At the Annual General Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026 in Irby & Bratoft Village Hall.
Apologies were received from Mr S. Roachford; Mr R. Currie; Mr P. Cavanagh; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mr D. Sargeant; Miss K. Nettle and DC Cllr Mr C. Drury.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mrs S. Wilford and Mr M. Webb.
It is with regret that we have to report that Trevor Jackson passed away recently. Mr Jackson was a Parish Councillor who represented the village of Little Steeping for many years, and was very proactive for the village. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his family.
1. Election of Chairman
Mr Heane proposed, Mrs Wilford seconded and all agreed to re-elect Mr Kidd as Chairman for a further year.
2. Election of Vice-Chairman
Mr Kidd proposed, Mr Webb seconded and all agreed to re-elect Mr Heane as Vice-Chairman for a further year.
3. Minutes of the last Meeting
It was agreed that these be signed as a correct record of the proceedings.
4. Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
The dip in the road on the B1195, Irby in the Marsh is scheduled to be repaired Mid-July under a road closure order.
The Information Board on North Road, Bratoft is the responsibility of ELDC. They are liaising with Jon Carr about its refurbishment.
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury sent his apologies but informed the Council that he has not received anything back from ELDC regarding the fly infestation in Firsby.
He also notified the Council that the Planning Portal has been down for 3 weeks. There are also funds available for grants. It was agreed to request funds to buy wild flower seeds for the 5 Parishes.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from Jamie Mascall requesting the Parish Council’s support for the re-opening of the East Lincolnshire Railway to Louth which would reconnect at Firsby. It was agreed to continue to support the re-opening of the line.
b) Email received from Quickline giving an update on their connection programme which will be completed in our villages by Mid-June 2026.
c) Email received from Lincolnshire County Council requesting topics regarding Highways to be
discussed at a LALC Event on Tuesday 14 July 2026 9am-4pm. It was agreed to send to all Councillors to complete.
7. Plans
Amended 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.
Amended Application No 03833/25/FUL By Mr T Sharpe for Listed Building Consent - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling 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.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions – Erection of 2no. calf sheds at Barn View, Wainfleet Road, Firsby.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions – Erection of 3no. calf sheds at The Shambles, Wainfleet Road, Firsby.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions – Change of use, conversion of an alterations to existing vehicle repair workshop to form a dwelling and alterations to existing vehicular access at G and S Oliver, Ings Lane, Little Steeping.
8. Highways
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction – road closure order for Bartons Lane (Between B1195 & Level Crossing), Firsby – Halton Fenside/Halton Fen, Halton Fenside/Holton Holegate Fen for the period of 10.6.26 – 12.6.26 from 08.00 to 16.00.
Notification has been received of an extension to a temporary traffic restriction – road closure order for Clough Lane (Between Lymn Bank & Wainfleet Road) Firsby, Sea Lane (Between Sutton Road & Roman Bank), Hutoft, Lymn Bank (Between Wainfleet Road & Harrisons Lane), Thrope St Peter in phases between the period 16.3.26 – 26.6.26.
It was agreed to report the following matter to Highways:
Old Church Lane, Great Steeping up to the Old Railway Line needs attention. There are numerous potholes when turning into the road from the B1195 and the middle of the lane is rising up.
9. Any Other Business
Mr Webb has contacted Jonathan Stockdale, Senior Right of Way Officer, regarding a query whether there is a public footpath in front of a property off Clough Lane. Mr Webb has requested a map of Firsby, with footpaths clearly marked, that can be placed on the noticeboards.
Mrs Wilford suggested that a map of footpaths could be requested for each village that could be displayed on respective noticeboards. Mrs Wilford also requested an update from Mr Stockdale on the application made by Little Steeping to change a historic footpath into a definitive footpath which was requested 13 years ago.
10. Annual Governance Statement
The Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26 was completed.
11. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall for use of room on 6 May 2026 £24
Irby & Bratoft Village Hall for use of room £12
Bolingbroke Team Ministry for printing of June/July Newsletter £140
Zurich Insurance Renewal £231.61
Auditor Fee £50.
12. 2025/2026 Year End Accounts
The 2025/26 Year End Accounts and filing of the Certificate of Exemption were approved.
Signed………………………………………
Chairman