Minutes January 2024
WITHERN WITH STAIN & TOTHILL PARISH COUNCIL
www.withernstain.uk
Parish Clerk: Email: parishclerkwithernstain@gmail.com
Sarah Kennett (parish clerk withern stain at gmail dot com)
Sarah Kennett Clerk and RFO
DRAFT MINUTES – Wednesday the 24th of January 2024
ATTENDEES: Cllr S Acklam, Cllr J Harvey- Brown, Cllr F Donner, Cllr A Jenkinson, Cllr G Henderson-Blair
Others: Sarah Kennett, Cllr T Hesketh (ELDC), Cllr Noi Sear (LCC), 5 members of the public
Meeting Opened at 19:00 with the public meeting:
A public member brought up that the pavements near Whitethorn Way are uneven and potholes, not safe for any residents who are not secure on their feet. Cllr Sear has a meeting in two weeks with the highway manager. She will bring this to her attention: The tarmac is uneven and has potholes. The other thing to do is to put this onto Fix My Street and pictures. This is even better. The more people that put this onto Fix My Street, the better.
92. Apologies for absences: none received
93. Review of declarations of interest: nothing to declare
94. Co-option of new council members: We still have one vacancy on the council.
95. Correspondence
a. Devolution consultation – please give feedback by the 28th of January 2024. Do we want to put in a Parish Council response?
i. RESOLVED: The council can see there is no point to this. A brief note is to be sent to say this. Copy in Cllr Hesketh RESOLVED Approved, Proposed: AJ Seconded: JHB
b. Grimsby to Walpole National Grid
c. Parishioner – state of kerb sides in the village – contacted highways, and nothing can be done at present.
96. To approve the minutes of the previous meeting – the 12th of December 2023
a. RESOLVED Approved, Proposed: SA Seconded: JHB
97. Update from those minutes
a. Theddlethorpe – no new meetings since the last Parish Council meeting
b. There is a clause in the community partnership to test for public engagement throughout the process. The doorstep process showed that only a third of the public was for the GDF site.
98. Updates from EDLC and LCC representatives
a. Cllr T Hesketh ELDC
i. I proposed two motions to the council, a plan for what would happen to the site, but it was rejected. The second motion asks the community what their opinion is of the GDF instead of 2027. This was voted down. As constituents, we are not informed enough to make a decision about the GDF at this point in time.
ii. Footpaths that may be lost need to be claimed. We need to ensure that they are not lost.
iii. Devolution meeting in the council this week. Please have your say on devolution.
iv. Alternatives to being placed on the Theddlethorpe site are being explored.
b. Cllr N Sear LCC
i. Devolution meetings in the area over the past week. Cllr Sear feels that this is a waste of money.
ii. Dentist coming to Mablethorpe.
99. Financial:
a. To approve/pay the following and confirm the online payment with signature:
i. Clerk Salary - January £122.80
ii. Village Hall Hire £105
b. RESOLVED Approved, Proposed: AJ Seconded: FD
100. Precept and Budget – To agree on the precept and budget for 2024/2025 – Update on the tax base, so we need to re-approve this.
a. RESOLVED: Approved the precept of £3220.48 for 2024. 6% increase on the tax base of 128, down five from last year. RESOLVED: Approved by all.
101. Speed watch update
a. The weather has stopped events taking place at the moment. Any volunteers always welcome. We have tried to get a van but can’t get one.
102. Grimsby to Walpole National grid upgrade
a. Link on the Parish website to the National grid pages
b. Feedback is being asked for from all
c. Events planned and information centres:
i. Alford Corn Exchange on the 10th of February, 11 am – 5 pm
ii. Webinars – Monday 29th January and Monday 5th February 2 pm
iii. Local information point – Louth Library, Alford Library and Skegness Library
d. This is being done under National infrastructure decided by the secretary of state.
e. We feel that there is little opportunity to stop it; we feel that this should be underground. The cost for the overhead line is £2 Billion, offshore £9 Billion, and onshore underground £13 Billion.
f. The points we would like to raise as reasons for this to be underground. This needs to be coordinated with all Parish Councils in the area.
i. Already set a precedent with Viking Link and Triton Knoll to protect the aesthetics and natural environment. This would be a waste of funds if they now go ahead with overground pylons.
ii. AONB we are the closest point to the Wolds. The view to and from the AONB would be compromised.
iii. Prime agricultural land would be taken up with pylons
iv. Local wildlife – fishing ponds and overflow used by geese and herons. They are low-flying at dusk.
v. The health hazards caused by living by the pylons are caused by EM overhead cables.
vi. Detrimental to mental health to destroy the local amenities and aesthetics.
vii. Three infrastructure projects are going on: an underground pipeline, the upgrade of the national grid and a rail transport link. Have they discussed this with each other?
viii. If this is a national infrastructure project, this should be a national cost, not just a Lincolnshire cost of land and amenities.
ix. Routes have been changed in other areas, with people voicing opinions in other areas.
RESOLVED: PC is to send a letter to all members of the Parish with points from above, along with the feedback form and details of how to send this in. Letter to be sent to Victoria Atkins. Letter to National Grid.
Approved: All agreed.
Cllr Hesketh and Cllr Sear – will raise at both ELDC and LCC.
103. Litter Pick
a. The 9th of March 2024, 10 am, Village Hall
104. Flooding at the end of Chalk Lane
a. Keep putting it on Fix My Street
b. Keep taking photos; this has been a persistent problem for years.
c. Should ask highways for flooding when this occurs – will enquire about the best cause of action.
d. Find a Schedule for the gully tankers to be around in the village.
105. Any other matters for inclusion in the following agenda
a. Councillor Grants from ELDC
b. Red Lion meeting regarding the moving of the village hall and sale of goods from the Red Lion
106. Dates of next meetings:
a. The 5th of March 2024
b. The 16th of April 2024
c. The 28th of May 2024
Meeting Closed 8.15pm.