2025 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Present

Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice-Chairman), Cllrs Dugmore, Goode, Hayward, Lee, Morrow, Sismey-Durrant

In attendance

District Cllr P Robins, four members of the public

Apologies

County Cllr C Vernon

During the public forum two residents asked about progress to have the heap of soil removed from the back of 16 Station Road. District Cllr P Robins will take action at SKDC. Two residents expressed concerns about the planning applications for 9 Pinfold Lane; Cllr McLaughlin suggested the residents put comments on SKDC planning portal and to hire a chartered surveyor to check measurements and covenants.

1. Declarations of interest

Cllrs Goode and Hayward with regard to items 7B and 7C

2. Approve minutes 19 March 2025

The record of the meeting held on 19 March 2025 was approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Goode, seconded by Cllr Dugmore, all in favour.

3. Matters arising

All matters arising were on the agenda.

4. County Council matters

Deferred

5. District Council matters

District Cllr P Robins said that there were some forms available on the SKDC website to apply for various funding.

6. Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group

Cllr McLaughlin gave the Planning Working Group report: site visits had been carried out; the Planning Working Groups had no comments on application S25/0557 and S25/0452. Planning applications S25/0449 and S25/0572had been discussed at a Planning Working Group following a site visit and the recommendation was to object to both applications; the Councillors agreed with the Planning Working Group’s recommendations.

7. Planning. A) S25/0557 - Mr Kevin Jessop. Single storey rear extension. 20 Bytham Heights, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had no comments on this application.B) S25/0449 - Mrs P Gibson. Erection of a detached dwelling with associated hard and soft landscaping. 9 Pinfold Road, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had the following comments to return to SKDC: Castle Bytham Parish Council objects to this application on the following basis:

1. The Public Footpath must be kept clear during construction and pedestrians kept safe during the movement of plant and materials.
2. The building exterior is proposed to have red brick, in an area of the village where all the properties are clad in limestone light coloured stone. This building would not blend in with the surrounding properties and stand out on its prominent position, as viewed from the village gateway of Water Lane and Morkery Lane.
3. The building has no architectural merit, and the design fits with a commercial estate environment rather than a stand alone property.The proposal is not in keeping with the heritage and architecture of adjacent properties in this part of the village.
4. The field is not included in the local plan for development and we understand that this application is not classed as infill.
5. It has been indicated to us, that this application is the first of two or three for this landholding. If the remainder of the field is to be developed, we are unable to provide comment on the cumulative impact of more than one property, if each application is submitted individually.
6. The views from Water Lane of the property, from the valley, means that the gable end will be disproportionately large on the hill top, in comparison to surrounding properties. The building will loom over the public footpath.
7. The proposed HGV access for delivery of plant and materials is not compatible with large flatbed lorries, and we are concerned that despite assurances, Pinfold Road will be used for parking, as will the village hall car park.We are concerned about damage to the surface of the footpath, pavement and neighbouring properties during construction.
8. The position of the property within the field as a whole, reduces the options for accessing the remainder of the field with vehicles.  This will force any future applications to create a new access from Water Lane, which regularly floods and is subject to at least six springs issuing into the road.
9. We are concerned at the lack of ecology statement for the site, given that it has been a grass paddock for hundreds of years, and will have become a habitat for flora, birds and fauna over that time. The grass site complements the open nature of this part of the village.

 C)  S25/0572 - Section 211 Notice to remove a group of self set Ash and Elder trees behind 9 Pinfold Road , Castle Bytham. The Councillors had the following comments to return to SKDC:   Castle Bytham Parish Council objects to this application for tree removal, as there has been no rationale provided for the removal of the trees.  The trees concerned are of medium size, and we are concerned about the effect on the local bat and owl population as a result of their removal. The applicant did not apply for the removal of two stand alone trees in the south of the field, and has indicated a disregard for the importance of trees in a central village location. The applicant has not put this application into context, in that the removal of the trees is to facilitate further development of the field, and therefore must be included in the relevant application.

D) S25/0452 - Tadd Robson. Intention to install a new pole and 3 new stay wires to support an upgraded overhead line to increase the power capacity in Castle Bytham, Land West of Holywell Road, Castle Bytham.The Councillors had no comments on this application.

8. Village pump

Cllr McLaughlin said that a Water Lane resident had been maintaining and cleaning the pump.Cllr McLaughlin was obtaining quotes from refurbishment companies; all wood posts will be replaced with oak, some of the bricks and metal chains will be replaced as well; a new plaque will be installed explaining the history and heritage of the pump, which was situated in Pinfold Road in Victorian times - it was built to commemorate one of Queen Victoria’s Jubilees - a fitting name for the pump could be the ‘Victoria Well’. The pump was restored in the 1930s and 1960s.Grants will be applied for - several options were available: Heritage Lincolnshire, Prosperity Fund which covers heritage and initiative, repair grants for heritage at risk.Once the repairs are completed, the pump will be listed.

9. Request for financial assistance from the Castle Bytham Youth Club

The Councillors unanimously approved a £125 grant to the Castle Bytham Youth Club. Proposed by Cllr Dugmore, seconded by Cllr Morrow.

10. Amenities Working Group report

Cllr Brooman said that Michael Johnson had agreed to take on all mowing areas in the village apart from the playing field which is contacted to Brittens. Cllr Brooman will formulate a contract with photographs of all areas to be cut; invoices will show what areas were cut and the date of the cut. All accidents and complaints will be reported to the Parish Council. Cllr Hayward said that all equipment at the playing field needed to be cleaned. A quote from RBL was expected for work on the swings rubber mats, replacing damaged timbers at the play fort. Cllr Broman suggested choosing 3 or 4 tasks to achieve this year at the playing field and upper green where work is needed on the railings.

11. Insurance quotes

Deferred

12. Burial Committee matters

None

13. Correspondence

1. Rural services Network bulletins
2. SKDC weekly planning lists
3. LALC e-news
4. PKF Littlejohn - 2024/25 AGAR, external auditor’s instructions
5. LALC- updated Model Standing Order 18

14. Accounts

Cllr Brooman had circulated an updated budget prior to the meeting. The starting budget was £32,500; the aim was to put 1/3 of the precept into savings.

The following payments were approved:

- LALC- annual subscription and planning training £302.92

- A Vernon - reimbursement memorial bench £462.60

15. Councillors’ verbal reports

Cllr Brooman said that Andy Vernon had taken delivery of the commemorative bench for village postman Garry Preston and had relocated existing bench at the crossroads to the playing field. Andy will organise the installation of the new bench. Garry Preston’s family have indicated that they did not want a big ceremony.

Cllr Brooman wondered whether the pubs should be registered as Assets of Community Value.

Cllr Morrow enquired about flood defences sand bags; Cllr Hayward said that they had been topped up.

Cllr Sismey- Durrant is completing the Rights of Way Consultation document

Cllr Goode said that it would be useful to have a waste bin on Clipsham Road that could be used for dog waste. Cllr McLaughlin will take pictures of possible locations; to be discussed further at the My meeting.

Cllr Hayward said that the Church Lane sign needed to be fixed back.

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