2024 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Thursday 10th October 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, Richard Lenton and Geoff Day 
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor 

Boston Borough Councillors David Scoot and Helen Staples
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.

LCC Cllr P Skinner reported that he had earlier to the meeting sent a report to the clerk of which stipulated the following:
•    Are you an unpaid carer? – then find out your rights! 
As part of Carers Rights Day on Thursday 21 November, we’ve arranged a 30-minute bitesize lunchtime session by local NHS experts which will cover the right to ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer and being consulted when the person you care for is discharged from hospital. All colleagues who would find this information useful are invited to attend. For further details and to register your interest at LCC, please see Event (sharepoint.com).
•    Are you scam aware? 
During October Citizens Advice are talking about financial scams ranging from fake investments to online shopping scams - take five minutes to get their top tips. Protect yourself and others against fraud by becoming a Friend Against Scams.
•    I can resist anything except temptation
Phishing is a type of cyber-attack delivered by email that causes harm by stealing sensitive data such as passwords and financial information. They can sometimes be very difficult to spot particularly if you are busy. However, please do not be tempted into clicking links or attachments unless you are confident, they are legitimate.
•    Have your say in skills survey 
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has been commissioned to carry out research for the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) to monitor skills and recruitment issues facing local employers. County residents are encouraged to complete the anonymous survey, with the results helping shape skills interventions for the future.
•    Healthwatch Lincolnshire Annual Report to be presented on Wednesday 23 October 2024 10 am to 1 pm @ Boston United Football Club, Jakeman’s Community Stadium, Pilgrim Way, Boston, PE21 7NE
•    Review: 135,000 Highways jobs completed in five months 
Almost 41,000 potholes repaired is just one part of a hardworking summer of success for LCC! 

Figures now in show that, from the start of May to the end of September, Lincolnshire County Council Highways completed nearly 135,000 road improvements - including almost 41,000 potholes repaired - in the county. 

Throughout Lincolnshire, Highways maintenance had 18,524 potholes reported in the period via our reporting routes of Fix My Street, a local county councillor or directly to LCC. The council more than doubled the reported pothole figure by repairing 40,745 across the five months. 
187 footpaths were rebuilt in the holiday season too, as were 144 roads. The Summer resurfacing programme was a huge success once again, with a massive 484 roads dressed with a new stone-chip layer to not only improve performance, but to seal the top of the road to protect it ahead of the winter weather. 
“We have completed one Highways maintenance job for every two minutes of the working week, and that’s happened across an entire summer.” Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for Highways at LCC 
244 footpaths were also dressed, 32 drainage schemes tended to and 1,351 tree/vegetation jobs (cutting back or removing a hazard or blockage to the road or path) carried out. 
Streetlight repairs saw 3,118 jobs completed, whilst the gullies upkeep teams were operating at capacity, clearing a massive 69,694 gullies to help keep surface water flowing into the drains. 
Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for Highways at LCC said: “Nearly 135,000 jobs carried out over a five-month period shows how hard we are working for the people of Lincolnshire. That’s one Highways maintenance job completed for every two minutes of the working week across an entire summer! 
“At the start of this year we made a pledge to push even harder on improving our county’s roads. We called it ‘On the Road in ‘24’ and what it meant was that we would take the results of our very successful year in 2023 and build on that to deliver even more. 
“We’re not saying that things are perfect. We still have a way to go, and we are realistic about the sheer scale of the tasks we undertake daily, but we really are turning the corner and doing absolutely everything in our power to deliver even more road improvements across the 5,500 miles of roads in our county.” 
By the numbers – how the Summer of ‘On the Road in ’24’ has delivered 
• Potholes repaired: 40,745 
• Pothole reports: 18,524 
• Footpaths rebuilt: 187 
• Roads rebuilt: 144 
• Roads surface dressed: 484 
• Footpaths surfaced dressed: 244 
• Drainage schemes: 32 
• Streetlight repairs: 3,118 
• Tree/Vegetation jobs: 1,351 
• Gullies cleaned out: 69,694
•    More headline acts revealed to play live at Lincoln castle in 2025 
Chart-topping pop sensation Olly Murs is bringing his 15 Years of Hits UK tour to Lincolnshire.
•    Bonfire Night safety 
With Bonfire Night fast approaching, make sure you know what fireworks you are buying and how to build your bonfire correctly to keep you and your loved ones safe.
•    Best for business: new EV chargers at county centres 
Multi-vehicle charging points are now available at all 7 of Lincolnshire County Council’s business centres.
•    New look for Coroner's Court 
Facilities for inquest hearings in Greater Lincolnshire have been much improved with a new Coroners Court and office space at the Myle Cross Centre in Lincoln.
•    Council demands data used to justify hundreds of pylons across our countryside Lincolnshire County Council’s legal department has written to National Grid requesting the data used to justify its claim that 400 pylons blighting our countryside are cheaper than seabed cabling.
•    How developing our Trading Standards officers is paying dividends in protecting our communities 
Last week, our Corporate Leadership Team meeting heard about the amazing achievements of our Trading Standards Team during 2023-2024. 
Successful apprenticeships and ongoing officer training within Lincolnshire Trading Standards is allowing the service to best protect the county’s consumers and support local businesses. 
Amongst the 31FTE staff who make up the service, six are working towards their Trading Standards Practitioner apprenticeship, two are on Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeships, and three have just been awarded their Trading Standards Practitioner diplomas. 
Most of the service’s officers are Chartered Trading Standards Practitioners, allowing them to further develop their skills with a minimum of 20 hours training a year and where necessary meet the statutory competency requirements to enforce food standards and feed hygiene. 
Investing in our staff in this way has helped the service secure convictions against 15 defendants in the last year, with courts handing out fines of over £6,700 and awarding us costs of over £27,000. 
In 2023/24, Lincolnshire Trading Standards received 134 referrals to their scam’s prevention and intervention officer. The team works with victims to try and help them recover lost funds, investigate criminals and support them to better protect themselves against scams. Last year 50% of the scams reported were online fraud, 53% were over the phone, and 21% were romance fraud. Here are some examples of successful cases: Lincolnshire builder sentenced after running off with customers’ cash – Lincolnshire County Council and Builder prosecuted after making young family’s home unsafe – Lincolnshire County Council. 
The service continues to tackle the trade of illegal cigarettes and vapes, securing 32 temporary closure orders last year and eight evictions. The closure orders allow us to shut shops found selling these products for up to three months, immediately cutting off the supply and allow us time to investigate and build a criminal case. See Closure order for Boston shop leads to further illegal cigarette discoveries – Lincolnshire County Council and Three shop closure orders imposed in Boston and Lincoln – Lincolnshire County Council for details. 
Much of Trading Standards work is intelligence from the public and partner agencies. Last year we received over 5,000 reports from the public through the Citizens Advice service, and over 700 from the police, local businesses and other partners. The intelligence and information team also run the Lincolnshire Trading Standards social media accounts to share information and advice around scams prevention, consumer law, business support, product recalls and their successful prosecutions.
•    Move more in our Movember Challenge! 
Movember is the annual global Men’s Health Awareness month which takes place in November. It aims to raise awareness and tackle some of the biggest health issues faced by men. 
The campaign concentrates on five main themes: stay connected, talk more, know the numbers (prostate health), know thy nuts (testicular cancer), and move more. 
To kickstart Movember we’d like to promote the theme ‘move more’ by inviting you to take part in our Movember MOVE Challenge organised by our healthy lifestyle partner One You Lincolnshire. 
To get involved, all you have to do is move, walk or run 60km during November - this figure represents the 60 men we lose to suicide every hour worldwide. You don’t need to grow a moustache to participate, or even be a man, you just need to lace up your trainers and start moving!
Cllr P Skinner also reported:
•    Pilleys Lane has now bee resurfaced, which has made a good improvement.
•    The 30mph speed limit outside Pilgrim Hospital with a crossing is progressing.
Cllr Day asked if there were any development associated with double yellow lines in the vicinity of Cllr P Skinner replied that this is a matter still under consideration.
•    No overnight parking is now implemented within the layby adjacent to the old Fogarty’s building.
•    The 30mph reflective signs are to be put in place over the coming month.
•    A meeting is scheduled with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to discuss the Interactive Sites proposed.

BBC Cllr Staples relayed the following information:
•    Several ward issues have been associated with speeding and dangerous driving, one which has resulted in a severe head on collision. The roundabout within this vicinity is no longer fit for purpose considering the extra buildings in the area.
•    Staff associated with Beech House in Toot Lane have been parking to close to the crossing causing poor visibility.
•    Footpath in this locality is also required to be done of which LCC Cllr Griggs has been contacted to aid with this matter.
•    A new planning application has been submitted associated with the Development at Gaysfield Road but is not fit for the planning portal, so to date are unsure of any improvements to the previous one.
•    The Planning Application associated with the Development of 100 houses in Whitehouse Lane which has caused concern to several residents will be called before the Planning Committee by BBC Cllr Sharpe.

BBC Cllr Scoot conveyed the following information:
•    After witnessing an accident Eastwood Road/Freiston Road/Lindus Road/Woodthorpe Avenue contacted LCC Cllr Griggs suggesting having traffic lights within this area.
•    Several Ward Issues are ongoing, with one connected with Lindus Court.
•    Anticipating attending the Remembrance Service at Fishtoft this year.
•    Following Surgeries with fellow ward members, several points raised are being dealt with.

Cllr Crawford asked if there were any future ward surgeries planned? 

Cllr Staples replied that a non-official one is planned for 14th December 2024 with an official one being planned in the new year.

Cllr Lenton asked if the Ward Councillors knew if the police were dealing with matters associated with vehicles doing “donuts” in the Market Place?

Cllr Staples relayed that it is scheduled for more police presence to be in the town centre.
BBC Cllr Sharpe sent her apologies therefore forwarded the following report for the Parish Council’s information:
•    Boston Borough Councils 22/23-year end outturn report was presented to Full Council on 16th September. Members voted for the surplus of £458,000 to be transferred into the reserves. At cabinet Cllr Ghosh announced that at the end of 24/25 Quarter, that they have already identified 68% of the efficiencies for this year. Cllr Ghosh and the Finance Team are working incredibly hard to ensure savings continue and thanks were given to them from both sides of the chamber. They are also continuing to lobby Government on the IDB Levies and have revisited the House of Commons as part of the ‘Special Interest Group’ formed by the partnership to have this pressing matter listened to.
•    The surgery hosted on 18th September went very well and we were pleased residents came to discuss their issues with us, which we have set to work on immediately.
•    A PSPO (Public Service Protection Order) to start controls over wild bird feeding in a designated area of Boston Town Centre has been approved by Cabinet. The introduction of this will start with a 3-month awareness campaign before enforcement starts. It is hoped that this will lessen damage caused to our historic buildings from excessive feeding and reduce the amount of cleaning needed in the town centre too.
•    We have started a Public Consultation on the Local Council Tax Support Scheme. Following extensive review, we are proposing modifications to the 2025/26 scheme which will make the scheme more generous for vulnerable families and more efficient by streamlining services. The consultation is available on the Council's website, where you can also submit your views. This closes on 15th November.
•    The ‘Dance again to Diggins’ exhibition opens at Boston Guildhall on 12th October and runs until 11th January. There are also ‘dance sessions’ on 7th November, 22nd November and a Christmas special on 19th December.
•    The next ‘Wombles Big Clean’ is taking place across the borough on Sunday 27th October at 9am.
•    The next Teenage Market is on Saturday 26th October.

The meeting opened at 7.15pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Cllr Crawford thanked Cllr Williams for chairing the September 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 J Skinner 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.

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 9th September 2024 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
After a query raised by Cllr Williams, it was proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Day 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