At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 15 October 2025 in Little Steeping Village Hall.
Apologies were received from Mr D. Sargeant.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mrs S. Wilford; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mr S. Roachford; Mr R. Currie; Mr P. Cavanagh; LCC Cllr Mrs M. Hume; ELDC Cllr C. Drury and 3 members of the public.
Mrs Harwood requested the return of documents that are currently in the possession of the Parish Council. Following a discussion, Mrs Harwood was informed that the Parish Council are taking legal advice as to the legality of the registration of the lands in Little Steeping. Once this information is received, the Village Hall Management Committee will be contacted.
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 dykes belonging to herself and Mr Everard have now been cleaned out.
Miss Smithson Whitehead also stated that the Irby & Bratoft Village hall walking group are going to carry out the public rights of way survey for those villages. Mr Law will carry out the task in Little Steeping. The Parish Council would like to express their thanks to these people.
Mr Sargeant will now take over the dealings to do with the Little Steeping Telephone box.
3. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Hume stated that Ed Milliband has approved a 3000 acre solar farm, which although is not in our area, it does not bode well for any net zero project that is put forward, as they go direct to the Government for approval regardless of the impact on the area concerned.
Cllr Hume also stated that there are going to be safety improvements made to part of the A52 (2.5 miles) following investigations made by LCC and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
Mrs Wilford asked Cllr Hume if the resurfacing of the Thorpe Culvert/Little Steeping Road is going to be carried out as the undulations are very deep and dangerous. Cllr Hume agreed to look into the matter.
Cllr Drury asked Cllr Hume to expedite the repairs to the dip in B1195 which is also very dangerous. He has put cones on the area to alert drivers of the problem and moved the uneven surface signs back to a more acceptable distance between the signage and the dip. It has been established that the drain has collapsed under the road. Cllr Hume agreed to take this matter forward.
Mr Heane stated that the Lady Wath Beck travelling into the Steeping River is now being cut back by the EA using strimmers. It used to be carried out properly by the LMDB. He asked why has this changed.
Mr Currie asked if the Parish Council could have a copy of the minutes from the Drainage Committee meeting on 18 September. Cllr Hume agreed to also look into this matter.
4. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury stated that the District Council are actively encouraging Parish Councils to apply for community project grants, there is a lot of money available to spend before the unification of the Councils takes place. He stated that there is to be a refurbishment of the toilets in Wainfleet and Spilsby.
Cllr Drury also stated that there is a blockage of about a mile in the relief channel of the River Steeping. He is happy to take forward any concerns the Parish Council have regarding the Lady Wath Beck and River Steeping. Mr Currie agreed to send a report about the issues with these waterways.
Cllr Drury also stated that the footpath from the Church to 1 Main Road in Little Steeping will be cut back in the next few weeks. He has sprayed the area in readiness today.
Mrs Wilford stated that ELDC is not fulfilling its duty when dealing with enforcement of planning applications. Mrs Wilford stated that Graeme Hyde, Senior Planning Officer, has had the matter of Lakeside Farm before him for 4 years and he appears not to be doing anything about it. Cllr Drury stated that there is a shortage of enforcement officers at present as the post would only be available for 1 year because of the unification so no one is interested in applying.
Cllr Drury urged the Parish Council to think about what they would like to take control of once the unification takes place. There will be more work for the Parish Councillors to take on once the District Council is closed down.
5. Correspondence
a) Email received from Mrs Wilford in relation to Mr Janney's concerns regarding the planning application for additional calf sheds in Firsby. These matters would be covered by Highways and the Environment Agency in their reports.
b) Letter received from M Everard regarding the clearance of the Pinfold Lane dykes. Action will be taken to clean out the dykes in the very near future.
c) Email received from LCC regarding the supply of the winter salt bags. 3 bags to be ordered, one for Little Steeping, one for Firsby and one for Irby.
d) Email received from Cllr Hume regarding the volunteer scheme for local projects. Email to be sent to all Councillors.
e) Email received Sharon Atkinson regarding the co-option of a Parish Councillor to represent Bratoft.
f) Email received from Mrs Wilford regarding a response from Graeme Hyde a Senior Planning Officer, in relation to Lakeside Farm, Little Steeping.
6. Plans
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Erection of a detached single garage at Wren Cottage, Pinfold Lane, Irby in the Marsh.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional accommodation at Tramps, School Lane, Great Steeping.
7. Highways
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction road closure order for Brambleberry Lane (Between 250m & 300m North of Pinfold Lane) for the period 10 11.25 to 12.11.25.
It was agreed to contact Highways to enquire when the repair of Station Road Little Steeping to Thorpe Fendykes is going to take place.
8. Any Other Business
Mr Roachford asked if enquires could be made to have the mobile post office van stop in Firsby. Mr Cavanagh also asked if the van could stop at Irby & Bratoft Village Hall. The clerk to enquire with the Post Office.
9. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Little Steeping Village Hall for use of room £24.