2025 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 8th September 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

Boston Borough Councillors Sarah Sharpe and Helen Staples (Ward members)
Lincolnshire County Councillor Sam French (Skirbeck Division)
Steve Scott, Operations Support Manager for Anglian Water (left at 7.57pm)
Fishtoft Parish Council Clerk – Sarah Knowles

PUBLIC FORUM
There were four members of the public in attendance of which the following questions/short statements were made to the Parish Council.
•    It was a disappointment that the Parish Council agreed with the allowance of the extra traffic from the Anglian Water Works.
Cllr Crawford relayed that the Parish Council had not agreed with this and had asked for more suitable times of the extra traffic.
•    The speed of the vehicles to and from the Anglian Water Works is dangerous and more consideration needs to be taken before any accidents in the area occur.

Apologies for LCC Cllrs Arundell via LCC French was given but no report had been received to be relayed at the meeting.
LCC Cllr French gave his report (See Appendix C)

Apologies had been received from all of the Boston Borough Councillor Scoot and forwarded a report for the Parish Council’s information (See Appendix D)
BBC Cllrs Sharpe and Staples gave their reports (See Appendix D)

The meeting opened at 7.19pm

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
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.

At 7.26pm it was resolved to bring forward agenda Item 5

5.    Report from Anglian Water representative 
Mr Scott felt that it was about time for a catchup following on from the new movements and ask the parishes opinion relating to this and also to inform of the future plans occurring over the next two years. He relayed that he was only here to discuss issues associated with Traffic and Odour from the Anglian Water Plant, any other matters he asked if these could be forwarded to him in writing.
Odour: Following the hot summer the plant would incur odour. He has received a quote for an Odour Suppression Unit which is going to be a permanent system which will be filled up with water and directly wired up to the mains. Which means that if the wind blew towards the village the system will automatically come on to aid with the prevention of the odour.
There are new regulations coming out from the Environment Agency and what Anglian Water has proposed is probably not good enough, therefore, until confirmation is known that these regulations can be met will determine when the unit will be fitted as thought this would be done before Christmas 2025, however, to meet the EA requirements this could be next year.
Part of the requirement for removing Cake from the site being a seven day a week industry, Lime Cake is only restricted to being removed during the week and Raw Cake (which is apparently less odourless) is then moved at the weekends. 
In addition, to a complaint that had been received (noting that all complaints are taken seriously) relating to the odour from the vehicles of which Boston’s Environmental Officer attended the site and discovered that all the vehicles were in compliant with the odour. He agreed that when they go past that there is a smell but they are sheeted down and the wheels are clean.
Thereby, Anglian Water will be installing an Odour Suppression Unit (which will be able to be activated manually and wind activation). Also, there are Cake Bays on site which are open to the elements of which they have committed that by 2030, 80% of these will be covered with a Dutch barn effect.
Cllr Crawford asked if they had kept records on the extra movements that have been made during the weekend. Mr Scott replied that the times are restricted to between 9am and 5pm and during that time you are looking at approximately 25 lorries in and out per day.
    
Future Plans: Governed by new the Shellfish Regulations out in The Wash, therefore Boston and Kings Lynn have been given new regulations that need to be met by 2030 which requires £20m investment between the Pumping Station and at the Works and they are looking to be onsite at the Pumping Station near Metsa by October 2026. However, the road to the site is really narrow and already suffers heavy traffic, therefore those responsible to this scheme are looking at what they possibly could do to make any improvements. BBC Cllr Staples suggested that resurfacing Scalp Road would be very beneficial as the lorries have contributed to the demise of this road.
Mr Scott said that they maybe an alternative route to the Works. Therefore, by letting the Parish Council know at this meeting that by October 2027 the Pumping Station area is going to be busier with construction traffic and that a storage tank needs to be built for the extra stormflow at the Works and Phase 2 during 2028/2029, Anglian Water have to build an UV Disinfection Plant or something similar as they have to treat the water (the effluent going into The Haven) to a high standard in order to protect the shellfish. 
Cllr Crawford asked where was Anglian Water looking at having the new access route? Mr Scott relayed that they have only started looking as one of the main concerns with any new access into the works is the historic Roman Bank that goes around so unsure if be allowed to go through this route and safely and definitely know that they will not be allowed to go by The Haven.
In relation with the extra work over the coming years that an official Customer Liaison Officer will have to be employed to communicate with both the Parish Council and the public. Also to note that the downside of covering up the sludge tanks as they have to be very careful with as hydrogen sulphide is created onsite and therefore this is not feasible therefore the supposed plans would help. 
BBC Cllr Staples asked why has this nothing been done sooner? Mr Scott replied that beforehand in the industry the Cake was previously limed which was odourless but because this did not meet the right pathogens for going onto land that is why Raw Cake is moved to the respective sites for digestion for the right pathogens for the land and secondly to get the gas production from it so that environmentally it is such a better product. 

LCC Cllr French asked who was responsible for Scalp Roads maintenance. He was informed that up to Haven House it was County Council responsibility of which the rest of the road is not adopted by any authority.

Mr Scott relayed that once he has a definitive answer in regards to the Odour Suppression Unit and what the suggestions will be in relation to the traffic he will let the Parish Council know.
    
Transport: Trying to manage the restrictive transportation times. The Transport Manager constantly liaises with the contractors as they do not properly conduct their new drivers of the Anglian Water regulations.

At 7.57pm it was resolved to resume to agenda order

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th July 2025 - To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
Following an amendment, it was proposed by Cllr Armstrong, seconded by Cllr Lenton and with no objections it was resolved to accept these notes as a true and accurate record.

6.    Finance
a)     Payment of accounts to be approved

Following proposal by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr Webb 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. However, due to there being no meeting in next month and that HMRC PAYE Costs will be due in October, and to avoid any late payment charges, the clerk requested permission for the amount due of £291.54 be paid next month. Following proposal by Cllr Crawford, seconded by Cllr Webb and with no objections it was resolved that these payments should be made.

c)     Payments & receipts: since 14th July 2025: Appendix A
Since the 14th July 2025 one payment had been made to S Knowles in relation to Staff Costs and two payments to Lloyds Bank relating to Bank charges.

d)     Balance of Community Account as of 31st July 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 31st July 2025 was £4,008.32.

e)     Balance of Community Account as of 31st August 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 31st August 2025 was £3,663.65.

f)     Balance of Savings Account as of 31st July 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 31st July 2025 was £35,647.57.

g)     Balance of Savings Account as of 31st August 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 31st August 2025 was £35,670.13.

h)    Balance of 30-Day Notice Savings Account as at 31st July 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 31st July 2025 was £35,505.50.

i)    Balance of 30-Day Notice Savings Account as at 31st August 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 31st August 2025 was £35,563.40.

j)    PAYE Costs
The Clerk informed the Parish Council, due to the NJC Pay Scale Increase of hourly rate for the clerk and following that from 6th April 2025, the Employer’s National Insurance has been cut to that any salary over £5,000 annually incurs a rate of 15% on earnings above the Secondary Threshold, which during this financial year there will an approximate £80 need to be paid to HMRC in additional to the current PAYE Costs for the clerk.

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/25/0328 - Application for Prior Approval under Schedule 2, Part 1, Class A for a proposed rear single storey flat roof extension at 156, Willoughby Road, Boston, PE21 9HR
There were no objections to this planning application.

b)    Various Tree Preservation Orders
i)    TPO/25/0011; Land to the north of The Grange, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0QY
ii)    TPO/25/0012; The Grange, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0QY
iii)    TPO/25/0014; The grounds of Beech House and Maple Lodge, Toot Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0AX 
iv)    TPO/25/0015; The Haven Residential Home, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
v)    TPO/25/0016; 82, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
vi)    TPO/25/0017; 80, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
vii)    TPO/25/0018; Jasmine, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
viii)    TPO/25/0019; Land adjacent to Stoke Priory, Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0RR
ix)    TPO/25/0124 - 78, Pilleys Lane, Boston, PE21 9RB
x)    TPO/25/0129 - Open Space for Blue Cedar Drive, Fishtoft; Land Adjacent to 1 Clover Walk, Fishtoft; and Land Adjacent to 9 Clover Walk, Fishtoft
xi)    TPO/25/0130 - Land fronting Wainfleet Road and Sibsey Road, Boston, PE21 9QR
xii)    TPO/25/0132 - Burton Hall, Wainfleet Road, Boston PE21 9RN.    
Cllr Day enquired as to why so many new TPOs. As Central Government are reviewing various aspects of planning thereby the requirement for new ones to be formed.
 
c)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
The following Planning Applications have been granted full planning permission:
•    B/25/0196 – Erection of electrical substation and associated works including installation of new electrical upgrade, decarbonisation works in the form of 18 no. air source heat pumps, installation of linear bank of louvres to existing boiler house elevations and inclusion of external door sets at Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston
•    B/25/0230 and B/25/0232 – Listed Building Consent for construction of boundary wall at Burton Hall, Wainfleet Road, Boston
•    B/25/0250 – Proposed 1.5 storey rear extension to form a kitchen and ancillary rooms at 34, Church Green Road, Fishtoft
•    B/25/0142 – Listed Building Consent for internal and external alterations including removal of the modern chimney at Skirbeck House, Rawsons Lane, Fishtoft

Permission of the following Tree Preservation Orders have been confirmed:
•    TPO/25/0011; Land to the north of The Grange, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0QY
•    TPO/25/0012; The Grange, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0QY
•    TPO/25/0013; Land to the South of The Grange, Church Green Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0QY
•    TPO/25/0014; The grounds of Beech House and Maple Lodge, Toot Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0AX 
•    PO/25/0015; The Haven Residential Home, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
•    TPO/25/0016; 82, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
•    TPO/25/0017; 80, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
•    TPO/25/0018; Jasmine, White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
•    TPO/25/0019; Land adjacent to Stoke Priory, Fishtoft Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0RR
•    TPO/25/0129 - Open Space for Blue Cedar Drive, Fishtoft; Land Adjacent to 1 Clover Walk, Fishtoft; and Land Adjacent to 9 Clover Walk, Fishtoft

8.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    A16 to Sibsey
Still waiting for the Freedom of Information requesting 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
This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting.

c)    Scalp Road
This issue was discussed earlier in the meeting. BBC Cllr Sharpe relayed that BBC Leader Cllr Broughton was in talks with the local MP Richard Tice in relation to this.

d)    Interactive Speed Signs
Queries were raised in regards to function of the devices that the clerk was asked to look into before a final decision could be made.

e)    Toot Lane Proposed Waiting Restrictions
Notification from Lincolnshire County Council had been received in relation to a proposal to make an Order under their powers contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to prohibit waiting restrictions within Toot Lane of the following 
• Introduce mandatory school keep clears Monday – Friday 8-9am & 2-3.45pm
outside the school accesses
• Introduce No Waiting at any time at the junctions of Toot Lane with Clifton Road,
Hawthorn Close, on the west wide of Toot Lane and on sections of Toot Lane to
allow a passing place for vehicles
• Introduce No Waiting Monday – Friday 8-9.30am & 2-4.30pm in the vicinity of
properties 15-27 & 22-26.
• Revoke existing no waiting at any time fronting the layby on Clifton Road.
The Parish Council were in favour of these restrictions.

9.      Members reports and business
a)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong relayed the following:
•    The Community Groups Annual Trip has taken place.
•    A Questionnaire had been circulated to group members asking what other activities they would like to do, the results for this were 
o    having keep fit (but this requires a minimum of ten members plus contributing every time to ensure this is feasible).   
o    Curling or Indoor Bowls
•    A Jigsaw Puzzle Table has been donated
•    The group are looking at doing next a Christmas Card Workshop 
•    The AGM will be taking place on 2nd December 2025

Cllr Crawford relayed that Rochford Tower Hall is in need of being refurbished and are looking into funding for this.

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

c)    Lincolnshire Police & Parish Council briefing sessions – 18th September 2025
Cllr Webb said that she was unavailable to attend the briefing session therefore Cllr Day agreed to be alternative attendee.

d)    Litter Picking
A Litter Picking day will be taking place on 28th September 20225 along Rochford Tower Lane from the Ball House to the roundabout commencing at 10am.

e)    Thank you card for Glenn Hislop
It was agreed to send Mr Hislop a Thank You card in regards to his help with the vandalised and missing slabs around the Bouy.

10.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
The following correspondence had been received and discussed:
a)    Boston Borough Council Litter/Dog Bin Policy
It was agreed to have this as an agenda item of the next Parish Council meeting.

11.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
Cllr Crawford relayed that after reporting a bench in need of repair in Pilleys Lane on FixMyStreet it has now been removed.

A footpath along Church Green Road is required as walking along this area is becoming more dangerous.

11.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 8.40pm

Appendix A

Item 6c on agenda  

 
FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD JULY 2025

Payments approved at 14th July 2025 meeting 

Payments made since 14th July 2025 meeting

Appendix B

Item 10 on agenda                                   FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC

Appendix C

LCC Cllr French
Following the August break there is not much to report other than weed spraying is occurring around his ward and into Fishtoft.

Appendix D
BBC Cllr Scoot Report
Been spending a lot of time trying to find a solution to the smells coming from the Anglian Water treatment works.
 
Receiving complaints about the lack of weeding of Meridian Road.

Correspondence was received from a resident with regards to the archaeological conditions on the Gaysfield Road development. The lead planning officer dealing with this very helpful replying to the above.
 
Helen, Sarah and I, with the assistance of several others, held a very successful coffee morning raising funds for the Co-op McMillian appeal.
 
Continue to play an active role on several council committees.

BBC Cllr Sharpe Report
I have had a number of issues within the ward to deal with, most of which are overgrown trees making it difficult to walk on pavements. I am reporting these via Fix My Street.

Heritage Open Days are happening across the borough between 13th September to 20th September. These are all listed on the Heritage open days website. This Saturday there are a number of activities happening in town like walkabout street theatre, self-led trails, design your own building workshops, inside The Guildhall we have the popular VR headsets giving you a new way to explore Boston’s past as well as having photographer Sam Atkins presenting his ‘Through the Lens of Herbert Ingram’ where people can sit for portraits using vintage equipment and live film development. This will form part of the ongoing exhibition. Fydell House are also doing hard had tours. For more information, please visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk 

The three of us are delighted to announce we raised £550 at our MacMillan coffee morning on 30th August. We are holding our next one, in aid of the Mayors' charities on 4th April 2026.

Cubs litter pick – Saturday 18th October. Location to be arranged.

BBC Cllr Staples Report
I have been given the role as Portfolio Holder for Communities which includes Parish Councils. Of which my first task is to see what Parish Councils would prefer to see at the Liaison Meetings in regards to being informed on matters within the Borough, especially with the forthcoming Unitary Authority.

A Coffee Morning for the Voluntary Sector is taking place on 25th September 2025 of which invitations to local groups have been given to show what they do for the community.