2023 Annual Parish Meeting

Doddington and Whisby Parish Council

Annual Parish Meeting 
22nd May 2023

Minutes

Present: G. Patrick, E Mathers, S Whiles, G Beale, M Cunniffe, M Cox, Cllr Richard Johnstone (NKDC), Cllr Chris Goldson (NKDC), Cllr Alan Briggs (LCC)

Clerk: S Aikman

G Patrick chaired the meeting

1.   To approve the minutes of the previous Annual parish meeting held remotely on 25th April 2022

The minutes of the meeting were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chair of the meeting.

Chair’s report.

2.   Chair’s Report

PARISH COUNCILLORS

We have spent a further year one councillor short of our full complement of seven. I am definitely standing down as a councillor after twelve or more years, but I have hopes that we may get up to a full count of seven in the coming months.

PARISH CLERK

Ms Sue Aikman joined us as clerk soon after the start of the last financial year, and has done sterling work in getting up to speed, reorganising a strange filing system, and keeping us all on the straight and narrow.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

We have made a formal agreement with the Hall to secure the £40,000 funding for road calming measures. £7,500 of this has already been spent on new, solar powered speed indicator devices (SIDS), and these work pretty well in trying to remind people that we have a 30mph speed limit.

The agreement with the Hall is awaiting ratification by the Planning Dept, who originally imposed the condition for the provision of these funds for a different purpose.

HIGHWAYS

The B1190 through Doddington along with Whisby Rd are receiving ever heavier traffic volumes, both during the day and through the night, causing stress and sleep deprivation for those living near the road.

We have continued to lobby Highways on measures to reduce the negative impact of traffic on villagers.

These include :

SIDS
20 mph limit in the village and 40mph for areas of the B1190 approaching the village
A mini roundabout at Fieldsend where the B1190 and Whisby road intersect.
Speed tables outside the village on the B1190.
Renewed and repositioned village signs reinforcing the speed/safety message.
An HGV 7.5tonne weight restriction. 

In addition to the above, we have arranged for a rare resource to come to Doddington whenever it is available. That is the police speed camera van, which has the power to issue fines.

Highways have also approved a pelican crossing for the village (pedestrian crossing with traffic lights). The location has not been decided yet – it needs to take account of not detracting from the Hall, ensuring clear visibility of it for road users, whilst encouraging a maximum amount of pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders to use the crossing. Whilst a crossing is justified by the numbers of people crossing the road, there is a real fear that traffic noise and pollution will be made worse by vehicles slowing down, stopping and then accelerating away.

FLOODING

No action has yet been taken to reduce the flooding from run-off on Main St and Lincoln Rd. Although the gullies have been cleaned out by a new company appointed by Highways – the previous one charged for the service, but didn’t clear the gullies, it seems that further investigation needs to take place to see where the drain pipes have collapsed.

LITTER PICKS

As with all rural communities, we continue to be hit by littering and fly tipping. Our proximity to Lincoln and fast-food outlets makes us a ready target.

We had a couple of litter picks this past year, but the gang was pretty much limited to the usual few who turn out every time. James Birch offered an incentive again, but it didn’t convince the parish to turn out.

Litter picks are always on a Sunday morning when the roads are at their quietest, and the results are there for all to see. At this time, when the new King is exhorting us to help the community, please spare a couple of hours next time a litter pick is announced.

We have arranged with NKDC to litter pick the B1190 when the road is “surface dressed” later this year – the road is too dangerous for us even on a Sunday.

TELEPHONE KIOSK

Gill continues to keep an eye on the book/information exchange in the phone box. It is serving its purpose and receives regular visitors.

DEFIBRILLATOR

Our defibrillator, located outside the Hall farm shop was renewed in the past year.

FOOTPATH and BRIDLE WAY

We worked with the Hall to ensure that both the bridleway and footpath between Doddington and Skellingthorpe have been upgraded to. A more useable condition.

UKRAINE

I mentioned our donation to the Ukraine last year, and the family arrived among us. They are lovely people, and I am pleased that they have been made to feel so welcome.

In closing, I would like to thank all those who have freely given of their time over the years, and especially whilst I have been Chairman. 

I wish the Council success in the future.

G Patrick

3.   Financial Report

The Clerk reported that no increase had been added to the precept for 2023-2024.  The 2022.2023 accounts had been completed including an internal audit.  Audit documents would be available on the Parish Council website, including a notice of the Provision for Exercise of Public Rights. 

4.   To receive a report from representatives.

Councillors had been newly elected and therefore no report from the previous year

a.   Lincolnshire County Council

Cllr Briggs introduced himself .

b.   North Kesteven District Council

Cllrs Johnstone, Goldson introduced themselves.

5.   To receive a report from St Peter’s Church.

Rev Sam Durant had sent in the following report:

Report on St Peter’s Church for Doddington and Whisby Parish Council APM – 22nd May 2023.

It is important to note that the place of St Peter’s, Doddington in Jesus’ great commission is shifting! Where in previous years it has been used as a traditional parish church for the people of Doddington, not many of the people of Doddington come and take part in the services of worship that we hold there throughout the year.

Numbers at these services have been steady at over 20 but those coming are from further afield, through connections with the hall or preparing to be married.

Whilst it can no longer be described as a place where a local church family gathers to worship, I can see it moving towards a missional outpost, making the most of its connection the very successful Hall. For one thing, we have an increasing number of couples enquiring about and being married at St Peter’s. Most of these couples need to come and worship with us at St Lawrence’s in order to create a qualifying connection. For another thing, I do like the idea of good quality concerts that suit the setting and allow for a short gospel message to be shared. This would need to be done in tandem with the Hall and piggybacking on their large social media following!

6.   To receive questions and comments from members of the public>

A discussion was held regarding highways issues.

It was reported that LCC Highways have told Doddington Hall that they must contribute £10k.

An additional village sign nearer to housing was discussed.

A litter pick on Doddington Road would be undertaken by NKDC when the road was surface dressed.

Meeting closed 7.30pm