Minutes of the Meeting of Knaith Parish Council held in the
Village Hall on Thursday 10th February 2022 at 7.00pm
Present: Councillor D. Belton (Chairman)
Councillor A. Morphet
Councillor S. Breeze
Councillor D. Randall
Councillor E. Bailey
Councillor S. Bowdler
Councillor W. Stanser
District Councillor J. Milne
Mrs E. Coulson (Clerk)
01/02/22. Apologies for absence
No apologies.
02/02/22. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to receive any applications for Dispensation. Members may make declarations at this point but also make them at any point during the meeting.
There were no declarations at this time
03/02/22. Clerk’s report on Outstanding Matters
- Salt Bin. Clerk has spoken with LCC and a scoring system is in place for all new salt bin requests. Clerk to circulate scoring system to see where would be appropriate within Knaith Park with enough points for it to be approved.
04/02/22. Financial Matters
- Internal Audit – Oct – Dec 2021. Internal Audits checked and signed by Councillor Bailey and The Clerk.
05/02/22. Stag Wood and Woodland Trust
Further to 09/01/22, The Clerk contacted WLDC for clarification as to why Parish Councils are not included when they receive felling application. WLDC suggested we contact Forestry Commission with regards felling orders as they are just consultees.
Whilst the Parish Council may not necessarily have any objections, it is not understood why we are not consulted as we are with other planning applications. Especially when the piece of land in question has a lot of local interest of which WLDC may not be aware of.
We do not have the capacity to check for Forestry Commission website on a weekly basis like WLDC. Therefore, if WLDC do not inform us, these licences will slip under the radar just as this one has.
Councillor Morphet is to draft a letter to Ian Knowles to query this process.
06/02/22. Village Hall – General and Repairs
Councillor Bailey and Stanser declared an interest as they sit on the Village Hall Committee.
Councillor Stanser has obtained a quote for recycled fence at £3,348 + VAT. This does not include fitting. He has also got another company to quote over the coming weekend; he will report these at the next meeting.
With Grants that the Village Hall have recently received, the Village Hall Committee has allocated some funds for the following projects: Replacing the lights throughout and replacement of radiators as three do not currently work.
07/02/22. Village Hall – Legal Status
Documents from Burton and Dyson were sent to the wrong address and only obtained shortly before the meeting. Extraordinary Meeting to be scheduled at a later date.
08/02/22. Gate Burton Energy Park
Councillor Breeze had a site visit with James from Gate Burton as the views from the cottages on Station Road will be massively affected from this project. James was quite surprised when he visited and was going to feed this back.
District Councillor Milne expressed concerns that house prices will fall, no statistics have been seen with regards this. Concerns were also raised with regards industry, shopping and that no one will want to come to the area because of the proposed projects. The town could suffer as a result. District Councillor Milne also said there will be a battery at the bottom of every solar panel causing noise pollution and shipping containers will be used on site to store equipment etc.
Concerns were raised with regards the use of Overhead cables, especially if the same route is not used for all three projects.
The site which has been proposed is not necessarily the most suitable but has been chosen for economic ease rather than suitability.
Deadline of 18 February for Stage One feedback to be submitted.
Knaith Parish Councils Current Position/Views
- Current Footprint of the proposed development. Proposed site is excessive
- Community Impact Zones. Proposal of CIZ’s to create a buffer between the hamlets/villages and the nearest impacting solar panel sites.
- Community Benefits. Initiatives such:
- Road traffic calming measures
- Community broadband support
- Village Hall improvements
- Upgrade/Maintenance of Public Rights of Way
- Community Solar Panel initiatives
Councillor Bowdler will draft the Parish Council’s position/views.
The Clerk to submit Parishioners views (already collated) and Knaith Parish Council’s position before the deadline.
District Councillor Milne – Sir Edward Leigh is fighting these proposed projects as Lincolnshire appears to be the sole target for such projects. The planning has not been set in stone and that’s why it’s important to raise concerns and gather information.
09/02/22. Broadband – Councillor Bowler
Councillor Bowdler has circulated minutes from Community Broadband Meeting 20.01.22.
Councillor Bowdler has been in contact with Quickline to discuss the use of the Village Hall as a ‘bouncing’ point. Hayley at Quickline is going to speak to the engineers in an effort to move things forward. He is quietly confident that Quickline will find a solution.
Councillor Bailey asked if a better deal could be sort on satellites as a short term measure whilst a permanent solution is found.
OpenReach have taken on 1,000’s new staff but no movement on projects yet due to training/upgrades.
10/02/22. Speeding/Vehicle Noise Issues
Councillor Bowdler has circulated a quote for new speed signs at £5,794 excl. VAT. This is for two mains powered speed indicators. The Parish Council will consider this item and is to be carried forward to the next meeting.
11/02/22. Highways/Ditches
The sign on the bend has finally been fixed but the drains are still blocked on the same corner. The Clerk has taken new photos and will submit to LCC again.
12/02/22. Councillor Interactions
Councillor Bowdler will set-up a Snapchat Parish Council group, please email him with your mobile number if he does not already have it.
13/02/22. Items of information to be noted and if necessary dealt with at the next meeting
None noted than outstanding items from above.
14/02/22. Date for next meeting
A date for the Bi-Monthly meeting in March is Monday 14 March 2022 at 7.00 pm.
With all business concluded the meeting closed at 8.45pm.
Signed ………………………………………. Dated ………………………………