April 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE HOGSTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2nd APRIL 2025
Present: Cllrs Fran Wilson (Chairman) Diane Hanson, Chris Rolph, Ellen Smith Bernadette Hornby, Ray Murray, Pauline Perry. Clerk: Kath Hayes
Also present: Dist Cllr Roger Dawson, 4 members of the public
PUBLIC FORUM
A member of the public remarked that the Heritage Garden was looking extremely good and thanked the person (Fran Wilson) for the upkeep of this.
He understood from the church that the front wall was to be rebuilt and a gate would be put up.
He also complained about the untidiness of the churchyard where the wall had been and the old gravestones which had been laid flat were a mess. He suggested that the gravestones were laid flat on a proper base. The Chairman said that all this was being looked into and trying to find the best options to resolve the problem. Lots of work has been done and, and we are looking into getting a proper survey done to improve the look of the cemetery.
He also complained about the burnt out bungalow on the main road and asked that this eyesore was reported to ELDC.
Also, there is a property which has been partly built which had stood unfinished for a number of years.
Another member of the public asked the council if there was any update on the survey of the village by Cllr Colin Davie with particular reference to the caravan park entrance on Mill Lane where part of the condition was that a footpath was built before any caravans were occupied. This had been pointed out to the District Councillor on his walk-about.
Another member of the public asked what the law was with regard to parking near a junction. She was informed that there should be no parking within 10 meters of the junction: any problem with this should be reported to the police.
The Chairman read out an email sent to the parish council regarding the dog attacks in the village. It is understood that the dog is now sometimes being muzzled when walked but not all the time. Cllr Rolph had reported this to the police who had informed him that this was an ongoing investigation. Cllr Rolph stated the law on this and this clause would be put on the Council web site. Any further complaints should be made to the police.
1. APOLOGIES Cllr Mary Banks
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None
3. APPROVAL OF NOTES OF MEETING
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 5th March 2025 were unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman.
4. CLERK S REPORT
Of note for discussion were website update, S106 money to be spent on planters for each end of village and welcome to Hogsthorpe signs and a village mini library and where to install VE-80 posters and silhouettes. Cllr Smith and husband had volunteered to distribute the playpark request for help flyers to all households.
5. REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
i. District councillor Roger Dawson reported on the latest situation with devolution and explained that submissions were to be finalised November 2025. It was expected that there would be two authorities to replace the three County Council and seven District Councils. East Lindsey would be incorporated into the southern half. It is expected that Parish Councils would be re-organised into clusters. These reorganisations will come into effect in 2028 when the various elections will take place. He reminded the meeting that elections for Mayor would take place on the 1st May.
ii. Cllr Banks was not present to report on the Village Hall but there had been no meeting.
iii. Cllr Banks was not present to present the Charity Farm report.
iv. Cllr Wilson reported for the Allotments there were currently two plot vacancies. It was noted that a family from Chapel who already had two plots were asking for another. The regulations state that more than one plot is allowed but should a request for a plot be made from a Hogsthorpe resident, they must give it up at the end of the allotment year. If there is no such request, they will be allowed to renew the tenancy on the same terms. There was a request to keep more chickens. The Chairman was concerned that these should be checked occasionally to ensure that they were being kept properly.
v. Playpark Cllr Smith reported on the meeting which had just taken place separate minutes would be published. She noted that the painting of the equipment was underway, the area behind the changing rooms had been cleared and was now much cleaner and tidier, and the car boots were being held weekly. The school has now agreed to use the playing field for their sports day.
6. CORRESPONDENCE -
Email from LALC to note that the model Standing Orders would shortly be amended.
Email from Lincolnshire County Funding with information of new Grassroots Grant Scheme which is now available.
7. FINANCIAL MATTERS
i) Year end accounts showing a balance of 15653.97 were unanimously approved.
ii) AGAR forms. The Certificate of Exemption, Annual Governance Statement, and Accounting Statements were approved and signed by the Chairman and Clerk. These documents together with the accounts would be taken to the Internal Auditor for checking and completion of the Annual Audit Report.
iii) The Asset Register showing a balance of 21784 for the Parish Council and 107355 for the playpark assets was approved and ratified.
iv) The insurance quote had not yet been received and would be brought up at the AGM meeting in May.
v) Payment of Accounts. Confirmation of payments decided at March meeting of payment by BACS to K Hayes for 795.40 for salary and 231.39 to HMRC,and 26 K Hayes for homeworking allowance. Cheques were also signed at the meeting for Village Hall hire of 15.
vi) Approval was given for payment to Ian Wilson of 10 per hour for updating of the web site.
8. CHURCHYARD/CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
i) A meeting with Alpha Memorials had been held to clarify the lettering required on the War Memorial. The clerk had not, as yet, been able to find a grant for the 750 required for the re-lettering. They had been asked to quote for a replacement of the gravel and stone surround to be decided when amount is known.
ii) The notice board installation and cutting of the gate was in hand with Rob Cooke.
iii) A reply had not yet been received from request to BRAMM for help with a gravestone audit.
iv) The moles holes around the war memorial had been treated. Waiting to see if this works.
v) The Parish Council notice board now requires cleaning and re-varnishing.
vi) Various other items were still outstanding clearance day to be agreed.
9) HIGHWAYS AND VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
i) Cllr Colin Davie, together with the Highways Officer had visited the village and been made aware of the particular problem areas, most of which they were aware of.
ii) Speeding Camera posts were still awaited.
iii) Dog poo and waste bins Clerk had contacted ELDC and it was possible to add further bins but they required this in writing. Clerk will write as soon as locations are positively identified.
iv) Litter picking day. Three councillors, the clerk and 4 other volunteers had turned out on Saturday 29th March to litter pick throughout the village and beyond. Notably, 7 bags were picked up throughout the village and 10 bags from Sloothby High Lane and there is still a great deal more to do on that road. A further litter picking day was arranged for 10.30 a.m. at the village hall on Saturday 3rd May. Clerk to look into obtaining high visibility vests and litter pickers.
v) A separate meeting would be held with one or two people to discuss what is required for the planters, signs and mini libraries.
10) PLANNING
Meetings on the Outer Dowsing and Ossian wind farms had been held locally. It would appear that the Outer Dowsing project would not cause any more disruption than previous underground cable routes. The Ossian project with wind farms off Scotland to be brought in near Anderby Creek was dependent on them being able to use the National Grid substation (proposed for Alford area) as their conversation station.
11) PARISH COMMUNITY MEETING IN MAY
Clerk to contact speaker, Tom Hedges, to confirm arrangements. Clerk would also organise refreshments and put up posters.
12) DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was arranged for 6pm Wednesday 7th May 2025.
13) ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR NEXT AGENDA
None
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.
2025/04
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