December 2023 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 20th December 2023 at 7.00pm at the village hall.
https://witham-st-hughs.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Present Cllr Karen Harrison - Chairman, Cllr Danny Bell – Vice Chair & Cllr Derek Fletcher.
Rachel Popplewell - Clerk
Cllr P Overton, Cllr M Elliott & Cllr M Overton
Cllr Marianne Overton made comment regarding the Fosse Green Energy Solar Farm, adding that the Steering Group are not anti-solar farms, they are concerned about the location and the scale of the development, adding that it will be overpowering so close to Witham St Hughs and the surrounding villages.
Cllr Overton also made comment regarding Devolution, she is in favour of the new combined authority, although they have raised concerns regarding allocation of the additional funding that should be coming to Lincolnshire Councils, after the government scrapped some of the HS2 project.
Cllr Elliott made comment regarding emergency planning, adding that every parish are encouraged to have an emergency plan in place.
Cllr Peter Overton made comment that the construction of the roundabout into Phase3 had started, with expected completion date being May 2024, further details regarding Camp Road closure and diversion routes are yet to the received.
The Chair thanked the Councillors for their support during 2023 and look forward to a good working relationship in 2024.
Agenda Items
1. Welcome and Apologies.
The Chair welcome everyone to the meeting.
Apologies received from Cllr Strickland.
It was Resolved to accept the Apology & reason for absence from Cllr Strickland – All agreed, show of hands.
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.
Nothing noted.
4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th November 2023 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes – all agreed by a show of hands, signed by the Chairman.
5. Notes of the Extra-Ordinary Parish Council meeting held in closed session on Tuesday 28th November 2023 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes – all agreed by a show of hands, signed by the Chairman.
6. Clerks Update & Correspondence, and to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.
The Clerk made comment that she had ordered the passive road signs, they are due for delivery within the next month.
The Emergency Plan is in progress – to be circulated for Councillors comments.
Diary Dates –
2nd January – personnel committee meeting and budget meeting
13th January - Great Winter Get Together with the WI
9th January – Village Hall extension meeting
The Clerk made comment that she had received one quote to replace the backfire door, she is waiting for a further 2 quotes.
The Clerk made comment that she has a couple of invoices outstanding from September from Youth Club, numerous reminders have been sent.
Cllr Bell proposed that the booking be cancelled until payment is received, and to review the Terms & Conditions to add a ‘late payers’ administration fee, seconded by Cllr Fletcher – all agreed, show of hands.
Action: Clerk.
Land transfer documents for 36 Oak Tree Drive were re-signed and witnessed as requested by HM Land Registry, as the original documents had not been witnessed.
7. 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 30.11.2023
The bank reconciliation as at 30.11.2023 was presented to council, showing the accounts did not balance by £34, this was the cash donations from the Remembrance Day service, which were still waiting to be collected by RBL – signed by Cllr Fletcher.
c. To consider the quotes to repair the block paving on Cuckoo Walk.
The Clerk presented the quotes to Council, after discussions it was Resolved to accept the quote from DW Landscaping for £450.00.
d. To consider the quotes to repair the fence around Sorrel Road balance pond.
The Clerk presented the quotes to Council, after discussions it was Resolved to accept the quote from DW Landscaping for £750.00.
e. To Resolve to approve the proposed Allotment Fees for the year 2025/2026.
The Allotment Committee submitted a proposal of £26 for a half plot & £52 for a full plot. After consideration it was Resolved to set the Allotment fees for 2025/2026 at
£27 half plot.
£48 full plot.
Deposit £100 w.e.f 01.04.2024.
All agreed, show of hands.
f. To approve the purchase of the passive road signs at a cost of £120.00 (retrospective).
The Clerk made comment that 6 x 30mph & 2 x 40mph signs had been ordered at a cost of £120.
It was Resolved to approve the purchase, all agreed – show of hands.
8. To consider the budget requirements for the next financial year.
The Clerk made comment that the budget would be discussed at the January meeting, along with setting the Precept. Any spending requirements that are to be considered please forward on.
9. To discuss the Discharge of Condition 22/1008/DISCON, and subsequent comments received from NKDC.
Suggestions submitted by the parish council for a night bus, had been acted upon with a bus later at night for the weekends.
The council had also suggested a bus to be co-ordinated with the trains from Swinderby Station, this had not been acted upon, further comments would be fed back to LCC & NKDC
The 700 homes occupied as a trigger point for the A46 off-site highway works, had been approved even though the council had raised concerns as access into & out of the village with such an increased amount of traffic would be difficult, the original trigger point was 200 homes.
10. Cluster meeting November 2023 update.
Cllr Harrison made comment that she had attended the meeting. The parish council had been criticised for not joining the Steering Group against the location of the Solar Farm, Cllr Harrison made comment that to date the Parish Council had not received any comments either for or against the project.
The organisers of the Lost Village festival gave a presentation, giving an update on this year’s festival and an updated Action Plan for 2024, considering residents comments received after this year’s event.
11. To review residents’ comments regarding the Fosse Green Energy Solar Farm.
The Clerk made comment that she had received 4 emails (following cluster meeting), against the project with comments mainly highlighting the impact on wildlife and infrastructure.
The council will forward the comments on for the Consultation.
Public consultations will be held in the spring of 2024.
12. Update regarding the field transfer, between North Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire County Council and the Parish Council.
The Chair made comment that a meeting had been held between all 3 parties to establish a way forward. The field will be transferred to LCC, for the school expansion which they are keen to get underway.
The residents of Squirrel Chase will be notified via a letter from LCC, of their intent to close the footpath across the field.
The parish council will instruct their solicitors to start proceedings to transfer the field to LCC.
No time scales have been set for the above.
13. To review the revised quote for the new play equipment for Warren Lane & Hedge Lane Play Parks.
A revised quote had been circulated for the Councillors to consider, with the amended plans.
After discussions it was Resolved to accept the quote with installation due spring 2024.
All agreed – show of hands.
14. Date & Time of the next meeting.
Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 17th January 2024 at 7.00pm
Meeting closed 9pm