Minutes, 16 January 2025
MARSTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES
MINUTES OF THURSDAY 16th JANUARY 2025 AT 7:30 PM.
1. WELCOME - by the Parish Council Chairman.
2. PRESENT – Cllr Cartwright, Cllr Stephens, Cllr Vickers,
Cllr Duckett, Cllr Brown, Cllr O’Sullivan, CCllr Maughan and DistCllr Wood
3. APOLOGIES – Cllr Watson
Declared by 12 midday before the meeting
Proposed by: Cllr Stephens seconded by: Cllr Brown
4. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS
None.
5. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
The meeting will be adjourned for an agreed time by the Chair for the public to ask questions about agenda items. The Chair will allocate speaking time as appropriate.
Email: questions to marstonpcclerk@gmail.com
No questions submitted or members of the public at meeting
6. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 7th November 2024
Proposed by: Cllr Stephens Seconded: Cllr Vickers
7. PLANNING MATTERS -
a) Update on the planning objection Hougham Care Home by Clerk, a Hougham resident. Working within the constraints of his Planning Committee role Cllr Wood gave the Parish Council an overview of where the application is at present. The original date for the Planning Committee Meeting has been postponed to allow a site visit; the original one having been cancelled due to several roads being flooded. This visit has now been rearranged for Tuesday 21st January, with an Extraordinary Planning Meeting scheduled for Thursday 23rd January at 1pm. The application has been recommended for approval by the Planning Officer. Cllr Vickers raised the question that if the Committee turn the down the application do Committee members have to accompany the planning officer through the Appeal process. Yes, both planning officers and councillors present the appeal.
b) Proposal: Proposed relocation of existing 132kV electricity tower at Gonerby Moor.
Date Valid: 12 December 2024
Applicant: James Perna for Savills
Location: Street Record The Avenue Great Gonerby Lincolnshire
App Type: Work to overhead lines
No Objection and already considered and approved by SKDC under Wayleave agreement
8. COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
County Cllr Alexander Maughan gave a detailed overview of Highways Drainage issues and of the proposal of Devolution and what it is shaping up to look like for the County. The timeframe at present is letter in January from Government outlining the proposal; a summary plan from the County by end of March; then election for the mayor in May with a final draft plan end of July for submission to Government.
District Cllr Wood gave his thoughts on what Devolution looks like from a District Council viewpoint. Cllr Wood also asked what the priorities should be for a County Cllr at the next Election. Overall Chair called time as the proposal was still in the early stages of drafting.
9. COMMUNITY MATTERS & OTHER BUSINESS
a) Devolution – Clerk outlined that South Holland District Council were looking at transferring some matters to the proposed Town Council before Devolution but this was at an early stage of their considerations.
b) Village Hall – The car park – The tarmac planings have settled with usage and looks so much better. Mud bund to side of car park was definitely the best idea given the cost of removal. Cllr Brown emphasised the excellent project work. Discussion around VAT and proposed that Clerk approach LALC for advice
c) UKSPF update Funding submitted to SKDC– Clerk explained that a submission on the 22nd December had been greeted with radio silence until 13th January when an email had been received asking for a project plan, timescales of project and minimum 3 quotes for each job with the money being spent by 31st March. Proposal given to District Cllr Paul Woods to see if he could help as the Village Hall does not have the resources to facilitate the proposal hence MPC getting involved. ** Update** Clerk spoke to SKDC UKSPF on Friday morning. Next meeting is 27th January and last meeting is 18th February. Tight for anyone to get quotes, pull together a proposal and get any work done.
d) Weather and localised flooding update: Several areas in Marston discussed and Chair has visited several properties that were under threat and continues to discuss with County. Suggestion to clean out inspection chambers between Toll Bar Road and Stone Pit Lane submitted to Lincolnshire Highways.
Proposed by: Cllr Brown Seconded by: Cllr Vickers
10. FINANCIAL MATTERS
Signing of monthly reconciliations: November and December 2024
Precept Proposal – submitted as same as last year – adjustment made to budget by clerk. In overall terms, this means a reduction in precept by 0.50 %
Laptop purchase with Windows 365 – purchase complete
Proposed by: Cllr O’Sullivan Seconded by: Cllr Cartwright
11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 6th March 2025 – 7:30pm
12. MEETING CLOSED AT: 20:50