At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025 in Bratoft Church Room.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mr R. Currie; Mrs S. Wilford; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mr S. Roachford. Mr R. Harman; Mr P. Cavanagh; LCC Cllr Mrs W. Bowkett and ELDC Cllr Mr C. Drury.
Apologies were received from Mr C. Moore.
1. Co-option of Irby in the Marsh Parish Councillor
It was proposed by Mr Harman and seconded by Miss Smithson Whitehead all agreed unanimously to co-opt Peter Cavanagh as Councillor for Irby in the Marsh.
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 discussed the blocked dykes along Pinfold Road and the need to set the levels for proper drainage. Cllr Bowkett stated that Lindsey Marsh can set the drainage levels. All parties to be asked for the dykes to be cleared including the owners of Merton Villa and Field View. Cllr Bowkett stated that if Lindsey Marsh cleared the dykes the owners would be billed for the service.
Mr Heane stated that the dyke on the Ashby Road by Corner Farm is still in need of clearing out. Water runs across the road when it rains and is damaging the road surface. Cllr Bowkett to report the matter to Lindsey Marsh who will clear it out and charge the owner.
4. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Bowkett sent her the following report:
"County council elections have been confirmed as going ahead on the 1st May by government, these will take place along side the Mayoral Elections for Greater Lincolnshire.
Lincolnshire county council will be asking full council to agree the council tax for next year at 2.99 % increase. There has been a consultation where residents agreed with the 2.99 %.
The net budget for next year is £690 million, the settlement was £20million less than last year.
I recently met with the River Steeping steering group, the EA confirmed there capital budget for this year has been cancelled, but maintenance budget is still there so will continue to do the planned maintenance for the year which we have just had notification has just started in the area.
Next year new ways of funding will be announced, where capital may be used as revenue, more details should be available soon.
The majority of the section 19s are completed we are still awaiting the final comments for the Great Steeping reports. "
Miss Smithson Whitehead asked Cllr Bowkett if the District Councils are to be disbanded and how this would impact on the work for the Parish Council. Cllr Bowkett stated that they will be disbanded within the next 2-3 years. Nothing has been decided at the moment but it may mean that Parish Councillors may be included in a team to decide on planning applications.
A further discussion took place as to where the Mayor would be located and whether any extra money awarded be would eaten up by the cost for his office and staff. Cllr Bowkett stated that he/she will probably be based in the County Council offices. Cllr Bowkett also stated that the 3 County Councils will also be abolished and will be replaced by the Greater Lincolnshire Council. This will be a massive challenge and will probably take 3-4 years before it all takes place.
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury stated that Cllr Bowkett had covered most issues. He stated that there will be a second round of funding available for projects in villages but the applications are very popular and need to be taken up quickly to avoid disappointment.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from Sharon Atkinson regarding the Local Government Act 1972 and the position regarding a Councillor that has missed 6 meetings due to ill health. It was agreed to write to the councillor.
b) Email received from Kyle Cutis of Environment Agency regarding the blocked permissive footpath at Little Steeping. It was agreed to write to the EA again and state that the landowners, the EA, gave permission for a permissive footpath 25 years ago and to arrange for the blockage to be removed.
c) Email received from the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Community Liaison Group Meeting on Tuesday 25 March, 7pm-8.15pm in Wainfleet Coronation Hall. Miss Smithson Whitehead to attend.
d) 2 Emails received from Sharon Atkinson regarding the resignations of Mr & Mrs Brewer as Firsby Parish Councillors. Vacancy Notices to be placed on the notice boards in Firsby
e) Email received from Mrs Wilford regarding large questionnaires received by residents from EGL via Ardent. This document is not mandatory despite it saying that it has to be completed and returned within 14 days.
f) Email received from John Guillain from Network Rail stating that CCTV cameras will be installed at the Ings Lane level crossing for the purpose to monitor the area following an instance of cable theft and suspicious activity. This is planned as a temporary installation.
g) Email received from Lucy Parry regarding Mr Siddon and Kelsey Wood Country Park. It was agreed to inform Ms Parry that as there is an ongoing enforcement procedure the Parish Council are unable to comment at the present time.
h) Verbal request for information from Miss Smithson Whitehead regarding the notices on posts that have been paced in several locations throughout Irby. One response has been that they could be possible passing places as they are unlit small strips of land that are highlighted.
i) Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that a representative from Quickline was asked to speak at the meeting. The representative was supposed to bring plans that are clearer showing the locations of new poles etc., Miss Smithson Whitehead to chase up and invite the representative to the next meeting.
7. Plans
Application No S/064/00007/25 by Mr G Campbell for Planning Permission - Erection of a detached garage at Long Acre, Firsby Road, Great Steeping. It was agreed to support this application.
Refusal of Full Planning Permission - Erection of 3 no. dwellings on site of an existing agricultural building which is to be demolished at Poplar Farm, Great Steeping, Monksthorpe.
Notification of an Appeal to the Secretary of State against the decision of East Lindsey District Council to refuse planning permission reference S/051/00854/24 for the erection of a bungalow with the construction of vehicular access, relating to Bridgewood, Fendyke Road, Firsby. No further comments to be submitted.
Mrs Wilford asked for an update when a decision will be made on Application No S/104/02641/21 at Lakeside Farm, Station Road, Little Steeping. It was agreed to chase this matter up.
8. Highways
Notification of a temporary traffic restriction has been received for B1195 Wainfleet Road (Between 200m & 400 m East of Fendyke Road) on 4 March to 6 March 2025.
It was agreed to report the following matters:
The footpath from the Eaves Pub up to the Church in Little Steeping needs cutting back and the drains are blocked.
Mr Heane asked that the tile that sits on top of the drain on Fendyke Road be left in place. It keeps it from blocking up the drain.
The manhole by the double gates at Sherpas Lodge , Great Steeping needs clearing out.
A request to be put in for all footpaths to be cut back as these are overgrown and can cause health & safety issues for people on mobility scooters or children being pushed in prams.
9. Any Other Business
Mr Roachford stated that there is a problem with dog waste on Station Road, Firsby and requested a dog waste bin be provided. Cllr Drury stated that he would inform the dog warden and environmental services to deal with the matter.
Mr Harman stated that the footpaths between Irby in the Marsh and Spilsby never get cut back and there is barely enough room to ride a mobility scooter or push a pram. This issue needs to be addressed.
10. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Bratoft PCC for Use of Room £30
LALC Subscription Renewal £300.78.