Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors H Spratt and M J Storer.

It was reported that the Chief Executive under the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillor R A Renshaw to the Committee, in place of Councillor Mrs J E Killey, until further notice.

Councillor S Roe requested that a note should be in the minutes that he was approached by the local MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Dr Caroline Johnson, during the site visit but had not discussed the application with her and had informed her that he was a member of the Planning and Regulation Committee site visit (minute 35).

Councillor L A Cawrey requested that a note should be in the minutes that she was approached by the local MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Dr Caroline Johnson, during the site visit but had not discussed the application with her and had informed her that she was a member of the Planning and Regulation Committee site visit (minute 35).

Councillor I G Fleetwood requested that a note should be made in the minutes that Councillor R Wootten had introduced him to the local MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Dr Caroline Johnson, during the site visit, that he had not discussed the application with her but had overheard her make various statements to the planning officer (minute 35).

Councillor R P H Reid requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he was the portfolio holder for planning at South Kesteven District Council (minute 35).

RESOLVED (10 votes for, 0 votes against and 2 abstentions)

That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 7 September 2020, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(Note: Only those Members who had attended the site visit on 28 September 2020, were allowed to speak and vote on this matter – Councillors T R Ashton, L A Cawrey, P Cooper, I G Fleetwood, D McNally, Mrs A M Newton, N H Pepper, R Renshaw and S P Roe)

RESOLVED (8 votes for, 0 votes against and 4 abstentions)

That the minutes of the site visit held on 28 September 2020, be agreed and noted.

The Committee received a report in connection withthe introduction of speed limit reductions along the A151 through the villages of Moulton and Weston, in the area shown at Appendix B of the report. Investigations had indicated that this site might be considered a 'Borderline Case', as defined within the Council's Speed Limit Policy.

The Chairman informed the meeting that Councillor E J Poll, the local Member, supported the proposals in the report.

On a motion by Councillor N H Pepper, seconded by Councillor I G Fleetwood, it was –

RESOLVED (12 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions)

That the proposed speed limits as detailed in the report be approved to enable the necessary consultation process to bring them into effect may be pursued.

The Committee received a report in connection witha request from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership for the introduction of a new 50mph speed limit on the A15, from Holdingham roundabout northwards to include the two junctions into Leasingham. Investigations had indicated that this site might be considered a 'Borderline Case', as defined within the Council's Speed Limit Policy.

Comments by Members included:-

·         The local highway signs were obscured by overgrown vegetation on the A15 towards Lincoln.

·         Consideration of the proposals should be deferred until the impact of the highway works at Holdingham roundabout were known. Officers stated that the completion of the highway works at Holdingham roundabout were unknown and if they were completed the proposals in the report were still applicable.

·         The proposals were support on highway safety grounds.

RESOLVED (11 votes for, 0 votes against and 1 abstention)

That the proposed speed limit as detailed in the report be approved to enable the necessary consultation process to bring it into effect may be pursued.

Since the publication of the report and following the circulation of the Committee's Update, officers reported that additional comments had been received from a group of local residents which had been circulated direct to members of the Committee before the meeting. A letter had also been received from the applicant in response to those comments over the weekend. These additional comments/responses had been placed on the Council's website and were viewable by the public.

Officers responded to the additional comments from both the residents and applicant (received on 2 October and 3 October, respectively) verbally during the meeting with the following advice:-