At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 19 November 2025 in Irby & Bratoft Village Hall.
Apologies were received from LCC Cllr Mrs M. Hume and Mr D. Sargeant.
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 P. Cavanagh; Miss K. Nettle and ELDC Cllr C. Drury.
1. Co-option of Bratoft Parish Councillor
It was agreed unanimously to co-opt Miss Kyra Nettle as a Parish Councillor to represent the village of Bratoft.
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 stated that she has seen the mud in the culverts and will endeavour to get someone to clear them out.
Miss Smithson Whitehead also confirmed that the Irby & Bratoft Village hall walking group have a definitive footpath map and are going to carry out the public rights of way survey in their upcoming walks.
The repair to the dangerous dip in the road on the B1195 (Wainfleet Road) will take place on 27.11.25. The delay is due to the numerous current road closures that are already in place, where the diversion routes send them along this road.
Mrs Wilford stated for clarification on item 4, fourth paragraph of the minutes. The Parish Council supports local, regulated tourism. The issue here is the length of time it is taking for ELDC to make planning application decisions on Lakeside Farm and other holiday sites within the Five Parishes.
4. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Hume sent her apologies and sent the following report:
" Relating to Highways - I also received a note that since 1 May this year, LCC has carried out approximately 202 miles (or 326 km) of carriageway and footway maintenance schemes, around 77,000 gullies have been cleaned, and around 13,000 pot holes have been repaired.
InspireU – Service for 16 to 24 year olds
“We are a service, provided by Lincolnshire County Council's Children's Services, who work with young people across all of Lincolnshire by supporting them to achieve their next steps. Whether this be further or higher education, an Apprenticeship, paid or voluntary employment. We have sites in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Louth, Ruskington, Skegness and Spalding, where we deliver 'Study Programmes', and ’Supported Internships' to young people aged 16-24.”
Preparing for food waste collections in Lincolnshire
From March 2026, food waste collections will begin across Lincolnshire and for us, in East Lindsey, it is scheduled for Autumn 2026. This joint initiative between the county council and all seven district councils is a major step forward in recycling for our county, and forms part of the Government’s national Simpler Recycling changes. Every household will receive two caddies (an indoor kitchen caddy and a larger outdoor caddy).Collections will take place weekly. Further info: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/foodwaste
A reminder that eligible residents can apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to improve a home"
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury had nothing new to report. He reminded the Parish Councillors that he still had a £450 grant available and to apply for it before the money is passed over to the Skegness group.
Mr Heane stated that the Lady Wath Beck was only strimmed because of voles. He asked why the EA had taken over looking after the River Steeping and The Lady Wath Beck from LMDB. Cllr Drury stated that LMDB did not have the budget to take over a broken system.
Mr Currie requested a dog waste bin or ordinary bin to be placed on Sandy Lane, Great Steeping.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from David Law regarding a Freedom of Information request to obtain information about monies spent on legal advice by the Parish Council in relation to Little Steeping Village Hall and 2 plots of land. Letter to be sent in reply stating no money has been spent.
b) Email received from Sean Roachford on behalf of residents of Firsby requesting assistance in the determination of the source of the problem of the flies that are making living conditions unbearable in the summer months. Despite contacting Environmental Health, no help has been forthcoming. After a detailed discussion it was agreed that DEFRA should be contacted in order to ask for assistance.
c) Email received from Kimberley Pickett enclosing details of the Community Resilience Newsletter. It was agreed to send to all Councillors. Miss Nettle to assist in the setting up of emergency plans for Great Steeping and other villages in our 5 Parishes.
d) Email received from Carl Drury regarding the use of the s106 fund for Bratoft. Miss Smithson Whitehead to pass the information on.
7. Highways
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction road closure order for Burgh Lane (Between 650m Southwest of High Lane and 960m Northeast of Wainfleet Road) for the period of 17.11.25 to 30.11.25.
Notification has been received of an 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 23.12.25.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction road closure order for Pinfold Lane (Between B1195 & a point 100m South) for the period of 1.12.25 to 12.12.25.
Notification of temporary traffic restriction road closure for Culvert Maintenance on North Road, Bratoft for the period 17.11.25 to 19.12.25.
It was agreed to report the following matters to Highways:
Ings Lane, Bratoft, from the White Cottage, the road is falling away on the edges so that cars are bottoming on this road.
Oxlands Lane, South has the same problem as above.
B1195 from Great Steeping to Firsby there are several large potholes that need filling in.
To ask why the Station Road, Little Steeping to Thorpe Fendykes resurfacing work has now moved to 2026-27.
8. Any Other Business
Mr Currie has drafted a letter regarding the repeated flooding of Great Steeping. It was agreed that this letter be sent to Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, The Environment Agency and Richard Tice MP.
9. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall for use of room £24
Little Steeping Village Hall rental of land £80
Poppy Wreath for Remembrance Sunday £24.46
Bolingbroke Deanery for printing of Dec/Jan Newsletter £120.