2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

CASTLE BYTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2023
Present
Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice-Chairman), Cllrs Dugmore, Goode Hayward, Lee, Morritt
In attendance
One member of the public
Apologies
County Cllr C Vernon, District Cllr P Robins

1.Declarations of interest
None
2.Approve minutes 16 August 2023
The record of the meeting held on 16 August 2023 was approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Dugmore, seconded by Cllr Lee, all in favour.
3.Michael Wright
Michael Wright had started to work for the Parish Council in 2005, at first mowing the cemetery; over the years Michael also took on the upkeep of the upper green, the lower green, Glen Road riverbank, St James’s graveyard. Michael took great pride in his work and his contribution was greatly appreciated by the Parish Council. The Councillors agreed that a bench dedicated to Michael’s memory at the playing field would be a fitting tribute and that the area of newly planted trees would be named after Michael.
4.Matters arising  
All matters arising were agenda items.
5.County Council matters
Deferred
6.District Council matters
Deferred
7.Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group
The Planning Working Group will make contact with the owners of a property on Swayfield Road regarding its use.
8.Planning. S23/1428 - Applegate, 4 Water Lane, Castle Bytham; remove 2 stems on right hand side of beech tree (T1), one stem on the left, reduce height of remaining stems by 4m, reduce lateral branches by 1.5m to shape crown, remove spread of 2 hymalayan birches (T2&T3) overhanging neighbour’s garden back to boundary. The Councillors had no comments on this application.
9.Quarry lorries driving through the village - discuss
A member of the public had sent an e-mail to the Parish Council regarding quarry lorries driving through the village. Cllr McLaughlin had already contacted Counthorpe quarry manager 18 months ago and will look further into the matter before replying to the resident.
10.Emergency Plan
The clerk will e-mail the current Emergency Plan to the Councillors; the plan will be reviewed at the next meeting.
11.Village pump
Deferred
12.Amenities Working Group report - mowing schedule
Cllr Hayward will formulate a mowing schedule plan for the cemetery and the churchyard.
13.Playing field inspection - Online Playgrounds quotation; water provision and cost at the cemetery; tree survey
The Councillors approved the £120 quotation from Online Playgrounds for the playing field annual safety inspection. A ‘no longer in use’ sign will be placed at the cemetery water tap  - a water butt donated by a resident will be installed in replacement; Cllr Hayward will also look into the cost of a 50 litre water barrel. The cemetery grass was in urgent need of mowing. A contracting position will be put in place before the next precept. Three tree survey quotes will be sought.
14.Speed Indicator Device report
Deferred
15.Burial Committee matters 
The Councillors agreed the sale of Grant of Right for plot 4/5. The Councillors approved the interment of ashes into plot 3/11 on 7 October.
16.Correspondence
LCC - scoping opinion consultation for an anaerobic digestion plant at Park House Farm, Castle Bytham
Rural Services Network bulletins
Confirmation of eligibility for FSCS
Email from resident regarding quarry traffic through the village
SKDC weekly planning lists
TSGP - bus service update
SKDC Neighbourhoods - consultation on public spaces protection order
J Withington - free CPR and defibrillator training sessions
LCC - County Service invitation
LALC Enews
SKDC - community awards 2023
SKDC - open spaces, sports and recreation study consultation
Email from resident regarding speeding traffic through the village
SKDC - civility and respect project
Keep Britain Tidy - Love Parks week 2023
SKDC - information on forthcoming invoice for May 2023uncontested election
Parish Online newsletter
Email from resident regarding Station Road quarry development and the village pump
17.LALC - annual training scheme cost
The Councillors agreed to subscribe to LALC’s annual training scheme at a cost of £138.
18.Accounts
PKF Littlejohn have completed the external audit and returned Part 3 of the AGAR.
The following payments were approved:
PKF Littlejohn - external audit £378.00
BDG Mowing - playing field £300.00
St James’s PCC - donation towards War Memorial repair £320.00
G Hayward - reimbursement weedkiller £54.99
Village Hall Committee - rent £120.00
Village Hall Committee - donation £600.00
19.Councillors’ verbal reports
- Cllr Hayward has obtained quotes for new brackets to properly secure the upper green steps handrail.
- Cllr Morritt said that the 17 November CPR and defibrillator free training at the village hall will be advertised in Glenside News and that some of the 14 spaces should be offered to village groups.
- Cllr McLaughlin suggested that members of St James’s PCC could  be formally invited to attend parish council meetings.
- Cllr Brooman said that thank you letters had been received from the PCC and the Village Hall Committee following donations from the parish council.

The meeting ended at 20.40.