January 2025 Minutes
Halton Holegate with Halton Fenside Parish Council
Minutes of the full Council meeting held at Halton Holegate Methodist Chapel on Thursday 16th January 2025 commencing at 7pm. These are notes of the meeting until approved as a true record.
Present:
Cllrs D Sisson (Chair), C Holmes (Vice-Chair), S Andrew, C Clare, C Edwards, and T Robson; District Councillor T Taylor and County Councillor W Bowkett.
Clerk - J Sargent.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
Lincolnshire County Councillor W Bowkett
County Councillor W Bowkett provided a written report, circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting. In addition, Cllr Bowkett mentioned that the County Council were proposing a 2.99% increase in Council tax despite pressures from Government and the care industry to increase it to 5%. Cllr Bowkett also spoke briefly on Lincolnshire becoming a unitary authority, with the removal of District Councils and greater responsibility placed on Parish Council, particularly regarding planning.
Cllr Bowkett also spoke about devolution for Greater Lincolnshire which could mean the removal of district councils and greater responsibilities for town and parish councils such as planning. However, the details are yet to be confirmed. County elections are also due to be held in May but could be postponed until devolution has been completed.
East Lindsey District Councillor T Taylor
District Councillor T Taylor provided information via email circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting.
Cllr Taylor reported that the environmental impact was now placed on ELDC reports. Cllr Taylor also reported that the green waste bins could now be paid for, but the price had increased. There is also a webpage for floods victims in January 2025 and information was being compiled from this event.
With no further matters, it was resolved unanimously to go into formal session.
55. Chair’s Welcome.
The Chair confirmed the Council was quorate, welcomed all present, and thanked Councillors for their attendance.
56. Apologies.
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllr J Vickers.
57. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
58. To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 14th November 2024.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes from November as a true and accurate record.
59. Finances:
a. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for November.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts submitted for consideration. The Accounts Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
b. To receive an updated Bank Reconciliation for November.
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The Bank Reconciliation Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
c. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for December.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts submitted for consideration. The Accounts Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
d. To receive an updated Bank Reconciliation for December.
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The Bank Reconciliation Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
e. To receive a Budget Review for the third Quarter of the Financial Year.
The Clerk provided a budget review for the third quarter of the financial year, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. A copy of the Budget Review included as an attachment to these minutes. No questions were put to Clerk regarding the review.
f. To confirm the budget and precept for 2025-26
Cllr Sisson confirmed the 2025-26 draft budget recommended a precept request of £4,975.00, which is approximately a 4.75% increase, on tax base of 158. For a band D property, this is an annual increase of £1.43, to £31.49 per year. It was resolved unanimously to accept the increase and submit a precept request of £4,975.00 to ELDC.
g. To confirm the earmarked reserves for 2025-26
The Clerk provided a draft earmarked reserves allocation for 2025-26. Cllr Sisson mentioned that these allocations were for an operational contingency fund and an election - if required, complying with the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations. Other earmarked reserves were allocated to an emergency fund, similar to the expenses incurred in the aftermath of storm Babet, and emergency maintenance of asset. It was resolved unanimously to approve earmarked reserves allocation for 2025-26.
60. To receive reports from:
a. The Chair
Cllr Sisson circulated a written report prior to the meeting via email.
b. The Clerk
No updates reported by the Clerk.
61. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. To receive an update on the proposed Halton Road Housing Development.
Cllr Sisson advised that at a meeting before Christmas with all the formal flood risk management authorities, where Anglian Water advised that the sewerage works were at their discharge limit and could not accept any further connections. However, outline planning had already been granted and could not stop the connections in Spilsby. Anglian Water are now looking for funding in order to accept those flows. If outline planning is not in place, new connections will not be considered.
The Clerk contacted ELDC’s appointed planning consultant - Sam Dewar regarding the meeting and proposals from Gleesons regarding sewage, highways and overhead cables; and requested that the Council is kept up to date.
Cllr Bowkett advised that funding for the medical centre is in place, however, is unsure on whether the housing development will be completed due to funding and demand.
The Clerk mentioned that there was a lack of consistency in advice received from Anglian Water in relation to new planning applications in Spilsby and for the proposed Halton Road Development. The Clerk has requested further information from ELDC’s Planning Department and Anglian Water.
b. Application S/165/02462/22 | Planning Permission request for land north of Halifax Farm, Halton Road, Spilsby.
Cllr Sisson referred to the comments previously submitted in 2024 and recommended submitting the same comments. It was resolved unanimously to support the application.
Cllr Sisson noted that full planning permission with conditions had been granted for the change of use of existing agricultural land to form an extension to existing domestic curtilage, and erection of a fence to a maximum height of 2.4m at Hawthorne House, Northorpe Road.
Planning application S/072/01818/24 for the change of use of land to site 2no. shepherd huts and provision of car parking on land adjacent stables at Toynton Lane was circulated via email in December. Feedback received via email was to support the application. The Clerk to submit response to ELDC via email.
62. To receive an update on highways, footpaths, and road closures.
a. To consider the problems with parking on Station Road.
Cllr Holmes advised issues remain on the corner of Station Road, particularly water running of fields where the Halton Road housing development is planned. The dykes on B1195 between Halton Holegate sign and Station Road Halton Holegate, leaving from Spilsby, are full of debris, so the water overtops into the road. Requests have been made previously for the guttering to be cleared. Cllr Sisson advised there were similar problems elsewhere in the parish. Cllr Bowkett advised reporting it to fixmystreet.
Cllr Bowkett reported that some objections have been received regarding the proposed restrictions on Station Road and will follow up with LCC officers on whether a new consultation is needed and what actions will come next.
Cllr Holmes queried whether a car had been abandoned on Station Road.
b. Issues to be reported or already reported to fix my street.
Cllr Sisson placed his thanks on record to the volunteers who cleared the footpath on Northorpe Road. Cllr Robson advised reporting potholes on Northorpe Road.
Cllr Edwards advised that one of the walking groups would like some maintenance carried out on a tree which appears to be slipping into the river and is causing an obstruction to the footpath. Cllr Bowkett advised reporting it to fixmystreet with a picture.
63. Village Flood Investigation.
a. To receive a Flood Report Update.
Cllr Sisson reported that another flooding incident almost happened on 6th January, much of the water was held back further upstream in River Lymn due to a blockage, flooding land near Partney.
Cllr Edwards advised that no residential properties were flooded, but some outbuildings such as stables were.
Cllr Sisson reported that a feasibility study has been commissioned to investigate issues raised. The Environment Agency have started to reduce water levels in the catchwater from October each year and the River Steeping will run at a lower level. Cllr Sisson expressed concern that similar events would continue to happen.
b. To receive an update on Lincolnshire County Council’s Section 19 Report
Cllr Sisson confirmed the Section 19 Report had been circulated with those affected but has not been released further and the report has the Parish Council’s report in the appendix. The recommendations in the report are broadly in line with the Parish Council's requests.
Cllr Sisson advised that a meeting has been set up on Thursday 23rd January 2025 with Steve Eason-Harris of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum to discuss the Emergency Plan as a working party, not a formal meeting.
Cllr Edwards advised that many residents were frustrated with the lack of action and no improvement in maintenance. Cllr Sisson advised there was no quick fix and of the importance of managing expectations. Cllr Edwards suggested advising residents do all they can to help themselves.
64. To consider a Sexual Harassment Policy.
Cllr Sisson requested a review date on the policy and Cllr Andrew advised referring to the Council as Halton Holgate with Halton Fenside rather than Halton Holegate and Halton Fenside. The Clerk to amend. It was resolved unanimously to adopt the policy.
65. To review progress with production of Emergency Plan
Cllr Edwards asked all Councillors volunteer for the community response team and would need contact details for all Councillors. The Methodist Chapel has been proposed as the incident room, with Franklin Hall, Spilsby as a potential back-up which does have internet access. Cllr Sisson confirmed that they are aware there is no internet connection, which will be looked into and advised that the future of the Chapel is not certain. Cllr Bowkett advised internet is a requirement.
66. To consider agenda items for the next meeting
• Schedule of Regular Payments.
• Mid-Year Audit Jobs Update.
67. To confirm meeting dates for 2025-26.
It was resolved unanimously to confirm the meeting dates scheduled for 2025-26.
68. To confirm the date of the next meeting as Thursday 13th March 2025.
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 13th March 2025.
With no further comments, Cllr Sisson closed the meeting at 8:45pm.
Signed…………………………………………………………………………………
Chair of the Council - Cllr D Sisson
Signed………………………………………………………………………………..
Clerk to the Council and RFO - Jack Sargent
Thursday 13th March 2025