East Kirkby Annual Parish Council Meeting
18th May 2023 19.00 start
East Kirkby Village Hall
Election of Chairman of the Parish Council: Clerk called for nominations for Chairman. Cllr Brandwood nominated Cllr Nowicki, seconded by Cllr Lingard. Cllr Nowicki accepted the nomination.
Election of Vice-chair and signing of declaration by all councillors: Chairman nominated Cllr Brandwood to be Vice-chairman, seconded by Cllr Briggs. Cllr Brandwood accepted his nomination. All councillors signed their Acceptance of Office forms, witnessed by Clerk.
Chairman thanked the councillors for their input, participation, dedication and support over the last four years and said he looked forward to the next four years.
Present: Cllrs B Nowicki (Chairman), C Brandwood, V Lingard, C Briggs, County Cllr W Gray (Arr. 19.35), Mrs JH Mussett (Clerk)
Apologies: District Cllr T Taylor
Declarations of interest: None declared – based on the published agenda.
Public meeting: Chairman opened the public meeting at 19.00 and closed it at 19.05 as there were no members of the public present.
Approval of minutes from the April 2023 meeting: Chairman ascertained that the councillors had read the minutes and that they were an accurate representation of the meeting. Minutes were unanimously agreed. Chairman signed a copy of the minutes and will post a copy on the notice board.
Update from last month:
Anglian Water: Cllr Briggs said that there was nothing new to report. We will carry item forward to the next meeting. All to carry on keeping a lookout on this item.
Action: Clerk to carry forward to next meeting.
Village information board: Chairman passed around a proposed lay-out from Burgess. A discussion ensued as to the proposals, which were generally endorsed, and Clerk will proofread the final copy and Chairman will liaise further with Burgess.
Action: Clerk to carry forward to next meeting.
“Alternate” Footpath: Clerk had received an e-mail from Mr A Hall, a parishioner, praising the local farmer who allows people to wander with their dogs across his land on the alternative footpath he maintains. The e-mail was read out in full by the Clerk. This is the e-mail that was received:
“Having just read the minutes of the Parish Council meeting of April 20th I feel I must make comment on the subject of the alternative footpaths provided by a local farmer that was mentioned by a member of the public. For many years village dog walkers and people just out for a stroll have been welcome to use the much more scenic tracks around the field perimeters in exchange for not walking across the middle of uninteresting featureless cropped fields. Instead of the “Get off my land” attitude to walkers adopted by all other land owners surrounding the village this farmer actually waves or even stops for a chat when time permits.
Following the wettest March for decades a short section of the alternative footpath did get muddy for a short period of time , however as it forms part of a working arable farm it was only to be expected. Far from being criticised, this farmer should be applauded for his relaxed manner with people walking on his land.”
Mr Hall had requested that the e-mail be documented in the minutes.
The Red Lion Inn and the camping site: This item was originally scheduled for discussion at the May meeting. However, it was decided to postpone the discussion about the Red Lion to the June meeting.
Action: Clerk to carry forward to next meeting.
Updates from County and District Councillors:
Cllr Gray mentioned that there are major roadworks on Bridge Street in Horncastle which are progressing at a brisk pace. Scheduled to last 5 weeks; Explore The Wolds initiative has been set up; Volunteers are urgently needed to work with children and young people. There is lots of support available if people were interested in pursuing a career with young people.
Chairman asked about the state of the footpaths and their promised repairs, but Cllr Gray has no update. Cllr Gray suggested contacting the Pride in East Lindsey Team who might come out and strim vegetation on footpaths.
Cllr Lingard asked if the large pothole on Chapel Lane/A155 junction had been reported. Cllr Gray has added this to FixMyStreet.
Chairman raised an issue with Cllr Gray with regards to the printing of notices on behalf of the County and District Councils. Whilst the Parish Council is willing to print the notices on behalf of the county/district councils it is felt that this should be acknowledged on the notices and that all future notices should read ‘Published by Lincolnshire County/East Lindsey District Council and printed by the Parish Council’. Councillor Gray agreed to take this up on behalf of the Parish Councils.
Cllr Taylor: Clerk read out the following statement from Cllr Taylor.
“Being informed that I was unopposed at the recent elections was brilliant news for me. It means that I can continue working with the seven parishes, that I represent, to assist residents with their concerns, make representations to improve the areas where they live and strive to ensure they receive the best services possible.
Since the previous election, district councillors have worked with and supported officers to make positive and constructive decisions, this has enabled much improved services and a healthy surplus which I am confident will provide even better services in the forthcoming year.
Now that I have been appointed for a full term, I want to explore ways to reach out to residents across the ward and make it as easy as possible for them to contact me. I am also hopeful that the seven parish councils will be willing to assist me in conducting a survey, where residents can share their views on the services that ELDC deliver and which are the most important to them, and also, what improvements they would like to see in the parishes where they live.
I am proud and honoured to have the opportunity to serve the Halton Holegate Ward and I can’t wait to get started.
Terry
Cllr Terry Taylor JP
ELDC representative for Halton Holegate Ward”
Planning applications received:
S/046/00844/23 and S/046/00769/23: Councillors discussed the two planning applications from Calor with regards to siting the container(s) and the licensing of storage of hazardous substances consent. Discussion ensued and Cllr Gray was asked how applicants are supposed to notify local residents of their proposal(s) as Cllr Brandwood had asked several parishioners if they were aware of this proposal. The planning notice should be posted in a prominent position, alerting residents of the proposal(s). Councillors unanimously voted to SUPPORT the applications.
Neighbourhood plan: Chairman suggested that although it was generally agreed that we should have a Neighbourhood Plan, neither Chairman nor Cllr Brandwood are able to devote the time in the foreseeable future. It was unanimously agreed that this should be carried forward to next year.
Action: Clerk to carry forward to May 2024 meeting.
Financial matters: Invoices received: Clerk advised the councillors of the new invoice for insurance from BHIB of £223.44. Invoice was unanimously agreed by all councillors.
Minute Ref: 190/01
Chairman thanked all for their attention and contribution and closed the meeting at 20.40.
Next meeting date: Thursday 15th June 2023 - starting at 19.00.
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.
Please visit our web-site via:
https://east-kirkby.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Dates for 2023 meetings: 27th July*; 21st September; 19th October; 30th November*
Dates are subject to change.
(Dates marked with * have changed from their original dates)
All meetings start at 19.00 and take place in East Kirkby Village Hall.