2025 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 14th July 2025 at
The Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

PRESENT:     Councillor Helen Crawford presiding as Chairperson
Councillors Elizabeth Armstrong, Richard Lenton, Geoff Day and Lucy Webb
Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were no members of the public present to ask any questions or make short statements to the Parish Council.

Apologies had been received from all of the Boston Borough Council Ward members of which both
BBC Cllrs Sharpe and Scoot had forwarded a report (See Appendix C).

No apologies or reports had been received from either LCC Cllrs Arundell or French.

The meeting opened at 7.08pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Cllr Crawford welcomed everyone and relayed that it was a great shame to hear of the current issues occurring at Boston Borough 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
All Parish Councillors were in attendance so 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 June 2025 - 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 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 Webb, seconded by Cllr Day and with no objections it was resolved that these payments should be made.

b)    Additional payments to be approved after setting of the agenda
Prior to this meeting no other payments have been received for approval.

c)     Payments & receipts: since 12th June 2025: Appendix A
Since the 12th June 2025 one payment had been made to Lloyds Bank relating to Bank charges.

d)     Balance of Community Account as of 30th June 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 30th June 2025 was £4,965.79.

e)     Balance of Savings Account as of 30th June 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 30th June 2025 was £35,627.07.

f)    Balance of 30-Day Notice Savings Account as at 30th June 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 30th June 2025 was £35,443.78.

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/25/0250 - Proposed 1.5 storey rear extension to form kitchen and ancillary rooms at 34, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0QY
There were no objections to this planning application.

b)    B/25/0244 - Statutory Consultation Notice under section 42 of the Planning Act 2008 and the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedures) Regulations 2009 to Boston Borough Council for project EN020036 for the proposed Grimsby to Walpole Project (the Proposed Development) at Grimsby to Walpole
The Parish Council do not approve this type of infrastructure as believe that there is a better and more viable alternative.
 
c)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
Planning application B/25/0169 – Proposed 1 no. 3 bedroom dwelling (Self/Custom build) at 187, Church Green Road, Fishtoft has been refused planning permission

7.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    A16 to Sibsey
Following advice from Inspector Ian Cotton the clerk has put in a Freedom of Information request in relation to information of accidents/speeding violations that have occurred along the A16 from Sibsey Road/Wainfleet Road/Spilsby Road roundabout to Sibsey boundary to include quantity, fatalities over the past five years

b)    A52 Road Crossing
Cllr Crawford relayed that a crossing is required opposite the Brewers Fayre as this is unsafe for pedestrians trying to get from the other side of a very busy road.

c)    Scalp Road
Cllr Armstrong reported that red lines have been painted along the centre of this road and was unsure to the reason regarding this. Cllr Crawford relayed that she will contact LCC Cllr Arundell in relation to this.

d)    Interactive Speed Signs
After evaluating which signs would be more beneficial to purchase it was agreed to purchase the solar ones from Domain.

e)    30mph Signs
Different backings were looked at to fix to the 30mph signs to be displayed in areas not already covered. After evaluating the choice was made an it was also agreed that anything required to be purchased in addition associated with these signs could be reimbursed to Cllr Crawford.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Clearing and tidying the wooded area near the Hobhole pumping station - Update 
    Cllr Day relayed that the work is still being done in this area approximately 3 hours every fortnight.

b)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong relayed that 44 of the 47 seats have been filled for the groups annual trip on 12th August at a charge of £5 for the Community Group members and £12 for non-members.

c)    Outer Dowsing Liaison Community Group 
There is no information to relay as waiting for Secretary of States decision.

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

e)    Parish Council Liaison Meeting – 26th June 2025 - Report
Cllr Armstrong reported the following which was discussed at the recent Parish Council Liaison Meeting:
•    Skips will be sited in parishes to aid with fly-tipping.
•    Neighbourhood Policing Team is currently at full staffing capacity, a position that Boston has not experienced in several years. 
•    It was reported that there has been a recent increase in antisocial behaviour.
•    Warning to farmers due to high volume of theft of Farming Machinery to mark their equipment.
•    Livestock theft – several sheep have been stolen.
•    Growing concern around young people riding high-value e-bikes, some of which are suspected to be used for drug transportation.
•    Boston Town Board, has confirmed that Boston is set to receive £20 million in funding over the next 10 years. These are on projects in town with nothing allocated to the surrounding villages.
•    Presentation on the food waste collection service being implemented in 2026.
•    Presentation on the Love Your Neighbourhood Campaign 2025

f)    Fishtoft Primary School – Councillor Lucy Webb
Cllr Webb relayed the following:
•    Having zig zag lines could push the problem of parking further down the road.
•    Issue with speeding
•    There was a recent incident with a van near to the school causing a problem during the school run
•    They are looking at doing a litter picking starting in the Playing Field
•    Spoken with LCC Highways in having a school directional sign

g)    Lincolnshire Police & Parish Council briefing sessions – 18th September 2025
Cllr Webb said that she would attend the briefing session with Cllr Day agreeing to be alternative attendee if Cllr Webb was unavailable.

9.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
The following correspondence had been received and discussed:
•    Notification of Community Governance Review for Boston Town Area

10.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
    The temporary bus stop in Church Green Road has been replaced with a permanent one.

11.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 8pm

Appendix A

Item 5c on agenda 

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD JUNE 2025

Payments approved at 12th June 2025 meeting

Payments made since 12th June 2025 meeting

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                                   FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC

Appendix C
BBC Cllr Sharpe Report
The culture conference on 25th June at the South Holland Centre, part of our NPO programme, was a huge success. Over 50 delegates attended and took part in workshops and networking sessions. The feedback has been brilliant and we look forward to the next annual conference in 2026.

The Boston rough Council ‘Love your Neighbourhood’ competition has launched, with opportunities to win £100 for 1st place and £50 for 2nd place in the ‘Best front/back garden’ category. There is also a ‘Best Village’ and ‘Best Communal or Community Garden’ category. 

Community groups and charities in Boston are invited to make sure people’s voices are heard to help shape the future of the town in a new engagement initiative by Boston Town Board. The engagement toolkit is available at www.bostontownboard.co.uk

On Saturday 9th August, Boston Guildhall is hosting a talk by Dr Charlotte Carrington-Farmer from Rhode Island University on ‘The world of Roger and Mary Williams’. Admission is free and tickets are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk or from Boston Guildhall.

I have been dealing with some issues of overgrown hedges in the ward making footpaths narrower. Unfortunately, LCC have responded to say they are too busy to take enforcement action. I will continue to engage to see if anything can be done.

Upcoming events:
•    Wednesday 16 July to Wednesday 3 September: Beach in the Park
•    Wednesday 16 July: Teddy Bear's Picnic
•    Tuesday 22 July:  Golden Oldies
•    Saturday 26 July: Boston Pride
•    Friday 8 August: Children's wildlife activities
•    Saturday 9 August: Skate Jam
•    Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 August: Knights of Skirbeck re-enactment event
•    Tuesday 19 August:  Fun in the Sun additional needs event
•    Friday 22 August: Children's circus skills activities

BBC Cllr Scoot Report
The major thing that I have been working on since the last meeting of the Parish council is the smell coming from the Anglian Water treatment plant after receiving two complaints from ward members.
Apparently, the smell suppression system was not attached to the mains supply. I have been informed that Anglian Water are looking at rectifying this and looking at a system to recognise when the wind is in the direction to carry the smell towards the village. Unfortunately, this does not look like it will be fitted until October 2025 earliest. I have pointed out that this means our ward members will lose the opportunity of using their gardens for the rest of the summer.
Anglian Water are also looking at fitting a roof over the “cake” to reduce the smell “in the coming years”. I have asked that they quantify that statement.