February
CASTLE BYTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2025
Present
Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice-Chairman), Cllrs Goode, Hayward, Lee, Sismey-Durrant
In attendance
County Cllr C Vernon, District Cllr P Robins, one member of the public
Apologies
Cllr Dugmore
1.Declarations of interest
None
2.Approve minutes 22 January 2025
The record of the 22 January meeting was approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Goode, seconded by Cllr McLaughlin, all in favour.
3.Matters arising
Cllr McLaughlin will provide advice on maps to Cllr Sismey-Durrant, Footpaths Officer
4.County Council matters
County Cllr C Vernon said the elections will take place on 1 May. Council Tax to be set with a 2.99% increase. Water Lane was still looking good following LCC repair work.; Cllr Hayward said that tree branches had fallen into the ditch - Cllr Vernon will check whether their clearance would be the landowner’s responsibility.
5.District Council matters
District Cllr P Robins will send the new Code of Conduct to the clerk. The annual cost for green bins emptying will go up by £2.
Cllr McLaughlin said that the Parish Council’s position with regard to the Land East of Park Farm Access, Morkery Lane had not changed. The planning approval for an office at the site stipulated that the office could never be changed into a house.
6.Planning. Planning Appeal: Land East of Park Farm Access Road, Morkery Lane, Castle Bytham. The Parish Council will not send any further comments and leave it to SKDC.
7.Risk assessment
Deferred until the March meeting.
8.Playing field mowing contract
Deferred until the March meeting.
9.Amenities Working Group report. A) Annual planning field annual safety inspection - recommendations.B) Austrian Pine at at the cemetery
A)Cllr Hayward siad that grass was growing in between the rubber mat tiles under the swings. The slide at the play castle was safely in position and does not budge; grip tape will be place on the steps to avoid slipping; some rotten timbers at the fort will be replaced. A working party will be arranged to clear the grass between the rubber mat tiles, apply some black silicone and replace some of the rotten timbers at the play castle. LCC will be approached as the Parish council would like to take up their offer of help from their contractors for local communities. B) The Austrian Pine at the cemetery was on the watch list following the latest tree survey; the tree is balanced at present; removing a branch would put stress on it.
10.Street lighting
Cllr McLaughlin said that when LCC were approached previously regarding street lighting on Station Road and Holywell Road, a £36,000 cost for the Parish Council was quoted. County Cllr C Vernon will make inquiries.
11.Memorial bench at the crossroads
A report for a memorial bench for postman Garry Preston was received from Andy Vernon. The proposal will be ratified at the March meeting.
12.Dog fouling issues
Cllr Brooman said that there had been improvements. Dog fouling can be reported on the SKDC website. Cllr Hayward had some A5 laminated ‘Please clear up after your dog’ to be placed around the village.
13.Burial Committee matters
None
14.Correspondence
SKDC - Local Development Scheme 2025-28
RSN - rural funding digest
Rural bulletins
SKDC - weekly planning lists
LALC -E-news
LALC - training bulletin
15.Accounts. Additional signatory
Cllr Brooman presented an updated budget; spare funds will be spent on sprucing up various ares in the village. Cllr Hayward will confirm the schedule and cost of mowing for the next financial year at the March meeting.Cllr Hayward agreed to become an additional signatory on the Unity Trust bank account; the paperwork will be approved and signed by all signatories at the March meeting.
The following payment was approved:
Village Hall Committee - rent £80.00
16.Councillors’ verbal reports
Cllr McLaughlin said that there had been further reports of the Swayfield Road stables site being used for residential purposes. Cllr McLaughlin had a meeting with the Glenside Surgery manager following an incident when surgery staff misinterpreted a date on the defibrillator located on the surgery wall. Cllr McLaughlin checks the defibrillator monthly; the surgery could order defibrillator supplies for the Parish Council at cost through their own suppliers. Cllr McLaughlin and the surgery manager will keep in regular contact. Cllr McLaughlin will prepare articles for Glenside News on defibrillators and dog fouling. The last person to use the shop defibrillator had sent a message of thanks to Cllr McLaughlin.
Cllr Sismey-Durrant enquired about progress on the removal of the heap of soil between 14 and 16 Station Road; Cllr Brooman said that the residents were in breach of their planning permission and that SKDC had been made aware.
Holding Page