Minutes 17th November 2022
WILLOUGHBY & DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD 17th November 2022
Present: Cllrs Eyre (Chairman); Talbot-Jones; Hales; White; Cook; Fairfield & Jenkinson
(Cllr Hedges Minute 76)
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
4 members of the public.
During the public session representatives of Willoughby School asked about the school taking on a plot in the allotments.
74 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr Havell, and these were accepted.
75 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Cook declared a personal interest in the planning application as he knew the applicant.
Cllr Eyre declared a personal interest in allotments, being a school governor.
Cllr Talbot-Jones declared a personal interest in allotments, being an allotment holder.
76 CO-OPTION
1 applicant had applied for the remaining Willoughby vacancy, and it was proposed, seconded and resolved that Mrs Christine Hedges be co-opted. She duly joined the meeting and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was counter-signed by the Clerk as Proper Officer
77 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 20th OCTOBER 2022
It was resolved that these be signed by the Chairman as a correct record of that meeting.
78 UPDATES
Minute 63(f) – Clerk spoken with contractor regarding cutting of hedge alongside allotment entrance.
Minute 69 – Sloothby Road – building erected without planning permission. ELDC Enforcement Officer visited site and invited applicants to apply for retrospective planning permission. Application not yet registered with ELDC.
Minute 70 – Clerk asked LCC to reinstate wooden barriers.
79 REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
There was no LCC representative.
Cllr Eyre (ELDC) reported that the District Council was due to move offices to Horncastle in January 2023.
80 ALLOTMENTS
a) Discussion on finalising allotment policy, with particular regard to bonfires. Clerk read out observations from allotment holders and it was agreed that a nominated “burn area” be made, with restrictions on the amount of material to prevent a build up, and to be restricted to allotment waste only with no matter being brought in from off site. It was also agreed to ask an allotment holder to take on the role of Responsible Person to oversee bonfires.
b) It was hoped to start clearing the overgrown plots shortly but this was weather dependant in terms of the machinery required. The Clerk advised that Plot 13 tenant had given notice, and that tenant of Plots 6,7 & 17 had also relinquished those plots and taken on Plot 13. It was agreed to re-let Plot 6 to a new tenant. Cllr Talbot Jones hoped to carry out survey as soon as weather permitted and to look at marking plots.
c) Request from Willoughby School – after discussion it was resolved to offer plot 17 to Willoughby School, but to ask for a formal written request and details of “wellie walks” proposed. If school required a compost bin or shed then written permission must be obtained. Plot to be for cultivation only, not for laying of grass area.
81 PLAYGROUND
a) Cllr Talbot-Jones confirmed no further new equipment had been installed, Cllr Cook had carried out some refurbishment of existing equipment and it was hoped to undertake sealing of mats and setting up typhoon when weather permitted.
b) Dogs – Cllr Talbot-Jones had been in discussion with ELDC regarding “Public Space Protection Order” to ban dogs from the playground, there was some concern regarding the amount of fencing required to fence off the play equipment, and Cllr Talbot-Jones would respond to ELDC. He confirmed that some gates would be repaired and installed.
82 VILLAGE GREEN
There were no issues with the green, other than the continued problem of cars parking thereon.
83 SLOOTHBY / DAWBER LANE JUNCTION
It was resolved to request LCC Highways to re-look at extending the speed limit to include that junction following a recent accident. It was also suggested that the Council contact Lincs Wildlife Trust who owned the hedge on the Welton side of the Sloothby turn to ask about possibility of cutting back the hedge on the corner to improve visibility, with possible re-planted further back.
84 FINANCIAL
a) Accounts for payment:
It was resolved that the following be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (November) £156.25
b) Draft Budget
It was resolved to increase Clerks salary to bring it in line with Local Government Pay Scale points, and after discussion it was agreed to link salary to Scale Point 10.
85 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerks and Councils Direct – circulated
LALC News – emailed
Cllr Davie News – emailed.
Road closure Cumberworth Road – noted.
86 PLANNING
N208/2003/22 – Access, the Elms, Sloothby. After discussion when some discrepancies were pointed out on the application form, particularly in relation to flooding, footpath and biodiversity/wildlife, it was resolved to object to the application due to the impact on the wildlife/biodiversity in that area, the adjacent footpath and existing flooding to the road. It was also agreed to ask that, should permission be granted, the dyke be culverted in a sufficient manner to allow regular flow of water through.
Outer Dowsing Wind Farm – Clerk explained the position regarding sites for sub stations and potential for cabling to run close to Willoughby. Cllr Fairfield agreed to be the nominated councillor to site on the Community Liaison Group and to report back at regular intervals.
87 ANY OTHER MATTERS/NEXT AGENDA
Next agenda to include budget/precept setting.
88 NEXT MEETING
This was scheduled for 19th January 2023.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55, with the Chairman wishing all a Merry Christmas as there would be no further scheduled meetings before then.