2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Thursday 11th April 2024 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, Judy Skinner, Geoff Day and Chris Moore
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor 

Boston Borough Councillors Sarah Sharpe and Helen Staples
Ed Johnson Chief Engineer for Witham Fourth District IDB (left at 8.13pm)

Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were five members of the public present which included Christine Marshall (Section 151 Officer at Boston Borough Council), BBC Cllr Ghosh (Portfolio Holder for Finance) to ask any questions or make short statements during the time allocated.

Boston Borough Councillor Sharpe reported the following:
•    On 17th March, David, my husband Kevin and I took part in the Boston Big Spring Clean, focusing on Priory Road of which 6.5 bags of rubbish were collected, items were mainly empty cans, bottles and food wrappers but we were surprised to find a meat grinder, a collection of spice jars and a collection of odd shoes. These bags helped make a grand total of 224 bags of rubbish collected that morning across the Borough. Huge thanks to Cllr Butler and the Wombles for another successful event.
•    A requested survey on the street lights with Fishtoft was carried out by the Ward Councillors.
•    A few residents have raised concern about the parking on Church Green Road. Last October LCC Cllr P Skinner was informed of this of which he relayed that he will look into this and enquire about a 20mph zone in this area. The situation has since now been made worse by a trailer being parked there on many occasions.
•    The informal cabinet question sessions are proving very popular. This is a very good way for members of the public to come and speak to Cabinet members without the worry of submitting questions by deadlines. The last session was so successful the meeting had to adjourn to listen to everyone who had come along. We are really pleased that people feel they can have their thoughts and questions listened to.
•    Cllr Broughton’s market action plan has been approved. This is a very important piece of work ensuring our markets are given the focus they deserve. The teenage markets are very popular and are almost fully booked, of which two of the teenage market stall holders have become permanent stall holders.
•    As Culture portfolio holder, Cllr Sharpe was delighted that the Queen Elizabeth I Charter and the King Henry VIII Charters have been moved back to the Guildhall and are now on display for everyone to see. 
The activity plan for the second year of the National Portfolio Organisation is nearing submission to the Arts Council, this will hopefully see some amazing events happening in and around Boston over the next year. 
A lot of work is being put into the Heritage Week events which run from 7th - 14th September. These will take place across the borough and be promoted widely to give people a chance to come and see our amazing heritage.
•    Cllr Sharpe was pleased to say she completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon last Sunday and has raised £370 for the Fishtoft 400 Community Group.

Boston Borough Councillor Staples relayed that she is involved with three planning issues in the ward (Gleeson Homes development, Social Housing in Toot Lane and the Grade I agricultural land in White House Lane) that are raising concern. She informed that the Gleeson Homes development has been sent a letter via Senior Planning Officer Ian Carrington.

Boston Borough Councillor Scoot was unable to attend this evening’s Parish Council meeting but forwarded a report for the Parish Council’s information relaying as mentioned previously by Cllr Sharpe about the Boston Big Spring Clean and the Street Light survey that was conducted. He informed also that he has received an offer from Dobbies Garden Centre to help with a possible display for the village and will update the Parish Council when more information was known.

Christine Marshall (Section 151 Officer at Boston Borough Council) and BBC Cllr Ghosh (Portfolio Holder for Finance) relayed a statement associated with the budget and other Borough finances that was reported last month by BBC Cllr Sharpe that had raised queries.

Cllr J Skinner conveyed that the Car Parking fees in Tunnard Street that had recently increased that were not accurately displayed. She also informed that the Road Hog Bus was struggling to get onto the site now that there is a High bar in place. 

Additionally, Cllr J Skinner added that the rise in car parking fees is a concern considering the decrease in footfall in the town especially with other non-Council Car Parking and businesses outside of the town having free car parking or low parking fees. 

Cllr P Skinner relayed that he has not seen any footfall records for some time. BBC Cllr Sharpe replied that the Hook data is incorrect and the Borough Council were looking into more accurate ways of recording the footfall.

A resident thanked Mr Johnson for attending the meeting in response to the Parish Council’s letter sent to Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board following her queries raised at a previous meeting.

LCC Cllr P Skinner informed the following:
•    Finance related phishing emails are known to increase in volume towards the end of the Financial Year. These emails can have all the hallmarks of a genuine email but aim to divert funds to a criminal’s bank account.
•    Employees and their partners must register any interests that may conflict with the Council. Gifts and hospitality offered to Councillors during their work should be declared or declined. While some teams may have their own internal processes in place, there are no requirements to register a nil return to the corporate register.
•    Congratulations to Balfour Beatty Surfacing Agent, Tony Gunson who works withing the Lincolnshire County Council Highways contract, for being named as Balfour Beatty Living Places Behaviour Champion.
•    Lincolnshire Young Voices are recruiting new Committee members. Any young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities wanting to inspire a change for the better can apply to the “award winning” group that’s helping make a real difference to services in Lincolnshire that are essential to young people.
•    Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership in conjunction with National Bikesafe Scheme held a free Bikers Breakfast event on the 7th April 2024, of which, in addition to food they were able to observe and ride with either an advanced or police motorcyclist to further develop and enhance their riding skills.
•    From 1st April 2024 the re-commissioned Children with Disabilities (CWD) Support Services will be delivered by Pre-School Learning Alliance (trading as Early Learning Alliance). They are a National Education Charity with over 14,000 members delivering services to over 800,000 families. The Service will continue to be countrywide offer for children with complex heath needs aged 0-18 years and provide two offers of support, Early Support Learning Provision (ESLP) and Targeted Positive Activities (TPA).
•    On 14th March 2024, the Lincolnshire Energy from Waste (EfW) facility in North Hykeham reached its 10th operational anniversary.  The plant reduces the amount of the county’s waste going to landfill by around 93%, and converts that waste into 830,000 MWh of energy for the Lincoln area – enough to power 27,000 homes across the county.
Lincolnshire County Council is eleven years into its 25-year partnership with FCC Environment which operates the plant for residual waste collection, treatment and transfer in the county, during which time the North Hykeham site has performed above and beyond expectations in delivering significant environmental and cost-saving benefits.

The meeting opened at 7.31pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford welcomed all to the meeting and thanked the visitors for attending the Parish Council meeting. 

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 Lenton have sent their apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reasons for not attending. Following proposal by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr P Skinner 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
There were no Declarations of Interest declared.

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 11th March 2024 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Day, 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 Crawford, seconded by Cllr Armstrong and with no objections it was resolved that these payments should be made.

A payment to TA Blackamore Ltd was withheld in being paid in association with the March Invoice as the work carried out during 2023/2024 season was not complete (though the Parish Council understood that this was due to weather) but if they did, they would be paying for a service not fully carried out.

b) Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
There was one additional payment to be approved.

Following proposal by Cllr P Skinner, seconded by Cllr Williams and with no objections it was resolved that this payment should be made.

c) Payments & receipts: since 11th March 2024 - Appendix A
Payments received since 11th March 2024

d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st March 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 March 2024 was £17,123.06.

e) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st March 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 March 2024 was £61, 570.46.

6.    Presentation from Ed Johnson of Witham Fourth District Internal Drainage Board
Mr Ed Johnson informed that as Water Level Management is complex it was easier to give a report in person in response to the letter the Parish Council had sent to Witham Fourth.
He relayed the following:
•    The magnitude of the last six months and with the climate change the 2023/2024 Winter has been the wettest since recording began in 1852, with 1900mm.
•    The specifics associated with the resident’s case reported is due with ground water and though worrying is not anything major long term to be concerned about.
•    Storm Babet itself created 164mm of rain with overtopping of drains and filling watercourses. Since then, land has been completely saturated as it had nowhere else to go until the pumping could be caught up.
•    The Maud Foster/Sibsey Drain is partly the responsibility of The Environmental Agency and the Drainage Board has to work within their regulations.
•    Conveyed regulations and responsibilities associated with ditches.
•    The Drainage Board are looking at lowering the water level come next winter with the exception if the land is bone dry.
•    There are future plans for improvements at Hob Hole Pumping Station. It is 68 years old and is nearing its end of serviceable life and as some problems have arisen it is now ready to invest with a £89m project through Flood Defensive Granting Aid. This is looking to be starting December 2025 of which Green Lane will be improved to ais with access to the site to avoid heavy traffic flow through the village to be fully commissioned to be finished June 2029.

Cllr Crawford asked about clearing of the rubbish near Boston Golf Course Lock. Mr Johnson replied that this is supposed to be done twice a year but with other matters this may have been delayed but will look into this.

The Councillors thanked Mr Johnson for coming to the meeting.

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/24/093 - Application under s73 for the variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of permission B/21/0349 (Development of up to 135 dwellings of affordable housing; with associated access; parking; open space; landscaping and associated infrastructure) at Land at Toot Lane, Boston
There were no objections to this planning application

b)    B/24/0121 - Construction of 102no. residential dwellings at Agricultural land adjacent to White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
The plan shows that the dwellings are as a stilt design therefore no confidence in relation to flooding/drainage. The application seems to be incomplete as not all information/documentation has been supplied. This site is allocated within the Local Plan but for a site capacity of 90 dwellings. The Parish Council have no comments relating to this application until further development application is received.

c)    B/24/0129 - Proposed change of use from garage to letting room (C4) at Walnut Lodge, Wainfleet Road, Boston, PE21 9RW
There were no objections to this planning application.

The following additional Planning applications were received since the agenda was posted:
i)    B/24/0118 – To remove existing dining room and conservatory and create new kitchen and family room at Parklands, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft
There were no objections to this planning application.
ii)    B/24/0149 - Proposed single storey rear extension at Otterburn, Wainfleet Road, Boston PE21 9RN            
There were no objections to this planning application

d)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
Full planning permission has been granted to planning application B/24/0055 - A single storey extension, internal alterations, new pitched roof over existing bay window, new rendered finish to whole dwelling at 171 Willoughby Road, Boston

8.    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)    Traffic Issue on Church Green Road
As mentioned earlier in BBC Cllr Sharpe’s report there has been concerns associated with traffic in Church Green Road.
The following were relayed:
•    Possible solution would be to have double yellow lines within this area.
•    Cllr P Skinner relayed that it may be advisable for Cllr Baxter could converse with LHP to aid with a solution. 
•    The concern with the trailer especially with this being near the bend and dangerous to road users. Though if this is not commercial nothing could be done by Boston Borough Council therefore maybe looking at this as an obstruction therefore a police matter.
•    It was reported that LHP charge the residents to park their vehicles in the allocated parking spaces therefore probably the main reason for street parking and the controversy it is causing.
BBC Cllr Sharpe said she would look into this
•    Recommend as an advisory that this area be a reduced speed limit to 20MPH.

d)    Street Lights repairs/renewals
Following the survey conducted by the Ward Councillors it was discovered that there are only 83 Street Lights in the Parish, two within Pilley’s Lane have permanently been removed.
The following was discussed in relation to the results:
•    The Parish Council are not going to take on the responsibility of the ownership of the posts
•    All the Street Lights that are in the Parish to be changed to LEDs and part-time lighting. The Parish Council are willing to incur the cost associated with these only, they will not pay for anything else in relation to the change i.e. pulleys or posts.

9.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
Cllr Crawford and Cllr Day met with representative Monique Watts to discuss this matter. Though to date no update associated with this has been received.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstong relayed the following:
•    The money received from Asda was put towards a buffet for the group a week before Easter.
•    Looking at planning something for the group at Christmas
•    Those who have recently felt isolated that have been attending with their carers are looking at once they feel comfortable staying without them.

c)    Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
Cllr Armstong relayed the following:
•    A company has agreed to come and sandblast and prime the buoy once the weather is sufficed. 
•    A notice is to be published on Facebook and the Community Group asking for volunteers to put the mosaics onto the buoy, but this will have to be done asap once the buoy is primed, of which the glue and grouting has been ordered.

d)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
Cllr P Skinner relayed that the consultation has finished and the documentation has been sent to the Secretary of State for consultation.

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

10.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
The agenda associated with the Parish Council Liaison Meeting scheduled for the 17th April 2024 of which Cllr Webb will be attending has been received of where one of the agenda items is a Q&A session with the LCC Highways Manager.

A resident has emailed asking the grass on Pilleys Lane corner to be cut. The previous contractor has been asked to submit a new tender for this year with a detailed list of areas that he has been cutting the previous years.

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

Cllr P Skinner informed that Pilleys Lane has over twenty potholes reported above 40mm and will chase for information associated with the resurfacing of this area which is suppose to be within the 2024/2025 budget. He relayed that any potholes within the parish must be reported to Fix My Street and if these are not dealt with to inform him asap.

12.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 8.54pm

Appendix A

Item 5c on agenda 

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD

MARCH 2024

Payments approved at 11th March 2024 meeting 

Payments Received since 11th March 2024 meeting

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                     FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC