Minutes 30th August 2022
WELTON LE MARSH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 30th August 2022
PRESENT:
Cllrs Williams (Chair); Holiday Tong, Cladingbowl and Crome.
10 Members of the Public
J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
Cllr S. Eyre (ELDC)
During the public session concerns were raised regarding the current application at Misty Meadows. Several points of concern were handed to members of the Parish Council and Cllr Eyre, and Cllr Eyre responded to the majority. He confirmed the new development on the site had been reported to Enforcement at ELDC who were acting; it was not clear if the units were for 52 week occupancy; any that had been purchased had been at the purchasers own risk having regard to the unresolved planning situation; the proposed number of units needed planning approval; unable to comment on whether the applicant intended to buy any adjacent land; the application was being dealt with by ELDC not Sec of State at present; Highways would have been consulted on the increased use of the access. Members of the public were advised to individually write to ELDC Planning with their objections.
Village Hall – bookings were good, one regular booking wished to install a lockable cabinet for their equipment, there was no objection to this; issue with people dumping rubbish at the bottle bank recycling units – these were for glass only not other rubbish. Thanks to 2 allotment holders for trimming back a tree.
Query as to where the litter picking equipment was – confirmed it was still with ex councillor Tucker.
5 members of the public left the meeting.
43 APOLOGIES
There were none
44 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllrs Holiday and Williams declared a personal non prejudicial interest in agenda item relating to the allotments.
45 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 26TH JULY 2022
It was resolved that these be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of that meeting.
46 UPDATES
The Clerk confirmed that the insurance policy had been amended to include for the increased value of the Village Hall, and that the company had waived the small additional charge for this year.
47 ALLOTMENTS
a) Charity Commission – it was resolved that Cllr Williams be nominated as the responsible person in relation to the Charity Commission.
b) Use of Funds – members considered the options available, including consideration of a grant system. Cllr Tong informed the council that he had experience in handling grant applications and was concerned at the idea of “inviting” applications. He would like to develop a protocol for identifying those “in need” in the village, and it was agreed that he would work with Cllr Holiday to draft a protocol to present to the next meeting.
c) Any other Allotment matters – concerns were raised with the council at the weeds on the boundaries, with seeds from thistles and ragwort drifting onto neighbouring grazing land. Cllr Holiday agreed to look at the problem with a view to clearing any weeds.
48 CORRESPONDENCE
Email regarding potential for two reservoirs, one in Lincolnshire. As the location had not yet been decided it was agreed to wait for further information.
Email from Smaller Authorities Audit Authority concerning appointment of external auditors, and asking if any smaller authority wished to ~”opt – out” of the current system. It was resolved that the Parish Council would not opt out and would stay with current system.
49 FOOTPATHS
Cllrs Holiday and Tong met with LCC Footpaths Officer and looked at the 2 central paths in the village. The stiles on the path through Graves Farm were an issue with less agile walkers, and LCC agreed to pay for an install self closing metal gates providing the land owner agreed. Clerk to write to land owner for written permission to do this.
Path behind the church was uneven, however Footpaths Officer agreed that the Parish Council could take measures to improve this provided he was kept informed on what was being done. Woodchips and wooden steps were an option and will be looked at further.
It was resolved to purchase 8 permissive path way markers and 2 yellow Keep Dogs on Leads signs for the path through the copse.
50 EXTENDING AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY.
Cllr Holiday had looked into the boundary of the AONB and felt the area would benefit from it being extended to include all of Welton le Marsh, Orby, Gunby and Willoughby. Clerk to contact those Parish Councils to see if they would be interested in working with Welton to achieve this.
51 PLANTERS
No details had been received – defer to next meeting
52 SITING HELP FOR HEROES BENCH
Member of the public wished to donate a Help for Heroes bench, and it was resolved that it would be sited on the green area opposite the Village Hall, and the existing Jubilee Bench would be relocated.
53 FINANCE
a) Accounts for payment
It was resolved that the following payments be made by BACS:
Clerks salary & PAYE (August) £141.61
b) Income/expenditure to date (excluding above payment) – this was noted.
54 PLANNING
There were no applications or decisions to note.
Clerk confirmed the council’s objection to the Misty Meadows application was on ELDC Planning system.
55 ANY OTHER MATTERS/ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA
It was resolved to write to Father Terry Steele to thank him for his ministry in the parish and wish him well in his retirement.
Next agenda items noted:
Allotment funds
Footpaths
Planters
56 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This was set at Tuesday 11th October 2022 @ 7pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.10pm