October 2024 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 16th October 2024 at 7pm at the village hall.
https://witham-st-hughs.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Present Cllr Danny Bell – Chair, Cllr Colin Cook, Cllr Mark Gascoigne & Cllr Charlie Strickland
Rachel Popplewell – Clerk from 7.20pm
Agenda Items
1. Welcome and Apologies.
Cllr Bell welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Cllr Harrison; it was Resolved to accept the reason for absence and the apology – 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 to report.
4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 18th September 2024 to be approved as minutes.
It was Resolved to approve the notes as minutes – all agreed by a show of hands, signed by the Chair.
5. Clerks Update & Correspondence - to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.
The Clerk made comment that the repairs to Hedge Lane Park & Warren Lane Park will be carried out w/c 28th October 2024, and also the installation of the new balance beam.
PCSO Sarah Lingard is back in the area, a temporary position for 18 months.
A regular booker has asked for a 50% reduction in their invoice as they are a registered charity, booking form only states the 50% reduction will be applied if it is a fund raising event not a regular weekly booking. After discussions it was Resolved not to approve the request as the weekly booking isn’t a fund raiser.
6. 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.
Councillors Resolved to approve payment to Playdale Playground, to be sent across once the repairs had been carried out w/c 28.10.2024. All agreed - show of hands.
b. To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 30.09.2024
The bank reconciliation as at 30.09.2024 was presented to council; showing a £20 discrepancy due to an overpayment, to be rectified next month – signed by Cllr Strickland.
c. To review the budget as at 30.09.2024.
The Budget was presented to council they should be at 50% of target at this point during the year -
Income received being at 100% of target, additional CIL levy’s have been received of £67,746.12 so inflating the income figure.
Spending being at 57% of target – no amendments were required.
d. To consider the quotes for the metal signs for the Play Parks.
The Clerk presented the quotes for the signs, after discussions it was Resolved to approve the quote of £20.96 + VAT for the metal signs x 8 signs. All agreed, show of hands.
e. To consider the costings for the bike racks for the play parks.
Cllr Gascoigne proposed the Council install bike racks outside of the parks on Warren Lane & Hedge Lane at a cost of £15 per rack, Cllr Gascoigne offered to install them. The proposal was seconded by Cllr Bell, All agreed show of hands. After discussions it was Resolved to install the bike racks – all agreed.
7. Update for the Remembrance Day Service.
Cllr bell made comment that, everyone involved with the service had been contacted and are available.
The clerk confirmed that refreshments would be served in the village hall, after the service.
A £50 donation will be sent to the Royal British Legion. Action Clerk.
8. To consider the Terms of the Lease for the area of land for the Scouts.
After discussions it was Resolved to approve the following Terms. All agreed – show of hands.
• Peppercorn rent £1 per annum
• 50-year term
• 1st refusal when the lease is up for renewal
• No illegal activities
• Annual inspection by the Parish Council to ensure area is being maintained.
• Full maintenance lease.
District Councillor Mitch Elliott joined the meeting – 8pm
Cllr Elliott made comment that the District Council had elected a new Chief & Deputy Chief Executive.
Fosse Green consultation meetings are being held locally; Witham St Hughs meeting is 23rd November 2024.
8.05pm Cllr Elliott left the meeting.
9. To consider the request from Persimmon Homes to adopt additional areas of open space on Phase 1 of the development.
The Clerk presented the maps for consideration and confirmation from NKDC planning officer that the council weren’t under any legal obligation to take on the areas. No additional S106 monies would come with the adoption.
After discussions it was Resolved to decline the request from Persimmon Homes – All agreed, show of hands.
10. Update regarding the installation of bins on Warren Lane – Phase 3
Cllr Gascoigne made comment that currently there were 10 bins around the village hall, could 2 be re-located to Phase 3 part of Warren Lane. NKDC has offered to install the bins.
After discussions it was Resolved to re-locate 2 bins to Phase 3, NKDC to install them & add them to the collection rota. All agreed – show of hands.
11. To consider the quotes to repair the footpaths behind Warren Lane balance pond.
Deferred to the next meeting – awaiting further quotes.
12. Update of the meeting with the football teams within the village.
Cllr Bell made comment that North Kesteven District Council has a 10-year plan for investment, due for review in May 2025. This followed on from a conversation with Lincs FA regarding pitches in the village and future investments. A questionnaire would be sent out to all teams registered with the FA to ask about facilities and current provisions.
Councillors also outlined the plan for the hall extension, moving of the MUGA and the new play park planned for Phase 3 of the development.
13. To consider the following planning application.
a. Reserved matters application for the erection of 170 dwellings (appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to outline consent 15/1347/OUT - Erection of up to 1,100 dwellings and 150 care/retirement units (C2/C3), the formation of a roundabout to Camp Road, A46 junction improvement works, public open spaces and associated service infrastructure (outline with means of access)
Cells 7A And 7B Witham St Hughs Phase III East of Camp Road and North of Hannah Crescent Witham St Hugh's Lincolnshire. Ref – 24/1106/RESM.
Email comments were collated and submitted under the Clerks delegated powers. (comments are below)
“There seems to be a lot of trees adjacent to driveways and footpaths. These will over time impact both the driveways and the adjacent footpaths with the majority showing as proposed heavy standard trees. These will also impact the brindle blocked paved areas as outlined on the Colour Planning document. We support the Tree Officers comments of 17.10.2024.
We assume that the green spaces within the cell do not form part of the overall 106 Open space hectarage?
Timber fencing does not denote ownership where adjacent to gardens and drives, please clarify who has ownership of all the knee-high rail fencing. The Parish Council will not adopt fencing in or around the Cell.
Post and rail fencing adjacent green areas – ownership need to be outline, as well as the green areas. (see RESM Visual packs)
Colour planning shows areas of brindle block paving adjacent green spaces. Who will be responsible for their upkeep? Along with the shared driveways and landscaping within the cell.
Plots 55/56 has an enclosed strip of land without access, who will be responsible for this area?”
14. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 20th November 2024, at 7pm.
Meeting closed 8.35pm.