13th January 2025 Resolved Minutes
Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 13th January 2025 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
Boston Borough Councillor S Sharpe
Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles was absent due to illness
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present to ask any questions or make short statements during the time allocated.
BBC Cllr Sharpe gave her report (See Appendix C).
LCC Cllr P Skinner gave his report (See Appendix D).
The meeting opened at 7.04pm
1. Chairman’s remarks
Cllr Crawford welcomed everyone to the 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 have sent her apologies of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reason for not attending. Following proposal by Cllr Williams, 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 12th December 2024 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
After an amendment to Item 9c on the agenda, it was proposed by Cllr P Skinner, 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
Schedule of approved payments
Following proposal by Cllr P Skinner, seconded by Cllr Crawford and with no objections it was resolved that these payments should be made.
b) Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
There were no additional payments for be approved
c) Payments & receipts: since 12th December 2024: Appendix A
Appendix A
No payments had been made or received since the 12th December 2024.
d) Balance of Treasury Account as of 31st December 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 December 2024 was £1,767.42.
e) Balance of Savings Account as of 31st December 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 December 2024 was £33,681.61.
f) Balance of 30-Day Notice Savings Account as at 31st December 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 December 2024 was £35,061.85.
It would become necessary to transfer funds from the Savings Account to the Treasury Account. Therefore, it was proposed by Cllr P Skinner, seconded by Cllr Crawford that the Clerk be authorised to transfer sufficient funds to enable the proper functioning of the Parish Council.
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/24/0509 - Outline planning permission for the construction of a 1no. detached dwelling at 49, Sibsey Road, Boston, PE21 9QY
Cllr Day had spoken to the residents of the two adjoining properties and neither had any substantive objections. One has asked about removing trees from his own property and had been referred to Boston Borough Council for official advice. Cllr J Skinner noted that other planning applications for building in the great gardens of properties on Sibsey Road had been turned down. Cllr Day said that those had been for permission on rear gardens, whereas this application was for a dwelling within the existing building line for which there seemed to be precedent.
b) B/24/0514 - Application under s73 for the Variation of Condition 5 (Proposed Elevations) of permission B/23/0290 (works already started) at Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston PE21 9QS
There were no objections to this planning application.
c) B/23/0379 - Proposed residential development of 89 dwellings and associated infrastructure, drainage and open space in accordance with amended plans received by the Local Planning authority on 31-Oct-2024 at Land to the East of Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0SF
Councillors noted that this application had expanded in numerical terms from the original and kept being re-submitted without addressing the basic concerns of flooding/drainage and vehicular access. Cllr Sharpe stated that the proposal was being “called-in” by Cllr Staples. Councillors also noted the substantial number of objections from existing residents to this proposed development.
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 extension of the double yellow lines is being assessed along with a pedestrian crossing. Estimates of the cost of the crossing are £200k, including £10k for a feasibility and design study. It was noted that in addition to parking problems on Sibsey Road caused by temporary loss of parking spaces at Pilgrim Hospital, cars were now queuing onto Sibsey Road whilst waiting to enter the hospital site. It was agreed to ask Highways to write to ULHT to request that they look at opening up additional car parking spaces and/or using spare land as temporary car parks. The 30mph limit on the A16 near the Pilgrim has now been implemented and has been broadly welcomed by residents.
b) A52 Speed Limit reduction
No further information known.
c) Speed Awareness (Interactive Signs)
No further action until the new Financial Year.
d) Scalp Road
Cllr P Skinner agreed to provide details of the previously agreed financing arrangements for repair to Scalp Road to BBC via Cllr Sharpe. Incidents of fly-tipping had been noted at Scalp Road and the materials quickly removed by BBC.
8. Members reports and business
a) Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update
Cllr Day has at last managed to receive a reply from the new Governor which was positive and he is awaiting further contact from members of the prison’s senior management team. The meeting welcomed this progress, albeit that it is, at present, limited.
b) Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates
Cllr Armstrong relayed that the recent Soup and Roll event was well received and attended. Further funding continues to be sought to enable the group to continue and expand.
c) Fishtoft 400 Buoy – Any updates
Cllr Armstrong conveyed the following:
Cllr Armstrong relayed that the work on the buoy is now complete
d) Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group – update from Councillor P Skinner
There was no information to report.
e) Parish Council Website
It was deemed the website was ok.
Cllr Williams stated that there still seems to be lack of clarity surrounding the Emergency Planning.
9. Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
The following correspondence was discussed.
• Animal Welfare Licensing Policy
Cllr Williams has received communication about this from BBC but as far as he was aware policy in this regard was set at a national level. The meeting was unable to assist in this matter except to note his concerns.
Other information discussed:
• Email from Richard Tice MP
Despite responding to Mr Tice’s e-mail, the Council have heard nothing back from him.
• No update has been received from Anglian Water subsequent to the Parish Council meeting of December 2024.
10. Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
Appendix B
Cllr Crawford relayed that a previous report that she had made about a hole near the entrance to the Pavillion car park was marked on Fix My Street as having been fixed when, in fact, it had not.
11. Dates for future confirmed meetings
Meeting date Commencing Location
Monday 10th March 2025 7.00pm Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields
The meeting closed at 7.44pm
Appendix C
BBC Cllr Sharpe Report
• I would first like to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.
• We’re currently putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated Boston Brilliance event, which we’re hosting in collaboration with Boston College and the internationally renowned artists from The Projection Studio.
On the evenings of February 14th and 15th, our historic buildings will be illuminated with stunning light projections, accompanied by immersive soundscapes. As part of the event, there will be a series of talks titled Explore History: Illuminate the Future at the Guildhall, featuring Professor Giles Gasper, Dr. Joshua Blamire, and Seb Falk. Additionally, there will be family-friendly craft activities downstairs.
On February 14th, The Stump will host a craft market, with live piano music from Charlie Hooper-Williams, accompanied by his projections, as part of his Winter 2025 tour. The following day, on February 15th, there will be a creative pop-up exhibition in the Stump. Both evenings will also feature lively street entertainment in the town.
• A significant number of students have been actively involved in various aspects of the event, including the light projections, advertising, communication with local businesses, and catering—providing food for the event. We also invited primary school pupils to submit artwork for the projections, giving the community an exciting opportunity to come together and collaborate with international artists. We encourage everyone to attend and support this event.
• In other news, demolition work has begun on the Rosegarth development. The hoarding is now up, and the old B&M building, along with Crown House, will start being demolished in the coming weeks. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with pedestrian access through the area maintained as much as possible.
• This week will also mark the launch of the Boston Plan 2030 consultation. I’ll share the link once it’s live, so you can provide feedback on our draft plan for making Boston Borough a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable community.
• I’ve been working closely with residents on resolving LHP issues, which have now been addressed, and I’ve been reporting any new issues I come across via Fix My Street. Unfortunately, due to illness, we had to cancel our Carols By The Buoy event, but Helen, David, and I are planning another event soon.
Appendix D
LCC Cllr P Skinner Report
New 30 MPH speed Zone Sibsey Road Boston. Pelican Crossing passed by Planning Committee on Monday 13th January this represents a £200k project for Boston Coastal.
Lincolnshire County Council’s team of 47 gritters will be in action across a host of routes throughout the county as a perilous evenings and nighttime’s of this current weather spell.
Flooding
Thankfully, the situation across the county is improving and flood water is starting to recede.
However, flood warnings are still in place in a number of areas across the county, and although more than 20 have been removed, it will take time for the water levels to return to normal as water works its way through the waterways.
We are continuing to work with other partner agencies to monitor the situation and support residents in certain areas where there are still concerns.
Colleagues from teams representing many council services have gone over and above, working around the clock to keep our residents safe in very difficult conditions.
These have included colleagues from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, Emergency Planning, Flood and Water, Highways, Public Health and Adult and Children’s Social Care, as well as support staff from the Corporate and Resources directorates.
While the worst of the recent incidents appear to be over for now, many of you are continuing to be involved in the recovery phase and supporting communities that have been affected.
Travel
Road closures are rapidly being lifted but where they are still in place, do not drive through them - they are there for a reason.
If you have to travel, plan and know your route and consider alternative routes if needs be.
Leave extra space as your braking distance will be drastically increased.
Go slow and smooth for steering, braking and accelerating.
Select a higher gear to help with grip.
Be extra cautious on hills which can be a particular problem in ice.
You might want to have things packed e.g. a blanket, a warm coat, phone charger, good footwear, warning triangle, torch.
If you are heading out, get there safe.