2025 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Thursday 12th June 2025 at
Rochford Tower Hall, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

PRESENT:     Councillor Helen Crawford presiding as Chairperson
Councillors Elizabeth Armstrong, Richard Lenton, Geoff Day and Lucy Webb

Boston Borough Councillors Sarah Sharpe, Helen Staples and David Scoot (Ward members)
Lincolnshire County Councillors Alistair Arundell (Boston Coastal Division) and Sam French (Skirbeck Division)
Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public in attendance to ask any questions or make any short statements during the time allocated to the Parish Council.

LCC Cllr French introduced himself and relayed that this was the first Parish Council meeting he has ever attended and though new to the role is looking forward to working with the Parish Council. Later in the meeting he gave a report (See Appendix C)
LCC Cllr Arundell gave his report (See Appendix C)
BBC Cllr Scoot gave his report (see Appendix D).  
BBC Cllr H Staples gave her report (See Appendix D).
BBC Cllr Sharpe gave her report (See Appendix D).

The meeting opened at 7.29pm

1.    Chairperson’s remarks
Cllr Crawford welcomed everyone to the meeting especially the newly elected Lincolnshire County Councillors. She relayed that she had been to visit former Parish Councillors Paul and Judy Skinner with a gift from all from all the members of the Parish Councillors showing appreciation for their time served working in the Fishtoft Parish.

2.     Apologies for absence - To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
All Parish Councillors were in attendance therefore no apologies were required to be given.

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 May 2025 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Armstrong, seconded by Cllr Webb 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 Armstrong, 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

c)     Payments & receipts: since 12th May 2025: Appendix A
Since the 12th May 2025 one payment had been made to Lloyds Bank for £4.25 in relation to Bank Charges.

d)     Balance of Community Account as of 12th May 2025
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 12th May 2025 was £8,782.32.

e)     Balance of Savings Account as of 12th May 2025
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 12th May 2025 was £35,604.02.

f)    Balance of 30-Day Notice Savings Account as at 12th May 2025
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 12th May was £35,381.55.

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/25/0196 - Erection of electrical sub-station (area 02) and associated works including installation of new electrical upgrade, decarbonisation works in the form of 18 no. air source heat pumps (area 01), installation of linear bank of louvres to existing boiler house elevations and inclusion of external door sets at Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston, PE21 9QS
There were no comments or objections to this planning application.

b)    B/25/0200 - Proposed change of use to form takeaway and installation of extraction system at Wags N Whiskers, 17 & 17A Eastwood Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0PH
There were several concerns associated with this planning application:
•    The length of opening hours in a residential area
•    The noise and smell coming from the premises
•    No official parking which could cause chaos to other drivers due to the location of the business

c)    B/25/0201 - Advertisement consent for 2no. fascia signs at Wags N Whiskers, 17 & 17A Eastwood Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0PH
There is no documentation on the planning application associated with advertisement consent thereby no official observations could be made.

Since the setting of the agenda one planning application has been received
i)    B/25/0230 - Construction of boundary wall at Burton Hall, Wainfleet Road, Boston, PE21 9RN
There were no objections to this planning application.

d)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
The following information has been received associated with Planning Application decisions:
i)    B/24/0515 – Proposed residential development for 200 no. affordable dwellings and associated open space, parking and ancillary building to affordable house provision and means of access at Land South of Wainfleet Road, Boston has been granted full planning permission
ii)    B/23/0122 – Removal of existing conservatory and replace with single storey rear extension and alterations including replacement roof and installation of rooflights at 93 Kingsway, Fishtoft, Boston

7.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    A16 to Sibsey
Cllr Crawford relayed to the new County Councillors that in conjunction with Sibsey Parish Council a request for the speed limit to be dropped to 50mph. This has been ongoing for some time and nothing much has progressed with this other than from Sibsey Road/Wainfleet Road/Spilsby Road roundabout past Pilgrim Hospital to a few metres after Castle Road junction the speed has been reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

LCC Cllr Arundell asked what information have we obtained in relation to the request and what response have we received in relation to this?

The clerk informed that a request for the number of accidents in the vicinity has not been received and that the correspondence received through former County Councillor is that the area does not meet the criteria that is required for consideration.

b)    Scalp Road
This agenda item had been discussed previously in the meeting.
BBC Cllr Staples did relay that it is believed that the road has not been maintained since the Boston Barrier was completed.

c)    Interactive Speed Signs
Information relating to purchasing Interactive Speed Signs was circulated to the Parish Councillors which included the sites already recorded with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership following their meeting with former County Councillor.

The clerk relayed that two of her Parish Council’s she clerks for are also looking into purchasing these signs and once progression with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership at these parishes were agreed that because of the cost of these and the quantity required to see if she could negotiate a better price.

d)    30mph Reflective Signs
Following a recent demonstration visit from the police at the Fishtoft 400 Community Group several A4 30mph Reflective Signs usually placed on wheelie bins had been left for the group if required.  In addition to a request from a resident stipulating that he had noticed that there were several of these signs elsewhere in the parish but not along Kingsway and therefore asked would it be possible to have these sited here. 

The cost of these A3 signs is £20 each and in respect to having the A4 ones in the Parish Councils possession Cllr Crawford contemplated if something could be done to strengthen these and then put them up in areas in the parish.

Following discussion, it was agreed to go with the alternative method first as this would be more suitable cost-effective method for the parish.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
Cllr Day relayed to the new County Councillors what has been happening and stipulated that the area is looking a lot better.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong relayed the following:
•    The group will be having a stall on the 21st June 2025 Flea Market.
•    The Annual group trip will be to Holt and Sheringham
•    Following a presentation by Cllr Crawford to the Rotary Club a kind donation of £250 was received.

c)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group 
There is no new information since the examination process has now finished and the conclusion relating to this project has been decided.

d)    Parish Council Website
It was deemed the website was ok.

e)    Parish Council Liaison Meeting– 26th June 2025
The next meeting is scheduled for the 26th June 2025 of which Cllrs Webb and Armstrong said they will be in attendance.

f)    Fishtoft Primary School – Councillor Lucy Webb
Cllr Webb relayed that the next Fishtoft Primary School Committee meeting was scheduled for 23rd June 2025 of which discussion will include the parking and speeding of vehicles along the road outside the school.

g)    Household Waste & Recycling Centre
Cllr Armstrong relayed that the opening days and times of the centre is not suitable for all and queried if anything could be done to change this as these seem to be the same across the county which doesn’t aid with those who would be willing to travel to another location if the local one was closed on the day they needed to visit.

9.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
The following correspondence had been received and discussed: 
•    Email from resident re Speeding along Kingsway
This matter was discussed previously in the meeting.

10.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
As per Item 9 on the report a request was made to have a proper official one located at this site. Both County Councillors agreed that they will investigate this and relay their findings back to the Parish Council.

11.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 8.37pm

Appendix A

Item 5c on agenda    
 

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIODMAY 2025

Payments approved at 12th May 2025 meeting 

Payments received since 12th May 2025 meeting

Payments made since 12th May 2025 meeting

Appendix B 
Item 10 on agenda            FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC

Appendix C
LCC Cllr Arundell Report
Cllr Arundell introduced himself as the newly elected Lincolnshire County Councillor for Coastal Division and here to represent the Parish Council and pass on any of the concerns etc to both the leader and the relevant officers.

He conveyed that he has been given a position on the Growth Scrutiny Committee as well as the Planning and Regulation Committee, of which he relayed that the County Council have recently discussed a planning application to install solar panels of which they are not in favour of as believe the area of Lincolnshire has many beautiful vistas of which feel should not  be covered in glass and that the land would be better used to grow produce and personally would prefer to use the hydro project though believe with the County Council objection this would go on appeal to the Secretary of State.

Another consultation that has being reviewed is the National Grids Pylons of which the County Council are not in agreement with and along with Richard Tice MP are fighting against this proposal, though the Central Government are not listening to the views saying that it is cheaper to have the pylons.

Through the Growth Scrutiny Committee, the County Council are looking at approximately 1100 buildings of which 57 are derelict and therefore looking at either selling these or putting them back into use because there is a knock-on effect on communities where there are buildings which are not being used of which are also costing the Council money as they are also maintaining them through heating and lighting.

Along with the newly elected LCC Leader Sean Matthews they will be looking at issues that they were voted in on, though the election is associated more on local matters it is believe that Reform UK won the majority more on the National matters. Therefore, will be looking at tackling issues like hotels in the county that have migrants. Looking at pushing the Hydro project across The Wash which would provide a lot of infrastructure to the area and create jobs as well as not be a blight on the landscape.

The main issue he will be looking into is the various Highway matters that need addressing that have had no definitive answer on.

LCC Cllr French Report
He conveyed that he has been given position on both Overview and Scrutiny Management Board of which they have been recently discussing the Nuclear Wast and Growth Scrutiny Committee along with Cllr Arundell where they are also looking at several projects in the Boston area.

Local matters are mostly Highways such as John Adams Way and the incident that occurred in Kingsway 

Appendix D
BBC Cllr Scoot Report
Following an email with Andy Fisher of Programme Delivery, and Assistant Director - General Fund Assets in relation to Scalp Road as the subsequent discussions with LCC have gone quiet.

An explanation in relation to Scalp Road was relayed to the newly elected County Council and the issues associated with it.

Been dealing with issues associated with the Anglian Water Plant and the smell coming from it and the vehicles that is transporting the waste. Following communication with Anglian Water it was relayed that compression units are installed but not switch these on as they have not received any complaints directly. All other matters are following the Health and Safety guidelines but are looking at having a trye wash.

At the recent Drainage Board meeting, one items discussed was though this would not affect anyone this year The Environmental Agency has informed them they will not pay for the grass cutting and weeding in the upper regions. The board voted on asking them if EA would contribute this year to the cost and to investigate an alternative solution.

Along with Cllr Staples, he has been invited to act on the new Mayor’s Funding Committee this year. Looking at doing various activities throughout the year to raise funds. This year instead of the Mayor nominating which charities he would be raising money for he has asked for submissions from local ones of which three will be chosen by the Committee.

During the last week several Teams Meetings have been held of which one was in relation to the Local Government Reorganisation, of which there are four bids formally on the table of which have to be presented to the Secretary of State by November 2025 of which they are looking at 2028 as actually going into the Unitarian Organisation of which the Borough Council will be lost. They are currently looking at setting up as a Town Council to act as a Parish Council for the town. The other suggestion that has been made is to what they are currently calling a Community Council/Committees which will be half the size of the Borough Council consisting of 15 members this is to complete local issues.

Lastly, he would like to give thanks to Cllr Staples as the former Mayor and representing Fishtoft doing the past year. 

BBC Cllr Staples Report
Being out of the political arena the past year due to being Mayor which my chosen charities were:
•    Local Hope - who champion causes that mean a lot to the community by raising money to create a better future for the people of Boston. 
•    Boston Gateway - a cause which supports adults with learning disabilities.
•    Boston Framework - a charity that supports homeless people in the borough

A lot of the ward work that I seem to be getting involved in are Safeguarding and very sensitive issues.

BBC Cllr Sharpe Report
I’d like to begin to by offering sincere thanks to former LCC Cllr Skinner for his support with the road verge filling works on Fishtoft Road which have now been completed.

At the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex, the pre-construction works are progressing well. All swimming activities are currently taking place in the training pool, and must be booked in advance via the app, website, or by telephone. Please note that while works are ongoing, the site is operating on a cashless basis.

Hopefully everyone saw the news regarding the discovery of Herbert Ingram’s pocket watch, which was found at the bottom of Lake Michigan where he lost his life in the Lady Elgin shipwreck. The watch has been under water for 130 years and in the finder’s fridge for a further 33 years before being handed over to the marine archaeologist Valerie van Heest. Valerie went to great lengths to bring the watch back to where she truly believes it belongs. The handover was a huge success and has attracted attention across several media outlets worldwide. Visitor numbers to the museum have increase significantly and I’d encourage everyone to visit and see the watch, now beautifully displayed in out new exhibition cases alongside our new exhibition celebrating Herbert Ingram. For those who couldn’t attend, Valarie van Heest’s excellent talk is now available to watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlJu7ngfsCs 

The Lincolnshire Community GRASSroots Grants Fund is now open for applications. This is a fantastic opportunity for parish councils, sports clubs and community organisations to apply for funding https://www.boston.gov.uk/article/28412/Boston-area-organisations-encouraged-to-apply-for-grants-as-Lincolnshire-Community-Foundation-UKSPF-GRASSroots-scheme-reopens

Looking ahead, Boston Borough Council is preparing for the launch of mandatory food waste collections, which will begin in March 2026. We’ll keep you informed as preparations continues.

Future events
Flea Market - Saturday 21st June 2025 in Boston Market Place
Annual Culture Conference – Wednesday 25th June 2025 at the South Holland Centre
Boston Makers and Farmers Market – Saturday 28th June 2025 in Boston Market Place
Boston Bike Night –Thursday 3rd July 2025
Boston’s Strongest & Food Fest – Saturday 13th July 2025 in Boston Market Place
Boston Beach launching Tuesday 16th July