2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Welbourn Parish Council

MINUTES OF WELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 10 JULY 2024 IN THE WELBOURN VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT 

Not Present

. Chairman’s welcome

2. Acceptance of reasons for absence 

2.1 Apologies were received from Cllr Stark (illness), Cllr. Troy (prior engagement), Cllr. Huntsman (prior engagements) and Cllr Overton (delayed on train). 

3. Declaration of interest in any matter on the agenda - None declared 

4. Notes of meetings held on 12 June 2024 to be approved as minutes. Proposed by Cllr Spedding and seconded by Cllr Crosby after deletion of “Annual” in heading.

4.1 Resolved: That these be accepted as minutes of the meeting. 

5. Clerk’s Report on matters outstanding from 12 June 2024 meeting: 

5.1 Regarding item 6.4 an email from the Parish Council has been sent to the resident stating that the Parish Council is in contact with NKDC and at the village curtilage currently remains as per the adopted Welbourn Neighbourhood Development Plan. 

5.2 The questionnaire received from the Valuation Office Agency concerning The Forge, has been completed and returned. 

5.3 Re items 9.2 and 9.4, the resident has been informed that the Parish Council will be taking no further action

5.4 Re item 9.11, Taylor Lindsey have been thanked for erecting the Lincolnshire run style fence. 

5.5 Re item 9.13, the footpath officer has agreed to clear the blocked footpath which runs on top of the railway embankment

5.6 Re item 9.15 the Environment Agency has been requested to provide advice and guidance. The Council has been promised a response by 31 July 2024. 

5.7 The Parish Clerk proposed that a letter be sent to all riparian owners before Autumn to remind them of their responsibilities so as to mitigate against the chances of flooding incidents.

5.8 Resolved: That the Parish Clerk write to all riparian owners as requested.  

5.9 The Parish Clerk and Chair have received a resignation email from Jake Beaty. The Council expressed its thanks for the help and service Cllr Beaty has given the Council during his term in office.  

6. Public Forum - No public present. 

7. County and District Councillors update 

(The newsletters from Cllrs Hagues and Overton have been circulated to all Parish Councillors.)

7.1 Cllr. Hagues said that she had nothing further to add.

8. Current and future maintenance responsibilities 

8.1 Three quotations and one estimate received for the repair of the wooden pedestrian bridge at Castle Hill were carefully considered. 

8.2 Resolved: That the estimate from Nic Barker be accepted subject to it being confirmed as a quote. 

8.3 The Parish Clerk requested authorisation to obtain quotes for sundry repairs to seats, tree works and landscaping.

8.4 Resolved: That the Parish Clerk obtain 3 quotes for authorised items of work. 

8.5 Cllr Bighi highlighted that North Kesteven Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) may be open to fund the costs associated with the repairs to: 

•   Installation of Footbridge Repairs at Castle Hill
•   Refurbishment of Tennis Courts at Welbourn Playing Field
•   Restoration of Welbourn Village Duck Pond
•   Procurement of 3 x New Benches for these spaces

8.6 Resolved: That Cllr Bighi explore this and report back. 

9. Planning Matters to consider and discuss: 

9.1 Notification of Receipt of Planning Application

Planning Application Reference: 24/0700/FUL
Proposal: Erection of 1no. dwelling and demolition of storage building.
Location: Garden Of 31 The Green Welbourn Lincoln LN5 0NJ 9.2 Resolved: That the Parish Council supports this application. 

9.3 Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area.

Application reference: 24/0805/TCA
Description of works: T1 - Cherry – fell; T2 - Damson - fell
Location: 10 The Green, Welbourn, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN5 0NJ

9.4 Resolved: That the Parish Council supports this request. 

10. Notifications of Planning Decisions: 

10.1 Application Reference: 24/0537/LBC – Approved by NK Planning

Proposal: Replace windows and door to the rear with timber double glazed units and install an exterior wall light to the front of the property.
Location: End Cottage 18 The Green Welbourn 10.2 Application Reference: 24/0490/LBC – Approved by NK Planning
Proposal: Replace two single glazed Georgian sliding-sash timber windows to rear with two double glazed Georgian sliding-sash timber windows
Location: 12 The Green Welbourn Lincoln 

(Cllr Hagues left the meeting at 8.30 pm)

11. Finance Report: - From the Responsible Finance Officer (RFO): - To review bank balances, invoices paid since last meeting since, items to be paid before next meeting, and quarter end report: -

11.1 Accounts value (4 July 2024):

(These were crossed checked against bank statements by Cllr Short.)  

11.2 Bank reconciled:    £0 discrepancy.

11.3 Payments made since 12 June 2024

11.4 Payments received since last meeting: 

11.5 Expected payments within the next meeting (10 July 2024): 

11.6 Budget comparison for Quarter 1

Total budget: £29,148.60

Anticipated budget spend: £7,287.15 (03/12)

Actual budget spend: £7,807.61 (7% Over Budget)

Spend against budget by area:

(£1,054.04 Spent on FCC project, this is a capital expense and has not been included in the comparison.)

11.7 Resolved: That the Parish Council notes and accepts the information in Items 11.1 -11.6 above. 

12. Feedback report on the solar farms’ questionnaire – Parish Clerk 

12.1 Of the 320 questionnaires sent out, 44 responses were received by the deadline date of 30 June 2024. The response rate was therefore 14%. The results of the responses are contained in Appendix 1. 

12.2 Resolved: These responses will be used by Welbourn Parish Council when it provides comments on the formal planning applications for the solar farms when they are submitted. 

13. Portfolio Holders Updates: Cllr Short advised that the next meeting of the Village Hall and Playing Field Committee will take place on 29 July 2024.  

14. Agenda items for the next meeting: Deed of Trust Update. 

Meeting closed at 9.20 pm. 

Next meeting:

Wednesday 11 September 2024

Copies to: Parish Councillors, County & District Councillors, Parish Council Web Site.

Future Parish Council Meetings in 2024:  All meetings to commence at 7.30 pm

Appendix 1

Results of the Solar Farm Questionnaire from Welbourn Households – June 2024 

320 questionnaires were distributed. 44 responses were received. Response rate = 14%

1   How concerned are you about the Springwell Solar Farm and Fosse Green Solar and Energy Storage Developments?  (Where 1 is not concerned and 5 is very concerned.)  

2   Which of these are most important?  (Where 1 is not concerned and 5 is very concerned.)  

Loss of agricultural land and food security 

Loss of countryside heritage

Visual impact of substation, pylons, or panels in open countryside

Large lithium battery storage units

Pylons connecting the solar industrial development to the proposed substation at Navenby?

Impact of digging underground cables up the cliff edge

Expensive, long Government contracts on quickly outdated construction.

3   Do you think that the use of solar on industrial roofs and brownfield sites should be urgently prioritised?   Yes/No   

Number responding Yes = 32       Number responding No = 10

4   Should there be government incentives to encourage more use of solar on existing residential properties? Yes/No

Number responding Yes = 33       Number responding No = 8 

5   The ownership of these projects can change quickly with overseas ownership, reducing UK control and influence. Are you concerned about this?  (Where 1 is not concerned and 5 is very concerned.)  

NB Total responses will not always correspond with total number returns as not all questions were answered.