At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 17 December 2025 in the Bratoft Church Room.
Apologies were received from Mrs S. Wilford; LCC Cllr Mrs M. Hume and ELDC Cllr C. Drury.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mr S. Roachford; Mr R. Currie; Mr P. Cavanagh; Miss K. Nettle and Mr D. Sargeant.
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 she has now found the Irby Beck culvert blockage by her field gate on Pinfold Lane. Drainage board have been informed and will send someone out in January.
The repair to the dangerous dip in the road on the B1195 (Wainfleet Road) has taken place but is still not level. A discussion took place regarding the way forward. The culvert appears to be sinking. Investigations need to take place to resolve who is actually responsible to make the repair, whether it is highways, drainage board or land owner. Whatever the outcome, it needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
3. Correspondence
a) Letter received from David Law regarding the registration of the Village Hall and 2 plots of land. This matter to be deferred until the January meeting.
b) Email received ELDC regarding the setting of the 2026/27 precept.
c) Email received from Linda Renshaw on behalf of Ken Janney regarding the sale of the old airdrome and its possible development. There have been no planning applications in relation to this plot of land.
d) Email received from Judy Chapman regarding barriers on the edge of the carriageway on Mill Lane. It was agreed that letters would be sent to those properties where the public verge is blocked off.
e) Emails received from Dom Freestone, from the Environment Agency regarding the flooding letter that was sent last month. A meeting is to take place on Monday 19 January at 10am. Mr Currie agreed to write a list of questions to be sent to Mr Freestone prior to the meeting on 19 January.
f) Email received on behalf of Richard Tice MP regarding the flooding letter sent out last month.
4. Highways
Notification has been received of a further amendment to the temporary traffic restriction road closure for the bridge extension and culvert repairs on Burgh Lane/Bratoft End has now been extended until 30.1.26. Although Burgh Lane will be fully open over the Christmas period from 24.12.25 to 4.1.26.
Notification has been received of an amendment to the temporary traffic restriction road closure order for Pinfold Lane (Between B1195 & a point 100m South) for the period of 1.12.25 to 19.12.25.
Notification has been received of an amendment to temporary traffic restriction road closure for Culvert Maintenance on North Road, Bratoft for the period 17.11.25 to 24.12.25.
It was agreed to re-report the following matters to Highways:
Ings Lane, Bratoft, from the White Cottage, the road is falling away at the edges so that cars are bottoming out on this road.
Oxlands Lane, South has the same problem as above.
Summergates Lane, Bratoft, the cambers are really bad, these have progressively got worse because of the road closures.
Soil has been left outside the bus stop in Bratoft (next to the Church) making access to the notice board difficult. This needs to be removed. Miss Nettle to investigate.
5. Any Other Business
Mr Currie has drafted an updated letter regarding the repeated flooding of Great Steeping. It was agreed that this second letter be sent to Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, The Environment Agency and Richard Tice MP.
Mr Heane stated that he had shown a representative from the Drainage Board the state of the Lady Wath Beck after the EA had just strimmed the sides which is unacceptable.
Miss Nettle has started to draft an emergency plan for Great Steeping. Various questions were answered including where safe centres are located. It was agreed to ask Irby & Bratoft Village Hall if they would be prepared for residents to attend the Village Hall in the case of an emergency. Another option would be the Franklin Hall. Contact details to be obtained and letter of request sent. It was agreed that this matter would also be deferred until the meeting in January.
6. Accounts and Precept
Mr Heane proposed and Mr Cavanagh seconded and all agreed that the Parish Council should precept for the sum of £5,500.
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Bratoft Church Room for use of room £30
Irby PCC, Churchyard Maintenance £250
Clerk's 3 month honorarium £625.