March 2023 Chair’s Report
Horsington Annual Parish Meeting held on 16th March 2022.
Chairman’s report.
Horsington’s Annual Parish Meeting was held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 16th March 2022. The Chairman of the Parish Council reminded those present that it was their meeting, not that of the parish council, whose role was limited to facilitating. In the absence of anyone offering to chair the meeting, the parish council chairman agreed to do so.
The meeting attracted a good number of people despite torrential rain, which highlighted concerns over the failure of the county council to adequately repair drains and potholes in the village! A planned talk on the history of the area by the Chairman of the Horncastle History and Heritage Society, Dr Ian Marshman, could not go ahead, owing to his indisposition with Covid.
A report on the progress of the Horsington Emergency Plan – and how it will work – was given by Cllr Rod Howard, who is leading it, together with an appeal for participants.
Cllr. Rowland Hill gave an update on the revival of the Snooker Club, which is welcoming new members. He gave information on grants made available to the Village Hall to assist in reopening and being Covid-compliant. There were requests for more events such as quiz nights to be organised and one was subsequently held (though affected by a number of people in the village isolating because of Covid).
On behalf of the owner of the Elder Tree Inn (Amy Annekin), her husband Dan explained how Covid had delayed their ambition to complete the renovation of the pub and to reopen it. He assured the meeting it is still intended to do so; it is hoped, in the autumn.
The churchwarden of All Saints, Andy Price (from Bucknall), sent a report which was read. Three members of the Parochial Church Council, a churchwarden-elect and its secretary had resigned, so there are insufficient to form a Parochial Church Council. It’s now expected that administrative changes within the Woodhall Spa Group of Churches will mean there is no longer a need for a Horsington parochial church council. His report said regular Sunday services would no longer be held in Horsington. The church would become a “festival church” meaning it would only be used for weddings, funerals and baptisms (and special occasions such as Easter, Xmas, etc.). He pointed out that significant repairs are needed to the building.
The chairman pointed out there had been concerns in the village over traffic speeds and especially from motor cycle riders allegedly making excessive noise through and accelerating away from the village. To find out what residents think – about whether there is a problem and if so, what to do about it – a questionnaire was circulated and placed on the council’s website with a link from its FB page. This also prompted a letter from a former vice-chairman of the council, unable to attend the meeting, expressing his deep unhappiness with matters. Survey forms have now been returned and the results are being analysed and will be given for discussion at the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council on Wednesday 11th May 2022.
Cllr. Hill gave an update on village celebrations to mark HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to be held on Friday 3rd June 2022.
The next Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 15 March 2023.
Date: 15 March 2023