2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 11th March 2024 at The Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

PRESENT:     Councillor Helen Crawford presiding as Chairperson
Councillors Elizabeth Armstrong (arrived at 8.07pm), Richard Lenton, Judy Skinner, Geoff Day and Chris Moore
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor 

Boston Borough Councillor Sarah Sharpe

Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present to ask any questions or make short statements during the time allocated.

Boston Borough Councillor Scoot was unable to attend this evening’s Parish Council meeting but forwarded the following report for the Parish Council’s information.
•    He is helping residents, one including a raised manhole cover directly opposite her drive way. 
•    Once again, I will be helping the Wombles, with Councillors Staples and Sharpe, on Sunday 17th March with their Boston Spring Clean. We have decided to look at Priory Road this time.
•    Recently attended the Witham Forth Drainage Board meeting. The new Hob Hole pumping station plans are progressing.
 
Boston Borough Councillor Staples sent her apologies as she had another meeting to attend.

Cllr Sharpe reported the following:
•    The Fishtoft Ward Borough Councillors were unable to attend the last Fishtoft Parish Council meeting due to a Full Council meeting where the matter associated with Devolution was being discussed. This was quite a deep discussion with many concerns associated with it being addressed.  Following deliberation, it was decided that the Borough Council were against the government's recommendation for Devolution.
•    At the recent Full Council meeting held last week the next financial year’s budget was presented which was resolved as being approved.
•    Being port folio holder for Tourism, she was pleased to report that her request for more funds to be increased in the budget was agreed. This will enable the town to be promoted across the County and Country with the sights set firmly on the International Visitors especially on the lead up to Boston 2030.
•    An action plan has been taken to the Cabinet in regards to The Guildhall which she personally believes is a jewel in Boston’s crown. Various arrangements are being looked into including better merchandise and additional cabinets for the collection housed to be on display.
•    Currently working with the Place Team on the King Charles III coastal path which spans along the entire English Coast covering 2700 miles which part of this runs through the ward. 
•    On 2nd February 2024 attended the Outer Dowsing liaison meeting to hear about the Community Benefit Fund which they are planning to launch in 2025.
•    Other developments include the moving of the auction and other market stalls on a Wednesday to the Market Place to allow for Bargate Green Car Park be opened up for parking.
•    Last week, the Council’s new Community Rangers started their role, they will join a multi-agency team comprising of three Lincolnshire Police PCSOs/Officers and an Anti-Social Behaviour Officer from the Council’s Community Safety Team. Together they will tackle four hotspot areas of crime and ASB (Market Place, Red Lion Street, West Street and Central Park). The project will aim to introduce capable guardians into areas lacking presence, acting as a deterrent and tackle the root causes of crime through education and engagement with key groups affected by the offending.
•    Please to announce that have raised £200 to date for the Fishtoft 400 Community Group through sponsorship for her half marathon in London on 7th April.

LCC Cllr P Skinner relayed the following:
•    Considerable amount of work has been carried out by Highways across the County and hopes that this will continue over the forthcoming months. 
•    Continuous working across the County and assessing following the flooding 
•    The new financial year budget has been set with funds incorporating towards Highways and Flooding.

The meeting opened at 7.21pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford welcomed all to the meeting and relayed the incident that occurred at the Railway Track near Cowbridge Drain and sending sympathy to the family and friends 

2.     Apologies for absence - To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Cllrs Webb and Williams have sent their apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reason for not attending. Cllr Armstrong had informed that she would be attending the meeting at a later time as had another meeting to attend prior to this one. Following proposal by Cllr J Skinner, seconded by Cllr Crawford 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
    Cllrs J & P Skinner declared an interest to Item 6.

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th January 2024 - 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 J Skinner 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 P Skinner, seconded by Cllr J 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
There were no additional payments to be approved.

c) Payments & receipts: since 15th January 2024 - Appendix A
Payments received since 15th January 2024

Payments made since 15th January 2024

d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st January 2024
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 2024 was £21,611.11

e) Balance of Treasury Account as of 29th February 2024
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 2024 was £22,092.26

f) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st January 2024
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 £61,434.72.

g) Balance of Savings Account as of 29th February 2024
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 £61,502.55

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/23/0029 - Application under s73 to vary Conditions 2 (Plans) & C13 (Flood Risk Assessment) of planning permission B/21/0526 at Land adj to Woodbine Cottage, 184 Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0BS
There were no objections to this planning application

b)     B/24/0055 - Single storey extension, internal alterations, new pitched roof over existing bay window, new rendered finish to whole dwelling at 171 Willoughby Road, Boston PE21 9HR
There were no objections to this planning application

The following additional Planning applications were received since the agenda was posted:
•    B/24/0066 – Proposed double storey rear and single storey side extension including internal alterations at 99, Tower Road, Boston PE21 9BB
    It was relayed that this application was part of the BTAC remit not within Fishtoft Parish Council ward
•    B/24/0089 - Proposed rear extension and first floor balcony at 15, Pilleys Lane, Boston PE21 9RA
    There were no objections to this planning application
•    B/24/0097 - Application under Section 73 for the removal of Condition C2 (Agricultural Habitation Clause) following grant of permission BR 104/62 at Alvey House Farm, Scalp Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0SH
There were no objections to this planning application

c)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
The following planning applications have been granted:
•    B/23/0362 – Application of single storey barn for nesting birds at Dion’s Nature Reserve, land behind 113-142, Willoughby Road, Boston
•    B/23/0410 – Advertisement consent for the erection of a 12m Flag Pole and Flag bearing the Company Logo at Metsa Wood, Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft
•    B/23/0443 – Application to vary condition C3 (Footway) of application B/21/0151 (Proposed woodland and wildflower meadow including paths, small lake and car park) to alter the width of the required footway at land behind 113-142, Willoughby Road, Boston
•    B/23/0446 – Proposed alterations and extensions to existing dwelling at 13, Church Green Road, Fishtoft
•    B/24/0029 – Application under s73 to vary condition 2 Plans) & C13 (Flood Risk Assessment) of planning permission B/21/0526 at land adjacent to Woodbine Cottage, 184 Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft

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 but with high priority.

c)    Fogarty layby corner (Fishtoft Road) to take on ownership so the parking restrictions can be put in place
This area is owned by LCC and they are going to be looking into a consultation into banning vehicles being parked here overnight

d)    Litter Bins
Following correspondence with the portfolio holder at present there are no plans to put a litter bin at Blackthorn Lane as the collection route for the current bins is at capacity. That said our comments have been noted and a bin may be able to be located there at some future point.

e)    Street Lights repairs/renewals
It was agreed to defer this agenda item to later in the meeting.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
Cllr Crawford relayed that a meeting is scheduled with herself and Cllr Day with representative Monique Watts to discuss this matter further.  

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Lenton reported the following on behalf of Cllr Armstrong:
•    Nearly 50 members are now attending the Community Group
•    £550 has been received from Asda Community Grant which will be used to purchase a load speaker
•    A resident has been welcomed to the group to aid with introducing them back into the community
•    £500 is to be awarded from BBC in relation to the Warm Spaces Fund

c)    Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
It was relayed that quotes have been asked for in relation to sandblasting the buoy. Once this work has been carried out the next stage will be adding the mosaics to it.

d)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
Cllr P Skinner relayed that the route has been decided following the consultation with work waiting to commence.

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

f)    Parish Council Liaison January 2024 Meeting – report and future 17th April 2024 meeting
The report had been circulated from the meeting to the Parish Council. Cllr Webb had relayed to the clerk that she would be able to attend the future meeting on the 17th April 2024.

g)    Police & Commission liaison meeting July 2024    
Cllr Crawford asked if the councillors could consider attending the liaison meeting in July.

9.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
An email had been received from Ed Johnson from Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board in response to the letter sent to him in relation to flooding matters of which he has said that rather than replying with a long letter or email, he wondered if it would be possible to attend a Parish Council meeting so he can verbally address some of these issues.  As he is sure the councillor can appreciate it is a complex issue and not easy to articulate in writing.
Additionally, the Board are looking at the feasibility of a major project to improve Hobhole Pumping Station, attending the meeting will also give him an opportunity to present this to the Parish Councillors. This project is likely to impact the village to a certain degree through the construction phase

The councillors asked the clerk to reply and see if he would be able to attend the next Parish Council meeting.

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

At 7.56pm it was resolved to go back to Item 7e on the agenda.

A meeting had taken place between the clerk and BBC Cllrs Scoot, Sharpe, Staples and Dorrian to discuss the Street Lights repairs/renewals within the parish. 

It was agreed that the Borough Councillors would personally assess the street lights and inform the Parish Council of their condition and status. It had been relayed that the Borough Council had agreed that the ownership and responsibility of the posts could be handed to the Parish Council.

Cllr Crawford conveyed that the view of the Parish Council is not to take over the ownership and responsibility as it was unknown what the condition of these were at the present status and would prefer to know how many are in good order, how many current lights are fitted on wooden posts considering that the required LEDs cannot be fitted to these.

It was agreed that this would be discussed further at the next meeting once more information was known once the lights across the parish had been assessed before a decision on which ones get replaced.

The meeting closed at 8.14pm

Appendix A

Item 5c on agenda 

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

Payments approved at 15th January 2024 meeting

Payments Received since 15th January 2024 meeting

Payments Made since 15th January 2024 meeting

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                     FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC