Kirton Parish Council Meeting Minutes
- March 2025

Present: Councillors: Cllr A Bowen Chair, Cllr C. Astill, Cllr M Elston, Cllr P Head,              Cllr F Huggins, Cllr Pryke, Cllr C Rylott & Cllr Sohail. Also Present:                         Clerk D. Fairweather: Borough Cllr Middleton. 

Public Forum

Resident reporting the streetlight in Hardwick Estate not working, leaving the car ark very dark of an evening. Also experiences aromas of drugs, Police and Housing Association have been informed.

Reports From Elected
County Councillors & Borough Councillors

Cllr Middleton – Resident complaining of pathway between Thomas Middlecott Drive and King Street. In poor condition. Cllr Middleton to meet with resident on site, although this is Highways.

Questioned if attendance at Parish Liaison Meeting was of use.

Cllr Rylott – Report previously distributed regarding drainage following an issue mentioned at the meeting with Richard Tice.

Cllr Pryke - Parish Liaison Meeting. Presentation from the Environment Agency and the Fire Service Group speaking of Parish Emergency Plans. An officer is willing to attend a Parish Council meeting to advise on the contents required in a Plan, one particularly being the loss of a utility services. Cllr Middleton advised there are representatives that could attend a Friday morning coffee morning to advise precautions residents could take in such circumstances. Good practice for Kirton to have such a plan.

To Receive Apologies For Absence

were received from Cllrs Baillie, Jarvis, O’Connor and County Cllrs Austin and Brookes. All resolved to accept reasons given.

To Receive Declarations Of Interest Under The Council’s Code Of Conduct Relating To Buiness On The Agenda

None

To Approve And Sign Minutes Of Meeting Held On 4
th Febuary & Extraordinary Meeting On 19th
February 2025

Proposed Cllr Bowen seconded Cllr Huggins that these be accepted as a true copy. Unanimous.

To Receive Matters Arising And Clerk’s Updates From The Minutes And Not Included On This Agenda

Footway lighting – Works done against BBC regulations. Advised that the works conducted were liable to revoke the insurance cover on all the stock of the Borough streetlights. Cllr Bowen felt it imperative that the PC receive confirmation the streetlights are still insured. Clerk has supplied the necessary qualification paperwork from contractor as requested. Agreed Clerk to request confirmation from BBC the footway lighting is still insured.

Clerk is discussing with the Leader of BBC, together with Dame Sarah Swift and CCTV’s

Skate ride – Clerk had met on site and gentleman had agreed, although it would take time.

Confirmation required of what PC wished to keep in top handrails etc.

Pest Control – Contractor has been away. Clerk had therefore asked if contract can run from March to February and awaiting to be invoiced accordingly. Cllr Rylott speaking with contractor and will confirm to commence immediately.

COVID Reflection Day - unfortunately, plaque did not arrive so now trying to get refund for additional postage paid. Residents attending, very thankful of the PC for the event.

Mrs Downes Hemington Way – resident has now reported to Richard Tice MP; Highways are now saying the trees belong to Kirton PC. Speaking with Mr Tice’s office and Mr Downes son. Clerk to request a site visit to try and finalise matter.

UKSP – all equipment and materials, and start of work on church wall, to be ordered before 20th to receive money. Boston College were to work on Church wall but are not available now. Clerk and three councillors to attend. Advertise for more volunteers.

War memorial fencing has been started but is going to be more labour/time effective than first thought. Clerk to request costings of a sandblaster.

To Receive Event Updates

a) Art Trail – favourable feedback.

b) Picnic In the Park date fixed. Team now going out to get stalls etc.

c) Best kept Garden Competition – to be judged July time. Is there a cost to enter? Who judges. 

d) VE Day Cllr Huggins confirmed the event had been registered. Kirton Holme will be flying the VE day flag from 9 a.m. At 6.30pm the churches will be ringing bells and at 9 pm the proclamation will be read and beacon lit. Refreshments available. Eight rockets for the 80 years. 

At end of night there is a VE reading and final song. Village are holding fund raising events but looking to PC for contribution. Proposed Cllr Bowen seconded Cllr Head £250 be donated. One abstention. Royal British Legion were talking of an event, Clerk to forward details on to Cllr Huggins.

e) Christmas Meal booked for 11th. Cllr Rylott confirmed carol singers had been booked and will sing for approximately 1 hour. Suggestion for bar to be open to increase profits. After discussion agreed may cause safety issues. Meals are going to be provided at no charge. Due to problems last year with ticket sales, it was suggested Clerk to write to the nursing homes regarding the date and advising residents only. Tickets to be available only from the Parish office.

To Approve Amendment Of Standing Orders For Start Time Of Meetings

It was agreed to have start time for meetings at 6.45p.m. to aid with timings of meetings. Public forum to commence at that time, but if there is no public to speak Parish Council will commence at 6.45p.m. Amendment to Standing Orders proposed Cllr Pryke seconded Cllr Rylott.

To Receive Hr Report Of Clerks Performance And Pay

Next meeting as review did not take place.

To Discuss Defibrillators

Cllr Rylott advised the defibrillator in Kirton Holme will soon come to their natural end. L.I.V.E.S. are taking away funding for defibrillators. Asking if Parish Council will maintain the one at Kirton Holme and Hubberts Bridge? As there is one at the Town Hall that is maintained by PC. All agreed PC should budget for this in the future. Proposed Cllr Elston seconded Cllr Rylott. Unanimous

Finance

a) To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule and Receive Bank Balances

Proposed Cllr Astill seconded Cllr Rylott.

Planning

To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting

B/25/1000 – proposed single storey extension Allen Briggs & Turner Veterinary Surgery, Boston Road. As in flood risk area must be built 30cms above ground level. Plans show wanting to only build to 10cms. PC to comment no objection other than flood risk recommendations to be adhered to. 

Members Reports

CA an incident at Town Hall with youth causing a nuisance in entrance to Town Hall. Users were disrupted and could not exit the building. Police were informed and attended. 

Therefore, THMC had costed additional CCTV for the entrance doors. Will put to THMC but asking if PC would be willing to contribute towards the cost. Agenda item for next meeting.

Car park lines. Not clearly visible, can they be repainted? Clerk to speak with Cllr Austin as part of Balfour Beatty contract is to offer several hours voluntary work for such things as this. 

Work on Town Hall roof and litter bin not yet completed. Clerk confirmed will be part of UKSP work.

HR meeting rearranged. Disappointed no assistance given from Chair obtaining Councillors views for appraisal. Can members please send any comments to Cllrs Astill, Baillie, and Sohail.

Clerk to send notification to three members not present. Comments to be received by Monday 17th March PM.

Cllr Rylott had previously asked for copy of Clerks contract which had not been received. Copy to be sent to all.

AB – attended on a Community Speed Watch, excessive speeds recorded, therefore quite successful. 

The group are out most weeks now.

ME asking for update of DSS, following meeting with BBC officer no further action had been taken. Complaints should be acted upon within 14 days which has not happened. Cllr Elston wanted to take to the next stage. Clerk reminded Council, correspondence had been received from Cllr Anne Dorian, regarding the streetlights, CCTV and DSS, and felt therefore that this is being dealt with as a complaint.

Requesting if play inspection training was available again. New session in May for RoSPA training, dates to be advised.

PH - Finger post for Skeldyke Road still requires attention.

FH - Notice board. Kirton

Holme will, instead of having a new small notice board for parish council, will take the PC notice board from the bus stop in the village, which is not used. All in agreement.

RP – Misinformation still advertising Kings Head open. To try and ascertain future plans. Had forwarded details of Covid Reflection Day to local papers.

6th April BBC having clean up day for anyone wanting to join.

Outer Dowsing – new notices are being displayed regarding ownership of land.

West End Road, speeding concerns. Complaining residents are listing items required there. Cllr Austin had visited with Highways. Confirmation the sign reactive sign will be placed in the future later.

CR – Ossian Wind Farm putting up notices in Kirton Holme regarding non-statutory consultations and of their intentions.

To Receive Correspondence

Active Lincolnshire – details of grant funding for the future – details for Kirton appear to be incorrect and Clerk has written for more details. Funding for leisure in the area. At an early stage at present with funding available from 2026.

Resident from Kirton End – FOI request wanting details of the removal of oak tree planted in Kirton End. 

Outer Dowsing Community Liaison Group - next meeting is 25th March 7pm Surfleet.

Parish Liaison Meeting – next meeting 12th June 7pm

Date of next meeting

1st April 2025.

Contact details for your local Councillors:

Kirton Parish Council:

Website: https://kirton.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

Acting Clerk to the parish:
Mrs Diane Fairweather                     
Email: kirtonparishcouncil@hotmail.com
Tel: 07983 893011

Responsible Financial Officer:
Mrs Diane Fairweather
Email: kirtonpc@gmail.com

Vice Chairman: Cllr David Jarvis
Email: dh.jarvis@btinternet.com
Tel: 07920 447896

Cllr Chris Astill
Email: paychris2215@outlook.com
Tel: 07592 395555

Cllr Mark Elston
Email: markelstonservices19@gmail.com
Tel: 07340 526961

Cllr Myriam Sohail
Email: myriamsohail@yahoo.com

Cllr Faye Baillie
Email: fayngeoff@gmail.com
Tel: 01205 723529

Cllr Ralph Pryke     
Email: ralphprykekirton@gmail.com
Tel: 01205 722693

Boston Borough Council:

Website: https://Boston.gov.uk

Cllr David Middleton
Email: david.middleton@boston.gov.uk

Cllr Claire Rylott
Email: claire.rylott@boston.gov.uk
Tel: 07534 433218

Cllr Ralph Pryke      
Email: ralphprykekirton@gmail.com
Tel: 01205 722693

For reporting of Flytipping, Dog Fouling and other local issues https://www.fixmystreet.com/

Lincolnshire County Council:

Website: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk

Cllr Michael Brookes (County)
Email: cllrm.brookes@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01205 820616

Cllr Alison Austin (County)
Email: cllra.austin@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Tel: 01205 368351 or 07731 690034

The Parish Council meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Upsall Rooms at the Town Hall, apart from April and August when they meet in the Chapel at Kirton Holme.