MINUTES OF THE FISHTOFT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 17 JULY 2017 AT THE PLAYING FIELD PAVILION COMMENCING AT 7.00PM
In attendance:Councillor E Armstrong (Chairman)
Councillors H Staples (Vice Chairman), M Ordway, J Harrison, O Snell, J Skinner,
P Skinner, J Flynn, R Lenton
Boston Borough Councillor J Noble
Lincolnshire County Councillor M Griggs
Mrs K Partridge
3 members of the public for the surgery
Presentation by representatives for Boston Mayflower: Following on from an exercise carried out by Boston Mayflower, planning has now been submitted to Boston Borough Council. Options were considered and a redevelopment of the site was agreed. There will be 16 affordable houses, some for shared ownership and some for renting. Each property has 2 allocated car parking spaces, the road has been designed so that it is not a “through” road, an alleyway at one side of the site will be addressed. Public open spaces will be maintained by Boston Mayflower, gardens within each property will be the responsibility of the resident. Shared ownership properties when sold on will be via the same method.
Meeting commenced at 7.33pm.
252.1CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS: Councillor Armstrong welcomed all to the meeting.
252.2APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None received.
252.3DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillor P Skinner declared an interest in all planning matters through his role on Boston Borough Councils Planning Committee and took no part in planning discussions. Councillor H Staples declared an interest in planning application B/17/0254 as the applicant is known to her.
252.4POLICE MATTERS: Recorded incidents received.
12 x ASB including drunken behaviour, inconsiderate behaviour, malicious communications, noise nuisance, throwing things and neighbour nuisance.
4 x burglary
1 x criminal damage
1 x fraud
3 x theft
2 x vehicle offence
1 x concern for safety
1 x pet offence
6 x suspicious persons
2 x suspicious vehicles
6 x traffic offences
Pilgrim Hospital incidents:
22 incidents including ASB shouting and inconsiderate behaviour, burglary, theft, road traffic collision and concerns for safety (a total of 15).
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253.5MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 19 JUNE 2017: It was resolved the minutes be approved and signed, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Staples and agreed.
253.6REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Planning Committee Considerations: Letters of thanks receivedfrom objectors to planning applications B/16/0436 and B/16/0141.
Planning application B/17/0172 will be considered by Planning Committee on 18 July. Request for a site visit to the Dolphin Gun Company – the Managing Director will be happy to show Members around the site, suggested date 18 September at 6.00pm, prior to Parish Council meeting. Agreed.
Overhanging branches: Overgrown tree at the old Post Office, Gaysfield Road has not been trimmed.
Passive Speed Signs, Willoughby Road: All street lights are mounted on telegraph poles, therefore signs not allowed to be fastened to them.
Resignation of Parish Councillor: Mr Bishop’s letter of resignation had been received, the official notice has been issued by Boston Borough Council.
253.7VIEWPOINTS ON ISSUES FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
A resident of Rider Gardens is concerned at the proposal of another resident to adopt a piece of open space opposite her property. She is now cutting the grass weekly but would not like to see the trees chopped down. It was agreed some pruning is needed. Councillor P Skinner will make enquiries at Boston Borough Council with regard to the “no mans land”.
A request to name a road after Mary Clark had been made to Boston Borough Council last year; as no definite response had been received the Parish Council have been asked for their input. It was explained that Fishtoft have a policy not to name new roads after people, however, suggestions for a bench or play area within new developments would be acceptable, it was also suggested that a room at the new Hawthorn Tree Childrens Centre could be named after her.
253.8HIGHWAYS: Nothing to report.
253.9LITTER PICKING GROUP: Bags of rubbish dumped on Church Green Road, Councillor Snell will check on exact location, and Toot Lane near to allotments.
253.10CLERKS REPORT, CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND COUNCILLORS ISSUES: General correspondence was available and included Clerks & Councils Direct, The Event, Matt Warman MP Constituency Surgery dates.
Maple Road Play Area: dog signs been removed, Boston Borough Council will erect new ones.
Tender List: Request received from Handyman Hislop asking to be added to the work tender list for grounds maintenance.
Parish Meeting: Councillor Armstrong attended a meeting at Boston Borough Council.
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Rural Isolation: points to consider
- How to persuade residents to become more involved and attend meetings, or stand as councillor and to become involved with voluntary work for the parish, particularly regarding budget shortfalls
- Use social media – ie: Facebook/Fishtoft Community page
- Initiate a Community champion
- Make use of “Visit Boston” to notify of any activity or matters of interest to the general public visiting Boston area
- Encourage more involvement with decision making
Planning Applications:
- Fishtoft Parish Council will need to decide by September which planning applications we wish to have sight of – agenda item for August meeting.
- We will only receive applications that have been requested, however, any of particular interest can be requested at the time.
- All applications may be sent electronically in the future, a decision will need to be made how this is dealt with. Again this will need to be discussed when budget setting.
- The Chair of the meeting can decide whether to include a late received application that has not been placed on the agenda, or an additional meeting can be agreed.
Michelle Sacks will attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss the changes; it was agreed to ask her to attend but not before January 2018. Councillor P Skinner will request.
It was noted that all applications from LCC will be forwarded electronically from 1 August 2017.
Highways Liaison Meeting: Councillor Armstrong attended a meeting at Sutterton.
A presentation was by Andy Wharf and Georgina Statham, focusing on how their department has been re-organised due to budget constraints.
40 personnel have been made redundant, Line Management restructured.
Difference between Asset Management and Network Management – Asset has responsibility for costs, Network has responsibility for road repairs, etc.
The best way to report a fault, ie: potholes, broken drain covers, is via the web portal at . Customer Service Centre number 01522 782070.
Councillor Ordway reported a fault via the portal, unfortunately the experience was not a pleasant one.
Highways contact details leaflet to be forwarded to all Members.
Councillor Flynn was concerned at the number of speeding vehicles through the village on Fishtoft Road/ClampgateRoad, this is usually at school times. Clerk to ask PCSO if the mobile camera can be deployed.
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Councillor Ordway raised the following points:
- North Sea Camp – request made earlier in the year, Clerk struggling to get hold of the person, it was agreed to contact the Governor again.
- Signs at Sibsey Road/Spilsby Road mini roundabout: There have recently been a number of signs placed at the roundabout, Clerk to contact to ask not to place them there in future. Suggestion to have a sign made “No advertising by order of Fishtoft Parish Council”.
Councillor Lenton reported there was still an issue of dog fouling on the playing field.
Councillor Armstrong asked if contact could be made with other Parish Councils to exchange information and discuss common issues. These meetings did take place some years ago, unfortunately they tailed off. Clerk to contact other parishes within the BBC area.
255.11BOSTON BOROUGH AND LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORTS:
Councillor P Skinner reported he is settling in at LCC, hopefully some initiatives will help with prosperity in Boston.
Councillor Griggs reported LCC are reviewing the street lighting policy; the grass will be cut earlier in the year in 2018.
Councillor J Skinner reported that a consultation with local businesses with regard to the Visit Boston website has taken place; the site is a completely separate one to BBC website.
Councillor Noble had received a thank you from a resident with regard to a grass cutting issue. A resident had contacted him with regard to bullying at school, the matter has been dealt with.
255.12FINANCE REPORT:
a) a budget update was presented.
b) to approve payment of accounts:
Clerks salary - £326.66
Clerks expenses - £36.03
Stationery - £7.18 (£1.20 VAT)
Weedkill treatment at war memorial - £25.00
Grounds maintenance contract - £707.20 (£117.87 VAT)
It was resolved the accounts be paid, proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Staples and agreed.
255.13PLANNING MATTERS: To discuss the following application –
B/17/0254 –proposed extension to existing steel framed agricultural building at Wombwell House, Fishtoft Road – no objections.
255.14PILGRIM FATHER’S 2020: Councillor Staples reported the sub-committee had met. Councillor Ordways map including 2 walks is excellent, still in the early stages and funding will be
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required to further the project. Councillors E Armstrong and R Lenton are attending mosaic glass workshops. Councillor Staples is working with the church to hopefully have a flower festival. Boston and South Holland Wood Carvers are keen to become involved, the sub-committee will contact them.
The sub-committee will need to proceed for funding and asked if permission could be given from Parish Council to allow them to write to local companies and make grant applications. It is proposed to call the sub-committee Fishtoft 2020. Reports to full council meetings will continue.
It was resolved to agree – proposed by Councillor J Skinner, seconded by Councillor P Skinner and agreed.
256.15LCC GRASS CUTTING:
Quotation received from T ABlackamore. £580.00 for first cut, if not already done by LCC, with £480.00 per cut after, plus VAT which will be reclaimed. Grass to be cut only at road junctions and within housing estates, not verges where visibility is not an issue.
Following discussion it was resolved to appoint T ABlackamore to carry out a monthly cut for the remainder of this season – a total of 4 cuts – proposed by Councillor P Skinner, seconded by Councillor Staples. 5 votes in favour, 3 abstentions. Motion carried.
It was proposed by Councillor Ordway the funds be taken from reserves and not from that earmarked for footway lights, seconded by Councillor Staples and agreed.
It was further agreed to let LCC complete the 2 cuts this year.
256.16 A16 NOISY ROAD SURFACE: Councillor Ordway wished to record the concerns of residents with regard to the noisy road surface on Sibsey Road, A16 between Pilgrim Hospital and Sibsey. A quieter surface was promised some years ago by Highways, however, when resurfaced a few years ago it was even noisier. Request that consideration be given for a better, quieter surface when it is due for resurfacing the next time. Councillor P Skinner will bring this to the attention of LCC.
256.17DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held on Monday 21 August 2017 at Rochford Tower Hall and will commence at 7.00pm with a 10 minute public forum, if required.
There will be a surgery between 6.30 and 7.00pm, Councillors E Armstrong and R Lenton to be in attendance.
There being no further business to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm.
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