2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Welbourn Parish Council Meeting 

MINUTES OF THE OF THE MEETING OF WELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 13 JULY 2022 IN THE WELBOURN VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 p.m. 

PRESENT 

Councillors 

Apologies Received 

Cllr Harriet Huntsman 

Mr Daniel Bancroft – Welbourn Parish Responsible Finance Officer 

Mr Jim Fieldhouse – Welbourn Parish Clerk

1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

2. Acceptance of reasons for absence 

Apologies were accepted from Cllr Harriet Huntsman, Mr Daniel Bancroft and Mr Jim Fieldhouse. Cllr Huntsman was absent due to work commitments and Mr Fieldhouse was on holiday. The reasons were accepted.  

3. Declaration of interest in any matter on the agenda 

No interests were declared. 

4. Notes of the last meeting held on 8 June 2022

These were proposed by Cllr Rod Storer, seconded by Cllr Chris Dixon and approved by unanimously. The Chair signed the notes as minutes. 

5. Matters arising - The Clerk is trying to ascertain the whereabouts of the title deeds of The Welbourn Forge. This matter will be carried forward as an agenda item for the next meeting. The insurance issue regarding Welbourn Forge has now been resolved. The Parish Clerk is awaiting a revised insurance policy schedule from Brokers AJG.  

6. Public Forum – No members of the public were present. 

7. County and District Councillors Updates

7.1 Cllr Lucille Hagues has already sent out her July newsletter which Councillors will have received. She updated the meeting on the planned road repairs on A17; A607; and A15. Up to date information on this is available at:
www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/roadworks

7.2 County and District Cllr Mrs Marianne Overton MBE gave her report: 

She has recently attended a conference in Harrogate regarding retrofitting. She hoped there would be: 

•   more money for council house building
•   that the rules for retro fitting would be eased. 

8. Beehive Well

Cllr Katie Stark said that the agreed work will either be completed on 25 July 2022 or sometime in August 2022 by the preferred contractor. All Councillors confirmed that they were happy for the work to proceed on this basis. 

9. Current and future maintenance responsibilities

9.1 Cllr Cross informed the meeting the estimate for clearing paths either side of Castle Hill and at the main entrance and gate as it’s overgrown with nettles and requires trimming back is for £350. 

9.2 Resolved: That this estimate by accepted and the contractor be requested to carry out the work as soon as possible.

9.3 The proposed work referred to at item 9.1. E in the 8 June 2022 minutes is still outstanding. 

10. Plant for the Planet 

10.1 Councillors considered the update and proposal submitted Plant for the Planet.

10.2 Councillor Stark proposed that the plan to extend the hedge separating the playing field (behind the children’s play equipment) and the adjoining paddock by 7 metres and that the Council approve the proposed application to the Woodland Trust be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Chris Dixon. The Council approved this unanimously and expressed thanks for the work already done.

11. Planning Applications

11.1 The following planning applications were considered by the Parish Council: 

a) Planning Application Reference: 22/0824/HOUS

Proposal: Erection of single storey side extension and replacement 1.5 storey garage at 7 Castle Hill Welbourn Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 0NF

The application says no trees are associated with the application, but this is not the case as the Tree Officer is aware of the big sycamore tree which we understand will require root protection stipulated in the work. There have been historic problems with the foul drain which leaves the property across the allotments. This is likely to be a building regulations concern. The Parish Council has no objection but ask that the above comments be noted. 

b) Planning Application Reference: 22/0830/LBC

Proposal: Replace 2 no. single-glazed timber windows on the rear elevation with uPVC double-glazed windows at 12 The Green Welbourn Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 0NJ

The planning application affects a listed building. The proposal to replace the current single glazed timber sash windows with double glazed uPVC windows contravenes the Welbourn Conservation Area Management Plan October 2021. It is possible to replace the current single glazed windows with double glazed timber framed windows. The Parish Council does not support the application in its current form. 

c) Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area Application reference: 22/0940/TCA The Old House , 1 The Green, Welbourn, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

Description of works: T1 (Removal of Pear Tree)  

The Parish Council has no objection to the proposed works. 

11.2 Resolved: That North Kesteven Planning be advised of the above comments.  

12. Finance

The following items were presented by Cllr Storer in the absence of the Recognised Finance Officer: 

12.1 Accounts Value (5 July)

12.2 Bank reconciled:      £0 discrepancy

12.3 Payments made since last meeting:

12.4 Known payments during July:

12.5 Known payments during August: 

12.5 Resolved by all Councillors: That these financial reports are noted and accepted. 

13. Portfolio Holders Update

13.1 At the last meeting it was agreed that cost benefit analysis presentations be made (see 12.8 of June 2022 minutes). 

13.2 Councillor Storer reported that quotations have been received from Eagle Electrical and DCR regarding the proposed installation of solar panels. It is expected that the installation of solar panels will reduce the Village Hall electricity bill substantially in view of the rising electricity prices. The quotations cannot be compared properly as one quote is for 30 solar panels and the other quote is for 80 panels. Cllr Storer said that he would ask DCR to provide a quote for the installation of 30 panels so an accurate comparison can be made and report back to the Parish Council. 

13.3 Cllr Storer presented the DCR quote for the installation of electric hook ups. The Councillors agreed that the quote was too expensive and agreed not to pursue this proposal any further. 

13.4 Councillor Beaty is still working on a quote to clear to clear The Beck (or pond adjacent the Village Hall). He will report back at the next meeting. 

13.5 Councillor Short reported that he still has further work on the proposal to extend the Village Hall car park. He is aware that there have been previous proposals to carry out similar work. He will report back at the next meeting.  

14. Updated Register of Interest Forms 

Five completed updated forms were handed to The Chair. The Chair thanked the Councillors for the completed forms. The Chair requested that the Clerk obtain the outstanding forms and then submit all forms to North Kesteven elections with the addresses redacted before they are posted on the Welbourn Parish Council website. 

15. Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan, Issues and Options

The Chair brought this item to the attention of all Parish Councillors advising that Lincolnshire Cunty Council have put out a call for possible sites for mineral extraction and waste disposal. 

16. Parish Council vacancy  

The NKDC Returning Officer has advised that there has not been a valid request to call an election and so the Council may now proceed to co-opt to fill the vacancy. The Parish Clerk has sent information regarding the eligibility requirements for the co-opted candidate together with the Acceptance of Office Form to all Councillors. Any new  co-opted Parish Councillor will be required to sign the New Model Codes of Conduct and Disclosure of Interests Forms. No persons have been approached so far.  

15. Meeting closed at 9.17pm

16. Next meeting Wednesday 14 September 2022

Future Parish Council Meetings: 

Portfolio Holders 2021 

Cllr Robert Cross portfolio is Byways/Highways, the Forge and Cliff Cluster group representative. 
Cllr Rod Storer has Drainage and is a member of the finance committee. 
Cllr Stephen Short has Planning, is Village Hall representative and on the HR committee. 
Cllr Katie Stark has communications, HR committee and relief Cliff Cluster representative. 
Cllr Jake Beaty has Allotments and Cliff Cluster representative The Forge.  
Cllr Kevin Dowling has Castle Hill. 
Cllr Harriet Huntsman is a member of the finance committee. 
Cllr Chris Dixon is a Village Hall representative.