Annual Parish Meetings

 

1. Welcome.  Cllr Madeleine Exley, Chair of Legbourne Parish Council welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were 27 residents present at the meeting including members of the Parish Council, representatives from the Community Centre, All Saints Church, and ELDC.  The Parish Clerk, Mrs Nadine Must took the minutes.

 

2. Apologies for Absence. Apologies were received from LCC Ward Member Cllr S Parkin, Ms Becki Dhami, Executive Headteacher of East Wold CE Primary School, the local neighbourhood policing team, Mr P King and Mrs J Harrison.

 

3. Minutes.  Those who were present at last year’s meeting held 15 April 2024 resolved to accept the notes as a true record. The Chair signed the minutes.

 

4. Neighbourhood Policing Team. Apologies were received from the police but sent a report read out by the Chair.  

 

Patrols of the picnic area continue as and when officers are in the area.  However, dates of visits are no longer recorded as the site is no longer classed as a hotspot area.  The Police have not received any anti-social behaviour reports for over 12 months.

 

It was a quiet period relating to domestic matters. There were two calls to Furze Lane on Hare coursing in August last year and three reports of break ins in November 2024 at farms in the area.  All incidents were investigated accordingly.

 

Reports on road traffic incidents were not readily available.

 

5. Report by Chair, Madeleine Exley. The Chair reported that she was elected Chair of the Parish Council last September, when her predecessor Cat Stephenson resigned from the council.  She joined the council in February 2023, after moving to the village in September 2022.

 

The annual parish meeting is for residents to come together and an opportune time to raise any issues relating to the village; hear reports from the different voluntary groups and institutions like the Church, Community Centre and local school.  The Parish Council also report on the business transacted, during the last 12 months.

 

All parishes/villages are required to have an annual meeting which is presided by the Chair of the Parish Council.  All current parish councillors attend as residents and she introduced those who were present at the meeting, Vice Chair Paul Maw, David Harrison and Shaun Cole as well as the newest parish councillor Cllr Natalie Oliver, who joined in January this year and wished her good luck in the forthcoming County Council elections.  She also introduced the Parish Clerk, Nadine Must, who organised this event and all parish council meetings.

 

The Chair thanked her predecessor and noted that much of what the Council has achieved in the last year is due to his work and commitment.

 

There are two Parish Councillor vacancies, and invited those interested in village affairs, and would like to be involved, to speak to any of the parish councillors or the parish clerk.

 

Meetings continue to be held bi-monthly and thanked all her fellow parish councillors for continuing to give their time and efforts for the benefit of the village and to the Parish Clerk for her skills on all  finance matters and the general administration tasks undertaken in a most professional manner.  

 

Residents are most welcome to attend meetings and not just at times when they have village issues that need addressing.  The parish council cannot promise to resolve, but will work with the relevant authorities to come to a resolution.

 

She thanked the ELDC and LCC Ward members who have attended parish council meetings to give their updates.

 

Policies were reviewed and amended as required, which are considered good to best practice.  The Council continues to have a General Power of Competence which gives power to do anything that individuals generally may do as long as no laws are broken.   The Council is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office to comply with Data Protection and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). As part of the GDPR, councillors are required to have a dedicated council email address, currently compliant through Gmail. However, the external auditors are insisting that all parish councils should have a gov.uk email account by the end of this financial year, which means that the parish council may have to purchase a gov.uk domain to comply.  

 

Planning. Eight local planning applications were considered and were all supported.  One national scoping opinion consultation (Ossian Windfarm) was also received but no comments made.

 

A discussion on the proposed Ground Disposal Facility (GDF) Area of Focus near Legbourne will be discussed.

 

Amenities.  The bus shelter refurbishment will be completed soon.  A litter picking event was recently completed and 20 bags of rubbish collected.  The Council co-sponsored the successful Scarecrow Festival last summer and are pleased to announce this will be going ahead again this year.

 

Legbourne Picnic Site continues to be monitored by parish councillors and Lincolnshire Police and noted for discussion later in the meeting to get residents’ views on its future prospects.

 

Other possible village projects were also for discussion, if successful at gaining grant funding from ELDC.  The proposed Village Map, which had stalled is also something the Parish Council needed residents’ views on, either pursuing or abandoning the project.

 

Highways.  A new speed indication device was purchased and received overall positive comments from residents.  An Archers Survey has been requested to be placed near Red Hen Nursery, as traffic speeding continues to be a concern. One way of tackling is to have a group of volunteers who will be trained by Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to do speed checks as part of the Community Speed Watch (CSW) Campaign.  Only two have volunteered so far and more are needed to go ahead.

 

A resolution to the flooding issues at Househams Lane continue to be pursued with the LCC Ward Member.

 

The Chair repeated that feedback and suggestions were very much welcomed and thanked those who attended for listening and hoped that they find the rest of the annual parish meeting worthwhile.

 

6. Financial Accounts by Responsible Finance Officer.  A PowerPoint presentation was provided to report on the council receipts and payments for the financial year. It showed that the Parish Council had £20,411 in the account at the start of FY2024/25 with a spending budget of £8,019.  At the end of the year, the total spend was £9,925.

 

A graph of budget versus spend was presented and showed  that the main overspend were the purchase of a new speed indicator device and a new defibrillator.

 

The Annual Governance and Accountability Return will be considered at the annual meeting in May after it has been reviewed by an internal auditor.  It is expected that the Parish Council will declare itself Exempt from a limited assurance review because its finances fall below £25,000.  All financial statements ending Financial Year 2025 will be available on the website and residents are able to review, inspect and make copies of the documents.  They may also request an appointment with the Chair or RFO to discuss the financial statements.

 

The Parish Council sets a spending budget in the November meeting and agrees a precept requirement.  For this financial year which started in April, the spending budget approved was presented totalling £9,906 including a precept submission of £6,610.  The calculation of parish precept per property band was shown which indicated a very small increase from the previous year.  Band H properties which are the highest category only saw a 75pence increase for the whole year.

 

7. Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe Community Centre.  Committee Secretary Linda Pocklington reported that apart from the lack of committee members the Community Centre goes from strength to strength.  

 

Lettings are regular during the week with two lots of Keep Fit, Archery, Playgroup and Friendship Club every other week.  Football practise outside on the field three nights a week and on a Saturday morning. They now have an adult team, junior boys and junior girls and play at the weekends. They get plenty of bookings for private parties which keep the booking clerk, Robin, very busy.  Linda reminded that bookings can be done online.  

 

Car Boots are always well attended both for sellers and buyers. More help will be appreciated to park cars or shake the bucket.

 

They were unsuccessful with a funding bid towards the repairs to the hall floor from Louth Sports Association.

 

Events.  They organised a Race Night, which was fun for the few families that came along.  The Village Fete was very disappointing, with lack of manpower, using their own funds to pay out for the entertainment etc. They only made a few hundred pounds profit, considering a lot of hard work which goes into organising events.

 

The Christmas Bingo however was heaving and was very successful. The Easter Bingo wasn’t as well attended but enjoyed by all. 

 

There were four Quiz Nights with between 6/8 teams at each event.  They had to cancel two events, the Beaujolais Evening because of a lack of ticket sales and the Children’s Christmas Disco because it clashed with the Tractor Run.

 

The Football Club put on a Charity Match and gave the Community Centre £657 from their profits.  Three more matches to be held this year with half of the profits going to different good causes.

 

The first Scarecrow Trail in conjunction with the Parish Council and The Queens Head

couldn’t have been more successful. Residents made great efforts with over 100 scarecrows on display.  Plans are well underway for the second one and ideas will be much appreciated.

 

Maintenance.  The hall has been painted and received lots of positive comments. She thanked Councillor Grist for his contribution.  There is also a new Defibrillator on the wall outside provided by the Parish Council which looks very smart but hopefully will never be needed.

 

The Football Club have been very busy on the field, sorting out the removal of the cricket wicket, grass seeding where necessary, cutting back the hedges and trees and starting to look at the drainage on the field.  They have managed to mark out four more pitches allowing games to be played by different ages at the same time.

 

There is now a new gate from the car park onto the field and another one will soon be in place at the back.

 

The new car park at the back is well used. Anglian Water paid £875 for the use of the car park while they were doing theirs works on the site. A new canopy, for outside, is being purchased to replace the current one that is coming to the end of its time.

 

Village Lottery/Newsletter.  Only 12 numbers available out of the 250 in the Village Lottery and thanked Tracy Northover for all her hard work and also with the Newsletter.   As of the end of June the Newsletter will be online except for 100 copies spread out between the shop, the church, the community centre and both pubs.  Those who still require a copy need to send an email to Tracy.  

 

Linda finished off with a reminder that the AGM is on Tuesday 13th May @ 7pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

 

8. All Saints Church.  Mrs Hilary King reported the church continues to thrive with regular services on the first Sunday of the month usually led by Lay Reader Helen Marsden. On the third Sunday of the month, held at 11 am, they are fortunate that the Rural Dean Father Terry Steele takes the Holy Communion service.  There is a list of services for Legbourne and the other churches in the group in the church porch and other notice boards in the village.

 

The Church also hold a monthly coffee morning on the third Wednesday of the month which is well attended. Money is often raised to help other charities and last year they sent off nearly £500.  Thank you to those who continue to support the Louth Community Larder by leaving tinned goods and toiletries in the box in the church porch. These are then taken to Holy Trinity for distribution.

 

There is a team of volunteers who continue to keep the churchyard neat and tidy, regularly cutting the grass round the church. Hilary thanked them for all their hard work.  There is also a small group of ladies who regularly clean the church and invited more to join them, dates of which are in the newsletter. Thanks also to those who arrange flowers for church festivals, the bellringers who welcome attendees to church on a Sunday morning, Anyone interested in bell ringing with the practice night on a Tuesday should contact Hilary.

 

All support is appreciated. Hilary will be happy to have a chat at the end of the meeting to anyone wishing to help the church financially and make a regular payment to the church’s upkeep. A ‘Parish Giving Scheme’ will be launched later in the year to encourage parishioners to give on a regular basis through their bank.

 

She also thanked the Parish council for their financial support with the War Memorial cleaning and also to all the ladies who made poppies for Remembrance day which looked splendid.

 

The work to the North Aisle is complete, again through the generosity of Cecily Davy’s legacy. The work could not have been carried out the legacy or grant funding.

 

The children from East Wold Church of England School along with their families regularly come into church and HIlary visit them in school too, to lead an assembly.  It was lovely on Christmas Eve when the children took over the Crib Service, they read beautifully and placed the Nativity figures in the crib.   The children also enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt after the service on Easter Day.

 

`Messy Church’ started at the end of April which is an hour of activities with refreshments and craft. Unfortunately, it was put on hold while the work to the North Aisle was carried out but it is hoped to start again soon.

 

All Saints’ church is open every day, it is the village church which has been on that site since the 14th century and everyone is welcome, to join in a service or to sit quietly and reflect on the world.

 

9. The report from the Executive Headteacher of East Wold CE Primary School.  – The Spire Federation was read out by Mr Paul Maw. The school has made significant strides in curriculum development, community engagement, and pupil outcomes.  A key development has been the introduction of the Kapow Primary Curriculum—a comprehensive, innovative platform designed to deliver engaging, well-structured, and inclusive lessons. This new curriculum has been enthusiastically received by both staff and pupils. Through Kapow, the school aims to:

• Enhance Creativity and Engagement through hands-on and practical lessons, designed to spark curiosity and excitement; Ensure Full Curriculum Coverage aligned with the National Curriculum, Kapow eensuring all learning objectives are met across subjects; Support Diverse Learning including video tutorials, visual aids, and differentiated activities to cater to a wide range of abilities and learning styles; and Develop Skills and Knowledge Progressively building systematically on prior learning, preparing pupils effectively for the next stage of their education.  The children are really enjoying the new approach to learning and are thriving under this enhanced curriculum.

Phonics results were an amazing 94%, and 73% of pupils achieved a good level of development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)—both of which are above national averages. These outcomes reflect the excellent start pupils receive at East Wold. Throughout the year, there was further development on EYFS provision in partnership with North Cockerington Primary School, ensuring a collaborative and enriched learning environment for the youngest learners.

This year, a new Positive Behaviour Policy was introduced and a whole-school Behaviour Curriculum. Well-being has also been a key focus this year. A dedicated Wellbeing Group was established and organised special events aimed at promoting mental health, self-care, and positive relationships. These initiatives and activities have been very well received by pupils, staff, and parents alike. And the school is incredibly proud of the calm, respectful, and focused learning environments created across the school. The consistent approach has supported the school values and contributed positively to the wellbeing and success of all pupils.  They have helped to further strengthen the supportive, caring ethos of the school community. 

The Friends of East Wold School (FEWS) continue to play an invaluable role in school life. Over the past year, they have generously funded key resources and created memorable experiences for pupils. To name just a few of their contributions: they’ve organised school discos, supported the Christmas Fair, joined pupils in crafting festive decorations, and arranged a sponsored walk around the village—a highlight enjoyed by staff and children alike. They were also delighted by the positive feedback from members of the wider community and look forward to strengthening those connections even further.

The partnership with the local church remains an important part of school life. This year, Harvest, Christmas, and Easter celebrations were held at the village church, enriching spiritual and community experiences. The School is especially grateful to Mrs King, the church link, for her continued support and guidance. They also extend thanks to the church for kindly providing Palm crosses to all pupils—an appreciated gesture that supports collective worship and reflection.

Last summer, the school celebrated a special milestone—30 years since the school first opened. To mark the occasion, the school hosted a themed day filled with enriching activities in art, history, environmental learning, and sport. It was a fantastic day that showcased the breadth of the curriculum in a fun and engaging way. They were also pleased to welcome past members of the school community who joined the celebration.

Looking ahead, they are excited to host VE Day celebrations in May which they hope will build on the success of previous themed days and provide another memorable and meaningful experience for their pupils and community.

 

10. East Lindsey District Council.  Ward Member Adam Grist reported that ELDC has recently been audited and regarded a well-run council and provides good value for money.  

 

The Council has agreed a capital programme for 2025/26 and £9m of funding is available which they are keen to spend.  The industrial estates in Louth and Horncastle have seen investment and expansion.  The Community Grassroots Fund have already granted funds on Pride and Place Scheme, projects for the elderly, tourism projects and car parks.  The Councillor Community Grant Initiative is also open.

 

The hot topic is the nuclear waste site which was moved from Theddlethorpe to Great Carlton area. EDLC has withdrawn from the partnership and LCC has intended to do the same pending results from the county council elections.

 

All households will receive a food waste caddy by the end of 2025.  This is a national campaign to reduce food waste and will be a weekly collection.

 

The Local Government re-organisation will result in the appointment of a Greater Lincolnshire Mayor who will have a £24/25m funding from the government.  No decision has been made as to the reorganisation of Lincolnshire councils with the current seven district councils, one county council and two unitary councils.  Decision is expected around 2028.  The impact on parish councils is not yet known.

 

11. Community Topics

Ground Disposal Facility.  There was a broad discussion on this issue. The need for a more permanent site in one location rather than the current 40 or more overground locations is the main purpose.  Lincolnshire was chosen as a potential site due to its geological suitability and the potential for a stable, underground environment to isolate the waste. However, ELDC has formally withdrawn from the Partnership discussion with Nuclear Waste Services when the area of focus changed from Theddlethorpe area which is a brownfield site to a greenfield site and the strong opposition from residents.  LCC also intended to withdraw but has not made any decision due to the local elections. Questions on the principle of one site instead of many, the impact of the local government re-organisation and the results of the county council elections have to be seen.

 

Projects for funding. Another speed indicator device was suggested but without access to the data from the current device, there was no evidence to support another purchase.  A new bus shelter was also mentioned.  The Parish Council will consider these projects.]

 

Village Map.  It was agreed that there was no need to resurrect this project.  The availability of satellite navigations have superseded the need for having a village map.

 

Legbourne Picnic Site gate.  It was noted that residents did not really use the facility and was mainly for the benefit of visitors.  There was no comment on the need for a gate.  The lack of footpath to the picnic site was an important factor for the lack of use by residents.  It was noted that the Parish Council had requested a footpath years ago, but no action was taken by LCC. Trees around the site may have to be taken down to provide better access.

 

Parking.  Some of the residents reported the unsafe parking practices outside the shop which limits visibility and is a hazard to other motorists.

 

Road Resurfacing.  These has been ongoing for the last two years and is still unfinished.  

 

Community Speed Watch Campaign. There is a need for more volunteers to tackle the traffic speeding in the village and be trained.  Only one name was put forward at the meeting.

 

Pylons.  The Chair read out feedback from a concerned resident on the advantages and disadvantages of overhead pylons compared to underground cables and inferred that the latter is more desirable and that the government should rethink its preference for pylons.

 

Village Voices.  Mike Cartwright reported that he has been interviewing residents from both Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe for his illustrated audio which will be published on Facebook. The interviews focus on past and present themes including school life and farming and other village topics.

 

There were no other issues, and the meeting closed at 8:55 pm.

 

 

Proposed: Seconded: 

 

 

 

Signed Chair  …………………………………………………………….

 

 

 

Signed Clerk  ………………………………………………………………….

 

 

 

Date:   …………………………….