Minutes of the Bi-Monthly Meeting of Knaith Parish Council held in the
Village Hall on Monday 26th September 2022
Present: Councillor A. Morphet (Chairman)
Councillor S. Breeze
Councillor D. Randall
Councillor E. Bailey
Councillor S. Bowdler
Mrs E. Coulson (Clerk)
District Councillor Jessie Milne
15 Minute Public Forum
Jaime Allan – 7,000 acre + group was in attendance. They are a single action group that formed in April 2022 which opposes and are fighting against the proposed solar farms in the area.
Main Objections are:
- Sheer Size of the project being the equivalent of 5,000 football pitches.
- Loss of productive land. Brownfield sites, housing and commercial buildings should be used. Agricultural land should be last resort.
- Increased Flood Risk. Run-off from Solar Panels is different than natural rain. The Solar Panels make it more concentrated in certain areas.
- Sourcing concerns. Millions of solar panels and batteries made in China using precious materials and then using sea freight to reach the UK which is the dirtiest form of transport.
Main strategy themes:
- Fund Raising
- Marketing and PR
- Strategy, policy and technical
The group want to engage with local Parish Council’s in the hope that concerns raised can be used against the projects.
Councillor Morphet explained that Knaith Parish Council is against all of the proposed projects with Low Carbon being our main concern due to its location. The Parish Council has kept in contact with Low Carbon and they do attend meetings on a regular basis.
Visualisation is important in the fight, with no map being available showing the sites and the scale. This has been requested.
Councillor Randall – Comments that the number of village affected is 30.
Councillor Bailey – What villages are affected? Jaime Allan is awaiting that information and will provide once available.
Councillor Morphet thanked Jaime Allan for his attendance and that the group has the support from Knaith Parish Council.
Jaime Allan left the meeting.
1/9/22. Gate Burton Energy Park Briefing
Gate Burton Energy Park was unable to attend tonight’s rescheduled meeting due to other commitments. They sent their apologies.
The Parish Council was of the view that they should be invited to the next meeting but we would like direct answers to the questions and concerns already raised. Clerk to invite and highlight questions/concerns that need addressing- EC.
2/9/22. Apologies for absence
Councillor Belton and Councillor Stanser both sent in apologies, which were accepted. Councillor Morphet will Chair the meeting in Councillor Belton’s absence.
3/9/22. 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.
4/9/22. To approve the Minutes of the last meeting on 11th July 2022
Minutes have been circulated and it was Proposed by Councillor Randall, and seconded by Councillor Breeze and resolved to sign as a true record.
5/9/22. Clerk’s report on Outstanding Matters
- Street Sign
Chased West Lindsay District Council for an update on the Willingham Road sign outside the Village Hall, which is in a state of disrepair. They have confirmed that a new sign has been ordered and that it could take 6 weeks to replace.
- Queen’s Jubilee Grant
Further to our application and then West Lindsay District Council retrospectively closing the funding early, District Councillor Milne will chase for a response as to why this was done. JM to query fund withdrawal with WLDC.
- Highways & Ditches
Case re-opened with Lincolnshire Highways through FixMyStreet. This is in regards to drains and dyke blockages along Knaith Hill. Awaiting an update.
- Parking on Padmoor Lane
Have been a number of occasions where vehicles have parked up to the junction on the Padmoor Lane turning obstructing the view and making it dangerous for vehicles pulling out of this junction. It was discussed ways to tackle this issue and then proposed by Councillor Bailey that a leaflet been drafted to raise the issue of this junction, mindful parking of residents and visitors. This was seconded by Councillor Bowdler with none against. A draft leaflet is to be drawn and ask Councillor Belton for these to be printed. EC and DB
6/9/22. Correspondence
- Crime Reports for July and August – Circulated.
- General Correspondence – List circulated.
7/9/22. Financial Matters and Grant Considerations
- Financial Statement to 12th September 2022 – With payments totalling £2,400.25 and no receipts. It was resolved that the Chairman would sign the statement for the record.
8/9/22. Gate Burton Energy Park
It was noted that trenching has appeared in the fields on the proposed site for Gate Burton Energy Park. Councillor Bowdler – when the development Consent Order is applied for these trenches will identify areas of interest and it is pre-commencement work that can go ahead without triggering the Development Consent Order.
Councillor Breeze informed the Parish Council that he has been attending the 7,000 Acre meetings and they are on the process of finding direction for the best way to fight the proposed plans.
It had been looked into about reduced energy prices because of the farms but were told from Gate Burton Energy that this was not an option/possible. However, Octopus Energy offers a scheme for residents living near there wind farms called the Octopus Energy Fan Club and for certain postcodes a reduction to energy is given when the wind turbines are active.
Councillor Breeze confirmed that Gate Burton Energy has been out to take pictures of the outlook of the cottages off Station Road with a view to super imposing what the view would look like should the project go ahead. Councillor Breeze has not heard back from them since the photos were took.
9/9/22. Stag’s Head Public House
Following on from the leaflets that were distributed throughout Lea, Knaith and Knaith Park we received 34 responses from Lea and 27 from Knaith/Knaith Park.
In light of the responses, the current economic climate and the fact that the pub has new residents, it was agreed by the Parish Council to pause any further works on this project at this time.
10/9/22. Village Hall – Legal Status
The Clerk is struggling to get advice on the original documents. Councillor Stanser was going to contact the Charitable Commission to seek advice. An update from Councillor Stanser is required to see what our next steps will be. Item carried forward to next Agenda. WS
12/9/22. Broadband
Councillor Bowdler – Meeting 28th September, hopefully have an update after this. SB
13/9/22. Speeding Initiatives
Following the training on the speed gun, a speed gun exercise was carried out within the village. This highlighted some vehicles speeding slightly over the limit but none which would be classed as excessive.
With regards the Speed Indicator which was proposed by Councillor Bowdler. The Clerk will obtain new quotes for the speed indicator and apply for Match Funding Grant to hopefully fund part of this project. EC
14/9/22. Items of information to be noted and if necessary, dealt with at the next meeting.
- Meeting Minutes and Agenda’s need changing at the notice boards. Clerk to action. EC
- Defibrillator – When was this last checked serviced? West Lindsay District Council does offer a maintenance service. The Clerk will investigate and report back next meeting. EC
15/9/22. Date for next meeting
A date was set for the next Bi-Monthly Parish Council Meeting - Monday 14 November 2022 at 6.30 pm.
With all business concluded the meeting closed at 8.06pm
Signed ………………………………………. Dated ………………………………