2023 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

 

Present:  Langtoft Parish Council (LPC) Cllrs. Andy Halfhide (Chair), Andy Hallam (Vice chair), Debbie Hallam, Brian Branch, Lewis Trickey, Colin Gamble, Liz Jarman and Yvonne McCulloch.

Jean Street – President & Sue Eales Vice President - Langtoft WI, Margaret Phillipson, Allan Nickson, Augy Harrison – Penfield & Naturehood, Julian Tatam – Penfield, Jim Blair-LAGA, Vicky Cayley and baby & Philippa Simpson – Bumps 2 Four, Jeannette Pearson LVHMC, Pete Coles – East End Park Pond, Debbie Howard – St Michael’s Church, Vanessa Smith - District Councillor and 1 member of the public unsigned.  Sarah Gresty (Parish Clerk)

 

 

 

1. Introduction by Chair.  

Langtoft Parish Council (LPC) Cllr. Halfhide started with a tribute on behalf of the Parish Council to the late Peter Roffe and expressed admiration and thanks to his memory for all he had done for the village.  

During the last year the Parish Council had again supported Penfield Nature Reserve and its continued success, East End Pond’s restoration, East End Park slide repairs (hopefully finished this week). 

Projects in the pipeline include: the purchase and provision of adult gym equipment for both parks; on a larger scale, discussion has begun with SKDC to take in-house the pavilion & playing fields in Manor Way.  There seems to be a positive reaction to this but more work is needed to push this forward.

The Parish Council is looking at taking in-house the grass cutting for the whole village.  The feasibility of this is being researched.  Augy Harrison asked that allowance for wildflowers to grow and reduce mowing could be taken into consideration.  Jeannette Pearson asked that visibility at junctions and risk assessments be included in the process for pedestrians and vehicle users.   

Speed Indicator Signs (SID) need reinstating and a few new sites have been sourced.   LPC are looking for volunteers to help monitor these.  It was noted that the new speed camera on the A15 was now up and running.  A member of the public asked what more LPC is doing to stop speeding traffic?   LPC is pushing for the reinstatement of the police road safety partnership group and will continue to collate statistics from the SIDs to strengthen arguments and to increase pressures where they are able.

Planning – LPC continues to respond to all planning applications and is keeping an eye on further developments on Stowe Road.

Finally, LPC is organising a trial to reinstate a large skip for a day for residents’ use in the autumn and, if successful, hopes to have this twice a year in future.

2. Langtoft WI - Jean & Sue gave a short overview of the WI which started in 2016 and now regularly has 40 members who meet once a month.  The WI has a varied programme, members join for a year but guests are welcome at any of the meetings.  The WI consists of Local, County Federation and National groups all of which have events that members can access.   The group likes to take part in community activities, such as a recent church flower display.  New groups just set up include: a walking group and games afternoons/warm spaces for the winter.   Events are advertised in the Grapevine magazine and with posters around village.   

Each year there is a resolution for a campaign nationally which are good causes or political goals.   This year it has been “underdiagnosis of Aspergers syndrome in girls”.   This coming year it is hoped that the vote will be “cleaning up rivers”.   

3. Langtoft Festival.  Liz Jarman gave an update on the progress of the festival.  It is hoped to be a successful event, including stalls such as Penfield, Cats Rescue, WI, Bumps 2 Four all taking part.  There will be a flypast, live bands, dog show & Viking re-enactment. Tickets are on sale in village shop.  Thanks were expressed LPC for sponsoring a photographic calendar as prizes and these will also be on sale at the Festival.  

 

4. Village Hall.  Jeannette Pearson, chair of village hall committee, gave a potted history of the hall and its achievements.   It has been a social hub for 113 years.  Built by the working men’s club and was transferred to the management committee in 1972.  It is managed by 11 Trustees who meet once a month.  In 1972 the hall had a considerable amount of work needed, the LVHMC secured a grant from the national lottery, installing a new floor, gas heating, kitchen and indoor toilets.   It has many regular users and events such as bingo nights, food taster, craft fairs community celebration jigsaw, book clubs, private functions to name just a few.   The hall is available free of charge to villagers for wakes and also to regular users for their AGM meetings.  More recently, exciting purchases have been a new 74” TV from which it is hoped to show films, a hearing loop and 100 white chairs covers.   

As well as events, they support regular groups such as Langtoft Players who have been using the hall for 50 years, Bumps 2 Four, LPC,  WI,  gym & yoga groups and is a hive of activity.  The hall delivers for many needs.

Charity Trustees objectives are to maintain the hall to be fit for purposes and to raise funds to cover the utilities and maintenance and development needs.   It is a huge community asset.  Recently a very successful big buffet lunch for 140 for the King’s Coronation was held, it was a great day.  

The flag is presently flying at half-mast in respect of Peter Roffe.

We start this year with just under £30,000 in the bank. Items on the agenda are to upgrade the kitchen facilities and the 1972 Constitution of the Charity.  Jeannette thanked all the Trustees and Volunteers. 

 

5. Penfield.   Augy Harrison thanked everyone who had worked to secure the site for Langtoft. It is proving to be an extraordinary site for wildlife.  Lots of wildlife is being recorded, especially rare birds and butterflies.  With a recent resident bitten and a dingey skipper butterfly all helping to make Penfield a significant site.   Butterfly count is 23 species and 350 different species of moths, so far.

Year 6 Langtoft Primary School visit took place today, with the children encountering wildlife which will hopefully stay with these young people in a positive way throughout their lives.   This is seen to be an important role for the site for the future.

Funding projects which are presently being sourced are for information boards, finger posts and a viewing platform. 

Julian Tatam spoke more of the successful day with the children and the school’s hope to bring each class to visit.   At least half of the children today had not visited the site before.   They took part in pond dipping, building bug hotels and other activities.   

Julian advertised an Open Day on 10th June.  

There are volunteer working parties every Wednesday morning, which have achieved so much over the past 18 months with 12-15 regular attending volunteers.   He thanked Augy for his enthusiasm and drive pushing the projects forward.  

New initiatives include monthly walks for ladies on the 1st Thursday of each month at 10am; some working parties will be held on Saturday’s.  Finally, he wanted to thank the LPC for funding the running expenses.

 

6. Naturehood Group. Augy Harrison, is the Penfield representative on the Naturehood Group.   Started by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, working to build habitats for Thurlby, Baston and Langtoft.  Promoting areas for wildflowers and insect life.   

 

7. LAGA  Jim Blair from the Langtoft Allotments Group Association gave an overview of the allotments which promotes gardening.  Users are mainly from Langtoft with a few from Market Deeping, 48 members in all.   There are 54 plots, some full size, some half plots.  An allotment holder had just been awarded a brass plaque for having a plot for 40 years.  There are 4 people on the waiting list.  Langtoft residents get priority.  There is an annual inspection visit from Savills who say it is always neat and tidy and no complaints every received.  The Association is funded through membership.  £3 association fee, which enrols the allotment holder into the National Allotments Society, Rent is £13.50 a year for a half plot and £27 for a full plot.  A little shop on site selling compost, fertiliser that is bulk purchased for members is very successful and well used.   Sadly, there was a break-in last year with every shed being targeted and lots of equipment stolen, however, this has now been replaced.   It is hard to keep the site secure. Thoughts for the future are to resurrect of the garden show and possibly excess food to go to the foodbanks.

 

8. Bumps 2 Four.   Phillipa gave an update on their group which is for parents, carers, child minders and children.  19 families regularly attend every week.   The group has been lucky to receive donations and support from Ashley Homes, Village Tarmac, Budgens, Kings Street Ind Estate, Langtoft Road Race to name a few.  The money has been used to purchase new toys and sensory equipment.  The group has supported food donation, Langtoft tree festival, king’s coronation party, marshalling the 10K road race and will be present at the festival.

 

9. Pete Coles - East End Pond  The pond is an 1800c historic monument, LPC gained ownership of this in 1984 with the recreation ground.  Next year will be the 40th anniversary.  Initially the pond was open with no trees and, before the gravel pit restoration to low lying farmland, there was more water.    Since then, there has been many self-set willows which also contribute to the lack of water.   The aim of the restoration project is to extend the period that the pond is wet.  Water levels are being monitored and data is helping to build a prediction of when water is kept in the pond.

Currently operating a “no mow May” regime around the pond  and the clearing by volunteers of scrub has resulted in daffodils and wild flowers appearing.  

Planning approval to pollard the willows has been received and this will be a phased program starting in September this year. All material cut on site will be used to create dead hedges, log piles, stone piles etc,  all ideal habitat for hedgehogs, birds and insects.

There is about 18” of sediment to be scraped from the bottom of the pond which will be used on site to create an island, either in the centre or to the side of the pond.

Before the pollarding, there will be a newt survey.  Please keep an eye out for article in the Grapevine magazine.

A grant has been applied for towards the cost of a digger and for tree pollarding.  We await the outcome of this.

The Chairman reiterated what fantastic facilities Penfield and the pond are for residents of Langtoft and thanked again all those who have been involved.

 

10. St Michael’s and All Angels Church.  Debbie Howard, who has just been appointed Church Warden, gave an overview of the activities at the 700 year old church.  Congregations are sadly small but events are well supported by villagers, for example, the monthly “bacon butties”.  Other events include the Christmas trees festival.  The church has been identified by Lincoln Diocese as a ‘community church’.  The church also runs a community larder which is well supplied and used and it has participated in sending goods to Ukraine.    A jubilee project in the church yard is underway with many different areas signposted for interest.  

The church is part of the Ness Choir group which sings every 3rd Sunday and is available to new members

 

11. Langtoft Players.  Brian Branch told of the long association with the hall and Peter Roffe’s involvements as a founder member. 

 

12. Parish Clerk Report. The Parish Council has not increased the precept in Langtoft since 2019/20.  When we set the budgets for 2022/23, we calculated that expenditure would be approximately £3,500 more than the requested precept.   It was decided to fund this from parish reserves due to the difficult financial times for residents and not to increase the precept this year. 

Due to prudent budgeting and hands-on repairs undertaken by Councillors and Volunteers, we ended this financial year slightly less than predicted at £2521 overspend (clawing back approx. £936).  

Three main items taking us over budget were:

- Grapevine magazine, unfortunately with the increase cost of paper, this took us nearly £500 over the Grapevine budget.

- We have reinstated the permissive path at the back of East End Park. The legal costs for this were £1,300 which had not been budgeted for.

- Cemetery costs - £450 unexpected expenditure to make safe one of the most prominent headstones, the family no longer being here to pay for the work.

 

However, having said this, Langtoft PC has achieve a lot:

- Penfield nature reserve continues to introduce new things and held a successful open day.

- We had the Queens Jubilee and, given the appalling weather, managed to put on some good entertainment to mark the occasion and planted a Holme Oak in EEP, which has started to grow well.

- We have installed 3 defibrillators

 

Cllr. Halfhide added his thanks to members of the Church and WI for their help along with the parish council during the covid pandemic.

 

11. The Bowls Club – Report by Nolan Catterwell, Chairman

1. We have changed our name this year back to Langtoft Bowls Club. You may remember that we had been previously known as Langtoft Pearl Bowls Club in recognition of an amalgamation with the old Pearl Assurance Company Bowls Club who joined forces with us some years ago. But our members felt it time to revert back to our original name.

2. We have been lucky enough to get a sponsorship for the next three years from Old Court Electrical, who are based in Market Deeping. This extra support will enable the Club to improve facilities and generally keep the Club running in the right direction.

3. We always welcome new members or indeed those who would just like to give bowls a try. To that end we are starting a FREE coaching course to anyone wishing to learn, this started on Sunday 14th May and runs for six weeks commencing at 10.30. Age is not a barrier, anyone from eight to eighty are welcome. It is not necessary to attend all six sessions.

4. We have many jigsaws that people can hire for £1.00 and also second hand books for £0.50. We welcome all villagers to visit the Club, particularly on Wednesday mornings when we hold our coffee mornings, you don't have to be a member.

 

Meeting closed at 20.45