Minutes

UFFINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 19th April 2022 at 7pm in Uffington Village Hall

Present – Cllr B. Brown, Cllr N. Sheehan, Cllr Genever, Cllr J.Hartley, Cllr B.Hutchins, Cllr Hartley and three members of the public

As Cllr Brown had been Chairman of Uffington Parish Council for the preceding year, he would chair this meeting

Apologies – Cllr K Cooke

Approval of minutes from Annual Parish Meeting 6th May 2021. Cllr Brown read through minutes of the previous APM and asked all Council members if they had been read and agreed upon. All Cllrs agreed - RESOLVED

Highways maintenance in and around the village especially Casewick lane resurfacing raised concern for another year. More action to be taken on LCC and highways. Fixmystreet has now been introduced the Parish Council urges all residents to use the facility to keep reporting faults and areas of concern when they arise for a resolution.

Member of public raised a question regarding advertisement of village events and how they were currently advertised. It was discussed that notices are placed on notice boards at the Village Hall, Parish Council board, Uffington School and Church along with social media sites, village web page and Parish Council website. Events are also placed in the Tower and Spires magazine.

Chairman of the Parish Council gave his annual report.

Chairman's report 2021-2022

The past PC business year has one of two halves. During the first months the council was operating remotely, dealing with a code of conduct complaint, an issue with the Village public house and the vandalism of notices on our notice board. There also were continuing issues with the allotment tenancies.

It is heartening to report that we now are in a more positive phase with the council representing the community in two infrastructure projects, expanding and improving the play area both with equipment and enhancing the area with hedging and wild flowers, the official opening and jubilee tree planting being a particular success.    In detail:

The code of conduct complaint was deemed not valid by South Kesteven District Council. A meeting was subsequently held with the complainant with the PC agreeing to withdraw the adopted Charity Policy the complainant accepted this and the complaint was officially closed.

Following a successful meeting with allotment holders the tenancy agreement was updated which the they have now accepted.

The notice board is now secured and is in use for Parish Council and community notices only.

A public meeting was held on the issue of the Public house licensing. The PC issued a representation on behalf of affected residents. The licensing authority subsequently agreed to the licence variation being approved.

Following the resignation of Councilor Wolf there were two applicants for the vacancy. A ballot was held and Councilor Barrie Church was duly elected.

The council has been actively involved with the Parish on the issue of the Mallard Pass Solar Farm. A leaflet drop was organised in order to gauge the views of residents. The council submitted the findings to the initial consultation. As yet the council has not posted an official opinion on this project. The consultation is ongoing.

Recently residents and the council were approached by UPP broadband in their proposal to install the next level of Fibre broadband in the Village; there was a particular issue in Lindsey Road with UPP proposing to install poles and wires. Following a leaflet drop by the PC and a very strong response by residents this plan has now been dropped and an alternative proposed.

There continues to be regular planning applications for the council to consider. In particular those affecting the conservation area are of a concern. We do feel that our views are not always reflected in planning decisions.

This is also the case on the issue of speed limits on the A1175 from Newstead corner to the Village. Despite our comments it is still an impractical 50 mph. There was however success in extending the 30 mph limits towards Stamford.

Potholes around the Parish continue to be reported with a recent visit by the highways officer highlighting the issues, this include recent flooding issues in Casewick lane and Manners Close.

This will be the final year of this present council with elections taking place in May 2023.

My thanks again go my fellow councilors for their support and in particular to our clerk Katie Turner without whom we could not function.

As there was no further business to discuss the Annual Parish meeting concluded at 7.20pm