At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 15 November 2023 in Irby & Bratoft Village Hall.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mrs S. Wilford; Mrs L. Mitchell; Mr C. Moore; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mrs J. Strunin; ELDC Cllr S. Dennis; LCC Cllr Mrs W. Bowkett and 1 member of the public.
Apologies were received from Mr R. Harman; Mr G. Holmes and Mrs C. Brewer.
Trevor Rogers, Chairman of Bratoft Parish Meeting, addressed the Parish Council regarding concern in the Village about the proposed planning application for a change of use of land to provide 8 glamping pitches at Woodlands, Summergates Lane. The main concerns include the increase of vehicles on the roads, the issue of drainage as there are no mains drainage, light and noise pollution which would emanate from 8 extra dwellings in such a small space. The proposed land also backs onto other residents properties. Mr Rogers asks for the Parish Council's support in objecting to this application. Cllr Dennis stated that he had also received many complaints about this proposed development. and suggests that residents should submit their objections to the Council in writing.
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 asked if a response has been received from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership regarding the Archers Survey. No reply has been received. The Clerk to chase up.
Mrs Mitchell stated that Sonia Armstrong will look at the Great Steeping Poor Lands' Charity Governing Document and will report back at the next meeting.
The Chairman stated that the registration of the land in Irby has been put into motion.
Mrs Strunin stated that the Firsby Parish Meeting book has been recovered. Once the minutes have been updated in the book a Parish Meeting will be arranged.
Mrs Wilford also asked Cllr Bowkett why it is taking more than 2 1/2 years to transfer the licence from one name to another at the Kelsey Wood Country Park? Cllr Bowkett stated that the transfer of the licence is taking so long because there is only one officer dealing with licensing covering the whole of Lincolnshire. But hat the officer is working with the owner to get the licence in place.
Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that the 5 sketches that were donated are going to be placed in Bratoft Church. An application to the Chartable Trust will be made for the purchase of suitable frames.
3. Police Matters
A Serious incident involving a resident and a Parish Councillor took place on 2 November. The Police were informed but have not done anything about the matter. It was agreed that the Parish Council will write to the Chief Constable to put in an official complaint about the lack of response to this incident. Copies of the letter will be sent to Matt Warman MP and the District and County Councillor's.
4. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Bowkett gave the following report to the Parish Council:
Following the recent event on the 21/22 and 23rd I have met with MPs, Ea, both Witham Forth and Lindsey Marsh Drainage Boards and local farmers and residents.
ADA chairman Robert Caldwell has written to the Secretary of State to urge a change to legislation to allow drainage boards to carry out work on main river courses to the standard that the drainage boards maintain their watercourses.
Surface water was a big issue in flooding houses, the heavy rainfall over the week and particularly the Friday only added to the already flooded fields and dykes. Cllr Bowkett stated that the Council are going to jet the drains again where there has been surface water standing on the roads to make sure they are clear.
The Falls response service is being promoted around the county, if someone falls and they are not injured call 01472 256256 instead of an ambulance they will attend and get the person back on there feet again. The service is open from 8am to 8pm daily.
Outfield Lane, Bratoft, the second half of the resurfacing will be done in the new year I am awaiting a date. This will probably be in March 2024.
Cllr Bowkett stated that Riggals application for a recycling centre in Bratoft has been refused.
A discussion took place as to whether the pumps that were taken to Gibraltar Point were used to pump the flood water into the sea. Mr Heane was told that they were used. Cllr Bowkett stated that Thorpe pumping station switched down to 3 pumps which stopped putting the flood water back into the system which reduced the water levels.
Mrs Mitchell asked Cllr Bowkett who could apply for funding to help with the costs of the recent flooding. Cllr Bowkett replied that anyone whose home was flooded can apply to LCC for funding. If their home was not flooded but water entered their property they could also apply for assistance.
Mr Heane stated that despite measures having been taken by residents of Sandy Lane, to try to stop water entering their homes, the water still penetrated the defences and entered at least 2 properties. In total approximately 10 properties were flooded in Great Steeping .
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Dennis stated that he had nothing to report He stated that there had been too many changes in the government to settle any matters.
Cllr Dennis was asked if any funding could be used to purchase flood water signs and sand etc., so that Great Steeping is fully prepared when anther flooding event occurred. Cllr Dennis stated that this would be possible and that he had a large container that sand could be stored in.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from Simon Milson regarding the East Lindsey Local Plan - services and facilities review. Councillors confirmed their respective Parish details as being correct.
b) Email received from Charles Atkinson confirming that the lock on the gate on the west bank of the Lady Wath Beck has been removed.
c) Email received from Kevin Mapley thanking the Parish Council for attending and laying a wreath at the Remembrance day service. He also stated that the RAF Spilsby memorial was subsiding and requesting a donation towards the costs of repair. It was agreed to send a donation of £100.
d) Email received from Mary Burdett requesting an update on the renovation of the Little Steeping telephone box. It is currently being worked on.
7. Plans
Application No S/051/01974/23 by Mr T Clowsley for Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to include a first floor to provide additional living accommodation at Rookery Farm, Thorpe Road, Firsby. It was agreed to support this application.
Application No S/020/01891/23 by Mr & Mrs Everard for Planning Permission - Erection of 1no. house and 1no. detached garage, with the demolition of existing dwelling and associated outbuildings at End House Farm, Burgh Lane, Bratoft. It was agreed to support this application.
Application No S/051/01314/23 by Mr J Hough for Planning Permission - Change of use of land for the siting of 5no. holiday lodges, excavation of land to form a pond, construction of roads and parking areas at Bridgewoood, Fendyke Road, Firsby. This application has been withdrawn.
8. Highways
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction Great Steeping/Little Steeping between B1195 & Main Road Little Steeping from 22/11/23 - 30/4/24.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction Halton Fenside/Little Steeping between Steeping Road & Main Road from 22/11/23 - 30/4/24.
The Firsby Village sign on Fendyke Road needs replacing.
9. Any Other Business
Mrs Wilford asked whether the constitution of 1973 supersedes all other documents relating to property etc? The Chairman read section 8 of the constitution which confirmed that it did indeed supersede all other documents.
Mrs Wilford asked if the Council could ascertain when a response would be received about the caravan site in Little Steeping, so far it has been 2 years and the site keeps increasing in size.
Mrs Strunin stated that on 6 June 2024 it will be the 80th anniversary of the DD Landings the theme will be the Land Army and farmers and suggested that events should be put on to mark this date. Following a short discussion one suggestion was to have a barn dance. Another suggestion was to ask the Heavy Horse Centre to give a demonstration of how fields were harvested without the use of a combine harvester. Mr Heane stated that if an event was to go ahead to mark this date then plans should be put into place as soon as possible. It was agreed to ask Irby & Bratoft Village Hall in the first instance if they would be prepared to host a barn dance to mark this event.
Mr Heane stated that there was not a clear idea what happened to cause the recent flooding. There appears to be no narrative on what happened. The Lady Wath Beck footbridge floated down on to the Steeping River. He stated that pumping water back into the Steeping River caused it to over top in various places. The flooding of the roads was caused by water coming out of the overfull soak dykes.
Mr Heane stated, and all agreed that there should be a contingency plan in place that should be followed when a flood event or other natural disaster occurs.
10. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall for use of room £36
Donation for repairs to the RAF Spilsby War Memorial £100
Bolingbroke Deanery for printing on Dec/Jan Newsletter £120.