CLERK’S GENERAL REPORT

The Parish was made aware of Lincolnshire Co-op intentions to convert the Kings Head site into a convenience store. The Parish Council was informed about concerns for the future of the village Post Office if these plans came to fruition. The clerk kept in touch with the Co-op throughout the year and finally, in March, the Parish Council was informed that, after much discussion regarding planning and highway requirements, the Co-op had decided that no way could be found to use the site as had been proposed and no further plans were being considered. The Parish Council remains concerned about the future of the site and arrangements are being made to discuss the matter on-site with representatives of Lincoln Co-op.

The Council is planning to consecrate more ground at the Haconby Lane site and arrangements are being made with the Diocesan Registry for this to be carried out.

The winter snow and ice caused many problems and the Council was successful in getting the County Council to provide more salt bins in the parish.

Negotiations, which have been ongoing for almost three years, with the Lincolnshire County Council for the provision of land for allotments, finally came to an end in December. Several pieces of land had either been proposed by the Parish Council, or offered by the County Council, but were found to be unavailable or unsuitable. All avenues having been considered the Parish Council decided it could not pursue the matter any further at the present time.

The Parish has been successful in taking on the direct contracting of the grass cutting in the parish. This is now being carried out by Pilgrim Services of Billingborough, instead on County Councillor contractors. An immediate improvement is already evident and this will enhance the appearance of the village.

Plans for an affordable housing development, by Larkfleet Homes, were approved by the District Council. Discussion continues regarding the use of money for the provision of a pedestrain crossing and the siting of such a crossing.

Repairs had to be carried out on the Play Area safe surfacing which was suffering from wear and tear and, unfortunately, vandalism.

Parish Councillors met with District and County Council representatives to disuss the situation regarding parking at the District Council bungalows on Station road. This matter has arisen again several times during the year and as yet remains unresolved. The resolution lies in the hands of the District Council and County Councils.

The hedge of a tenanted field beside the A15 was cut and layed during the year. The hedge had not been maintained for a number of years and had become badly overgrown, encroaching on to the road verge. After considering various possibilities the Council decided that the hedge could not be properly be dealt with in any other way.

Just before the end of this council year Councillor John Richardson a long serving councillor and former chairman announced that he would not be standing for re-election in May. A letter of appreciation for his long service was sent to him, on behalf of the Council and villagers.

In addition to managing the cemetery and play area the Council continues to deal with reports to District and County Councils on road surface repairs, dog fouling, street lights and also carefully considers other contentious matters arising throughout the year.

Terry Barnatt.