2025 minutes

25/78

Welcome by the Chair

The meeting was declared open with everyone welcomed.

25/79

Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr H White.  Councillors not present were Cllr Ashton and Cllr A White

25/80

Declarations of Interest

None.

25/81

Reports from County/District Councillors

County Councillor

Apologies were received from Cllr Vernon.

District Councillor

Apologies were received from Cllr Bellamy.

Cllr Green reported the following:

• Change in bin collection date which is to increase efficiency.
• Pylons are a national issue as the entire stretch will incorporate 44 grid connections, there will be disruption and have a visual impact plus there will be an increase in solar farms.The whole area will change significantly; people need to express their concerns and sign the petition which is currently running.
• Hill View has had planning refused.
• Local Government reorganisation is still ongoing; it is in favour to merge with Rutland which will probably mean a tax increase to match Rutland.

25/82

To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1st July 2025

Minutes of the meeting held on 1st July 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed as such by Cllr Parish.

25/83

Outstanding Items

• Letter concerning parking is to be sent to Thistleton Residents
• Defibrillator pads have been changed on Water Lane
• Letter has been completed for the industrial estate re lorries in the village

25/84

Financial Matters

a)

Payment approval

LALC                                      Internal Audit                                    £330.00

EON                                       1st July – 3rd August                         £47.97

British Gas                          20th June – 20th July                         £242.81

Wel Medical                       Defibrillator Pads                             £79.98

S Phillips                               Pay – August                                      £713.00

b)

Monthly Accounts

c)

To note national pay awards

For information and noted.

25/85

Operational matters

a)

To consider moving clerk and councillor email addresses to gov.uk

Deferred to the next meeting.

b)

Councillor Vacancy update

An observer is in attendance of the meeting but there have been no further expressions of interest.  Cllr Hughes confirmed that the vacancy is still being advertised on Facebook.

c)

To agree Personnel Terms of Reference

A vote took place to accept the terms of reference, all of which were in agreement.

25/86

Village Hall Matters

a)

Hive

Wi-Fi will be required if a Hive is purchased.  It was agreed that at this time it was an additional cost that was not needed.

concerns were raised with regard to obtaining an update from the VH committee.  Thanks were given to Cllr Hughes for the work she has put into the VH and a request has been made that Cllr Oldfield to ask what is happening with the committee going forward.

b)

CCTV

The CCTV has not been operational but is still recording.  A quote for replacement CCTV has been obtained and agreed to purchase.

25/87

Village upkeep

Cllr Brabbin confirmed that he is trying to do more litter picking which can sometimes be difficult and has gone through outstanding items on FixMyStreet which include the drain on Church Street and broken and dangerous railings.  Future items to think about are flooding and roadworks in place which will cause a problem.  Two lots of dumped rubbish has been reported, the hedge has been cut on Mill Lane and the ditch along the cemetery is going to be cleared.

25/88

Quarry Meeting update

Cllr van Straubenzee and Cllr H White received a tour of the quarry and confirmed that discussions were very positive.  The quarry is in its last stage and will then be rewilded the PC will be expected to take over the pathways.  It was confirmed that none of the lorries are going through the village, and lorries are unable to load before 7am.

25/89

Play Areas update

88 responses have been received from the survey, 83 of them live in the area and it is hoped that more will be returned.  All data will be gathered and presented when the survey comes to an end in September.  Councillors were reminded to be mindful that the play area needs to be future proof, and future costs need to be considered.  Grants are being investigated and hoped that applications can start in October.  Thanks were given to all those involved in the work.

A letter of thanks is to be sent to the coffee morning organisers for the recent donation given.

Cllr Oldfield fed back on the recent ROSPA report which includes new seats, shackles, swings to be sanded down and repainted, bin has to be dug out, height of the lip needs to be screwed down, flooring of playpark needs replacing, net to be replaced.  The concern was with the springs which are corroding, it was agreed that this item be removed.

25/90

Cemetery update

a)

Scale of Charges

It was agreed that the earthen grave is changed from 9’ x 6’ to 9’ x 4’ after issues arose with a memorial stone.  It was confirmed that all parties involved are now happy. 

25/91

St John the Baptist Church, South Witham update

A report was received from Alex van Straubenzee.

South Witham has not had a vicar since early 2023 and as a result have been supported by the Bytham group of parishes.  The Rural Dean, whose main job is vicar of Bourne, has now decreed that South Witham must now become part of the Colsterworth Group of parishes.  Rev Martin Dale, a retired vicar living in South Witham, has kindly offered to take some services between September and December 2025, beginning with Sunday 7th September and Sunday 5th October at 9am.  The remembrance Service in the village will be on Tuesday 11th November at the War Memorial at 10.50am, all are invited.

25/92

Planning Applications

a)

Decision update

b)

For comment

25/93

Correspondence

• Further advice is being taken re the situation with the hedge.
• LALC correspondence is now being sent direct to councillors.

Cllr Parish agreed to check the defibrillators on 6th and 13th October.

The meeting was declared closed at 8.20pm.