East Kirkby Parish Council Meeting
20th February 2025 19.00 start
East Kirkby Village Hall
Public meeting: Chairman opened the public meeting at 19.00 and welcomed everyone. Chairman quickly introduced the councillors to the Members of the Public (MoP).
Bus shelter: There has been no update since last month.
Hunt through the village on 1st February 2025: There was a hunt that went through the village accessing, and in most cases trespassing, amongst other areas, the farmlands of Mr D Roe, Bridge Farm, thru to the chicken farm (do we need to say which one?) and down to the pig farms.
Apparently, it was the South Wolds Hunt that went through the village. The Master of the hunt came to apologise to a MoP for losing one of his Rhea birds. Everyone is supportive of the idea of the hunt, but people are very angry at the lack of notice/advance warning. Cllr James mentioned that warning was never given in advance when she used to hunt as a youngster. There were 30+ dogs and approx. 15 – 20 horses. The Master of Hounds actually took the dogs off the road and through the gardens at Bridge Farm – without asking permission. The hunt followers have torn up the verges as well as the horses tearing up the land.
MoP also wanted to thank the community for coming together and helping him in looking for the missing rhea bird, which has still not been found.
Manor Close communication: Chairman advised the meeting that the Parish Council had been contacted by a MoP regarding observations and complaints about parking, overhanging trees, grass cutting. Chairman and Clerk advised MoP of which area within ELDC, Highways etc he needed to contact.
Demolished post box update: Chairman advised the meeting that the demolished post box has been reported to the Post Office and Chairman has asked for it to be replaced as it is a George VI post box and part of the heritage of the village. Chairman will chase the matter up. It is believed that the bricks have been saved.
Chairman thanked all the MoPs present for their input and participation and closed the public meeting at 19.35. Chairman reiterated that MoPs were welcome to stay, but that they were no longer able to participate.
Present and apologies: Cllrs B Nowicki (Chairman), C Brandwood, V Lingard, County Councillor W Gray (Arr. 19.35), Members of the Public (MoP), Mrs JH Mussett (Clerk)
Apologies ` and accepted: Cllr C Briggs, District Cllr T Taylor
Declarations of interest: None – based on the published agenda.
Update from County Councillor: The report from Clrr Gray had been distributed to all Councillors.
Devolution: No district councils or county councils in the future (2027), Lincolnshire will be getting a Mayor with powers and a budget – election in May 2025. It has been suggested that each Unitary Authority be about 500K people, which means 2 for Lincs, both of whom would cover a massive area. Lincolnshire is being seen as a Fastrack Authority.
Council Tax will go to these 2 Unitary Authorities. Public transport and Fire and Police is scheduled to sit with the Mayor. Unitary Authorities work really well in urban environments, but definitely not in rural environments. There will be additional responsibilities being pushed down to parish councils, putting more and more pressure on Councillors and Clerks.
Avian Flu: is in East Lindsey, Skegness etc. This is a very serious matter and all fowl must be kept in.
Charter of the Forest of 1225, Magna Carta of 1215 and the Forest Charter of 1217: There will be a special combined 800th anniversary exhibition in Lincoln Castle of the 1225 Charter of the Forest, along with a display of the 1215 Magna Carta and the 1217 Forest Charter.
Rogue traders: Outlets are being closed down at an fantastic rate through effective joint working and intelligence sharing between Lincolnshire County Council, trading standards officers, Lincolnshire Police and other partners.
Rural services network: is funded primarily by the county council, so future funding is up in the air with the arrival of the Unitary Authorities.
Drainage boards: are funded via council tax (52%) – With only 6% of the population carrying the funding for the drainage boards. This again will probably be under the new Unitary Authorities.
Cllr Lingard asked when the rest of the footpath between the village and Revesby Estate will be done. Half has been done and looks very good, but Cllr Gray has contacted Ms L Hardy from Highways regarding the rest of the footpath. Councillors advised that works stopped before Christmas and no works have been done since then. Cllr Gray will chase up. The full funding request has been submitted.
Cllr Gray left the meeting at 20.25.
Approval of previous minutes: Approval of minutes from the Parish Council meeting from January 2025: Chairman ascertained that the Councillors had read the minutes and that they were an accurate representation of the meeting. Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Brandwood and seconded by Cllr James. Unanimously agreed at the subsequent vote. Chairman signed a copy of the minutes and will post a copy on the notice board. Minutes are available on the website.
Updates from previous month:
Anglian Water: Nothing new to report.
VE day 2025 Commemoration: Cllr Brandwood advised that buttons for the poppies have arrived, bunting has been ordered and arrived.
See Colin’s schedule
Chairman advised that we have been given permission to contact Rev Peter Coates which Cllr Brandwood will do. It has been suggested that we do a hymn (I vow to thee my country) and music will be added, possibly with the help of Mr Donnelly from RBL and his sound system.
The commemoration event will end with Chairman issuing a thank you and an invite to the village hall.
Cllr Brandwood will leaflet drop the village to ensure that everyone knows the timings etc.
Planning applications: None received as of 17th February 2025.
Procedural and Financial Matters:
MTFP/Precept: Chairman took Councillors through the MTFP (Medium Term Financial Plan).
Chairman has been looking at the notice board with Mr D May who has offered to carry out the works for free as long as the Parish Council pays for sundries. Work will be carried out in the summer to enable the wood to dry out. Cllr Warman offered to see if he can get better prices for the materials. Councillors unanimously agreed to go ahead with the works.
Councillors passed a vote of thanks to Mr & Mrs May for offering to help with this work.
LALC membership charges: Clerk advised the latest charges for annual membership and access to training amount to £228.86 which was unanimously agreed. Cheque has been raised and posted.
Minute Ref: 20250220-1
Digital banking: Chairman and Clerk will approach Barclays to set up the internet banking process and access. Chairman advised that the plan is for Clerk to be the administrator/accessor to the account. Discussion ensued and several good suggestions were put forward.
The Good Councillor Guide (TGCG): Chairman mentioned that although a printed version is no longer available, it is the responsibility of each Councillor to be aware of the guidelines mentioned within the TGCG. The link has been sent to all Councillors.
Invoices: None received.
Chairman thanked all those present for their attention and contribution. The meeting was closed at 21.20.
Any items to be brought before the Council can be submitted to the Clerk via eastkirkbypc@gmail.com
by the Thursday (1 week) before the meeting.
Findings will be recorded in the minutes and uploaded to the website.
Please visit our web-site via:
https://east-kirkby.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Meeting dates for the first half of 2025:
20th March; 17th April; 15th May; 19th June
Dates are subject to change.
All meetings start at 19.00 and take place in East Kirkby Village Hall.