Minutes 14th June 2022

DRAFT WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

HELD 14th June 2022

 

PRESENT:

Cllrs Williams (Chair); Holiday and Crome

Cllr Eyre (ELDC)

5 members of the public

During the public session the following matters were raised:

  • Question criteria for joining the Council – he was advised of the requirements and requested to write to the Clerk
  • Thanks to Councillors and volunteers for their input into the Jubilee weekend.
  • Thanks to Cllr Eyre (ELDC) for the Jubilee bench
  • Thanks to the Council contractor for cutting the grass
  • Cllr Eyre also thanked the organiser of the Jubilee event
  • Noted that the Village Hall had to have a new boiler fitted recently and would be looking at grant aid to refurbish the toilets
  • Concerns at some difficulty experienced at the allotments recently regarding bonfires and attitude of complainant.

 

15           APOLOGIES

                There were no apologies received

16           DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

                Cllrs Holiday and Williams declared a personal interest in item relating to the allotments.

17           MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 3rd MAY 2022

                It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record.

18           UPDATES

                There were no updates which were not agenda items.  It was noted that the Surveyor had been to re-value the Hall

19           POSITION REGARDING VACANCIES

                (3 current vacancies)

                The Clerk confirmed having received an email from an interested resident in joining the Council, and also receiving interest from a member of the public at this meeting.  To be an agenda item for the next meeting to co-opt interested persons.

20           UPDATE FROM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

                As stated in the public session the event was well attended with many visitors from the village coming throughout the day.  Everyone attended enjoyed themselves and there was a general feeling of this is something that should be an annual village event.

21           ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING MATTERS NOT AGENDA ITEMS

                It was noted that the majority of matters raised at the Annual Public Meeting were agenda items, with the exception of the development of Lodges in the village.  There was nothing further to add to the comments raised at the public meeting by the developer’s representative.

22           ALLOTMENTS

                a)            Policy regarding Bonfires.

                After much discussion is was resolved to amend Policy to read “bonfires shall not be held between 1st June and 31st August in any year.  At other times bonfires shall not be lit if the prevailing wind will cause smoke to cross onto adjacent land/properties.  Tenants are required to be mindful of the environmental impact of a bonfire”

               

b)            Policy regarding letting of plots

                The Policy had always states that residents of Welton le Marsh would be given priority in letting plots, followed by residents of immediately adjacent villages.  It was resolved that this remain as written.

                c)            Policy regarding sheds on allotments

                The Policy states clearly the size of shed permitted without consent from the Council.  This applies to building erected after the Policy was approved initially in May 2017.  Sheds already in situ were noted and permitted to remain.  The matter of large shed was discussed in July 2017 and November 2017 and no further action was taken.

                d)            Use of funds from allotments

                The Clerk confirmed the restriction on the use of the land and the funds generated, which were subject to conditions on the Poor Lands Charity.  Use of the land and of the funds is subject to Charity Commission approval and is for the “benefit of the poor of the parish of Welton le Marsh”.  Discussion on how the funds could be used to meet the terms of the Charity followed and it was agreed to look at a potential grant application scheme in further detail at the next meeting.

                e)            There were no further allotment matters to raise.

23           CORRESPONDENCE

                Clerks and Councils Direct was circulated.

24           SPEED LIMIT POLICY

                The results of the Archer survey were not yet received.  It was agreed that it would be unlikely that LCC would look at further speed restrictions through the village.

25           FINANCE

                a)            Accounts for Payment:

                it was resolved that the following accounts be paid:

                Clerks salary & PAYE (June)                                                         £141.61

                Caretakers salary & PAYE (April/May/June)                          £328.12

                NBB Furniture (bench)                                                                   £270.00

                Zurich Insurance                                                                               £467.50

                b)            Following Internal Auditors comments it was noted that minutes in July did not record payment to Welton Garden Services of £240.00 and minutes of August recorded expenditure of £70 when it was £60.  These amendments were noted.

26           PLANNING

                a)            There were no applications or decisions.

                b)            it was noted that ELDC Enforcement Team were looking into irregularities with the planning approval for Misty Meadows.

27           ANY OTHER MATTERS/ITEMS NEXT AGENDA

                it was noted that the gutter to the flat roof at the back of the village hall was not coping in heavy rain – to be looked at as part of the refurbishments.

Cllr Holiday produced document relating to various footpaths issues – Clerk to contact LCC Footpaths Officer for initial advice and to be discussed as agenda item at the next meeting.

                Noted that some residents had been affected by acrid smoke from fires in the Copse, agreed affected residents should contact ELDC in the first instance.

                Next agenda:

                Co-option

                Allotment funds

                Footpaths

                Planters

28           DATE OF NEXT MEETING

                This is set as 26th July 2022.