2024-25 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Baumber Parish Council - Draft Minutes of  Ordinary Meeting.

Parish Clerk – Melvin Grosvenor  01507 578657.

Draft Minutes of Baumber Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 23 October 2024 commenced at 7.30 pm at Baumber Village Hall.

Those present: Chairman Cllr M Harrison, Vice Chairman Cllr M Jones, Cllr M Baverstock Cllr T Cuttell, Cllr C Smith, Cllr G Wilbourn & Cllr P Bradwell.
Clerk: Mr M Grosvenor. 2 Baumber residents & 2 residents representing Hatton.
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1024/37 Apologies for absence.
Apologies received: Cllr W Gray. 
Clerk advised meeting - Cllr J Fable has resigned. Members Resolved: for Clerk to write to Cllr Fable expressing appreciation and thanks in respect of her service and dedication to Baumber Parish Council over many years.

1024/38 Public Participation.
1. On behalf of the Hatton and Sotby community the 2 residents present, expressed their thanks and appreciation to Baumber PC for the assistance and support provided in respect of the Hatton Solar Power Plant planning application submitted to ELDC ref: 1024/43 Planning item 2.
2. Representation by a Member of the Baumber Village Hall Management Committee, in respect of the Village Hall Land Registry -Title Deeds, which appear to require clarification. Further information to be supplied.

1024/39 Declaration of Interest.
No Declarations noted.

1024/40 Minutes of Previous Meeting.
Minutes of Ordinary meeting held on 17 July 2024 approved and signed as a true record.

1024/41 Clerks report on matters outstanding:
Update ref: 0724/27. a) Reference Minutes of Meeting 17 July 2024 and previous BPC Minutes.

Ref 0324/66 Update: b) Speed Limit reduction: 
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. 

Update: 13-08-2024. Clerk  submitted BPC consultation response in respect of proposed reductions in speed limit on West Lane to 30mph & Silver St to 40mph.  Response included a request for Hunters Lane to be reduced to 40mph - the reduction has not been approved, 'as there is no development on this road and does not meet Highways criteria. 02-10-2024 Received LCC Highway official public notice due to be published on 30-10-2024 confirming West Lane & Silver St speed limit reductions. Clerk posted notice and plan on BPC notice board.
The notice states: 'Objections or representations to the proposals, together with the grounds on which they are made, must be made in writing or email to Chief Executive - Lincolnshire County Council'….. by 28th November 2024.

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. Further update to May 2024 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: Although Footpath works remain outstanding  (LCC Highways) Cllr W Gray during the summer again arranged for a road sweeper to clean Silver St road side and gullies.

Update: 23 October 2024. Cllr Bradwell advised meeting that the works are in hand but there appears to be an issue with the limited width of the footpath which is not compliant with current Highways regulations. Cllr Bradwell will continue to liaise with Highways senior management for a satisfactory resolution. 
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. Update: October 2024. LCC Highways have kindly replaced all Baumber's name plate signs with new 'Baumber Please Drive Carefully' signs. A new sign has been installed on the A158 approaching Baumber from Lincoln and on the B1225 before the Hunters Lane Hemingby Lane cross roads. This sign marks the southern end of the proposed 40mph speed limit. Note: the new B1225 - Silver St sign by Scholey's farmyard will be moved once the 40mph speed limit is in force to the north of the Church Lane turn to the A158.
Note: Cllr W Gray has approved transfer of grant funds for other traffic calming measures.

A158 Leylandi Trees: January 2024 Storm felled additional  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: 16/10/2024.The trees have been logged for removal. LCC have advised removal of the tree stumps is 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. Matter for review.

1024/42 Financial Statement at 23/10/2024.

1024/42 Financial Statement cont/..
a) Invoices/payments due approved.
b) Clerk submitted invoice to LCC Parish Grass cutting contribution.
c) Consideration of revised arrangements for the maintenance of St Swithin's churchyard. Clerk has liaised with Glendale in respect of Churchyard tree maintenance to cut back excessive low growth from established trees. Glendale tender at £600.00 per day to include chipping waste.
Update: Chairman M Harrison advised meeting that this matter needs to be referred to St Swithin's PPC for consideration, approval or referral to the C of E Lincoln diocese.
Consideration of ongoing contract with Glendale regarding the Churchyard grass cutting. No formal Resolution forthcoming.
d) Clerk advised meeting following resignation of Cllr J Fable a revised Bank Mandate needs to be arranged. Resolved: for 2 new cheque signatories. 

 1024/43 Planning.

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 after circulation of details to Members: 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. Approved with conditions 24/07/2024.

2. Update ref: 0524/18 - 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. 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 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: Planning committee convened on 04/10/2024 - Officer's recommendation to approve - Majority Committee decision to refuse on the grounds of landscape impacts & Setting of Grade 2 listed Corner Farm and historic agricultural barn with conversion consent for recreational/holiday accommodation. (16/10/2024 Awaiting publication of decision letter).

 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. Members considered concerns raised regarding the felling of the line of approximately 20 trees lining the internal access to Manor Farm. 
  
1024/44 - ref: 0724/31 Un - adopted historical footpath West Lane - St Swithin's - kissing gate & access to Footpath 92 Adoption application in progress.
Evidence provided by Andrew Roberts. Recent discussion with one of land owners who offered     kind support. Update: 10/10/24 Clerk posted to the 2 involved landowners Service of Notice of  Application for Modification Order - Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Definitive     Map Modification Order with covering letter requesting support for application. 
23/10/2024     Clerk has submitted all completed forms and resident's evidence to the Definitive Map      Officer LCC.

1024/45 Correspondence. 
Resignation of Cllr J Fable. Clerk to notify ELDC.

1024/46 Minor Items.
None noted.

1024/47 Date of Next Meeting/s: Wednesday 22 January 2025 (Precept) Wednesday 19 March 2025. 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 9.00pm.