2022 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Welbourn Parish Council

Welbourn Parish Council Meeting 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2022 IN THE WELBOURN VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 p.m. 

PRESENT 

District Councillor Mrs Lucille Hagues
Mr Jim Fieldhouse – Parish Clerk
A Welbourn resident
Not Present 

1. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

2. Acceptance of reasons for absence 

Apologies were accepted from Cllr Harriet Huntsman, Cllr Stephen Short, Cllr Katie Stark.  Cllr Huntsman is absent due another Monday evening commitment; Cllr Short is away; Cllr Stark is attending a Health and Safety conference involving an overnight stay. These 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 13 July 2022

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

5. Matters Arising – None

6. Public Forum – The Parish Clerk introduced Mr Michael Bighi who has put himself forward to become a member of Welbourn Parish Council. Cllr Jake Beaty proposed that Mr Bighi become a member of Welbourn Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr Robert Cross. There was a unanimous vote in favour of co-opting Mr Bighi to the Council. Mr Bighi then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. 

7. County and District Councillors update

Cllr Lucille Hagues stated that she had nothing further to add to her recent newsletter which had already been circulated to Members. 

8. Current and Future maintenance responsibilities

a) A section of the perimeter fencing to the moat at Castle Hill adjacent 6 Castle Hill is dilapidated and requires replacing. 

b) The moat in the vicinity of the broken fencing is clogged up and requires clearing. 

c) One of the risers on steps from High Street to Castle Hill has become dislodged and has been removed. This requires repairing. 

d) The waste bin / litter bin attached to the handrail at the top of the steps from High Street to Castle Hill is broken and needs replacing and relocating at the foot of the steps. 

e) Four of five steps from the garage compound on Dycote Lane to the railway embankment are sagging at an unsafe angle and need levelling. 

8.1 Proposed and resolved by a unanimous vote: That a reliable known contractor be engaged to carry out the above repairs with the expectation that the charge should not exceed £350. 

(Cllr Hagues left the meeting) 

9. Proposed Volunteer Policy

The Clerk explained that this policy needs to be introduced to comply with our insurers requirements. The policy has been developed in consultation with volunteers at Welbourn Forge. The policy will regularise recruitment of all volunteers to Welbourn Parish Council. 

9.1 Proposed and resolved by a unanimous vote: That the Volunteer Policy be adopted by the Council. 

10. Proposed Safeguarding Policy

The Clerk explained that the policy needs to be introduced to comply with our insurers requirements. The policy has been developed in consultation with volunteers at Welbourn Forge. 

10.1 Proposed and resolved by a unanimous vote: That the Safeguarding Policy be adopted by the Council. 

11. The Forge – anticipated expenditure

11.1 The volunteers at Welbourn Forge have reviewed the fire protection arrangements and the Health and Safety arrangements. The volunteers have requested that the Parish Council provide the following: 

a)   Firefighting equipment from Lindum Fire Services – £130.74

b)   Accident book - £4

c)   Basic Health and Safety Training – estimated at £60 plus VAT per person for two people.

11.2 The volunteers have also requested approval to purchase a granite plaque 300cm X 200 cm honouring Mr Bill Goodhand Dec’d to be placed at Welbourn Forge. The quote for this is £197.21 plus VAT. 

11.3 Proposed and resolved by a unanimous vote:  That the expenditure outlined above be approved. 

12. Plant for the Planet update

12.1 Following the approval given by the Parish Council at the July 2022 meeting to apply to the Woodland Trust for a Free Community Tress pack, an application was made and then approved on 9 August 2022. The pack of 30 small hedge saplings is expected to be delivered between 31.10.2022 and 11.11.2022.

12.2 Proposed and resolved: That the update be noted. 

13. Planning Applications – none to consider

14. Notification of Planning Decisions made by North Kesteven District Council. 

The Council discussed a query received from a resident in respect of 22/0610/FUL.

14.1 Proposed and resolved: That the Parish Council note the following planning decisions: 

Application references: 22/0250/VARCON; 22/0610/FUL; 22/0830/LBC; 22/0695/FUL; 22/0685/FUL

15. Finance

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

15.1 Accounts Value (4 September 2022)

15.2 Bank reconciled: £0 discrepancy

15.3 Payments made since last meeting: 

15.4 Payments expected before next meeting: 

15.5 Available funds comparison projection: 

15.6 Proposed and resolved by unanimous vote: That these financial reports are noted and accepted. 

16. Portfolio holders’ update

16.1 Cllr Jake Beaty requested that the Parish Clerk confirm the rent arrears due on the allotment holders accounts with the Responsible Finance Officer and dispatch letter(s) requesting prompt payment. 

16.2 Cllr Robert Cross stated that he had received complaints from residents concerning boundary hedges impinging on the public pathway. This makes it difficult for wheelchair users, mobility scooter users and people pushing pushchairs use the footpath. These footpath users must step on to the road which could be unsafe. Three properties have been identified. The Chair requested that the Parish Clerk write letters to the owners of these properties requesting that the hedges be cut back to enable safe passage along the footpath. 

16.3 Cllr Rod Storer requested that the Parish Clerk write to all Welbourn farmers reminding them to ensure all ditches are clear prior to the Winter season

16.4 Proposed and resolved by unanimous vote: That the Parish Clerk arranges for these letters to be sent. 

17. Proposed solar panel and battery installation for Welbourn Village Hall

17.1 Cllr Rod Storer pointed out that Welbourn Parish Council has a healthy balance in savings. He recommended that it would be prudent to invest in solar panels and battery installation for the Village Hall. The Parish Council discussed at length the costs and benefits of this proposal. The proposed installation would be likely offset the anticipated increase in electricity charges which the Village Hall Committee is responsible for. 

17.2 Proposed and resolved by a majority vote: That Welbourn Parish Council be prepared to fund the installation of 30 solar panels and 2 batteries at Welbourn Village Hall subject to Welbourn Village Hall Committee reimbursing Welbourn Parish Council the cost of the battery installation (anticipated cost range £5k - £8k). 

17.3 Proposed and resolved by a unanimous vote: That the Parish Council consider the following at the next Parish Council meeting: 

a)   The response from the Village Hall Committee to the above resolution at 17.2.

b)   Decide whether or not the proceed with the proposed solar panel and battery installation with the benefit of up to date quotes for the work. 

18. Litter picking grant

18.1 A litter picking grant is available from North Kesteven District Council. The Parish Council considered the conditions attaching to the grant application. 

18.2 Proposed and resolved by a unanimous vote: That the Parish Clerk apply for the litter picking grant. 

!9. Completion of police survey forms

These were handed to the Parish Clerk. 

20. Meeting closed at 9.20 pm. 

21. Next meeting Wednesday 12 October 2022

Copies to:

All Parish Councillors; County & District Councillors. 
Parish Council Web Site. 
Future Parish Council Meetings: 

Portfolio Holders 2022 

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. 
Cllr Michael Bighi – Schools Liaison Lead