Drarft minutes 22nd April 2025
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
22nd April 2025
Present: Cllrs Williams (Chair), Holiday, Hardcastle, Crome, Tong,
5 Members of the public
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
Cllr S. Eyre (ELDC)
Cllr C. Davie (LCC)
During the public session update on fire extinguisher service and PAT testing for the village hall was received, concerns still regarding HGVs using Mill Lane and the owner of Misty Meadows applying for a CC site licence. Cllr Davie explained that LCC were looking at a policy for access for 7.5 ton vehicles and above on various roads in the area. Cllr Eyre advised that the Misty Meadows planning application to vary conditions would likely to be discussed at the May planning committee meeting. Cllr Davie then gave a brief update on LCC’s position regarding pylons and infrastructure – LCC do not support pylons and feel a seabed solution could be supported, any cabling in Lincolnshire should be underground. LCC looking to take National Grid, and ultimately the Government to Judicial Review if accurate costings of all proposals are not forthcoming. Next round of consultations from National Grid possibly mid May.
Cllr Davie then left the meeting.
100 APOLOGIES
There were none (note – Cllrs Faulkner-smith sent email 18.43 offering apologies but too late for receipt by the Clerk before the meeting).
101 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Holiday declared a personal interest in allotment item.
102 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 15TH FEBRUARY 2025
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record.
103 UPDATES
Minute 96 – vehicle parked. LCC had checked their records and it would appear the vehicle is on private land.
104 TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREES FOR VILLAGE HALL
It was resolved not to purchase artificial, but to purchase real trees again.
105 SUPPORT FOR VILLAGE HALL KITCHEN EXTENSION
This is to be put on hold at present as costs were in the region of £33,000.
106 FINANCE
a) Accounts for payment:
It was resolved that the following be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (March/April) and agreed back pay £440.30
Caretakers salary & PAYE (Jan/Feb/March) and agreed back pay£453.00
L. Croft (internal Audit) £ 30.00
Reimburse cost of refreshments Public Meeting £ 5.64
b) End of Year expenditure against budget
This was noted.
107 MATTERS RAISED AT ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING
a) Advertise litter picks – this will be advertised when the date set, possible at the May meeting
b) Setting dates of meetings in advance – to consider at the May meeting
c) Dog bin – potential for siting one at entrance to Rae Lane – Clerk to as ELDC if they would empty a bin in this location.
d) Cllr Tong had been approached as the parish meeting ended – There is still a water leak – Clerk to contact Anglian Water; debris blocking the culvert grid in the Beck – Cllr Tong and a member of the public volunteered to look at this.
108 ALLOTMENTS
a) Future of allotments.
The Clerk outlined the restrictions on the land, including use of funds, any disposal and change of use being subject to consent from Charity Commission and clarified that any expense on the allotments was currently covered by allotment rents/wayleave and not from the precept. Details had been circulated to members, including letters from the Charity Commission outlining the use of funds and need for their consent for any changes. There was interest from parishioners to use part of the land as a community area/wildlife route. Cllr Holiday understood there may be grants available for such use. It was noted that, should the land be sold, any monies raised would need to be used as laid out by the Charity, and should parishioners then approach the Council for allotments, then land would need to be sought and purchased to fulfil the duty to provide allotments.
It was resolved to initially approach Charity Commission to ask for an updated definition of “the poor” and then to look at how other uses of the land could still comply with the Charities terms.
b) Cllr holiday advised he had been approached by someone wishing to “sponsor” the community orchard plots.
109 CORRESPONDENCE
There was none
110 PLANNING
Application to change use of barn to annex at Pear Tree Cottage, Hanby Lane (2118/25) had been received and members agreed no objection be raised.
It was also agreed to write to the Caravan Club regarding the potential for application by Misty Meadows, and to write again to ELDC Enforcement for an update.
111 ANY OTHER MATTERS/NEXT AGENDA
Cllr Williams reported that the oil tank at the Village Hall has failed its inspection, having a crack in the top and could potentially be an Environmental Hazard. Clerk to contact inspector to obtain further information and costings, and to check the Lease between Village Hall and Council. The two Councillors who are Trustees were not aware of this issue.
It was also resolved that Cllr Williams be the main point of contact for the Poor Lands Charity.
Next Agenda (in addition to statutory items:
Litter pick & meeting dates
Allotment update
Village Hall oil tank update
112 NEXT MEETING
This was agreed at 27th May 2025 and would be the Annual Council Meeting, followed by the Poor Lands Charity meeting.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm