2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Thursday 9th February 2023 at Rochford Tower Hall, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

PRESENT:     Councillor Helen Crawford presiding as Chairperson
                      Councillor Joff Williams presiding as Vice-Chairperson
                      Councillors Elizabeth Armstrong, Richard Lenton, Margaret Ordway and Roly Ashley
                      Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish, Boston Borough and Lincolnshire County Councillor

                      Boston Borough Councillor Johnathon Noble (arrived at 7.34pm)
                      Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There was one member of the public present who asked the following questions/made a short statement during the time allocated.

In association with Wainfleet Road 
•    It is in need of a speed reduction
•    Possibility of a crossing near to Burton House
•    HGVs are causing vibrations to resident’s properties therefore is there a possibility of a weight restriction
•    The footpath by Burton House is slippery and dangerous to pedestrians
•    A lamp has fallen down over footpath but unsure who has removed it

Cllr P Skinner relayed that the development of assessing the area is a long process, taking up to 36 months.  Consideration of a crossing is very expensive and having one in place would depend on the results of evaluating the area.

Cllr P Skinner reported the following as both Boston Borough Councillor and Lincolnshire County Councillor:
•    Queries have been raised to the BTAC Committee in regards to walking away from funding the Christmas Lights and blaming the Borough Council. In addition, he has asked for their accounts to assess them.
•    A Public Health Profile has been conducted in Lincolnshire.
•    With 52% if the Borough Council’s portion of the Council Tax going towards Internal Drainage Board, talks between the amalgamated Councils and MPs across the Districts have been taking place in rectifying this situation so that more money can be allocated to the Councils funds.
•    The Bread and Butter Thing is a scheme where for £8.50 they offer roughly £35 worth of food each week including fresh fruit and veg, chilled food for the fridge and cupboard items such as pasta and cereal. With the first site being at Old Leake Community Hub.

The meeting opened at 7.26pm

1.     Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford conveyed thoughts are with those associated with the awful news relating to the Turkey/Syria earthquake.

She also reminded that there is a candidate briefing on 7th March 2023 at Boston Borough Councill associated with the upcoming election in May.

2.     Apologies for absence - To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to    the Clerk prior to the meeting
Councillor J Skinner representing as Parish and Boston Borough Council and Boston Borough sent her apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reasons for not attending. Following proposal by Cllr Ashely, seconded by Cllr Armstrong and with no objections it was resolved to accept the reasons for absence.

3.     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
    Councillor P Skinner declared an interest to Item 7 on the agenda.

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th January 2023 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Lenton, seconded by Cllr Ashley and with no objections it was resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record.

5.    Footway Lighting in Parish
There was no update information to report, though the clerk relayed that she will be having a virtual meeting with the Property Services Officer.

6.    Finance
a) Payment of accounts to be approved

Following proposal by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Lenton and with no objections it was resolved that these payments should be made.

b) Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
There were no additional payments to be made.

c) Decision to renew LALC Annual Training Scheme
After deliberation it was decided to renew the LALC Annual Training Scheme for the 2023/2024 Financial Year but to evaluate whether it is feasible to continue with next year.

d) Payments & receipts: since 19th January 2023 - Appendix A
Only payments recorded in the 19th January 2023 minutes and as per Appendix A were made.

e) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st January 2023
All members had received a copy of the bank statement via email prior to the meeting of which showed that balance of the bank account as of 31st January 2023 was £8906.55.

f) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st January 2023
All members had received a copy of the bank statement via email prior to the meeting of which showed that balance of the bank account as of 31st January 2023 was £57885.00.

7.     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/23/0031 - Proposed rear and side two storey extensions including alterations at 1, Bakers Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE22 0PH
There were no objections to this planning application.

b)     B/23/0037 - Application under s73 to vary Condition 2 (Plans) of permission B/22/0079 (Change of use from office (Class E(g)) and warehouse/storage (Class B8) to residential dwelling (Class C3)) at Fresh Fields, Long Hedges, Fishtoft, Boston, PE22 0RH
There were no objections to this planning application.  

 c)     Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
One additional planning application had been received since the setting of the agenda - B/23/0039 - Proposed single storey extension to kitchen including alterations at The Ball House, Wainfleet Road, Boston, PE21 9RL
After deliberation it was resolved that there were no objections to this planning application.

Notification has been received on the following planning application decisions:
•    Full Planning permission has been granted on B/22/0479 – Proposed erection of 1 no. detached dwelling (resubmission of B/18/0267) at Land adjacent to 6a Priory Road, Fishtoft
•    Full Planning permission has been granted on B/22/0473 – Proposed single storey rear side extension, removal of chimney, internal alterations, front block pavings and erection of boundary wall with gate at 14 Lindis Road, Fishtoft

8.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
There are two planned road closures within the Parish:
•    Between 8th-10th March 2023 temporary road closure by Anglian Water at Fishtoft Road (Between White House Lane & a point 200m East).
•    From 6th March 2023 for approximately four weeks along Wainfleet Road - This section of the A52 is deteriorating, so Highways are taking the opportunity to rebuild it and clean the drainage system to improve safety and usability of the road

9.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update from Councillor Ordway
Cllr Ordway said that she would enquire for an update on the progress but also asked if the clerk could forward a letter also.

b)     Fishtoft 400/Buoy - Any updates including applying for Warm Hub fund
Cllr Armstrong informed that warm Hub is running well at Rochford Tower Hall with everyone feeling welcome of which the Mayor of Boston also recently attended.

An alternative Thursday afternoon group meeting at St Guthlac’s is to begin where the mosaics for the buoy will continue to be made.

c)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor Ashley
The next Liaison Community Group is scheduled for 24th February 2023 though Cllr Ashley informed that unfortunately he will not be able to attend, but will give an update on any information is received.

d)    Parish Council Website
After reviewing the Parish Council Website, it is believed that this needs modifying to more presentable to the public.

10.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
a)    Email received re Damaged grass near Pilgrim Father’s Memorial
Cllr Ashley convey that he has reviewed the area and queried where the offenders were getting into the area.  Discovery found that there was a broken fence which maybe the point of entry.

It was relayed that they could be entering from Metsa Woods entrance. Also, the gate is snapped near to Hobhole Pumping Station therefore this similarly could be another point of access.

11.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
Issues on Appendix B was raised and asked the clerk for an update regard to items 4-6 associated with the footpaths.  Also, item 8 was discussed and it was decided for Cllr Williams to draft a letter to the Environmental Agency

12.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 8.21pm

Councillor Johnathon Noble representing Boston Borough Council gave the following report:
•    He gave his apologies for being late to the meeting as he was in attendance at the latest BTAC Committee meeting, in which it was discovered that they had a reserve of £254,000 in reserves which was ample funds to have supplied the 2022 Christmas Lights, therefore there is no excuse not to do so in 2023.
•    Arts Council England have awarded £2m of which Blackfriars will be granted £130,000.
•    Photo ID will be required when voting 
•    Air Pollution has been evaluated with the one situated at Bargate Bridge is below the recommended levels but the one at Haven Bridge is exceeding

There being no further business the meeting finished at 8.34pm

Appendix A

Item 6c on agenda             

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD

JANUARY 2023

Payments made as approved at 19th January 2023 meeting

Payments to be approved

Payments received