2023-24 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Baumber Parish Council - Minutes of  Ordinary Meeting.
Parish Clerk – Melvin Grosvenor  01507 578657.

Minutes of Baumber Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 18 October 2023 commencing 7.30pm at Baumber Village Hall.

Those present: Vice Chairman Cllr M Jones, Cllr M Harrison, Cllr C Smith. Cllr P Bradwell

Co-Opted - Cllr M Baverstock & Cllr T Cuttell.

Clerk: Mr M Grosvenor. 

1023/36 Apologies for absence.

Received apologies - Chairman Cllr J Fable & W Gray.

1023/37 Consideration of Applications for the Co-Option of two New Members on to Baumber Parish Council. Cllrs M Baverstock & Cllr T Cuttell duly Co-Opted Acceptances of Office signed & countersigned by Clerk.
(Note: Additional interest for Co-Option has been received from a third Member for consideration at the BPC meeting scheduled to be held on 17 January 2024.)

1023/38 Public Participation.

No public participation.

1023/39 Declaration of Interest.

No Declarations.

1023/40 Minutes of Previous Meeting.

Minutes Ordinary meeting held on 19 July 2023 approved and signed as a true record.

1023/41 Clerks report on matters outstanding:

Update ref: 0723/28. Speeding and RTA's concerns raised by Silver St residents, Update: Clerk emailed concerns on 10 July 2023 to LRSP, Highways & Lincolnshire Police & Cllr Bradwell who liaised with Horncastle Neighbourhood Police for increased speed monitoring on Silver Street. LRSP undertook traffic survey 27 July to 2 August 23. Survey Outcome: 'Analysis of the speed data showed that the average speed of vehicles was 39.6 mph in a 60 mph limit. The speed data showed evidence that some vehicles were exceeding the speed limit at a speed that would make the drivers liable to action or prosecution by the Police'. Clerk to provide details of survey for consideration. Members Resolved:  for Clerk to raise ongoing concerns as survey indicates speed limit is set to high and although a small percentage of vehicles were exceeding the 60mph limit this demonstrates a complete disregard for the safety of other road users and residents along the narrow stretch of Silver Street after passing through blind bends. Cllr Bradwell to arrange for representative of Highways & Lincs Police to attend January 2024 meeting. 

Clerk provided details of proposed 'Welcome to Baumber Please drive carefully' signs. Members considered proposed costs & locations. Members Resolved: that Silver St would be given priority for any additional signage  Defer decision to next meeting once year end finance statement is finalised. Considered costing of interactive speed signs at between £2 - £3k. Members agreed costs of interactive signs are currently prohibitive.
Cllr Gray is happy to allocate a contribution from ELDC Cllr Grant allocation further feedback required. Clerk has enquired re cost of '30mph Check your speed' signs. LRSP have advised that; 'the cost of upgraded signs has increased to £20 to ensure they do not fade and weather as previously'. Resolved: that Clerk to order 10 new signs to replace all faded signs. (Note: The white Baumber entry gateways are extremely dirty and are in need of cleaning. Members agreed working party should be arranged as LCC will not clean gates.

Update ref: 1022/50  - B1225/A158 junction permanent street lights switch off - LCC Highways confirmed existing A158 redundant lights (29-43) to be removed, but  in order to disconnect the electrical supply to these street lights it would also necessitate the switching off and removal of the street lights at the A158/B1225 Junction which are on the same cable system. Cllr's W Gray & P Bradwell, Mere Balk Lane residents & Clerk raised concerns, that switching off lights at junction could increase risks of RTA's and requested improved reflective warning signs and traffic calming measures. Highways to provide proposed improvements prior to any switch off for consideration. Awaiting further information.

Update: 0723/34. 

a) Concerns raised by Cllr Fable regarding creation of a wider access off Farmers Row on to land at the Old Vicarage and obstructive parking opposite this access.

Cllr Bradwell advised Highways consider entrance is not in contravention with access regulations or requirements. 

Update: b) Cllr Jones raised matter regarding maintenance of the bus stop adjacent to Baumber School. Clerk arranged for works to be completed & invoice has been settled. 

1023/42 Financial Statement at 18/10/2023.

1023/42 Financial Statement cont/..

a) Note: Clerk received Purchase Order re: LCC Safety Grass Cutting support & issued invoice to the sum of £1116.74. Remittance Advice received - payment date 06/10/2023.

b) Clerk has chased Glendale re additional village verges cut & St Swithin's 2nd cut. 

c) Invoice due to be for payment approved.

d) Clerk provided updated Financial Statement to include estimate of VAT refund due. Members considered statement in the light of the cost for potential new Baumber signs.

1023/43 Planning.

1. Applications: S/011/00848/23 & S/011/00849/23. THATCHED COTTAGE LINCOLN ROAD, BAUMBER. Planning Permission - Installation of solar panels on the roof of existing detached garage which is a listed building. Members Resolved:  to support. Update: Clerk submitted response 10 July 2023. Notification 10 July 2023 Application withdrawn on 6 July 2023. Notification 25 September 2023 of Full Planning Permission.

2. Update ref: 0323/72 - S/079/01078/22 LAND ADJACENT SOTBY WOODS HATTON. Planning Permission - Installation of a temporary ground mounted 49.9MW solar farm with associated infrastructure, construction of vehicular accesses, CCTV cameras on 4m high poles a 15m high communications tower and security fencing to a maximum height of 2.2m. 

Update: 28 September 2023. Letter received from the office of Secretary of State stating:

The Government remains committed to giving more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues and believe that planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.  The call-in policy makes it clear that the power to call in a case will only be used very selectively.  The Secretary of State has decided, having had regard to this policy, not to call in this application. He is satisfied that the application should be determined at a local level.   

3. Update ref: 20/21/05 Manor Farm Lincoln Road Baumber - Alleged 5 Contraventions of Development Consent. - Case update still awaited from ELDC Development Control. 

1023/44 Update ref: 0723/31  Un - adopted historical footpath West Lane - St Swithin's -    kissing gate & access to Footpath 92 Adoption application in progress. Residents    providing further witness statements to be included in the submission. Clerk proceeding.   Further comment received from Andrew Roberts. Clerk has written to resident  to provide further information awaiting response. Clerk to chase.

1023/45 Update: 0723/32 Baumber Annual Parish Meeting convened on 14 September 2023. Members attended meeting with apologies from Cllr Fable (Chairman). Meeting was chaired by Cllr M Jones. Defib Demonstration by LIVES, updates by Chair of Baumber Village Hall committee and Cllr M Harrison accompanied by S Stringer regarding the essential renovation and preservation of St Swithin's. Presentation by R Howard of establishing a Emergency Plan in Horsington, supported by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum  and Horsington PC. Consideration of a Emergency Plan for Baumber, which will require a team leader and small team of (3-5) volunteers. Resolved: to hold in abeyance.

Consideration of application to ELDC re: the provision of dog litter bins. Cllr W Gray forwarded details & Clerk circulated these to Members. The application requires a risk assessment. Clerk provided Members with application form and risk assessment requirements. Members Resolved: not to take the matter further.  

Speeding traffic concerns also raised, ref: Agenda item 1023/41. 

Vacancies on BPC Ref: Co-Option of 2 new Cllrs onto BPC. Need for ongoing support for Baumber Village Hall and a questionnaire was circulated re type of events held. (Note: the Village Hall Committee are preparing to organise a Christmas tea party event on Saturday 9 December 2023.) 

1023/46 Correspondence.

None.

1023/47 Minor Items. 

None raised

1023/48  Date of Next Meeting: 17 January 2024.

Meeting closed at 9.10pm.