Minutes 20th October 2022
WILLOUGHBY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD 10th October 2022
Present: Cllrs Eyre (Chairman); Talbot-Jones; Havell; Cook; Fairfield & Jenkinson
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
11 members of the public.
During the public session the Outer Dowsing Wind Farm consultation was raised – there is no definitive answer as to where the cables will run as yet, it is understood there is to be a sub station built in Farlesthorpe area and landfall will be at Anderby. The importance of attending the public consultation event in Anderby on 1st November was made. Thanks were expressed to the Parish Council and the Playground Working Party for the improvements to date to the play equipment and the new fencing which separated the Playground from the allotments. Other allotment matters raised included the proposals for tenancy agreement and policy amendments, and query why a potential dispute was being discussed in closed session (Cllr Talbot Jones explained the purpose of the Closed Session). The poor mobile phone signal in the area was also raised, along with the blue paint on Station Road. Concerns were also raised regarding the planning application for dwellings on Hanby Lane – it was felt they were too near the road; concern at potential parking on the roadside and the number of dwellings impacting on existing infrastructure.
58 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllrs White and Hale and these were accepted.
59 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Talbot-Jones declared a personal interest in allotment matters (as a plot holder) and in financial (as expenditure).
60 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 15th SEPTEMBER 2022
It was resolved that the chairman sign these as a correct record of that meeting.
61 UPDATE
The Clerk advised ELDC had placed a dog waste bin at the entrance to the old Railway line bridleway.
62 ELDC/LCC UPDATES
There was no representative from LCC.
Cllr Eyre (ELDC) informed the meeting that ELDC would be moving to its new headquarters in Horncastle in early January, and was at present cleaning out the equipment and furniture from Tedder Hall.
63 ALLOTMENTS
a) The Clerk read out the comments from 3 allotment holders following consultation:
- Reassurance that the Council would be acting on unused plots
- Disputes – to be added to the policy following discussion in Closed Session
- Sharing plots – it was felt this would a dangerous precedent in terms of sharing plots and that sharing was excluded under the Allotment Act
- Cockerels – these were excluded under the Allotments Act
- Bonfires – intention was that a single location be used for bonfires.
b) Finalise tenancy agreement / policy – to be further amended to cover disputes.
c) Plots 1,2,3, & 4 – Clerk had written to the tenant twice advising that the plots will be cleared and any equipment left will be disposed of, giving the tenant until 31st October to respond.
d) Plot 11 split – notes and photographs from the site meeting held were noted and the matter was now considered resolved.
e) Request to relinquish Plot 13 by existing tenant and the end of the term (March), tenants of plots 6,7 and 17 wished to relinquish theirs and take on Plot 13, new applicant wished to take on Plot 17. Clerk to contact all concerned.
f) Request by neighbour to have adjoining hedge alongside entrance to the allotment to be cut back – Clerk to contact hedge cutting contractor.
64 PLAYGROUND
a) Cllr Talbot-Jones produced report giving up to date progress – new items installed, tiles cleaned, fence erected, hope to have 4 bay swings ready by end of the month, typhon almost ready, hope to convert 2 bay flat swings into basket swings. Included report on expenditure to date, some savings had been made.
b) Dog Fouling – Cllr Talbot-Jones in contact with ELDC regarding whether the area fell under the blanket Public Place Protection Order which banned dogs from fenced play areas. He hoped to produce a newsletter for all residents outlining the work undertaken in the play area and covering the dog fouling issue.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Talbot-Jones for all his work in this area, and thanked the Working Party for their work.
65 VILLAGE GREEN
It was noted the lime tree, identified in the Tree Report earlier in the year as diseased, had been removed.
Parking on the green was still a problem, with photos of two cars recently using the area to park.
66 ACCOUNTS
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary and PAYE (October) £156.25
Reimburse Cllr Talbot Jones (play equipment expend) £457.70
Broxap – installation charge £1440.00
On Line Playgrounds (swing clamps) £193.40
Front Row Fencing (new fence) £5145.60
Hags (typhoon parts) £2297.23
Welton Garden Services (lime tree removal) £2400.00
R. Aldrich (grounds) £438.57
The Clerk asked for consent to transfer £5000.00 from the Business Account into the Current Account. It was resolved that this be done.
67 CORRESPONDENCE
- E mail circulated to members regarding a meeting with MP – Cllr Talbot Jones attended and briefly advised members on topics discussed which included Emergency Planning and Warm Spaces. Cllr Tablot Jones to look into Warm Spaces.
- Road Closure Order – Bonthorpe Road 7th November – 25th November for Drainage Board work (Cllr Eyre declared an interest as a member of the Board)
- Outer Dowsing Wind – consultation 1st November at Anderby.
- LALC News – circulated
- Email from resident having suffered vandalism and asking for Councillor to contact – Cllr Eyre took details.
68 EXTENSION OF AREA OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
Welton Parish Council had asked surrounding parishes to join them in applying to have the AONB extended to include Orby, the whole of Welton le Marsh and Willoughby. Members supported the proposal but ask if Sloothby could be incorporated as well.
69 PLANNING
Application N208/1846/22 – Reserved Matters for the erection of 14 dwellings off Hanby Lane – members to raise concerns at traffic management proposed, which would result in vehicles waiting to enter the site in the vicinity of bad bends, poor driver visibility reduced by the erection of dwellings too close to the road, concerns at impact on already struggling infrastructure and additional impact on poor drainage system.
Decision N208/737/22 – Extension The Bungalow, Hasthorpe Lane – conditionally approved (to be in accordance with the plans).
Clerk advised that ELDC Enforcement were looking into a building on Sloothby Lane.
70 ANY OTHER MATTERS/NEXT AGENDA ITEMS
To ask LCC to revisit road safety at Dawber Lane junction following recent accident – next agenda.
Cllr Fairfield advised that whilst the plastic barriers had finally been removed, their replacement with single plastic posts still left road users and walkers in that area vulnerable with no verge between road surface and the dyke. To ask for wooden barriers to be installed.
71 NEXT MEETING
Confirmed as being 17th November 2022.
72 CLOSED SESSION
It was resolved that the Council move into Closed Session to discuss the following item and members of the public left the meeting.
73 ALLOTMENT DISPUTE
After discussion it was agreed that any disputes/complaints must be put in writing to the Parish Clerk.
There being no further matters the meeting closed at 9.20pm