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 17 January 2024 commencing 7.30pm at Baumber Village Hall.

Those present: Chairman J Fable, Cllr M Jones, Cllr C Smith, Cllr M Baverstock & Cllr T Cuttell. Cllr P Bradwell (LCC) - Co-Opted - Cllr Dr G Wilbourn.

Clerk: Mr M Grosvenor. 

0124/49 Apologies for absence.

Apologies received -  Cllr M Harrison & Cllr W Gray (ELDC)

0124/50 Consideration of a Application for the Co-Option of a New Member on to Baumber Parish Council. Cllr Dr G Wilbourn duly Co-Opted. Acceptance of Office signed & countersigned by Clerk.

0124/51 Public Participation.

No public participation.

0124/52 Declaration of Interest.

No Declarations  or dispensations noted.

0124/53 Minutes of Previous Meeting.

Minutes Ordinary meeting held on 18 October 2023 approved and signed as a true record.

0124/54 Clerks report on matters outstanding:

Update ref: 1023/41. 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 provided details of survey for consideration.  Clerk then raised 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. This concern was raised by Clerk at the Police & Crime Commissioners online Parish Council's liaison meeting 5 December 2023. Clerk has responded to email from Lincolnshire Neighbourhood Policing & included invitation to attend 17 January 2024 meeting in addition to Cllr Bradwell's invitation. 

Ref 0124/54 Update. Email from Lincs Police 16 Jan 24, advising of non attendance and reiterating traffic survey outcome with no further proposed action. Cllr M Baverstock highlighted publication of LCC Planning and Regulation Committee Meeting held 8 Jan 2024, which approved speed limit reduction from 50mph to 40mph between Coningsby & Dogdyke, despite no recorded accidents over the last 5 years. The reduction was supported by a traffic survey identifying the road as a 'borderline case', as the average speed was 46mph. Members presented Cllr Bradwell with this significant & relevant information. Resolved:  that representation is made on behalf of BPC and Silver St residents to LCC, that there is a strong case for a speed limit reduction on Silver St from 60mph to 40mph, given average Silver St survey speed was 39.9mph considerably lower than 46mph survey speed  in a 50mph limit, which was approved.

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. Update: Consideration of purchase of new signs. Members further resolved  to defer further consideration in the next financial year 2024/25, which will include  welcome grant funding support from Cllr Gray.

 Update: Clerk has ordered 10 check your speed signs at & £20 each 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: RTA has completely destroyed a village Gateway & 30mph sign on entrance to Baumber from Horncastle. Clerk has reported incident & awaiting replacements.

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. Members Resolved Clerk to seek an update as concerns raised that street lighting should continue on this junction.

0124/55 Financial Statement at 17/01/2024.

0124/55 Financial Statement cont/..

a) Invoices/Payments due to for payment approved.

b) Clerk has received all outstanding Glendale grass cutting invoices for payment. 

c) Consider Year End Financial Statement & Proposed Budget for 2024/25 to set Precept.

Members considered Financial Statement and proposed budget for 2024/25 and recommendation to increase Precept from £3112.00 5% to £3267.60 considering that the Precept has been held for the past 3 years despite increased costs and inflation. Members Resolved:  to accept recommendation. Clerk completed Precept Form for submission. 

d) Members to further consider statement in the light of the cost for potential new Baumber signs. Refer to Update Agenda Item 0124/54. 

0124/56 Planning.

1. 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: Following the letter received from the office of Secretary of State dated 28 September 2023 - on 27 October 2023 ELDC granted Full Planning Permission. 

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.    

2. Update ref: 20/21/05 Manor Farm Lincoln Road Baumber - Alleged 5 Contraventions of Development Consent. - Case update still awaited from ELDC Development Control. 
  
0124/57 Update ref: 1023/44 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. In hand.

0124/58 Update ref 1023/37 Co-Option of new Members: Cllr M Baverstock & Cllr T Cuttell DPI forms submitted to ELDC & LALC New Cllr Training Course (online) booked for 6 February 2024.
       
0124/59 Correspondence. Consideration of proposal of Greater Lincolnshire Authority. Clerk provided Members with consultation booklets received for information.

0124/60 Minor Items. None noted.

0124/61 Date of Next Meeting/s: 20 March 2024 - 22 May 2024 Annual Parish Council & Ordinary Meeting. All meetings commence at 7.30pm at Baumber Village Hall. Consider date of Annual Baumber Community Meeting due to be held in 2024. Set date for Wednesday 11 September 2024.

Meeting closed at 9.15pm.