Minutes 5th September 2023
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 5th September 2023
Present; Cllrs Williams, Hardcastle, Faulkner-Smith, Crome & Holiday
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
Cllr S. Eyre (ELDC)
5 Members of the public
There were no issues raised during the public session.
39 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllrs Tong & Cladingbowl, and these were accepted.
40 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Holiday and Hardcastle declared personal interests in agenda item 9 relating to allotment matters.
41 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 1st AUGUST 2023
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as official minutes of that meeting.
42 UPDATES
Minute 31 – Clerk asked if the forms had been signed and returned to the bank for change of signatories, Cllr Holiday to get signed and return.
43 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (August) £153.91
LALC training – Cllrs Holiday & Tong £ 60.00
b) Battery – Speed device. It was agreed to approach electrician who has offered to replace the battery and convert to solar power, subject to agreement with Willoughby Parish Council as joint owners of the device.
44 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Cllr Williams investigating ways of joining as affiliated on behalf of Parish Council.
45 GRANT APPLICATION – ELDC COMMUNITY HUB
Clerk advised that the parish Council has received funds of £1929, to be ring fenced for Community Hub Small Grants scheme applications from community organisations in the parish. Applications to be submitted to the Parish Council for grants from the scheme.
46 GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT
Members were concerned that the grass opposite the village hall was not being cut to the contract, Councillor Faulkner-Smith offered to take on the responsibility for cutting of the grass. The contract included cutting of two footpaths in the parish. Clerk to contact contractor to obtain details of how often the grass had been cut.
47 ANY ALLOTMENT MATTERS
Clrl Holiday advised there had been some minor incidents at the allotments, and holders had been advised to ensure their plots were secure as far as possible. It was agreed that Cllrs Hardcastle, Faulkner-Smith and Holiday meet as Allotment Officers and go through the policies and terms and collate all the paperwork together. Cllr Faulkner-Smith advised he had been approached by several people wanting an allotment; their details to be added to the waiting list and vacant plots allocated accordingly.
48 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Draft Terms of Reference for Steering Groups had been circulated to members, taken from other parishes (outside of Lincolnshire). Discussion on Parish Council involvement on setting up the initial Steering Group followed and it was proposed, seconded and resolved that the Council take up Mr Tucker’s offer to set up a group to look into how to progress further with a Neighbourhood Plan, to look at Terms of Reference for such a group and to report back to the Parish Council on his findings.
Clerk confirmed the decision made at the Neighbourhood Plan meeting held on 25th July 2023 regarding a leaflet drop to all residents to seek their opinions, and it was suggested that this course of action be considered.
It was also noted that any Steering Group set up by Mr Tucker was not a sub committee of the Parish Council but the Parish Council would have representation and receive feedback.
49 PLANNING
N199/1649/23 – Boothby House – erection of fence (works commenced) – support
N199/1327/23 – Misty Meadows – amended plans to include CCTV cameras, bin storage etc. This application to be heard at ELDC Planning Committee on Thursday 7th September, and Cllr Williams had registered his intention to speak on behalf of the Parish Council. This had to be done by noon 5th September, members agreed on this course of action. Cllr Eyre was also to speak as Ward Member on behalf of the community. Clerk outlined that Parish Council, objectors representative, applicant/agent and any supporters had three minutes to speak.
50 ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
Cllr Williams pointed out that one of the supporters for the application on Misty Meadows had, in their letter of support to ELDC, including some mis information regarding the Parish Council. It was agreed that it be minuted that the Parish Council had not commissioned any drones to survey the site, that the meeting held 24th July 2023 was not organised by the Parish Council, or advertised as a Parish Council led meeting, that no Parish Councillor had been authorised to ask personal questions or had prevented anyone attending the meeting.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Clerk advised that the YMCA has some funding available, and it was agreed to pass this to the Village Hall.
Clerks and Councils Direct – circulated.
It was noted that Outer Dowsing was no longer going to erect the sub station north of Alford, but that the cable route would still enter at Anderby area and follow the western side of the A52 to south of Boston, where two sites for the substation were under consideration.
51 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was set as 10th October 2023.
52 CLOSED SESSION
It was agreed that the Council move into Closed Session to discuss the following item, and members of the public left the room.
53 PERSONNEL MATTERS
After discussion it was agreed that a specific Staffing Policy was not relevant for the Council at the moment.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm