December 2024 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 18th December 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 Karen Harrison.
Rachel Popplewell – Clerk
District Councillor Mitch Elliott & County Councillor Marianne Overton.
The mayoral combined authority will begin take shape as of January 2025.
The Chair passed on Thanks to the District & County Councillors for their support during the year.
Agenda Items
1. Welcome and Apologies.
Cllr Bell welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from Cllr Strickland; 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.
Nothing received.
3. Health & Safety brief – to consider installing a double socket, for the Christmas Tree Lights.
The Clerk made comment that the cable for the lights was across the patio causing a trip hazard, if a new socket was installed at the far end of the building the cable would be closer to the tree.
After discussions it was Resolved not to install an extra socket but to consider an alternative location for the Christmas Tree. Action Clerk.
4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 20th November 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. Notes of the Extra-ordinary Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 12th December 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.
6. Clerks Update & Correspondence - to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.
The Clerk made comment that the new boiler for the village hall would be installed on the 7th January 2025, it was Resolved to extend the hire for the temporary heaters until the 6th January 2025. All agreed- show of hands.
Creative play would be onsite to install the new baby swing seats on 20.12.2024.
The play equipment would be installed at Cuckoo Park 27.1.2025.
The Nationwide Account has now been transferred to 6-month savings account, with a better interest rate.
Councillors inspected the cupboard that is used by the Youth Club, the Clerk was asked to contact as it was a H&S risk with it being so untidy.
A commuted sum had been offered by Persimmon Homes, amount unknown for the Council to adopt their remaining areas in the village, after discussions it was Resolved to stand by the resolution of 16.10.2024.
Lincolnshire Longhorns currently play American football on the field; they do not pay any contribution to the maintenance of the field. The clerk was asked to arrange a meeting.
Action Clerk.
The open spaces contractor has made a comment that a resident on Elder Close has pollard one of the Parish Council trees and planted new bushes in the surrounding area so limiting his access for maintenance. The Clerk was asked to contact the resident and ask them to refrain from doing any further maintenance in the area.
The council had been advised about a tree that was over growing a resident’s garden, a surveyor’s report had been provided, potentially damaging their fence, after inspection by the Councillors it was Resolved to remove the tree, the fence to be repaired by the resident. All agreed – show of hands.
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.
The Clerk made comment that the repairs to Hedge Lane Park had been carried out, they were now satisfactory. Councillors Resolved to approve the remaining payment across to Playdale Play Parks. All agreed- show of hands.
b. To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 30.11.2024
The bank reconciliation as at the 31.10.2024 was presented to council, showing the accounts balanced – signed Cllr Cook.
c. To consider the quotes to clean the wet pour surfaces at the play parks
Deferred to the next meeting Action Cllr Cook
d. To consider purchasing shelving unit for the caretaker’s cupboard @ £21.99 per unit.
After discussions it was Resolved to approve the purchase, Cllr Gascoigne offered to install. All agreed -show of hands
8. Update on the Emergency Plan
Cllr Harrison made comment that the plan was completed, it just needs to be sent off to Lincolnshire Resilience Forum. Action Clerk
9. To consider the quotes to pipe in the ditch between the village hall and the football field.
The Chair made comment that the ditch needed to be piped in before the village hall extension could take place. 5 quotes were considered by the Council, after discussions it was Resolved to approve the quote from PPH Construction Ltd of £23,800. All agreed – show of hands. Action Clerk.
Additional comments were received regarding the 2 containers located next to the ditch owned by the Village Events Committee (VEC), these would need to be removed prior to the ditch being piped in. Clerk was asked to contact the VEC as the works would start early 2025.
10. To consider the quotes for the footpath repairs adjacent to Co-op Park & Thyme Walk.
The Chair made comment that the footpaths needed to be repaired as the surfaces were uneven and could be potential trip hazard. 5 quotes were presented to the Council for consideration, after discussion it was Resolved to approve the quote from PPH Construction of £92,712.96. All agreed – show of hands. Clerk to advise. Action Clerk.
Cllr Harrison passed on thanks to Cllr Gascoigne for meeting all the contractors for the footpath & ditch repairs.
11. To consider the quotes for the repairs to Cuckoo Walk blocked paved area.
After discussions it was Resolved to approve the quote from DW Landscaping & Fencing. All agreed – show of hands.
12. Update on Phase 2 Walk round.
The Chair made comment that Cllr Harrison, Cllr Gascoigne & himself walked the areas under Phase 2 that are to be adopted by the Parish Council. Several issues were highlighted, and these have been forwarded to Strawson’s.
12 DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING.
Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 15th January 2025 at 7pm
Meeting closed 9.15pm