2026 Minutes

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 7th April 2026 in the Village Hall

Present: Cllr F Parish (Chair), Cllr C Ashton, Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr M Clayphan, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr C van Straubenzee and Mrs S Phillips (Clerk)

In attendance: DCllr B Green, LCCllr C Vernon

Public Forum

A complaint was made about the high street footpath between the jitty and Hillview Road as residents are unable to pass safely without stepping onto the road due to debris falling from the bank and ivy leaning across the footpath.  LCCllr agreed to speak with the resident separately from the meeting but made it clear that immediate action would not happen.

25/171. Welcome by the Chair

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained it was now not necessary to change the date of the annual parish meeting.  After a discussion it was agreed that the annual parish meeting would remain on the 19th May at 6.00pm.

Thanks were given to Cllr Brabbin for the work on the planters and his group of litter pickers.  Thanks, were also given to Cllr Hughes for updating the poster for the annual litter pick and the church poster.

Cllr Kinning has located the charger for the speed device on Mill Lane; this is currently being charged.  It was noted that the 30mph sign is being obscured by a hedge.  LCCllr Vernon confirmed that 30 mph static speed signs can have their locations moved.

ACTION: Cllr Brabbin and Cllr Parish to provide recommendations on ideal positions for the 30mph signs to LCCllr Vernon.

Cllr Parish confirmed that the village hall lease for 2026 to 2027 has now been signed and provided to the clerk.

25/172. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr M Kinning, Cllr J Oldfield, Cllr A White and DCllr D Bellamy.

25/173. Declarations of interest for items on the agenda

None.

25/174. Reports from County/District Councillors

DCllr Green reported the following:

• The budget was passed at 2.99%.It was requested that this be reduced to 1.99% but was heavily voted down.
• First collection of food caddies will take place next week.There is a lot of advice and support available.
• East Anglia preference is for small unitary councils, and it is looking like there will be 3 councils to replace Lincolnshire Council.Timetable is still 2028 with shadow elections the year prior.

LCCllr Vernon reported the following:

• In light of the public forum, it was felt that the highways meeting should be in person rather than via teams which was initially planned to discuss Church Street and Church Lane.
• A meeting with Great Ponton has taken place regarding the A1.It was a very positive meeting with about 80 in attendance as well as highways.Information gathered was very interesting and has given some other ideas on how to progress.It was made clear that zero people wanted a full closure of the crossing and the clear winner was a no right turn.
• The county council are doing a survey on childcare arrangements.

25/175. To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 3rd March 2026

Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd March 2026 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed as such by Cllr Parish.

25/176. Outstanding items

The clerk confirmed that an email has been sent to the VHMC reminding them that their PAT testing is due.

25/177. Financial matters (Clerk)

• Payments Approval

The following payments were approved.

Upcoming payments – to be authorised

• Monthly Accounts – see March 2026 Financial Statement

There are funds left in the Funding Fitness Grant amounting to £816.67.  It was proposed by Cllr Parish, seconded by Cllr Brabbin with all in favour that these funds should be transferred for use of the play park.

25/178. Operational Matters (Cllr Parish and Cllr van Straubenzee)

• Confirm date of litter pick (7 June 2026) – 10.00am until 12.00pm.
• Councillor Co-option (1 Vacancy)

The position has been readvertised with nobody coming forward to join the parish council.Other suggested people to approach were discussed.

25/179. Village Hall matters (Cllr Parish and Cllr van Straubenzee)          

ACTION: Cllr Parish to chase electrician for the outside lighting.  

25/180. Play Areas update (Cllr Hughes and Cllr Kinning)

No update.

25/181. Allotment update (Cllr van Straubenzee)

The spare allotment has now been taken but still waiting for a response from two allotments holders, otherwise all allotments have been let.

25/182. Planning Applications

• To receive an update regarding planning application for Moor Lane (Cllr Parish & Cllr Brabbin)

There were 6 people from Distinctive Developments in attendance, they spoke very quietly and the issue was raised but not resolved which was unsatisfactory.However, there was plenty of opportunity to reply to comments made.One argument they made was that the industrial units outside of the village had already extended the curtilage of the village.It was made clear that the residents of South Witham would generally not regard these as being part of the village.It was felt that if the planning is passed there will be a number of caveats in place.Issues raised were that the pumping station is over capacity and has flooding issues.It was noted that there is no agricultural value of the land.There are plans to have a self-contained sewage disposal unit on the land if connection to the mains is not possible. Foul water will be treated on site and go onto the land or seep away.

• Planning updates

• Planning for comments

25/182.Correspondence

• The clerk sent a list of correspondence received.
• A resident has been in contact about having a grave topped up which has been arranged by Cllr van Straubenzee.
• A resident has raised the issue of a creche being run and possibly causing parking issues in the vicinity of Wellfield Close It was felt that parking has not been an issue.

Date of next meeting – Tuesday 19th May 2026