Annual Parish Meetings

1. Welcome. Cllr Gillian Pollard (GP) as Chair of Covenham Parish Council presided over the meeting.   There were seven parishioners present at the meeting including members of the Parish Council. The Parish Clerk, Mrs Nadine Must took the minutes.

 

2. To receive the previous minutes held 25th May 2023.  Those who were present at last year’s meeting resolved to accept the minutes as a true record. The Chair duly signed the minutes.

 

3. Report of the Chair of Covenham Parish Council (CPC).  The Chair welcomed all those attending.  Cllr GP reported that the annual parish meeting is not a council meeting but an annual event for residents to come together to be able to raise any issues relating to the village and to hear reports from the different voluntary groups active in the village and also to hear from the Parish Council reports on business transacted during the last 12 months.

 

MEETINGS.  The Parish Council only meets every two months and had two extra-ordinary meetings in the last financial year; one in June 2023 and the other in February this year. Both meetings discussed the lease agreement being considered with Covenham Village Volunteers (CVV), planning applications requiring feedback in between meetings, also some urgent work in the Parish Rooms. All agenda items were considered within the allotted two hours and only going over time on a couple of occasions.

 

She thanked all her fellow councillors for the time and effort they put in for the benefit of the village.  It can be very time-consuming as not only do they attend meetings but often have numerous emails and messages to sort through too.

 

When specific issues like the lease agreement and especially the Great Grid upgrade proposals were discussed, quite a number of residents also attended.  The Parish Council cannot promise to resolve every issue but will certainly do their best to work with any relevant authorities to address them which can sometimes take time. It is also good to have both ELDC and LCC Ward members attending meetings to not only give their updates but also to listen to any problems in the village.

 

COUNCILLORS AND VACANCIES.  The Parish Council lost two parish councillors last year with the resignation of Nicky Gulley Brown in March 2023 and Angela Aylett in August 2023.  However, the Council then welcomed two new parish councillors, Lesley Jackson and Anna Smith who were both co-opted in July.  There are currently seven parish councillors and four more seats to fill. Anyone interested in village affairs, and would like to be involved, should contact the Chair or any of the parish councillors or the parish clerk.

 

POLICIES.  The Council takes best practice seriously and review policies annually. All parish councillors have a dedicated email address purely for parish council business which complies with legislation.

 

Also, the Council continues to be a member of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils and signed up to the annual training scheme.  Some of the councillors including the Chair have taken advantage of the sessions which have been very helpful, learnt much as well as enjoyed meeting councillors from other areas.

 

PLANNING.  There were four planning applications from properties in the village and one application relating to Tree Preservation Orders.  The major application has been from the National Grid Upgrade proposal which the Council strongly objected to as have other Lincolnshire councils.  Cllr GP is closely monitoring the situation which will continue to be an ongoing campaign. She wrote to various MPs, the National Grid, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust amongst a few and hope that alternative options will be considered instead of building huge pylons in the area.

 

AMENITIES.  The Parish Rooms had the fire-safety equipment updated and new guttering replaced on the south side of the property. There is a regular window cleaner; and the general cleaning is done by CVV after the events they hold in the rooms which is much appreciated.

 

As part of the lease agreement process, The Council had commissioned a fire risk assessment, asbestos survey, an energy performance certificate and property valuation.

 

The Council continues to hire a gardening contractor for St Mary’s Church and provides a grant to St Bartholomew’s Heritage Trust to maintain the two closed churchyards.

 

NEWSLETTER.  The Parish Council has agreed to publish two newsletters annually; one in Spring and one to come out in time to publicise Christmas events in the village.  These newsletters are delivered to every household in the two parishes. There is space for any local business to place an advert and should contact the parish clerk for more details.

 

FUTURE.  The main aim is to finalise the lease agreement with CVV which Cllr GP conveyed had been more onerous than anticipated. But she reported that the end is in sight.  CVV have been very pro-active in securing funding to improve the facilities in the Parish Rooms which will enable them to continue providing events and activities for the village to enjoy both now and for years to come.

 

She concluded that residents should contact the parish council for any problems or issues.  There is always a councillor attending the weekly cafe and the monthly lunch. She thanked residents for coming and listening and hoped that they find the annual parish meeting helpful.

 

4. Financial Report for FY2023/24 by Mrs Nadine Must, Responsible Finance Officer. The RFO reported that the Council had £6,934 total reserves at the start of April 2023 and had a budget spend of £9,995.  At the end of March 2024, the Council had receipts totalling £11,390 and expenditure of £12,366.  Most of the budget versus spend was as anticipated except for parish rooms maintenance and staff costs. The financial accounts had been verified by the Internal Auditor and will be submitted to the External Auditor after the Parish Council approves all the Annual Governance and Accountability Return scheduled later.  The Council expects to certify itself Exempt from a limited assurance review based on receipts and payments below £25,000.  For the Financial Year 2024/25, the expected receipts are £16,631 with a spending budget of £15,766.

.

5. Report from East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).  Cllr Edward Mossop (Ward Member) reported that the full £2k Councillor Grant budget for projects in his ward including Covenham was spent.  There is another round of £2k for this financial year and the application is now open for suitable projects.

 

He has also been voted in as the current Chairman of ELDC.  And he also sits in the Audit and Governance Committee as well as the Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board which includes the drains at Covenham and Alvingham.  As part of his Ward responsibility, he is currently dealing with Platform Housing Group on the future of Benson House in Utterby where residency has fallen drastically.

 

6. Report of Covenham Village Volunteers (CVV) Helen Coxon, the Treasurer.  Helen reported that CVV over the last year have been active on many fronts with the main aim of promoting and providing leisure and social activities for the benefit of the community.

 

CVV have increased their quarterly social events to monthly events, putting on an evening of social hubbub and food to bring residents together, people and neighbours sometimes meeting for the first time.   Events such as pie and peas, fish & chips, Turkey bun, quizzes, play your cards right, to name a few.

Most recently CVV worked with St Marys for a fashion show.  Last summer they held a joint event with St Barts and a ghost story evening.  This was to be repeated this year but with the essential works currently at St Barts, this was not possible.  They hope to resume these next year and an also the beer, bangers & live band events.

The weekly Café event has expanded and currently includes the opportunity for people to learn a new craft, share a craft or even just come for a drink and a chat.  During May they have encouraged cafe visitors to bring their crafts or surplus items to sell on our tabletops. This has had some success.

They have restarted the monthly walks again to engage in more physical activities.  Yoga and Boxer fit had been added to their repertoire for 2024 and the success of these sessions have been enlarged to two levels of yoga and a strength and conditioning session.  This June there will also be a steps class.

They recently held some fundraising events in conjunction with Boxer-Fit and presented  St Andrews Hospice in Grimsby with a cheque for £693.  This was a fantastic effort from the many visitors and participants on walks and the "boogie bounce day".  They have also carried out some further fundraising and are imminently presenting a cheque to Cancer Research.

They are really looking forward to receiving the Parish Rooms lease from the Parish Council.  They hope to set up a community hub where they can call "home". They have already been granted £19,000 plus from the Grass Roots Fund on improving and maintaining this village asset to hopefully appeal to even more visitors and enable them to put on greater variety of events, whilst also working hard to be more inclusive for residents and visitors with mobility issues.

They have also set up a 100 Club with the proceeds to be used for operating costs and all necessary maintenance to the building.

CVV is currently working with the YMCA for more funding but successful bids depend on the number of residents engaging through completing the questionnaires they send out.  So they urge people to reply either online or on paper. Helen stressed that they are working tirelessly to generate opportunities to meet and have activities for all of the community within the village.

 

7. Annual report from the Monthly Lunches by Gillian Pollard (GP).  These are usually held at St Mary’s Church on the first Wednesday of every month.  It continues to do well and has achieved what it set out to do which was to bring people together to share a meal and have a chat.  Numbers have varied between as few as 14 to as many as 24 on a good day.  Attendees have agreed that they enjoy coming no matter how many people join in.

 

There is no charge for the meal but organisers are very grateful for the generous donations received to cover costs including electricity used.  Extra money had been used to buy crockery and cutlery for use at the lunch as well as donating to charities including St Barnabas Hospice in Louth, Lighthouse (at Methodist Church in Louth), The Ark at Donna Nook and to CVV’s McMillan Coffee Morning.

 

During the winter months, there is a choice of two homemade soups with bread and butter followed by a pudding with cream or custard.  Tea or coffee follows to sit back and finish off with.

In the summer, there is a mixed salad served with quiche, ham and cheese and bread and butter, usually followed by a cold pudding but not always and the customary tea and coffee.

 

The organisers are always pleased to see new faces and would be most welcomed. All they ask is to let either GP or Anne McCready know by the Sunday before for catering purposes. GP concluded by thanking all those who kindly help with the washing up.

 

8. Report of Eleemosynary Charity by Mr Ernest McCready (EM), Trustee.  EM reported that no applications had been received for any financial assistance.  He reiterated that all applications are treated in the strictest confidence and are dealt with on its own merits.  Those who have difficulty especially during these hard times are asked to contact any of the Trustees.

There was however some negative news.  The rent money expected from the rent of charity owned land had not been paid.  Legal proceedings are currently being pursued.  They are now looking for a new leaseholder.

 

EM is retiring from his trusteeship when his tenure expires later this year.  Anyone who wish to take on this role should contact him or the other trustees for a smooth handover of responsibilities and documents.

 

9. Annual report of St Bart’s Heritage Trust  submitted by Mr Ian Fazakerley, Trustee.  There has been an extensive building survey undertaken for most of the year.  The actual work had not taken long but the organisation and completion of each aspect of the survey had.

 

Several disparate teams have been involved and there is now a suite of documents that reflect the extent of works required, this work will be costed in due course and decisions made concerning future plans for the building.

 

There was vandalism in the form of graffiti on the exterior of the north wall last year and the perpetrator is thought to be a fan of a band called Slipknot. Fortunately, Historic England found some additional funds to have the graffiti removed in conjunction with the survey work which the Trustees were extremely grateful. The red paint used was on a variety of surfaces from very porous to extremely hard so a variety of techniques were required in its removal. Excellent results were achieved and the residual staining has disappeared over the winter months.

 

A recent speculation that St. Barts has been “condemned” is completely false and had never been the case.  Since its closure and being left in trust to the nation the original trustees maintained the building, with their own money, to the best of their abilities considering the nearest Trustee lived in Suffolk. What they have collectively achieved has been remarkable 

 

There are now local trustees and one that still lives in Suffolk.  More have been done; the transept roof and the latest survey being the major events of recent years. The recent structural survey found that a purlin at the west end and a support beam in the tower need remedial work so both are being repaired. The work has been costed, funds allocated and commencement of the repairs are awaited. The level of damage to the support beam on the tower are unclear hence visitors have not been allowed for safety precaution. Consequently, this had prevented organising events at St. Barts. until the work is finished. Volunteers are still working inside, the Health and Safety at Work Act is for employees not volunteers but that doesn’t mean safety isn’t important and there is an increased awareness of potential issues.

 

The survey pits in the churchyard are now grassing over nicely and the first strimming of the season has taken place. There is some good compost in the bin for anyone that wants it.  Care should be taken as the existing pallets are now rotten but new steps are being put in,. A clear up in the churchyard will be organised soon, the Ivy is always a problem on the headstones and stone work.  This Spring has been worse than previous years. 

 

If anyone wish to be involved with the work at St. Barts. be it historical, building, fund raising or churchyard or all of the above please get in touch on contact@stbartstrust.org.uk and please visit https://stbartstrust.org.uk to learn more about the church and Covenham.

 

10. Annual report of St Mary’s Church submitted by Anne McCready Churchwarden & DCC Secretary and read out by Cllr GP.   During the last 12 months, the monthly services of Holy Communion/Morning Prayer continued thanks to the retired clergy and lay readers who have taken these services which has always been a sociable event ending with coffee and biscuits, allowing time for a catch up and chat.

 

The numbers on the Electoral Roll stayed the same. There was one Baptism, one wedding and following a service in the church, an interment in the village cemetery,  There was an incident of what looked like human ashes being left on a stone in the Garden of Remembrance which did not have permission nor was requested for.

 

The repairs identified in the 2016 Quinquennial inspection continues and will hopefully be completed in June.  The next round of inspection will then be commissioned which will no doubt show further repairs would be required.

 

A new smart meter was installed last year but does not work so quarterly readings are still required and submitted. This was odd as the previous smart meter worked.

 

There had been a variety of events organised; another successful Open Gardens, Country Dance Night, a Ladies Day Tea Party, Harvest Celebrations which included a traditional Harvest Supper with the harvest sent to Fotherby House and SENSE.  There was also a Charity Bingo Night for SENSE, a Christmas Fair and the usual Carol Service followed by refreshments with the attendees up on last year. The Church also took part in the Lincolnshire Wolds & Coast Festival and had a successful weekend.

 

Already this year, there has been a Family Bingo night and a Fashion Show which was a joint event with CVV.  There are a variety of monthly event planned for the rest of 2024 including one of the popular Astronomy nights at the beginning of November.

 

The Church continues to host two groups regularly; the Phoenix Singers who rehearse weekly and the Monthly Lunches which normally takes place on the first Wednesday of each month with the next lunch being 5th June.

 

A new gardening contractor was hired last year for hedge cutting which was pruned and maintained well.  However, the grass mowing at the open cemetery had been difficult and the gardener gave up this work.  A different gardener has now been found to cut the grass on a fortnightly basis from April to October.

 

The report finished with grateful thanks to all those who have helped and or attended any of the events which have been necessary for the church’s finances.

 

11. Open Forum. There were a number of items raised.

a. The potholes at Newbridge Lane and flooding issues along Ings Lane. This has been reported on Fixmystreet but no further progress has been done.

b. There was a query on a new pipeline that Anglian Water is proposing and what it was about.  However, none of the attendees had any more information about this.  

c. Pylons. It was reported that representatives from National Grid had met up with some residents to discuss some flexibility of where pylons where proposed to be erected to mitigate disturbances to properties.

 

There is an ongoing lobby for OFGEM to investigate alternative options of undersea or underground cables instead of pylons along the Lincolnshire Coast as arranged for other areas. 

 

There was speculation that approval for the substations will set a precedent to further proposals for battery storage and solar farms. There was some concern that there was no unified resistance among councils in Lincolnshire to oppose the National Grid proposal.

 

d. There was optimism that the North Thoresby Doctors Surgery is going back to face to face appointments according to the Patients Panel which a parish councillor is a member of.

 

The meeting closed at 7:20pm.