2026 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Minutes of Fishtoft Parish Council meeting held Monday 12th January 2026 at The Pavilion, Fishtoft Playing Fields, Fishtoft commencing at 7pm

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

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 to the Parish Council.

Apologies had been received from Boston Borough Councillors Scoot and Sharpe of which a report from had been received for the Parish Councillors information from Cllr Sharpe. (See Appendix C).

No apologies were received from either Lincolnshire County Councillors Arundell or French, or from Boston Borough Councillor Staples and no report had been received to be relayed at the meeting.

The meeting opened at 7pm

1.    Chairman’s remarks
Cllr Day 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
Cllr Crawford had sent her apologies for absence of which the Parish Councillors were aware of the reason of which it was resolved to accept this reason.

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 Appleyard declared an interest in Items 8c and 8e on the agenda

4.     Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 8th December 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 Lenton 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 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 the meeting no other payments had been received for approval.

c)     Payments & receipts: since 8th December 2025: Appendix A
Since the 8th December 2025 one payment had been made relating to Bank charges. No receipts of payments received were received.

d)     Balance of Community Account as of 31st December 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 December 2025 was £20,443.59.

e)     Balance of Savings Account as of 31st December 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 December 2025 was £35,743.28.

f)    Balance of 30-Day Notice Savings Account as at 31st December 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 December 2025 was £35,800.82.

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/25/0493 - Application under S73 for the variation of Condition C2 (Approved Plans) of permission B/25/0196 at Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston, PE21 9QS
There were no objections to this planning application.

b)    B/25/0476 - Application under Schedule 2, Part 6, Class A/B/E of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 as amended to determine if Prior Approval is required for a proposed Agricultural Building at Skirbeck Farm, Tattershall Road, Boston PE21 9NW    
There were no objections to this planning application.

c)    B/25/0502 - Proposed extension to staff car park and associated externals works at Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston, PE21 9QS
Though there are no objections to this planning application, concerns were raised that work had already commenced before actual approval had been granted.

d)    Appeal Notice to Secretary of State re B/24/0121 - Construction of 102no. residential dwellings at Agricultural land adjacent to White House Lane, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0BE
There were no additional comments to raised by the Parish Council relating to this appeal notification.

e)    Planning Reports and Information received including Planning Application decisions
Full Planning Permission has been granted to the following:
•    B/25/0429 – Proposed rear flat room extension with roof lantern at 32, Kings Avenue, Boston
•    B/25/0443 – Replacement conservatory extension for solid traditionally constructed extension at Fishtoft Primary School, Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft
•    B/25/0409 – Application under s73 for the variation of Condition C2 (Approved Plans) of approval B/25/0122 (Removal of existing conservatory and replace with single storey rear extension and alternations including replacement roof and installation of roof lights at 93. Kingsway, Fishtoft
•    B/25/0453 – Application under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q to determine if prior approval is required for the proposed change of use of agricultural building to 1 no. dwellinghouse at Land off Cut End Road, Fishtoft

7.    Highway - To consider and make observations associated with Highways matters that are not associated with Appendix B
a)    A16 to Sibsey
This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting.

b)    A52 Road Crossing
This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting.

c)    Scalp Road
Following an email to LCC Highways from LCC Cllr Arundell on behalf of Fishtoft Parish Council, a reply relayed that though some parts of Scalp Road could be maintained there is an area which is not highways and will not be maintained by Lincolnshire County Council

d)    Interactive Speed Signs
Following information collated by the clerk it was agreed to go ahead and purchase the interactive speed signs for the time being without the solar panels.

e)    Church Green Road – Footpath required
This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting.

8.      Members reports and business
a)     Fishtoft 400 Community Group- Any updates 
Cllr Armstrong relayed the following information:
•    The group were not impressed with their Christmas Lunch which was held at the Red Cow.
•    The group resumed after the Christmas Break on the 6th January 2026 at the Pavillion to no heating.
•    An organisation is coming to a give a talk to the group on Saving Energy
•    A query was raised as to information relating to the Emergency Plan – Cllr Armstrong asked if this could be put on as an agenda item at the next Parish Council meeting.
        
b)    Parish Council Website
It was deemed the website was ok.

c)    Noticeboards and Lecterns – Quotes and Information via report from Councillor Armstrong
After looking at different noticeboards a quote was received from Men's Sheds Boston Group for a replacement with magnetic backing for £650. Following proposal by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr Armstrong with Cllr Appleyard abstaining from voting due to a Declaration of Interest and with no objections it was resolved that this quote was acceptable to go ahead with a new noticeboard within the village.

Also following research for a Lectern by the buoy a quote from Men's Sheds Boston Group with the wooden post to be inserted in concrete was received for £500. Following proposal by Cllr Armstrong, seconded by Cllr Lenton with Cllr Appleyard abstaining from voting due to a Declaration of Interest and with no objections it was resolved that this quote was acceptable to go ahead with a Lectern by the Fishtoft 400 Buoy.

d)    Fishtoft Playing Field & Pavilion – Report from Cllr Lenton
This agenda item was deferred to the next meeting.

e)    Bench on corner of Pilleys Lane/Sibsey Road – Quote for replacement
A quote from Men's Sheds Boston Group for a replacement 4ft bench to be installed in concrete of £350 was relayed. Following proposal by Cllr Day, seconded by Cllr Lenton with Cllr Appleyard abstaining from voting due to a Declaration of Interest and with no objections it was resolved that this quote was acceptable to go ahead with the replacement bench for corner of Pilleys Lane/Sibsey Road.

f)    Light outside Fishtoft Playing Field Pavilion – update 
Cllr Armstrong relayed that this seems to be intermittent but would enquire for more information.

g)    United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospital Trust re Request for information relating to the Proposed reorganisation of support services
A letter had been received from United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospital Trust in relation to a response to the Parish Council’s letter regarding a Request for information relating to the Proposed reorganisation of support services, on which information received was inconclusive therefore it was agreed to send a letter to Lincolnshire Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee with a copy of the former enquiry by Fishtoft Parish Council and United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospital Trust reply.

10.     Correspondence received, Events & Reports - To discuss any correspondence received including after setting of agenda
 An email had been received from the developer responsible for the forthcoming residential development on Wainfleet Road, Boston the following:
“As part of our commitment to positive community engagement, they are keen to involve local organisations/schools where appropriate during the development process.

In this regard, I would like to seek the Parish Council’s views before approaching St Mary’s RC Primary School with an invitation to assist in suggesting potential street names for the new development. Our intention is to provide an opportunity for local pupils to engage with and contribute to their community in a positive and educational way.

This email is sent as a courtesy to make you aware of this proposed approach and to ask whether the Parish Council has any objections or concerns with us engaging the school in this manner, or if there are any considerations you feel we should be mindful of before proceeding.

The Councillor’s had no objections to this enquiry.

11.     Fix My Street, Highways and Boston Borough Council - To receive any updates on reported issues Appendix B
There was nothing to report.

12.     Dates for future confirmed meetings

The meeting closed at 7.43pm

Appendix AItem 5c on agenda    

FISHTOFT PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD DECEMBER 2025

Payments approved at 8th December 2025 meeting 

Payments made since 8th December 2025 meeting

Appendix B 

Item 10 on agenda                                   FixMyStreet, LCC & BBC

Appendix C
BBC Cllr Sharpe
Garden waste subscription renewals are now open for the 2026/27 season. Collections will continue throughout the winter months, moving to a monthly service during this period before returning to fortnightly collections thereafter.

Plans are continuing to progress towards the establishment of a town or parish council in advance of the Government’s proposed Local Government Reorganisation. The next phase of public consultation is expected to open shortly, subject to full council approval on 12 January.

On 7 February, GB rowers from across the country — including senior medal winners from the recent Shanghai tournament — will take part in the next round of trials on the River Witham. Helen and I attended the trials last November, and it was a truly impressive event. Anyone interested is encouraged to come along and watch some of the country’s future rowing talent in action on our local waters.

On Tuesday 12 May, in aid of the Mayor’s Charities, a special Boston Belle boat trip will take place to the Wash to witness the traditional Buoys and Beacons Proclamation, delivered by the Admiral of the Wash. Tickets are £30 and include a copy of the proclamation along with a buffet. If anyone is interested, I can pass along the details of how to book.