May
CASTLE BYTHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2025
Present
Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice Chairman), Cllrs Dugmore, Goode, Hayward, Lee, Morrow
In attendance
7 members of the public
Apologies
Cllr Sismey-Durrant, County Cllr C Vernon, District Cllr P Robins
During the public forum a future resident spoke about a forthcoming planning application in Castlegate.
A resident spoke on the sale of Castle Field and community involvement with fundraising and grant applications to support the Wildlife Trust and a geological survey. Guidelines on public rights of way will be discussed at County Forum at the end of June and parish councils were encouraged to comment; Cllr Brooman with consult wit Cllr Sismey-Durrant, Footpaths Officer on this matter.
Five residents spoke on the disappointing response from SKDC regarding the heap of soil at the rear of 16 Station Road with the statement that another planning application will be submitted for the site at 14A Station Road.
1.Declarations of interest
Cllr Hayward declared an interest with regard to item 7 A
2.Approve minutes 16 April 2025
The record of the meeting held on 16 April 2025 was approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman; proposed by Cllr Goode, seconded by Cllr Lee, all in favour.
3.Matters arising
None.
4.County Council matters
Deferred
5.District Council matters
Deferred
6.Planning issues - verbal report from the Planning Working Group
Cllr McLaughlin presented the report - the Planning Working Group recommended returning no comments on applications 7C and 7 D. Application 7B was given close consideration and the same response returned for application S25/0572 at the same site still stood. Application 7A was viewed in isolation and on its own merit - work had started six weeks previously with the planning application. Cllr Brooman added that the Parish Council was disappointed that the applicant had not followed the rules; SKDC’s planning enforcement officer had stipulated that work should stop until a planning application was submitted and approved.
7.Planning. A) S25/0352 - Mrs P Gibson. Alterations and extension to house and external alterations to outbuilding. 9 Pinfold Road, Castle Bytham. The councillors had the following comments to make: It is with disappointment that we comment on this application, as the development works commenced in February 2025, and this application is not retrospective to reflect that. Access to the public footpath must remain clear at all times. Pinfold Road must not be blocked with construction traffic or delivery of materials. Reasonable construction working hours must apply, due to the proximity of other properties. The applicant must have regard to the property boundary of no. 7 Pinfold Road, and preserve its integrity.
B) S25/0763 - Section 211 Notice to remove a group of self set Ash and Elder trees behind 9 Pinfold Road, Castle Bytham. The Parish Council had to comment on this application by 18 May and sent the same comments that were returned to SKDC for application S25/0572 at the same site: 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.
C) S25/0201 - Mr and Mrs Trevor and Angela Harris. Move existing shed and erection of field shelter. 2 Water Lane, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had no comments on this application. D) Planning Appeal - Roche D’Or, Water Lane, Castle Bytham. The Councillors had no comments on this appeal.
8.Heap of soil at the back of 16 Station Road
Cllr McLaughlin responded to concerns expressed during the public forum regarding the heap of soil at the rear of 16 Station Road; the Planning Working Group has reviewed all applications on the 14A Station Road site - the first application had gone to appeal and had not been discharged.there were no specific planning conditions relating to the application.
Cllr McLaughlin said that the Parish Council will be writing formally to SKDC regarding this matter.
9.Amenities Working Group report- vote on quotes for repair work to the playing field; vote on quote for new brickwork on the lower green village sign. Discuss location new litter bin on Clipsham Road and vote on quote from Glasdon for the bin
Cllr Hayward was thanked for all his work to obtain quotes.The following quotes for repair work from BLB were unanimously approved: £795 for the playing field swings, slide and fort; £606 for the lower green village sign; £420 for the playing field basket ball hoop. Proposed by Cllr Mc Laughlin, seconded by Cllr Dugmore, all in favour.
Cllr McLaughlin had circulated 3 possible locations for a litter bin on Clipsham Road; the Councillors unanimously opted for option 2, next to the grit bin at the corner of Clipsham Road and Bytham Heights. The Councillors approved a spend up to £400 for a Topsy Jubilee Green litter bin from Glasdon; proposed by Cllr Morrow, seconded by Cllr McLaughlin, all in favour.
The ‘Castle Bytham’ gateway entry sign on Clipsham Road is obscured by vegetation; the Amenities Working Group will have a walk round the cemetery with Michael Johnson to prioritise areas of work; visitors to the cemetery will be asked to bring their own water for watering flowers on graves.
10.Insurance quotes; vote on insurance renewal cost
The Councillors considered 2 quotes and unanimously agreed to renew the insurance with Zurich at a cost of £742.77; proposed by Cllr McLaughlin, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
11.Burial Committee matters
None
12.Correspondence
LCC- notification of temporary traffic regulation
SKDC weekly planning lists
LALC e-news
LCC - town and parish council newsletter
Rural services network weekly news
13.SKDC Local Government Reorganisation information sessions
Cllr Morrow, Cllr Dugmore and Cllr Sismey-Durrant will attend the 22 July session in Stamford
14.Internal audit 2024/25
The internal audit was carried out on 24 April by Dhruv Pandya from Aims Accountants The Councillors approved Section 1 - annual governance statement 2024/25 before approving Section 2 - accounting statements 2024/25 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2024/25. The forms were signed by the Chairman and the Clerk and will be sent to external auditors PKF Littlejohn LLP. The following reports were also produced as part of the internal audit: bank reconciliation 2025; detailed variance report 2024/25; explanation of variances; fixed asset register 2025.
15.Clerk’s salary increase in line with inflation
The Councillors agreed to increase the clerk’s salary by 4% to be in line with inflation. Proposed by Cllr Brooman, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour.
16.Accounts
Cllr Brooman said that the accounts were healthy.
The following payments were approved:
- BDG Contractors - playing field mowing £360.00
- Village Hall Committee - rent £120.00
- Aims Accountants - internal audit £840.00
17.Councillors’ verbal reports
Cllr Morrow asked for clarification on Section 106 at The Old Quarry - Cllr Brooman said that the developers had asked for S/106 contribution to wildlife monitoring to be paid at the end of the build. The Parish Council had objected to this request.
Cllr Goode suggested Glenside News ‘meet a Councillor’ articles to introduce each Councillor as many residents were not aware of the Parish Council’s membership.
Cllr McLaughlin said that an application had been made to protect a piece of land in a field leading from Clipsham Road (opposite Regal Gardens) to the Old Quarry from any Rights of Way claims to LCC.
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 21 May 2025
Present
Cllr Brooman (Chairman), Cllr McLaughlin (Vice-Chairman), Cllrs Dugmore, Goode, Hayward, Lee, Morrow
In attendance
7 members of the public
Apologies
Cllr Sismey-Durrant, County Cllr C Vernon, District Cllr P Robins
1.Election of Chairman.
It was proposed by Cllr Hayward, seconded by Cllr Morrow, all in favour to elect Cllr Brooman as Chairman. Cllr Brooman accepted the position of Chairman.
2.Approve record of the last Annual Parish Council Meeting.
The record of the meeting held on 15 May 2024 was approved as minutes and signed by the Chairman. Proposed by Cllr Goode, seconded by Cllr McLaughlin, all in favour.
3.Election of Vice Chairman.
It was proposed by Cllr Brooman, seconded by Cllr Hayward, all in favour to elect Cllr McLaughlin as Vice-Chairman. Cllr McLaughlin accepted the position.
4.Election of Officers/Amenities Working Group/Planning Working Group
Amenities Working Group: Cllr Morrow, Cllr Hayward, Cllr Lee were unanimously elected as members.
Planning Working Group: Cllr McLaughlin, Cllr Sismey-Durrant, Cllr Dugmore and Cllr Goode were unanimously elected as members.
Cllr Sismey-Durrant continues as Footpaths Officer.
All Councillors are members of the Burial Committee.
5.Adopt Code of Conduct.
The LGA Code of Conduct 2021 was unanimously adopted. Proposed by Cllr Brooman,
seconded by Cllr McLaughlin, all in favour.
6.Accounts
The 2024/25 annual accounts were unanimously approved and the accounts book signed by the Chairman and the Clerk. Proposed by Cllr Brooman, seconded by Cllr McLaughlin, all in favour.
Holding Page