Annual Parish Meeting May 2025
Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council
Annual Parish Meeting
Minutes 28 May 2025 at 19:00
Councillor Lyons chaired the meeting and welcomed everyone to the Annual Parish Meeting.
Present: Councillors (Cllrs) Koenen, Lyons, Sheldon MBE, Williams and K Vickers (Parish Clerk). County Councillor Woodruff, District Councillor Elliot, District Councillor Overton, 6 residents.
Min25.01 Minutes of the previous meeting held 29th May 2024 – agreed and signed as a true record.
Min25.02 Chairman’s Report. Appendix A
Min25.03 Open Forum
A resident wanted to highlight possible road safety issues with the lack of road markings on Brindley Close to Middle Lane. County Councillor Woodruff took a note and agreed to look into it.
The same resident also wanted to express their thanks and appreciation to the village hall caretaker John for the excellent job he does. This was echoed by the Parish Councillors present.
The Parish Council were thanked for their continued support for the View from the Hill magazine.
A resident asked when the traffic calming measures would be on the agenda as agreed at the last Parish Council meeting and was advised that this would be on either the July 2025 or September 2025 agenda.
The newly elected County Councillor Alan Woodruff was introduced and advised that he currently had plans to have a tour of his ward with the head of Highways, and he would get up to speed with any current issues.
A resident asked about the cost implications to the Parish Council regarding the replacement of the ceiling tiles.
Cllr Lyons advised that advise had been taken from an expert following complaints regarding the acoustic reverberation in the hall since the installation of the new ceiling and the decision to replace the new ceiling tiles was deemed to be the most cost effective and efficient method. This was an additional cost to the project.
A resident asked the Parish Council to consider the installation of some form of blind or barrier for the hatch in the wall leading to the kitchen. It was agreed to look at it and discuss at a future meeting.
A resident asked if the Parish Council thought it would be advantageous to speak to the newly elected Mayor about the alarming amount of solar panel projects. Cllr Lyons agreed he would raise this at the next Cliff Villages Solar Action Group meeting.
Min25.04 Meeting concluded at 19:28
Cllr Lyons thanked everyone for attending and for their contributions to the meeting.
Appendix A
Thorpe on the Hill Parish Council Report May 2024 to March 2025
Village Hall
Extension and redevelopment completed in May 2024, largely went well but there were some residual issues including;
- Problems with acoustic reverberations largely solved by installing acoustic ceiling tiles
- Flooring replaced due to significant imperfections – replacement floor still not up to the standard expected and talks are ongoing.
New floor cleaner purchased
Just completed a re-decoration with plans to add pictures / photos
Revised hiring terms and conditions.
Play Park
Perceived health and safety concerns regarding egress solved by removing the hedgerow inside
the fence, additional signage and markings on entrance roadway.
Bowls club
PC purchased a new shed
LMC
Quiet year, but ongoing work to plant bulbs, and trees and where required to remove fallen trees though participation of the wildlife group. Things running smoothly with Scouts and fishing club so it feels like we have achieved relatively stable working arrangements for all concerned.
Allotments
These are currently fully subscribed and in use after a change of several tenants.
Lincoln and Witham Valley Landscape Recovery Project
Cllr Sheldon and I attended meeting, our lake is now registered with DEFRA for potential grants and the detail work about examining practical improvements is underway.
Solar Farms
Fosse Green Energy’s formal consultation finished in December 2024 and we expect a formal planning application in early July.
FGE have established a Community Liaison Group, and a first meeting was held in Witham. This turned out to be more of a scene setting exercise. Further meetings are likely in September and are intended to run for the life of the project (2093)
AS chair, I joined the Cliff Villages Solar Action Group (CVSAG) and pledged £1k towards a specialist planning consultant to help oppose the sub-station at Navenby.
Ongoing meeting approximately monthly.
The TOTH local group of interested participants is due to meet again on 10th June to prepare themselves to respond to the formal planning application.
Concluding remarks
I would also like to thank fellow Cllrs and the Clerk for their contributions throughout the year and pay tribute to the many groups and individuals who contribute towards making our village a vibrant, welcoming and friendly place to live. There are too many to name, but I would like to make special mention of the Station Inn. Our village pub was facing closure a few years ago and thanks to the efforts of local people it has, within the last few months returned to local ownership and they have transformed it into a bustling well attended amenity and in the process, they have raised large sums for good causes and won prestigious local and national awards.
Please be advised that these are notes of the meeting taken by the Clerk and cannot in any way be regarded as official minutes of proceedings until approved and signed at the next Annual Parish meeting.