Minutes of the meeting of Amber Hill Parish Council held on 14th July 2025

Present:                       Cllr Chris Stephenson, Cllr Elizabeth Gadd, Cllr Ros Bowler, Cllr Grahame Winman

Also Present:               N Bush (Clerk), Cllr Stuart Evans (Borough), Cllr Paul Lock (County Cllr)

Public Forum:              Two members of the public

Meeting started 7.05 pm

25/773 Chair’s remarks.

Cllr CS welcomed everyone.  In addition, he stated that Cllr N Hardy had resigned but has not been able to put it in writing due to difficulties with his sight.  It was resolved to accept the resignation.

Action: Clerk to notify Boston Borough Council

25/774 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

Cllr J Webb and E Panton gave apologies. It was resolved to accept the apologies.

In addition, Cllr S Welberry was unable to make the meeting

25/775 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

25/776 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 12-05-25 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes.They were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

25/777 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 07.07.25.

In addition, the clerk report that she has received an additional invoice from Malc Firth for grass cutting in June 25 for 146.02 including VAT

The budget to date was reviewed with income at 47% and expenditure of 30% to date, with all areas still under budget.  The bank reconcilliation was confirmed by Cllr EG with the bank balances as follows:

Lloyds Current Account   £321.75        Lloyds Deposit Account   £9,549.16

Cllr CS was handed his online banking details and the clerk confirmed that all payments will now have to be authorised by a second person online. Research into better savings accounts has drawn a blank as most banks want a charity or Co house number and the only one that didn’t require  a current account alongside it with a £6 per month fee.  It was resolved to leave things as they are.

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment, including the additional invoice. 

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments including additional invoice.

25/778 Planning:

B/25/0189 - Application under Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q to determine if prior approval is required for the proposed change of use of agricultural building to 1no dwellinghouse at Barn North of, The Farmhouse Maryland Bank

No comments or concerns

B/25/0235 – Construction of new glasshouse extensions and surface water irrigation reservoirs at Silvermist, Lineside

No concerns however commented that section 6, yes is ticked to say exceeds 150 square metres and the form then states do not continue if exceeds 150 square metres

Planning Decisions - None

Action: Clerk to pass comments onto the planning dept

25/779 Correspondence

Action: None.

25/780 Clerks report including police report.

Action: Clerk to follow up on email to MP Richard Tice

25/781 Appointment of Highways Liaison Officer

Deferred to next meeting

25/782 Annual Newsletter

Cllr GW confirmed that he has begun the update for the newsletter and asked for contributions.  It was resolved that the newsletter would go out at the beginning of August.

Action: all members to send articles to Cllr GW

25/783 Matters Arising

Cllr PL – there are now 44 Reform councillors at Lincolnshire County Council. When asked about the flood committee disbandment he confirmed that the Flood committee cost £20k and as they had no budget or powers there was little results from it so this responsibility has now transferred to Environmental portfolio who meet more regularly and have the powers and budget to take any necessary actions.

Cllr PL demonstrated a mobile phone which he now has which monitors the road conditions while he is moving around the county and this is then uploaded to the highways department.  He is also involved in Children’s services and the schools in the county.  He has been looking into the Grimsby to Waplode consultation and voiced his concerns regarding the battery storage and the risk of fire from this.  He advised that Councillors looked at this and raised their concerns as the more feedback there is the better they are able to make objections – application B/25/0224

Cllr SE – stated that hopefully the new road sign has now been installed and councillors confirmed that it had. Full Council meeting to be held next week there will be a vote of no confidence in regard to Ann Dorian, which is very likely to go through. Cllr SE confirmed he is now involved in the Black Sluice Board and there should be reports coming out in 3-4 months.

Cllr EG asked that if she sent photographs of the missing pavement could they be then sent to highways to have this reinstated

Action: Clerk to report missing pavement upon receipt of photographs

25/784 Items for inclusion at next meeting

Co-option of new councillor, subject to no election being required

Meeting Closed 8.05  pm

Date of next meeting:  15 September 2025 7.00 pm

Signed:                                                                                       (In the chair)