11th November 2024 Resolved Minutes
Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 11th November 2024 at The Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm
PRESENT: Councillor Helen Crawford presiding as Chairperson
Councillor Joff Williams presiding as Vice-Chairperson
Councillors Elizabeth Armstrong, Richard Lenton, Geoff Day and Judy Skinner
Councillor Paul Skinner representing as Parish and Lincolnshire County Councillor
Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles
PUBLIC FORUM
There was one member of the public present but they did not ask any questions or make short statements during the time allocated.
Neither of the Boston Borough Councillors were in attendance. Cllrs Scoot and Sharpe forwarded a report for the Parish Council’s information (See Appendix C). Email report from Cllr Staples was sent to the Chairperson.
LCC Cllr P Skinner gave his report (See Appendix D).
The meeting opened at 7.08pm
1. Chairman’s remarks
Cllr Crawford relayed that it was a pleasure and an honour to attend the Remembrance Service and lay a wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.
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 have sent her apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reason 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
Cllr J Skinner declared an interest in Item 5g on the agenda due to being an employee of Lloyds Bank.
4. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 10th October 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
Following proposal by Cllr P Skinner, seconded by Cllr Lenton 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 has been received from G Hislop in association with the October 2024 Ground Maintenance at the War Memorial for £30. Following proposal by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr P Skinner and with no objections it was resolved that this payment should be made.
c) Payments & receipts: since 10th October 2024 - Appendix A
d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st October 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 October 2024 was £27,910.13.
e) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st October 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 October 2024 was £74,563.66.
f) Local Government Pay Claim 2024/25 – Backpay of Clerk’s Salary to be authorised
Following notification that an agreement has been reached on this year’s pay claim covering the year from 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, with the pay award to be implemented as soon as possible. In reflection to this the backpay of the clerk’s salary would be £112.84 less PAYE costs is £95.98. Following proposal by Cllr Armstrong, seconded by Cllr P Skinner and with no objections it was resolved that this payment should be made.
g) Discuss Lloyds changing Treasury Account to Community Account
Notification had been received from Lloyds Bank informing that from January 2025 that all Treasury Accounts will be changing to Community Accounts of which will incur charges including a monthly fee.
The clerk investigated other banks and building societies to see what other options were available and informed the Parish Council of her findings. After deliberation it was decided to remain banking with Lloyds Bank but review this in six months’ time.
h) Laptop Storage Capacity – Authorisation
The clerk has previously informed the Parish Council that the storage capacity on the laptop had almost reached its full quota. In order not to lose any information and to continue to receive emails etc the laptop would require updating the allowance. The cost of this would be an annual charge of £59.99. Following proposal by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr P Skinner and with no objections it was resolved for the clerk to sign up and purchase the Annual Microsoft package.
i) Savings Accounts
Following an article in LALC e-news the clerk was asked to investigate the different types of Savings Accounts and their interest rates. The clerk circulated her findings but informed the Parish Council that this was the results prior to the recent notification from the Bank of England reducing the Basic Rate. After deliberation it was decided that it would be best that all the money remained at the same bank but thought it would be best to have monies in a 32-day notice account of which the clerk was ask to do this and transfer £35,000 into it.
j) Set budget for 2025/2026 Precept
After meeting between the clerk and Chairperson, as the Parish Council were looking into purchase Interactive Signs but were considering using the monies that would be received from the Outer Dowsing project, but as the Parish Council would not be in receipt of this money until at least 2026 it was thought it best for these to be included in the 2025/2026 budget.
Cllr P Skinner said that as he has already reviewed the sites with the LRSP Officer that it may be worth considering just purchasing one Interactive Sign but with several brackets to be installed at the various locations and then look at purchasing another unit the following year, therefore not increasing the budget excessively.
Cllr J Skinner relayed that as there are now more properties being built in the parish that the rise in the precept should not be a massive increase to the residents as the division of the precept would be over more homes.
Cllr William enquired about the budget costing for Street Lighting considering moving forward with the changing to LEDs and part-time lighting the price should not be as large as previously.
The clerk replied that the Parish Council pay in arrears of costs and therefore the next invoice would more likely be at the original costings, hence the budget cost increase. However, after querying the last invoice received it was discovered that this is for the electricity use of each light and maintenance, as per the agreement signed in 2016 of which the maintenance charge was a fixed costing. Though, after an evaluation of the lights by BBC Fishtoft Ward Councillors, it was discovered that one was no longer there and considering some of the lights had not been working for several months and therefore not maintained being charged for a something that does not exist or service provided is unlaw.
The councillors thought that it best to send a letter to the Borough Council stipulating that being charged for an item and service that was not provided had broken the contract.
After assessing the proposed budget and in order to consider other costs it was agreed to defer the decision until the December meeting.
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/24/0242 – Application under s73 of the variation of Condition 1 (Approved Plans) of permission B/21/0441 (Application for Approval of Reserved Matters (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) following Outline Approval B/17/0511 for residential development of up to 200 no. dwellings) at Land South of Wainfleet Road, Boston
Cllr Williams relayed that viewing the application that one observation response to the application made a query “I note that all neighbour responses previously submitted have now been erased from the sites and presumably no longer considered or deemed to be relevant, I hope this is not the case?” along with other queries that agreed should be answered by Planning beforehand.
Cllr P Skinner relayed that this site was in the Local Plan and that there are different rules associated with social housing.
The main concerns and queries raised regarding this application are as follows:
• Maintenance of the ditches with Policy to be in place
• Maintenance of the green spaces – of which a Management Policy should be in place as stipulated in the former approved application especially if LHP are taking responsibility of this area of land
• Proximity of new properties to surrounding ones
• The Commutative Effect on drainage
Ask Cllr Sharpe to call in this planning application.
b) B/24/0430 – Application under s73 for the Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans), C7 (Flood Risk Assessment) and C8 (Environmental Noise Impact Assessment Acoustic Consultancy Report) of permission B/21/0493 (works already started) at Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston, PE21 9QS
There were no objections to this planning application.
c) Tree Preservation Orders
i) TPO/24/0079 - Spring Cottage, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 9HT
ii) TPO/24/0080 - Long Meadow, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 9HT
iii) TPO/24/0081 - Charlbury, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 9HT
iv) TPO/24/0082 - The Elms, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 9HT
v) TPO/24/0083 - Eight Elms, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 9HT
vi) TPO/24/0084 - Parklands, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 9HT
vii) TPO/24/0086 – 1, Manor Grange, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0DN
viii) TPO/24/0087 – 2, Manor Grange, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0DN
ix) TPO/24/0088 – 4, Manor Grange, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0DN
x) TPO/24/0089 – The Rectory, Rectory Close, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0RZ
xi) TPO/24/0090 – Fernsee, Rectory Close, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0RZ
xii) TPO/24/0091 – The Sheiling, Rectory Close, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0RZ
There were no objections to these Tree Preservation Orders but queries were raised as to why so many at once and was there a specific reason.
d) Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
There were no planning reports or information to convey to the Parish Council
7. Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a) A16 to Sibsey
The 40mph speed limit reduction up to Sibsey is being chased
A 30mph speed limit outside Pilgrim Hospital is looking to being approved along with a pedestrian crossing.
Cllr Day asked if having yellow lines are being looked into on the A16 near to Pilgrim Hospital due to the number of vehicles that are now parking on the roadside in this vicinity and causing chaos.
b) A52 Speed Limit reduction
This agenda item was discussed previously in the meeting.
c) Speed Awareness (Interactive Signs)
As relayed earlier in the meeting, Cllr P Skinner has a meeting scheduled with a LRSP Officer to discuss the sites previously put forward by the Parish Councillor and discuss additional sites for consideration before pursuing this matter further.
d) Scalp Road
This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting, though it was relayed that it had been reported that there are burnt out cars at the Fishtoft Memorial Car Park and needs reporting.
e) Street Lights repairs/renewals
This agenda item was discussed earlier in the meeting.
f) Notification of temporary traffic regulation Order - TTR008847 Fishtoft/Tamworth Green Road closure Order - Grovefield Lane (Between 250m & 450m Northwest of Mickleham Lane)
Asked for this information to be put on the Parish Council’s website
8. Members reports and business
a) Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update
There is no updated information to report
b) Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates
Cllr Armstrong relayed the following:
• Grant money has been received in relation to purchasing a defibrillator and to start exercise classes
• The AGM is next month in which there is a secret ballot to nominate who they would like to be on the committee
• A Christmas Buffet is scheduled with Music and Entertainment
• Halloween session was a great success
c) Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
Cllr Armstrong conveyed the following:
• A pre-Covid quote from a builder in relation to having a concrete base at the bottom of the buoy has been chased for an updated quote. One additional quote has been received but was more than expected.
• Transported has informed that they actually do no give money they provide a service but in the view of circumstances in not providing a structural engineer so they are willing to give £500 towards costs already incurred once they have received relevant information.
d) Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
All documentation has been submitted for the Examination Stage which can take up to six months. Cllr P Skinner then conveyed that from their recommendations that go before the Secretary of State before then going to the Decision Stage. Once the Secretary of State has made his decision there will be a six-week period where people can challenge the decision with a Judicial Review.
e) Parish Council Website
Scalp Road News Report is on the website and Chairperson asked if the notice of the temporary road closure could be added.
f) News Report – Councillor Day
Cllr Day relayed that speaking with the Chief Reporter Mr Seymour that the Scalp Road report will be put into the Standard but to date this has not been the circumstance.
g) Employment T&Cs
Cllr J Skinner relayed that she has reviewed the Personnel File of which it was suggested that a Personnel Committee meeting be held to review and discuss relevant matters.
9. Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
The following correspondence was discussed.
a) Neighbourhood Policing Team Quarterly Update - Boston Borough
The Neighbourhood Policing Team Quarterly Update had been circulated to the Parish Councillors of which included the Police & Crime Commissioner Survey
Cllr Williams asked how often Police & Crime Commissioner Survey will be done of which Cllr P Skinner responded that this is done annually which gives them an idea on how things are changing in asking the publics views of the police’s strengths and weakness.
b) Litter Picking in Parish
In relation to a joint Litter Picking with Freiston on Priory Road on the 1st December 2024. Though no time was known to date but Cllr P Skinner will obtain this information and pass this on. In relation to litter picking equipment Cllr P Skinner recommended that the Borough Councillors should be able to help with this.
c) Government consultation on virtual meetings and proxy voting
As reported in the latest LALC e-news
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, announced at the Local Government Association’s (LGA) 2024 Conference in Harrogate, that the government will seek views on allowing councils to determine their own approach to virtual meetings and proxy voting. It is also considering changes to the standards regime include removing the requirement for councillors' home addresses to be published and introducing sanctions.
A consultation paper has been published with a closing date of 19 December: https://tinyurl.com/4k6vz6j8
Both NALC and SLCC are encouraging councils, councillors and clerks to respond to this consultation – your responses are vital in demonstrating the strong support for this flexibility, building on the momentum from the previous call for evidence.
10. Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
A question was asked if the footpath extension would ever be considered along Church Green Road as this is a safety issue to pedestrians who use this. Cllr P Skinner said he will enquire into if there are any monies allocated to footpaths
11. Dates for future confirmed meetings
Thursday 12th December 2024 7.00pm Rochford Tower Hall
Monday 13th January 2025 7.00pm Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields
The meeting closed at 8.41pm
Appendix C
BBC Cllr Scoot Report
• With regards to the Freiston Road/ Eastwood Road junction. I have gained as much information as I can with regards to incidents and percentage of speeding which has been passed on to LCC.
• The CCTV was checked after being informed of the two cars doing “donuts”. Unfortunately, CCTV showed no footage of the cars in question. The marketplace was physically check and skid marks were found - Investigations are ongoing.
• I am now sitting on a Joint Scrutiny Committee of the partnership looking into enviro crime. I will keep you updated as to our findings and recommendations.
• The light pole in Pilleys Lane has been repaired and the light is now working.
• My wife and I will be attending the Remembrance Service at the War Memorial in Fishtoft on Sunday 10th November.
• I am still monitoring a possible flooding issue on Eastwood Road and will keep the council update.
BBC Cllr Staples Report
• The 3-day Christmas festival will take place from Friday 29th November to Sunday 1st December. This year we have added a synthetic ice rink on the Bargate Green Car Park and even more fair rides than last year.
Transported’s Illuminate Parade will take place at 5:45pm and again this year will see the lantern creations of children from local schools and also members of the public who have engaged in the various workshops held in November. The lights will be switched on at 6:45pm on Friday 29th November by characters from this year’s Blackfriars pantomime - Beauty and the Beast. During the weekend there are performances on stage from local musicians, dance schools, the Salvation Army and bands too.
• We are thrilled to have secured an additional £17.226m from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to enable us to deliver an even better project at Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre.
The leisure centre is very dated and has been neglected over the years in terms of maintenance so this will enable the Borough Council to undertake much needed plant and machinery upgrade work and pool refurbishments as well as incorporating a volunteer community hub and wellbeing centre. Money has also gone to other partners within the town to deliver community projects such as St. Botolph’s Church, Boston College and Boston United.
• The Diggola launch event was a huge success and saw many people attend to share their stories and memories of Ron Diggins’ events using his Diggola. It has also seen people get in touch to have their memorabilia lent to the collection. We are working with the Young Journalists Academy to create oral recordings of people’s memories too. The exhibition runs until 11th January with a couple of free to attend dance events on 22nd November and 19th December from 4pm - 6pm.
We are now planning exhibitions into 2026 and I am so excited about what is in store for our beautiful Guildhall over the coming years.
• I have called in the Whitehouse Lane application with regard to local planning policies 2 and 3. My call in form is available on the planning portal.
Appendix D
LCC Cllr P Skinner Report
Are you an unpaid carer? -then find out your rights!
New Fathers Encouraged to Share Mental Health Experiences in Healthwatch Lincolnshire Survey
Healthwatch Lincolnshire is calling on new fathers across the county to participate in a mental health survey focused on understanding the unique challenges they face. New dads often face significant changes in their mental and emotional wellbeing.
This survey offers a much-needed platform for them to voice their experiences.
Dean Odell, Healthwatch Lincolnshire Contract Manager, explained, “New fathers can experience a range of pressures, from the responsibilities of parenthood to finding a work-life balance. It’s vital that their voices are heard in the conversation about mental health.”
The survey, designed to identify both positive and challenging aspects of mental health care for new dads, will help Healthwatch Lincolnshire to understand what support is available and where improvements are needed. The responses will help make mental health care more accessible and effective for fathers in Lincolnshire.
Take part here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/1ZLRT0/
To participate, new fathers can access the survey online or request alternative formats by contacting Healthwatch Lincolnshire on 01205 820892 or info@healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk
Be prepared for winter
All types of weather can affect you and those around you. Make sure you're prepared by checking the MetOfficeWeatherReady tips and advice on travel, your home, and health and wellbeing including getting your free flu jab!
Commemorating Remembrance Day
At 11am on Monday the fire alarm at Lincoln County Offices will ring to mark the start of two minutes silence for Remembrance Day. The alarm will also ring at the end of the two minutes silence. Staff around the county, wherever they are based, are encouraged to make their own arrangements for commemorations.
Corporate Interpretation and Translation Service Provider, AA Global
If at any time, LCC colleagues have concerns with the interpretation or service that you receive from AA Global, this should be escalated to the AA Global Quality team using their email - quality@aaglobal.co.uk They will then investigate and provide you directly with an update. It is important that we provide them with an opportunity to rectify any issues. Please also copy in the BS Translation Service team. For more information about the service see
Interpretation and Translation Service (sharepoint.com)
Information about the deceased
There are many circumstances where the council needs to use and share information about deceased individuals. We may also be asked to share that information with family members, loved ones or others. We have produced guidance to assist you to understand your responsibilities. Please visit the IA Hub for further information or contact IA at IA@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Fraud Awareness Week
Lincolnshire County Council are proud supporters of International Fraud Awareness Week which runs from Monday 18th November.
The Counter Fraud Team are attending a variety of team meetings throughout November to spread fraud awareness to all service areas across the council. We will be holding a drop-in session in the Newland Room in the Quad on Wednesday 20th November, 11:30am to 1pm. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like any information regarding fraud, please come and have a chat with the team.
What could you do with £2000?
Tax Free Childcare can save up to £2000 on your childcare bill over the year (£4000 if your child is disabled). 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). You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as working parent funded childcare if you’re eligible for both. Don’t forget to renew your eligibility at least every 3 months. For more information and to register, visit:
Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK