July 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 1st July 2025 in the village hall
Present: Cllr C Ashton, Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr F Parish (Chair), Cllr C van Straubenzee, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr H White, Mrs S Phillips (Clerk)
Apologies: Cllr Oldfield, Cllr A White
In attendance: Cllr C Vernon (County Councillor) and 1 member of the public
It was reported that there have been a couple of incidents when people have had to step out onto the road from a footpath on the high street due to there being large lumps of stones and earth on the footpath, the footpath has been reduced by half. A pushchair or wheelchair would not be able to use the footpath. Cllr Vernon confirmed that the trees are the owner’s responsibility and suggested residents are contacted in the first instance. Cllr Parish has agreed to approach the residents and ask for the area to be cut back.
An overgrown hedge was also reported and identified as belonging to Buckminster Estate. The clerk to write to Buckminster Estate for the hedge to be cut back.
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25/66 |
Welcome by the Chair The meeting was declared open with everyone welcomed. |
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25/67 |
Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Oldfield and Cllr A White. |
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25/68 |
Declarations of Interest None. |
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25/69 |
Reports from County/District Councillors County Councillor National Grid consultation is taking place on Friday 4th July; all are encouraged to attend. Any comments are to be received by 6th August 2025.
Cllr Vernon has been in contact with the highways manager to go through all highway issues which have been reported by the parish council. Arrangements are in place for the highways manager to visit South Witham. The highways manager will also look at the property and shop being affected by the double yellow lines and no waiting restrictions to look at alternative options. |
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25/70 |
To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 3rd June 2025 Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd June 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed as such by Cllr Parish. |
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25/71 |
Outstanding Items
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25/72 |
Financial Matters |
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a) |
Payment approval
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b) |
Monthly Accounts
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25/73 |
Operational matters |
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a) |
Councillor Vacancies A potential candidate is interested in joining the parish council. Councillors have spent time at coffee mornings to promote the vacancy. The option of a letter drop to promote the vacancies was suggested. |
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b) |
Village upkeep It was reported that geraniums have been stolen from the troughs, more will be purchased.
Litter picking numbers for the event were lower than those who attended the previous year. |
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c) |
Feedback from Local Government Reorganisation meeting Cllr H White and Cllr Brabbin attended the meeting, slides have been distributed. It was noted that neighbourhood area committees are looking at the option for parish councils to represent 5000 residents, but no decision has been made yet. There is another meeting coming up. |
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d) |
Facebook page Cllr Hughes and Cllr Kinning have worked on creating a Facebook page. Posts are going to be set so they are sent out regularly, messaging has been turned off as well as commenting. Testing will commence before it goes live. Cllr H White requested being involved with the Facebook page which was agreed. Thanks were given for the work that has been done on this.
A discussion took place on parish cllr photos. This will be an agenda item for the next meeting. |
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e) |
Signage for Lorries Cllr Vernon has reported signage issues to highways. |
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f) |
Parish Councillors Responsibilities Councillor responsibilities were discussed and updated. |
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25/74 |
Village Hall Matters A meeting has taken place with management committee which went well. Advice has been given on how improvements can be made, and suggestions given for an online booking system. A WhatsApp group has been created which will be used for when volunteers are needed.
The VH lease has been signed. |
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a) |
Smart Meter update It was confirmed that a meter is in place for both gas and electricity. Cllr Hughes will make arrangements for a representative of Hive to speak with the parish council. |
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25/75 |
Play Areas update |
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a) |
New Play Park A company has been out to look at the playpark and to offer further ideas. A discussion took place on the MUGA, development of the basketball area, small playpark and a gymnastics area to encourage girls to the park. A presentation will be put together by Cllr Hughes and Cllr Kinning, and further fundraising will need to be done. It was felt that all the work could be done for £150,000. |
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25/76 |
To consider planning applications |
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a) |
S25/0977 - Outline application for the phased development of up to 7 serviced plots for self-build and custom housebuilding (All matters reserved except for access) The same objection is to be sent by the clerk. |
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b) |
S25/0726 - Reduce height and cap chimney stack No objections |
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c) |
Kilnside Energy Park For information. |
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d) |
Woodland Creation proposal No objections. |
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25/77 |
Correspondence
Meeting closed at 8.34pm |