August 2021 Minutes

Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 15 August  2021 at 7.00pm at the village hall.

Present Cllr Karen Harrison - Chairman, Cllr’s Hall & Houghton.

County Councillor Marianne Overton made comment, encouraging the Parish Councillors to read through the new Central Lincolnshire Local Plan as there was still time for comments to be submitted during the consultation period.


Agenda Items.

1.   Welcome & Apologies.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Snape, Cllr Linnell & Cllr Bell.

It was Resolved to accept the request & reason for absence proposed by Cllr Harrison, seconded by Cllr Hall – All Agreed by show of hands.

Apologies were also received Rachel Popplewell – Clerk.

2.   TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011 AND OUTLINED IN THE COUNCILS CODE OF CONDUCT – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interest and any written requests for dispensations.

None received.

3.   Health & Safety brief.

The Chair made comment that the bridge at the back of the MUGA had been rebuilt, the Clerk was asked to contact the VHEC regarding the bridge being coated in some ‘anti-slip paint or anti-slip strips before the winter. Thanks were passed onto the VHEC.

Action Clerk

4.   Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 17th July 2021.

It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes – All Agreed by a show of hands, signed by the Chairman.

5.   Finance.

a.   To Authorise the signing of orders for payment, list previously circulated. 

It was Resolved to approve the list of payments – All agreed, show of hands.

b.   To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 31.07.2021.

The bank reconciliation as at 30.06.2021 was presented to the council, showing the accounts balanced – signed by Cllr Hall.

c.   To Review the budget as at 31.07.2021

The Parish Council are at 50% of income budget and spending being 32% - should be at 33% at this stage during the year. No amendments were required.

The Clerk reminded the councillors to look at the new bank account information that had been sent through for the next meeting

Action All Councillors.

6.   5g mast update.  

Cllr Harrison made comment that there had been a communications error between North Kesteven District Council (NKDC) Planning Dept and the agent for ‘3’, where a deadline had been missed. County Councillor Marianne Overton was in contact with Lincolnshire County Council regarding the issue of permits and was trying to arrange a meeting with the agents representing ‘3 mobile network’. The Parish Council were still awaiting confirmation as to whether the application had been aborted or just paused. The Parish Council had received the following apology from Mark Willetts, Development Manager regarding the error made by planning department at NKDC. 

“I am writing to you in relation to the telecommunications development which has commenced at Warren Lane, Witham St Hughs.  The development was subject to an application for prior approval (reference 21/0508/PNTEL).  A prior approval application affords a Local Planning Authority with limit of 56 days to make its determination and at the end of the statutory time period (or any agreed extended period), if the local planning authority has not issued a decision, a deemed consent thereafter exists for the development.
In this case, regrettably the Local Planning Authority’s decision to refuse to grant prior approval was made beyond the extended deadline and therefore a deemed consent for the proposed development exists. 
To be clear this is an error by the Local Planning Authority and there is no blame whatsoever to be apportioned to the actions of the Parish Council in matter. 
I can only apologies for the oversight which has led to this situation. “

7.   Avant Homes Cell 6 update. 

The Chair made comment that the new landscaping plans that had been submitted via Avant Homes to the District Council were ambiguous. 

For the properties with shared driveways the plans needed to be clearer as to who’s responsibility the boundary hedge would be, and the plans marked accordingly. NKDC will address this with Avant Homes

8.   To discuss and Resolve to sign the Transfer Documents for the Open Space and Playing Field Land (LL145258) Warren Lane. 

After discussions it was Resolved to sign the Transfer documents, a pitch inspection was due to be carried out by the FA should this highlight any additional concerns these would be addressed by Strawsons. Forms to be signed in the presence of the Clerk.

Action Clerk.

9.   To receive details on the new Parish Council website. 

The new free Lincolnshire County Council hosted website is currently under construction, with documents being transferred across from the old one. Once completed the old website will be closed. 

10.   To consider the quite for the water system remedial works on the hot water tank at the village hall.

After discussions it was Resolved to accept the quote of £236.69 to carry out the work. Water temperature check training had been carried out onsite, it was recommended that we purchase a new digital thermometer temperature probe.

Action Clerk. 

11.   To consider the following planning application

a.   Erection of a two storey rear extension.

8 Gibson Green, Witham st Hughs. Ref 21/0811/HOUS.

After discussion it was Resolved to submit ‘No Comment’ for the application.

12.   Date and time of the next meeting

Wednesday 15th September 2021 at 7pm