December 2024 Minutes
STICKFORD PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL STATUTORY MEETING
at STICKFORD Community Centre
Tuesday 10 December 2024 @ 7.30pm
DRAFT MINUTES
No. of Residents present 15
Official attendees read Y for attending, N for non-attendance
Chairman Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeson Y
Vice Chairman Councillor Mr John Howlett Y
Councillor Mr Clive Kingswood Y
Councillor Mrs Pam Bryant Y
Councillor Mr Tony French Y
Councillor vacancy
Councillor vacancy
ELDC Councillor Mr Terry Taylor Y
Lincs C C Councillor Mrs Wendy Bowkett Y
Parish Clerk Mrs Nicki George Y
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 new resident to the village asked for clarification on the planning permission for land west of Homeleigh, Fen Road - outline application for two dwellings. Outline planning has been granted, but it is to go to a full board with lots of conditions. It is noted that it is on the market again.
b) A resident that lives close to the Community Centre advised that the outside floodlights shine brightly onto the side of their house. The Community Centre committee will deal with this issue.
5. ELDC Report
ELDC has recently undergone a Corporate Peer Challenge between 12 – 14 November 2024
Overall messages and observations :
• ELDC is a good council, punching above its weight
• Engaged, dedicated, motivated staff with pride in the place
• Delivering many regeneration projects
• Sound financial base
• Strong internal and external relationships
• Good understanding of opportunities and challenges
• Thorough and robust decision making and governance arrangements
6. LCC Report
The pelican crossing in Stickney is now completed, please be aware when driving through as it will take a little while to get used to.
Steve Easton Harris LRF is working hard with parishes to put their resilience community plan in place. The new form is fantastic and easy to do. It is not only flooding but also any other emergency that may occur. I know you have been working with him which will be a positive for the village.
The 52 million pound funding to help local drainage boards with urgent work that Victoria Atkin MP had agreed before the change of government, has finally been released by this government. This is really good news for our local drainage boards that had works ready to go. Going forward government have also announced that the EA are to work with drainage boards to work up bids for funding to get works done and alleviate flooding issues.
I chaired the local Mag group that is looking at the flooding from last October in the villages of Stickford, Stickney, Sibsey, Wrangle and Old Leake. Lesley was in attendance as well. It was a positive meeting with jobs again completed. Hagnaby Lane is awaiting the valve replacement which they are going to forward the date for and the chasing up of Witham Fourth to the responsibility of the dyke running behind the properties on the left as you are going out of Stickford down Hagnaby Lane. We are still awaiting information on the dates for the repairs of the slips on the Catchwater. The work done so far for Stickford I believe the results to be very positive.
I wish you all a happy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year and thank you for your support throughout the year.
Cllr Wendy Bowkett 07917494478 Cllrw.bowkett@lincolnshire.gov.uk
7. Lincolnshire Police Report – Zoom meeting due 16.1.25
8. Stickford Village Resilience Plan – update – incorporating LCC Community Emergency Plan
Graeme Hempsall, Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Officer, Lincolnshire Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Service attended to give a brief overview of the Community Emergency Plan. A one-off meeting is to be held in January 2025 to organize helpers and key holders with access to sand bins and bags. Clerk is to complete the online form/plan ahead of the meeting.
9. Approval of Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 10/09/2024
Proposed : Cllr John Howlett Seconded : Cllr Tony French
10. Matters Arising from previous meeting
(The clerk asked Cllr Bowkett for an update in a-d )
a) A resident asked if the trees and hedges near to the bridge at the end of the Cul De Sac and Catchwater Bank can be lowered and tidied up : advised to raise again on Fix My Street.
b) the road sign for the village along the A16 coming south from Keal Cotes is still obscured by branches and trees : advised to raise again on Fix My Street.
c) A16 Speed Survey : its been refused as the area does not meet the necessary criteria.
d) Curb lowering on Church Road : its been refused as the area does not meet the necessary criteria.
e) A resident informed the meeting that lorries from Cravens are still travelling too fast over the bridge at the junction of Keal Bank, Fen Road and Catchwater Bank. Also that some of the traffic is still coming through the village rather than using Poppypole Lane. Pantons do use Poppypole Lane. Can we ask Cravens to slow down and use the alternate route away from the village : clerk sent a letter. A nice email received back advising that they believe all of their drivers know to go along Poppypole Lane and drive within the limit.
f) The siting of the War Memorial bench is still outstanding.
g) A resident asked for an update as to how Witham Fourth are progressing with works on bank slippage along Catchwater Bank & drain. Witham Fourth have confirmed that the work is ongoing.
h) A resident raised the issue of vehicles parking along Hagnaby Road around the bend area, obscuring oncoming traffic and forcing vehicles to move out over the white line and onto the side of the oncoming traffic : the clerk has hand delivered polite letters to residents in that area asking them to consider where they are parking and the point out the potential hazards.
i) A resident expressed concern over ramps that are being used by another resident of the village on the footpath at the end of the Cul de Sac across the bridge to assist his disabled wife to maneuver her wheelchair over it. The ramps need to be removed each time after use and stored out of the way to avoid tripping hazzard and slipping hazzard to other walkers. This path is designated as a Ramblers path and not a Footpath, therefore LCC will not consider improving the path from what is currently there. The clerk has hand delivered a letter to this resident to politely ask that they are removed each time after use and to bring their attention to the potential hazards.
j) New laminated signs have been placed by the dog poo bin at the end of Catchwater Bank. These have been attached to posts next to the bin. If any more signs are required, please contact the clerk and more can be produced and put in place anywhere around the village.
k) A resident requested consideration of Speed Control along the Cul De Sac. Ie. Flashing speed signs. The councillors will consider the costs in the budget for next years Precept. Details of LCC equipment are available for all to see on the Lincolnshire Road Partnership website.
11. Finance Report
a) Authority for Payment:
1) £937.50 Clerks Salary (Oct to December 2024)
2) £42.00 Abbey Services – 6 monthly preparation of clerks salary
3) £25.00 Poppy Wreath – Royal British Legion
4) £10.00 Donation to Royal British Legion
5) £48.27 Flowers for War Memorial Garden
6) £60.00 Hire of Community Centre (£20 x 3 ,10.9.24, 19.11.24 & 10.12.24)
6) None No ongoing costs of petrol for mower & strimmer for cutting churchyard grass
All payments approved by all Councillors.
11. Finance Report continued
Bank Balances to end of November : Current account £9,710.15 (after all cheques to date have been cashed)
Savings account £8271.75
An up-to-date Budget Report was distributed to all Councillors. All areas are on budget apart from Admin expenses – these are higher as clerk now has a printer that requires toners.
12. Precept – initial discussion
The Chairman read out all the items on the proposed Precept for 2025/26. All agreed on the figures. To be discussed again at the next meeting on 14th January 2025. The current Parish Clerk laptop is almost 9 years old and needs to be updated. The councillors agreed to purchase a new one within the new Precept. Quotes to be obtained, along with Microsoft package.
13. Clerks Report including update of policies and website
a) Internal Auditor – the clerk has obtained 2 quotes and made contact with another. LALC £165 pa, Victoria Clark £120 pa. The clerk has seeked advice from Stickney Parish Clerk who informed her that her Internal Auditor is not currently taking on new clients. After discussion the councillors have decided to go with Victoria Clark as she is an experienced clerk and internal auditor. She therefore has a good understanding of the legal requirements of a Parish Council and is an independent authority for the clerk to refer to. An advert has not been put on to the website and noticeboard as previously mentioned.
b) The clerk provided a list of the policies that need to be updated. It was agreed that Standing Orders need to be looked at in January 2025.
c) All allotment rents have been collected in October 2024.
d) The clerk sent a letter at the end of October to Panton’s re mud on the road along Fen Road and Cole Lane when the fields were being worked in, to remind them that it is their responsibility to clean the road.
e) The councillors agreed for the clerk to do an article on behalf of the Parish Council in the new style newsletter.
f) The clerk advised that the parish clerk laptop needs the annual AVG security update – to be done by 18th December. The councillors agreed for this to be completed. Cost will be £40 + vat.
14. Allotments Update
Allotment 17 tenancy has had notice given. The clerk is to contact the tenant to find out exact date that the Allotment will be vacated. It can then be advertised, bearing in mind that the new tenant must be a resident of Stickford.
15. Planning – discuss planning applications.
The Croft Back Lane application to site two caravans for holiday lets, the planning appeal has been dismissed by the planning inspectorate due to a lack of infrastructure and local facilities.
Land west of Homeleigh Fen Road outline application for two dwellings, planning permission has recently been granted subject to many conditions. It is only outline consent, the land is for sale again on Rightmove with the benefit of the consent. There is no right of appeal since only the applicant or their agent can appeal.
Land west of Stickford Lodge Keal Bank application for change of use of agricultural land to equestrian use (works commenced) and provision of a manege planning permission has been granted except for the manege which was withdrawn from the application. A condition has been imposed restricting use to personal and no commercial as we requested in our comments.
Grimsby to Walpole pylons scheme no update on this although the decision will be made by central government and not local government.
16. Correspondence received for this meeting – not covered on the agenda
a) An email was received in October from a resident expressing concern about the increasing number of units now on the airfield. LCC confirm that the owners of the units are visited and monitored regularly by the Property Protection Officer, Corporate Property, and that they are aware of the current situation.
b) Update on the War Memorial Clock – Cllr Howlett has been trying to restart it but it does not want to keep going. The wet and cold weather is not helping. He has emailed Time Assured asking for a visit. To date no response.
c) Next year we may not have a church service at the Remembrance Service in November as the vicar is due to be on a sabbatical. The councillors agreed that the Parish Council need to take responsibility for the organising of a service. The clerk has been asked to send a Thank you card to Leanne the Bugler, hoping that she will be able to come and support us again next year.
17. Other Business – matters for next Agenda
1. Precept – second discussion
2. Update of Standing Orders
3. War Memorial Clock – annual maintenance payment
4. AVG payment £48.00
Date and time of next meeting: 14th January 2025 at 7.30pm
Meeting closed at 20.48pm