2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 15th January 2024 atThe Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, 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, Geoff Day and Chris Moore
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor (arrived at 7.32pm)

Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were two members of the public present of which the following questions/short statements were made during the time allocated.

A resident asked if the Parish Council were able to ask the local Drainage Board on what things are going to be done in the area following Storm Babet and Henk to aid with the flooding. Especially as a lot of land is still water logged and the drain/river is remaining high.

Cllr J Skinner asked if planning application B/23/0379 - Land to the East of Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0SF has been called in to committee by any of the Boston Borough Councillors.

All three Boston Borough Councillors were unable to attend this evening’s Parish Council meeting but forwarded reports for the Parish Council’s information.

Cllr Scoot reported:
•    He is helping a resident whose property was flooded from two sides during heavy rain.
•    Attended the Emergency Planning and Homeless briefings with additional Borough Councillors
•    Suggestion has been made that the litter bin request for Blackthorn Lane area may be best sited in Hawthorne Close.

Cllr Sharpe reported:
•    I have been out to visit a couple who were concerned with the state of a road repair carried out by LCC, this road actually fell within the Skirbeck ward therefore I took photos and passed it onto the borough councillors who in turn passed it onto Cllr Martin Griggs. I am yet to hear if anything will be rectified.
•    Reported on ‘Fix My Street 4 blocked drains on Clampgate Road following the heavy rainfall two weren’t draining and two were clogged with mud. Also reported two fly tipping issues down Wythes Lane.

Cllr Staples reported that she will be sitting on the Finance Committee of The Witham Fourth IDB. Due to rising cost of fuel and increased use of pumps over the last few months l fear that their precept to Boston Borough Council is set to rise significantly of which Drainage Boards already take 58% of the Council Tax.

Whilst here in Fishtoft we saw flooding again in pockets of our Parish in October, we all value the work of the IDB's Councils we cannot sustain a further hike in their precept. Meanwhile, the Leader of the Council and Finance Portfolio Holder are lobbying Central Government on this matter.

Cllr J Skinner relayed the Cllr P Skinner has asked that the roads be swept which is the responsibility of the Borough Council before drains then can be then cleaned to avoid them being blocked.

It was relayed that the Parish Council would prefer to have the bin sited at their original location of Blackthorne Lane as this was a significant request from residents.

The meeting opened at 7.22pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford welcomed all to the meeting and relayed that Parish Councillor Ashley has decided to resign from Fishtoft Parish Council.

2.     Apologies for absence - To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Cllr Webb had sent her apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reason for not attending. Cllr P Skinner had informed that he would be attending the meeting at a later time as had another meeting to attend prior to this one. Following proposal by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr Day and with no objections it was resolved to accept the reason 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
No Declarations of Interest were declared.    

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th December 2023 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Armstong, seconded by Cllr Crawford and with no objections it was resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record.

5.    Finance
a)     Payment of accounts to be approved

Following proposal by Cllr J Skinner, seconded by Cllr P Armstrong and apart from recalculating the Staff Costs before payment was made there were no objections and therefore 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 approved.

c) Payments & receipts: since 14th December 2023 - Appendix A
No additional payments or receipts had been made since 14th December 2023 meeting.

d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st December 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 December 2023 was £23,274.34.

e) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st December 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 December 2023 was £61,371.33.

f) To set the budget in association with the 2024/2025 Precept
After discussion it was decided that £200 should be added to the budget to cover any unforeseen costs associated with the Parish Council Website.

6.     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/23/0446 - Proposed alterations and extensions to existing dwelling at 13, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 0QGreservoir at Wombwell House, Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0QR
There were no objections to this planning application

b)     B/23/0443 - Application to vary condition C3 (Footway) of application B/21/0151 (Proposed woodland & wildflower meadow including paths, small lake & car park) to alter the width of the required footway at Land behind, 113-142, Willoughby Road, Boston, PE21 9HR
There were no objections to this planning application

c)    B/24/0006 - Application for a Lawful Development Certificate to confirm that the continuing use of the dwelling, which has been occupied in breach of an agricultural occupation clause, is lawful at Alvey House Farm, Scalp Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0SH
There were no objections to this planning application

d)     Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
Planning Permission has been granted to the following applications:
•    B/23/0364 – Demolition of the existing conservatory and proposed two storey rear extension, partial conversion of a garage into a utility room and internal alterations at 190, Eastwood Road, Fishtoft
•    B/23//0367 – First floor and single storey extension to rear of property at 16 Pilleys Lane, Boston
•    B/21/0441 – Application for Approval of Reserved Matters (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) following Outline Approval B/17/0511 for residential development of up to 200 no. dwellings at Land South of Wainfleet Road, Boston
•    B/23/0386 – Listed Building Consent to repair of broken handrail, repainting of girders, metal plates and parapets and localised repointing of masonry abutments and wingwalls at Cowbridge Footbridge, Horncastle Road, Fishtoft
•    B23/0385 – Demolition of existing ground floor extension and erection of a two-storey extension at 72, Meridian Road, Fishtoft
•    B/23/0203 – Change of use to existing barn and office space into 1 no. dwelling at 78 Pilleys Lane, Boston

7.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    A16 to Sibsey
This item is still being assessed.
    
b)    A52 Speed Limit reduction
This item is still being assessed.

c)    Fogarty layby corner (Fishtoft Road) to take on ownership so the parking restrictions can be put in place
LCC have realised that there are amenity services under the surface therefore are not considering handing over this parcel of land to the Parish Council. The HGV parking is going to be assessed and believed these will be banned from this area with only cars being permitted to do so.

d)    Street Lights repairs/renewals
The clerk informed that she is still waiting for a meeting with the relevant officer to discuss this matter to enable this subject to move forward.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
There was no updated information to report.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong reported the following:
•    They have various visitors coming to the group over the next few weeks to talk to them.
•    An application for a £400 grant has been submitted to Asda to go towards a bus trip for the group.
•    It was brought to the attention how many of the residents within the group were alone during Christmas period and therefore looking at doing something to aid the next one.
•    It was nice to learn of the friendship the group has made. From this one member had recently not been in attendance and through the group they were able to check in on them to ensure they were alright of which was most appreciated.

Cllr P Skinner relayed that he would like to thank Cllr Armstrong for all the hard work and she has done with the group.

c)    Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
Cllr Armstrong relayed that the weather is currently delaying moving things forward.

d)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
Cllr P Skinner relayed that the consultation ends on the 19th January 2024.

e)    Parish Council Website
There was no information to report.

f)    Report from Police and Crime Commissioner Engagement Session – update from Councillor Crawford
Cllr Crawford relayed that she attended the online meeting in December and circulated the report following this. Queries raised relating to drones was not responded to effectively.

It was relayed that PCSO’s have been depleted. These were an important part of the community and will be missed. 

g)    Parish Council Liaison January 2024 Meeting    
The Parish Council Liaison meeting will be taking place on 25th January 2024 of which Cllrs Armstrong and Webb will be attending representing Fishtoft Parish Council.

h)    Fishtoft Playing Field – Report from Councillor Lenton

Cllr Lenton had previous circulated a report to the Parish Councillors relating to the Fishtoft Playing Field which informs that the administration had been handed over to the Football Club.

The Football Club would like to do something with The Pavilion such as extending and making the building more appealing but though past plans had been drawn up there is no official Business Plan in place to aid with funding for this to enable things to move forward.

Cllr Williams conveyed that the committee needs to look at what uses the area has and the cliental that they wish to attract before doing anything with the building first.

Cllr Crawford relayed that they would need to have a Business Plan in place before matters can be considered by the Parish Council especially financially.

i)    Flooding within the Parish
The information that was received from Witham Fourth Drainage Board was very informative, though several queries were raised from this.  Therefore, following this and matters raised during the Public Forum the clerk was asked to write to them and ask the questions raised and what improvements will be made.

k)    Reassign duties of former Councillor Ashley
Due to the resignation of Councillor Ashley his duties needed to be reassigned. These are as follows:
Rochford Tower Noticeboard        Councillor Moore
Rochford Tower Committee        Councillor Moore
Personnel                 Councillor Webb
Wooded Area                Councillors Crawford and Day

9.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
No additional correspondence had been received.

10.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
There were no updates to the list.  

11.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 8.46pm

Time was allocated for LCC Cllr P Skinner to give his report.

Devolution for Greater Lincolnshire. 
• A 30-year investment fund worth £720 m to Level Up Greater Lincolnshire. 
• A stronger role in setting and delivering Greater Lincolnshire’s Priorities. 
• Control over a range of budgets and powers currently administered by central government. 
• Additional powers to tackle challenges and make the most of our potential. 
• £28 m for a new raft of projects. 
• A mayor to give Greater Lincolnshire a more influential profile, locally, nationally and globally. 
• More chances to work together across boundaries and borders. 

An event was held at Boston United on the 11th January, it was well attended. There is events 16th January on at Grimsby, Stamford, Brigg, 17th Louth, 18th Grimsby, Grantham, Barton, 19th Skegness, 20th Spalding, 22nd Market Rasen and 25th Lincoln. 

Highways Programme of Works 
The 2023/24 programme of highway maintenance has progressed well in all areas and, with the additional funding received this year, we have delivered a £56m programme of highway maintenance works across the County. Details of all schemes planned are available on the Lincolnshire Website with specific details on proposed dates and timings. We have received an initial programme from our contractors for 2024/25 and are just finalising details of all schemes to avoid any potential conflicts with other works on the network. Details will be available in the new year to all members of the scheme locations and anticipated program dates. The programme of carriageway maintenance schemes has seen 126 locations having a variety of patching and resurfacing works carried out, with a further 25 to be completed. We have brought a few schemes forward from next year’s programme of works as our contractor has some availability in the current programme early in 2024. We completed 145 Surface Dressing schemes over the summer months, along with white lines and stud replacement on these sites. There are 64 carriageway micro surfacing schemes that have now been completed, with a further 13 that will be completed over the next few months. We have completed white lining maintenance and stud renewal works on 50 sites and have a further 19 to complete once the weather conditions improve. To date we have completed 17 footway reconstruction sites and have a 16 planned before the end of the financial year. Our footway micro surfacing programme has seen 200 sites resurfaced, with a further 46 planned to be completed early next year. There is also a siding programme that has just commenced, that removes vegetation from footways where this has reduced the width of the footway. We have a programme of 36 small and medium sized drainage schemes that have addressed several long-standing issues with flooding in the community. There are now additional resources that have been brought in to carry out additional investigation, jetting and minor repairs on local issues that are reported with blocked drainage and standing water. For cyclical maintenance works, the grass cutting and weed spraying works are just coming to an end in accordance with the agreed programmes. We also have a planned grip digging programme that will take place over the winter to address some of the standing water issues we have where verges are higher than the existing carriageway. 

Public Transport Projects 
The Educational Travel team have started to review contracts coming into the new year with tender activity taking place in December which demonstrated not only a reduction in contracts but also efficiencies on the routes we operate. The Callconnect app rollout remains key focus for the service, alongside planning the use of public transport related funding - more information is provided below. The Department for Transport (DfT) has provided bespoke feedback on our recently refreshed Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) The DfT consider that the revised Plan is insightful and easy to read and sets out a very clear approach to improving bus services in the rural and sparse county of Lincolnshire. The document was considered by Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee in September 2024 and here’s the link to the document Bus service improvement plan - Policies, strategies and plans - Lincolnshire County Council. 

Public Transport Service is progressing with plans aligned to the BSIP to improve public transport across the county. In the initial phases, Interconnect corridors between our main market towns will be brought up to an hourly or better standard across the county, with town centric services achieving a 30 minute or better frequency. Additionally, bus stop infrastructure is to be reviewed and improved across the county to shape a refresh programme that will ensure all bus stops and shelters are brought up to a good standard. The Callconnect VIA app rollout is now reaching the final stages of the project with the next phase due to be rolled out in Sleaford, Horncastle, Spilsby and Coningsby by the end of February. The remaining north of the county including areas around Market Rasen and Louth will be completed by the end of March. Educational Travel The continuing focus remains ensuring value for money through efficient procurement through a programme of contract reviews, and we will start to see the impact later this financial year coming into April 2024. We continue to manage the travel provisions for 19,000+ pupils per day whilst balancing the demands of passenger needs and the pressures on the budget. Re-procurement of contracts using reverse e-auctions has taken place for new route commencing January 2024 with the current focus is on replacing short-term contracts and route optimising the current contracts following passenger changes. In order to manage and monitor key measures in educational travel, a management information dashboard is being created, with significant support from corporate teams in data services and performance. The initial data from dashboard was presented at the October meeting of Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee. It has proved more difficult than CONSERVATIVE GROUP BRIEFING UPDATE - 8 January 2024 originally expected but we now achieved Information Assurance approval to access data and swift progress can now be made utilising Power BI and corporate expertise. 

Dolphin Lane 
This a joint funded project between LCC and Boston Borough Council which originated from the District’s Heritage Lottery Fund. The project is a public realm scheme that improve the pavement to new stone setts that are in keeping with the surrounding environment. This will connect directly to the Market Place which has the same type of stone setts. The works are now complete and have been well received by the public.
 
FixMyStreet Update 
In 2023 we have received 49,130 reports up to the end of November via Fix My Street or the Customer Service Centre. 43% of these have been about carriageway or footway condition, 11% about street lighting, 10% about drainage and flooding, 9% about vegetation and 5% about signs and street furniture. 

The local highways teams tend to receive around 700 of these enquiries per week, going up to 1500 per week in the winter and dropping to 500 per week in the summer/early autumn. During Storm Babet, they received over 2000 in just 2 days. Despite this, the number of outstanding enquiries which haven’t received a response is back down to around 700, which is lower than the number coming in fresh each week.

There being no further business the meeting finished at 8.56pm

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                     FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC