At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 15 December 2021 in Little Steeping Village Hall.

Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;

Mr R. Heane; Mr G. Holmes; Mrs S. Wilford; Mr C. Moore; Miss H. Smithson-Whitehead; Mrs L. Mitchell and Mr P. Gilbert.

Apologies were received from PCSO Jayne Richardson and ELDC Cllr S. Dennis.

Mrs Burdett thanked the Firsby Group Charitable Trust for providing the funds to purchase the Christmas Tree which is standing outside the Village Hall.  Mrs Burdett then addressed the Council regarding access to the new Parish Noticeboard on the corner of Ings Lane, Little Steeping.  After a lengthy discussion it was agreed that access should be granted to residents to use the noticeboard to display Village notices etc.,  It was also suggested that the size of the posters should be reduced to A5, this would allow more room to display items.  Mrs Burdett also asked for an update regarding the telephone box.  Mr Heane once again stated that he had agreed to remove the telephone box from its present position, but this would not happen until the Spring.

1.  Minutes of the last Meeting

It was agreed that these be signed as a correct record of the proceedings.

2.  Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that the joint noticeboard for the Village Hall and Parish Council in Irby will be delivered to a resident of Irby who has agreed to erect it.  It was agreed that the cost of any materials required for its installation will be refunded.  It was confirmed that the ELDC grant for £400 has been received.

3.   Police Matters

Mr Heane stated that Mr Barker of Sandy Lane, Great Steeping had his ride on mower stolen.  The police did not attend and it was difficult to obtain a crime number.  This situation is unacceptable and the Police should attend a crime scene. 

4.   County Councillor's Report

In her absence it was agreed to ask Cllr Bowkett whether there was any more news regarding the proposed radioactive waste management facility at Theddlethorpe.  It was also agreed to ask whether a visit to a recycling centre, as mentioned at the previous meeting, could be arranged.

5.   District Councillor's Report

Mrs Wilford has asked for her thanks to be sent to Cllr Dennis for the information he sent, but Cllr Wilford had asked for clarification about the LMDB meeting exert that Cllr Dennis emailed to the Parish Council in July.  The Board had applied for the second round of funding on behalf of the EA but they were unsuccessful.  Could the Council please be told who they applied to, what the amount was and what reasons were given for the bid being unsuccessful?

Regarding the reopening of the Firsby to Louth Railway line, there was a feasibility study carried out which cost £50,000.  Are any details of this study available?

6.   Correspondence

a)  Email received from the Citizen's Advice Bureau requesting a donation.  It was proposed by Mr Heane and Seconded by Miss Smithson Whitehead that the sum of £50 be paid.

b)  Email received from Marian Woolhouse regarding the reinstating of the 5 Parishes Newsletter.  Various matters were discussed as to how to display minutes etc., including the use of the noticeboards and perhaps a Facebook Site.  It was agreed to ask Ms Woolhouse if she would be prepared to compile a bi-monthly A4 document instead of a magazine in the first instance.

d)  Receipt of the Lincolnshire Fieldpaths Association Newsletter.

e)  Email received from LCC Town and Parish News requesting the Parish Council to campaign directly to the Government for money to fix our roads.  It was agreed to support this campaign and ask the MP to take this forward on the Parish Council's behalf.

f)  Email from ELDC regarding the precept for 2022/2023.  It was agreed unanimously to request £4250, the same amount as last year.

7.   Dog Waste Bin for Irby

Miss Smithson Whitehead has received complaints about dog waste being left on the ground in Irby.  It was agreed to request a Dog Waste Bin for Irby to be placed by the Brambleberry Lane sign post.

8.   Plans

Application no S/091/021688/21 by Mrs S Kitchen for Planning Permission - Erection of front boundary fencing to a maximum height of 1.8 metres at The Old School House, Wainfleet Road, Irby in the Marsh.  It was agreed to support this application.

Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Erection of 2no.antenna supports, one fixed at 2.5m and one extendable to a maximum height of 12m. at Saffron, Ings Lane, Little Steeping.

Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Erection of a detached shed for the storage of trailers and a vehicle at Blackthorns, Sandy Lane, Great Steeping. 

9.   Highways

It was agreed to report the following matters:

The 40mph sign opposite All Saints Church, Irby has been knocked over.  It needs resetting in the ground

Mill Lane, Irby in the Marsh, the remainder of the many potholes requested to be filled need repairing.

Cork Lane, Thorpe Lane & Thorpe Culvert the road in going into the drain.

10.   Accounts

It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment: 

Little Steeping Village Hal for use of room £20

Irby PCC for graveyard maintenance £250

Citizen's Advice donation £50

Clerk's 3 Month Salary £500.