March 2023 Minutes
East Stockwith Parish Council Annual Assembly
14th March 2023 at 7pm
Minutes
Present: Cllr D Forington - Chairman, Cllr W Forington - Vice Chairman, Cllr C Bainborough, Cllr J Barratt, Cllr A Harris, Cllr C Kernan.
In attendance: Jenny Barnett, Clerk
Apologies: Cllr C Connolly
1. The draft minutes of the Annual Assembly of ESPC 15th March 2022 were agreed as a true and accurate record.
Proposed: Cllr W Forington Seconded: Cllr C Kernan
2. Matters arising from the minutes
There were none.
3. Annual Report –Chairman, Cllr D Forington
The Chairman, Cllr Forington, opened the meeting by noting the recent remedial works to repair fifty potholes down Carr Lane. This was following ongoing communication with LCC Highways throughout the year. Sheila Bibb, Conservative Party Organiser had been of great support and had recently expedited this work with LCC. The Chairman thanked Sheila. All agreed that the state of the roads in Carr Lane should continue to be monitored.
The Chairman said that East Stockwith and Walkerith Village Hall Trust had funded the new village signs which had replaced the older more dilapidate signs in both villages in June 2022. These were purchased from Sign of the Times who supply several parish councils with their signs. All had agreed that they look splendid.
In July 2022 two new benches were placed at the memorial site. The old benches were recycled by a local resident. The sum insured on the two memorials was increased to the value of £15k. The Chairman said that the memorial site with the addition of the two new benches made for a communal setting and was an asset to the village.
In July 2022 there were concerns by a resident about the speed of cars passing through the village. The Chairman referred to an Archer Survey carried out by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, requested by an unknown resident. Analysis of the speed data showed that the average speed of vehicles was 20.9-mph in a 30-mph limit. The Chairman said that the Data Collection Analyst at Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership had stated that the results of the Survey together with an analysis of the collision data showed that the criteria required for either fixed or mobile speed camera enforcement was not met. The Chairman said that the Parish Council had joined the Community Speedwatch Scheme and purchased a set of six passive notices; a system of highly visible warning signs intended to assist drivers to be aware of the speed limit and the need to check their speed. These notices, although supplementary to the compulsory signs required by legislation, were placed through the village.
The Chairman said that in September 2022 there were concerns by a resident regarding the impact and potential damage to neighbouring properties due to large and high lorries passing down Little Walk and knocking streetlights and branches off nearby trees. This had been addressed by placing signage on the corner of Little Walk and Back Street informing vehicles about access to TH Forington & Son Ltd (100 yards further on), as advised by Steve Hudson at LCC; Cutting the hedge at the end of Little Walk to expose the 'No Through Road' sign; the installation of a sign at the entrance to Little Walk by LCC ‘Unsuitable for HGVs ‘ and purchasing and installing ‘Low Tree ‘ signage.
In November 2022, East Stockwith and Walkerith Village Hall Trust agreed to pay for the maintenance of the community defibrillators, located in East Stockwith and Walkerith, with LIVES (Saving Lives in Lincolnshire) via an annual service level agreement. All agreed about the benefits of ensuring ongoing maintenance especially in rural settings where emergency response times can be longer. The defibrillators were now registered with emergency services. Cllr Bainborough said LIVES offered training on using defibrillators. Anyone interested can inform the Clerk at eaststockwithparishcouncil@gmail.com.
The Chairman said that QuickLine fibre connection had recently been upgraded to fifty Megabyte. This was following contact through the year with QuickLine regarding fibre upgrades.
The Chairman said the Parish Council was in a healthy financial position. The financial position as of April 2023 will be slightly less, circa £800 than the previous year. However, it was noted by the Chairman that there had been a one-off cost of £2,700 to install the benches at the memorial site. Bearing this in mind the financial position was good.
The Chairman closed the report by thanking all for their contributions over the last year.
4. Other reports (District Councillors)
No other reports were presented.
5. AOB
There was none.
6. The finances were presented:
- Financial position at bank 28.02.2023= £8,745.82.
- Accounts presented to date.
- Cheques since last meeting:
- LC Printing, £15.60, Clerk’s salary and HMRC.
- Cheques for signature:
- Dog fouling signs (Amazon), Clerk’s salary and HMRC.
Assembly closed at: 7.25 pm
7. The draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting on the 17thJanuary 2023 were agreed as a true and accurate record
Proposed: Cllr W Forington Seconded: Cllr A Harris
8. Matters arising from the minutes
Parish Council had purchased dog fouling signs to replace missing ones in the village. In addition, LCC had also put additional dog fouling signs around the village. There had been no firm commitments made to East Stockwith and Walkerith Village Hall Trust for funds for The Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The Clerk had attended a briefing session regarding the Parish Council Elections 4th May 2023
9. Adjournment for public participation
One member of the public was present. No matters presented.
Meeting closed at: 8.00pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting, 16th May 2023