Minutes 19th September 2024
WILLOUGHBY DISTRICT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
HELD 19th September 2024
Present: Cllrs Eyre; Mulhearn; White; Hale; Fairfield; Jenkinson
7 members of the public
Mrs J. Cooper (Parish Clerk)
During the public session concerns were raised regarding additional parking on the village green opposite the Willoughby Arms; request that the yellow lines be extended to include entrance to Old School Lane; drains outside the Old Post Office were blocked; still no action appears to be taken regarding the issue with drainage on Bonthorpe Road/Church Lane. It was also confirmed that the hedge around the Village Green would be cut shortly, before bad weather made it difficult.
44 APOLOGIES
Apologies and valid reasons for absence were received from Cllr Hedges and it was resolved to accept these.
Cllr Davie (LCC) sent his apologies
Cllr Havell sent text apologies but these were received after the meeting.
45 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were none
46 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 18TH JULY 2024
It was resolved that the Chairman sign these as a correct record of that meeting.
47 UPDATES FROM THAT MEETING
Minute 38 – The Clerk had written several times to the Housing Association regarding blocking the bridleway but not yet received a response. It was agreed she keep trying. The Clerk had also received e mail from LCC regarding the blocking – this was a Priority 2 and would be dealt with before January 2025. ELDC Enforcement were also looking into whether a change of use had occurred at the premises and had sent details to Environmental Health.
Minute 40 – Clerk e mailed LCC to thank them for their quick response to the sign on Bonthorpe Road, and officers were grateful for positive feedback.
Minutes 40 – Footpath rear of phone box at Sloothby had been cut.
Clerk also wrote to MacDonalds at Skegness regarding the amount of rubbish bearing their name which appears to be thrown from cars in the Sloothby area, again no response.
48 VACANCY
The vacancy occurs due to resignation of Cllr Cook, official notices from Returning Officer had been posted, no call for election and therefore Returning Officer gives Parish Council permission to co-opt. Notices inviting applicants had been displayed in the notice boards with a date of 14th October.
49 ELDC/LCC UPDATE
Cllr Davie sent a verbal report via Cllr Eyre regarding LCC engagement of KCs to challenge National Grid on their figures and consultations on the pylons.
50 FLOODING
The Clerk had no further updates. It was resolved after discussion that the Clerk now write to LCC to ask for a firm update on what work will be carried out in the Church Lane/Bonthorpe Road area regarding the drainage there, and copy in Cllr Davie.
51 VILLAGE MATTERS
a) Playing Field & Equipment
Wicksteed sent apologies for delay in inspection, which will be set back a few weeks.
b) Village Green
Concerns at parking on green on the area opposite Willoughby Arms. It was agreed that a further 6 “No Parking” signs be purchased.
c) Allotments
i) Entrance hedge. The Clerk had searched legislation for powers for the Council to cut back growth within a private garden, but could not find any. A check with Lincs Association Local Council’s legal advisor confirmed that the Council had no powers to enter private land to carry out works to cut back growth therein. Such works would be to the benefit only of a single individual and therefore contrary to a Parish Council’s powers and legislation governing expenditure of public money. The Council could, however, cut back its hedge on the allotment side.
ii) Letter from Willoughby Events Committee asking to rent the disused plots for events such as bonfire and fireworks. This will need further consideration and check on the permitted use of allotment land – to be agenda item for full discussion at the next meeting.
iii) Other Allotment Matters – It was noted the allotment rented by the school did not appear to have been cultivated and it was agreed the Clerk contact the school on this matter.
52 ADDITIONAL BACKING PLATE FOR SPEED DEVICE
Clerk had obtained a price of E135.52, however it was noted that the device had not been on Station Road, Willoughby for some time, Clerk to find out and report back. To put additional plate on hold at present.
53 FINANCE
It was resolved that the following accounts be paid:
Clerks salary & PAYE (Aug/Sept) £345.28
Littlejohn – external audit £252.00
R. Aldrich – grounds £438.57
R. Aldrich – weedkiller (footpath to play field) £ 75.99
Changes to the Savings account were noted.
54 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerks and Council’s Direct – with a short article on the Parish Council’s work to improve the play equipment.
Letter from Hunts concerning being unable to park smaller bus to pick up/drop off children at bus stop without risking a ticket – Cllr Eyre dealing with in conjunction with Cllr Davie (LCC).
Update on County Devolution and potential election for a Mayor.
55 PLANNING
Clerk confirmed sending Scoping Opinion regarding Eastern Green Links and Pylons.
Decision – 2090/23 – change use barns to 3 dwellings The Manor, Bonthorpe Road. Conditionally approved (to be in accordance with plans; ecology mitigation survey required; pollution and land contamination survey required; no external lighting; preparation and clearance work only between September and February; landscaping scheme required; buildings marked for demolition to be cleared before any occupancy; external materials to be as approved; removal of permitted development rights.)
56 ANY OTHER MATTERS/NEXT AGENDA
It was agreed that the Parish Council support residents request for extending of yellow lines into Old School Lane.
Cllr Fairfield advised she had seen a Highway Survey vehicle along Hogsthorpe Road Sloothby recently.
Next Agenda to include:
Use of allotments for events
57 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This is set at Thursday 17th October 2024 at 8pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm