November 2023 Minutes
Belton And Manthorpe Parish Council
Chairman - Councilor Simon Syddall, 5-6 Washdyke Lane, Belton Ng32 2lt
Clerk - Chris. Morgan, 10 Manchester Way, Grantham Ng31 8rr
Tel. 07758762811
Minutes of the Belton and Manthorpe Parish Council Meeting held on 29th November 2023 at 7.30pm in the Old School House, Belton
Present Cllrs S. Syddall, (Chair) Cllrs S Thompson, A Charity. M.Simpson, J Ashford,
In attendance Chris. Morgan (Clerk and Proper Officer). Cllr Ian Stokes (SKDC) Cllr P Martin (LCC), Simon Webb,(Architect) Sam Dix and Beverly Rodbard-Hedderwick – from Low Carbon, Will Bicknell ( Belton resident)
Chairman’s Remarks. The Chair, Cllr Syddall, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced those present. He went on to say that there had been only a small amount of activity in the P.C. around Planning Applications, most of which were not an issue to the P.C. but the P.C. had made comments on one application re electric gates that were proposed on Low Rd at Manthorpe and were not in keeping with other properties locally within the Conservation Area. There had been 2 Belton village residents’ meetings and concern had been raised re visitor’s behaviors to National Trust i.e. inconsiderate parking by staff, volunteers and visitors, causing problems to residents S.S. also welcomed Cllr Paul Martin (LCC Councilor) to his first meeting and it was hoped that Cllr Martin would be able to help and support the P.C. as his predecessor (Ray Wootten) had.
1) Apologies for Absence – Cllrs -Eve Farley, Cllr R Hallam and Ian Cooper (National Trust)
2) Declarations of Interest – Nothing declared by anyone, and there were no matters on the agenda where any councilors present had any pecuniary interest to declare.
3) Minutes of the last meeting held 16th August 2023 – It was RESOLVED to adopt the minutes as a true record, proposed by MS seconded by AC and the minutes, were, duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk. – Matters arising – All covered by agenda items.
4) Development Constable Field. Simon Webb addressed the meeting, re the proposal by his client Roy Lee to build 7 properties on the site.(3 two story 4 single story). A pre planning app had been submitted for just one property but this did not receive the support from the Planners, so the current proposal was now going to be submitted to SKDC. SS spoke about the history of the sale of the field and the fact that the then purchaser (Mr M Willet) proposal was for storage only, and if it had been anticipated that properties would be built there the P.C. may have viewed the sale differently. Other Cllrs stated that in principle there was not an objection to building properties there but there was concern re the electric pylon in the field and the issue re. entrance/exit to the land and the road safety implications. RESOLVED to wait for the actual Planning Application to be received and then the P.C. would make comments on that. SS thanked Simon Webb for his attendance and for engaging with the P.C. re the proposals. Simon Webb then left the meeting.
5) Belton Liaison Comm/National Trust – Mr. William Bicknell (Belton Resident) then addressed the meeting and spoke re the 2 Belton Resident Meetings that had been held. The National Trust had been contacted and Ian Cooper had been asked to resolve the issues. I.C. had made progress re the parking of vehicles there by staff and volunteers. Parking at major events there was also discussed. NT members get the parking free at Belton House but nonmembers have to pay, and that is the issue – Non members parking is the issue, and it is not known how N/T can resolve this. Re the cutting of hedges around the village a local working group with N/T had been set up and it was hoped that in the due course of time this matter would be resolved. Highways matters included pedestrians crossing the road near the Forge, excessive speeds of vehicles through the village, and the overgrown trees at the junction of A607 which was reducing visibility to motorists joining the A607. RESOLVED P.C. to contact LCC Highways to try and get an on-site meeting with the local Highways Manager, to see how/if these matters could be resolved. (email sent to Rowan Smith on 30/11/23 requesting a meeting)
6) As Tree Solar Farm –Representatives of Low Carbon addressed the meeting with a short presentation and also took questions from those present. In general terms the P.C. did not have any objections to the proposals and were particularly interested re the Community Benefit Fund that may be available should the proposals receive planning consent. Planning Application would be submitted shortly. The Low carbon Representatives then left the meeting.
7) Finance -CM had circulated a number of papers to be discussed – Proposed Budget, 2024/25, Precept, Financial Report. A full discussion took place with those present. RESOLVED – Precept to be requested £2675 which was an increase re the September CPI figure. The proposed budget was fully discussed and unanimously agreed, as presented. Financial report was discussed and the payments that had been made were retrospectively agreed. RESOLVED – Proposed ST seconded AC to accept the reports. (Unanimously agreed)
8) Speed Concerns A607 Manthorpe - A general discussion took place by all present. CM gave the reports from RSP re the Archer Checks held there. Concern was shown by all there re the speed of vehicles travelling in both directions. It was also discussed re other road safety issues, and the possibility of a pedestrian crossing on High Rd. RESOLVED CM to contact LCC Highways see item 5 above.
9) Manthorpe Burial Ground . CM reported that he had that day taken delivery of the new Notice Board to be erected at the burial ground. RESOLVED CM to look at the erection issues and if needed it was agreed that the P.C. would pay for this installation.
10) Planning Applications since the last meeting – CM had circulated a paper re all the applications received since the last meeting. Most were straight forward and related to tree issues. The P.C. had submitted comments re an application from Low Rd Manthorpe re an electric gate that was not in keeping with other properties and in the Conservation area. A decision re this application had not yet been received.
11) Any Urgent Business – None had been notified Cllr PM was thanked for attending. He stated that he was still getting to grips with the relevant issues, but most of the issues that had been discussed with him were Highways related.
12) Date and Time of Next Meeting – Dates for next year’s meeting were agreed: February 21st 2024 at Manthorpe, May 15th 2024 at Belton, August 28th 2024 at Manthorpe, November 13th 2024 at Belton.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.13pm