Minutes, East Stockwith Parish Council Meeting 12th September 2023

East Stockwith Parish Council Meeting

12th September 2023 

MINUTES

Present:  Cllr D Forington, Cllr W Forington, Cllr C Bainborough, Cllr J Barratt, Cllr A Harris,

Cllr C Kernan

In attendance: Jenny Barnett, Clerk

Apologies:  Cllr C Connolly

1.     Draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 11thJuly 2023

Agreed as a true and accurate record. Proposed; Cllr W Foringhton    Seconded; Cllr A Harris

2.     Matters arising from the minutes.

There were no updates regarding St Peter’s Church which has officially closed. The public footpath sign on Back Street has been restored. 

An objection has been submitted by the Parish Council to BT Openreach against the proposed installation of eight new 8mtr poles to be placed opposite the fishery in East Stockwith. There has been no response yet from BT Openreach.  It was noted that Anglian Water has also objected to the proposals. 

LCC Highways have outsourced the work to cut the overhanging trees on the roadside between East Stockwith and Walkerith as these pose a hazard to passing vehicles. There is no confirmed date yet for the work. The trees on the Laughton Road end of Carr Lane have been cut back. Cllr D Forington and the Clerk to proceed with purchasing the new village notice board as the current one is beyond repair; some suppliers have been sourced but this needs finalising.  It was agreed to reduce the size of the notice board by a third. Whilst the Cllrs agreed that planters could enhance the memorial site all agreed that this would require upkeeping.  However, there was discussion about a planting scheme. The Clerk to make contact with the local college regarding any support for garden schemes/designs. The Cllrs agreed to source a memorial silhouette to enhance the memorial area.

3.     Cllr Resignation

Cllr Kernan resigned from the Parish Council.  The Chair along with Cllrs thanked Cllr Kernan for her dedication and commitment to serving the local community and wished Cllr Kernan well for the future. The Clerk to submit the resignation to WLDC and display a ‘Notice of Vacancy’.

4.     Adjournment for public participation

No public attended the meeting.

5. Rural Crime 

The Parish Council are extremely concerned about rural crime including the recent spate of local crime and in particular the theft of two vehicles from East Stockwith in a matter of weeks.  It was noted that rural theft continues to cost Lincolnshire more than any other county.  The Cllrs were eager to get the message out to residents to remain vigilant, for example ensuring property and equipment is securely locked. This message to go out on the East Stockwith Parish Council Facebook page and via the newsletters and encourage residents to report anything suspicious or any local rural crime, https://www.lincs.police.uk/ro/report/rwc/rural/report-rural-crime/     The Local Neighbourhood Watch information in the village newsletter is now redundant and needs removing. 

6.     Finances

Financial position at bank 28.07.2023 (last statement), £12,633.28. Financial reconciliation presented to date. It was noted that the Parish Council funds are in a healthy position with sufficient funds to purchase the new notice board.  Cheques drafted since the last meeting: £15.60 LC Printing (Aug newsletter). Cheques for signature, Clerk’s salary and PAYE.

7. AOB. 

A polite notice to be placed in the next newsletter regarding concerns of free roaming dogs in the village. 

 The Clerk to ensure the poppy wreaths are ordered in good time. 

 Meeting closed at: 8.10 pm. Next meeting, 14th November 2023 at 7.00pm at Grosvenor House, Back Street, East Stockwith. Meetings open to the public.