Parish Council Meeting 16th September 2025
East Stockwith Parish Council Meeting
16th September 2025, Draft Minutes
Present: Cllr D Forington – Chairman, Cllr W Forington - Vice Chairman, Cllr C Bainborough, Cllr J Barratt. Cllr A Harris. In attendance: J Barnett Clerk
Apologies: Cllr J Scott, Cllr C Reeves, Sheila Bibb.
1. Draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held July 15th 2025
Proposed: Cllr C Bainborough, Seconded: Cllr A Harris.
2. Matters arising from the minutes
Cllr Bainborough updated the Committee regards broadband in the Parish.
3. Planning Applications
There were none.
4. Adjournment for public participation
No public present.
5. Proposal for East Stockwith (St Peter) Church graveyard maintenance programme
The proposal for a Church graveyard maintenance programme was discussed. All agreed that given the Church sits within the village conservation area, the grounds should be well looked after and be available as a place for reflection. A quote from Helping Hands was presented; £1,400 to include grass cutting, strimming around headstones, every two weeks from March to the end of October and cutting the hedge twice a year. The Cllrs agreed to revisit the quote, e.g, Helping Hands to use their discretion, grass cutting, strimming around headstones and cutting hedge as required (seasonal/subject to the effects of the weather) to a maximum of £1,400. Proposal to commence March 2026. Final details to be brought forward to the next meeting.There was a suggestion of a bench at a later date.
6. Proposal to erect a flagpole adjacent to the memorial and fly the Union Jack
Cllr Bainborough discussed flying the Union Jack as a matter of civic pride and patriotism and subsequently proposed the installation of a 30 foot flagpole flying a 2.5 yard Union Jack within the village memorial area.The proposed cost; Hampshire Flag Company, (Pole, flag, ropes, toggles, eyelets,loops), plus installation was circa £2,000. The proposal included incorporating the Lincolnshire flag. The specifications, e.g, height to be checked with final proposals being brought back to the Cllrs.
7. Gainsborough & Morton 10k Race 9th November 2025
Runthrough ( runthrough.co.uk ) have scheduled the Morton 10K and half Marathon race on Remembrance Sunday, the 9th of November 2025, 9.00 am – 12:30pm. The planned route for the race completely isolates several villages along the Trent bank for the entirety of Remembrance Sunday morning. East Stockwith have their remembrance Sunday Service and other parishes and residents from Morton and along the Trent bank will wish to commemorate Remembrance Sunday. Anyone wishing to attend and use a vehicle to access a service, church, etc would not be able to do so. Lincolnshire County Council have been contacted by Cllr Reeves on behalf of ESPC (and Morton Parish Council) regarding the date of the race and LCC have been in touch with Runthrough and ESPC Clerk. However, it is unlikely that the date of the race can be changed at this late stage.
8. Finances
The financial position at the bank was presented to 30.08.2025, £13,607.74. The year end projection showed a surplus of circa £1,100. Payments; Clerk’s salary and PAYE.
9. Parish Council annual insurance renewal
It was noted that the annual insurance renewal quote has just arrived. The Clerk to review.
10. Any other business
Poppy Wreaths to be ordered as usual.
11. The meeting closed at 8.30 pm. Date of next meeting 18th November 2025. Members of the