Kirton Parish Council Meeting Minutes
- May 2025

Present

Cllr M Sohail, Chair, Cllr A Bowen, Vice Chair, Cllr C. Astill, Cllr F. Baillie, Cllr M Elston, Cllr P Head and Cllr Tom Hartfil-Allgood. Also Present: Clerk D. Fairweather County Cllr Lock and six members of the public. Chair welcomed County Cllr Lock to the meeting.

Reports From Elected County Councillors & Borough Councillors

Cllr R Pryke: a) speeding reported on London Road, Boston Road, Horseshoe Lane, Willington Road, Station Road Kirton

b) Station Road Hubberts Bridge; request from Hubberts Bridge for information about the speed watch group, how to join it, if it operates on B roads and if the police have to give prior permission.

b) people in Hubberts Bridge would like interactive speed signs, solar powered.

c) some white and yellow lines are being repainted, more requests for other streets to be done also

d) request for a bus timetable board for bus stop outside old post office.

To Receive Apologies
For Absence

were received from Cllrs Huggins, Jarvis, O’Connor, Pryke, and Rylott. All resolved to accept reasons given.

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

None

To Approve Notes Of Previous Meeting Held On 3rd June 2025

Proposed Cllr Baillie seconded Cllr Hartfil-Allgood that these be accepted as a true copy to become called minutes. Unanimous.

To Receive Updates
From Clerk

Flower planters now all planted. Awaiting invoice from Cheers for plants for church planter. Thanks to all who planted and water.

Work on roof above Clerks office completed. Invoice £384. Asked him to look at gutters on tower. No quotation received yet.

No answer on Thomas Middlecott Drive ownership yet.

Ordered only one defibrillator and Kirton End have purchased their own through funding.

Grant application for UKSP submitted for total £24999 plus match funding to £50k.

Managed to secure kirtonparishcouncil.gov.uk. domain. Has been activated and is awaiting approval and registration from the Government.

Kirton News, details of new councillors sent but did not pick up on County Councillors, have resent. Cllr Astill advised Cllr Jarvis is still mentioned as Chair.

Ann Booth and Paula Davies, with the profits of the VE day afternoon tea have organised a circular seat for around a tree in the Rec. The balance to be paid by the Town Hall Management Committee. They will be gifting it to the Parish Council and would like the PC to pay the invoice, All agreed. To be included on asset register and insurance.

To Receive Event Updates

Despite having to change the date of the Picnic in the Park, everyone has been rebooked. Unfortunately, the amended poster was not received in time for Kirton News as it went to print early that month. Disappointing that could not have put flyer in magazines to advise residents but agreed to give delegated powers to Chair and Clerk to purchase two banners, up to £300, for the event, which can then be used each year. Flyer to send to school for delivery via school bags.

Bingo – Cllr Astill advised on the night that alcohol could not be sold, due to licencing rules. Having questioned the finances of Bingo Cllr Astill asked if it could be a separate entry on finance sheet. To be advertised on Boston Social Media pages. A successful event but Cllr Head advised further assistance required.

Finance

a) To Approve Payment of Accounts as per schedule

Additional payment to R Hezzell for pathway works. Explained by Cllr Astill that trip hazard had been corrected whilst contractor on site.

Additional small amount for Thomas Middlecott Drive. Cllr Elston suggested to be included in future tenders.

Cllr Astill asking if Dame Sarah Swift work can be a separate entry on accounts.

Payments proposed Cllr Bowen, seconded Cllr Baillie.

Clerk distributed details of UKSP spend. Monies spent this financial year to be included in finance figures.

Planning

To Discuss Applications Received Since Last Meeting

B/25/0240 – single storey extension for parts inward. No objections.

Members Reports

CA – 3 logs have been moved back to their original home.

AB – scooter/motor bike activity on the rec of an evening. Cllr Hartfil-Allgood advised there seems to be a motor bike travelling around the village, which as been reported to PCSO.

ME – Police will be attending coffee morning again regarding frauds and theft.

THA – LHP have confirmed they are responsible for the lighting in Hardwick Estate, and they are to be dealt with this month.

PH – litter picker advised the bin in the cemetery is being used for domestic rubbish. Requesting permission to spend £300 which is to be matched by the Town Hall Management Committee towards highlighting the white lines in the car park. Could give delegated powers for Chair and Clerk to make decision before next meetings. Although Clerk had been looking into the ‘contractors volunteer scheme’ to have works done free of charge, the scheme for this year is oversubscribed. County Cllr Lock will investigate this project. Town Hall Management Committee know nothing of this. Cllr Astill asked if future proposals could go directly to Cllr Elston, as Parish Council representative and not between one Councillor and the Clerk. THMC will only contribute to any cost of white lines if a proper invoice is raised.

Unfortunately, goals have been delivered incorrectly. Where are they to be delivered when they are rerouted?

MS – a resident has reported that the new footpath in the Town Hall rec is very dark. Could there be the possibility of street lighting.

Clerk - Litter picker is away the following week and Town Hall, and village centre may need some attention during that period.

To Receive Correspondence

Legislation change is now being actively considered for a permanent shift in how councils can operate. Following the success of meetings during COVID remote and proxy voting is being considered by the Government. Stipulations and restriction will be quite strict.

PC Ian Cotton, Boston & South Holland Neighbourhood Policing Survey

Concern from a Kirton End resident of the lack of footpath and danger for residents, dog walkers, children etc. Clerk to forward to Cllr Lock

Traffic situation along Wash Road – signage requires improving as vehicles travelling along adjacent roads which are not suitable for some vehicles. Report through Fix My Street. Cllr Elston suggesting Fix My Street is on front page of Facebook page.

Ann Booth and Paula Davies have purchased, from their profit of the VE afternoon tea, a circular seat for around a tree in the rec. Asking if Parish Council would accept it as a gift, pay the invoice, include in our assets and insurance. Proposed Cllr Baillie seconded Cllr Hartfil-Allgood. Cllr Elston gave details of Spacehive, a grant possibility to pass to Ann Booth.

To Resolve To Move Into Closed Session To Receive Updates From Meeting At Dame Sarah Swift

Proposed Cllr Bowen seconded Cllr Head to move into closed session. Cllr Hartfil-Allgood gave a resume of the meeting and discussions but was conscious that the Council cannot move forward until thoughts of the Middlecott Exhibition Foundation Charity had been received.

Clerk advised The Clerk of the Trustees for the Charity required a little more information of the PC’s proposed plans for the area. Clerk had furnished them with the original plan in the Lease agreement. advising of the initial area thought to be ideal for allotments. She felt a new Lease would be required.

Much discussion took place. Cllr Head asked if attempts at removing the railings could commence? It was felt not to start any work until plan of area was known. Cllr Astill provided a plotted, detailed, plan of the site for ease of working with, if changes are agreed.

Suggestion that a separate meeting to be held with asking a representative of the Middlecott Exhibition

Southeast Lincolnshire Crowd Funding accept applications for play area renovations.

Agreed to wait until results of UKSP funding have been received.

Agreed to put a summary together for Cllr Pryke to present to the committee at their next meeting.

To Receive Updates From
Finance Committee Meeting

Unfortunately, due to start time of meeting, this matter had to be postponed for the next meeting.

Date of next meeting

5th August 2025 at Kirton Holme.

Contact details for your local Councillors:

Kirton Parish Council:

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

Chairman: Cllr Myriam Sohail
Email: myriamsohail@yahoo.co.uk

Vice Chairman: Cllr Anthony Bowen
Email: adbowen@btinternet.com

Cllr Chris Astill
Email: patchris2215@outlook.com
Tel: 07592 395555

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

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

Cllr Tom Hartfil
Email: thartfil@outlook.com

Cllr Peter Head
Email: peterahead@gmail.com
Tel: 07900 255550

Cllr Faith Huggins
Email: Faith.huggins@yahoo.co.uk

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

Cllr L O’Connor
Email: cllrlorraineoconnor@gmail.com

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

Cllr Claire Rylott
Email: Claire.rylott@boston.gov.uk
also Borough Councillor

Clerk: Mrs Diane Fairweather
Email: kirtonpc@gmail.com

Boston Borough Council:

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.