Annual Parish Meetings

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on

Monday 22nd May 2023, 7:30pm at Legbourne & Little Cawthorpe Community Centre

1. Welcome.  Cllr Cat Stephenson, Chairman of Legbourne Parish Council welcomed everyone to the meeting. There were 24 people present at the meeting including members of the Parish Council, representatives from the Community Centre, All Saints Church, East Wold CE Primary School and ELDC.  The Parish Clerk, Mrs Nadine Must took the minutes.

2. Apologies for Absence. Apologies were received from Cllrs D Harrison, S Cole and LCC Ward Member Cllr S Parkin

3. Minutes.  Those who were present at last year’s meeting held 22nd June 2022 resolved to accept the minutes as a true record. The Chair duly signed minutes.

4. Chairman’s Report.  The Chairman thanked everyone who attended and went through what happened in the parish council during the last year.

There were only 11 planning applications considered compared to many more in previous years.

In July 2022 on the back of residents’ concerns of traffic speeding through the village from both ends, the Parish Council was successful on the west side to reduce the speed limit from 60 to 40mph then further reduced to 30mph coming further into the village.  However, the application for the east side had not been successful.

The Council also made available to residents 30mph stickers for wheelie bins in August 2022. Quite a few residents have taken the offer and there are still stickers available for anyone who wants them.

In September 2022 the Archers report on traffic through the village was published on the parish council website.  The statistics were reviewed and it was noted that the average speed through the village was 29.6mph and that 85% of vehicles were traveling 34mph or under.

In October 2022 in preparation for Remembrance Sunday, it was agreed that the large poppies and the two existing tommies would be displayed at the village white gate. This month also saw a noticeable increase in dog waste left throughout the village.  The Dog Warden had been called and actions to combat this issue are being addressed.

The noticeboard outside the village store was sent for refurbishment in November 2022 and has recently been returned.  The noticeboard outside the school is also being refurbished and awaiting return from Louth Men’s Shed.  The Parish Council met on two occasions the same month to resolve a sensitive planning application.

In December 2022 applications for co-option were received and the Parish Council welcomed Madeleine Exley on the team and have appreciated her inputs.  The Council currently has five councillors and have 2 vacancies and the Chairman urged residents to consider applying for the positions to keep the parish council going.

In January 2023 it was noted that FixMyStreet was working very well with potholes issue and other roadworks.  Residents were urged to report any problems as they are being acted upon very quickly. The Parish Council met LCC Ward Member Cllr Sarah Parkin in February to meet and discuss various highways issues in the village.

Another meeting with LCC was held in February 2023 to explore drainage solutions to improve the flooding situation at Househams Lane.  This is still ongoing. On the same month, the road sweeper had visited the village but its operations swept out all the recently filled potholes. This had been reported to LCC, ELDC and on FixMyStreet and was rectified within a week.

In March 2023 the Parish Council decided to move to a bimonthly meeting starting May after the local elections but it was also agreed that the chairman, could call an extra ordinary meeting at any time, if it was deemed necessary especially when planning applications are for consideration.  A new planning policy was agreed to cover these eventualities.

In April 2023 there was some response to the ongoing dog fouling issue around the village, and the dog warden had visited twice and challenged dog owners to ensure that they picked up their dog mess and put them in the bins provided or the black bins.

The ongoing issues at the Legbourne picnic areas are being addressed.   The Parish Council has received numerous letters and complaints about the area and the Council is working closely with District and County councillors to manage the anti-social behaviour. The Chairman with two other parish councillors had recently met with an LCC Officer to decide on an action plan to mitigate the issue.

In May 2023 local elections for the District was held and a new requirement to produce photo ID to vote was effected. Two Councillors retired who both had brought added value to the team, and will be sadly missed.  The Parish Council held a combined meeting last week and both Cllr Cat Stephenson and Cllr Paul Maw were re-elected Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively. The previous parish clerk also resigned but has now appointed Nadine Must as replacement.

The Parish Council has also adopted a bench down Wood Lane from a parishioner who is moving away.   The bench will be added to the Council’s Assets Register and will be included in the maintenance list.

The Chairman thanked everyone for listening and endeavoured to serve the parishioners, the village and fellow councillors to the best of his ability.

5. Financial Report by Responsible Finance Officer.  The Parish Council spent a total of £4,761 in 2023/23 from a budget of £6,288.  The Precept was £5,073 and the Council’s earmarked reserves were £10,600. There was no other income received.

No money was spent on Village Maintenance (£500).The Village Noticeboards repairs cost a third of the budgeted £1,500 and the budget for entrance gates was not spent.

The main expenses were

• Employment cost for Clerk was £2,416
• Two lots of donations were given: £425 for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Event and £380 to Little Cawthorpe Parish Council.
• The regular annual costs for Parish Council insurance ((£420), membership to Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (£235), contribution to the Yellow Pages (£250) and Community Centre Hall hire for the year ((£235)

The balance carried forward at the end of the year was £13,300.  The annual audit has been completed and the Parish Council certified itself Exempt and sent their Certificate of Declaration all the Annual Governance and Accountability Return to the External Auditor which has been acknowledged. 

All financial statements ending Financial Year 2023 are available to view on the website and residents are able to review, inspect and make copies of the documents.  They may also request an appointment with the Chairman to discuss the financial statements.

6. East Wold CE Primary School.  The Executive Head teacher Becki Dhami reported that life in school is busy as always.  They are introducing an additional class starting in September - initially for 2 years.  This will mean they will have a Reception, Year 1, Year 2, Y3/4 and 5/6 class. Teacher recruitment is taking place this year. A new curriculum will be revised over the summer to match the new class structure.

Sports partnership events have taken place during the year and GTFC and JB Sports provided quality sporting opportunities for the children in school. Friends of East Wold School (FEWS) continue to provide lots of excising events for the children and support fundraising for resources and activities in school.

During the year, we have also celebrated Harvest, Christmas and Easter in the village church. Looking forward to the summer, they will have a sports day, educational visits to the Cathedral, Woodside Wildlife, The Lincoln Museum and Hull WW2 museum.

The Coronation was marked at school with a street party and the official opening of the Jubilee Garden by Mr King. She thanked the former Cricket Club for £1000 support towards the garden.

The next project is the redevelopment of the school library - creating a new library area with lots of new books. And looking further ahead on 7th July 2024 it will be 30 years since the opening of the school and they are looking at how to celebrate this.

7. Legbourne and Little Cawthorpe Community Centre. Mick Booth who is the Chairman reported that it had been mostly a positive year.  The loss of the Louth Cricket Club to Grimoldby was particularly sad considering they have played in the field for many seasons and Mick and others were founding members.  On the positive note, Grimoldby Football Club continue to play and are introducing a junior tea.  The Community Centre is very pleased to accommodate as the behaviour on and off the field by the players have been exemplary.

The Centre has a very good relationship with Tudor Grounds Maintenance who does a sterling job after a difficult two years.

The play area is under constant watch and there is an extensive programme of redecoration and refurbishment within the hall.  An additional project to tidy up the area around the hall itself and the fringes of the field is nearing completion.

The tarmacking of the car park is set off against the backdrop of the new fence provided by the new resident next door. And the yellow painted traffic hump at the entrance has provided a smart look.

The Government Covid grants had been well received and had paid for the refurbishments which would not have been achieved without it.  The ceiling will be renewed tomorrow and the blinds will be installed in three weeks.  The fund raising efforts continue.  There are three main sources of income- car boot sales, lettings and the Village Lottery.  He thanked all the volunteers who collect the annual subscriptions and to the Trustees who recruit new members as needed.  The maximum number is 250 members and there are currently ten vacancies.

There were three successful quizzes held, two much enjoyed bingo sessions and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  The weather could have been better but there were more people in the hall than ever before.  The B1200s provided the music and was enjoyed by all.  A Cheese and Wine evening was also held with a variety of games which followed a sumptuous food and drink.

Mr Booth expressed his thanks on behalf of the Trustees to Linda Pocklington (the secretary) and Judith Thackeray (treasurer) who are key to the whole operation.  He did not want to lose sight of the work of Trustees who do important and serious work on behalf of the community.

8. All Saints Church.  Mrs Hilary King reported that the Church manages to thrive even without Fr James.  A small Parochial Church Council all work very hard to sustain the fabric of the church and now have two churchwardens, including her and Mrs Lilian Boot.

There is a monthly morning service on the first Sunday of the month, led by a Lay Reader, usually, Helen Marsden but the next service on 4th June will be led by Dr Paul Hill. At Easter they welcomed Rev Cameron Watt, Rural Dean who led a communion service and it is hoped that he will come again in October. There is a list of services and events in the church porch, for Legbourne and the other churches in the benefice.

A monthly coffee morning is held on the third Wednesday of the month which is well attended. There is always a lot of homemade cakes, coffee and friendship. Donations received from these events goes to the church or other charities. Last year the Church supported charities to the tune of £1,000. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

The volunteers in the churchyard continue to work hard making it a pleasure to walk through and see all the wildflowers in the older part of the churchyard. The Church surrounds are mown regularly through the summer. They were especially pleased when 12 parishioners came to help with the tidy our churchyard morning. Another date is being organised.

The Church has a regular band of volunteers who clean the church and arrange flowers on a rota basis.  The bell ringers practise every Tuesday evening and attend all the services and celebrations. The Church also hosts many groups of campanologists from all over the county. The Church is fortunate to have a set of five bells which gives the bell ringers an excellent work out.

The church clock has been out of action for many months now. The mechanical work is complete and the clock face is being removed on 6th June when it will be taken back to Derby for the face to be repainted in Trafalgar blue. It will need three coats of paint and will be fired between each coat. The hands and numbers will be re-gilded. It is hoped that it won’t be long before it is back up on the tower and chiming on the hour, every hour.

Mrs King thanked all those who continue to support the church financially by regular payment by standing order and welcomed those who would like to consider doing the same and have a chat with her.

There are plans to improve the North Aisle by taking out some of the pews, putting back four of them facing into the church, lowering the floor and improve the heating to provide a more welcoming area for families and children and for fund-raising events. Quotes are being sourced before any progress is made.

They were pleased to take part in St James’s Church Community Blooms flower festival, in collaboration with East Wold C of E School. The display is still in All Saints for another week. They are pleased that the school children, teachers and parents, following the Covid restrictions, are now once again fully involved with the church and regularly join to celebrate Christian festivals.

On a final note, Mrs King reminded everyone that All Saints Church is open every day and everyone is very welcome.

9. East Lindsey District Council.  Ward Member Adam Grist reported that he was pleased to have been re-elected.  He has always found the job rewarding and although he has a day job, he loves representing the parish for the District.

He acknowledged that Lincolnshire has been poorly funded in the past but was happy to report that in the last couple of years with the levelling up agenda, funds have been coming through and ELDC has received £75m funding for the Towns Fund.  Skegness is getting a new further education college and Mablethorpe is having a new sports centre.  More funding streams are expected for market towns and rural areas.

Cllr Grist also reported that the headquarters has moved from Manby to Horncastle and the building is in partnership with Boston College.  Tedder Hall was costly to maintain and the building was already looking tired.

The results of the elections gave no overall majority for any party and the annual meeting of the District Council is to be held in a couple of days.

The Community Grants Fund would hopefully restart again and he would welcome applications for good causes in the parish.

The ongoing issues with the Picnic Area, the flooding issue at the Beck, the dog poos and 4x4 racing continue but are being addressed by the relevant departments.

10. Open Forum.

It was suggested to move the 30mph sign at the white gates instead of where it is currently situated.  The speed recording from the reactive signs were also queried and its impact on the traffic situation.  It was suggested to have another Archers Survey and an upgrade of reactive devices.  The suggestions will be considered in the next parish council meeting in July.  It was also noted that the police visit to check the traffic speed had not been productive as it was done before 9am.  A later time would have provided different results as parents coming to drop their children to school.

A pedestrian crossing to the Village Store was also suggested as the current route used by parishioners is not safe.

The meeting closed at 8:40pm.

Signed Chairman  …………………………………………………………….

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

Date:   …………………………….