2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Thursday 12th October 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, Judy Skinner and Roly Ashley 
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor

Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There was one member of the public present of which no questions or short statements were made during the time allocated.

The meeting opened at 7.02pm

1.     To consider any application for co-option to vacancies of Parish Councillors
One application had been received from Lucy Webb.  After deliberation a proposal by Cllr Lenton, seconded by Cllr P Skinner and with no objections it was resolved to co-opt Lucy Webb onto Fishtoft Parish Council.  The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed and witnessed by the Proper Officer.

2.    Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford welcomed all to the meeting and wished both Cllrs Lenton and J Skinner Many Happy returns to them for the 13th October.

3.     Apologies for absence - To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Cllr Day had sent his apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reasons for not attending. Following proposal by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr Armstrong and with no objections it was resolved to accept the reason for absence.

4.     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
Cllr Webb declared an interest in Item 7 on the agenda.
Cllr Ashley declared a non-pecuniary in Item 6b on the agenda

5.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 11th September 2023 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr P Skinner and with no objections it was resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record.

6.    Finance
a)     Payment of accounts to be approved

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

b) Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
The following payments to be received were received following the setting of the agenda

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

c) Payments & receipts: since 11th September 2023 - Appendix A
Amendments were required to be made on the Appendix to associate with payments to be made on Item 6a on the agenda. 

d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 30th September 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 30th September 2023 was £28,870.84

e) Balance of Savings Account as of 30th September 2023
Balance of the Savings Account could not be confirmed by the Councillors.

f) Donation request from St Guthlac’s Church in aid with Ground Maintenance
After deliberation following proposal by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr P Skinner to donate as per previous years £750.

g) Donation request from Fishtoft Playfield Trust in aid with repair costs to play area
Several factors were deliberated on into giving in any financial aid, especially as the application was for some of the repair costs that was no associated with the current financial year.  It was deemed that more information and clarity was required before any formal consideration could be made.

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/23/0298 - Installation of a Juliet balcony to front bedroom window following replacement with French windows at 22, Eastwood Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0PH
There were no objections to this planning application.

One additional application has been received since the posing of the agenda - No: B/23/0343 - Change of use of residential swimming pool to combined residential and business use (Works already completed) at Fernsee, Rectory Close, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0RZ
There were no objections to this planning application. However, queries were raised as there was no Highways report attached to the Planning Application therefore had they been consulted.  Also were the immediate neighbours aware personally of this application. 

b)     Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
There were no other information including Planning Application decisions to relay.

8.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    Litter Bins – update
Boston Borough Council had no knowledge that there had ever been a litter bin within Rochford Tower Lane or a request to have one replaced.  They also informed following their inspection of bins within the area that other than the one agreed to be installed within the Woodthorpe Area the others areas were denied.

b)    Litter Picking - update
A local Litter Picking Day by the Wombles is scheduled for 29th October 2023 commencing at 10am.

c)    A16 to Sibsey
There was no update relating to the speed reduction in this area, though Cllr Williams informed that earlier that day a car had ended up in a ditch near to his residence without fatalities.  Cllr P Skinner informed he was aware and had relayed this information to LCC Highways.
    
d)    A52 Speed Limit reduction
There was no update information to convey.  

e)    Fogarty layby corner (Fishtoft Road) to take on ownership so the parking restrictions can be put in place
Cllr P Skinner was waiting on information from the portfolio holder.

f)    Street Lights repairs/renewals
After discussion it was deemed that the Parish Council would like to stand by their original decision in have the lights replaced with LEDs with partial lighting. However, they do no agree with being charged for the replacement of posts being that these are a Boston Borough Council asset.

Following an email sent via the clerk from Old Leake Parish Council, Fishtoft Parish Councillors were in agreement with their observations.

9.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update from Councillor Ashley
Cllr Ashely relayed that work has begun in this area.  Though there will be issues preventing the weekly attendance of the working group from North Sea Camp.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong reported the following:
    An outing is planned for the 24th October 2023 to Rutland Water and Burghley House.
    One of the group members had recently done a personal challenge and raised £500 for the Butterfly Trust
    Nichola Holderness from Boston Borough Council had recently visited the Community Group and was impressed with the success of it.  She was asked if help could be given into having Wi-fi at the premises so that maybe in the future technology tutorials for the group members could be held.
    Continuously looking at getting more funding

c)    Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
Cllr Armstrong relayed that the funding application towards the buoy as the authority associated with the grants had informed that all the money had virtually been allocated though an application could be applied for with associated authorities.

d)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
The route is determined and other consultations on this phase is being discussed at their next meeting.

e)    Parish Council Website
Cllr Ashley relayed that the site is okay but is looking into having a page added associated with the clearing and tidying of the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station and to thank those associated.

f)    Parish Council Liaison Meeting report from Councillor Crawford
Cllr Crawford informed that she was the only representative from Parish Councils in attendance. She informed that issues relating to Street Lighting and Grass Cutting had been mentions to the representatives of Boston Borough Council whom were at the meeting.  

10.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
An email received from Old Leake Parish Council re Footway Lighting had been circulated to the Parish Councillors and was discussed earlier in the meeting.

All three Boston Borough Councillors had sent their apologies and forwarded individual reports, one of which included the recent disgraceful vandalism of the Fishtoft Playing Field.

11.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
There was no information discussed.

12.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

LCC Cllr P Skinner reported the following:
•    Several Highway street lights have been replaced
•    Several potholes in various areas have been dealt with even though ones near to these have not.
•    A ward walk with a Highways Officer is scheduled

The meeting closed at 8.43pm

Appendix A

Item 6c on agenda             

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023

Payments made as approved at 11th September 2023 meeting

Additional payments made since 11th September 2023 meeting

Payments to be approved at 12th October 2023 meeting

Payments Received since 11th September 2023 meeting

Appendix B 
 

Item 10 on agenda            FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC
 

No.    AREA    ISSUE    DATE    HOW    REF    OUTCOME
1    Tower/Priory/Eastwood    Archers Report                Waiting outcome
2    Sibsey Road    2 x Damaged pavement, trip hazard        FMS    404599    Informed work be done when funds available
3    Whitehouse Lane    Lamp out        BBC    404325    Lamp number required
4    Church Green Road    Footpath uneven and damaged        FMS    4153606    Proposal for works South Division – request update from LCC
5    Eastwood Road Footpath    Footpath uneven and damaged        FMS    4164960    As above
6    Freiston Road Footpath    Footpath uneven and damaged        FMS    4164961    As above
7    Church Green Road    Extension of path – Email     15/12/2021    LCC    4169782    Chase LCC for update
8    Scalp Road    Potholes     Sep-21    LCC        13/12/21 P.S. Unadopted – sponsors being looked for – Environment agency have patched
9    Fishtoft Road/Church Green Road Corner    Lamp out (No 13)        BBC    15830584    Fixed
10    Pilleys Lane    Blocked Drains        LCC    442737    Part of next scheduled works