East Kirkby Parish Council Meeting
19th June 2025 19.00 start
East Kirkby Village Hall
Public meeting: Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked those Members of the Public present if they had any items for discussion, which they did not other than to advise that the notice board is currently being refurbished.
Chairman closed the public meeting at 19.05.
Present & Apologies: Cllrs B Nowicki (Chairman), C Brandwood, V Lingard, District County Cllr T Taylor, County Cllr P Roberts, Members of the Public (MoP), Mrs JH Mussett (Clerk)
Apologies: Cllrs C Warman, Y James
Declarations of interest: There were no declarations of interest based on the published agenda.
Approval of minutes from the May 2025 meeting: Approval of minutes from both the Annual Parish Council meeting and the ‘normal’ Parish Council meeting from May 2025: Chairman ascertained that the Councillors had read both sets of minutes and that they were an accurate representation of the meetings. Cllr Brandwood asked for a change of word on page three – Changing from “and” to “to”. Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Brandwood and seconded by Cllr Lingard. 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.
Update from District and County Councillors:
District Councillor Taylor:
National Grid: There are regular updates coming through from National Grid in relation to the installation of the pylons and cables. One of the Councillors had seen reports that some pylons will be shorter than the proposed 50 metres, but only in “Areas of Natural Beauty”.
Local reform: there has been 1 update so far, there will be further coming through till the consultation closes in August. Nort Lincolnshire, Northeast Lincolnshire, Boston have not made proposals to the local reform process. ELDC and South Holland have put proposals forward.
Changes will occur in 2028 or later.
County Councillor Roberts: Introduced himself as our new County Councillor. Mortgage broker by trade and works from home. Born and bred in Lincolnshire. Cllr Roberts claims that Reform will be doing their utmost to stop the Government from completely ruining the Lincolnshire countryside with pylons. Solar farms etc. Nuclear Waste dump at Theddlethorpe, pylons, solar farms throughout Lincolnshire are “compromised” with the possibility of rising sea levels in the future and hence not future proofing as water and electricity do not mix.
There is also a lot of confusion around the changes in local government in an attempt to improve efficiency and save money. More information will be shared once available.
Highways issues have been very high on Cllr Roberts list, along with speeding vehicles. Chairman mentioned that Cllr Gray had been a big supporter and that he had confirmed that the funding for the refurbishment of the footpath between East Kirkby and Revesby had been agreed. Chairman asked Cllr Roberts to check up what progress there is on and make sure that the refurbishment is still going ahead.
Cllr Brandwood mentioned that EKPC is a non-political council and would like all government ministers, Councillors etc. to be called by their proper names and titles rather than nicknames.
Cllr Brandwood mentioned the “Reform of planning committees: technical consultation” and asked Cllr Roberts why the focus is on “Affordable” housing instead of “Social” housing.
Cllr Roberts mentioned that Boston is earmarked for asylum seekers being put up in private houses instead of hotels. The government will then guarantee the rent for 5 years. Discussion ensued about housing, prices and availability.
Chairman thanked the County and District Councillors for their input. Both Councillors left the meeting at 20.05.
Updates from previous month: None
Planning applications: None received.
Matters of interest from LALC newsletter and from Rural Services Newsletter
“Reform of planning committees: technical consultation”. Councillors discussed this.
Procedural and Financial Matters:
2020-2025 accounts review and approval: Chairman took the Councillors through the AGAR and confirmed that the Certificate of Exemption will be sent to the auditors. Bank reconciliation matches to the penny. Cllr Lingard is looking after the Notice of Public Rights whilst Chairman is on holiday.
Certificate of Exemption AGAR 2024-2025 Form 2 was signed by the Chairman and Clerk/RFO.
Minute ref: 20250619-01
Section 1- Annual |Governance Statement 2024/25 – Conditions were read out and agreed as being fully covered by the council.
Minute ref: 20250619-02
Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2024/25 – Figures were read out, discussed and agreed.
Minute ref: 20250619-03
Internet banking: On-going
Invoices received/paid: None
Civility and respect for the office of Parish Councillors and Clerk (including complaint from parishioners and EKPC responses)
Chairman showed the Councillors the contents of the complaint, the replies from the Clerk, and then asked the Councillors to comment. Following discussion, the Chairman confirmed that the complaint had been debated in full and it was agreed that the initial response from the Clerk was appropriate and stands, no further action is necessary.
Chairman suggested that all pages of any set of minutes have a footnote added, stating:
"These minutes are a representation of the discussions that took place between those present on the evening of the Parish Council meeting.”, to which all Councillors present agreed, and which will be implemented with immediate effect.
Minute ref: 20250619-04
Chairman thanked all those present for their attention and contribution to the meeting and closed the meeting at 20.50
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 2025:
17th July; 18th September; 16th October; 4th December
Dates are subject to change.
All meetings start at 19.00 and take place in East Kirkby Village Hall.