2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 8th July 2024 at The Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

PRESENT:     Councillor Helen Crawford presiding as Chairperson
Councillors 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 to ask any questions or make short statements during the time allocated.

BBC Cllr Sharpe gave the following report:
Growth and Prosperity Plan
Cabinet recently approved a new ‘Growth and Prosperity Plan’ which sets out principles and priorities for the Partnership to support a prosperous, productive and creative economy.  This plan will compliment and deliver the ambition of the sub-regional strategy, demonstrating the Partnership’s commitment to a place-based approach to enable and deliver growth. It will focus on positive society-wide benefits of economic growth to improve the quality of life for our communities.

Productivity Plan
When the Local Government Finance Settlement was published in late 2023, there was a requirement placed on Councils to publish a Productivity Plan. This is now live on the website.

Town Events
We have seen very successful events within the past couple of weeks in the town. The Flea Market was a great success, giving the charity shops a chance to have a stall and promote their charities, along with two fashion shows highlighting some of the amazing items you can buy from their shops. This was followed by the Classic Car Day in the Market Place the following day which was very well attended.
Last week, the Bike night returned, which was organised by a new group of volunteers who were supported by the Borough Council. There were thousands of bikes in attendance from the Market Place right through to the Cattle Market Car Park. It was a very well organised event.

Upcoming events:
•    Boston’s Strongest Competition in the market place with a food festival on 14th July
•    The 6-week long beach event in Central Park which runs throughout the summer holidays
•    Skate Jam – 17th August
•    Ska and Reggae Festival – 25th August

From 7th to 14th September, the cultural quarter group, which consists of The Guildhall, The Stump, Fydell House and Blackfriars will be hosting different events throughout the week in association with Heritage Open Days which will also include opening up the Council Chamber for guided tours which are bookable in advance. I have ensured that we are featured prominently in the Heritage Open Days Booklet which is distributed widely by Heritage Lincolnshire.

Guildhall
We now have a new Venue, Events and Collections Officer in place who has hit the ground running and has already planned many new events that will take place in our beautiful Guildhall. We have an Explorers Trail on 2nd August, a free activity with trails for children, and then after the Heritage open days the next two exhibitions will be: -
•    21st September – 31st October – Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology exhibition.
•    75th anniversary of the world’s first mobile disco ‘Diggola’ by Bostonian Ron Diggins. 12th October – 11th January 2025. (First in a series of ‘Lincolnshire Firsts’). October – December – Afternoon Tea Discos (related Diggolaexhibition)

We are going to be working more closely with schools to ensure our rich history is being shared with them to aid their learning about where they live and to get them excited about the town’s amazing stories.

We are also on the cusp of being able to take card payments. I couldn’t quite believe when I took over this portfolio that the Guildhall was still only able to accept cash. Now, whilst it hasn’t been an easy process, I have worked hard to get to the point where we are now just awaiting delivery of the card machine. This will see us be able to accept donations by card and people can purchase items sold in the Guildhall by card too.

The social media promotion is working very well and I am delighted that visitor numbers to the Guildhall are also up over 10% on last year.
In addition to this we are applying for funding bids to help improve both the interior and exterior. Again, there is a lot of work involved, but now we have an extra member of staff, this is making this more possible.

Boston Brilliance
On 14th and 15th February 2025, many buildings around the town centre will be illuminated by the world-renowned company ‘The Projection Studio’. This is part of the NPO project and we are working in collaboration with Boston College. Focusing on our heritage, these illuminations, along with sound scapes will highlight our amazing stories. Working with the college, this had given students the chance to work with Ross Ashton, the founder of the company – who has created projects such as illuminating Buckingham Palace for one of the jubilee celebrations, the 2010 Olympics, The Napa Valley lighted art festival and many more. Feedback from the students has been amazing, and they said not only have they got to work with an amazing artist, they have also learnt more about Boston’s history along the way and it has made them prouder of their town. Advertising for this event will start very soon.

Boston Leaflet
I am delighted to say, that the ‘Boston Leaflet’ will soon be going to print. The aim with this is to promote Boston better around the County. These will be available at railway stations, Tourist Information Offices, hotels etc. Boston was also promoted at the Lincolnshire show last month and will be promoted at the Heckington Show later this month too.

Street Art
My Street Art Policy was approved at cabinet a couple of weeks ago.  The pilot project will be in Central Park and we are aiming to work with a range of local artists to showcase different styles of art and engage with members of the public too. 

Ward Issues
There have been quite a few issues of overgrown hedges making walking on paths difficult, these are being dealt with quickly upon reporting. I’m pleased to see a number of potholes have been filled, even on Pinfold Lane and I continue to report any issues I find on FixMyStreet and encourage residents to do the same.

I attended the Outer Dowsing Liaison meeting last week to ensure I am up to date in case any residents have further questions.

Cllr Staples, Scoot and I will be holding a surgery on Wednesday 18th September at the Pavilion which we have started to promote. We are inviting any resident of the ward to come and chat to us about anything they wish to. This will be followed by a further meeting in December.

BBC Cllr Staples had sent her apologies due to attending St Leonards Hospital Trust Open Evening but forwarded the following report:
•    In the past month a lot of residents have issues with vegetation overhanging footpaths, photographs have been taken and reports done in the hope that enforcement will be taken.
•    An accident at the Toot Lane mini round 3 weeks ago, relating to a car driving straight across without looking and hitting a car which then hit a pedestrian. I have spoken to LCC Cllr Skinner and asked if he along with Cllr Griggs can facilitate an onsite meeting with residents and LCC Highways.
Growing fear are rising as more properties are being built in this area thereby increasing traffic and parking too close to the junction blocking vision.
Local residents are requesting this meeting and want to raise –
1.     Speeding on all roads leading onto the roundabout
2.    Area too small for a roundabout and drivers are cutting across it.
3.    The roundabout signs are barely visible and certainly need repainting.
4.    This area is used daily by school children and is becoming unsafe.
5.    High volume of HGV’s using the roads to go to Havenside Industrial Park which isn’t ideal at school times along Toot Lane and using the mini roundabout.

Future Events
The Story of Boston in Stitch is the most marvellous exhibition done by Boston Stitchers, it is on at Fydell House until 17th July.
 
2nd/3rd August Boston’s Food and Farming Festival at St Botolph’s Church. We hope to be able to get Father David’s Vintage Grey Fergie into the Church, and local farmer and contractor is loaning a John Deere Tractor. I am really excited about this event as its going to showcase just what is produced in our locality and also the careers available within the agricultural industry.

BBC Cllr Scoot apologised for not being able to attend the meeting and relayed that the Boston Town sign has been placed back on Horncastle Road; but still awaiting news of the sign at Cow Bridge.

LCC Cllr Paul Skinner reported the following:
•    The Corporate Plan sets out what we want to achieve for residents and communities across Lincolnshire. The 2023/24 Quarter 4 report was signed off by the Executive on Tuesday 2nd July and provides an update on the delivery of services against our ambitions.
•    Did you know that LCC has a customer charter? Our customer charter sets out how we put our customers at the heart of what we do. Find out more about this and the practical steps we can take to engage in a fair, polite, and compassionate way by taking part in our new Customer Experience training.
•    My parents named me after my older brother…and before my younger brother   Setting up a naming convention for digital records needn’t be difficult. By using a logical naming convention to store records in year and function order, this will help you locate and apply the record and information lifecycle. For tips and advice visit the IA Hub RM pages or for further advice contact records management at records.management@lincolnshire.gov.uk 
•    New postal address for supplier invoices   Most supplier invoices are sent electronically to invoices@lincolnshire.gov.uk but if you are aware of a supplier that provides their invoices by post, please let them know that they now need to send them to: Lincolnshire County Council, County Offices, Newland, Lincoln, LN1 1YL.
•    Reduced car parking in the main Lincoln campus   There will be reduced capacity in the main Lincoln campus car park on Tuesday 9th, Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th July due to committee meetings taking place. If you would like to make colleagues aware of bulk car parking bookings by your service for councillor meetings, please email int_comms@lincolnshire.gov.uk   giving at least a week’s notice. (source: Democratic Services)
•    Will you be paying for childcare in the summer holidays?  If you are paying for childcare for your child, don’t forget to use Tax Free Childcare to save money on your bill. You can save at registered nurseries, pre-schools, holiday clubs, childminders, nannies and wraparound care at school. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 for you to use to pay your provider. This can be used for children from birth to 11 (or 16 if your child is disabled). For more information and to register, visit: Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GO.UK.
•    Recycling and Waste.   Electricals and batteries must be recycled and not placed in general waste. Carelessness can cause fires. The reminder comes following fires at our household waste recycling centres. If you’re not sure of the correct disposal method to use, please see Recycling and waste - Lincolnshire County Council for a comprehensive guide. Remember that you can recycle batteries at most supermarkets.
•    Scalp Road   Highways have reached out to BBC with regard to the Unadopted section. No response received as yet. BBC owned the now Anglian Water sewage facility that incorporated a farm.
•    FixMyStreet    17 potholes repaired so far this month in Fishtoft, 1 street light and 1 Road Closure

The meeting opened at 7.15pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Crawford welcomed all to the meeting and wished Cllr Webb congratulations and warm wishes to the birth of her twins who are due in August. Also relayed that she was aware that Cllr Moore had stood at the recent General Election representing the Green Party and delighted with his results.

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 Williams, Armstrong, Lenton, Webb and J Skinner 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
No declarations of interest were received.

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th June 2024 - 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.

5.    Finance
a)     Payment of accounts to be approved
The Parish Council Clerk/RFO relayed that there are insufficient funds in the Fishtoft 400 Cash Book for any additional payments to be made in the future as almost all the Earmarked and Budgeted Funds had been spent during this financial year and recommended that funds be moved from the General Reserves to cover any future expenditure. Cllr P Skinner relayed that this relates to the Buoy and is a Community Asset and any excess cover should be covered by the General Reserves of which Cllrs Day and Moore concurred. The clerk was asked for any future expenditure relating to the Buoy to be added to the next Parish Council Meeting Agenda.

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

b) Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
One additional invoice had been received from Glen Hislop in relation to Ground Maintenance at the War Memorial during April and June 2024 for £60. Following proposal by Cllr P Skinner, seconded by Cllr Day and with no objections it was resolved that this payment should be made.

c) Payments & receipts: since 13th June 2024 - Appendix A

d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 30th June 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 30th June 2024 was £15,747.57.

e) Balance of Savings Account as of 30th June 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 30th June 2024 was £74,288.93.

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/24/0248 – Proposed detached garage at 32, Blackthorn Lane Boston, PE21 9BG
There were no objections to this planning application

b)    B/24/0254– Proposed continuation of ground floor for use as offices (Class E), formally residential accommodation (Class C3), for a temporary period of 3 years at Tattershall House, Castle Road, Boston PE21 9QQ
There were no objections to this planning application

c)    B/24/0259 - Single storey side & rear extension & alterations to existing garage to form annex accommodation at 117, Horncastle Road, Boston PE21 9HX
There were no objections to this planning application

d)    B/24/0260 - Proposed 2no relative accommodation buildings at The Butterfly Hospice Trust, Rowan Way, Boston, PE21 9DH
There were no objections to this planning application

Two additional planning applications have been received since the setting of the agenda 
i)    B/24/0258 - Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm that the proposed use of a room within the dwelling as an art gallery is lawful at Burton Corner, 160 Spilsby Road, Boston PE21 9QR
Cllr P Skinner relayed the planning permission doesn’t specify which Certificate of Lawfulness (either the 10year rule or from April the 4year rule). Therefore, unclear if the room has actually been used as a dwelling. After discussion there were no objections to this planning application.

ii)    B/24/0262 - Demolition of single storey outbuilding and erection of single storey side/rear extension at 45, Sibsey Road, Boston PE21 9QY
There were no objections to this planning application

e)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
Since the last meeting Full Planning Permission has been granted to B/24/0166 Proposed renovation and extension of fire damaged dwelling at Potterdale, Cut End Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE22 0QZ

7.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    A16 to Sibsey
A 30mph speed limit reduction is planned to be nearer to Pilgrim Hospital with the hope of a pedestrian crossing in this vicinity.    

b)    A52 Speed Limit reduction
This matter is still ongoing.

c)    Speed Awareness
Information had been received in relation to devises to aid with Speed Awareness. Cllr Day relayed that he believed the ones that are moved around the parish would be more beneficial so that drivers didn’t get compliant with the fixed ones.

For consideration appropriate sites would need to be approved by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, therefore the Councillors were asked to think of areas that these signs would be more suitably located.
The purchase of these signs is not currently budgeted for but with future monies due to the Parish Council in association with the Outer Dowsing project, the funds received from this would be sufficient to cover the costs.

The councillors also conveyed to do a circular among the residents of Fishtoft to see if they would like these to be in the parish and if there was anyone who would like to aid with the project.

d)    Scalp Road
The road between Haven House and Memorial Car Park is currently unadopted by any authority. Lincolnshire County Council are willing to take on the responsibility but the road has to be in a driveable condition. To enable this, they had agreed to contribute 50% of the cost to ensure this if Boston Borough Council would fund the additional 50%.

e)    Street Lights repairs/renewals
It has been confirmed that the changeover of the 72 street lights in the Parish to LEDs with part-time lighting along with the current 10 with LEDs to be switched to part-time lighting is scheduled to be done but no known date for the work has been given prior to the meeting.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
    There was no update to report on this agenda item.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Crawford relayed that on 13th August a Coach Trip has been arranged for the members of the Community Group to go to Holt for shopping with an optional Steam Train Ride to Sheringham.

c)    Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
There was no update to report on this agenda item.

d)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
It was relayed that planning for this project is looking at coming through in 2025 following that the survey on land has no finalised. They are also looking at having a Community Benefit Fund available with some funding for schools already existing.

e)    Parish Council Website
All seems to be acceptable with the website.

f)    Fishtoft Playing Fields Pavilion – Any update from Councillor Lenton
There was no update to report on this agenda item.

9.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
    The following correspondence was discussed.
•    Letter from South East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership re Parcel Pick-Up Points
The councillors believed this would be a good idea but the Parish Council do not have any assets where these could be allocated, therefore these would have to be located at various vicinities in the parish such as the Village Halls, Red Cow Public House or Eastwood Road Co-op though permission would need to be approved from them before forwarding any information.
•    LALC Conference & AGM
    Cllr Crawford asked if any Councillor would like to attend the future conference.

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 Crawford relayed that she had enquired to see if any road closures in Pilleys Lane relating to any work to be done is this area was planned but no information was available.

12.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 7.57pm

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                     FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC