2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Belchford and Fulletby Parish Council

Minutes from Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 30th November 2023 held at Belchford Village Hall.
(These notes are a record of the meeting and are not accepted as formal minutes until duly signed on behalf of the Parish Council)

Present in person: Councillors: J Newby (JN), P Thompson (PT), I Goodall (IG), K Marris (KM), N Brigginshaw (NB), 1 member of the public, District Councillor D Simpson and the clerk Mrs K M Elliott.

The public forum began at 7.30 pm

Public Forum:  At the start of the public forum the Chairman welcomed everyone and invited members of the public to raise matters for discussion, which included a report from the last village hall meeting.  New committee members are required for the Village Hall Committee and the warm spaces grant has not been taken up.  Potholes and flooding concerns were also raised,

Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.45 pm

1.   Apologies for absence and reasons given – K Skalka, J Smith, N Sorenti & P Morris, reasons provided and accepted.

2.   Declaration of interests and requests for dispensations - To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to consider granting dispensation(s), as per written requests received by the proper officer, to councillors under section 22 of the Act.  There were none.

3.   Chairman’s remarks – PT is enjoying his post, it is a real honour.  We are getting stuff done which is a real achievement.  Ings Lane clearance is great and there is more to be done which delivers benefit to our community.  PT admires the fortitude of the NDP committee.

4.   To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 21st September 2023 – it was proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED unanimously that the official minutes of the last meeting having been previously circulated were approved, as a true and accurate record of the minutes, Chairman signed and dated.

5.   To receive reports from the Clerk and Councillors on matters outstanding:  

a.   Solar Speed Signs: cost examples were provided and discussion followed about the different types available.  The clerk was asked to chase action from the meeting that took place in September with LCC & LRSP.

b.   Dates for parish council meetings in 2024 – are the 3rd Thursday every other month, starting Thursday 18th January 2024.

IG noted that there are 2 snow shovels in each village and we should make people aware of their locations.  Where are they?  In the lock up?

Website – it is noted that whole sections of the website are in need of updating.  IG will send a list to the clerk so that this can be updated.  A review of the website content will be put on the March agenda.

6.   To receive reports from District and County Councillors, and Police (if available) –Police and County Councillor not present.  D Cllr D Simpson advised that grants have been applied for by the Glebe Field Trust and also that there has been a good take up of Social Isolation Grants.  The Local Plan consultation will take place later in 2024 and Devolution is being taken a stage further with consultation in 2024.  There has been a change in name for AONB’s which are now referred to as National Landscapes.  Levelling up funding is going to rebuilding and restoration of Spilsby Theatre, Embassy Skegness, Foreshore Skegness, Colonnade Sutton on Sea plus Alford Windmill & Manor House.  Also, encouraging Tourism and Culture with young people being trained in these topics.  Mr Simpson has some grant funds available.

7.   Belchford Defibrillator: JN has made contact with the person who had organised the installation and purchase of the defib.  The clerk will contact The Circuit who maintain a digital list of all defibrillators nationally.  Signposts are to be installed to raise awareness of the locations of this defib.  A budget of £200 was approved for these signs.

8.   TPO Update:  As KS is not present we will defer this to the next meeting.

9.   Village Green Play Area progress, V G Committee & proposed activities:  KM advised that this has been advertised on the most recent newsletter and recruitment of more people to the committee is vital.  There are plans to hold 2 decent events, a more up to date fete and a rounder’s match in 2024.  NS & KM are to do the playground separately to the VG committee and a bandstand is to be aimed for.  The Christmas Party was abandoned.

10.   Welcoming New People: KM suggested a welcome card as there are lots of new people who don’t know what happens etc.  Basic details and useful information is to be shared, the CANVA app was discussed and is being subscribed to by CG committee, and this can be shared with the parish council.  A shared initial draft idea will be circulated to the parish council.

11.   NDP update and expenses:  The NDP Consultation ends 1st December.  There is more leg work and more steps needed/to be completed.  IG will apply for more grant funding and advises that there has been positive feedback so far.  There are approximately 20 working days which still need to be funded.  Ancillary costs are to be approved at tonight’s meeting, £35.  Proposed, seconded, RESOLVED.

12.    Storage of Parish Records: There are parish records stored in Fulletby Church, in a filing cabinet.  The clerk will need to investigate.  A date will be confirmed in the New Year to inspect the documents.  There is also a cabinet Belchford Village Hall which also needs to be inspected.

13.   Ings Lane: Is now useable.  To get through to the bridge you have to wade through the river.  The culvert is blocked meaning the bridge is only just above water.  There are bits of Ings Lane which are very wet and as the winter moves on this will only get worse.  It is proposed to put down stone, the landowner has been approached and is willing for a few tonnes of stone to be put down.  A team of volunteers could be employed to distribute the stone.  A budget proposal for the January meeting is to be put forward by PT and it was discussed to contact Helen Gamble from LWCS.  D Simpson advised that there is a drainage officer at ELDC who may be able to help with finding who is responsible.  

14.   Community Woodland – Grant funding for deer protectors around the larger trees is to be applied for and a working party arranged for tree planting of free trees at the Community Woodland.  Lloyds bank have kindly donated 50 free trees and some are to be planted at the Community Woodland.  Lincs Wolds Countryside Services have a hedge laying course on in Fulletby 2nd December.  Spaces available for local people.

15.   Drainage Engineer: A proposal from J Smith has been received to employ a drainage engineer to give advice on what can or should be done.  A request for permission to get quotes.

16.   To consider correspondence received since the last meeting: There are none.

17.   Financial matters: to authorise the signing of cheques and to note the income for this period.  The RFO, NB has provided a financial report, which has been circulated to all.

a)   Set budget & precept:  NB sees no reason to increase our precept and proposes to apply for the same amount as last time Proposed, seconded, voted and RESOLVED.

b)   To receive an updated bank reconciliation form, NB provided a spreadsheet. The account balance is £7,653.33 and we are in a healthy position. We have spent fractionally less than our precept.  Are there any projects in mind that may need funding?  Members discussed the precept and our reserves.

c)   To consider and resolve payments since the last meeting.  Thanks to NB for his RFO work.

18.   Planning Matters: There are none.

19.   To consider items for the Parish Newsletter: The last newsletter has been done, printed and is ready for distribution.  Thanks to JN for her work on this document.

20.   To agree agenda items for the January 2024 meeting – The meeting will be held on 18th January 2024 at Belchford Village Hall.  Items for the agenda will include; TPO (KS), NDP (IG), Highways follow up, Working party for Community Woodland, Footpaths, Ings Lane, Website, Wi-Fi for village hall.

There being no further business the Meeting closed at 9.13 pm.