2023 Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Parish Council meeting 18th October 2023 at 7.15pm

held at Mareham le Fen Community Centre

Present: Cllrs L. Thomas (in the Chair), M. Foster, V.Fleet, W.Gray.

Not Present: Cllr M.Percival

Clerk:    A. Everard

Members of Public present: Two

Public Forum

• Gleeson’s development is still ongoing and ELDC report that if no response they may consider the application withdrawn.  A  question about proposed streetname ‘Woodhall Grove’ highlighted that ELDC had commended St Helen’s Drive for approval by 28/10/23 to the developer.

178/23. Apologies for absence with reason given 

Cllr M.Percival apologised for her absence due to other commitments and it was proposed Cllr Thomas, seconded Cllr Fleet and unanimously RESOLVED to accept the apologies from Cllr Percival.  

179/23. Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and requests for dispensations.

None

180/23. To receive the draft minutes to be approved as the minutes of the meeting held on 16th August 2023 and 28th September 2023.

Proposed Cllr Foster, seconded Cllr Thomas and unanimously approved RESOLVED to adopt the minutes of 16th August 2023 and 28th September meetings.

181/23. Matters arising from the minutes of 16th August and 28th September 2023 and Clerk’s updates not already on this agenda.

None

182/23. To receive and note correspondence from LALC ENews (two-weekly), LALC Training Bulletin (monthly), LCC and ELDC Newsletters, ELDC media releases.

Noted.

183/23. ELDC and LCC councillors invited to make verbal or written reports on local matters.

Cllr Foster noted that no progress had been made on the two long-outstanding planning applications but would chase up Cllr Gray reported in writing on Lincolnshire County Council matters and highlighted Call Connect capped at £2 a trip and Coastal Country Park renamed Elizabeth County Park and Up Broadband is operating in Horncastle and might be suitable for Mareham le Fen if BT Openreach is not making progress to upgrade to Fibre.

184/23. To consider and comment with material considerations on any local planning matters as a statutory consultee and to note decisions made by East Lindsey District Council

S/114/01809/22 - LAND EAST OF SHERATON, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN - Planning Permission - Erection of 30no. dwellings and construction of a vehicular access

No update.

S/114/00477/23 - MEMORIAL LAWN, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, PE22 7RL - Outline erection of 2no. dwellings 

No update.

S/114/01789/23 - MAREHAM LE FEN VILLAGE HALL, MAIN STREET, MAREHAM LE FEN, PE22 7RW - Reserved Matters application relating to the erection of a bungalow, existing building on site to be demolished. (outline planning permission ref no. S/114/01098/22 outline erection of a bungalow, granted 2nd August 2022)

It was proposed Cllr Foster, seconded Cllr Fleet and unanimously RESOLVED to ‘Support’ the application and delegated to the Clerk to submit the comments regarding the bus stop, appearance, effect on neighbouring properties.

S/114/01837/23 – BIRKWOOD HALL, BIRKWOOD LANE, MAREHAM LE FEN, BOSTON, PE22 7RY – Planning Permission – Erection of 1no. field shelter for cattle – NEW

Awaiting ELDC decision – no update.

185/23.  To consider and approve financial matters

1. To approve expenditure on the payments schedule.

2. To note the bank statement balances and bank reconciliation.

The clerk was awaiting latest bank statement. Deferred

3. To consider initial budget proposals for 2024-25 financial year.

No update on the previous month’s deliberations.

186/23. Highways

a) To receive updates, consider and approve spending, training preparation and volunteer co-ordination for Community Speedwatch.

Training being booked for Community Speedwatch and will be announced on Facebook and the website.

b) To consider updates to LCC Highways faults and issues list, Fix My Street and other highway matters.

Issues regarding Watery Lane logged on FixMyStreet. A resident has requested if the 30mph zone could be extended beyond the current location to the bend.  Cllr Gray will take forward.

c) To note any issues arising from the closure of Horncastle Road to Wood Enderby.

All signs removed and road re-opened.

d) To note any issues arising from the Gleesons site, highways and public rights of way.

Tree will be installed. The fence has been removed. Question raised as to who will maintain it.

187/23. To consider and approve memorials for erection in the cemetery.

None

188/23 To consider appointments to external bodies, groups and to receive reports.                                                          

Councillors reported that the group was discussing funding with other bodies and advisors.

189/23 To consider and approve the steps to be taken to recruit candidates for co-option to the parish council and to consider any co-options.

None

190/23.  Training Bookings to be approved.

None

191/23a). To receive update on the purchase of the 0.22acres of land to extend the cemetery and next steps.

No update.

191/23b) To receive update on installation of the defibrillator in Tumby Woodside.

The clerk is seeking an electrician. Local residents are putting in the frame to hold it.

192/23. To consider and approve any amendments regarding enhancing bio-diversity in the parish.

The parish council approved of developing an area in the Cemetery to allow the grass to be uncut for part of a season and would consider if there were any verges that grass-cutting could have reduced cuts to allow grass and flowers to grow for part of the season. This would be reviewed in Spring 2024.

193/23. Date of the next meeting Wednesday 15th November 2023 and items to be added to the agenda.

None.

The meeting ended 8.30pm.