2023 Annual Parish Meeting

DRAFT Minutes of the Ingoldmells Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 3rd May 2023 in the Civic Office

Present:

Chairman Cllr Chamberlain, Interim Clerk S Bristow

District and County Councillor C Davie

Eight members of the public, inclusive of five current parish councillors

The meeting was opened at 6:30 pm 

1.   The Chairman spoke about his gratitude towards others during what had been a difficult year at the council following the sudden departure of the Clerk. He noted several projects (such as the Jubilee tree planting and resurfacing of the council car park) had been delayed during this year  but hopefully the incoming Council, along with a new Clerk, would be able to see these projects reach completion.

2.   No Community Policing representatives were present, but the interim Clerk read aloud an email she had received and shared the booklet regarding  the “Summertime Policing Plan” and the current Police contact details with those assembled. It was noted that the number of PCSO’s would soon be reduced by nearly half and that the Neighbourhood Policing Teams would be reorganised as a result. Once additional details are known about these changes, the council will be advised. 

3.   District and County Councillor Davie began by expressing his concern about chaos in Westminster affecting local Government in a negative way. Conversely, he noted the Lincolnshire Coast have been looked upon with favour in terms of funding (e.g. levelling up). He was clear that Ingoldmells needs to establish an identity of its own and put itself on the map going forward; the key to this was engagement and standing together as a community. He commented that our current systems such as the local NHS services and Police are underfunded and not working. He again reiterated that public participation was critical. He continued by addressing the situation with the public busses in the village, reading from an email he received from the Interim Managing Director of Stagecoach:

We have been carefully monitoring passenger numbers on bus services through Ingoldmells following the slight change in service patterns for the summer of 2023 and, to date, we are not seeing any significant problems. 

As you know, we have routed buses away from the short section of Sea Lane between Hurdman Way and Roman Bank to avoid the severe congestion problems along this stretch; the delays last season had a significant effect on the reliability and punctuality of buses across the whole route into Skegness.

We have the ability to increase the capacity of bus services by running duplicate buses during busy periods and we have been doing this as required - we had four extra buses in the system over the recent Bank Holiday weekend, so there is no constraint on resources. However, the busiest part of the bus routes in Ingoldmells has always been the stop at Fantasy Island; this is the stop with the highest demand, especially from visitors.

The original concern from residents in Ingoldmells was the hourly bus through the village provided by Service 59. To date, our monitoring is showing the hourly bus service is coping well with travel demand from the village, but again we have the ability to increase capacity if required as the season progresses.

Parishioners expressed concern that, by the time busses reached Ingoldmells, they were already full and that several busses in a row might not stop because of this. Cllr Davie replied that the relief bus situation should be kicking in as soon as the bus notifies base that they are full and unable to take on more passengers. He will ask Stagecoach for data on how often this is occurring. The Call Connect service was suggested as a stop gap, particularly in areas not served by scheduled bus services.

The parking congestion on Sea Lane was raised by a parishioner and Cllr Davie reminded the room that the congestion was the main reason the bus route had been shortened in Ingoldmells. It was suggested that bollards or fencing might be an option; Cllr Davie noted he was having a Ward Walk with a Highways officer in June and would address the area- A-Boards and cars mounting the kerb have crept back onto the pavements in the years since Ingoldmells stopped employing staff to police the area. 

Cllr Davie commented that business has to be supported but should not be a the expense of the residents. Our parish is in the top 10% of deprived areas with higher than average elderly population- we need to ensure year round residents and our youngsters are seen and heard. Supporting connectivity in the community is crucial, combating loneliness and providing support during the cost of living crises has to be an ongoing concern. 

A parishioner asked about updating the 1972 Local Government Act as it favours Parish Councils support of the Church of England via maintenance of closed Churchyards at their expense and that it is unfair to support one faith over another with public funds; Cllr Davie replied that benefit is in swings and roundabouts, but the greater good is always the focus (the current law dates to the 17th Century). Cllr Davie noted he was in favour of a collective council area instead of a district council, with power coming up from the bottom. Again, this is where the community needs to engage more closely and more often. 

4.   Electors present did not raise any additional questions and were advised that the works in the Royal Arthur toilets to rectify faulty locks and taps would begin on Tuesday 9th May.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7:21pm.