At the Annual General Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 21 May 2025 in Bratoft Church Room.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mrs S. Wilford; Miss H. Smithson Whitehead; Mr R. Harman; Mr S. Roachford and Mr R. Currie.
Apologies were received from Mr P. Cavanagh; DC Cllr Mr C. Drury and LCC Cllr Mrs M. Hume.
1. Election of Chairman
Miss Smithson Whitehead proposed, Mrs Wilford seconded and all agreed to re-elect Mr Kidd as Chairman for a further year.
2. Election of Vice-Chairman
Mr Harman proposed, Mr Currie 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
Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that objections to the appeal relating to Woodlands, Summergates Lane have been lodged and also provided more data from the speed camera which gives speeds etc.
Mrs Wilford stated that no interest for the role of Parish Councillor for Little Steeping has been received. It was agreed to post the vacancy in the 5 Parishes Newsletter again along with the Firsby Parish Councillor vacancies.
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury sent his apologies and the following report:
"The second round of grass roots funding has been announced, so if anything in the community needs any money, now is the time to apply for it.
Also I have been to take photos in Little Steeping on main road of the overgrown footpath that leads from the church into the village, I have sent the photos along with a report saying that it needs clearing ASAP due to the health and safety because of people are now using the road as a path.
I have sent you the reply from Dean flowers, there is not a great deal anyone can do or say to Mr/Mrs Siddon regards to the action of ELDC at this present time, all I can suggest is that the Siddons seek legal support, I have stated to ELDC that it is becoming stressful to the Siddons along with Parish Councillors as well, and that the matter needs bringing to a close as soon as possible."
Mrs Wilford stated that a solicitor that gives free legal advice in certain matters has contacted Mr & Mrs Siddon. Mrs Wilford also stated that Kelsey Wood Country Park now has a licence on site but the licence does not cover lodges.
It was agreed to ask Cllr Drury to investigate the following matter: Councillors are concerned that there are problems with the new planning portal. Information is taking a long time to be put on the site and does not show the status of applications. This is a problem because of the time limits for making comments. It also appears that when an application has been dealt with, only a letter giving the decision is being received instead of the Full Planning Permission details.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from ELDC giving the Parish Council the authority to co-opt a Parish Councillor to represent Little Steeping.
b) Email received Eastern Green Link 3 & 4 regarding the Stage 2 Statutory Consultation between 15 May to 23 June 2025. Consultation material can be view at Burgh le Marsh Library on a Tuesday 2pm to 4pm, Thursday 10am to 1pm or Saturday 10am to 1pm.
c) Email received from Cllr Drury regarding Kelsey Wood Country Park.
d) Email received from Sheila Harwood requesting sight of Little Steeping Village Hall deeds. It was agreed to write and ask for further information regarding this request.
7. Plans
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Erection of a double carport with shed at Virley House, High Lane, Croft.
Full Planning Permission has been granted - Erection of workshop, food store and food preparation shed at Barn View, Wainfleet Road, Firsby.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Change of use, extensions, alterations and partial demolition of existing agricultural building to provide a dwelling at Grove House Farm, Burgh Lane, Bratoft.
8. Highways
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction on Pinfold Lane, Great Steeping for drainage. The period of restriction is from 9 June to 13 June 2025. Diversions will be in place.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction on Little Steeping Level Crossing (Station Road, O/S Map Ref TF437611) for level crossing maintenance. The period of restriction is from 10 June to 11 June 2025. Diversions will be in place.
It was agreed to re-report the following matters:
Burgh Lane, Irby in the Marsh and Ings Lane, Bratoft both need resurfacing because of the dire state they are in, and the very large pothole at end of Sandy Lane, turning left onto Airfield Road, Great Steeping, going towards Spilsby.
9. Any Other Business
Mr Heane stated that the Lady Wath Beck's reeds are starting to grow. He said that contractors have been strimming the reeds and laying them on the bank. It would be more productive if the roots were removed.
Mr Heane informed the Council that on 8 May the drain flushing tank was on the main road in Great Steeping. He spoke to the drivers and told them of several drains that need unblocking. But they only cleaned out ones they were ordered to do.
Mr Heane stated that the lock on the gate on the right side of the Lady Wath Beck has not been removed. A chasing letter would be sent.
Miss Smithson Whitehead read out details about the public footpath survey that was taking place. She urged Councillors to complete the survey. It also gives residents the possibility to redirect a footpath that causes problems to them.
Miss Smithson Whitehead attended a public meeting regarding the EGL3 & 4 project and brought back Community Benefit Survey forms. Each village was given a form to complete and the Parish Council would submit a form on behalf of the Group.
Mr Currie stated that he had received many complaints from residents about Spilsby Surgery. They are having trouble getting medication amongst other things. It was agreed that a letter should be written to the Practice Manager to ascertain what the problems are.
The matter of the location of the Great Steeping Parish Meeting funds were discussed. It was agreed to write a letter to the custodians of the money to bring the funds into the remit of the Parish Council.
10. Annual Governance Statement
The Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25 was completed.
11. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Bratoft PCC for use of room £24
Bratoft PCC for Churchyard Maintenance £250
Bolingbroke Deanery for printing of June/July Newsletter £120
Zurich Insurance Renewal £213.26
Auditor Fee £50.