March 2025
Notes from the public forum held on 06 March 2025
There were two members of the public present, together with County Cllr Bowkett and Dist Cllr Jones. Potholes in the A16 were reported (these have been reported on FixmyStreet). The grass verge on Horbling Lane is 3” higher than the footway due to preparations for slurry sealing when the grass and earth was jut placed on top of the edge of the verge rather than removed. County Cllr Bowkett reported that this footway is going to be looked at in due course. Stickney Lane is breaking up due to the amount of very heavy traffic using it, the drops off the road are over 12” in some places. Would local businesses sponsor speed indicator signs that are currently on offer?
County Cllr Bowkett reported:
a. The County Council elections will go ahead in 01 May alongside the Mayoral Election for Greater Lincolnshire.
b. LCC will set an increase of 2.99% to its section of the Council Tax. The net budget for 2025/26 is £690m.
c. Following the storm on 06 January 65mm of rain fell in a short period of time causing many flooding events. Anglian Water are working to and working to protect Hall Lane residents from flooding, some dropped kerbs are to be removed.
d. Highways officers have visited Stickney to have a look at the drainage situation along with other highways issues.
e. LCC asked for details of the supplier of the glass in the defibrillator box.
f. The Property Team are looking at the situation with flooding at the picnic site entrance.
g. The Garden at the entrance to the William Lovell will be considered by LCC.
h. There are still parking issues at the Burger Van, ELDC will be advised of this matter.
Dist Cllr Jones reported:
a. Planning for a traveller site at East Fen Lane has been refused.
b. Devolution will remove one tier of Local Government.
c. ELDC removed itself from talks about the siting of a nuclear waste plant.
d. The District Councillors have £4000 each to give in grants for 2025/26.
e. Council tax increases were reported.
7.40pm County Cllr Bowkett, Dist Cllr Jones and the members of the public left the meeting
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 06 March 2025 at 7.40pm in the Youth Centre, Hall Lane
1. To accept apologies and reason for absence
Apologies were accepted from Cllr Sherriff
Present: Cllrs Gray, Burton, Hopkins, Pocklington, Pritchard, Jones and Edwards (Chairman)
2. To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
Reports were given in the Public Forum
3. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
4. Notes of the meeting held on 06 February 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes
It was resolved that the notes, previously circulated, be signed as the minutes.
5. Clerk’s report
a. The street name at The Prefab will be Gordon Drive
b. Using What3Words when reporting highways issues via FixmyStreet will help the teams to locate problems quicker.
c. No legislation can be found with regard to glass in notice boards. Toughened glass, when used, does have a kite mark.
d. Cards readers for the new bank account were given to the signatories.
7.45pm Dist Cllrs Ashton and Jones joined the meeting
e. Questions regarding the clerk’s pension were asked, it was resolved that the PAYE company could deal with this matter.
f. All Councillors have a copy of the insurance paperwork, there were no changes to be made.
g. Nothing has been heard regarding the siting of a Christmas tree ‘holder’ in the Churchyard.
h. Reconomy have reported that their charges may increase for the cemetery skip.
Dist Cllr Ashton reported:
i. The Government are using incorrect figures to give ELDC a housing target, it seems caravans are included in the figures.
ii. There is no point on changing the local plan if not physically able to meet targets, with the need of labour and materials.
iii. ELDC are looking to set up an enforcement team to check tourist caravan sites for long term occupation.
19.50pm Dist Cllrs Ashton and Jones left the meeting
6. Chairman’s report
The Chairman had nothing to report, all items are on the agenda.
7. Finance report:
a. Payments approved: £
i. Salaries (February) 944.77
ii. Clerk’s expenses 121.80
iii. K & P Services (clock winding/cemetery work) 96.00
iv. 707Ltd (cemetery skip) 42.60
v. Bolingbroke Deanery (March magazine) 84.00
vi. Bolingbroke Deanery (April magazine) TBA
vii. Haines Watts (PAYE work) 27.00
viii. HSBC (bank charges) 9.40
ix. Page Paper (paper for magazine) 32.33
x. E L Arnold (reimburse for play area signs) 185.52
xi. Fen & Pheasant (siting play area signs) 127.41
xii. LALC (annual subscription) TBA
b. The balances in bank at 15 February: Current account £3,011.53 recon. £2,744.17
Deposit account £11,994.42
No2 account £6,801.77
8. Planning applications received
There is no information available to the Parish Council for any decision on:
S/16086/00283/25 - Planning Inspectorate - Consultation from the Planning Inspectorate on the Scoping Opinion in relation to Ossain Off-shore Wind Farm
9. To report any planning decisions from ELDC
Refusal of planning permission has been received for:
S/126/01403/23 - Mr A Grey - Change of use of land to use as a gypsy/traveller caravan site comprising: a warden's pitch accommodating a static caravan/mobile home; 6 residential pitches each accommodating no more than one static caravan/mobile home; and, 10 transit pitches, each accommodating no more than 2 touring caravans, erection of toilet/wash block and, erection of dayroom building and laying of hardstanding (works commenced) at Stickney Showground, East Fen Lane
10. To discuss the situation with the church clock - winding and repairs to rope
a. The Handyman is no longer able to wind the clock and work in the cemetery.
b. A local volunteer has offered to wind up the clock, this offer has been accepted.
c. The bell ringers suggest that the Parish Council are responsible for the broken rope on the hammer stop, a quote has been sought to replace this rope.
11. Cemetery:
a. Moles – action to be taken
A local person will be asked if they can deal with the moles in the cemetery.
b. Tarmacing to path – action to be taken
Local companies will be sought to give quotations for the re-surfacing of the tarmac path in the cemetery.
c. Remembrance Garden - post quotation
A quotation has been received to re-set all the posts and repair the chain where required.
It was discussed and resolved to keep the quotations and have a look at the trees to see what needs to be cut back at this time. A grant will then be considered for all the works to be carried out.
12. To discuss bench at Horbling Lane/Main Road bus shelter
a. The ground by the bench at Horbling Lane/Main Road is very muddy where people put their feet – there is only grass under the bench.
b. It was resolved to look into paving across the front of the bench from footway to footway.
13. To report highways issues
a. Anglian Water will look at the drain cover issues reported this week.
b. The damaged directional signs opposite at Main road opposite Horbling Lane have been reported on FixmyStreet.
14. To receive play area report
a. ELDC are still emptying the bins.
b. A quotation has been received for the churned up grass, it was resolved not to get it done at this time.
c. The new signage looks really good and the Pride Team have done a good job cleaning the graffiti off the equipment.
15. Correspondence received for this meeting
There was no correspondence for this meeting.
16. Other business – matters for the next agenda
a. To arrange the Annual Parish Meeting for 22 May at 7.00pm. Local groups will be asked to attend to encourage attendance to their groups and events within the Parish. A well-being talk will be considered.
b. To discuss the Christmas lights for 2025.
17. Date of next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 03 April 2025 in the Youth Centre at 7.30pm with a Public Forum from 7.15pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.40pm