February 2019 Minutes
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE FISHTOFT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2019 AT ROCHFORD TOWER HALL COMMENCING AT 7.00PM
In attendance: Councillor E Armstrong (Chairman), Councillors H Staples (Vice Chairman), M Ordway (left at 7.15pm), O Snell, D Walkerley, R Lenton, P Skinner (arrived at 7.22pm)
Boston Borough Councillor J Noble (left at 7.40pm)
Mrs K Partridge (Clerk)
1. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS:
Very sad to report the death of our former Councillor George Bishop, condolences have been forwarded to the family.
Also sad to report the resignation of Councillor John Harrison, letter of thanks for his work over the years has been sent.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies received and accepted from Councillors J Flynn and J Skinner, apologies for late attendance received from Councillor P Skinner. Apologies also received from Lincolnshire County Councillor M Griggs.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor P Skinner declared an interest in all planning matters through his role on the Planning Committee at Boston Borough Council and took no part in planning discussions and decisions.
4. PILGRIM FATHERS ANNIVERSARY UPDATE:
Councillor Ordway reported the following:
2 meetings taken place, a constitution has been formulated, this will not be needed if the group remain as a sub-committee of the Parish Council
Wendy Moore has been very supportive regarding grants, each member of the group is looking at different funding routes.
Large sculpture at the Pilgrim Fathers site may be delayed owing to Environmental Agency work in heightening the bank, further details later
Some large buoys have been donated and to have one in the parish would involve transport costs at approximately £100, it is hoped to accept the offer.
Funding through Awards for All will need to be done through the Parish Council to qualify, up to £10,000 is available and funding would be requested to cover costs of the buoy, printing of map, mosaic, etc. It was resolved to approve, proposed by Councillor Lenton, seconded by Councillor Walkerley and unanimously agreed.
Councillor Ordway left the meeting at 7.15pm.
5. POLICE REPORT: Incidents for the last 4 weeks received:-
Anti-social Behaviour x3 – Clifton Road, Saddlers Way, Cut Road Arson – Clifton Road
Burglary – Fishtoft Road
Concern for Safety x5 – Clifton Road, Fishtoft Road, Bladon Estate, Tattershall Road x2 Criminal Damage x4 – Woodthorpe Avenue, Fishtoft Road, Wythes Lane, Tattershall Road Domestic Incident x4 – Zara Close x2, Chestnut Road, Bladon Estate
Fraud x2 – Eastwood Road, Bladon Estate
Road Traffic Collision x5 – Maple Road, Clifton Road, Priory Road, Clamp Gate Road, Long Hedges Suspicious Circumstances x3 – Fishtoft Road, Eastwood Road x2
Theft x3 – Eastwood Road, Church Green Road, Tattershall Road Traffic Offence x2 – Eastwood Road, Rider Gardens
Violence – Toot Lane
6. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 21 JANUARY 2019: It was resolved the minutes be approved and signed, proposed by Councillor Staples, seconded by Councillor Lenton and agreed.
7. REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Maple Road Play Area: Unfortunately funding from Pocket Parks not possible, it needed to be done through a community group. Owing to the onerous responsibilities for checking the equipment, insurance and maintenance it was agreed to look into the possibility of a local community group forming to further the initiative.
Playing Field Trust: Work on the trimming of trees had commenced, most of the cost involved the hiring of specialised equipment. Donation of £400.00 agreed previously will be placed on the agenda for payment at the next meeting.
8. LITTER PICKING REPORT: Councillors J Skinner and P Skinner had collected litter around Gaysfield Road and Pinfold Lane; Councillor Snell collects in his local area.
9. CLERKS REPORT AND CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:
General correspondence received was available and included Haven Bank Improvement Scheme.
Buckingham Palace Invitation:. Councillor Ordway had been nominated but regrettably not selected.
LALC have agreed that this year, as part of their AGM & Conference there will be an awards ceremony for the following categories:
Council of the Year Councillor of the Year
Young Councillor of the Year (under 30) Clerk of the Year
Long Service Achievement Award (Member or staff)
When nominations are sent, a short resume for each candidate should be attached as these awards will be selected by a panel rather than a draw. More information will be forthcoming with regard to the nominations and awards.
Off road Bikes: Following information received from a resident regarding off road bikes at the Pilgrim Fathers site and along Scalp Road, this had been reported to the police including registration of vehicle.
Parish elections: Election packs will be available at Boston Borough Council by 4 March, these will also be available for current Members at the next Parish Council meeting.
10. BOSTON BOROUGH AND LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Councillor Noble reported the following items:
Potholes on Tollfield Road completed
Haven Bank Improvement Scheme (circulated to all Members)
Standards Sub Committee will have 5 Boston Borough Councillors, 2 independent persons, 1 parish clerk and 2 parish councillors. Nominations after the elections on 2 May.
2.0% increase in Boston Borough Council Council Tax
Polling Station review, no change in Fishtoft
BBC £1.5m better off owing to account changes. Additional funding will go into capital schemes
HMO’s – anticipated 500 applications, only received 102. 250 properties have been inspected.
Rural Isolation Survey – results showed 76% do not feel isolated at all, very difficult getting residents to complete a survey form.
Councillor P Skinner reported the following items:
Janice Spence, Children’s Services nominated for OBE
Wellbeing Lincs being nominated for an award
Fire service independent review branded good
£3.7m additional funding for social care been granted
999 calls adding service combined with ambulance and fire brigade with regards to having a fall
11. FINANCE REPORT:
a). A budget update was presented and accepted. It was agreed to ask LALC where investments can be made as presently funds in the current account do not earn interest. To be an agenda item at the next meeting.
b). To approve payment of accounts: Clerks salary - £333.19
Clerks expenses - £35.36
Grass cutting amenity/open space areas (1/10th of annual charge) - £721.92 (£120.32 VAT) Grass cutting LCC areas (1/10th annual charge) - £316.80 (£52.80 VAT)
It was resolved the accounts be paid, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Staples and agreed.
Councillor Noble left the meeting at 7.40pm
12. PLANNING MATTERS: to discuss the following applications:-
B/19/0010 – two storey side extensions and single storey rear extension at 15 Pilleys Lane – no comments.
B/19/0022 – single storey rear extension and new porch roof over front entrance at 23 Reams Close - no comments.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Monday 18 March 2019 at the Playing Field Pavilion and will commence at 7.00pm with a 10 minute public forum, if required.
There being no further business to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.57pm.