Draft Minutes
Draft Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 1st April 2025.
Public Forum
Cllr C Hainsworth (Chair) welcomed everyone to the meeting and acknowledged the sixteen fifteen persons present at the Public Forum. A spokesperson for those present stated that they were all present to voice their concerns and object to the SKDC Planning Application S25/0203. Change of use from Use Class C3 (Dwellinghouse) to Use Class C2 (flexible use under Part 3, Class V of GPDO) as a children’s care home. 9A School Lane, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5NW and gave the following but not limited to concerns: -
• Increase in traffic.
• School Lane is not wide enough for vehicles to pass.
• School Lane is only partially adopted and not fully maintained.
• Noise from vehicles when staff are arriving and leaving the property late at night.
• Loss of wildlife in the area. Hedges, trees and shrubs have been removed by contractors.
• Light pollution – Bats and owls have been seen in the area.
• Work has already started on the property.
• Excess traffic movements throughout the day for staff change overs.
• It will not be a secure unit.
• Accuracy of information held on Companies House and Ofsted reports.
• No flood risk assessment has taken place.
• Insufficient safe parking spaces for staff and visitors.
• Overall process and consultation
Cllr C Hainsworth thanked Cllr M Childs for preparing a draft response to the Planning Application discussed above and offered to prepare a revised version in the light of representations made for Cllrs to consider further.
The public session was extended to 8pm to allow those persons present to speak. Cllr C Hainsworth thanked those present for attending the meeting and moved onto the first agenda item of the meeting.
Councillors: C Hainsworth, C Rowland, D Bellamy, C Russell, L McShane, M Childs, R Brocklebank and T O’Regan.
In Attendance
SKDC Cllr D Bellamy
LCC Cllr C Vernon.
Agenda Item No
2024.171 Apologies for absence.
Cllrs E O’Neill, A Bouvie and R Chatterton. The Clerk to the Parish Council Sue Grant, valid reasons given.
2024.172 Chairman’s remarks.
Cllr C Hainsworth (Chair) explained that the Clerk Sue Grant was absent due to illness and thanked those who had covered during her recent annual leave.
2024.173 Declarations of interest in accordance with the LGA 2000
None
2024.174 Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting.
All those present at the previous meeting agreed that the official minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 4th March 2025 be approved as a correct record and duly signed and dated by the chairperson.
2024.175 County/District Councillor Report.
LCC Cllr C Vernon Reported: -
1. Is running for re-election and had nothing to report. LCC is observing purdah due to the mayoral elections.
SKDC Cllr D Bellamy Reported: -
1. Cllr Bellamy shared concerns about the extension to the quarry and landfill at Stainby which appears to have permissions granted in 2018. He will make further enquiries and share with Cllrs.
2. Cllr Bellamy also reported on the A1 and the litter clean up being carried out by SKDC. Also the current phase of closing some crossings are less contentious and a positive first stage in the safety of the A1. He was aware of support for the closure of the residents in North Witham of the closure of the Bull Hill Junction. There will be further consultations with Parish Councils directly affected. Cllr Hainsworth requested that Colsterworth and District PC is involved in these consultations due to the impact on all our villages due to diversions etc.
SKDC Cllr B Green sent their apologies. They had circulated a report to the Clerk and Cllr C Hainsworth earlier that day including the following updates: -
1. FixMyStreet Implementation
South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) is now present on FixMyStreet, enabling residents to report community issues such as fly-tipping, graffiti, and dead wildlife. Reports are automatically directed to the appropriate local authority, ensuring timely responses.
2. Proposed Council Merger
The Independent-led SKDC administration has voted in favour of a merger with North Kesteven, South Holland, and Rutland. Given Rutland's substantially higher council tax rates, this merger could result in an additional £64 per year for Band D properties. There are concerns that Rutland may transfer its housing allocations to our area. They oppose this merger and advocate for a solution involving only Lincolnshire councils to ensure equitable outcomes for our communities.
2024.176 Resolve to sign the LCC Parish Grass Cutting Agreement for 2025.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Unanimously agreed. * Post meeting note. Signed agreement emailed to LCC Highways on 02/04/2025.
2024.177 Resolve to support a Grant application for £1,000 to Colsterworth Parocial Church Council and release the £1,000 earmarked for the Newton Project towards the cost of the Clock repair at St John the Baptist Church. (Cllrs C Hainsworth & C Russell)
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Unanimously Approved.
2024.178 Risk Exception Report.
The War Memorial lecturn installation was discussed and recommendations circulated to Cllrs. Placement was agreed as recommended and Cllrs Childs and Rowland to make arrangements with the Clerk. No other comments were received.
2024.179 Clerks Report Action
1. 65 x aqua sacs at £247 order placed with SKDC. Agenda item March 2024.157. Clerk
2. Order placed with Wicksteed Leisure Ltd for repair to play equipment on Colster Way. Agenda item March 2024.158 Clerk
3. Agenda Item March 2024.167.1 Follow up.
War Memorial Information Board - Cllrs Russell, Hainsworth and Bouvie and Margaret Winn looked at possible placement for lectern. Position discussed and agreed. Cllrs M Childs and C Rowland to liaise with the Clerk to collect the lectern for installation.
Observations on the state of the War Memorial Cllr Bouvie were concerned about what appears to be an early deterioration in the repair with some limestone starting to crumble and the mortar on the faces of the base crumbling in the previously worst affected areas.
Also, an area of repair which looks out of character with the stone.
The Clerk has contacted the Stonemason who completed the restoration to advise what action can be taken. Clerk/Cllrs
2024.180 Correspondence
1. 2 x Telephone calls received from residents regarding Planning Application S25/0203, proposed children’s home 9a School Lane. Concern regarding extra traffic movement on School Lane. Clerk
2. Residents contacted a Cllr to raise their concerns regarding cars parking on Woodlands where it meets Bridge End. There are no parking restrictions but nuisance parking can be reported to the Police on a 101 report. Clerk/Cllrs
3. Invitation received to participate in the SKDC Design Code Workshop 2 – to set standards for how buildings, streets and public spaces should look, feel and function. Now cancelled. Cllrs
4. Anwick PC re requesting the details of a Solicitor used regarding the Gunby ADP comments. The Cllr Hainsworth (Chair) shared information in the absence of the Clerk.
Chair
5. Wild Path Adventures Family in the Forest event 26 April 2025 advertised on Facebook Community Page on the Nature Trail. The Clerk awaits further information regarding this.
Clerk
6. Enquiry from SKDC regarding the maintenance of the grass on the Old Post Lane Play area. Advised to contact Barrat Homes who have a maintenance contract for the housing estate. SKDC
7. Request received to turn on the water tap at Stamford Road allotments. The Clerk is investigating possible leak which requires repair. Clerk
2024.181 SKDC Planning Applications
S25/0203 Change of use from Use Class C3 (Dwellinghouse) to Use Class C2 (flexible use under Part 3, Class V of GPDO) as a children’s care home.
Location: 9A School Lane, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5NW. Referred to SKDC Planning Committee.
Extension to the deadline for S25/0203 Planning Application (Change of Use) proposed Children’s Home on School Lane before 22nd April 2025. Comment
S24/0464 Proposed erection of new boundary park railing fence, replacement of
windows, installation of stone lintel and repoint stonework, removal of plastic. Manor House, Church Street, North Witham, Lincolnshire, NG33 5LH None
S25/0442 Extension of garden access balcony from kitchen and lower floor at rear of Property Location: The Old Stables, Woolsthorpe Road, Woolsthorpe By Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5NX None
SKDC Planning Refusal
S25/0075 Application for Certificate of Lawful Development for extension of balcony adjacent to kitchen. The Old Stables Woolsthorpe Road, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth
SKDC Planning Approval
S23/1145 Decision notice relating to the S106 Agreement for the Newton Meadows development – it does not affect any of the financial agreements already agreed under the S106 Agreement but “these changes, to be executed through a Deed of Variation, seek to amend a clause within the original agreement to assist with the sale of properties”
Link to the Officer’s delegated report: S23_1145-OFFICER_DELEGATED_REPORT-2346810.pdf
SKDC Planning Enforcement now Permitted
S24/1221 Land To the South Of, 9 Woolsthorpe Road, Woolsthorpe By Colsterworth,
Lincolnshire, NG33 5NT. ENF20/0166: Erection of stables and two storage containers
2024.182 Finance and Administration (F & A) Committee No Report This Month (Cllrs E O’Neill, A Bouvie & C Hainsworth)
1. Update on the Community Car Park. (The Clerk)
The Clerk has a meeting with a representative from SKDC Legal Team on Friday 4th April 2025.
Net Position by Cost Centre and Code – 13.03.2025 – Received no comment.
2024.183 Planning Committee Report
1. Neighbourhood Plan Review. On Hold.
2. Resolve to comment on Planning Application S25/0203. Change of use from Use Class C3 (Dwellinghouse) to Use Class C2 (flexible use under Part 3, Class V of GPDO) as a children’s care home. 9A School Lane, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5NW.
It was proposed, seconded and
Resolved
Cllr C Hainsworth agreed to prepare version 2 of the objection to be circulated to all Cllrs and agreed prior to submitting before the Parish Councils extended deadline of before 22nd April 2025.
3. Update on Planning Application S/24/0568 AD Plant Gunby.
No update.
Group Reports
2024.184 Highways & Footpaths Working Group Report (The Clerk) Ad-hoc report. Cllr C Hainsworth.
1. Giles Hill – Outstanding Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) with LCC.
01/04/2025 Update from LCC Rights of Way (ROW)from Cllr C Russell. – Going to consultation. If no objections are made in the 42 days consultation period, then LCCROW will confirm the order and change the definitive map.
2. 30mph Speed Sign Old Post Lane removed twice in a couple of days.
To be monitored and if removed again report to the Police via 101.
3. 30mph speed signs in Stainby.
Cllr R Brocklebank reported that 2 signs were almost unreadable and have been replaced. The standard ‘Please slow down’ sign when leaving Stainby towards Buckminster is very dirty. Request that this is replaced.
Cllr Chatterton has also asked for signage at Stainby to be looked at suggesting new village signs for Stainby similar to those at Castle Bytham – ie the village name with a 30mph speed circle underneath. Also, for the sign leaving Stainby towards Colsterworth to be moved further out towards the village boundary. This sign is obscured by a hedge.
* Deferred to the Clerk to liaise with Cllr R Chatterton and establish the village boundary, permissions and potential costs. To be an Agenda item for the next Parish Council meeting.
4. Breach of 7.5t weight limit on Woolsthorpe Road. Cllr R Brocklebank
Continue to make reports to Lorry Watch. Clerk to circulate the link to Lorry Watch website and include in the next edition of the In Touch Magazine.
5. Potholes Bridge End bridge.
*Post meeting note. The Clerk. Checked FMS on 02/04/2025 and showing as Work is planned. The Clerk added an update for this repair to be escalated as urgent.
Also discussed at the meeting: -
6. Road Safety issues on the High Street – Cllr C Vernon acknowledge that this is still outstanding.
7. Parking on Back Lane – No parking restrictions in that area. Cllr C Vernon suggested an article in the In Touch magazine highlighting the ‘Waiting and Parking’ rules.
8. Damaged verge by vehicles driving/parking on the grass verge. Cllr T O’Regan. The grass verge on Woodlands Drive had been maintained by the homeowner and left with deep wheel ruts from a vehicle driving over it. Cllr C Rowland offered to take a look to see if this could be rectified. * Post meeting note FMS Report made by the Clerk on 02/04/2025 Ref: 2840413.
2024.185
Environment & Amenities Working Group Report.
1. Update on the UKSPF Application to pay for temporary repairs to St Mary’s
Church roof, North Witham. (Cllr D Bellamy).
No update still awaiting third quotation.
2. Emergency Plan Review Update – Work in progress.
2024.186 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT MARCH 2025.
Unanimously approved see Appendix A
2024.187 Matters requiring attention such as potholes and faulty streetlights.
1. Woodlands Drive. The grass verge has been cut and maintained by the householders. A truck drove over the verge leaving ridges. Actioned by the Clerk at agenda item 2024.184.8.
Training courses attended – None.
2024.188 The date of the next Parish Council meeting is Tuesday 6th May 2025. There being no other business, Chairperson C Hainsworth closed the meeting at 8.55 pm.
SIGNED:
CHAIRPERSON DATE:
Attendance to date (May 2024 to April 2025) – annual maximum 10 (No meeting August & January)
Cllr Name Constituency Attended Apologies Absent
J Clark* Resigned 03/10/2024 North Witham & Lobthorpe 2 3
D Bellamy North Witham & Lobthorpe 8 1
A Bouvie Colsterworth 8 1
E O’Neill Colsterworth 8 1
C Hainsworth Colsterworth 9 0
G Henton * Resigned 04/02/2025 Colsterworth 5 3
L McShane Colsterworth 4 5
S Banwait* Resigned 07/05/2024 Colsterworth
C Russell Colsterworth 9 0
K Vickers* January 2025 Colsterworth 5 2
M Childs Colsterworth 8 1
C Rowland Colsterworth 9 0
R Chatterton Gunby & Stainby 7 2
R Brocklebank * Co-opted February 2025 Colsterworth 2 0
T O’Regan * Co-opted February 2025 Colsterworth 2 0
Vacancy Gunby & Stainby
Vacancy North Witham & Lobthorpe
Vacancy Colsterworth 2 0
Vacancy Colsterworth 2 0