At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 18 December 2024 in Irby & Bratoft Village Hall.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mr R. Harman; Mr R. Currie; Mrs S. Wilford; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mrs C. Brewer; LCC Cllr Mrs W. Bowkett and one member of the public.
Apologies were received from Mr C. Moore; Mr A. Brewer; Mr S. Roachford and ELDC Cllr Mr C. Drury.
Mr Siddon brought the Parish Council up to date on the latest position regarding his occupancy of lodge No 8 at Kelsey Wood Country Park. He stated that he had had a visit from Dean Flowers to discuss the matter of his occupancy amongst other things. Mr Flowers would then be writing a report to the Leader of the ELDC.
Mrs Wilford stated that Dean Flowers is the Principal Enforcement Officer (Consultant) and he has agreed to draft a report for the leader of ELDC and the senior management team to establish how they wish to progress Mr Siddon’s breach of planning control. He will let FGPC know what the outcome is. He has also agreed to review all the other cases on the site. All the holiday caravan owners along with the site owners have been served with a Planning Contravention Notice which is a legal document that requests information. At this stage no action has been decided and it is possible that in Mr Siddon’s case a further dispensation may be given.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would write to the leader of ELDC, Cllr Craig Leyland to ask him to remove the Breach of Condition on lodge No 8 and/or remove the occupancy condition.
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 had been speaking to representatives from Quickline, they have supplied a map with the siting of poles and lines but it is illegible. It was agreed to ask the representative to attend the January meeting with a map that is clearly marked and legible.
Mr Currie stated that he had contacted Quickline asking when the broadband would be up and running in Great Steeping. He was told that it would not be until 2026 at the earliest.
Miss Smithson Whitehead has agreed, in due course, to purchase another laptop to replace the one she currently has instead of returning money to the account.
3. Police Matters
The abandoned car with flat tyres on the junction of Station Road/Beldings Close, Firsby has been removed.
4. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Bowkett stated that devolution is going through in January 2025. There will be Mayoral and County Council elections in May 2025. If the proposed matter of combining all the District Councils to one unit goes ahead it will mean more work for Parish Councils to do. The money that would normally go to the District Councils will be saved. Cllr Bowkett also stated that there will be a meeting in January 2025 to bid for monies for the upkeep of the River Steeping.
Mrs Wilford asked if the undulations will be levelled out when the road from Little Steeping to Thorpe is resurfaced. Cllr Bowkett stated that they would be levelled out.
Mr Heane asked when the remainder of the Aerodrome Road would be resurfaced. Cllr Bowkett stated that it would be completed in April 2025.
Mr Harman brought up the matter of poor signage when there is a road closure. The actual roads closed should be stipulated on the signs to avoid unnecessary detours. Cllr Bowkett stated that she has already raised this issue with the Council, but will do so again.
A complaint was made about the mud on the road from Halton Stone Bridge to Great Steeping. Cllr Bowkett stated that if the roads are badly covered in mud then it should be reported to the police.
5. Correspondence
a) Email received from Mrs Wilford regarding a conversation with Dean Flowers about Kelsey Wood Country Park. It was agreed to thank Mr Flowers for his assistance and to ask for a copy of his report once completed.
b) Email received from Sharon Atkinson regarding the placing of a notification to advertise the position of Parish Councillor for Irby in the Marsh. A notice has been placed on the noticeboard in Irby and details have already been placed in the 5 Parishes Newsletter.
c) Email received from Zoe Marshall regarding the tax base for setting of the Precept for 2025/26.
6. Plans
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation including extension to domestic garden at The Shambles, Wainfleet Road, Firsby.
Approval of Section 73 Application on conditions - to vary condition no. 2 (approved plans) as previously imposed on planning permission reference S/064/02495/23 for extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation at Poplar Farm, Great Steeping Road, Monksthorpe.
7. Highways
Notification of a temporary traffic restriction has been received for Mill Lane (between Wainfleet Road & Outfield Lane) Irby in the Marsh between 13/1/25 -16/1/95.
8. Any Other Business
Mr Heane stated that he had received a telephone call from a resident requesting help to put up her fences which had blown down in the gales. The Councillors were asked if they knew of anyone that could help.
Following the above request a discussion took place about the poor monies that are held in an account for Great Steeping. It was suggested that the monies should be transferred over to the Parish Council. If it is to stay in Great Steeping then details of the amounts and where the money is held should be sought.
9. Accounts and Precept
Mr Heane proposed and Mrs Brewer seconded and all agreed that the Parish Council should precept for the sum of £5000.
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall Use of Room £24
Irby PCC for Churchyard Maintenance £250
Clerk's 3 month remuneration £625.