July 2023 Minutes
CASTLE BYTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2023
Present
Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice-Chairman), Cllrs Dugmore, Goode, Hayward, Lee, Morritt.
In attendance
District Cllr P Robins, one member of the public.
Apologies
County Cllr C Vernon.
During the public forum, the Director of Water Services at Anglian Water apologised for the recent problems with the water quality in the village and the advice given to residents to boil the water before use for cooking and drinking. The issue had stemmed from an unusual level of bacteria found in the small reservoir at Toft which supplies this area and is fed from the Wilsthorpe water treatment plant. Anglian Water had liaised with Environmental Health. The Toft reservoir is monitored 24/7 with a daily sample analysed. Cllr Brooman said that residents will be encouraged to sign up to Anglian Water notices with an article to appear in Glenside News.
- Declarations of interest
None
- Approve minutes 21 June 2023
The record of the meeting held on 21 June 2023 was approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Dugmore, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
- Matters arising
All matters arising are agenda items.
- County Council matters
Deferred.
- District Council matters
District Cllr P Robins presented her report:
SKDC will discuss whether they will be a benefit to introducing Purple Bins for cardboard and paper re-cycling in the future. There is a lot of contamination in the refuse freighters which is ruining the whole load. This is an agenda item and will be for discussion at the next Environment Committee meeting. Bythams Spinney will start works to replace the play equipment at the end of September beginning of October 2023. A date will be confirmed in due course. Business and the Community - Do you know a business involved in its local community? We know that businesses, both local and national chains continue to play a vital part in helping to feed and support those in need in our communities. They have made enormous contribution through internal and external projects to reducing carbon emissions and improving climate change outcomes. Nominations are encouraged for all sizes of businesses that operate locally that give to their community. Health and Wellbeing - SKDC want to hear about an individual or group that has contributed to the wellbeing of others. Is there someone in your community who has helped others to make positive healthy lifestyle changes? Whether the impact has been positive for people's physical or mental health our judges are looking for nominations for those whose actions have a positive impact on sports and physical activity locally. SKDC staff are working with the Afghan refugees at the Urban Hotel to enable the smooth resettlement by the 24th August deadline imposed by government. A joint all-day session took place at the hotel this week with officers from SKDC, the DWP, and The Home Office. At Full Council next Thursday, we will be considering a proposal to accept a further £953,650 towards purchasing new housing stock which can initially be used to house Afghan and Ukrainian refugees.
- Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group
Cllr Goode said that the Planning Working Group had no comments on application S23/1021 – the stable block will not be seen from the road. There were no comments either for application S23/0871. The Planning Working Group will pay a visit to a paddock on Swayfield Road after being contacted by residents regarding an ISO now located at the site. Application S23/0955 for a dwelling at Plot 7, Holywell Road, had been refused by SKDC; the Councillors would like the site to be cleared – District Cllr P Robins will find out the timeframe for any subsequent applications for the plot. Application S23/0351 for work at the village hall has been approved by SKDC.
- Planning. A) S23/1021 - Mrs Katie Cuthbert; planning permission for a corner stable block for personal use to house two ponies and one horse. Priory Farm Yard, 14A Station Road, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had no comments on this application. B) S23/0871 - Mr Sismey Durrant; fell two Yew Trees (damaged in storm) and fell three Ash Trees (suffering from dieback). The Old Vicarage, Little Bytham Road, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had no comments on this application.
- Village pump
Cllr McLaughlin said that grants were available from SKDC’s Grants and Heritage Department. Cllr Morritt volunteered to take on the project. The wooden posts will need replacing; the wooden casing w2ill need either treatment or replacement. Cllr Mc Laughlin explained that the pump was originally called the Victoria Pump, installed for one of Queen Victoria’s jubilees; once the repairs are done the pump will be listed and will appear on the planning register – an interpretation board or plaque will be installed.
- Amenities Working Group report
Cllr Hayward had spoken to Paul Weinmann and asked him not to carry out any more work until the Parish Council had carried out a budget review as the current spending was not sustainable at present; Cllr Brooman said that the Parish Council would need to cut its costs during this financial year. Cllr Hayward will carry out monthly inspections of the playing field.
- Playing field inspection
The Councillors agreed to obtain a quote from Fenland Leisure for the annual safety inspection.
- Speed Indicator Device report
Cllr McLaughlin had circulated a graph of data at the Holywell Road location, incoming into the village. The average speed had been 45 mph and the Councillors agreed that it would be advisable to reduce this average to 35mph. Cllr McLaughlin will obtain data from all three locations over the next three months and produce a comparison chart; Cllr Brooman suggested starting a speed reduction campaign one all the data were obtained and published in Glenside News. Cllr McLaughlin was looking for volunteers to carry out a Community Speed Watch monitoring day. Cllr McLaughlin had reported the Station Road Speed Reactive Device on Station Road on LCC’s formal system for repair to the LED display.
- Burial Committee matters
None
- Correspondence
- Cllr McLaughlin had received an e-mail from a resident regarding planned underground work in Water Lane on 26 July; the residents would like the drains and gullies cleared out before work starts. Cllr McLaughlin had placed a request on FixMyStreet.
- LCC Highways – survey local roads
- Anglian Water – water supply issues notifications
- PKF Littlejohn – additional information request for external audit
- Rural Services Netwok bulletins
- ROSPA – reduced rates for inspection
- SKDC – Climate action strategy consultation
- LCC – temporary traffic regulation order
- Keep Britain Tidy – Love Parks Week 2023
- LCC Towns and Parish news
- LALC e-news
- SK community awards
- LALC – management committee nominee statements
- Accounts
Cllr Brooman had circulated an updated budget spreadsheet; there were £28,400 left to spend and £19,000 had been allocated so far. Playing field spending was £150 over budget at the moment. It was agreed to place 1/9th of the precept in a rainy day fund for unexpected costs. It was unanimously agreed to top up all budgets and to donate £300 to the village hall from the VAT recovered from the Jubilee fund purchases and another £300 as S137 donation towards village hall improvements. A S137 donation of £320 will be made to St James’s PCC towards the War Memorial repair. Proposed by Cllr Brooman, seconded by Cllr Goode. The Councillors also agreed to purchase a water butt and guttering brackets to be installed by the cemetery shed now that water supply to the tap has been disconnected. Cllr Hayward said that the Parish Council should find out what funds were available from SKDC for future projects rather than add them to the precept which impacts council tax.
The following payments were approved:
- Anglian Water – cemetery £14.38
- S Adams – capping cemetery water pipe £100.00
- P Hinton – coronation grant £274.90
- A Vernon – coronation grant £50.00
- BDG Mowing – playing field £450.00
- P Weinmann – mowing, strimming £735.00
- P Weinmann – reimbursement weedkiller £54.99
- BDG Mowing – playing field £300.00
- P Weinmann – mowing, strimming £410.01
- Councillors’ verbal reports
Cllr Brooman had put a request on FixMyStreet to clear the gravel on Morkery Lane accumulated after the rain; LCC had replied that this was an SKDC’s responsibility – District Cllr P Robins will find out. Cllr Brooman has been writing a Parish Council monthly report for Glenside News and said that any Councillor was welcome to produce the monthly report. The shop will offer free fruit to children during the school holidays.
Cllr Hayward had reported the bad state of the road surface at the crossroads. Cllr Hayward would like Glenside Surgery to communicate any news such as the recent change of prescription collection days via Glenside News to residents as not everyone has access to text messages.
Cllr McLaughlin will update the Emergency Plan in view of the recent events regarding water supply; the Emergency Plan will appear on the Parish Council’s website. It was agreed that two areas could apply to the Emergency Plan, the village hall and the community shop; only the village hall is listed at present.
Cllr Dugmore said that lottery funding will be used to capitalise on the shop projects in the next two years. All loans will be repaid by the end of 2026.
The meeting ended at 21.05