July 2024 Minutes

Minutes of 130th Grainthorpe Parish Council meeting held on 10th July at 7.00 in the Chapel Schoolroom, Grainthorpe

Present Clls I Nicholls D Warrilow P Hibberd V Jackson S Crabtree P Rickett (ELDC) D McNally (LCC and ELDC)

1.) Apologies None

2.) Alison Howe of 3 High Street and the gentleman at 2 High Street who attended the last meeting said that the problem was getting worse. Alison said cars were being sold from her neighbours property (No.6), not taxed or SORN. Councillor Warrilow said that these were police matters or in the case of running a business from home a matter for ELDC. Councillor Hibberd suggested contacting the DVLA but the vehicles are only there for four or so days before they disappear and new ones arrive. Asked if a letter from the Parish Council might help. Caravan at the property is now occupied again and a gardening business is being run from it with garden waste being regularly burnt. Alison and the other parishioner suspect that drug dealing is being carried out from the property, smell of cannabis in the air. Police have been passed the property every day for the past week. Has been reported to Crimestoppers. Councillor Warrilow suggested that every incident should be reported so it can be escalated and become more of a priority. Advised not to take photos but to record vehicle registrations. No.19 also has a lot of cars, the gentleman said that the Parish Council should by law be able to acquire land, land on Mill Lane being used for four cars from this property. Cars also park on the corner creating a hazard. There is also constant barking from dogs being left for up to ten hours a day. This constitutes anti-social behaviour and should be reported. Councillor Rickett suggested keeping a log of all of the events outlined above. Councillor Nicholls to look and see if there is anything that the Parish Council can do. He will write them a letter about parishioners' concerns.

3.) Councillor McNally said that we should have received a letter from ELDC Highways re the signs for the new 30mph speed limit. He also confirmed that some filling in had been done to the verges and Councillor Nicholls said they should be coming back to sort out reported sunken manhole cover. Councillor Warrilow also asked about the coned areas ie. by Ivy Lane and towards Coalshore Lane where kerb is collapsing. Councillor McNally to look into it. He also had a thirty-page list with some possible funding opportunities which he will forward to Councillor Nicholls. Councillor Nicholls also queried the status of the funding for the speed camera which previous Councillor Bensley had applied for. Councillor McNally to look into and forward update to all councillors.

4.) No interests declared

5.) Councillor Nicholls signed minutes of the May meeting

6.)   i Energy van visited at the last GCVA meeting. Councillor Warrilow was very positive about the response

ii Email addresses now sorted out and working

iii Speed camera already dealt with

iv We now have the portrait of King Charles III which will be taken to next GCVA meeting to consider positioning in the Village Hall

7.)i, ii and iii Need to sort out banking details. The only current signatory is Councillor Hibberd. Councillor Crabtree suggested sending a letter to the bank explaining our current situation together with a copy of the minutes of the last two meetings. He will go into Lloyds bank next week as difficult to change things online. We do however need to appoint an RFO (Responsible Financial Officer). Councillor McNally suggested contacting LALC for their advice, need to sort this out before the next meeting.

8.)   i No further forward but Councillor McNally is confident it will happen soon

ii Should know in the next two weeks when ELDC officer comes out

iii Councillors Hibberd and McNally will sort this out, emails have been sent from ELDC . Councillor Warrilow raised the issue of village name signs which Councillor Nicholls had circulated details of a while ago. Various prices. Options limited by drainage dyke on one side of the road. Councillor McNally felt we should opt for the nicer more expensive options even it meant purchasing the signs one at a time. Councillor Warrilow to approach the Mens Shed in Louth to see if it was a project that they would consider taking on. Will eventually need three signs.

iv Second grain store erected nearly three years ago and didn’t comply with the landscaping requirements. Apparently, more planting than was agreed has been carried out so the case has been closed by ELDC.

v Inspected by Councillor Nicholls who felt it was dangerous to both livestock and humans, especially as this is where children wait for the school bus. Councillor Nicholls to write to East Anglian Water to outline the dangerous state of the fences

vi Planning application has gone through but ELDC have imposed some restrictions that don’t seem to be based on common sense ie distance of buildings from the dyke. Councillor Nicholls is liaising with ELDC on behalf of the GCVA.

vii The Methodist Church are concerned about the weeds including ragwort growing behind the hall. Councillor Hibberd has contacted planning enforcement but they cannot do anything until the site behind in Poors End is completed. Councillor McNally suggested writing a letter to the builders, Councillor Nicholls to speak to them, will then update the church about what is happening.

viii Councillor Warrilow explained that every quarter there is a meeting to determine what the policing priorities will be for the next quarter in the Mablethorpe area. Members of the public can use a QR code which will go into the Parish magazine to report concerns. Useful if there is a spate of an activity occurring e.g. burglaries, speeding or unsociable behaviour.

9.) Austen Fen applicants want to alter a footpath to go around the boat slipway. Two options presented, no objections from councillors, Councillor Hibberd to respond.

10.) Already discussed. We do have a Parish laptop which Councillor Nicholls will give to Councillor Jackson to type up minutes until such time as we have a new Clerk.

11.) Councillor Warrilow bought up that at a previous meeting he had asked for clarification about the land that is owned by the Parish Council. Councillor Crabtree could find nothing in the filing cabinet relating to this. Land registry not always helpful if hasn’t been registered in the past. Previous conversation concerned selling a patch of land to a parishioner for parking. Unknown who owned the land that the Millennium Stone was put on. Councillor Nicholls to contact Land Registry to see if he can find out anything. Councillor Hibberd reported that a parishioner had spoken to him about the verges on a bridge in Buttgate and he also commented about the state of a public footpath. He will chase the Pride team. Councillor Warrilow asked whether or not our roads are swept, Councillor McNally said they will come out if requested.

Date and time of next meeting.  – Wednesday 11th September 2024, at 7.00 pm. in Chapel Schoolroom.  

Meeting closed at 8.30pm