Minutes, East Stockwith Parish Council Meeting 12th March 2024
East Stockwith Annual Parish Meeting
12th March 2024
Draft Minutes
Present: Cllr D Forington - Chairman
In attendance: Cllr W Forington - Vice Chairman, Cllr C Bainborough, Cllr J Barratt, Cllr A Harris, Cllr J Scott , J Barnett Clerk, Sheila Bibb Gainsborough Constituency Conservative Association.
1. Draft minutes, ESPC Annual Parish Meeting, 14th March 2023
The draft minutes of ESPC Annual Parish Meeting, 14th March 2023 were agreed as a true and accurate record. Proposed: Cllr W Forington Seconded: Cllr J Barratt
2. Matters arising from the minutes.
There were none.
3. Annual Report by the Chairman, Cllr D Forington
The Chairman, Cllr D Forington, commenced the annual report by noting St Peter’s Church closure. Whilst the Parish Council are not responsible for the Church, the news of closure in April 2023 was very concerning. There were queries about Church ownership, responsibilities, and insurance. With the Church warden and treasurer stepping down, Cllr D Forington had offered to keep the Church keys in a safe place and the Parish Council agreed to ensure the churchyard grass was well kept and provide updates on the closure.
In May 2023, Parish Council elections were held across West Lindsey. These went uncontested in East Stockwith and all Councillors nominated were elected. Cllr D Forington was nominated as Chairman at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May 2023 and duly elected with Cllr W Forington nominated as Vice Chairman and duly elected. Since the elections, Carol Keran retired from the Parish Council in September 2023 and Chris Connolly retired in December 2023. Cllr D Forington thanked both for their dedication and commitment to the Parish over many years. Cllr J Scott was co-opted to the Parish Council in January 2024 and a vacancy still exists.
In July 2023 an objection was 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. Concerns included interfering with the de-silting of the watercourse on the south side of Carr Lane and the proposed pole sites being directly opposite streetlights, road signs and other poles and too close to field gateways restricting the width of the road for the passage of large machinery. Anglian Water also objected to the proposals. To date there has been no response from BT Openreach.
In July 2023, the Parish Council reported the overhanging trees on the Walkerith Road between East Stockwith and Walkerith to Lincolnshire County Council Highways. These trees pose a serious hazard to passing vehicles especially high sided vehicles and tractors.
The Parish Council are very concerned about rural crime including local rural crime and in particular in the summer, two vehicles stolen in a matter of weeks from East Stockwith. 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.
A new village notice board was purchased in October 2023, the current one was beyond repair. Green Barnes Ltd supplied the board which was an excellent replacement and to be installed in the spring.
The Memorial Service in November 2023 was well attended by around 40 people and Cllr D Forrington said that all Cllrs had agreed that the memorial area was very welcoming with the addition of the memorial silhouette purchased in the autumn and two new benches purchased the previous year.
In November 2023 residents brought to the attention of the Parish Council, their frustration by people visiting or working at the Ferry House pub, parking on Front Street making it difficult for residents to park their own cars. Whilst the Cllrs fully appreciated residents’ frustrations and agreed that the parking challenges are not morally right, legally there is little if anything the Parish Council could do.
In December 2023, Cllr W Forington attended the Parish Council Engagement Session delivered by Lincolnshire Police and Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones. They are embarking on a new programme of engagement across the county, giving elected members the opportunity to hear about the work being done to keep communities safe.
At the Parish Council meeting in January 2024, the Cllrs noted D-Day 80 which will take place on the 6th June 2024, throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories to commemorate and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the five beaches in Normandy, France, which took place on 6th June 1944.
Cllr D Forington noted that the final 2024/25 precept was kept at £5,000, the same as previous years. The Parish Council was in a healthy financial position with a projected surplus of £7,778.72 plus a credit of £404.32 VAT due for in year expenditure, totalling £8,183.04, up by £162.78 compared to April 2023. In March 2024 the Parish Council set up Online banking with their current bank, Nat West.
4. The current financial position was presented, financial position at the bank on 30.01.2024 was, £8,258.94 and expenditure to date was presented.
Cheques since last meeting, LALC, LC Printing. Payments, Clerk's salary, HMRC
The Chairman, Cllr D Forington, concluded the annual report by thanking all Cllrs for their support and commitment over the past year and the Clerk for support throughout the year.
5. Draft minutes, ESPC meeting 16th January 2024.
The draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting on the16thJanuary 2024 were presented to the Parish Council and agreed as a true and accurate record
Proposed: A Harris Seconded: W Forington
6. Matters arising from the minutes.
The Parish Council vacancy was noted which has been advertised on the village notice board and ESPC website. There was a suggestion to advertise this on East Stockwith Facebook. It was noted that the overhanging trees on the Walkerith Road, reported to Lincolnshire County Council Highways, had been marked for removal.The Cllrs noted D-Day 80 which will take place on the 6th June 2024.
The Annual Parish Meeting closed at 8.00pm
Date of Annual Parish Council Meeting: 14th May 2024
Venue: Grosvenor House Care House, Back Street, East Stockwith.
Members of the public welcome