April 2025 Minutes
KIRTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 1st April 2025
Present: Councillors: Cllr D Jarvis, Chair, Cllr A Bowen, Vice Chair, Cllr C. Astill, Cllr M Elston, Cllr T Hartfil-Allgood, Cllr P Head, Cllr L O’Connor, Cllr Pryke, Cllr C Rylott and Cllr M Sohail.
Also Present: Clerk D. Fairweather.
Borough Cllr Middleton.
County Cllrs Austin & Brookes and 8 members of the public
Not Present:
PUBLIC FORUM
Stuart Evans, candidate for Lincolnshire County Councillor, to introduce himself.
Resident giving thoughts regarding the closure of Dame Sarah Swift Park. Believes that closure would be the wrong decision and there must be something for the children. Kirton Parish Council is failing in its duty to offer such services. The original park was self-funded, and it should be renewed.
REPORTS FROM ELECTED COUNTY COUNCILLORS & BOROUGH COUNCILLORS
MB – The request for a reduction of the 40mph speed limit to 30mph on London Road has been turned down as when assessed, it does not meet the criteria laid down in Lincolnshire County Councils Speed Limit Policy.
Willington Road reduction to 40mph. The signage is now all in place.
Kirton End reduction to 30mph. Was supposed to be completed at the same time as Willington Road. An e mail has been sent to the contractors requesting a completion date.
All other matters are the same as previously reported.
Petition handed in for zebra crossings and these have been forwarded on for assessment. Clerk to forward to Highways.
Mike, having enjoyed working with Kirton over the years wished Kirton Parish Council well for the future, this is his last meeting as will not be standing for elections this year. Chair wish him well and thanks for his work during his time spent at Kirton.
AA – Concerns being raised by a resident regarding footway along Boston Road, towards Middlecott Close. There are two places in poor condition due to tree roots. Has been reported. Alison is also not standing for elections on 1st May and the Chair wished her good luck and thanked her also for time given to Kirton.
CR – Loose of manhole cover at Frampton Lane in Hubberts Bridge. Residents have reported to Anglian Water with no success. Cllr Rylott had visited site and reported to Fix My Street.
Kirton Holme residents, Little Side Road bridge was damaged by Black Sluice. No weight restrictions on road. Bridge is to be repaired, residents advised.
RP – two residents complaining of speeding and loud vehicles on London Road.
Resident in Drainside South is building a wall on land not owned and leaving rubbish in dyke. Cllr Pryke has reported.
Residents also in Drainside South are still concerned that County Council will not take responsibility for the dumping of waste last year and has not been cleared. His now being reported to the complaint department Cllr Pryke to report once again.
Continual complaint of resident on corner of Church Lane having moved road signed to drop pavement for access to his property.
Request from resident for an allotment. Council has investigated this previously but no land available. Unknown number of residents wanting allotments.
Out Dowsing updates from recent meeting. Number of complainants affected, reducing significantly. Still amounts of land in dispute. Substation to be built on land at Weston Marsh. Likely to be an increase of projects being fed to site. Compensation schemes will be available but not for another two years.
Old Kings Head – advert advising food is again being served. Unsure if this correct.
New Social Housing opening day behind Methodist Chapel. Some of properties are almost 100% energy efficient.
New Grant available for rewilding areas close to SSIs.
LCC has been severely criticised for not promoted the coastal path.
Credit received for COVID event; will it be an annual event?
44-25 TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Received and accepted from Cllr Baillie
45-25 TO CO-OPT NEW COUNCILLOR
Proposed Cllr Astill, seconded Cllr Elston, Tom Hartfil-Allgood co-opted to Council. Declaration of Acceptance of Office Signed.
46-25 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE COUNCILS CODE OF CONDUCT RELATING TO BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA
Cllr Rylott, being planning officer.
47-25 TO APPROVE NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 11TH MARCH 2025.
Proposed Cllr Bowen seconded Cllr Head that these be accepted as a true copy to be called minutes. Unanimous.
48-25 TO RECEIVE CLERK’S UPDATES FROM MINUTES AND ITEMS NOT ON AGENDA
Plaque – additional payment for early delivery, refund received.
Hemington Way – still awaiting a site visit with Highways.
Maintenance Payment – still invoice outstanding for broken fence on Lighton Avenue. Contractor to visit site once again.
Skate Park – gentleman demolishing had been in hospital and would be out of action for a couple of weeks.
Clerks’ appraisal hadn’t taken place as HR committee felt they required training to carry out appraisal satisfactorily. Cllr Bowen felt this perhaps should have been sorted before the day of the appraisal. Cllr Astill responded there had been quite a few errors and having spoken with LALC realised that there had been incorrect advice given. Advised there was training. Clerk had been advised of a remote training session available and would forward link to HR committee.
49-25 TO RECEIVE EVENTS UPDATES
MS Picnic in The Park -Town Hall are letting PC use Hall free of charge. Face painting booked. Awaiting date to meet with bouncy castle company.
FH – consulted with Royal British Legion who will attend and read proclamation. Poster available for FB. Cllr Elston advised BBC are providing flags for the occasion.
CA advised two Town Hall Committee members are putting an afternoon tea with the brass band playing in the evening.
50-25 FINANCE
a) To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule – proposed Cllr Astill seconded Cllr Rylott
b) To Approve Donation to Town Hall for additional CCTV. Following an incident reported last month a quotation for to new CCTVs at the door of the Town Hall had been sourced. £595.79. Cllr Astill had also received quote for an additional CCTV on tower to link with those in the village. Not for discussion as not an Agenda item.
After much discussion Cllr Astill advised no donation requested now.
c) To Approve Governance & Accountability Statement
d) To Approve Annual Report of Accounts Clerk not happy to complete as awaiting
51-25 PLANNING – To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting
B/25/0056 proposed wooden summerhouse, Culham House, Boston Road.
B/25/0136 single garage extension to attached outbuilding, Hallweir Cottage, Skeldyke Road, Kirton.
B/25/0112 Change of use from mixed use of residential and bed and breakfast.
52-25 MEMBERS REPORTS
DJ – BBC – feels perhaps local surrounding Parish Councils should get together to take wants and needs. Whilst all agreed, within two years, there will not be a Borough Council and perhaps not worth taking further at this stage.
ME – planters- use perennials in village planters, therefore saving funds annually.
Couple of people happy to join the church wall renovation group from the Church.
THA – DSS – felt appalled, gates hanging off. Ramps covered in graffiti; equipment damaged. Clerk to give Cllr Hartfill-Allgood an update of the history of the park.
Allotments – Vice Chairman of Wyberton West Allotment Association. His team would be willing to assist Kirton if land was found.
PH – Best Kept Garden competition. Mrs Leverington would be happy to chair a group to help organise our event.
Youths kicking ball at wall memorial. Tried to be moved on but given abuse.
Mentioned previously Youth Council. Is there chance of using some of the youths to start one? Clerk to look into Youth Council opportunities.
LO – attended Women Against Matrimonial Abuse, has poster for FB
RP – Kirton/Frampton ward has the lowest level sign-ups for flood warnings. Hopefully will be brought up again at next meeting.
There is to be a replacement UKSP fund but no further details available yet.
New Mayoral Combined Authority have announced anything unspent of UKSP in Boston by the Autumn will be clawed back by them. Cllr Pryke has asked if there is any money not yet spent.
Is there to be planters in, are benches wrong and what has happened to gates. Planters need to be put in place and filled at the same time. Benches will not be changed. Gates at present are in storage as the Royal British Legion were favourable for them not to be put back.
BBC Leader had spoken with Cllr Pryke advising they are extremely annoyed over the streetlight situation.
Asked recently if goals posts are to be erected at the Town Hall or elsewhere? Contact is not in country at the moment. Cllr Head to an update as and when known.
CR – Disagreed with BBC Leader’s comments regarding streetlights. No discussions on grass cutting tenders. Clerk awaiting a couple of prices and hopeful to have a separate cemetery keeper. Too many plants last year ordered from local nursery. None ordered, will buy on a ‘as and when required’ basis. Winter planting also late.
53-25 TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE
Parish Liaison Notes – next meeting 26th June
Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan – have your say.
Health & Safety Risk Assessment Course £78. Clerk would like to attend regarding future events. Doesn’t form part of ATS.
NHS – new stickers for defib cabinets to aid returning if used.
Eden Project – Annual big lunch is on 7/8th June.
BBC new software for viewing and reporting on planning applications.
Complaint of unkempt state of Garden of Rest. Many additional artefacts now being placed. Agreed clerk to forward cemetery regulations to funeral directors before funerals in order that residents are aware of restrictions.
LALC – Model Standing Orders Updates – revised to be adopted. Clerk to distribute when received, advising Councillors of changes.
. gov.uk email addresses being suggested again, does Kirton wish to investigate the cost? More secure and emails belong to Council not Councillor when they leave Council.
Kirton Community Group Hub
Clerk has the opportunity of two ladies attending the coffee mornings hub to do an art session. Small items that can be made and taken away within two hours. Only cost would be materials, clerk has put in grant application for some funding. All agreed acceptable to have them attend.
Cllr Head and Clerk had discussions regarding a bingo for fund raising with a known ‘caller’. Licence not required if cash prizes and are not above a specific amount.
Clerk had previously purchased books etc so if in agreement any helpers would be appreciated.
Date of next meeting Tuesday 6th May 2025