Minutes December 2023
WITHERN WITH STAIN & TOTHILL PARISH COUNCIL
www.withernstain.uk
MINUTES 12th December 2023
Attendees: Cllr Simon Acklam (chair), Cllr Jackie Harvey, Cllr Fred Donner,
Others: Cllr Noi Sear, Cllr Travis Hesketh, Sarah Kennett, two members of the public
73. Apologies for absences: Cllr Alan Jenkinson
74. Review of declarations of interest
75. Co-option of new members of the council:
RESOLVED: Co-opted Danny Snell unanimous vote
76. Election of Vice Chair: Cllr Jackie Harvey Brown put forward
RESOLVED: Cllr Fred Donner Proposed, Cllr Simon Acklam Seconded
77. Correspondence
a. Almhouses request for Trustee – Cllr Gillian Henderson Blair has put herself forward for this
b. Devolution of Greater Lincolnshire – consultation underway – link for the parish to view the information on devolution, finishes the 29th of January 2024
c. Support for Flooding from Victoria Atkins – point any persons affected by the floods to the clerk for details
78. To approve the minutes of the previous meeting – the 19th of September 2023 (meeting the 31st of October 2023 cancelled due to illness)
RESOLVED: Proposed Cllr Acklam Seconded Cllr Donner
79. Update from those minutes
a. Theddlethorpe – network rail information has been published for the GDF; Cllr Acklam discussed the public publication of the possible routes for the train lines. A passenger service doesn’t seem likely without funding from the GDF. The land would need to be acquired along with the construction of these train lines. There is very little public information coming from NWS. There is information provided to NWS from network rail that has not been made public about the rail links.
b. They want to start a consultation on visioning. What would they want for the area if it was ever to go ahead? The last one completed for Lincolnshire County Council said that people did not wish to change.
c. The test of public support is not being done at the moment. The suggestion has been made that Parish councils run a survey of the parish. The doorstep survey is being completed instead of the meetings on the 1st and 7th of December in Theddlethorpe and Withern. These meetings were cancelled as they were concerned about large numbers attending.
d. Yonder Services is conducting a telephone survey for NWS. 45 minutes long.
e. Cllr Acklam is trying to find out the timelines for the boor holes to be drilled. He would like the survey to be completed before this is done.
80. Updates from EDLC and LCC representatives
a. Travis Hesketh (ELDC)
i. One of the areas proposed for GDF Millham has tested public support, and 80% rejected this.
ii. The raw data from the survey shows that data was changed for opinions for or against the GDF.
iii. Travis feels that there is a lack of democracy in this process, Travis has tried to put some motions into the council. 1. To ask for a test of public support deemed unlawful; 2. To conduct a referendum. This was deemed unlawful.
iv. He has now put in two other proposals – one for ELDC to test for the public to show what they would like the Gas site to be developed into. The conservative members are opposing this.
v. The second motion is to have a public consultation on the GDF to inform public opinion. Conservative members are opposing this.
vi. Travis Hesketh has applied to be a co-opted member of the Community Partnership.
vii. He has also put two questions for the leader of the Community Partnership. 1. How do we get to a test of public support? 2. Can he prove that this is a willing community?
viii. Cllr Simon Acklam is proposing that a pre-paid envelope be used in the next voice issue to get a test of public support for this process.
b. Cllr Noi Sear (LCC) – information about devolution.
i. The clerk has forwarded the newsletter.
ii. Update on the speed limit – this is not going to take place; this is not built up enough to warrant the extension of the 30 mph zone.
iii. Zebra Crossing is set to be put in place in front of the school.
iv. Extra money has been put into the development of the highway.
v. Carbon capture appears to be going ahead. The GDF and carbon capture can work side by side.
vi. Travis Hesketh has expressed concerns over the safety of the carbon capture pipeline due to the depth of the pipeline. Harbour Energy is waiting for a government subsidy.
81. Planning applications – Woodthorpe, Application reference N/171/02025/23
a. More detailed application for the expansion of the lodges. No comments are to be made
82. Financial:
a. Income – VAT return 22/23 - £30
b. To approve/pay the following and confirm the online payment with signature:
i. Clerk Salary - October £114.80
ii. Clerk Salary – November £114.80
iii. Clerk Salary – December (Backpay) £195.00
iv. HMRC Oct, November December £30.60
v. SID - solar panel £264 (incl VAT)
vi. ICO Fee (DD) £35
vii. Signs for notice board £180 (including VAT)
(Pre-approved confirming paid)
viii. ELDC election fee £48.50
(Approved via email)
ix. Robert Aldrich grounds £413.50
x. British Legion Wreath £30
RESOLVED: Proposed Cllr Acklam, Seconded Cllr Jackie Harvey Brown that all paid and approved
83. Savings accounts for funds – to agree to place funds into an interest-gaining savings account.
a. Proposal to put 75% of the surplus funds into an instant access saving account. Secure Trust Bank paying 4.9%
RESOLVED: Approved getting this set up in the most appropriate way: Proposed Cllr Acklam, Seconded Cllr Donner.
84. New signs have been purchased for the notice board. – Celebrate the coronation and sign for the top of the board. Cllr Donner has put them on the notice board.
85. Precept and Budget – To agree on the precept and budget for 2024/2025
a. Cllr Acklam has proposed 6% increase on the precept for 2024/2025
b. RESOLVED: Voted approved by all Councillors
86. Speed watch update – Update from training on the 28th of October 2023
a. The weather has stopped many sessions from taking place
b. Four sessions have taken place. Gold lane is showing 15 – 20% of cars speeding, and we have had cars speeding as fast as 60 mph in the village
c. The trainer was ex-police service.
d. Cllr Noi Sear has asked the Speedwatch co-ordinator to send the information about where the van should be placed in the village.
e. Cllr Simon Acklam has asked for the name of the person in the council responsible for speed watch and van allocation.
f. Cllr Travis Hesketh has pointed out two areas that are key – flooding opposite Chalk Lane and the corner of Alford Road.
g. Need to report by fix my street. – Put on the next newsletter.
87. Red Lion Development update – any further developments
a. A meeting between the developers and the village hall committee has been held to talk through the proposal for a potential new village hall.
b. The rental was £35,000 per year for the land to be used.
c. The 9th of January is a meeting for the NWS funding for the Village Hall.
d. The clerk has advised that the local plan should be applied to any applications as they are put through.
88. Bus Shelter refurbishments – Update from Cllr Henderson Blair
a. The bus shelter has been refurbished.
89. Remembrance donation – Cost to make £20; Cllrs need to agree on the donation amount.
RESOLVED: Put up to £30, approved by all.
90. Any other matters for inclusion in the following agenda:
a. Flooding on the main road
91. Dates of next meetings:
a. The 23rd of January 2024
b. The 5th of March 2024
c. The 16th of April 2024
d. The 28th of May 2024
Meeting closed 20:15pm