Alvingham Parish Council
Minutes of Annual Parish Council Meeting
Held on 10th February 2026
Present: Councillor N Ashley (NA
Councillor G Cummings (GC)
Councillor A Graves (AG)
Councillor S Shucksmith (SS)
In Attendance: Councillor E Mossop (EM)
Clerk: Mrs T Bradshaw (TB)
Apologies Councillor V Stratford (TS)
Councillor N Hastings (NH)
Minutes of meeting held on 18th November
The minutes from the previous meeting on 18th November 2025 were read and Cllr Shucksmith proposed they be approved and Cllr Cummings seconded this. Cllr Ashley signed them as a true copy.
Matters Arising
Pot Holes – Cllr Hastings has been raising the matter on a regular basis with Highways at LCC, and will continue to do so. The Clerk has contacted WPH regarding poor workmanship of previous road surface works, but WPH strongly refute carrying out any works at the location. Cllr Shucksmith advised that Anglian Water had been to repair an underground valve which had been leaking for some time. This has clearly not been helping the situation, as the road surface would have been being eroded from underneath as well on the surface. Residents of Highbridge Road and surrounding areas are being encouraged to report the state of the road surface to LCC, in a combined effort to raise the village to ‘the top of the repair list’, however, we fear the top tourist areas will receive attention before any small or medium sized villages.
Speed Sign – Cllr Shucksmith to relocate the ‘check your speed’ sign to the NorthEnd end of the village.
Defibrillator – The Clerk advised that the Defibrillator had received a new battery and pads, and was once again in working order, and registered on ‘The Circuit’. Access to the cabinet was discussed, and all Cllrs agreed that access should remain secure so only those who call the emergency services and are deemed in need of the defibrillator are given the access code. This will prevent any misuse or misplacement, and ensure the defibrillator remains active and accessible for emergencies.
War Memorial – Cllr Cummings to chase Alford Memorials for a new quotation to replace the damaged or missing letters so it remained legible for the foreseeable future.
Litter – ELDC have kindly provided a ‘litter picking kit’ comprising of refuse sacks, sack holder & litter picker stick. Any refuse sacks can be left by the bin outside the village hall and will be collected by ELDC on a Monday. One of the ‘Wombles’ from Louth visits Alvingham and has kindly volunteered to collect litter along his journey. Last week he reported 6 bags of litter collected from along the Alvingham Road. Clerk to publish details of voluntary litter picking to the community.
Salt – LCC have kindly provided the village with road gritting salt for use as and when and where required. Currently stored in Shucksmiths farmyard. Clerk to publish details to the community. Cllr Hastings to investigate the possibility of obtaining a ‘salt bin’ for storage
Louth Canal – The Clerk had contacted the Environment Agency to clarify their maintenance schedule and in particular, dredging, which has not been carried out for a number of years now, resulting in growth along the banks now impeding the flow of the water and causing a significant flood risk. Still awaiting a response, so Clerk to chase. Maintenance was carried out at the beginning of February, but this only consisted of reed and weed cutting, and the technicians explained there were vast areas they could not access due to collapsed trees which had taken up growth along or within the waters edge. Cllr Mossop explained Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board were doing remarkable work throughout the county, but the Canals were not in their remit. Cllr Mossop would raise the question as to why the Enviro Agency were contracting work out to companies who were far from local.
Treasurers Report
Cllr Cummings confirmed that the current balance in the account stands at £4,512.49, with nothing outstanding. The precept has been set at £2,725 for the year, an increase of £25 per Band D household.
Correspondence
Nothing to report
Any Other Business
Cllr Mossop advised of the benefit of opening a ‘flood diary’ to record all evidence of surface water / sewerage flooding within the village. The aim being to share it with all relevant flood agencies so any planning decisions affecting sewerage or surface water can be assessed using factual information. Clerk to implement.
Next Meeting Tuesday 28th April 2026 7.30pm
Cllr Ashley thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.35pm