2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LEVERTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN LEVERTON VILLAGE HALL ON MONDAY 22nd MAY 2023

Present:   Cllr D Durrant – Chairman

Cllrs: Mr D Horwat, Mr N White, Mrs J Self-Shutts, Mr N Chandler

Also Present:    Mrs C Anderton – Clerk of the Council

Public Forum

There were no members of the public present.

23/40   To elect a Chairman for the 2023/24 administration period

It was proposed by Cllr J Self-Shutts that Cllr Durrant continue in the Chairman position for the next administration period which was seconded by Cllr D Horwat and carried unanimously.

23/41   To receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Chairman

The Chairman completed the Acceptance of Office form which was also signed by the clerk.

23/42   To elect a Vice Chairman for the 2023/24 administration period.

It was proposed by Cllr N White that Cllr J Self-Shutts take on the role of Vice-Chairman which was carried unanimously.

23/43   Apologies

Apologies were received from Mrs F Osborne

23/44   To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011

There were no interests declared.

23/45  To receive and approve the notes of the Council meeting held on Monday 17 April 2023

It was proposed and RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting held 17 April 2022 be approved as a correct record of the meeting and be signed by the Chairman.

23/46    Issues relating to the Playing Fields, Potholes and the Environment of the Parish

Playing Fields

Cllr Horwat stated that chain harrows would soon be needed on the playing fields, the clerk stated she would contact Roger Wright  to arrange this. 

Potholes

The Chairman stated that at the present time the potholes around the parish were no worse than any of the surrounding parishes.

Environment 

Cllr N White asked if a letter had been sent to the resident on Outgate regarding the overhanging hedge, the clerk confirmed one had been sent and she had spoken with the resident in person. The Chairman asked if it was possible for Lincolnshire County Council to intervene, Cllr P Skinner asked for a copy of the original letter which he could forward on. 

Cllr N White also highlighted that there had been a further development at The Grange, Highgate which he believed was not in the original plan. The clerk confirmed she would bring this to the attention of the planning enforcement officer. 

23/47  Refurbishment of the Church Hall

The clerk confirmed she had contacted the Church Warden however, the issue of replacing the roof was still holding up the painting of the outside. The clerk confirmed that this item would stay on the agenda until it was resolved. 

23/48 Planning – B/23/0146, The Old Smithy, Highgate, Leverton, Boston, PE22 0AW

Siting of 2no storage containers and 3m high fence (works already started/completed) at The Old Smithy, Highgate, Leverton, Boston, PE22 0AW

Members of the Council discussed the application and RESOLVED to object to the application on the following points:

Members of Leverton Parish Council reviewed the application at their meeting on Monday 22nd May 2023 and have noted that the applicant intends to utilise the existing storage containers and 3 metre high metal panel fencing as a permanent boundary partition. 

The Members have deemed this material as inappropriate for a permanent boundary partition and wish to refer to the recent application by the neighbouring property, that being VW Breakers with LCC application number PL/0013/23 and Boston BC application number B/23/0106, whereby the matter of the same type of boundary partition was refused for the following reason:

The existing corrugated steel fencing and use of storage containers and trailers as a form of boundary treatment around the site is not appropriate as they have an unacceptable visual impact and are incongruous with the rural character and charm of the local area. The retention of these structures is therefore not suitable and is contrary to Policy 2 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Members of the Council wish to add that this boundary partition is not visually attractive as a result of good design, layout or appropriate and effective landscaping and therefore the application is also contrary to paragraph 130 (b) of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021.

23/49   Finance

a)   It was proposed and RESOLVED to accept the payments as per the payment sheet 05/2023 details below:

23/50 Matters for discussion only or to be added to the next agenda.

There were no matters.

23/51   Date and Time of the next Parish Council Meeting

The next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 19 June 2023 beginning at 7.00pm. There being no further business to discuss, the Chairman thanked those in attendance and declared the meeting closed.