May 2025 DRAFT Minutes - Annual Parish Council Meeting
STICKFORD PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
at STICKFORD Community Centre, Tuesday 20th May 2025 @ 7.30pm
DRAFT MINUTES
No. of Residents present : 7 Official attendees read Y for attending N for non-attendance
Chairman Councillor Mrs Lesley Reeson Y Councillor Mr Tony French Y
Vice Chairman Councillor Mr John Howlett Y Councillor vacancy
Councillor Mrs Pam Bryant Y Councillor vacancy
Councillor Mr Clive Kingswood Y Parish Clerk Nicki George Y
Lincs C Councillor Mrs W Bowkett N ELDC Councillor Mr Terry Taylor N
1. Election of Officers: The Chairman called out on behalf of the clerk each position and requested and received a proposer and a seconder for each position. The list of positions is Appendix 1 to these minutes. Each councillor were given a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest form to complete and update, to be returned to the clerk.
2. The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed all present.
3. Apologies for absence and reasons accepted: Councillor Terry Taylor
4. Public Forum:
a) A resident asked the clerk if the Precept has been published on the website. The clerk confirmed that to her knowledge the Precept had been published on the website but she will check that it has been put on and handed a paper copy for the resident to keep.
5. There were no declaration of interest.
6. Report from Lincolnshire County Councillor:
Councillor Wendy Bowkett has sent an email thanking the Parish Councillors and residents for their support over the past 8 years of her term and that she is very sorry to have not been voted in at the recent election.
The clerk has sent an email to the new Reform County Councillor Maria Hume inviting her to this and subsequent meetings, but no reply has been received to date.
Councillors requested that a Thank you card be sent to Wendy Bowkett to acknowledge all the support that she has given to our village, especially during the winter storms and floods.
7. Report from Mr Terry Taylor, ELDC Councillor:
The past year has culminated in a massive change in the district.
Grass Roots and levelling Up funding has enabled some large projects across the district, a new government has been elected, and now we have a new administration for the county council.
If that wasn’t enough, Local Government Reform is now in progress for Lincolnshire, starting with the election of a mayor for the county and a lengthy period of consultation in how that will actually work.
Many districts across the country are currently struggling financially, but fortunately, by investing in a money-saving partnership with neighbouring districts, East Lindsey finds itself in reasonable position for the forthcoming year in comparison with many.
The assortment of different energy projects currently being considered by government, all seem destined to pass through our district. I suppose everyone will have a view on these, but if they are all successful, it will completely change the landscape in our beautiful area.
I am halfway through my term as your district representative, I enjoy working with my parish councils and their residents and I look forward to another year. There will be much to do I am sure, and of course, I will assist in any way possible.
Terry
Cllr Terry Taylor
ELDC Representative Halton Holegate Ward
8. Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 11th March 2025 were read and approved.
All in agreement that these are a true record and the Chairman signed a paper copy for the Minute Folder.
9. Matters Arising from the minutes of 11th March 2025.
a) A resident asked about the possibility of a speed limit reduction on A16 through the village covering the junctions with Church Road, Fen Road and Hagnaby Road. Although this has been investigated on 2 separate occasions within the last 3 years and Highways have not approved it each time, the clerk will try again with up-to-date information.
b) A resident asked about the speed limit on Church Road. The Parish Council will be joining the Lincolnshire County Council Road Safety Partnership now that the Precept monies have been received, and the clerk will investigate purchasing new signage for the village, including Church Road.
c) A resident asked if the pump at the end of Church Road had been looked at by Anglian Water following the floods in January. The Chairman had reported it to Cllr Bowkett in January and Cllr Bowkett will follow this up with Anglian Water. Other pumps have been looked at around the village. No further update.
d) A resident asked if the trees along the A16 can be cut back as vision is impaired at the junction of Fen Road and A16, looking towards Keal Cotes / Spilsby. This has been reported on Fix My Street previously. The clerk submitted a new request to Highways using Fix My Street and a large branch has subsequently been cut down.
e) Councillor Howlett has reported that the street lamp and bollard on the junction of Fen Road and A16 are not working/lighting up on to Fix My Street. All now fixed.
f) Risk Assessments of assets and areas around the village have been completed by the Chairman.
g) The wooden bench on A16 at top of Hagnaby Road is still to be repaired.
h) Allotment 17 has been advertised in the May Newsletter. 1 enquiry received but land not suitable for their purpose. Clerk will continue to advertise it.
10. Matters Arising from 13th May 2025 minutes: Annual Meeting of the Parish
a) Speed control on A16. A resident requested that another request is put forward to LCC Highways for the speed limit to be lowered on the A16 through the village. It is very dangerous for pedestrians, disabled residents and horse riders to cross the main road using the middle island from the speed of the cars. There is not enough time to cross the road before traffic appears from around the bend & foliage travelling south from Keal Cotes in the direction of Boston.
Although this has been investigated on 2 separate occasions within the last 3 years and Highways have not approved it each time, giving Density of Development & Accident Data as the reason, the clerk will try again with up-to-date information.
b) The badger situation is the same along Catchwater Bank. Resident will continue to monitor it.
c) The caravan situation on the airfield has not improved. 6 caravans are there now. This is technically not in our parish but effects residents of Stickford that live close by and travel across the airfield.
The clerk will report this to Cllr Terry Taylor, ELDC asking him to contact the necessary department to report that 6 caravans remain in position on the site.
d) There is a caravan in a field along the Cul De Sac. Request for the Parish Council to query permission and change of use. Does it have right of way?
Residents along the Cul De Sac report that Anglian water are installing pipes to this piece of land. Cllr John Howlett will contact ELDC Enforcement and LCC to find out the current state of planning permission.
e) Post deliveries within the village are not happening every day to all residents. i.e post is not being delivered daily, but stored up for a few days. Royal Mail confirm that this is happening.
The Post Office said that this situation should be resolved within 3 days and it does appear to have improved. Residents to monitor the situation.
f) A resident has reported that the pavement along Church Road is in need of clearing and possibly cleaning.
The clerk will contact Cllr Terry Taylor, ELDC, to request a clean up around the village – Church Road and the area around the Bus Shelters at Church Road junction.
g) A resident has requested that the Parish Council find out the protocol around restrictions on the terms of release from HMP and the impact to public safety.
The clerk will contact the local Police to try to find out what restrictions will be in place. Residents are concerned about the proximity of children and vulnerable adults.
11. Insurance – Annual renewal
Annual renewal of existing policy is due on 1.6.25 at the same price as last year: £277.00
The original quote was for £304.00 on the understanding that the Precept for this year was over £5000, but as our Precept is less than £5000 this year the premium is reduced back down to £277.00.
This is an online policy for Parish Councils, covering £15,000 contents (subject to single article limit) owned by the council, excluding any other items specified on the schedule. Excess £100.
£24,000 cover for monuments, memorials and statues. Excess £250.
Single article limits applicable: £2000 computer equipment, £2500 fine art & jewellery, £2500 civic regalia.
All councillors are in agreement that the online cover is sufficient for the Councils current needs and to continue with Zurich for another year.
12. Finance :
a) payments due to be paid :
1. £118.93 Admin costs, copy paper, postage, toners x 4
2. £42.00 Abbey Payroll Services – 2 x quarterly periods
3. £53.50 Victoria Clark – Annual Audit Report
4. £277.00 Zurich Insurance
5. £50.00 Community Centre Hire 13.5.25 & 20.5.25
6. £72.00 ECBS – Clerks laptop – to clear corrupted file
7. £225.00 Community Centre – Grant for Fire Risk Assessment
8. £300.00 Stickford Community Centre – Grant for Newsletter
9. £50.00 Stickford Local History Group – Grant for running costs
10. £45.00 Stickford Ladies Social Circle – Grant for running costs
11. £50.00 Keals Club – Grant for running costs
12. £78.78 Mower service
All agreed to pay all of the above. Cheques issued and signed.
Update on income received since last meeting and current bank balances:
• Precept has been received correctly £3672.00
• VAT refund received £255.35 (done to end of February to get payment in March before the end of the year)
• Allotments April 2025 – all rents received
• Annual Standing Order, private donation towards annual maintenance and flowers for the Clock War Memorial, in memory of a family member.
Current account balance as at 30/4/25 = £ 13006.96
Deposit account balance as at 30/4/25 = £8332.06
Ring fenced items are :
£3500 Election costs, £300 (+£250 new donation), £125 training, £3250 Asset maintenance.
13. Internal Audit Report
All completed in April by Victoria Clark, Clark’s Clerical Services. A copy has been distributed to all councillors ahead of the meeting and comments have been read and understood. All the necessary AGAR paperwork has been checked and completed and signed off on 23.04.24. …..
14. AGAR to be approved and signed ready for submission to External Auditors.
Figures have been prepared and form completed by Clerk. Internal Auditor has agreed the figures and signed the AGAR paperwork. Form 2 has been completed and a Certificate of Exemption – AGAR 2024/25 Form 2 is ready to be sent to PKF Littlejohn, External Auditor.
All councillors agreed for the AGAR forms to be signed by the Chairman and the Clerk and for the Certificate of Exemption be sent to External Auditor.
15. Dates of the period for the exercise of Public Rights :
Clerk has completed paperwork for the External Auditor and dates are : 3rd June to 14th July 2025
16. Clerks Report
1) A complaint has been received from a resident in Cole Lane about loud music being played by another resident in Cole Lane lasting a few hours at a time whilst they are cleaning their car during daylight hours. It is techno type music with a heavy base. A polite letter has been hand delivered to the resident by Councillor Howlett on behalf of the clerk, but it was not well received. The resident swore and tore up the letter. A diary of events is to be kept to build a case file.
2) There are still 6 unused hours left on the website maintenance contract from last year, so the clerk will not purchase any more hours until further notice.
3) The clerk gives notice that the use of gov.uk emails is likely to be enforced on parish councillors and clerks next year.
4) Allotment 17 has been advertised in the May issue of the newsletter. One enquiry received but not suitable as it is wanted for livestock. Agreement rules state that livestock can only be kept on the allotment land for 3 months of the year. More adverts will be put out.
5) The clerk confirmed that she is yet to make an application to the Road Safety Partnership but now that the Precept monies have been received, an application will be made.
6) 2 emails have been received from 2 residents raising the poor state of the pavement along Church Road and leading up to the bus shelters at Church Road end of the village. The clerk will submit a request to ELDC for the paths and surrounding areas to be cleaned up.
7) A separate meeting is to be arranged for councillors to meet to update Financial Regulations and the Standing Orders following the Audit Report. They need to be changed to NALC format.
17. Planning
There are not currently any planning applications for the village but there are some where we have been consulted as a neighbouring parish and there are updates on applications discussed at the March meeting and a new one.
Park Farm Hagnaby Lock Stickney application for extensions/alterations to an existing dwelling, a scaled down version of a previous application for which permission was granted in 2024. We supported the application. Permission has been granted for the new application.
Grimsby to Walpole pylons scheme and connected application for Ossian Offshore wind farm we have now just received a further connected application, details of a consultation from the Planning Inspectorate on an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion for the Eastern Green Link 3 and 4 Firsby Road Great Steeping an amendment application stage 2 consultation, deadline date 7th June. All parishes have been consulted. This is an ongoing application for which the final decision will be made by central government.
Land on the east side of West Fen Lane Hagnaby Lock Stickney erection of a dwelling in place of a farm building, none support comments have been submitted, decision awaited.
Land at Poplar Farm Main Road Keal Cotes Section 73 application to vary two conditions on planning permission granted in 2024 to David Wright/Wrights Eggs for an egg production poultry unit essentially to change landscaping conditions and proposing a substantially reduced offering. None support comments have been submitted, decision awaited.
A new application for land opposite the Boathouse Hagnaby Lock Stickney an application by Paul Wilkinson for change of use of an existing commercial fishing lake to provide a holiday park including 22 holiday lodges, excavation of land to form a fishing lake and extension to an existing lake and erection of a storage building. None support comments have been submitted essentially that there is a lack of infrastructure and services to support the application, decision awaited.
18. War Memorial Clock - update
Councillor Howlett has been in contact with Time Assured and has requested a service, before starting an Annual Maintenance Plan. Time Assured have confirmed that they will come and carry out a service as soon as they have finished their current job in Nottingham – hopefully early June 2025.
19. Stickford Village Resilience Plan – update
The clerk has been requested to contact Graeme Hempsall and Steve Eason-Harris of LCC Emergency Planning Unit, LincsEP@lincolnshire.gov.uk to request a meeting to get the Emergency Resilience Plan in place before the autumn.
20. Correspondence – items that are not included on the agenda:
A letter has been received from Garry Steele giving notice that he wishes to cease maintaining the garden within the War Memorial area, due to ill health. A Thank card is to be sent to him thanking him for the time & effort he has given to the garden over the past years. Councillors Bryant and Howlett will take over the responsibility for the maintenance of the garden.
21. All Councillors to report any other issues not included on the agenda
1) There are some overhanging trees along Hagnaby Road. The Chairman will report the issue on Fix My Street.
2) Councillor Bryant asked that we start planning for the Remembrance Service in November knowing that no member of clergy will be available. To be put on next meeting’s Agenda.
22. Date of next meeting – 8th July 2025, 7.30pm at the Community Centre
Items for Next Agenda :
• Stickford Village Resilience Plan - update. Set up a meeting to discuss with LCC
• War Memorial Clock – update
• Planning the Remembrance Service in November
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.46pm.
Appendix 1 STICKFORD PARISH COUNCIL
ELECTION OF OFFICERS for 2025
Annual Parish Council Meeting 20th May 2025
For year 2025 to 2026 up to the next Annual Parish Meeting in MAY 2026
1. Position of CHAIRMAN Elected Name: Lesley Reeson
Proposed by Councillor Clive Kingswood Seconded by Councillor Tony French
2. Position of VICE- CHAIRMAN Elected Name: John Howlett
Proposed by Councillor Lesley Reeson Seconded by Councillor Pam Bryant
3. Position of Environment officer Elected Name: Lesley Reeson
Proposed by Councillor Clive Kingswood Seconded by Councillor Tony French
4. Position of Finance Risk Assessment Officers x 2.
Elected Name: Chairman : Lesley Reeson
Proposed by Councillor Tony French Seconded by Councillor Clive Kingswood
Elected Name: Vice Chairman : John Howlett
Proposed by Councillor Tony French Seconded by Councillor Clive Kingswood
5. Position of Parish Assets officer Elected Name: John Howlett & Tony French
Proposed by Councillor Lesley Reeson Seconded by Councillor Clive Kingswood
Position of Internal Auditor Elected Name: Victoria Clark. Clark’s Clerical Services
Proposed by Councillor Lesley Reeson Seconded by Councillor Clive Kingswood
Councillors with special responsibilities:
Planning John Howlett Proposer: Councillor Pam Bryant
Seconder: Councillor Tony French
War Memorial Clock John Howlett Proposer: Councillor Lesley Reeson
Seconder: Councillor Pam Bryant
LALC Lesley Reeson Proposer: Councillor Pam Bryant
Seconder: Councillor John Howlett
Community Centre John Howlett Proposer: Councillor Pam Bryant
Seconder: Councillor Lesley Reeson
Village Assets Risk Tony French Proposer: Councillor Lesley Reeson
Assessment officer Seconder: Councillor John Howlett