2024-25 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

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

Minutes of Baumber Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 17 July 2024 commenced at 7.30 pm at Baumber Village Hall.

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

Clerk: Mr M Grosvenor. 

Observed minute silence in Commemoration of the passing of former Chairman and Cllr Mr R Espley & in support of Mrs F Espley former Clerk of Baumber Parish Council. 

0724/23 Apologies for absence.

Apologies received: Cllr J Fable, Cllr M Baverstock & Cllr W Gray.

0724/24 Public Participation.

No Public Participation.

0724/25 Declaration of Interest.

Declarations - None noted.

0724/26 Minutes of Previous Meeting/s.

Minutes of Annual Parish Council meeting and Ordinary meeting held on 22 May 2024 approved and signed as a true record.

0724/27 Clerks report on matters outstanding:

Update ref: 0524/15. a) Speeding and RTA's concerns raised by Silver St residents, 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. Email from Lincs Police 16 Jan 24, advising of non attendance and reiterating traffic survey outcome with no further proposed action. Cllr Bradwell followed up on invitation for meeting 22 May 2024, but representative still unavailable to attend.

Ref 0324/66 Update: a) Speed Limit reduction:  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 reduced and approved at 40mph. 

Update: 0724/27 - 0524/15 - 0324/63. Public Participation item a) Resident of Silver St Baumber - B1225 raised significant concerns regarding speeding traffic causing noise and threats to resident's safety, whilst walking and accessing their properties on the narrow footpath, which is only wide enough for one person.

This narrow footpath is in a poor condition and is caked in mud and debris from the spray of water and muck from fast moving traffic, which has built up over a long period and exacerbated by the repeated flooding of part of Silver St.  The spray is also splattering over the walls, front doors and windows  of those properties with no front gardens and directly adjacent to the road surface, significantly impacting on the residential amenity of these Baumber residents. resident has submitted a letter of complaint to BPC. Cllr P Bradwell/Clerk arranged Silver St walk over site meeting with Richard Fenwick (RF) Head of Highways Asset and Local Management Services & Cllr M Baverstock on 26 April 2024, to review condition of footpath and speeding policy which was discussed at length. Also to approve proposed location for new traffic calming signs. RF. - Agreed to arranging cleaning of gullies and footpath and initiate works to improve condition of footpath which was agreed to be essential. Update: Footpath works remain outstanding.

Clerk & Cllr M Baverstock also discussed current speed limit policy with R Fenwick 26/04/2024 who advised this is under review and appeared to be in support of BPC's case. We stressed the urgency of the need to support our residents with a reduction of speed limit to 40mph. 

Update: 26/06/2024 Further email received from Silver St resident raising concerns regarding ongoing speeding issues etc., Clerk forward this to Highways & LRSP etc,. 28/06/2024 - Response received via Cllr P Bradwell:

'Dear Mr Grosvenor

 I refer to your email dated 26th June regarding your council’s request for a speed limit to be introduced on the B1225, which has been forwarded to me for reply.

The route has been assessed against our speed limit policy and the criteria have been met for a limit to be introduced. The mean speed indicates that a 40mph limit may be proposed and a scheme is therefore being prepared. The Parish Council will be in receipt of the consultation documents in due course.

I hope this allays the concerns raised by residents and apologise for the delay in my response'. Resolution: Chairman, that the Clerk and Cllr P Bradwell be thanked for their dedication and perseverance over the past 2-3 years in achieving  this welcome notification especially as BPC has been requesting this reduction for over a decade. Clerk to continue to liaise with Highways re the next stage.

b) Application New traffic calming signs: Whilst on site visit, RF agreed northern location of proposed 'Welcome to Baumber Please drive carefully' signs. Clerk & Cllr M Jones conducted further site visit, to finalise location of signs on both northern and southern approaches of Silver Street on 9 May. Clerk submitted preliminary application to Highways 10 May 2024. 

0724/27 Update: b) Since site visit 22 May 2024 LCC Highways Manager confirmed application for signs and locations - approved. Highways have also offered to supply & erect signs FOC. Clerk liaising with Cllr W Gray re transfer of funding to other traffic calming measures. Update: Cllr W Gray has approved transfer and has notified Highways & new signs to be installed as soon as they are available.

On 27/06/2024 Clerk represented BPC at the Police & Crime Commissioners Parish Council online liaison event & again raised concerns regarding continual speeding on A158 of all types of traffic including Stage Coach Buses route 56 Lincoln - Skegness despite the new 30mph 'Check your speed' signs.

Further update to meeting and Silver St resident  condition of the pull in, muddy footpath & works required at the dyke-drain prone to flooding during period of heavy rain. Also requested Cllr W Gray to arrange for a ELDC road sweeper to clean the excess mud from road side & blocked gullies - completed. Works undertaken on 05/07/2024 to clear dyke-drain and provide run off from roadside to help prevent flooding.

Update: RTA has damaged a village Gateway (which has been temporarily repaired) & lit 30mph sign on entrance to Baumber from Horncastle - reinstated 01/07/2024. Clerk has Clerk has reported storm damaged sign on Silver St - 04/06/2024 replacement sign erected.

January 2024 Storm has felled further Leylandi trees on A158 & caused road site footpath to be impassable. Update: Footpath repaired and reinstated 12/06/2024. All of the remaining  trees still require need either felling or topping  & fallen trees have not been cleared away. Update: matter in hand.

Update ref: 0524/15 -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. Clerk received response 16 May 2024 confirming switch off arrangements are in progress. Cllr Bradwell advised of ongoing concerns 20 May 2024. Members Resolved: for Clerk  to seek further clarification on safely signage as some concerns remain that street lighting should continue on this junction. Clerk received the following response 28/05/2024: 

'Your ongoing concerns about the impact of switching off the lights at the junction are noted. As previously indicated, this is necessary to allow for the removal of the lights already switched off in the vicinity as a part of the Street Lighting Transformation project in 2016/17, as they are all on the same cable system.

As a result of a swift response from LRSP, with no concerns being raised by them, and in order to make the change during the shorter nights, we have this morning been informed that the lights in question were in fact switched off last week on Thursday 23 May 2024. We can assure you that we will now be monitoring the impact of this using information from LRSP and no permanent removal of any of the columns will take place for at least twelve months'.

0724/28 - 0524/20 Clerk received information on Campaign to improve the safety of lithium batteries (used in e-bikes and e scooters) from Lord Don Foster. Members Resolved for Clerk to respond offering support completed.

0724/29 Financial Statement at 17/07/2024.

0724/29 Financial Statement cont/..

a) Invoices/payments due approved.

b) Clerk received review of LCC Parish Grass cutting agreement scheme.

c) Note: Clerk has submitted AGAR Certificate of Exemption plus redacted copies of 2023/24 Accounting statements to external auditor who confirmed that no further intermediate review for the 2023/24 reporting year is required.

d) Ref Agenda Item 0724/27 Update: b) LCC Highways have advised the provision of the new traffic calming signs FOC - clerk liaising with Cllr W Gray to seek reallocation of £850.00 funding for alternative traffic calming measures. (Revised New signs quotation dated 10/5/2024 confirmed at £658.00 Nett of VAT. Members Resolved: to accept revised quotation. Update: signs no longer  required.

e) Clerk received details from Cllr M Jones of a Body Cam for safety use whilst litter picking. Recommend approval. Resolution: Members approved expenditure.

0724/30 Planning.

New Items: Circulated by email to Members for BPC consultation responses.

1. S/011/00480/24. LAND AT THE PADDOCKS, WEST LANE, BAUMBER. Planning Permission - Erection of 1no. bungalow with attached garage. Clerk submitted consultation response 18 April 2024 - The Parish Council wish to register No Objections for this application.

Members have carefully considered the plans and information provided by the applicant and have also noted comments/concerns submitted by a neighbouring property, and request that these are duly considered when determining this proposal. Awaiting decision.

2. S/011/00612/24. TOP YARD FARM, TOP YARD, BAUMBER. Planning Permission - Change of use of and alterations to existing agricultural offices to create staff accommodation. Clerk submitted consultation response 13 May 2024 - The Parish Council wish to register No Objections for this application. Members have carefully considered the plans and information provided by the applicant and have also raised the following comment.

My comment is that permission should include a requirement that residence is linked/restricted to agricultural use/connection. This should not cause an issue as, from the wording of the supporting document, is expected by the proposer. Baumber Parish Council concur with this proposal, that a suitably worded development consent condition is applied, should planning be approved. Update: Full Planning Permission 12/06/2024 subject to conditions 3/4&5 as above.

3. Update ref: 052418 - 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. 

Update:  The Development Consent has been quashed following a Judicial Review (JR) on the grounds that the 'Consent  Decision was unlawful, as it failed to have sufficient regards to the material considerations in relation to the policy of the development of solar farms on Best and Most Versatile (BMV) agricultural land'. The JR challenge against ELDC Consent was initiated and funded by the Hatton resident's group. The application is now subject to further consultation and consideration, in respect of the applicants Site Search Document reference 5546097.

Members Consideration of the applicant's recent submission. Members unanimously Resolved:  to continue to object to the proposal and were not persuaded that the applicant's recent site search submission has in this case, adequately justified the use of BMV land. Concerns were also raised regarding the proposed one way construction traffic management system, which will direct all of the traffic movement including HGV's through Gt Sturton onto the Caistor High road (B1225) through Silver Street and on to the A158 through Baumber. Especially given the ongoing concerns regarding adverse traffic impacts on Silver St residents. Clerk submitted BPC's Consultation response by email 26 March 2024. Awaiting update on committee meeting date and any further consultations. Hatton Residents Group provided a double sided Impact information sheet. Update: Awaiting date for Planning Committee to determination application.

4. Update ref: 20/21/05 Manor Farm Lincoln Road Baumber - Alleged 5 Contraventions of Development Consent. - Case update still awaited from ELDC Development Control. Members considered concerns raised regarding the felling of the line of approximately 20 trees lining the internal access to Manor Farm. 
  
0724/31 Update ref: 0524/19 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 and chased resident re further information. In hand. Recent discussion with one of land owners who offered kind support.

0724/32 Correspondence. 

None of note.

0724/33 Minor Items.

None raised. 

0724/34 Date of Next Meeting/s: Ordinary Meeting 23 October 2024. All Parish Council meetings commence at 7.30pm at Baumber Village Hall. 

Annual Baumber Community Meeting: Members Resolved: to postpone from Wednesday 11 September 2024 to April 2025 on a date to be set.

Meeting closed at 8.45pm