January 2024 Minutes
STICKFORD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL STATUTORY MEETING at STICKFORD Community Centre
Tuesday 9 January 2024 @ 7.30pm
MINUTES
No. of Residents present 6 Official attendees read Y for attending, N for non-attendance
Chairman Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeson Y ELDC Councillor Mr Terry Taylor Y
Vice Chairman Councillor Mr John Howlett Y Lincs C C Councillor Mrs W Bowkett Y
Councillor Mr Clive Kingswood Y Parish Clerk Mrs Nicki George Y
Councillor Mrs Pam Bryant Y
Councillor vacancy
Councillor vacancy
Councillor vacancy
1. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all present.
2. Apologies for absence – None
3. There were no declaration of interest
4. Residents’ issues:
a) A resident asked if the Agenda for Parish Council meetings can be put onto Nextdoor and Stickford Community Facebook page to make more people aware of the dates & times of Parish Council meetings. The Clerk explained that her responsibility is to publish the Agenda onto the Noticeboard and the Parish Council website but the Clerk and the Chairman will look to do this for future meetings.
b) A resident raised the issue of the drains and Anglian Water. Anglian Water have been in attendance but still the issues continue. Cllr Wendy Bowkett is organising a meeting with a Director of Anglian Water on Friday 19th January at Stickney Village Hall for all to attend to discuss openly the issues experienced by Stickney & Stickford. The meeting starts at 2pm (might be 6pm if Cllr Bowkett can arrange it for the evening). For people that are unable to attend it is recommended that their queries and issues are collated and taken to the meeting.
c) A resident has raised an issue with a pipe belonging to Witham Fourth that runs under their property that is blocked. Witham Fourth have attended but no action taken. Cllr Bowkett will follow this up.
d) A resident raised an issue with the grassy area at the end of the Cul de Sac by the entrance to the bridge. It is very boggy and has been churned up by the lorries turning when the road was being resurfaced. Cllr Bowkett will follow this up.
5. ELDC Report
a) Green bins are due for renewal by 19/2/24
b) Public Events re devolution – nearest one taking place is Boston on 11/1/24
c) The clerk reported that notification has been received that the £800 ELDC Community Grant has been approved.
6. LCC Report
Details given of meeting with Anglian Water – see section 4b
7. Lincolnshire Police Report - None
8. Approval of Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12/12/2023
Proposed: Cllr Howlett
Seconded: Cllr Kingswood
9. Matters Arising from previous meeting
The issue raised by a resident re the Community Centre car park flooding by the door has been given the CC Committee, and not put on Fix My Street.
The clerk notes that LCC Highways have attempted to tidy up the grass verges of Fen Road and the Cul de Sac after the resurfacing work. Soil and grass seed has been laid down. Unfortunately, vehicles are running over the verges and displacing the soil and grass seed.
The 4 bus shelters and the 1 noticeboard are now in place and the work is complete.
10. Finance Report
a) Authority for Payment:
i) £2520.42 K A Sharpe (Sharpe Fabrication) final payment for the 4 new bus shelters and 1 new noticeboard
ii) £48.00 ECBS (clerk laptop annual security package update)
All agreed payment for both cheques
b) Precept 2024-25 – a copy was issued to each Councillor. The Chairman read aloud each item. All discussed and agreed the final figure of £5750.00. The Councillors all approved the Precept and instructed the Clerk to submit the forms to ELDC before the deadline of 26/1/24
c) Wayleave credit has been received - £125.23
11. Stickford Village Resilience Plan
£800 ELDC Community Grant has been approved, to cover 4 x 500 litre plastic bins to hold sand, plus 2 tonne of sand.
Cllr Reeson will obtain 3 quotes for the sand bins. Empty sandbags are being stored with a couple of residents around the village. It is proposed that these bins will be sited at the end of Church Road where the recycling bins used to be.
12. Community Centre
The Councillors have instructed the Clerk to make contact with Chattertons to clarify the responsibilities of the Parish Council for the Community Centre, along with value as an asset.
13. Planning – discuss planning applications.
Shenzi – Comments are now on the Portal. Decision is due on 11/1/24
The Cul de Sac – same information available as at last meeting on 12/12/23. No change.
14. Co-option of new Councillor
Prior to this meeting the Councillors had an informal chat with a possible candidate. The Councillors will discuss the matter at a closed meeting to follow this meeting to make a decision.
15. Correspondence received for this meeting – not covered on the agenda
None
16. Other Business – matters for next Agenda
1. Community Centre – Constitution & add to Asset List
2. Stickford Village Resilience Plan - update
3. Co-option of a new Councillor
4. Any payments to be paid by the end of March 2024
16. Date and time of next meeting: 12th March 2024 at 7.30pm
Meeting closed at 8.35pm