At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 18 February 2026 in Irby & Bratoft Village Hall.
Apologies were received from Mr R. Heane and ELDC Cllr C. Drury.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mrs S. Wilford; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mr S. Roachford; Mr R. Currie; Mr P. Cavanagh; Miss K. Nettle; Mr D. Sargeant and Mr M. Webb.
It was with regret that we have to report that Mr Chris Moore passed away recently. Mr Moore was a Parish Councillor who represented the village of Little Steeping for many years until he had to resign due to ill health. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his wife and family.
1. Minutes of the last Meeting
With amendments made to paragraph 3, 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 asked for an update on the progress of the repair to the collapsed culvert on the B1195 and the use of Great Steeping School as a safe place in an emergency. It was agreed to ask Cllr Hume to expedite these matters.
Mr Roachford asked for an update on the fly infestation issue. It was agreed to ask Cllr Drury to expedite the matter.
Mr Webb stated that he and Mr Roachford had visited Mr & Mrs Janney to discuss their recent concerns.
3. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Hume was not present at the meeting but it was agreed to ask Cllr Hume once again if she could liaise with Highways and the Drainage Board about the repair to the dangerous dip in the road on the B1195 (Wainfleet Road). If the road collapses it will block the drain, which will cause problems to residents who live nearby.
It was also agreed to ask Cllr Hume once again to challenge the Education Department to allow Great Steeping School to be used as a safe place in the event of an emergency. Requests so far have not been answered.
4. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury sent his apologies.
It was agreed to ask Cllr Drury for an update on the fly infestation in Firsby as a matter of urgency.
It was also agreed if Cllr Drury could ascertain what is happening with the ELDC Planning Portal, comments that have been submitted are not being placed on the site and new applications are not being listed in a timely manner.
5. Correspondence
a) Email received from Kimberley Pickett, Community Resilience Officer requesting support to hold a Community Resilience Session in a suitable location for residents and Councillors to attend. Miss Nettle to liaise and suggest Irby & Bratoft Village Hall as a suitable location.
b) Email received from Cllr Cheyne regarding a National Highways & Transport Survey. Document sent to all Councillors to complete.
c) Email received from Saffron Marshall regarding the Launch of Local Government Reorganisation consultation. Document sent to all Councillors to complete.
d) Email received from Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Development stating that a consent order has been granted.
e) Email received from Tamara Boylin regarding the setting up of "The Bread & Butter Thing" in the village. It was agreed to ask the editor of the magazine to put something in the next newsletter to see if there is any interest in this idea.
f) 2 Emails received from Natalie Batley on behalf of Richard Tice MP in response for help with the flooding issues in Great Steeping and beyond.
g) 2 Emails from HM Land Registry confirming receipt of the first registration documents.
6. Plans
Application No 03832/25/FUL By Mr T Sharpe for Planning Permission - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling, which is a listed building, to provide additional living accommodation and erection of a detached garage/workshop at Old Manor House, Thorpe Road, Firsby. It was agreed to support this application.
Application No 03833/25/FUL By Mr T Sharpe for Listed Building Consent - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling, which is a listed building, to provide additional living accommodation and erection of a detached garage/workshop. Demolition of existing bakehouse outbuilding at Old Manor House, Thorpe Road, Firsby. It was agreed to support this application.
7. Highways
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction - road closure order for Mill Lane, Great Steeping (Between 230m & 280m Southwest of B1195) for the period of 11.3.26 - 13.3.26.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction - road closure order for Station Road, Little Steeping (Between 640m & 710m North of Thorpe Bank) for the period of 11.3.26 - 13.3.26.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction - road closure order for Clough Lane (Between Lymn Bank & Wainfleet Road) for Firsby & Lymn Bank (Between Wainfleet Road & Harrisons Lane) for Thorpe St Peter in phases between the period of 16.3.26 - 29.5.26.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction - road closure order for Little Steeping Level Crossing (Station Road) for the period of 29.3.26 - 30.3.26 from 21.00 - 07.00.
It was agreed to report the following matters to Highways:
Brambleberry Lane, from the Bratoft Village sign onwards, the road is rising up in the middle causing cars to bottom out. There are also several large potholes on the corner before Brambleberry Farm that need repairing.
The road sign on the corner of the junction of Mill Lane & B1195, Irby in the Marsh needs straightening up.
8. Any Other Business
Miss Nettle has been dealing with the issue of flooding and warning road signs on the junction of Mill Lane/Gunby Lane/Airfied Road. National Trust have agreed to clean out the ditch line to stop the flooding on the bend. It was also agreed that flood signs would be requested until the clearances had been carried out.
The issue of the closure of the Post Office in Spilsby was discussed. As far as we are aware this is a temporary matter. It was agreed to ask once again if the Post Office van could come to the villages of Irby & Firsby.
In relation to the dilapidated state of Ivy Cottage in Bratoft, the National Trust are going to repair the holes in the property to make it water tight.
9. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall for use of room £12
Flowers & card for Mrs Moore £28
Land registration and postage £70.25.