Chairman's Report 2023-24
Chair’s Report for 2023 – 2024; Cllr. Paul Hibberd – 8th May, 2023
The busiest time in the last twelve months was the first few weeks in the Council year. The April 2023 arrival of construction traffic to change the shape of the Poors End site was a shock to ourselves and ELDC Planners, culminating in the calling of an Extraordinary General Meeting on June 7th to enable residents to express concerns, particularly about the development’s effect on adjacent properties. The majority of time at this meeting however was spent hearing from an ELDC planner explaining how difficult it was to control development effectively under current planning legislation.
Throughout the summer and through to the present day, Cllr. Mark Bensley has concentrated on speed issues throughout the Parish with help, when required, from our re-elected District and County Councillors, Cllr. Paul Rickett and Cllr. Daniel McNally. Cllr. Bensley put in place the agreed ’40 mph Advisory Speed Limit’ signage in Austen Fen, erected and maintained the jointly owned speed sign whenever available for Grainthorpe and looked after Marshchapel’s speed sign when it became available for use in Grainthorpe during the winter. My thanks to Cllr. Rickett for his help making the Marshchapel speed sign available which has also helped in the decision process for Grainthorpe to now go ahead with the purchase of its own speed sign in due course which will allow Cllr. Bensley to fully monitor vehicle speeds through Grainthorpe and report findings to this Council.
Unfortunately, last year’s intention to reduce the speed limit on Main Road (A1031) to 30 mph was not achieved, however Cllr. McNally’s recent report indicated that the approval process was now proceeding satisfactorily. Centre-line painting on the Main Road has been done, again with his help.
Residents and visitors have had the benefit of the Information Board erected at the Playing Field by Cllr. Nicholls and others, but the concept of having Grainthorpe village signage at the entry/exit routes has not progressed partly due to finding suitable locations and queries over underground services. This Council has continued its full support for the work and costs of maintaining St. Clement’s churchyard for the benefit of all.
Within the village and at the extremities of the Parish, planning applications have been received mainly for housing improvements. It has not been necessary to make adverse comments about any application. The Council will be monitoring details of the proposed National Grid route through the county.
I was sorry to have lost the valued expertise of the long-standing members who felt the time was right to retire prior to the May 2023 local elections. So I was very pleased to welcome new co-opted members to the Council – Cllr. Vicky Jackson and Cllr. Stephen Crabtree in September and later by Cllr. Dean Warrilow.
As in previous years, Parish Council meetings have been enhanced by county wide information provided each time by Cllr. Daniel McNally and Cllr. Paul Rickett for which I am extremely grateful. Thank you also to the Clerk and all our members for continued support for the benefit of residents. Our recent reduction in precept should also help at this time of increased living costs.
Cllr. Paul Hibberd
8th May 2024