2025 minutes

25/12

Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr Hughes, Cllr Oldfield and Cllr White.

25/13

Declarations of Interest for items on the agenda

None.

25/14

Chairman’s remarks

Parish Clerk interviews took place with Mrs S Phillips appointed as Parish Clerk.  Contracts have been signed.

Cllr Ashton confirmed that he will not stand as chairman after April 2025.  Thanks were given to Cllr Ashton for his contributions to the parish council.

25/15

Public Forum

There were no members of the public in attendance.

25/16

Reports from County / District Councillors

District Councillor – Cllr Bellamy

• An A1 workshop has been arranged by LCC. Cllr Parish and Cllr Brabbin confirmed their attendance.  Concerns were raised that the last meeting was in 2018 and there has been no action since.
• Parish councils have been offered sandbags.  It was confirmed that the parish council do not require any more sandbags.
• Fly tipping can be reported through FixMyStreet.
• A debate is taking place in April regarding devolution within Lincolnshire.
• More land has to be found due to the increase of compulsory builds an increase of 30% to 900 houses.  The original consultation for allocated sites did not provide enough. More consultation in June/July.  It is important that a local plan is in place so that builders are not then able to purchase land and build.

County Councillor – Cllr Vernon

• There are building issues in Swine Hill as an additional 250 houses are to be built but the land is unsuitable. 
• A budget has been set and agreed by full council of 2.99%.
• There are another 10 days of roadwork closures on the A1 and then night time closures will be southbound.  It was acknowledged by the parish council that some work has already been done.
• The local library has a local initiative for World Book Day where children’s outfits are available.
• Grantham library is opening a business hub.
• Thanks were given for the photos of Church Street showing the presence of HGVs.  They have been passed on and chased for enforcement to attend. 
• It is unclear if anything can be done with renewing the yellow lines in Water Lane, but the shop can have a loading bay to prevent loading at certain times of the day.  It was confirmed that there is already a loading bay which is being used by other cars and causing a real issue to the shop owner. 

It was highlighted to Cllr Vernon that a tree has been cut down on Church Lane and a blue sign is now visible stating not suitable for HGV’s. It was requested for another to be placed at the other end of Church Lane. Cllr Vernon agreed to look into this as there should be a sign at both ends.

A cllr reported cars parking on the junction of Harold Road and Thistleton Lane, this makes exiting very difficult.

Councillors queried as to why a road had been closed to repair potholes but only one side of the road was completed.Cllr Vernon confirmed she would have to look into the matter.It was also noted that only tarmac has been put in the potholes on Templers Way.
Councillors asked what the timescale is from the potholes being marked to being repaired.  Cllr Vernon explained that it can be a week to 6 months dependant on what is considered more urgent.  They are still playing catchup from January.

It was noted that Great Close has had the potholes marked.Cllr Vernon confirmed that nothing has been scheduled as yet but North Witham Road is due to be shut again for drainage works.

Councillors requested that a report is sent from Cllr Vernon prior to parish council meetings.

25/17

To approve the minutes of the parish council meeting held on 4th February 2025

It was agreed that the minutes of the parish council meeting held on 4th February 2025 were a true and accurate record and signed as such by the Chairman. 

25/18

Financial Matters

The clerk informed the parish council that the current internal auditor is no longer going to continue.  Thanks were given for the years of completing the internal audit.

The clerk has recommended using LALC to complete the internal audit for this year, all in agreement.

a)

Monthly Accounts

South Witham Parish Council – Financial Statement   - Mar 25  

It was noted how high the gas bill was and that a meeting has been arranged between the Finance Committee and Village Hall Committee to discuss further. The Village Hall Committee has been asked to provide their accounts and the parish council will also provide a copy of their bank statement. A clear message will be given that utility use is too high and needs to be managed.

A councillor informed the parish council that they have been in the building whilst it has been empty, and the heating has been on, and other occasions fans have been left on.

 A meter reading is needed on a regular basis which Cllr Kinning has agreed to record. Feedback will be provided at the next meeting and an agenda item to be added to look into installing WIFI so that a heating system can be investigated which is controlled.

b)

SWPC employers’ national insurance issue (update)

The following payments have been made and the national insurance issue is now resolved.

• Yr 21/22, £100.29
• Yr 22/23, £86.65
• Yr 23/24, £135.68
• Yr 24 to end of Feb 24 - so to date £126.94,

Total paid £449.56.

c)

Agree signatories for SWPC accounts and authorised user for online banking

The following changes to the bank account were agreed:

Councillors/employees to be removed:

• Cathy Hodgkin
• Helen Sandon
• Cllr White

Councillors/employees to be added:

• Sarah Phillips

Councillors to remain:

• Cllr Van Straubenzee
• Cllr Ashton
• Cllr Parish

25/19

Review of the following Policies

The review of the following policies was deferred.

• Data Protection
• Data Breach
• Record Retention
• Subject Access Request Procedure

25/20

Review of Councillor Responsibilities

Deferred.

25/21

Parish Council to review the allotment agreement and agree the rent charges for 2025/26

The proposed allotment agreement and rent charges were sent prior to the meeting.  All were in agreement and agreed to accept the proposals.

25/22

Village Hall update

a)

VH lease progress

Deferred.

b)

Water usage / leak of 24.11.24

The water leak has been resolved.

c)

Other

There are a number of potholes in the drive of the village hall.  Cllr Ashton has agreed to speak with Cllr White to get the potholes filled.

25/23

Play areas

a)

VH rec play park monthly maintenance

Deferred.

25/24

Village Litter Pick

Arranged for 11th May 2025. Cllr Parish to organise.

Cllr Brabbin will be arranging litter picking on a more regular basis and will put request to volunteer on Facebook.

A sign to be investigated.

Cllr Ashton would like a contact number sign to go on the village hall door, Cllr Ashton will arrange.

25/25

Leisure SK Save a Life Sessions, free adult CPR / Defibrillator training

Cllr Kinning has arranged dates: 22nd April, 12th May, 10th June.

25/26

Planning Matters

a)

New planning application received by SKDC for Parish Council comment

None.

b)

SKDC planning permission granted/refused

S24/0568, Erection of an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility and carbon capture, improvement of existing and part creation of new access track, landscaping and other associated infrastructure. Location: Development East Of Sewstern Industrial Estate South Of, Sewstern Road, Gunby- development refused by SKDC.

25/27

LALC Enews, SKDC Local Development Scheme 2025-28.

25/28

Additional Items

• A printer is available for councillors use in the office of the village hall.
• A co-opted councillor is required.  Cllr Kinning will advertise the vacancy.

25/29

Date of next PC meeting

The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 1st April 2025 at 6.30pm in the village hall.

The meeting closed at 8.25pm.