parish engagement (session 7/12/23), LCC Town & Parish Dec newsletter, South Lincolnshire Academies Trust- pupils admission number consultation (deadline 19/1/24), SKDC invitation to stakeholder workshop - Tree & Woodland Strategy (18/1/24), Save a life sessions - Leisure SK, LALC circ. of Town, PC & Community Councils letter re. D Day 80 Celebrations 6/6/24,    LALC survey - Council data validation exercise- clerk to complete, SKDC flood prevention information, SKDC bin collection information 2024. LCC Budget and Council Tax proposal 2024/25, Parish Council engagement session on Road Safety Tues 20th Feb at 6pm, Cllr Parish to attend.  Parish Council engagement session NSK (Policing) – Tues 25/6/24 at 5pm. Pre planning consultation Cornerstone, re. mobile phone base station installation upgrade, Buckminster site , land adjacent to pumping station, Broadgate Rd. SKDC Planning website, Introduction of Consultee Access - changes to submission of consultee comments - clerk to complete on behalf of SWPC.

Additional Items 24-14 Annual Litter pick raised, Cllr Parish to fix a date during Apr/May24 and circulate.

Date of next PC meeting 24-15 Tues 5th March at 6.30pm in the small hall of the VH.

The meeting closed at 8.35pm