December 2021 Minutes
MARTON & GATE BURTON PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk to the Council: Mrs G Martin 6 Mount Pleasant Close, Marton. DN21 5AE
Tel.: 01427 718377
magbparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk
https://marton-gate-burton.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 6 December 2021
PRESENT
Cllr S Spence (Chairman)
Cllr M Allen
Cllr N Cody
Cllr C Durning
Cllr J Patrick
Cllr J Ridley
ALSO PRESENT: Cllr Jane Ellis, Cllr Richard Butroid and Victoria White, plus James Hartley and Bex from Low Carbon.
1. Apologies: Cllr L Musgrave and Cllr Gill Worrell.
Members were given the sad news that Graham Worrell has recently passed away. He served faithfully as a member of this Council for many years. Condolences were expressed and a card is to be sent to the family
2. Declarations of Members' Interests
None.
3. Gate Burton Energy Park
James Hartley explained about the proposal to create the Gate Burton Energy Park and answered a number of questions that had previously been submitted to the company. A map of the area that is under consideration was circulated and it was explained that the whole of the approximately 684 hectares available will not be covered in solar panels. Archaeological and ecological issues will be taken into consideration.
Some of the major points explained were as follows:
Two main consultations will take place, the first one being in January 2022, then statutory planning inspections towards the end of the year. There will be surveys to find the best routes back to Cottam. Although they are not affiliated with Island Green Power, the other company proposing to install solar panels on nearby land, they are in touch with them and it is possible may share cable corridors. These could be above or below ground, depending on the survey.
The scheme is expected to have a 60 year life span after which , the panels will be recycled. Their efficiency is expected to decrease after approximately 25 years.
There are 2 areas of woodland in the site. The only changes that might take place is that gateways may have to be enlarged.
There will not be one large field but existing hedgerows will remain and new ones planted and it is hoped that biodiversity will be enhanced. Experience has shown that pollinators, bees, bats etc. can increase in number. The land could be improved as there will be no use of fertilisers or loss of top soil and there will be little human presence.
There will be fences but a buffer zone can create channels/ corridors for wildlife. The land could be grazed by sheep.
Swales etc. will be used to manage excess water.
The panels will not act as mirrors but will absorb the light.
The planning Inspectorate will set the maximum height and area of the inverters; they could be on the panels or positioned centrally. The scheme could include battery storage. Permission will not be permanent use. There will be a bond or insurance that would protect landowners if the company was to go out of business.
There will be no Community Infrastructure Levy associated with this project as it will not drive the need for extra school places and so on but payments will be made to local Councils which will benefit the whole area.
The sites are designed to meet electro magnetic issue standards.Electro magnetic issue levels will be lower than those found in the home.
Solar farms are being considered now because of climate change and traditional power stations are coming off grid but they are an asset to connect into.
A possible completion date is not yet known but it will take at least 2 years before construction begins, so late 2020s before it would come on board.
Low Carbon are prepared to meet with local residents to explain about the project and need people to engage in consultation.
James and Bex then left the meeting. Members were invited to note questions for the next meeting.
Cllr Butroid urged everyone to write in an make their voices heard
4. Public Forum.
None
5. Notes of the meeting held on 1 November 2021 and the extraordinary meeting held on be Saturday 6 November 2021 to be approved as minutes.
Cllr Cody proposed and Cllr Allen seconded that the notes be approved as minutes.
6. Planning
Cottam Solar Project. It was agreed to host hard copies of the information on this project which will then be made available for residents to have.
Development off Stow Park Road.
The meeting was updated with the current situation. Applications for the details necessary to meet the required conditions, such as for disposal of waste water, hedges and alterations to the highway, are currently being considered by WLDC.
It was noted that the crossing for Stow Park Road has been changed and WLDC is to be asked about this.
6. FINANCE
Balance both accounts at the end of October 2021 £13,220.36
(includes £3,450 for the bottom of Trent Port Road, £1,735.65 CIL and £2,000 for maintenance of the land off Littleborough Lane)
EXPENDITURE
Anglian Water 26.93
Continental Landscapes 703.04
Multidata 40.12
G Martin (salary +stamps) 132.32
HMRC 31.00
Steve Spence (Wreath) 35.00.
TOTAL (both accounts) £12,251.95.
The Precept for the financial year 2022/23 was discussed. Cllr Patrick proposed, Cllr Cody seconded, and it was agreed that the precept remain at £9,500.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
Crime Report for Gainsborough Rural South and Newsletter.
Correspondence about flooding on Trent Port Road
LCC – bus timetable updates; this is to be put on the noticeboards and website.
LALC – The Queen's Platinum Jubilee; this will be discussed at the next meeting.
LCC – Local transport consultation
Early Years Alliance – request for posters to be displayed .
8. Land off Littleborough Lane.
Some work has now been carried out by Finch Arboriculture Ltd.
A report about the trees and recommendations for future work was read to the meeting. It was agreed to accept the recommendations and to request a quote. A further site meeting will probably be required.
Notice of an application for registration of a transfer has been received from The Land Registry.
10. BUS SHELTER
A site meeting was held on 21 October. Present were Cllrs Spence, Cody and Ridley and Helen Reek and Steve Hudson from LCC Highways. Steve Hudson confirmed that approval to erect the shelters has already been given. It was also noted that the shelter on the east side of the road is to be fixed into private land. However, The Transport Services Group still has some reservations. They are to be contacted for more information. In the meantime, suitable contractors are to be asked for quotes for installing the shelter.
11. NEW SEAT.
The base has now been laid and the seat will be put up soon..
12. NEW NOTICEBOARD.
No progress as yet..
13. COUNCILLORS' REPORTS AND ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA.
Cllr Spence has bought the Wreath and will lay it on Remembrance Sunday as usual. He will also purchase the Christmas Tree and put it up before the scheduled Carols around the tree on 6 December.
The footpath up Marton hill is cracking in the middle. This is to be reported.
Colin Butcher has been asked to do the annual cutback.
Concerns are still being expressed over the quality of the new road surface in the Trent View/ Adams Way area.
Next Agenda – Solar Parks; The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
14. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
3 January 2022