Minutes
WESTON PARISH COUNCIL
Annual Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of meeting held on Monday 12th May 2025 at Weston Hills Village Hall
Commenced at 7.30pm
Present: - Cllrs, Dicks, Brotherton, Halgarth, Mews, Pennington, Redman, Walker and the Clerk/RFO.
25.067 Apologies Cllrs Bellamy, Casson & Mather.
Absent :- None
In Attendance:- Two members of the public
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and informed those present that the meeting was being recorded.
25.068 Election of Chairman/Signing of Declaration of Office
Cllr Dicks was elected to serve as Chairman for the coming year, proposed by LW seconded AB, unanimous vote in favour. The chairman signed a declaration of office his signature witnessed by the clerk.
25.069 Election of Vice Chair/Signing of Declaration of Office
Cllr J Bellamy was elected to serve as Vice Chair for the coming year, proposed CD seconded AB, unanimous vote in favour. It was agreed that the Vice Chair should sign her declaration of office at the next meeting she attends.
The chairman thanked the councillors who organised the recent Beacon lighting.
25.070 Declaration of interest in accordance with Localism Act 2011
None
25.071 Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 7th April 2025
Minutes of the meeting having been circulated were taken as read by the Chairman and signed as a true record. Proposed LW, seconded PM, unanimous vote in favour by those who were present at that meeting.
25.072 Public Forum
A resident gave an update on the proposed energy projects in the parish. A consultation period is due to start on EGL3 & EGL4. Meridian will be hosting a consultation event at Weston Village Hall on 22nd May and a protest walk has been organised to take place at Weston Marsh on Sunday 8th June 11am.
25.073 Annual Governance and Financial Risk Assessment 2024/25
Having been circulated it was adopted and approved by the council. Proposed AB, seconded LW, unanimous vote in favour.
25.074 Annual Governance Statement 2024/25
The documents having been circulated and with the agreement of those present the Chairman and Clerk signed off the Annual Governance statement. Proposed HR, seconded IP, unanimous vote in favour.
25.075 Annual Governance Accounts Statement 2024/25
The documents having been circulated and with the agreement of those present the Chairman and Clerk signed off the Annual Accounting statement. Proposed PM, seconded LW, unanimous vote in favour.
25.076 Matters Arising
Nothing further has been reported with regards motor bikes on the river bank at Weston Marsh.
The chairman asked if Cllr Halgarth had news on parking outside the care home on Broadgate Weston Hills. Cllr Halgarth said nothing had changed but that was not unexpected as it would take time to be sorted.
25.077 Correspondence
email from Meridian offering a meeting with the Parish Council to discuss their proposed energy project. It was agreed to wait until after the Meridian event at Weston Village hall before deciding if a meeting with Meridian and the Parish Council would be beneficial.
25.078 Highways/CSW/SID/Police.
The Clerk reported that traffic regulations had been received from LCC highways for the extension of double yellow lines at the junction of Broadgate and St Johns Road and the extending of the 30mph speed limit at Broadgate Weston Hills. Work is also due to start at the beginning of June on resurfacing of the High Road Weston between its junctions with the A151 and Small Drove Weston.
The chairman reported that the CSW is currently struggling due to a shortage of volunteers.
The Police have attended Wimberley Close with regards parking on the pavements. No issues were found but the PCSO has said he will continue to monitor the situation. Councillors were advised that Cllr Walker is able to contact the Police through the KIN’s network and should they have any matters for the Police then they should contact Cllr Walker.
25.079 Allotments
Councillors discussed the condition of the roadway at the allotments. Cllr Halgarth said that he would put extra top soil on the roadway next to allotments GA2 & GA3. He will also put down some hard-core at the entrance to the allotments.
25.080 Weston Playing Field
The situation with the emptying of the bin in the park was clarified following comments on Love Weston. Councillors were informed that currently a volunteer empties the bin.
Concerns were raised about the condition of turf laid around the play equipment. The condition of the grass is being monitored. Kompan might need to do remedial work when they install the zip-wire.
Questions were asked about the time scale for phase two and three of the play equipment and also what the plans were for the existing skate-board park. As Cllr Bellamy was not in attendance it was agreed to wait until she was available to give an update. Following a question the chairman said he will contact Cllr Bellamy with regards arrangements for an official opening of the new play equipment with the local press in attendance.
25.081 Weston Hills Playing Field
Nothing to report
25.082 Planning Matters
Notification of application for consideration available via SHDC website:-
H22-0574-24 Approved by SHDC.
H22-0336-25 & H22-0337-25 No Objection
25.083 Finance Report
The financial report to 30th April 2025 (Please see accompanying report) having been circulated was taken as read and its contents noted. Proposed IP, seconded LW, unanimous vote in favour.
The Insurance renewal was presented to those present. After discussing the matter it was agreed to renew the insurance with Clear Councils. Proposed AB, seconded LW, unanimous vote in favour. The Clerk to clarify if there is a charge for future amendments.
25.084 Items for Discussions
Cllr Pennington commented on the state of the litter bins at CrossGate. These bins belong to McDonalds and the restaurant regularly empties them however it was agreed that the Clerk would contact McDonalds with the Parish Councils concerns.
Cllr Mews asked if portable toilets could be made available at the playing field when events were taking place. It was agreed that for future events the Parish Council would look at hiring toilets.
Cllr Redman asked that a beacon lighting for VJ Day in August be put on July’s agenda and it was agreed to do so.
Cllr Brotherton asked if the local press could be informed of events like the recent VE Day beacon lighting. The Chairman said this should be considered in the planning for the VJ Beacon.
Cllr Dicks asked that DPI and dispensations be put on the agenda for July.
25.085 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 7th July 2025 7:30pm at Weston Village Hall.
There being no other business the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8:38pm.
Chairman …………………………………………………