May 2021 Annual Meeting of the Council Minutes
Minutes taken by the Clerk at the annual meeting of Fishtoft Parish Council, which was held on Wednesday 5 May 2021, via video conference
Present: Councillors, Elizabeth Armstrong, Joff Williams, Richard Lenton, Judith Skinner,
Helen Crawford, Margaret Ordway, Paul Skinner, Roly Ashley and Mrs. Victoria Clark, Clerk to the council
Also present, Boston Borough Councillor Jonathan Noble
The Meeting started at 6:48pm
1. To elect a Chairman for the ensuring year 2021-2022
It was noted that Councillor Armstrong wished not to continue as Chairman. On proposal from Councillor Ordway, seconded by Councillor Armstrong and with no objections, all resolved that Councillor Crawford be appointed as Chairman for the forthcoming year
2. Signing of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office by the Chairman, to be witnessed by the Proper Officer
Councillor Crawford accepted the Chairmanship and it was resolved that Councillor Crawford as Chairman and the Clerk as Proper Officer, would meet in the next few days to sign and witness the declaration of office
3. To elect a Vice-Chairman for the ensuring year 2021-2022 and receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Vice Chairman, to be witnessed by the Proper Officer
On proposal from Councillor Ordway, seconded by Councillor Lenton and with no objections, all resolved that Councillor Williams be appointed as Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year
Councillor Williams accepted the Vice Chairmanship and it was resolved that Councillor Williams as Vice Chairman and the Clerk as Proper Officer, would meet in the next few days to sign and witness the declaration of office
4. Public Forum: To resolve to suspend the meeting for a maximum of 10 minutes to allow members of the public to ask questions or make short statements to the council
No Members of the public wished to speak so the meeting continued
5. Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford requested that she be known as Chairperson
The Chairperson gave thanks to all members for voting her as Chairperson
6. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
All Members were present
Chairman: H Crawford
Date: 19 July 2021
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7. Declarations of interest (if any): To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests
Councillors Ordway and P. Skinner both gave an interest in Item 12
8. Representatives of Outside Bodies: to appoint representatives for outside bodies for the ensuring year
a) Councillor Armstrong to take over from Councillor Ordway on St. Leonards Trust.
b) Having lost Councillor Ossy Snell as a representative of the Playing Field Committee Councillor. Lenton to be the representative
c) Another loss is Councillor. Harrison who was the Rochford Tower Committee representative, Councillor Ashley to be the new representative
The Clerk to contact those organisations above asking them for permission for the above-named people to be on their Committees
d) The Clerk to contact the representative of the Forget-Me-Not club, the representative of the Church & Head Teachers of both Schools, asking them to continue being representatives
9. Notes of the Parish Council Meetings held on 12 March 2021: To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
It was noted that the above date should read 12 April 2021. On proposal from Councillor Armstrong, seconded by Councillor Williams and with no objections, all resolved to accept the notes of 12 April 2021 as a correct record of the meeting, and gave permission for the Chairman to sign them
10. Police report
The Clerk to ask the police what the success rate is in catching and convicting the perpetrators
Councillor P. Skinner informed those attending that if budget allows more rural police will be recruited
11. Finance
a) Payment of accounts: To resolve to approve via email
On proposal from Councillor Armstrong, seconded by Councillor Williams and with no objections, all resolved that the Clerk to inform the Members via email: See Delegated powers for the Clerk in Item 19
b) Annual Governance and Accountability Return (Agar) 2020-2021: To be approved, resolved and signed by the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)
All Members had received the AGAR with page 3, the completed Internal Audit report and the Chairman’s report from the Internal Auditor
1. Section 1, page 4 – Annual Governance Statement, all agreed with items 1 to 9
On proposal from Councillor P. Skinner, seconded by Councillor Armstrong and with no objections, all resolved to agree that the Chairman and the Clerk should sign them
2. Section 2, page 5 – Accounting statement, all agreed with the figures
On proposal from Councillor Lenton, seconded by Councillor Williams and with no objections, all resolved to agree that the Chairman and the Clerk as Responsible Financial Officer should sign them
c) Grants requests: To be approved and resolved
None received, if any come in then the Clerk is to inform the Members via email and if the amount is the same as previous years it should be paid – See Delegated powers for the Clerk in Item 19
Chairman: H Crawford
Date: 19 July 2021
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12. Planning matters: Town and Country Planning Act 1990: To consider and make observations on all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by the Borough Council.
To include applications received after this agenda has been posted and the day of the meeting.
a) B/21/0151: (Due 9 May), Proposed woodland & wildflower meadow including paths, small lake & car park at Land behind, 113-142, Willoughby Road, PE21 9HR
Those that had not declared an interest discussed the application, the following observations were made:
1. This will be a wonderful asset to the area
2. The carpark for 18 cars is good as it will help stop cars parking on the road, however it is requested that for privacy of the near properties that this area is constructed further inland.
3. There is concern of increased traffic on an already over used road
4. The Members also ask that Privacy is also considered as the access is between 2 properties and also their rear gardens can be easily looked into from this land
5. The Members of the council would also like to voice other concerns from residents that have contacted the planning department at the Borough about this application
13. Clerk’s report on outstanding matters
a) A16 speed calming (joint request with Sibsey P.C) – Update
The scheme will be looked at however there is a back log of 18 months
b) Junction of Rochford Tower Land, Priory Road an Eastwood Road, Fishtoft – Archers report
Community signs have been placed to help with the situation on the short term
c) Waste bins
No update
d) Hobhole pumping station
This could be worked on by the payback scheme
Councillor P Skinner gave an update on the above issues as below each section, the Clerk to check on progress
14. Fix My Street
a) Church Green Road: Footpath. Ref: 4153606
b) Shortfield Lane: Mud & damage to road surface. Ref: 385758
c) Woad Lane: Gouges, potholes & flooding. Ref: 390639. 23 April – Update: Investigating
Councillor P Skinner gave an update on the above issues, the Clerk had not received any progress reports but will check on progress and let highways know that the roadwork signs are still at wythes Lane
15. Members reports and business
a) FixMyStreet
Potholes in Gaysfield Lane and nearby have been reported and also the pathway in Woad Lane
b) Fishtoft Community Centre
Councillor. Lenton informed that Members of his research into the possibility of a Community Centre. The idea was discussed and ideas put forward. Councillor Taylor offered her help
16. Correspondence received, Events & Reports
a) Website
The clerk gave an update and it was asked whether the Fishtoft 400 map could be included. The Clerk to find out
17. Viewpoints on questions/statements from members of the public during the forum
None given
Chairman: H Crawford
Date: 19 July 2021
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18. Reports from Boston Borough Council (BBC) & Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) Members
Councillor Noble
The BBC annual performance identified no fraudulent activity
The sub regional housing allocation scheme to share IT resources with East Lindsey District Council, this will be more cost effective
Councillor P Skinner added that those already registered would be informed that they will need to re-register
Central government has awarded £20mil for the PE21 town centre refurbishment
19. Next meeting: To be discussed
The Members of the council all agreed that the June meeting should be cancelled due to the unknown risk with the pandemic, unless legislation changes allowing councils to meet via video conferencing once more. The July meeting will be assessed nearer the time.
As per the advice from LALC, it was resolved that the Clerk be given delegated powers to deal with business until the council can meet physically again, the Clerk to liaise with the Chairperson and let the Members know via email before action is taken and acted on once a quorum is reached.
Meeting closed at 8:35pm
Chairman: H Crawford
Date: 19 July 2021
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