February 2024 - Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting
Minutes of the Hemswell Parish Council extraordinary meeting held Thursday 22nd February 2024, 7.00 PM at Hemswell and Harpswell Village Hall, Hemswell.Present:
Parish Councillors: Cllr. B. Mander (Chair), Cllr. J. Roberts (Vice Chair), Cllr. M. Sheppard, Cllr. M. Foster, Cllr. P. Sutherland. Clerk: E. Raymond. District Cllr. P. Howitt-Cowan, Member(s) of the Public (MoP): 5
Public Forum Start 7:00 PM
Members of the public:
i. A resident explained their objections to Planning App. 147774 on the grounds of the height of the building and the installation of Velux windows, believing it sets a precedent for further development and changes to dwellings once planning permission has been granted.
ii. A resident questioned the process of how internal works can be undertaken in a conservation area without needing planning permission. The resident expressed concern about the size of the windows to be installed and the lack of transparency over the planning process for the new dwelling (Planning App. 147774).
The Chair thanked the public for their contributions and convened the Parish Council meeting at 7.26 PM.
090-23/24 CHAIRPERSON WELCOME & REMARKS The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
091 23/24 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None - All members present.
092-23/24 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND DISPENSATION REQUESTS None. A member advised the PC their property overlooked the site of planning application 147854 but had no other interests to declare.
093-23/24 PLANNING MATTERS Members discussed the following planning applications:
a. Planning Application 147774 - The Hideaway, 12A Weldon Road, Hemswell. Planning application to install 2no. Velux roof windows to the rear elevation. http://tinyurl.com/ysn7s782
Council had previously submitted ‘no comment’ on the planning application for Velux. Following residents' questions and comments on the property's recent ‘permitted development’, the Parish Council reconsidered its position on the planning application. Members concluded that while the PC has no material objections to the installation of the windows, it was mindful of the concerns and questions expressed by the public and submitted to the WLDC planning portal regarding the history of this development raising a question on the relevance and worth of the neighbour plan and the PC should, therefore, provide further comments on the application.
RESOLVED to SUBMIT further comments on planning application 147774 to WLDC to reflect the concerns and views of residents. ACTION: Clerk.
b. Planning Application 147854 – Hillcrest Middle Street, Hemswell. Planning application to erect 1no. beauty therapy studio. http://tinyurl.com/39s9ya3e
Council set out its objections and concerns regarding further development along the ‘cliff’ edge. Matters discussed included the proposed unit's poor aesthetic and issues over additional prominent built forms in an area of great landscape value (AGLV) with concern this sets a precedent of additional built forms into this semi-agricultural/residential setting within the AGLV. Members discussed residents' views regarding access to the site with traffic turning off the busy A road and shared their concerns over the potential impact on road safety along a stretch of road with existing poor/lack of signage and traffic.
RESOLVED to SUBMIT objections to planning application 147854 to WLDC to reflect the concerns and views of the Parish Council and parish residents. ACTION: Clerk
094-23/24 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. Members were updated on the status of the grant application made to the WLDC Community Development Fund in October 2023. The grant has been awarded in full (less reclaimable VAT) allowing the PC to appoint the following specialists:
i. Tree Generation: Tree safety report and works schedule along the Beck (£525.0 not VAT registered).
ii. Arbtech: Ecological Appraisal & report with works schedule along the Beck and within the Civil Cemetery – (£1039 + VAT).
Surveys are expected to be undertaken in early/mid-March. The PC will share the reports from the survey to facilitate and encourage the creation of village ‘volunteer groups’ to implement the recommendations where feasible. RESOLVED to NOTE an expression of thanks to WLDC from the Parish Council for consideration and awarding of the grant.
b. Budget monitoring.
Members viewed the most recent budget monitoring spreadsheet, showing predicted expenditure to the end of the financial year, variances against the 2023/2024 budget, earmarked and general reserves. The Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) form will be prepared for the council before 30 June 2024. Members agreed the spreadsheet data showed sound financial planning and control, as acknowledged during the recent internal audit undertaken by LALC (Jan 2024).
VAT against non-business expenditure stands at £194.79. Refund claim will be submitted end of the current financial year.
RECONCILIATION OF ACCOUNTS
Reconciliation of the current account and deposit account for Oct – Dec 2023 were completed as per PC Financial Regulations.
EXPENDITURE OVER £100.00
Transparency Code for Smaller Authorities (DCLG 2014) requires Hemswell Parish Council to publish a list of all payments over £100 (NET). Details of these payments can be found on the Parish Council website.
RESOLVED to ACCEPT the data presented as an accurate record of accounts and sound financial management.
095-23/24 DATE OF NEXT MEETING(S) – Resolved to note the date and time of the next Parish Council Meeting as Monday 18th March 2024, 7:00 PM.
Meeting Closed: 8.24 PM