2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir Parish Council

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at Woolsthorpe Social Club

Monday 15 January 2024

Present

Cllr Packer
Cllr Bradshaw
Cllr Duff
Janet Morton - Clerk

Guests

DC Rob Leadenham
DC Mark Whittington
2 Villagers

Public Forum

Concern was raised about Castle Farm regarding the entrance for the children’s home.  Rather than through the farmyard it should have a separate entrance.  It appears the planning has been approved without a change of entrance.

It was raised that there have been several controversial planning applications that the parish council has not made representations against.  This has upset many of the residents as they had promised to do so. 

1.   WELCOME REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR

Cllr Packer welcomed everyone to the meeting

2.   APOLOGIES: TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND REASONS GIVEN

Cllr McCallion – sick

It was resolved to accept the reason given for absence – all agreed

3.   TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011

No declarations of Member interests in relation to agenda items were received.

No requests for dispensations from Members were received.

4.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was resolved to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 6 November 2023 – all agreed
   
5.   RESIGNATION

The resignation of Cllr McPhilbin was received by the council.  It was sadly accepted. 

A final date for working for the Parish Council has been given as Annual Parish Council Meeting by the Clerk. 

The Chair thanked both Cllr McPhilbin and Janet Morton for all their support whilst they have been with the council.

6.   PLANNING

S23/1711 Permission Granted
Date Registered: 9th October 2023
Applicant: Mr Dominic Baldwin
Proposal: Submission of details required by condition 4 (materials) of S23/0877
Location: Greyhound Cottage Main Street Woolsthorpe By Belvoir

S23/2050 Permission Granted
Date Received: 7th November 2023
Applicant: Ms Collard
Proposal: Section 211 notice to remove Crab Apple (T1), to prune Apple (T2), to remove Norway Maple and Norway Spruce (T3 and T4).
Location: Vitamin Cottage Main Street Woolsthorpe By Belvoir Lincolnshire NG32 1LY

S23/1812 Permission Granted
Date Received: 2nd October 2023
Applicant: Mr Sercan Sozugecen
Proposal: Change of use of dwellinghouse from Use Class C3 to a 
therapeutic children's home for up to 4 no. children, with carers 
accommodation (Use Class C2).
Location: Castle Farm Main Street
Woolsthorpe By Belvoir Lincolnshire NG32 1NN

S23/2241 Approved
Applicant: Miss Remy Simon 
Proposal: Section 211 notice in relation to pruning T1 Apple 
Location: Rose Cottage, Main Street, Woolsthorpe By Belvoir, Lincolnshire, NG32 1LY 
App Type: Trees in CA - Section 211 Notice

S23/2267
Applicant: Mrs Nolan
Proposal: Section 211 notice in relation to T1 - Hornbeam - reduce to approximately 3m monolith
Location: The Rectory, Rectory Lane, Woolsthorpe By Belvoir, Lincolnshire, NG32 1NF
App Type: Trees in CA - Section 211 Notice
Proposed Prohibition of driving – The Drift & Sewstern Lane
SKDC Funding Workshop
Update on Recycling Bin Collections
D Day 80th Years 6 June 2024

It was discussed that the Church Farm application appears to have been accepted without a separate driveway to the property.  When representatives from Belvoir Castle attended the previous meeting they had agreed that a separate entrance was required and would make sure this was on the planning application. The councillors are very concerned due to the chemicals and farm equipment kept via the current access to the house.  DC Mark Whittington informed the council that Matthew Johnstone at SKDC was the person to send complaints regarding lack of a new drive.

7.   CLERKS REPORT

Correspondence.

Household Support funding in South Kesteven
Post-Parish Council Engagement Session - 7th December 2023 - Presentation and Recording
Selling alcohol at Fundraising Events
Storm Henk
Flood Guidance
Greater Lincolnshire Devolution Consultation

Finance

Income was noted since 6 November 2023 as outlined in the respective Finance Reports 

It was resolved to approve the expenditure since 6 November 2023 as outlined in the respective Finance Reports – all agreed

It was resolved to approve Quarter 3 Accounts – all agreed

It was resolved to approve the budget to date – all agreed

Precept

After reviewing the budget for the next financial year it was agreed with one abstention to increase the precept to £13,000 for 2024/5.  This is an increase of 30% for Band D properties.  This is necessary due to the council having no reserves due to overspending in previous years.  It is now essential that the reserves are recouped to keep the council financially viable. Also monies need to be ringfenced towards the replacement of equipment in the play area.  Without being able to show that the council has some money towards the new equipment it will not be able to apply for grants.

It is hoped that there should be no reason to increase the precept again in the near future.  

It was agreed to donate £25 to the Village Shop towards the cost of electric used for the Christmas tree lighting.

8.   DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

Planning and licensing concerns were raised by DC Rob Leadenham within Woolsthorpe especially about the access for Church Farm.  

The Forbidden Forest Licencing application is being held next week.  DC Leadenham has put representations in as a District Councillor for the Belvoir Ward.  However none were received from Woolsthorpe Parish Council.

The Wedding Venue – The planning committee agreed to 13 weekends, no fireworks or drones, no weddings to be booked when a big event is on at the castle. A 12-month temporary licence has been granted.  This will be reviewed in 12 months’ time.  If no complaints are received during that time full planning will automatically be given.  However, if complaints are received from residents regarding any issues with the event it will be reviewed and reconsidered.  Therefore it is essential that if residents have concerns they must write or email to SKDC planning.

Community Speedwatch – DC Leadenham is currently looking at 2 possible dates which are both on Thursdays in February.  It is most likely to be held at Barrowby in the evening. 

During a meeting with the Castle and organisers of the Forbidden Forest it was agreed that there would be extra police presence, drone watching and police outriders.  The Traffic management plan has been asked for but so far has been refused.
   
9.    HIGHWAYS

Monthly data from the speed cameras – Cllr Packer has now got the instructions and will get the information downloaded in the warmer weather.  The data will only provide information of vehicles entering the village from the direction of Belvoir Castle.

Proposed Prohibition of driving along The Drift and Sewstern Lane.  Consultation will be published very soon which will allow residents to put their opinions forward.  If there is enough response it is hoped that it will be downgraded to prevent off roaders both 4 and 2 wheeled from using.

Fix my Street should be used to report potholes, lighting problems, flooding, and overgrown hedges.  When you log on to the site it gives you the list of things that can be reported.
   
10.   DEFIBRILLATOR AND FIRST RESPONSE TRAINING

Malcolm Duff volunteered to take over the regular checks of the defibrillator in the red phone box. 

11.   VALE PLANNING GROUP

Cllr Duff volunteered to become the Woolsthorpe PC representative.
   
12.   AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Parish council planning representation

Julie Duff to become the planning representative

Pot hole representative

13.   DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING   

Monday 4 March

Closed Session if required