Minutes
WESTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of meeting held on Monday 3rd February 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, Halgarth, Mews, Pennington, Clerk/RFO.
In Attendance:- Three members of the public.
25.016 Apologies Cllrs Casson, Ellis.
Absent :- None
25.017 Declaration of interest in accordance with Localism Act 2011
None
25.018 Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 6th January 2025
Minutes of the meeting having been circulated were taken as read by the Chair and signed as a true record. Proposed JB, seconded BH, unanimous vote in favour by those who were present at that meeting.
25.019 Co-option of new Parish Councillor
Following the resignation of Cllr Higgins the Parish Council looked to co-opt its next councillor for the Weston ward. A resident of the parish Helen Redman asked to be considered for the position. After being interviewed she was invited to join the council. She duly signed her declaration of acceptance and then took her place on the Parish Council.
25.020 Public Forum
A resident asked what was happening with regards maintenance at St Johns churchyard. The Clerk replied that the Parochial Church Council had accepted the quote from Malc Firth. The Clerk will now inform Malc Firth of the decision. St Johns church PCC will be responsible for paying the invoices.
A resident commented on the quality of the street lighting on Austendyke Road between its junctions with Delgate Bank and Broadgate. The Chairman will contact County Councillor Rob Gibson on this matter. Comments were also made on the subject of vehicles parking on this stretch of road at night without lights. The chairman said he will contact the police about this.
25.021 Allotments
The chairman suspended standing orders to allow a tenant to appeal against the increase in allotment rents. After discussing the matter at length it was agreed to reduce the tenancy agreement to £85pa plus drainage rates (Proposed JB, seconded PM, unanimous vote in favour) and also reduce the allotment rent on allotments 1,2,3 & 6 to £85pa plus drainage rates (Proposed by BH, seconded IP, unanimous vote in favour). The chairman then re-instated standing orders.
25.022 Matters Arising
At the January meeting it was resolved to cease having representatives on outside organisations. The Clerk asked if the council would like Clerk to inform the relevant organisations verbally or in writing. It was agreed that the clerk would write to the organisations informing them of the council’s decision and also invite them to attend the Annual Parish meeting in April.
25.023 Correspondence
None
25.024 Highways/SID/CSW
Those present were shown LCC highways plans to extend the double yellow lines on Broadgate at its junction with St Johns Road.
The CSW is currently having a winter break. Cllr Bellamy said she will forward to councillors details of the SID data in the next few days.
25.025 Weston Playing Field
The Clerk informed the meeting that there were moles in the North West corner of the playing field. It was agreed that the Clerk would engage a company to deal with the problem.
Cllr Bellamy informed the meeting that extra SPF funds were available if projects are completed before 31st March. It was agreed to bring forward phase one of the play equipment to February so that Cllr Bellamy could apply for these SPF funds to be used for the purchase of the play equipment.
Cllr Bellamy informed the meeting that the cost of the internet connection for the CCTV will be £30 per month plus vat unlimited access. It was agreed that Cllrs Dicks, Bellamy and Mews together with the Clerk/RFO would have access to the CCTV footage.
25.026 Weston Hills Playing Field
Work continues on providing a second seat and a new waste bin at Weston Hills playing field.
25.027 Planning Matters
Notification of application for consideration available via SHDC website:-
H22-0960-24, H22-1070-24, H22-0801-24, H22-0994-24 Approved by SHDC
The chairman informed those present that the planning application for the Bell pub to be changed into a convenience store was likely to come before SHDC planning in March. It was the chairman’s intention to attend the meeting as he had received representations form residents about the application.
25.028 C.E.R.T. Local Emergency Planning
The Chairman spoke on the local emergency plan proposed by LCC. He felt this was a big undertaking and should the parish council decide to join this plan a separate dedicated meeting would be needed to discuss the matter. This suggestion was accepted by those present.
25.029 Finance Report
The financial report to 31st January 2025 (Please see accompanying report) having been circulated was taken as read and its contents noted. It was resolved to accept the financial report. Proposed AB, seconded PM, unanimous vote in favour.
The Clerk/RFO presented to the meeting the new tariffs being offered by e-on as the electricity contact at the playing field is due for renewal. It was proposed and unanimously agreed to accept a three year fixed business tariff of 56p per day standing charge and 33p per kWh.
The Clerk/RFO left the room while those present conducted a review of the Clerks/RFO’s salary. Cllr Bellamy proposed to move the Clerk from an SC13 pay scale to SC15 and also increase the Clerks hours from twelve to seventeen per week. Seconded by PM, unanimous vote in favour.
25.030 Complaints Procedure
It was agreed to adopt the new complaints procedure formulated by Cllr Bellamy. Proposed by CD, seconded AB, unanimous vote in favour. Cllr Bellamy will supply a copy for the Clerk to put on the councils website.
25.031 Items for Discussions
Cllr Pennington suggested a litter pick in the parish. The Chairman asked the Clerk to arrange collection of the litter picking equipment from the resident who is currently storing it. Cllr Mews asked about the excess of litter at the layby on Cross Gates. McDonalds do periodically empty the bins but it was suggested that councillors might consider contacting McDonalds and ask them to empty the bins if they see they are overflowing.
25.032 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 3rd March 7:30pm at Weston Hills Village Hall.
The date of the Annual Parish meeting (AOPM) will be Monday 28th April 7:30pm at Weston village hall.
There being no other business the chairman thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9:07pm.
Chairman …………………………………………………