October 2021 Minutes
Present
Cllr Hinton (Chairman), Cllrs Harvey, Hayward and Webber
Apologies
Cllrs Brooman, Farley, McLaughlin; County Cllr B Adams, District Cllr P Robbins
In attendance
One member of the public
1.Declarations of interest
Cllr Harvey with regard to item 11
2.Co-option of a Councillor
Deferred
3.Approve minutes 15 September 2021
The notes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021 were approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Harvey, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
4.Matters arising - second vacancy
No election was called; co-option notices are displayed for the second vacancy
5.County Council matters
Deferred
6.District Council matters
District Cllr P Robbins had sent a written report: Stamford’s St Martins park development for homes and business units on the former Cummins site has now been approved. Customer access points are open now for face to face appointments. Grantham 8 hours a week, Monday morning and Thursday afternoon. Bourne being open 16 hours on Monday and Wednesday. The housing regulator is reporting a huge improvement and we are now in line with their expectations. On more local issues: The Spinney has now received money from the Community Fund and have purchased a new bench. Cllr Robbins had approached a local business man from Little Bytham to see if they could purchase the second bench and was hoping to hear from him in the next few days. With regards to the Village Survey, we touched on at the last meeting, I have spoken to the Officer with regards to this and they informed me the Council is currently reviewing the Local Plan which must be based on robust evidence. The Village Survey will inform the review; the Council will use the information to update Policy SP2 of the adopted Plan (page 29) which categorises the villages into a settlement hierarchy and seeks to focus development in the most sustainable locations. The categories include Towns, Larger Villages and Smaller Villages. Once they have gathered the information, they will be able to see if there have been any changes to village services and facilities (for example, shop closures) which may alter the villages’ position in the hierarchy. Cllr Robbins kept a keen eye on planning applications and could be contacted with any queries.
7.Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group
The Planning Working Group had sent a written report: S21/1768 - Associated operation works, following Prior approval under class R of the GPDO, change of use of an agricultural building to flexible commercial use. The planning sub group recommend objection to this application. The PWG believe this application is premature as the Class R application under reference S21/1703 has yet to be determined. The PWG believe that certain tests in relation to Class R have not been met, as the barn has not been maintained in the last 10 years for agricultural use. The application makes reference to the barn being under 150 square metres, which is one of the criteria for the class R, yet in the previous application for residential dwelling the barn was stated at 180 square metres in size.
8.Planning Applications
S21/1768 - Mr Anthony Eudall. Associated operation works (following the Prior Approval under Class R of the GPDO: change of use of an agricultural building to a flexible commercial use - Class E - under permitted development rights); Farm Building Positioned Adjacent to Morkery Lane, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had had no objections to application S20/2095 at the same site but would like clarification that this current application, S21/1768 is compliant with regulations covering Class R.
SKDC has granted planning permission to the following applications:
S21/1794 – 19-21 Pinfold Road, tree work
S21/1587 – 20 Station Road
S21/1683 – 3 Glen Road, tree work
S21/1598 – 38 Station Road
S21/0626 – 32 Water Lane
9.Request for financial assistance from the Children’s Christmas Party group
The Councillors agreed to donate £500 to the Children’s Christmas Party Group as the pandemic had prevented fund raising opportunities this past year. Proposed by Cllr Harvey, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
10.Request for financial assistance from the Castle Bytham Party Girls
The Councillors agreed to donate £500 to the Castle Bytham Party Girls as the pandemic had prevented fund raising opportunities this past year. Proposed by Cllr Harvey, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
11.Request for financial assistance from Midsummer Festival for bonfire night fireworks display
The Councillors agreed to donate £500 to the Midsummer Festival for bonfire night fireworks display as the pandemic had prevented fund raising opportunities this past year. Proposed by Cllr Harvey, seconded by Cllr Webber, Cllr Hinton in favour; Cllr Harvey abstained from the vote. Cllr Hinton will relay the Parish Council’s concerns on parking issues on bonfire night.
12.RBL Remembrance Wreath purchase
Cllr Hinton said that the RBL Wreath for Remembrance Day will cost in the region of £21. An Armed Forces uniformed personnel will also lay a wreath.
13.Christmas tree purchase (up to £140)
It was proposed by Cllr Webber, seconded by Cllr Harvey to spend up to £140 for a Christmas tree to be placed at the upper green. The purchase of tree lights will be on the November agenda; the Councillors agreed in principle for Cllr Hinton to purchase the lights ahead of the next meeting because of possible supply issues in the next few weeks.
14.Community Speed Watch update
Cllr McLaughlin had sent a written report: Location for SIDs - authority from Lincs County Council has been granted for the siting of the roaming SIDS. Kirsty had a meeting with LRSP on 19.10.202, and the current locations will go forward for approval and LRSP suggested 3 new locations: Water Lane 30mph sign, new lamppost on Station road, near crossroads and outside Top Yard on corner of Pinfold Road and Castlegate attached to bends/duck’s road sign. Approved locations for roadside checks. This is obviously the new part of CSW and Castle Bytham does not yet have any sites approved and entered onto the Eros system. When we have equipment in place and volunteers completed indemnity forms, then I will arrange a meeting and get the locations approved. Kirsty will get item 2 approved by LRSP and the CSW locations on the Eros system, arrange training for remaining volunteers, 2 volunteers, arrange loan of signs and radar gun from Colsterworth, awaiting decision from members. Kirsty will require Castle Bytham PC’s approval of 3 new roaming SID locations.
15.Fibre Broadband project
The project was progressing. Cllr Brooman is requested to provide an update for the November meeting.
16.Projects for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022
The national focus was on the ‘big lunch’. The project will be discussed with the two “party” community groups and the Midsummer Festival about a collaborative programme.
17.Discuss options for use of High Street ‘phone box.
The Councillors agreed to offer the High Street ‘phone box to the Village Hall Committee for a book exchange. Proposed by Cllr Hayward, seconded by Cllr Harvey, all in favour.
18.Certificate of thanks from the Parish Council - discuss options
A majority of Councillors present thought that a personal letter of thanks would be their preferred option to thank people.
19.Michael’s Wright mowing schedule and appointment of helpers
Michael Wright’s mowing schedule will be discussed at the next Amenities Working Group meeting. Michael occasionally sought helpers to work alongside him; helpers/volunteers were covered by the Parish Council’s insurance in the same way that contractors and volunteers are.
20.Amenities Working Group report
Recreation Field Inspection October 2021. Inspection Date 19th October 2021 by Cllr Alan Harvey. Area generally in good condition. Picnic Benches - a securing bracket needs re-tightening, as noted in the ROSPA report. However, this does not affect the stability of the bench: the brackets are purely to prevent the benches from being moved. Swings and See-saw. All secure and no issues. Trees -awaiting professional advice on the large tree between the slide mound and multi-function structure. One informal report suggested that the whole tree should be removed: a formal recommendation will be part of the general appraisal of trees under the responsibility of the PC in October/November by the appointed surveyor. Castle Mound and slide barrier posts and fencing are all secure. One post allows very slight movement if pushed, but remains perfectly safe. Swing gate to footpath beyond “castle” mound remains in good repair. The latch on the main pedestrian gate from Glen Road was replaced and the gate is secure. Goal posts remain secure and offer no risk. The ROSPA report refers to one “loose” post, but a substantial and malignant effort would be required to remove it. Covid 19 mitigation warning signs present at both entrances. Basketball structure bolt caps still need to be replaced. The “No Climbing” sign on the basketball hoop structure (as recommended by ROSPA), removed by persons unknown, and found on Glen Road near the Field entrance, will be re-fitted with tamper-proof bolts within the next week. Clerk to contact three tree surgeons for assessment and quotes on all tree work at the cemetery, upper green and playing field.
21.Recreation Field development IKEA/Lottery grant match funding
Cllr Hinton had been successful in obtaining a £5,000 IKEA/Lottery match funding grant for outdoor adult fitness equipment and will obtain quotes for equipment options up to £10,000 - the Parish Council would match fund the additional £5,000.
22.Village gateways
Cllr Hinton said that Ed Powell (Bespoke Landscaping Co) would carry out the installation of village gateways. Cllr Hinton was waiting for LCC to approve the gateways’ exact dimensions at each location. The Road Safety Partnership recommended that the grass immediately in front the gateways be cut shorter than the rest of the verges – Michael Wright will add this task to his mowing schedule.
23.Burial Committee matters
None
24.Correspondence
oNHS Lincolnshire Engagement Bulletin
oLALC e-news
oLALC newsletter
oCounty Cllr B Adams – salt bags available for councils
oLCC - road closures
oLCC – schools admission policy
oResident – Station Road lighting columns
oResident – Parish Council first vacancy
oCSW Zoom training dates
oPolice update October 21
oInvest SK funding workshop
oNHS Lincolnshire CCG – launch of public consultation
oRural Services Network
oClerks neighbouring parishes on Traffic Management Plan circulated by Cllr Hinton
25.Accounts
The three Barclays accounts have been transferred to Unity Bank. A savings account will be opened with Unity Bank into which £4,000 will be transferred from the current account.
The following electronic payments were authorised:
-Streetwise Environmental – playing field mowing £189.60 #51610
-Streetwise Environmental – playing field mowing £189.60 #51691
-Michael Wright – mowing £280.00 #66
-Michael Wright – mowing £168.00 #67
-Anglian Water – cemetery £12.04
-PKF Littlejohn – audit £240.00
-Castle Bytham Village Hall – rent £120.00
-Castle Bytham Village Hall – donation towards refreshments for community event £50.00
-M Cooke – salary 26 weeks £1035
-LALC – AGM & Conference £33.00
-ROSPA – playing field annual safety inspection £86.40
-JRB Enterprise Ltd – dog waste bags £71.10
26.Councillors’ verbal reports
Cllr Webber was concerned that the Church Lane litter bin had originally been intended for the cemetery but was now near the Church entrance. Cllr Hinton offered to submit a report on the merits of either location for consideration by the PC.
Cllr Hayward said that further damage to the existing pothole in Church Lane during path work at the cemetery needed to be addressed. Cllr Hinton to obtain quotes for repair. It was noted that LCC Rural Services had inspected Church Lane and declared it fit for purpose as a listed Public Right of Way (PROW).
Cllr Hinton had registered the Parish Council with ‘London Hearts’ for a second defibrillator.