Minutes 9th January 2024
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held 9th January 2024
Present: Cllrs Holiday (Chair); Tong; Hardcastle; Crome; Faulkner-Smith & Cladingbowl
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
1 Member of the public
Cllr S. Eyre (ELDC)
Cllr Holiday took the Chair for this meeting.
During the public session it was reported that some of the activities planned in the Village Hall had to be cancelled due to Covid, in particular the Community Lunch. The Christmas Fayre had raised £648, thanks to all those who donated prizes. Concern over the oil tank which appeared to have developed a crack.
Cllr Eyre had nothing to report.
Cllr Holiday advised he had reported several blocked drains and gullies and potholes through Fix My Street.
80 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr Williams.
Cllr Davie (LCC) also sent his apologies.
81 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Holiday declared a personal interest in allotment matters.
82 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 28TH NOVEMBER 2023
It was resolved that these be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of that meeting.
83 UPDATES
The Clerk reported that the change in bank signatories had been approved – now Cllrs Williams, Holiday and Hardcastle.
84 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Accounts for payment
It was resolved that the following be paid by BACS:
Clerks salary & PAYE (December/January) £307.82
Caretakers salary & PAYE (Oct/Nov/Dec) £349.50
b) Precept setting
Members discussed the proposed budget prepared and circulated. It was agreed that the precept would have to increase to cover the increases in costs to the Council, and a precept of £5661 was agreed.
85 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
This was deferred to the next meeting.
86 ALLOTMENT ISSUES
Cllr Holiday advised of some amendments he wished to make to the allotment policy and tenancy agreements. Discussion on how to manage the plots in multiple tenancy as it was suggested that plots should be allocated to one plot per household. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the historic tenancies where one tenant held multiple plots should remain until the tenant gave notice, and then resort to one plot per household. Discussion on sizes of sheds/greenhouses and restriction on numbers per plot, together with a ban on bonfires followed. Cllr Holiday to prepare a revised document for approval at the next meeting.
It was also agreed that members should look to removing ragwort from vacant plots and the best way would be by pulling it up at the appropriate time, wearing appropriate protection.
87 PROPOSED PYLON ROUTE
The Clerk read out information she had on the proposal, a pylon route from Grimsby to Walpole which could impact on the area in general. Cllr Tong had tried to attend a Zoom presentation by National Grid but found it difficult to follow. Agreed to keep as on going agenda item.
88 PLANNING
There were no applications or decisions to note.
Clerk advised that the Planning Inspectorate had received a valid appeal (letter dated December 23) regarding Misty Meadows.
89 ANY OTHER MATTERS/ITEMS NEXT AGENDA
There were no general matters.
Next agenda:
Neighbourhood Watch
Allotment policy amendments
Pylon route
90 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was set at 20th February 2024.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.40pm