February 2025 Minutes
Minutes taken by The Clerk (Locum) Mrs Laura Forman
for the Parish Council meeting at Wyberton Parish Council, which was held on
Wednesday 12th February 2025 at 7pm at Wyberton Community Centre
(These minutes will be checked at the next meeting before the council amends/approves them as a correct record)
Present: Cllr Mike Sharp (Chair) David Williams (Vice Chair) Cllr Richard Austin, Cllr Caryn Sheldrake, Cllr Allan Fryer, and the Clerk Val Austin and Locum Clerk Laura Forman.
2 members of the public were also present.
The meeting was called to order at 19:00pm
1. Chairman to open the meeting:
Cllr Mike Sharp welcomed everyone.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.
· Cllr Jason Stevenson – Work Commitment
· Cllr Maxine Stones – Illness
3. Public Forum: To resolve to suspend the meeting for a maximum of 10 minutes to allow members of the public to ask questions or make short statements to the council.
- None declared.
4. Declarations of interest (if any): To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests
· Cllr Richard Austin and Cllr Mike Sharp stated that although they are associated with the Church; they have no financial interest with regards to agenda item 9.3 with ref quotations obtained for the grassing cutting for the Village Burial Ground at St Leodegar’s Church.
5. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th December 2024- To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes.
· Proposed by Cllr David Williams, seconded by Cllr Allan Fryer.
· Cllr Mike Sharp agreed and signed the minutes.
6. Lincolnshire County and Boston Borough Councillors
1. - Cllr Mrs. Allison Austin
- Discussion with reference to the recent flooding on 7th January 2025 affecting 40 homes in
the Boston area. Cllr Austin stated that an independent investigation would be made into the incident and the efficiency of the warning given by the Environment Agency on 6th January 2025. Overnight accommodation was offered by Boston Borough Council to those whose houses were directly affected. Cllr Austin expressed thanks to Wyberton Parish Council for the offer of the use of Wyberton Community Centre on the night of the flooding. An update on the results of the investigation will be given in due course.
- All residents should report any issues e.g. streetlights on the fix my street website.
- South Lincolnshire Local Plan will be refreshed in the next six months. The plan relates to both Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council. Cllr Austin to attend meetings and report back to Wyberton Parish Council in due course.
2. - Cllr Mr. Richard Austin
- Boston Borough Council has increased Council tax allowance from 85% to 100% providing
further support to lower income households.
- Re Flooding on 7th January 2025 – see Cllr Allison Austin comments.
- Boston Borough Councillor allowances have increased recently, bringing councillors in line with East Lindsay and South Holland District councillors.
3. - Cllr Chris Mountain – Not in attendance
7. Clerks Report – Ongoing issues
a) Footway Lighting – Update – Ongoing
· The clerk has emailed the councillors with regards to the increased prices of the repairs.
· The clerk has sent the original audit spreadsheet to all councillors.
· The clerk has sent the annual bill to all councillors.
· Cllr Mike Sharp queried the repairs element of changing of the lights to LED, as some of the lights are not owned by Wyberton Parish Council.
· Cllr David Williams stated that that the audit of the lighting included details of which lights required repairs and the budget was to include the cost of any repairs. The company changing the lights to LED will not change any lights if any of the poles are broken.
· All councillors agreed to proceed with the changing of the lights to LED, except those requiring repairs.
· Cllr Caryn Sheldrake queried the request for two lights on Yarborough Road to be left on all night as to whether it was required as it is not cost effective.
· All Councillors agreed that the lights on Yarborough Road were to be switched off at night.
b) Speeding and traffic / Radar signs - Update
· The Clerk has received a reply from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership suggesting that a meeting is arranged to discuss where the possible radar signs could be sited, and to provide more information.
· Cllr Allan Fryer to lead, Cllr Caryn Sheldrake assisting with arranging possible dates for the meeting.
c) New logo on the front of the Community Centre – The Clerk - Update
· The Clerk ordered and received the Vinyl logo. Unfortunately, the Printers sent the wrong size.
· The Clerk is awaiting re-delivery of the correct size vinyl logo.
d) Energy Grant - Update
· The Clerk sent through emails to all Councillors to have a look through and decide which grant to apply for.
· Cllr David Williams stated that most of the grants do not provide funding for Parish Councils. However, East Coast Community Fund can provide funding of £10,000 - £50,000 to organisations that are eligible but this would require match funding. Next application deadline is 31st July 2025.
· All in favour for Cllr David Williams to proceed with the application to East Coast Community Fund with match funding.
e) Noticeboard at the Front of the Community Centre – Update
· The Noticeboard has been ordered and waiting for delivery.
f) Chattertons – Land at Parthian Avenue – Update
· Chattertons solicitors are dealing with the transfer, waiting for the final documents.
· Cllr David Williams advised that any future changes to the land would require written permission from Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP) but intends to negotiate for the possibility of making small changes without the need to obtain written permission.
8. Councillors update on previous agenda items – To Note / To discuss and resolve
8.1 Crest update – Cllr Allan Fryer
· Cllr Allan Fryer - No further updates at this time.
9. Councillors to discuss and resolve the following items:
9.1 New member to Staffing Committee
Resolved – All in favour for Cllr Caryn Sheldrake to join the staffing committee.
9.2 Mole Hills – Parthian Avenue
A resident has contacted the Parish council regarding the mole hills on the land. The Clerk has sent the emails to all councillors (3rd February 2025). The resident was not present at the meeting.
Cllr David Williams stated that deterrents such as traps or poison could pose a threat to human health.
Resolved- All agreed no further action to be taken. – To be removed from the agenda.
9.3 Consideration of Churchyard Grass Cutting quotations for the Village Burial Ground a St Leodegar’s Church – Cllr Mike Sharp
Three bids have been received, for the works, Cllr Mike Sharp presented these to the Council for consideration.
Resolved – All agreed that T. A. Blackamore is to be appointed to undertake the works as quoted. Clerk to inform all candidates of the Council’s decision – To be removed from agenda.
9.4 United Charities Annual Meeting – Cllr Mike Sharp
Cllr Mike Sharp stated that it is the responsibility of the Parish Council to put forward nominees to become trustees for the charity. There should be four trustees; three of which should be nominated by the Council with each serving a four-year term. Cllr Mike Sharp is currently a trustee, so a further two nominees are required. There is also a need for a review of the Charity’s operations.
- Cllr Richard Austin asked not to be considered as a nominee for Trustee, due to a conflict of interest.
-Cllr David Williams and Cllr Richard Austin agreed to work together to review the Charity’s operations.
-Cllr Mike Sharp requested that the review be completed before the Annual Parish Council meeting, as the Charity needs to hold an AGM (as this has not been done for some time).
- Item to be added to the Agenda once there is something further to report
9.5 Newsletter – Cllr Caryn Sheldrake
Alteration suggested to the content of the Spring Newsletter: to include the web address of fix my street website.
Cllr Mike Sharp will compose a message from the Council to be added to the newsletter.
Cllr Caryn Sheldrake proposed that Cllr Richard Austin assist with the distribution of the Spring Newsletter as he has previously.
Resolved - All agreed upon the content of the Spring Newsletter following the inclusion of the amendment and message from the Council. Distribution to be arranged by Cllr Richard Austin.
9.6 Annual Parish Meeting Date
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 7th May at 6.00pm
Cllr Mike Sharp requested that the date of the meeting be included in the Spring Newsletter.
9.7 Outer Dowsing Offshore – Cllr Richard Austin
Resolved - All councillors agreed that Cllr Richard Austin is to continue to attending meetings and provide any further updates.
10: Finance
10.1: Approve Payments of Accounts
· Resolved – All Councillors approved and Cllr Mike Sharp signed the payment list.
· Payments to be made February 2025 - £7,697.24
· Payments made in between meetings - £372.00
· Receipts received from 9th January 2025 – 12th February 2025 - £4,312.75
10.2: Bank statements – 11th December 2024
· Treasurers Balance - £6,499.51
· Business Bank Insta - £30,690.39
11: Planning matters: Town and Country Planning Act 1990 - To consider and make observations on all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by the Borough Council – The parish clerk has delegated authority to respond to planning applications, in consultation with the Councillors via email.
To include those received between the day of posting this notice and the day of the meeting
B/25/0002 - Advertisement consent for the installation of illuminated totem signs to Kia Motors, Coney Way, Wyberton.
• Cllr Allan Fryer raised comments regarding the placement of the proposed illuminated totem signs; stating that they should face the roadway directly so that they will not cause any disturbance or light pollution to local residences and the residential care home in the vicinity.
B/25/0042- Construction of a retail unit including car park, landscaping and associated works – Marks and Spencer.
• Cllr Richard Austin stated that it may be an opportunity to ask for contributions to improve the footpath and cycle way down West End Road to accommodate the additional road users.
Next Meeting: Wednesday 12th March 2025 at 7pm
With no other matters the meeting closed at 20:50pm
Signed:
Date: