2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 9th September 2024 at The Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

PRESENT:     Councillor Joff Williams presiding as Chairperson
Councillors Elizabeth Armstrong, Richard Lenton, Geoff Day and Judy Skinner
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor (arrived at 7.21pm)

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:
•    There have been a few ward issues of late, the main matter of concern has been the resurfacing of Fishtoft Road. This took place a couple of weeks ago, and within a week had already been dug up in three different places due to gas and water works. 
The resurfacing has left two edges on Fishtoft Road with quite a drop and gap to the verge, and also 4 blocked drains. These have been reported to Fix My Street and details emailed to LCC Cllr Skinner with photos so he is aware. 
The concern is that the 4 blocked drains are all in a row which may cause issues for the bungalows and house that are within the vicinity. The response from Fix My Street says the work to remedy this is more complex than they first thought so are investigating it. Cllr Sharpe believes that with bad weather on the horizon it would be good if this could be sorted as soon as possible.
The edges of the road see a 12cm drop and over 50cm gap to the verge, which causes concern for cyclists and pedestrians – however, a council vehicle has been seen spraying yellow paint on this area today so hopefully this matter will be completed quickly.
•    The Anglian Water works at the Rimington Road junction on Fishtoft Road last week not only gave residents no notice – the signage was not adequate either and personally witnessed a double decker bus mount the pavement to get past the works. Many motorists took no notice of the signs and kept mounting the pavement to get past. A call to Anglian Water was made regarding this but believe in future better signage simply must be put in place and residents warned, especially when there is only one road in and out of their street.
•    A resident of Pilleys Lane was also concerned about works National Grid want to conduct down there, they had an agent from National Grid knock on their door to say cabling was being taken underground and they were worried this would be done after their resurfacing works. LCC Cllr Skinner has assured me this is only work for one streetlight and will be on the verge, which I have been relayed to the resident.
•    On behalf of a resident of The Chase, I would like to ask the Parish Council to consider putting in a request for a litter bin along the path which joins The Chase to Chestnut Road. I have already spoken with Cllr Butler who thinks there may be a possibility of moving a bin to this location which would keep costs to a minimum. I have been there myself and witnessed quite a lot of rubbish on the floor in this area, as well as dog poo bags under hedges.
•    Cllr Staples has been in contact with Anglian Water regarding odours coming from the treatment site on Scalp Road and is working with them on rectifying this issue.
•    Cllr Butler and his team have launched a very successful pilot of the ‘Community Skip Scheme’ seeing two skips placed on St. Georges car park every Monday for 4 weeks from 8am – 3pm (or until the second set of 2 skips is full) as today was the 4th week the first session is now complete but this will return in November for another 4-week period. If the public think it would be a useful service, analysis will be conducted with the hope that this will roll out across the entire borough to help as many residents as possible.
•    There have been a number of successful events over recent weeks, Cllr Welberry, Deputy Mayor organised our first Art Street Market, the Busking Festival and the Charity Flea Market. 
•    We are now in the middle of Heritage Lincolnshire’s ‘Heritage Week’ where a number of events are taking place across the borough, including night-time guided tours of Boston Guildhall this Wednesday and behind the scenes at Boston Borough Council taking place each day this week. All events can be found on Heritage Lincolnshire’s website.
•    The launch of the ‘Lincolnshire First’s’ exhibition programme at Boston Guildhall starts on 12th October with the 75th Anniversary of Ron Diggins’ Diggola. This has already received a huge amount of interest, leading to ITV calendar getting in contact. Filming and interviews took place in July with a segment aired in August.
•    Cllrs Staples, Scoot and I are holding a ‘drop in and chat’ session on Wednesday 18th September from 7pm to 9pm at The Pavilion. 

Cllr J Skinner relayed that the matter associated with National Grid could be a Scam.

BBC Cllr Scoot sent his apologies as was in attendance at another meeting therefore forwarded the following report for the Parish Council’s information:
•    I am still working on several ward issues of ward members ranging from concerns over developments, road issues, and problems with fields of weed.
•    A liaison between MetsaWood UK and Boston Borough Council the road way leading to Haven Country Park and Metsa Boston will be resurfaced in the near future.
•    The RoadHog bus is available for school children of the Parish every other Wednesday. Since a new bus was introduced the number of children attending has increased.
•    At the invitation of the Chief Executive my wife and I recently had a tour of The Butterfly Hospice, which was a very emotional and humbling experience. The people of Boston are lucky to have such a caring institution available to them.
•    The three ward councillors are still working to try and resolve the issues regarding the resurfacing of Scalp Road, allowing access to the Pilgrim Fathers Memorial.

BBC Cllr Staples had sent her apologies.

The meeting opened at 7.08pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Councillor Williams relayed the following: 
•    Chris Moore has resigned from being a Parish Councillor.
•    Congratulations to Cllr Webb on the birth of her twins and wish her and the family well.

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 Crawford and Webb have sent their apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reasons for not attending. Following proposal by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr Lenton and with no objections it was resolved to accept the reason for absence.

Cllr P Skinner had forwarded his apologies of not being in attendance at the start of the meeting as he had to attend another Parish Councillor meeting as LCC Councillor beforehand.

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 8th July 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 Williams and with no objections it was resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record.

Concerns were raised in relation to the correspondence agenda item that was discussed at the last meeting in relation to the correspondence from South East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership re Parcel Pick-Up Points.

5.    Finance
a)     Payment of accounts to be approved

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

b)    Resolve to transfer funds from Earmarked Reserves to Fishtoft 400 Cashbook to enable to complete buoy and groundwork
Since the last meeting £1667.75 has been received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund of which has been added to the Fishtoft 400 Buoy Cashbook. The balance therefore before any other payments are made is £1601.09. An assessment of costs that are still to be incurred is required to evaluate how much funds may be additionally required to complete the project.

It was resolved that until a total breakdown of costs was known to complete the project there were sufficient funds in the cashbook therefore deferred this matter to a future meeting.

c) Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
There are no additional payments to be approved.

d) Payments & receipts: since 8th July 2024 - Appendix A
Payments made since 8th July 2024

Payments received since 8th July 2024

e) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st July 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 July 2024 was £14,747.09.

f) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st August 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 August 2024 was £16,087.14.

g) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st July 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 July 2024 was £74,365.66.

h) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st August 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 August 2024 was £74,439.21.

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/24/0280 – Single storey and 2 storey extension to the dwelling and extension to existing garage at Gatehouse, 117, Pilleys Lane, Boston, PE21 9RA
There were no objections to this planning application

b)    B/24/0305 – EIA Scoping Notification and Consultation from the Planning Inspectorate for the project EN0210003 for an Order granting Development Consent for the Eastern Link 3 and Eastern Green Link (the Proposed Development) at Eastern Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4
There were no comments relating to this planning application

c)    B/24/0316 – EIA Scoping Notification and Consultation from the Planning Inspectorate for the project EN020036 for an Order granting Development Consent for the proposed Grimsby to Walpole Project (the Proposed Development) at Grimsby to Walpole
There were no comments relating to this planning application

d)    B/24/0323 – Proposed front and side extension at Lambourn, Wainfleet Road, Boston, PE21 9RN
There were no objections to this planning application

e)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
The following planning applications have been approved:
•    B/24/0129 – Proposed change of use from garage to letting room (C4) and consequential alterations and extensions at Walnut Lodge, Wainfleet Road, Boston
•    B/24/0205 – Proposed extensions and alterations to form carport(s), ensuite and dressing room at The Bramleys, Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft
•    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
•    B/24/0259 – Single storey side & rear extension & alternations to existing garage to form annex accommodation at 117, Horncastle Road, Boston
•    B/24/0262 – Demolition of single storey outbuilding and erection of single storey side/rear extension at 45, Sibsey Road, Boston

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 by the Pilgrim Hospital with the hope of a pedestrian crossing in this vicinity. Cllr P Skinner relays that past here Lincolnshire County Council Highways convey that this area does not meet the criteria for them to contemplate a reduction of the speed limit, though expresses that he will continue to appeal their decision.

b)    A52 Speed Limit reduction
Cllr P Skinner informed that this matter is still ongoing but progressing.

c)    Speed Awareness (Interactive Signs)
To have interactive signs the following needs to be taken into consideration 1. Where should they be placed? 2. Do we prefer moveable or permanent devices? 3. How many?

With several development happening within the parish, there are areas with residual speed limits which are inappropriate i.e. Toot Lane therefore Cllr Williams believes that having moveable ones would be more beneficial.
Cllr P Skinner informed that for the moveable devices, specified brackets would need to be in place in areas suggested by the Parish Councill and approved by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
The clerk had passed on some suggested sites (Sibsey Road, Wainfleet Road and Pilleys Lane) to Cllr P Skinner of which Cllr Williams relayed that any further site suggestions to be sent to the clerk for consideration. 
Cllr P Skinner relayed that he believes Priory Road and Church Green Road (both ends) would be ideal sites.
Cllr Armstrong asked for clarification that the process of sites to be approved first and then the Parish Council are at liberty to move the devices to these locations as deemed appropriate. Cllr P Skinner confirmed this.
Cllr Williams then relayed that once the decision is made a Management Plan would then need to be devised and put into place.

d)    Scalp Road
Confirmation is still waiting from Boston Borough Council to contribute the costs as proposed by Lincolnshire County Council to get the road up to standard before the agreement that Highways will then adopt and continue to maintain it.

Cllr Day asked if any press coverage would aid in getting any comments from Boston Borough Council. After deliberation it was agreed to involve the press in relation to this matter.

e)    Street Lights repairs/renewals
The clerk informed that she was still waiting on confirmation on a date for when the replacement bulbs and changeover scheme to part-time lighting would be occurring. The clerk also relayed that no breakdown of the Invoice received by the Parish Council in relation to of the cost of the lights, especially during the period these lights were either not working or actually remained in the locations within the parish, considering a couple were removed prior to the related invoice. This is to determine that the charge was correct and were not overcharged. Cllr Sharpe said that she will try and obtain this information.

f)    Grassed area around the ex-Fogarty lay-by to receive a tidy up
Cllr P Skinner informed that a ‘No overnight parking sign” was in place and that the area would benefit in being tidied up and suggested the Parish Council organising a working party to do this. It was agreed that the Parish Councillors along with Boston Borough Councillors would organise a date and time suitable to tidy this area.

g)    Pilley’s Lane Archer Survey
It was relayed that an Archer Survey had been conducted in Pilley’s Lane and the results had been circulated to the Parish Council.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
    Cllr Williams relayed that he had recently sent an email to Witham Fourth Internal Drainage Board to tidy this area on behalf of the Parish Council. No correspondence has been received from North Sea Camp in relation to them working in the area. Cllr P Skinner informed that it maybe worth considering Community Payback Scheme to aid in this area.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong relayed the following:
•    The Community Group had taken a Coach Trip has to Holt and Sheringham.
•    An application has been made to UK Shared Prosperity Fund to purchase a defibrillator to be installed at Rochford Tower Hall and to organising Exercise Classes.
•    Date for the AGM is fixed
•    The next event for the group will be a Christmas Buffet with Entertainment.

c)    Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
Currently waiting for a quote/work to commence for a concrete base to be done ready to finalise the project.

d)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
The next phase is now taking place.

e)    Parish Council Website
The clerk was asked to update the buoy information on the website otherwise all seemed to be acceptable.

f)    Fishtoft Playing Fields Pavilion – Any update from Councillor Lenton
Things are progressing from the switchover from the Trustees to the new Committee but there are some issues. Funds have been requested to aid with the Play Area but as advised by the Parish Council a Business Plan needs to be in place first and more information would be required before this could be considered.

g)    Parish Council Committee/Forum Responsibilities
Following the resignation of Chris Moore from Fishtoft Parish Council the following Committee/Forum Responsibilities will need to be undertaken:
Press                    -     Cllr Day will take on this responsibility
Personnel Committee            -    Cllr Williams will take on this responsibility and Cllr Armstong will take on this responsibility whilst Cllr Webb is on Maternity Leave
Rochford Tower Hall Committee     -    Cllr Crawford will take on this responsibility
Rochford Tower Noticeboard        -    Cllr Crawford will take on this responsibility and Cllr Day will take on her responsibility to look after Pilleys Lane’s Noticeboard

9.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
    The following correspondence was discussed.
•    Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Preferred approach consultation
The correspondence had recently been circulated to the Parish Councillors for their perusal. It was relayed that there were no comments to this consultation as this did not affect the Parish.

11.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
Cllr P Skinner said he will chase to these issues

12.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

At 8.15pm LCC Cllr Paul Skinner reported the following:
•    August is normally a quite month at LCC. However, Lincolnshire County Council will shortly be submitting a planning application for a new fire station in Leverton. 
The current Leverton Fire Station is an older building on a small site which falls behind the standard of facilities at many other fire stations. In particular the station itself lacks sufficient training and welfare facilities, and the site causes manoeuvrability difficulties for fire appliances with a lack of parking for additional response vehicles. The preferred option is to construct a new station elsewhere in the village as there are limitations to what we can do to make improvements on the current site. 
We’re at the initial stages of this work, and no decision has been taken to commission this yet. However, an initial planning application will be put forward for a new station so we can see what is achievable and how much it would cost. If we do go ahead, we’ll need to ensure best value for money, as well as enhancing the emergency response to the public. We will also be communicating with staff and the public to coincide with the planning application being submitted. A public information event will be held at the current station, proposed to take place on Wednesday 25th September between 3pm and 6.30pm.

Adult Safeguarding Referral’s: this project aims to make sure that as many reports of safeguarding concerns as possible are dealt with in the most appropriate way.

Greater Lincolnshire Coroners Service Merger Update. - August 24. 
This project is to begin the formal merger of the Lincolnshire, North and North East coronial areas.

Lessons Learnt from Transformation Projects – August 2024 
Sharing lessons and good practice, as it helps us understand what has worked well and would do again. As well as what didn’t work to improve in the future.

Works Boston Coastal 
o    Wrangle the manholes on the A52 are programmed in for levelling. 
o    Resurfacing will commence Pilley’s Lane Boston 9th September. 
o    The Giles School Academy / Old Leake Traffic Order was passed yesterday at LCC Planning and Regulation meeting 2nd September. The area around the Meadows and the Primary School will be monitored so further improvements can be considered.

LCC Lorry Watch (LCC Website) 
HGVs are not allowed to travel along certain unsuitable roads. This is because they can create safety hazards for other road users and pedestrians. You will need. 
1. Name or number of the road. 
2. Date and time of sighting(s) 
3. Vehicle registration number and any other identifying marks from the vehicle i.e. any names on vehicle.

The meeting closed at 8.17pm
 

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                     FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC