Minutes
WESTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held on Monday 1st September 2025 at Weston Village Hall
Commenced at 7.30pm
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, and informed those present that the meeting was being recorded and asked that everyone refrain from using their mobile phones.
Present: - Cllrs, Dicks, Bellamy, Brotherton, Casson, Halgarth, Mather, Mews,Pennington, Walker & the Clerk/RFO.
In Attendance: - Five members of the public, Cty Cllrs Gibson & Sneath & Dist. Cllr Woolfe
25.119 Apologies Cllr Redman.
Absent: - None
25.120 Declaration of interest in accordance with Localism Act 2011
Cllr Casson on all planning matters due to him being on SHDC planning committee.
25.121 Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 4th August 2025
Minutes of the meeting having been circulated were taken as read by the Chairman and signed as a true record. Proposed AC, seconded BH, unanimous vote in favour by those who were present at that meeting.
25.122 Public Forum
Two representatives from the care home on Austendyke Road attended the meeting following complaints of anti-social behaviour in the area of the home. The representatives said that they felt the problem had been rectified as the person causing the problem had been moved. Cllr Casson said he had visited the care home and that he felt the problem was now sorted. Cllr Bellamy voiced her concerns saying that there had been too much disruption to local residents and problems with parking were likely to persist. The representatives assured those present that they would work with the Parish Council and local residents to solve any problems and provided their contact details.
Cty Cllr Gibson updated those present on highways matters in the parish. In particular the problems with the accuracy of road signs on Fulney Drove and Mill Drove.
Dist. Cllr Woolfe asked if the parish council had received a reply to its letter to McDonalds. The Clerk replied that it had and that the reply had been circulated to all Parish Councillors. Dist Cllr Woolfe went on to say that he had recently visited the restaurant and reported over-flowing bins which McDonald’s staff immediately rectified. He recommended that anyone seeing the bins over-flowing should report the matter to McDonalds.
A resident spoke to the meeting with regards the overgrowing bushes in Weston Hills playing field. The chairman moved agenda item (9) forward so the matter could be discussed immediately.
25.123 Weston Hills Playing Field
The overgrowing bushes and trees were discussed. The chairman suspended standing orders to allow the resident to speak. With regards to the bushes in the bottom corner of the playing field it was agreed that a meeting should be arranged on site with Parish Councillors, the PC’s maintenance company and the resident to look further into the matter and report back to the full council. With regards to the trees overhanging properties in Carisbrooke Way it was agreed that no action should be taken. It was pointed out that residents could if they so wished cut back the trees but the Parish Council has no obligation to cut the trees back and would not be doing so. The Clerk will inform the resident. The chairman then reinstated standing orders.
25.124 Matters Arising
Cllr Bellamy reported that she had contacted a local company with a view to renovation work to the bench at the junction of Broadgate and Austendyke Road but that the company did not under-take that type of work. It was then agreed that the Clerk would contact Rob Frost to see if his company might do the work.
Cllr Brotherton reported that she had made enquiries about the Parish Council now having to pay employer NI contributions. Only charitable organisations are exempt from paying and as Parish Councils are not charities the PC will need to pay the employer NI contributions.
25.125 Correspondence
email from the Chairlady of SHDC inviting members of the Parish Council to her civic church service on 28th September and bingo night on 25th October
email from a resident with regards to damage caused to a tree at Weston playing field.
25.126 Highways/CSW/SID/Police.
Due to a lack of interest and involvement from the police and LRSP the chairman proposed that the Parish Council cease its activities with the CSW and remove the SID units. With regards the CSW the leader of the group had reported to the chairman that he wished for the CSW to continue but that would not be until the New Year. Councillors asked if the Parish Council could pay for a speed van and police speed cameras in the parish. The Chairman said he would make enquiries and Cllr Walker said she would raise the matter with police at the forthcoming police seminar she is due to attend.
25.127 Weston Playing Field
Cllr Bellamy reported on progress with play equipment. The application for funding the zip wire through the UKSPF had been declined so s106 funds will be used. Although initially delayed planning permission has now been granted for the zip wire. The cost of the zip wire will be £17,608.87+vat. Installation is likely to take place either in November or March depending on weather conditions.
The installation of signs in the playing field was discussed. It was agreed to install two signs prohibiting dogs in the play area and two signs at the entrances requesting dogs be kept on leads. Cllr Bellamy presented two quotes for fencing around the play area but it was decided to wait to see if the installation of the signs might make fencing off the play area unnecessary.
25.128 Planning Matters
Notification of application for consideration available via SHDC website:-
H22-0539-25 Refused by SHDC
H22-0709-25, H22-0336-25, H22-0337-25, H22-0562-25, H22-0558-25, Approved by SHDC.
H22-0735-22 No Objections
25.129 Finance Report
The financial report to 31st August (Please see accompanying report) having been circulated was taken as read and its contents noted. Proposed LW, seconded PM, unanimous vote in favour.
The Clerk/RFO brought to the attention of those present the Local Government Services pay increase for the Clerk of 3.2% back dated to 1st April.
25.130 Social Media
After discussing the matter it was agreed that the Parish Council would have a presence on Facebook and Instagram. Cllrs Brotherton, Redman and Walker to be the administrators. Proposed AB, seconded JB unanimous vote in favour.
25.131 Energy Projects / Local Development Zones
Meridian are due to attend the PC meeting in October. The Clerk asked that Councillors give consideration to questions they wish Meridian to answer and contact the Clerk with these questions no later than Friday 19th September so that the questions can be forwarded to Meridian.
Cllr Bellamy spoke on options that might help Parish Councils on protecting parish land from developments and pylons with four key areas. 1). Neighbourhood Plan (LGS), 2). Local Nature Recovery Strategies, 3). Agricultural Land Protection, 4). Water Shortages.
25.132 Items for Discussions
Cllr Brotherton spoke on the matter of tree growth obscuring road signs.
Cllr Bellamy asked for Burial Grounds be put on the agenda for October.
The Chairman asked that relocating parish council meetings to the Community Centre, High Road Weston be put on October’s agenda.
25.133 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 6th October 2025 7:00pm at Weston Hills Village Hall.
There being no other business the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9:23pm.
Chairman …………………………………………………