Minutes 13th August 24
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 13th AUGUST 2024
Present: Cllr Williams (Chairman); Tong, Holiday; Faulkner-smith & Cladingbowl; Hardcastle & Crome
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
3 members of the public.
Cllr C. Davie (LCC)
During the public session it was confirmed 2 councillors were now Trustees of the Village Hall committee; the date of the upcoming fete was confirmed; a bid had been successful for some £22,000 towards the refurbishment of the toilets in the hall subject to the work being completed by the end of 2024. The team who had applied were congratulated on their professionalism in the application. Members also learned of the excellent work undertaken by a resident in litter picking in the area.
Cllr Davie then gave members and the public an update on current LCC matters, in particular the National Grid’s plans for pylons, cabling and substations in the area. LCC has appointed a planning KC to represent Lincolnshire and will be vigorously negotiating and fighting the proposals for these projects and giant solar farms. The County needed the support of its population and local Parish Councils in these actions. Other LCC matters included programme of surface dressing for local roads; gully teams out hoping to clear every gully in the county before winter, Old Roman Bank Chapel st Leonards to Sandilands to be completely reconstructed; underfunding and shortfall in the Environment Agency could mean challenges around flooding issues this winter.
Cllr Davie then left the meeting.
1 member of the public also left the meeting.
25 APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from Cllr S Eyre (ELDC).
26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Holiday and Cladingbowl declared personal interest in agenda item 7 – allotments and Cllr Faulkner-Smith declared personal interest in agenda item 10 – Lincolnshire Waste Management Plan.
27 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 2ND JULY 2024
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record.
28 UPDATES
Minute 17 - The Clerk confirmed that LCC were looking at including Mill Lane as having a weight restriction in its recommendations to Scrutiny in Autumn.
29 VILLAGE HALL DRAINS
The Clerk confirmed having approached three possible contractors for quotes to do the work; one quoted, one declined and the third did not feel able to get back in time for the meeting. It was felt that the Council had fulfilled its obligations to obtain necessary quotes for this work.
It was confirmed that there were no breakages in the pipe link or major collapses, therefore the work required would be to finalise removal of existing roots and to line the pipe to the septic tank.
The Clerk provided a financial breakdown so members could see financial implications of agreeing the quote, and it was noted that there was sufficient funding at present, however the Council would need to be aware of the financial position should it wish to commit to any further projects in this financial year. The forecasted available funds stood at around £8350. The quote received was for £3182 (inc VAT), leaving funds of £5158 for the remaining year, excluding potential expected expenditure.
It was therefore proposed, seconded and resolved that the Council accept the quote of £3182.40 inc VAT received from AJET. Clerk to confirm this with the company and ask for a firm start and completion date.
30 FINANCE
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (August) £166.91.
The Clerk confirmed letter from Unity Bank in that monthly charges would now be made rather than quarterly.
31 ALLOTMENT MATTERS
Cllrs Faulkner-Smith and Cladingbowl confirmed that there was a problem with ragwort and other wind blown seeds coming from the allotment onto their land, which is grazed by horses. There was also a problem with untenanted plots being overgrown and containing weeds, and that some of the plots were untidy. Concern was also raised regarding the amount of agricultural equipment being stored on one allotment, and that a tenant was growing for commercial purposes.
Following discussions it was resolved that:
a) The Clerk write to all allotment holders requesting that they clear their individual plots of ragwort and weeds.
b) The Clerk contact local garden services/clearance companies to obtain quotes for the clearing of the unused plots, removal of ragwort and weeds from same, and tidying and leaving the central aisle in a condition where it could be easily maintained.
c) Cllr Holiday to advise Clerk on correspondence sent to tenant with equipment and responses received, and that a letter be sent to same requiring removal of the equipment and tidying of the plots. Situation to be monitored for possible termination of tenancy.
It was felt that proof would be needed regarding possible commercial sales.
32 FOOTPATHS IN THE PARISH
Cllr Holiday had received complaints that some footpaths across land were inaccessible due to no paths being left in the crops. This was noted and will be attended to.
33 COMMUNITY ORCHARD
LCC had funding for communities to create a community orchard. Cllr Holiday felt there were some unused plots on the allotments that could be repurposed for this. It was agreed that the Clerk make an application.
34 LINCOLNSHIRE WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN
It was agreed that no comments be raised.
35 PLANNING
a) There were no applications
b) Decision 1649/23 – Boothby House – erection of boundary fence (conditionally approved – to be in accordance with plans; planting to be carried out; ivy and honeysuckle plants to be trained on roadside and maintained).
c) Misty Meadows – appeal had been dismissed, meaning original refusal still stood. ELDC Enforcement considering most appropriate action to take.
d) Scoping Opinion – Eastern Green Links 3 & 4. It was resolved that similar responses to other councils in the area be sent as below:
Welton le Marsh Parish Council is very concerned at the impact these proposals will have on the area, in terms of visual intrusion; wildlife; loss of agricultural land and impact on tourism and economy.
To that end the Parish Council would like to see included with any application:
Compliance with regulation 5(2) of the EIA Regulations to ensure that -
(2) The EIA must identify, describe and assess in an appropriate manner, in light of each individual case, the direct and indirect significant effects of the proposed development on the following factors—
(a) population and human health;
(b) biodiversity, with particular attention to species and habitats protected under Directive 92/43/EEC(14) and Directive 2009/147/EC(15);
(c) land, soil, water, air and climate;
(d) material assets, cultural heritage and the landscape;
(e) the interaction between the factors referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d).
(3) The effects referred to in paragraph (2) on the factors set out in that paragraph must include the operational effects of the proposed development, where the proposed development will have operational effects.
(4) The significant effects to be identified, described and assessed under paragraph (2) include, where relevant, the expected significant effects arising from the vulnerability of the proposed development to major accidents or disasters that are relevant to that development.
(5) The Secretary of State or relevant authority, as the case may be, must ensure that they have, or have access as necessary to, sufficient expertise to examine the environmental statement or updated environmental statement, as appropriate
In addition details should be included which specifically identify and include:
A comprehensive and extensive bat survey for the proposed route and the proposed interconnector sites
A comprehensive wildlife habitat and species survey for the proposed route and the interconnector sites and up to 10 metres outside the range of the application site(s), together with mitigation measures to protect all wildlife species in the area including flora and fauna.
A survey of all local roads and impact thereon in terms of construction traffic both within the parishes affected and along the major routes to be used to access the site(s)
Impact Assessment on existing underground infrastructure.
Comprehensive study and report on the impact such development will have on the tourist industry, in particular the erection of the interconnector and substations along the main route to the coast and the visual impact from the Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Impact on the loss of agricultural land currently important in helping the UK in its food security measures.
36 ANY OTHER MATTERS
Litter pick – next agenda
37 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was set as 1st October at 7pm.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm