Amber Hill Minutes & Agendas 2023-24

Present:                               Cllr Chris Stephenson, Cllr Elizabeth Gadd, Cllr Jane Webb, Cllr Ros Bowler, Cllr Nigel Hardy, Cllr Grahame Winman, Cllr Edward Panton

Also Present:                     N Bush (Clerk), Cllr Mike Brookes (County Cllr) Cllr Stuart Evans (Borough)

Public Forum:                    None

Meeting started 7.07 pm

23/676 Chairman’s remarks.  - None

23/677 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr Suzanne Welberry (Borough Cllr) gave apologies. It was resolved to accept the apologies.

23/678 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

Cllr EG declared an interest in planning application B/24/0091

23/679 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 15-01-24 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes.  They were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

23/651 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 11.03.24.

In addition, the Clerk presented the LALC subscription due for payment on 1st April 2024

Bank Balances          Lloyds Current Account   £3,755.65                  Lloyds Deposit Account   £4,945.07

The Clerk confirmed the full amount of the funding for the defibrillator has been received which exceeds the amount that was spent as it included for replacements batteries and pads.  She informed the Councillors that the Pilgrim School is looking at upgrading the lighting to better protect the defibrillator and improve the visibility if it is required at night. It was resolved that the clerk contact the school and make a contribution to the lighting upgrade as this is for the benefit of the residents rather than the school.

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment. 

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments and speak to the school regarding a contribution towards the light upgrade

23/652 Planning:

Cllr EG left the meeting.

B/24/0091 - Proposed Detached garage forward of the principle elevation of Amber Hill House at Amber Hill House Sutterton Drove

No comments or concerns

Cllr EG returned to the meeting.

B/24/0073 - Application under s73 for the variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of permission permission B/22/0364 (Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of a replacement bungalow with attached garage) at Dwelling off Ullyatts Drove,

No comments or concerns

B/24/0034 – Installation of automatic gate and two fixed side panels with inbuilt pedestrian gate, Copperfield, Lineside

No comments or concerns with regards to the gates, how ever some concern with regards to the large planters that are quite close to the main road.

Planning Decisions

B/23/0345 –Barn to North of Holly House, Lineside.

Permission granted with conditions on 7 March 2024

B/23/0204 – Amber House Farm Barn, Sutterton Drove

No decision as yet

Wiltrans Appeal

Full report being compiled.

Ecotricity – Heckington Solar Farm

No further updates

Action: Clerk to pass comments onto the planning dept

23/653 Correspondence

The clerk raised an email received from a resident regarding speed and quantities of the sugar beet lorries on Ullyatts drove.

As this is a rural farming area, where crops need to be harvested and the road is a 60mph road there is nothing that the Parish Council can do.

The Clerk asked the Councillors if they wanted a Portrait of the King – It was resolved that this would be ordered.

The clerk confirmed she had received an email from Holland Fen Village Hall asking if they can put up small advertising boards for those residents that do not have Facebook.

Action: Clerk to order the portrait and respond to both the resident and to Holland Fen Village Hall

23/654 Clerks report including police report.

Action: None

23/657 Transfer of Street Lights from Boston Borough Council to the Parish Council

The Clerk summarised the feedback from the Parish Council Liaison meeting where the question was posed as to whether the Parish Councils wished the street lamp assets to be transferred across the Parish Councils so that they can be added to the asset register and insurance policy.  This follows on from the problems Old Leake Parish Council had with regards to not being able to claim on the insurance.. Also covered in the meeting was the conversion of the lights to LED as this reduces the cost of running the lights.

It was resolved that the Clerk would contact the Borough Council to ensure that we would still be covered under the maintenance agreement with them and establish what the cost would be to cover them under the current insurance.  In addition, the clerk to check what the cost would be to change the remaining lights to LED and see what the saving would be to establish whether to do this now or wait until the light needs replacing.

Action: Clerk to contact insurance company and Boston Borough Council to establish costs and then analyse whether this would be beneficial.

23/658 Matters Arising

Cllr JW asked if some more 30 mph signs could be purchased to replace existing ones.  Cllr CS reported that we may still have some and that he would check, and the clerk agreed to look back at the costs and add this to the next agenda if spare ones could not be located. In addition, Cllr JW reported that the dog bin was damaged and needed repairing but that it was actually on a private footpath. Following discussion, it was resolved that the Clerk would contact the Borough Council and ask if would be possible for it to be replaced and relocated and if another one could be put at the other side of the village.  Cllr SE agreed to send the clerk details of who to contact.

Cllr MB confirmed that Lincolnshire County Council have objected to the Pylons being erected and they are querying the costs quoted for Pylons in comparison to the sea route.  Cllr SE confirmed that Boston Borough Council wanted to support Lincolnshire County Council but have been advised not to as they will be part of the planning process and it could be seen as bias against the planning decision.

Cllr NH commented that some signs previously put out by Pilgrim School for a charity car wash have not been taken down.

Action: Clerk to contact Boston Borough Council regarding bins, research where signage was purchased and costs for further signs

23/659 Items for inclusion at next meeting

New Road signs

Street Lamps

Meeting Closed   8.12 pm

Date of next meeting:  20 May 2024 7.00 pm

Signed:                                                                                                    (In the chair)