March 2024 Minutes
Minutes of Witham St Hughs Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 20th March 2024 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 Charlie Strickland, Cllr Colin Cook, Cllr Tim Henson & Cllr Derek Fletcher
Rachel Popplewell - Clerk
Cllr Elliott – District Councillor
1 member of the public.
Cllr Elliott made comment that the first meeting of the ‘Stop Fosse Green’ group will be held on the 27th of March 2024 at Witham St Hughs, with an additional public meeting being held at Bassingham Village Hall on 9th April 2024, 7-9pm.
Cllr Elliott is in touch with the head of Lincolnshire Highways regarding the condition of the roads on the diversion route in place due to the construction of the roundabout into the Phase 3 development. The pot holes are now very bad with the shoulders of the roads being worn away by the increased volume of traffic. The clerk was asked to reiterate the Parish Councils concerns to Lincolnshire Highways.
No solution has been found regarding the installation of bins on Phase 3, with all parties (Strawson’s, NKDC & the developers) refusing to accept responsibility for their purchase NKDC have said they will install, Cllr Elliott is due to meet with the manager of Waste & Street Scene at NKDC to discuss the issue further.
Comments were received from the member of public regarding the trees on the Copse, that were either falling or fallen. The Clerk confirmed that Strawson’s are aware of the issue, which is in hand to be sorted.
Cllr Elliott left the meeting.
(North Kesteven District Council – NKDC)
Agenda Items
1. Welcome and Apologies.
The Chair welcome everyone to the meeting, including the newly Co-opted Cllr Cook & Cllr Henson
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 21st February 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, and to Resolve to approve any subsequent actions.
The Clerk asked for an additional volunteer for the D-Day Service to assist with the arrangements, Cllr Bell & Cllr Henson offered to help.
The meeting with the Village Events Committee was on hold until the future of the group had been decided.
The Clerk made comment that Parish Council solicitors had started the paperwork for the transfer of the field to Lincolnshire County Council, for the school expansion, as per the S106 agreement.
The Letter of Engagement was signed by the Chair.
Nothing had been received back from Barratt Homes regarding the inclusion of additional open space areas within their cell, that will be transferred to the Parish Council.
Cllr Bell & Cllr Fletcher had, had a positive meeting with representatives from the Youth Club, outlining hall hire fees and the hall availability. They also discussed the negative social media comments, and how to move away from them in a bid to build a more positive working relationship.
A request had been received from a resident regarding the mobile speed indicator sign to help combat speeding within the village, passive signs have already been purchased and put up around the village. The Clerk was asked to circulate the recent speed survey findings carried out by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
The Non-Domestic Rates bill has been received by the Parish Council for the Village Hall for £0.00
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.
b. To receive the Bank Reconciliation as at 29.02.2024
The bank reconciliation as at 29.02.2024 was presented to council, showing the accounts balanced – signed by Cllr Bell.
7. To discuss the proposal for the noise reduction scheme on Phase 3 bund alongside the A46.
The Clerk made comment, that an email had been received from the planning officer at NKDC, asking the council to consider the installation of an acoustic fence along the northern edge of the village given that the fence would be within the area which eventually fall within the maintenance responsibilities of the parish council.
The fence would be a solid 2-meter-high timber structure sited along the structure of the bund, this in theory could deliver a noise reduction for the properties nearby.
After discussions the Parish Council, asked for a meeting to be arranged with NKDC, as the parish council do not adopt fencing, adding that this would create an unacceptable risk for the parish council to maintain, with significant costs.
Action Clerk.
8. Phase 2 transfer update.
Councillors had a walk round with representatives from Strawson, to look at the work required on Phase 2 for the hedges/trees, balance pond, play park, and footpaths before they are transferred over to the parish council. Once the work has been completed, another walk round will take place, before finally being signed off.
9. Update regarding bin responsibility on Phase 3.
Cllrs made comment that the installation of new bins on Phase3 is possibly the responsibility of the developers as per comments from North Kesteven District Council.
North Kesteven District Council have confirmed they will not purchase or install new bins, neither will the Parish Council.
Please also see comments from Cllr Elliott at the start of the meeting.
10. Allotment inspection update.
The Chair made comment that inspections had take place, with improvements to all plots being noted.
2 incinerators have been purchased, and delivered to the Allotments with a reminder that bonfires are only allowed between September and March.
The carpark is still flooded at times and the grassed areas are very boggy.
Some sheds have been broken into, but nothing appears to have been stolen.
9pm
It was Resolved to suspend Standing Order 3x to conclude the meeting – All agreed, show of hands.
11. To review the following policies.
a. Health & Safety Policy
b. Community Engagement Policy
c. Communications Policy
d. Freedom of Information – Publication Scheme.
e. Abusive, Persistent or Vexatious Policy.
After discussions it was Resolved to accept all the policies – no amendments were required. A revised version of the Health & Safety Policy was adopted. All agreed – show of hands.
12. To approve the plans for the village hall extension and to approve costs for the next Phase.
Councillors considered revised plans for the village hall extension, with alterations to the internal configurations. Further questions were raised around what the next steps are in the process. There are still concerns over the costings, possible funding options and the final plan. The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with the working group and Lindum thereafter.
Action Clerk.
13. Play Parks update.
Cllr Fletcher made comment that Hedge Lane play park had got most of its new equipment installed, with the wet pour for the floor to be installed this week, Warren Lane play park new equipment will be installed by Friday 22.03.2024. Inspection of the new equipment is scheduled for w/c 25.03.2024 ready for the parks to be re-opened before the Easter Weekend.
14. Date & Time of the next meeting.
Annual Parish Meeting Thursday 4th April at 7pm.
Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 17th April 2024 at 7.00pm
Meeting closed 9.20pm