At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 16 February 2022 in Irby & Bratoft Village Hall.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mr C. Moore; Miss H. Smithson-Whitehead; Mr P. Gilbert; Mrs L. Mitchell; Mr R. Harman; DC Cllr S. Dennis and PCSO Jayne Richardson.
Apologies were received from Mrs S. Wilford; Mr G. Holmes and LCC Cllr Mrs W. Bowkett.
Ms Woolhouse addressed the Council regarding the positive feedback she had received from residents regarding the 5 Parishes Newsletter. The deadline for the April issue of the magazine is 16 March. Ms Woolhouse discussed her ideas for future editions including an article about the different levels of Councils/Councillors and their respective roles and a list of useful contact numbers. Ms Woolhouse also asked the council whether previous advertisers should be contacted to see if they would be interested in advertising in the Newsletter again. Details of costings would have to be agreed once information was available.
1. Minutes of the last Meeting
It was agreed that these be signed as a correct record of the proceedings with the addition of the following sentence under planning application no S/020/02570/21: When this application was announced at the meeting, Councillors argued that in times when we are supposed to be saving the planet, a perfectly good house should not be demolished.
2. Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that the noticeboard for the Village Hall and Parish Council has now been erected. Certificates of appreciation are to be given to Peter Cavanagh, Trevor Cox and Andrew Ayers for carrying out the work. A discussion took place regarding the structure itself, it appears to have very spindly legs for such a large board and would probably need propping, especially in times when we are now experiencing very strong winds. Mr Heane also stated that the noticeboard was not placed in the position previously agreed between the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Miss Smithson Whitehead. Mr Harman had been asked by the committee of the Village Hall to request half of the £400 grant received from the Council towards the cost of the noticeboard. Cllr Dennis stated that the grant was designated to the Parish Council towards their share of the cost of the noticeboard and could not be shared with the Village Hall.
Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that the speed monitor had been moved to outside Great Steeping School and data was downloaded and shown to Councillors. The monitor would be moved again to a different location within the next week or so.
Mrs Mitchell stated that an email had been received from Lucy Toulson regarding the refurbishment of the Great Steeping telephone box and the use of monies from the Firsby Group Charitable Trust. Mr Heane agreed to deal with this matter.
Mrs Mitchell also asked the Parish Council to apply for salt bins to be placed in Steapas Close and on the corner of Gunby Road/Airfield Road/ Mill Lane. Councillors agreed for the request to be made.
3. Police Matters
PCSO Jayne Richardson brought some leaflets regarding the use of eScooters. The Officer stated that it is not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned eScooters so it is illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces. It is legal to use them on private land but written permission must be obtained.
4. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Bowkett sent her apologies and submitted her report. It was agreed to put forward the following matters to Cllr Bowkett:
Mr Moore would like information regarding teaching children how to cook in schools. It is understood that equipment and domestic science has been removed. He would like to know what cooking facilities there are in schools now.
Mr Moore also asked the following question: Is the water board putting raw sewage into our rivers? Mr Heane stated that there are no reeds growing in the Steeping River until you get near to the Halton Sewage Works. Reeds only grow in sewage. He also stated that sewage should only be discharged in Rivers in an emergency and not regularly.
Miss Smithson Whitehead would like a further update on the proposed nuclear waste site.
It was also agreed to acknowledge the good job that highways did in repairing the section of road on the B1195 between Great Steeping and Firsby after more than 10 years of requests.
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Dennis gave his report to the Council which included problems encountered with burials in Skegness because of the low water levels. He also spoke about planning applications, and stated that water and electric companies have to provide the infrastructure when new developments are approved.
Cllr Dennis also spoke of the effect flooding has on residents, especially when they hear helicopters going overhead. Mr Heane stated that when he built his house many years ago he lifted it up. He has said for years that all new properties should be lifted up to try to prevent flooding and that it should be made a policy. This was ignored at the time but is now a policy.
Cllr Dennis also stated that any matters that the Parish Council wish him to take forward on their behalf should be sent to him.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from Tom Winning declining the request for a Dog Waste Bin for Brambleberry Lane, Irby in the Marsh. Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that she had received feedback from the residents requesting the bin stating that their black bin, which is beside the road, is being used by dog walkers to deposit their dog waste in. They require a dog waste bin, that the dog walkers could use instead and they will then empty it into their black bin. It was agreed to give the resident's details to Mr Winning to contact them directly to discuss the matter further.
b) Email received from Lincolnshire County Council, regarding suggestions for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
c) . Email received from Basil Harwood thanking the Council and Editor for the return of the 5 Parish Newsletter.
7. Bratoft Parish Meeting
An email had been received from Lesley Allen and Trevor Rogers regarding the resignation of their positions in the Bratoft Parish Meeting and if the matter could be taken over by the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Bratoft Parish Councillors should be involved in the decisions regarding this matter. It was also agreed that a meeting should be called and advertised in the 5 Parishes Newsletter to invite all residents of Bratoft to attend and discuss the situation.
8. Plans
Application no S/184/00098/22 by Mr T S Simpson for Planning Permission - Erection of 1no. duck rearing unit with ancillary structures at Papes Farm, Papes Lane, Thorpe Fendykes. It was agreed to support this application.
Application no S/064/00144/22 by Mr & Mrs Forty for Section 191 to determine the lawful use of the existing sheds and workshop on site as an agricultural building at Topos Farm, Great Steeping Road, Monksthorpe. It was agreed to support this application.
9. Highways
It was agreed to report the following matters:
Oxlands Lane South is full of potholes.
Mill Lane, Irby in the Marsh, the passing places are still to be filled.
Near Fern Cottage, Ings Lane, potholes need repairing.
10. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall for use of room £20
Bolingbroke Deanery for printing of Feb newsletter £60
Little Steeping PCC for churchyard maintenance £250
LALC Subscription £273.59.