At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 21 January 2026 in Little Steeping Village Hall.
Apologies were received from 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; Mr M. Webb; ELDC Cllr C. Drury and 2 members of the public.
1. Co-option of Firsby Parish Councillor
It was agreed unanimously to co-opt Mr Matthew Webb as Parish Councillor to represent the village of Firsby.
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 although the drainage board said they would locate the culvert in January, it has been found and she has asked Mr Everard to clear it.
4. County Councillor's Report
It was agreed to ask Cllr Hume if she could liaise with Highways and the Drainage Board about the repair to the dangerous dip in the road on the B1195 (Wainfleet Road). If the road collapses it will block the drain, which will cause problems to residents who live nearby.
It was also agreed to ask Cllr Hume to challenge the Education Department to allow Great Steeping School to be used as a safe place in the matter of an emergency. Requests so far have not been answered.
5. District Councillor's Report
Cllr Drury stated that meetings do not take place until next week so he had nothing to report.
Mrs Wilford thanked Cllr Drury for clearing the footpath in Little Steeping. It is now possible to walk to the Church.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from Lindsey Westman regarding the annual subscription to LALC and the annual training schemes available. It was agreed to pay the subscription in March.
b) Email received from the EA in response to a Freedom of Information request from the Parish Council.
c) Email received from NALC regarding a request for legal advice.
d) Email received from Roger De Carteret-Pochin requesting information about who owns a plot of land in Great Steeping. Councillors do not know, but will endeavour to make further enquiries.
e) Letter received from Mr & Mrs Janney regarding the number of calf sheds that are proposed to be built in Firsby and their objection to them being built. It was agreed to confirm that no further applications have been received at present.
f) Email received from DEFRA regarding the fly infestation in Firsby. The matter has been referred back to Cllr Drury to chase up the Environmental Health Department.
7. Plans
Amended Application No 02241/25/FUL By RH-J (Farms) Ltd for Planning Permission - Erection of 4no. poultry units with associated control rooms, feed bins, gate house, plant room, substation and dead bird shed, construction of a concrete apron, car parking and attenuation pond with siting of a water tank and 2no. dirty water tanks at Grange Farm, Fenside Road, Toynton St Peter. No further comments submitted.
Amended Application No S/165/00287/24 by Mr M Smith for a reserved matters application relating to the erection of 600 dwellings, 3no. pumping stations, 2no. electricity sub-stations, provision of open space, landscaping, infrastructure, attenuation ponds and construction of vehicular accesses, (outline planning permission ref no. S/165/2238/20 for the erection of up to 600 dwellings and a medical centre with provision of associated open space, landscaping and infrastructure, estate roads and cycle ways, granted 9th May, 2022) at Land at Halton Road and, Ashby Road, Spilsby. No further comments submitted.
Mrs Wilford declared and interest in this application.
Application No 03840/25/FUL By Mr S Daly for Planning Permission - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional accommodation at Home Farm, Ings Lane, Little Steeping. It was agreed to support this application.
8. Highways
Notification has been received of a further 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 28.2.26.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction - road closure order for Little Steeping Level Crossing ( Station Road) for the period of 8.2.26.
Notification has been received of a temporary traffic restriction - road closure order for Thorpe Bank, Little Steeping (Between Fen Road & Station Road) for the period of 17.2.26.
It was agreed to report the following matters to Highways:
Numerous pothole repairs needed on Sandy Lane, Great Steeping.
The drains outside Great Steeping Church; School Lane and Halton Holegate need attention as they are full and flooding the road when it rains.
9. Any Other Business
Miss Nettle is still working on the emergency plan for Great Steeping. This plan is being completed first because of the regular flooding incidents. A full emergency plan will be completed next. The Emergency plans will need a list of vulnerable residents from each village attached. It was agreed to put a note in the 5 Parishes Newsletter to obtain this information.
A brief update was given regarding the Little Steeping Village Hall, the land it stands on and the 2 plots of land. Following legal advice from NALC it was proposed by Mrs Wilford, seconded by Miss Smithson Whitehead and unanimously agreed that the Parish Council will proceed to register the 2 plots of land namely the Ings Piece and the Poor Land. The Parish Council will support the Little Steeping Village Hall Management Committee in the registration of the Village Hall and the land it stands on.
Mr Roachford stated that lorries are still crossing over the weighbridge on Fendyke Road despite their being a weight limit. It was agreed to contact LCC Lorry Watch and provide details of the vehicles.
Mr Heane raised some complaints about services in the nearby villages which will be looked into.
10. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Little Steeping Village Hall for use of room £24
Bolingbroke Deanery for printing of Feb/March Newsletter £120.