October 2024 Minutes
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting on 10 October 2024 held at Westborough Village Hall at 7.30 pm
Present Cllrs B Lett (Chair), T Arnold, D Broomham, J Ford, J Forman, District Cllr P Wood, the clerk W McCallin and 4 members of the public.
55/24 Public Forum Comments were received on planning application for Wheatsheaf Cottage and how it will impact on the Wheatsheaf pub. An application to make The Wheatsheaf pub an Asset of Community Value was submitted to SKDC last week by a group of residents.
56/24 Apologies were received from Cllrs V Birnage, A Durham, County Cllr A Maughan
57/24 Minutes of the meeting on 11 July were confirmed by council and signed by the Chair.
58/24 Planning application S24/1476 at Wheatsheaf Cottage by Mr H Woodward
Councillors voted unanimously to object to the above application on grounds including: it contravenes SKDC local plan SP6 Community Services and Facilities; the future commercial viability of the pub is affected by removing the dining area and games/function room; the pub is an integral part of the fabric of village life for socialising; the pub is a hub for individual support in times of stress or crisis, it impacts on Heritage assets.
Council noted and endorsed the application submitted to SKDC last week that the Wheatsheaf Inn become an Asset of Community Value.
District Cllr P Wood offered to arrange a meeting with SKDC planning along with a few Parish Councillors to discuss the application and this was unanimously accepted by council.
59/24 Finance
Council approved payments to Community Heartbeat Trust of £69.54, volunteer mowing expenses for £61.85 for Dry Doddington, expenses of £150, £80 and £75 for Westborough volunteers, Clerk half yearly payment of £675 for salary and expenses
Payment already made to J Chandra for £160 for stump grinding
60/24 Flooding in Westborough
Cllrs resolved unanimously to write to the MP, Lincs County Council and the EA to express dissatisfaction and concern with the EA’s ability to adequately manage and mitigate flood risk.
61/24 District Councillors report - District Cllr Wood described the Meres Leisure Centre improvements, changing housing targets and the deal for Lincolnshire devolution.
County Cllr A Maughan’s written report was circulated and welcomed. Cllrs resolved to accept the offer of a parish walkabout with the Local Highways Manager.
62/24 Clerk’s report
a) Poor’s Land registration has been completed and the Parish Council has Possessory Title of the land. This can be upgraded to Absolute title after 12 years.
b) if the parish council funds extra litter bins SKDC are unable to empty them, only offer additional bags for collection if needed.
c) a planning update was given including the consultation for five new houses at Manor Farm, Dry Doddington.
d) adverts have been placed for a replacement clerk, closing date 30 November, 2 applications have been received to date.
63/24 Matters for urgent discussion without resolution
Fly tipping around the parish was discussed and reporting via ‘Fix My Street’ ongoing.
Council approved ongoing maintenance of the areas near Westborough river parking and the scutcheon footpath in Westborough.
64/24 Date of next meeting confirmed as – Thursday 30 January, 7.30pm, Dry Doddington Village Hall. The meeting closed at 8.50 pm
SIGNED DATE