At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 16 July 2025 in Little Steeping Village Hall.
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 R. Harman; Mr D. Sargeant; LCC Cllr Mrs M. Hume; ELDC Cllr C. Drury and 11 members of the public.
Mrs Forster addressed the Council regarding the registration of Little Steeping Village Hall and 2 plots of land and the documents appertaining thereto. Mrs Forster stated, amongst other things, that documents were kept in the Village Hall up to April 2021 when she left the Committee. They have since disappeared. A lengthy and detailed discussion took place where Mrs Wilford, a resident and Parish Councillor for Little Steeping replied to various points made. Mr Law and Mrs Harwood representing the Little Steeping Village Hall Management Committee objected to the Parish Council having any entitlement to register the Village Hall and the 2 plots of land. The Village Hall Management Committee requested the return of all documents pertaining to the Village Hall and plots of land. It was pointed out that the Management Committee was only entitled to the income from the 2 plots of land and that as a result, the Parish Council will continue with the registration of those lands. Mr Heane stated that there is no conflict of interest, the Parish Council are merely trying to future proof and protect holdings for each village, not take them over. Any documents that the Parish Council have regarding the Village Hall will be returned to the Management Committee by 17 September, the next Parish Council meeting.
1. Co-option of Little Steeping Parish Councillor
It was proposed by Mrs Wilford and seconded by Mr Heane and all agreed unanimously to co-opt David Sargeant as Councillor for Little Steeping.
2. Minutes of the last Meeting
It was agreed that these be signed as a correct record of the proceedings.
3. Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
Miss Smithson Whitehead requested that the matter of Woodlands be referred to Mr Tice MP and request that he takes the matter forward to the Parliamentary Ombudsman on the Parish Council's behalf.
4. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Hume introduced herself to the Council and then gave the following report. A more detailed report is available if residents require a copy.
1. Roadworks
As you may have noticed, we’ve kicked-off a large-scale surface dressing scheme across the county, to improve the condition of many of our roads making them better to use and more resilient against potholes.
There is a map you can view online to show where planned roadworks will be taking place, and you can also read more about it on the website.
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/2371/a-summer-of-resurfacing-roads-
2. Concerns over Local Government Reorganisation
There was discussion about a potential proposal to combine all district councils into a single unitary authority. I noted that Cllr Bowkett had previously mentioned this could increase the workload for parish councils and that the council agreed to seek clarification on this matter. I have not been informed of any feedback in relation to this, but will be happy to follow up on this if you have not heard back.
3. Flooding and Drainage Problems
Significant flooding occurred in early January 2025 due to heavy rainfall (65mm in a short period), affecting many areas in Lincolnshire, including Great Steeping. The Steeping River breached at Wainfleet and Little Steeping. I know that concerns were raised about reed clearing practices, as reeds left on the riverbank were washed back into the river during high water, potentially worsening blockages.
A 2019 report recommending the river be cleared was referenced again, indicating ongoing frustration with lack of action. As such, I am connecting with and working alongside the new Environmental department to review where we are to date, and to keep me updated on the current position – I will report this back to you when I have further information.
4. Dissolution of the Flooding Committee
As with most, the main concerns in the area relate to flooding, and I would like to update you as to what the reasoning was behind the dissolution of the previous Flooding Committee, and what has taken its place. The main point of this change was to enhance efficiency by drawing more attention, time and resources to water-related issues, including flood risk management, alongside broader environmental and financial concerns. The number of annual meetings has increased from four to eight, allowing more comprehensive and more regular oversight. There will be quarterly written reports from partners such as the Environment Agency and Drainage Boards which will be shared with the Parish Council. All previous committee work will continue, with regular updates from the Flood Risk and Water Management team on topics like Section 19 investigations.
Cllr Hume also stated that the issue regarding Mr & Mrs Siddon and Kelsey Wood Country Park has been looked into and she has written a report which will be submitted to ELDC.
Cllr Hume asked Mr Heane to send an email giving details of what should be done regarding the cleaning out of the Steeping River and also the drainage issues in Great Steeping so that the matters can be taken forward.
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury did not have anything to report at this meeting. Cllr Drury stated that ELDC will not be pursuing the decision of the Planning Inspectorate regarding Woodlands because of the costs implication. Cllr Drury stated he will also pursue the matter with Mr Tice MP.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from Alan England requesting Churchyard maintenance payment for the Old Church, Great Steeping. It was agreed that the sum of £250 be paid.
b) Email received from Aurelia Marinescu requesting information regarding available rest centres in Great Steeping, in the case of an emergency. It was agreed to direct her to Great Steeping School.
c) Email received from Judy Chapman regarding issues on Oxlands Lane, Irby. It was agreed to report the matters on FixMyStreet.
d) Email received from Signs and Lines, LCC, regarding the directional sign to Irby & Bratoft Village Hall, the cost of which was quoted at £500. Cllr Drury agreed to look into the matter.
e) Email received from Jonathan Carr regarding a response from Mr Tice MP's case worker in relation to Woodlands, Bratoft. It was agreed to ask Mr Tice to take the matter forward to the Parliamentary Ombudsman.
7. Plans
Notification has been received that the enforcement complaint from the Parish Council against Kelsey Wood Country Park has now been investigated. The owner/developer will have 28 days to submit a planning application to rectify the breaches. It was agreed to leave the matter until the expiry of the 28 days and see what the outcome is. It was also agreed to write to ELDC and state that there is no permanent site manager and the reception should be open at all times. A permanent site manager should be employed for health and safety reasons.
Miss Smithson Whitehead urged all Councillors to object to the Walpole to Grimsby Pylons. A draft will be sent to all Councillors for their input. Miss Smithson Whitehead asked that objections be sent to Mr Tice MP requesting that the matter be taken to a judicial review.
8. Highways
Notifications of Temporary Traffic Restrictions have been received for the following areas:
- Road Closure Order - Brambleberry Lane (Between 250m & 290m North of Pinfold Lane) Bratoft/ Irby in the Marsh, from 09.00 to 17.00 on 30 July 2025.
- Road Closure Order - Pinfold Lane (Between Wainfleet Road & a point 300m East of Brambleberry Lane) & Brambleberry Lane (Between Pinfold Lane & a point 250m North) Irby in the Marsh, from 11 August to 15 August 2025.
- Road Closure Order - Station Road (Between Thorpe Bank & a point 250m Southeast) Little Steeping Fen, from 11 August to 13 August 2025.
- Road Closure Order - Station Road, Firsby, from 13 August to 22 August 2025.
- Road Closure Order - Airfield Road (between School Lane and Church Lane), Great Steeping, from 10.00 to 14.30 on 16 August 2025.
- Road Closure Order - Summergates Lane (Between Oxlands Lane & a point 300m East), Bratoft, from 18 August to 21 August 2025.
9. Any Other Business
Mrs Wilford stated that there are problems getting through to ELDC, there is always a lengthy queue and the suggestion that a call will be returned never happens. Cllr Drury stated that there are staffing problems at the moment, but hopes this situation will change soon.
Mr Currie stated that he had looked at the charity money for Great Steeping. There is only 1 Trustee at present. Mr Currie and Mr Heane to take the matter forward.
10. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Little Steeping Village Hall for use of room £36
Bolingbroke Deanery for printing of August/September Newsletter £120
Great Steeping Community Group for Churchyard maintenance, Old Church , Great Steeping £250.