May 2025
Notes from the public forum held on 08 May 2025
There was one member of the public present, together with Dist Cllrs Jones and Ashton. Questions were asked about the weeds already growing through the recently slurry sealed footway at Horbling Lane. Dog poo is not being picked up at the picnic area, along Horbling Lane and around Stickney Meadows – the Dog Warden will be advised and signage will be requested.
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 08 May 2025 7.40pm in the Youth Centre, Hall Lane
1. To accept apologies and reason for absence
Apologies were accepted from Cllr Gray
Present: Cllrs Burton, Hopkins, Pocklington, Pritchard, Sherriff, Jones and Edwards (Chairman)
2. To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
Ex County Cllr Bowkett emailed her thanks to the Parish Council for the patience and support given over the last eight years. Thanks were expressed for all the work she has done for Stickney.
Dist Cllr Jones reported:
a. Shaun Mathews is the new Leader of Lincolnshire County Council
b. £10m of grants are available from ELDC for revitalising villages
Dist Cllr Ashton reported:
a. ELDC and LCC are to merge, removing the middle tier of Local Government, this will happen in the next year or so.
b. Plans are in hand to request that Natural England declare the Fens to be an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
c. Changes to the Local Plan are on hold whilst awaiting guidance from Central Government.
d. The housing targets for ELDC are going to increase by 150%.
7.50 Dist Cllrs Ashton and Jones left the meeting
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 03 April 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
The Clerk read out an email regarding two public footpaths in Stickney.
6. Chairman’s report
The Chairman had nothing to report, all items are on the agenda.
7. Audit for the year ended 31 March 2025
a. To complete the Annual Governance Statement
i. The Chairman read out the statements to the Councillors present and ticked the relevant box following the response.
ii. The Chairman signed and dated the Annual Governance Statement.
b. To approve the Accounting Statement
i. The Clerk read out the figures in the Accounting Statement to the Councillors.
ii. The Internal Audit Report was read out by the Clerk.
iii. All Councillors have a copy of the Fixed Assets
iv. There were no questions asked, or comments made. The Chairman signed the Accounting Statement.
c. To confirm the dates for the Electors Rights
i. The dates on the notice are between Tuesday 03 June and Monday 14 July.
ii. The notice will be placed in the notice boards on 30 May.
8. Finance report:
a. Payments approved: £
i. Salaries (March) 910.17
ii. Clerk’s expenses 93.52
iii. Haines Watts (PAYE work + P60) 27.60
iv. Reconomy (cemetery skip) 46.20
v. Bolingbroke Deanery (May magazine – cheque previously signed) 84.00
vi. Bolingbroke Deanery (June magazine) TBA
vii. Malc Firth Landscapes (Play area grass cuts) 58.80
viii. TJW Services (Footpath cuts) 468.00
ix. HSBC (bank charges) 9.00
x. Page Paper (paper for magazine) 41.88
xi. Anglian Water (Cemetery supply – d/d) 17.20
xii. Evelyn Sands (Internal Audit) 350.00
xiii. Clockwise Restorations (repairs to rope for church clock) 654.00
xiv. Gallagher Insurance (Annual insurance) 1663.81
b. The balances in bank at 15 April: Current account £18,605.04 recon. £18,240.91
Deposit account Closed
No2 account Closed
HSBC account £16450.00
c. The HSBC Account is awaiting two cheques to clear before the Account Closure form can be given to the bank.
d. The Pension Regulator has been re-declared, as has to be done every three years.
e. When the HSBC account has been closed a deposit account and Pension account will be opened with Babk of Scotland.
9. Planning applications received
Objections were made to the following application:
S/169/00145/25 - Mrs S Barham - Erection of a boundary wall (works completed) at The Beeches, Main Road
The wall is too high at around 6’6”. The hedge that this wall has replaced was not 6’ high, it was 4’ high at the most. A resident at Main Road was made to take down a 6’ fence, so allowing this wall to stay will set a precedent. The wall is out of character with all properties along Main Road.
Support was given to the following application:
02217/25/FUL - Mrs P Dray - Extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation at Coates Cottage, Thorndales Lane
10. To report any planning decisions from ELDC
An appeal has been made in respect of the Enforcement Notice served:
S/126/00170/25 - Mr Gray - Without planning permission, change of use of the Land to use as a gypsy/traveller caravan site and operational development consisting of the development of brick-built walls and piers, fencing and gates, the importation of aggregate for the creation of hardstanding and the raising of land levels, the development of a brick and block structure with twin apex in the southeast corner of the land, the development of sheds and the siting of containers, portacabins and installation of surface and foul water drainage at Land at Stickney showground, East Fen Lane
11. To discuss and confirm the Annual Parish Meeting – 22 May 2025
a. Three groups have booked tables.
b. The Primary Care Network team have been booked.
c. Refreshments will be served – drinks and home made sausage rolls and cakes.
d. A consultation will also be prepared regarding works to be carried out in the Cemetery.
12. To receive any comment on the draft Public Rights of Way improvement plan
There were no comments made for this plan.
13. To receive update regarding the church clock and repairs
a. The work to repair the rope for the Church Bells has been carried out.
b. A quotation has been requested for the ‘greasing’ of the pulleys.
14. To discuss the lights for Christmas 2025
a. An electrician will be asked for advice on the siting of Christmas lights.
b. This could be included as part of the grant application.
15. Cemetery:
a. Quotation for tree works
i. A quote has been received for the works to the beech hedge in the cemetery.
ii. A second quote has been received for some tree work to be carried out.
iii. The quotes will form part of the grant application.
b. Quotations for tarmacking footway
One quote has been received for the tarmacking work, the second quote is also needed, this will be discussed at the next meeting.
16. To discuss bench at Horbling Lane/Main Road bus shelter
A licence has been applied for from LCC. A meeting will be arranged by LCC to view the area.
17. To discuss the planters at the William Lovell Academy
A licence has been applied for from LCC. A meeting will be arranged by LCC to view the area.
18. To consider possible cycle route from Stickford to Sibsey Northlands
a. In 2005 the Parish Council asked LCC to consider a cycle route from Stickford to Sibsey Northlands via Stickney. This could be used for children to access the schools in Stickney.
b. Following discussion it was resolved to put in the request again.
19. To report highways issues
a. Is the footway at Horbling Lane still booked to be slurry sealed in September?
b. When is LCC going to replace the glass in the defibrillator box?
c. Speeding is still a big issue in Horbling Lane
20. To receive play area report
a. A grease gun will be purchased for the witches hat.
b. The bins need to be emptied, a contact at ELDC will be asked to deal with this.
21. Correspondence received for this meeting
A brochure was made available to Councillors.
22. Other business – matters for the next agenda
a. Speed limit signs.
b. Community Speed Watch
c. Request MP to attend a meeting
23. Date of next meeting
22 May 2025 at 7.00pm – Annual Parish Meeting in the Youth Club
05 June 2025 at 7.30pm – Parish Council Meeting with a Public Forum from 7.15pm at the Youth Centre, Hall Lane
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm