16 March 2022

At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 16 March 2022 in Little Steeping Village Hall.

Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;

Mr R. Heane; Mr C. Moore; Mrs S. Wilford; Mr G. Holmes; Mrs L. Mitchell; LCC Cllr Mrs W. Bowkett and two members of the public.

Apologies were received from Miss H. Smithson-Whitehead; Mr P. Gilbert; Mr R. Harman; and PCSO Jayne Richardson.

Ms Johnson addressed the Council to clarify the position regarding Rookery Farm, Bratoft.  Planning permission has been granted to build a house in the grounds of Rookery Farm.  Works have started, trees have been taken down and a BT pole has been moved.  Ms Johnson also stated she is currently living in a caravan on the site until the house is built.  Ms Johnson also confirmed that the room at the top of the barn is an office, which did not need planning permission to create.

A request was made for litter pickers to be supplied in order to pick up litter from the verges.  It was agreed that these would be purchased.

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 sent an email with matters to be brought up under matters arising stating:

Regarding the noticeboard. Although it was agreed with the Chairman and Vice Chairman in July 2021 to place the noticeboard closer to the speed restriction sign, when exact dimensions for the noticeboard were obtained it was realised there was sufficient space between the chevron and the seat for the noticeboard to be located. The Parish Council members were made aware of this at the 20th October 2021 Parish Council meeting and no objections were made. Please see Page 1207 of the Parish Council minutes under Item 2 Matters Arising.

In response to this statement Mr Heane stated that at the meeting on 20 October, he was in the Chair and the Chairman was not present (the two other parties to the decision regarding the siting of the noticeboard).  It was agreed in July that the board was not to be placed near the bend, it could be a dangerous distraction on a very sharp bend.  It was not brought to the attention of the Vice Chair at the meeting on 20 October, that there was going to be a change of the positioning of the noticeboard, it was just announced.  It was supposed to be placed further down the Lane.  The change of its positioning should have been discussed and agreed with himself and the Chairman.  This was not done.

The Chairman agreed to ask the Village Hall Committee who told the installers to place the noticeboard in its present position.

Mrs Mitchell stated that following a request to Highways, a salt bin will be placed on the corner of Gunby Road.  The application for a salt bin to placed in Steapas Close was refused, but it was agreed that one could be purchased at a cost of £119.64.  It was agreed that this purchase could be made.

Mrs Mitchell stated that Mr Rigby has agreed to renovate the Great Steeping telephone box and will put in an application to the Firsby Group Charitable Trust for funding.

3.   Police Matters

It was agreed to ask PCSO Jayne Richardson for an update on the following matter: There has been several reports to the police made by residents of Steapas Close, Great Steeping regarding a car that has been abandoned.  Can the Officer please confirm that this matter is still being looked into.

4.   County Councillor's Report

Cllr Bowkett submitted responses to questions asked:

Cooking in schools is varied, many have cookers and do basic lessons whilst others do not have facilities. Cooking is within the design and technology curriculum for primary and secondary school, but the level of cooking again varies. Children’s services do advise that dishes should be predominantly savoury, and skills focused and offer training for schools to support.

Sewage into rivers I am awaiting the reply from Rachel McMahon at the EA she has been away on holiday.

A reply from Sheilagh re the permissive footpath in little steeping is still outstanding so Roger cannot look into if there is an issue with the path.

Cllr Bowkett stated that the desilting boat has gone back and she is awaiting the plan of what they are going to do next.  Mr Heane stated that he has looked at some of the work carried out and noticed that mud and roots had not been removed.

Mrs Wilford stated that a plan and aerial photograph showing works the EA are carrying out has been sent to Roger.  Mrs Wilford has asked whether the EA own the riverbank up to the Church in Little Steeping as signs are still up to say its a permissive footpath.  Cllr Bowkett agreed to asked Rachael McMahon about these queries.

Cllr Bowkett was also asked who's responsibility it was to clear footpaths as the Drainage Board has left a mess on a footpath following the clearing out of a dyke.  Cllr Bowkett suggested photographs be taken and sent to the Drainage Board.

5.   Correspondence

a)  Email received from Tom Winning regarding the request for a Dog Waste Bin for Brambleberry Lane, Irby in the Marsh stating that he is on annual leave and will be making contact with the resident week commencing 21 March.

b)  Email received from Marian Woolhouse giving details of her proposed business plan and request for funds for the cost of printing the April Newsletter.  It was agreed to ask Ms Woolhouse to investigate whether there would be any interest from residents to advertise in the Newsletter.  It was also agreed to pay for this edition of the Newsletter.

c)  Email received from Lesley Allen confirming that the Bratoft Parish Meeting will take place on Tuesday 12 April in the Bratoft Church Room.

d)  Mrs Mitchell had received a verbal complaint for Mr Janney stating that his verge has been churned up by heavy traffic loading and carrying sugarbeet.  Also the collection of the sugarbeet was taking place very early in the mornings.

6.   Plans

Application no S/051/00226/22 by Innova Renewables Ltd for Planning Permission - Installation of microwave communication tower to a maximum height of 9.7m at Land at Manor Farm, Wainfleet Road, Irby in the Marsh.  It was agreed to support this application.

Application no S/020/02570/21 by Mr F Mellon for Planning Permission - Erection of a detached house on the site of an existing house and annexe to be demolished and retention of existing access onto Wainfleet Road; closure of existing access onto Ings Lane at Southfield House, Wainfleet Road, Bratoft Corner, Bratoft.  It was agreed to submit the following comment: The Parish Council are satisfied with the response regarding the foul waste, however our other concerns remain, namely:

2) A contemporary design i.e. metal roof for the double storey and highly visible areas and cream render is not in keeping with the architecture in this rural location. A tiled/slate roof and red brick is more appropriate.

3)The single storey green roofs will blend with the landscape, be less visible and are acceptable in this location.

Application No S/052/00287/22 by Innova Renewables Ltd for Section 73 application in relation to condition nos. 1 (Full Planning Permission), 2 (Approved Plans), 8 (Flood Risk Assessment), 9 (Habitat Survey, Ecological Impact Assessment & Badger Report), 10 (Landscaping), 11 (Biodiversity Management Plan), 12 (Vehicular Access), 13 (Archaeological Works), 14 (Archaeological watching brief) and 15 (Archaeological Findings) previously imposed on planning permission ref. no. S/051/00772/17 for installation of a 15.47 MW Solar array with associated infrastructure (works already commenced). An amended water strategy has been received and amendment to description of development at Land at Manor Farm, Wainfleet Road, Irby in the Marsh.  It was agreed to support this application.

Application No S/20/00279/22 by Mr P Graham for Planning Permission - Change of use, conversion of and alterations to existing garage and store to provide a holiday cottage at Woodlands, Summergates Lane, Bratoft.  It was agreed to support this application.

Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Conversion of first floor of existing outbuilding to provide an annexe at Berrington, Wainfleet Road, Firsby.

Lakeside Naturist Park, Little Steeping has had an extension to the decision date on the 191 application.  If the Parish Council require any questions to be answered the owner is willing to answer them.

7.   Highways

It was agreed to report the following matters:

The footpath leading from opposite the Eaves Pub to the Church in Little Steeping needs clearing.

The passing placing on Mill Lane, Irby in the Marsh still have not been repaired.

All the repairs on School Lane, Great Steeping have now come out and need repairing.

It was agreed to ask the following question: Why are the road patching gang traveling from Scunthorpe to repair our roads, when the costs of travelling has greatly increased and the effect this will have on global warming.

8.   Accounts

It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment: 

Little Steeping Village Hall for use of room £20

Bolingbroke Deanery for printing of April newsletter £60

Clerk's 3 month salary £500.