2/7/2025 - Explanation of Electoral Process and of applying for a Community Grant
Request for Information Decision
Date of request: 1/7/2025
Date of decision: 2/7/2025
Request:
1. I would ask again, why did the <name of parish councillor redacted> have to resort to proposing and seconding each other in 2023, surely they could have found someone in the village? Perhaps that was difficult for them?
2. I do have additional issues to raise with you, including why it took you so long to complete the grant application paperwork which was emailed to you at the meeting in July last year by <name of District Councillor redacted>.
Decision:
In accordance with Section 1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, you are advised that Thimbleby Parish Council does not hold information in relation to Question 1 and does hold information in relation to Question 2 that falls within the description specified in your request.
1. This information is not held by Thimbleby Parish Council. As previously advised in earlier correspondence on this matter all elections are managed by East Lindsey District Council and you should approach them regarding your questions about the electoral process and who can be proposers and seconders on a nomination form to become a Parish Councillor. Candidates for election stand as individuals and it is not the public body’s responsibility or duty to answer for their electoral decisions and actions.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 gives members of the public the right to request recorded information held by public authorities, including parish councils. It does not require councils to:
• Create new information
• Explain why actions were taken unless it is already recorded
• Respond to opinions, speculation, or hypothetical questions
2. Relevant minutes and information is provided as attached below.
If information has been refused, please treat this as a Refusal Notice for the purposes of the Act.
Your right of appeal:
If you have any queries regarding this decision, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council.
If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint or request an internal review of our decision (within 40 days of this decision notice) you should write to:
Thimbleby Parish Council, Halstead Hall, Stixwould, LN10 5HJ
Email address: clerk@thimblebyparishcouncil.gov.uk
If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint / the Internal Review you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Most of the information that we provide in response to the Freedom of Information act 2000/Environmental Information Regulations 2004 requests will be subject to copyright protection. In most cases the copyright will be owned by the Council. The copyright in other information may be owned by another person or organisation, as indicated by the information itself.
Information relating to Question 2
2. Timeline for Thimbleby Parish Council obtaining an East Lindsey District Council Community Grant
Thimbleby Parish Council - 10th July 2024 minutes
83/24. To receive written and verbal reports from ELDC & LCC Councillors
ELDC – Cllr Martin said that she would send out an ELDC Community Grant application for the Clerk to apply for funds to purchase the proposed Speed Indicator Device and Cllr Campbell-Wardman and Cllr Avison would split this allocation to help the village. A sum of £1725 would mean £575 contribution from each of the three District Councillors for this ward.
DATE: Community Grant Application Form received by Thimbleby Parish Council on 10th July 2024.
DATE: Community Grant Application Form submitted to East Lindsey District Council on 6th September 2024.
Thimbleby Parish Council – 11th September 2024 minutes
101/24. To receive written and verbal reports from ELDC & LCC Councillors
ELDC – Cllr Campbell-Wardman said that the ELDC Community Grant application had been approved by the District Councillors and now awaited the Senior ELDC officers to approve and release the funds so a third Speed Indicator Device can be purchased.
102/24. To consider any highways, footpath and related issues.
c) To consider purchase of the Speed Indicator Device (SID) on receipt of ELDC Community Grant for Mill Lane, Thimbleby.
The Clerk advised that he had been sought several times from Elan City for an up-to-date quotation but nothing had been received. Based on the cost of the previous SID purchase it was proposed and RESOLVED that it was delegated to the Clerk to purchase a SID from Elan City after an acceptable quotation received and cleared funds had been received from ELDC Community Grant.
DATE: 26th September 2025: Email to Thimbleby Parish Councillors following a phone conversation by the Clerk with Elan City Ltd as to why they have not been issuing any quotations to Thimbleby Parish Council for the Speed Indicator Device so the purchasing decision could be made.
I have finally had a response from the company who will send me the quote that they provided for 'Jonathan' provided in the name of Thimbleby Parish Council.
I am not too pleased to find that my requests for information have been delayed or intercepted at the company by a member of the public suggesting he is Thimbleby Parish Council.
Regards
X The Clerk X
DATE: 18th September 2024 East Lindsey District Council issue confirmation that they have awarded a Community Grant of £1725 to Thimbleby Parish Council.
DATE: 30th September 2024 East Lindsey District Council issue grant funds into Thimbleby Parish Council bank account.
Thimbleby Parish Council - 6th November 2024 minutes
115/24. To consider any matters arising from the previous meetings 11th September 2024 not already on this agenda including Clerk’s Report and actions taken.
The Clerk advised that for minute 102/24c) quotations had finally been obtained for the Speed Indicator Device and brought to this meeting to decide which option to choose as they exceeded the grants and money in the budget.
119/24. To consider any highways, footpath and related issues.
b) To consider purchase installation and management of the Speed Indicator Device for Mill Lane, Thimbleby.
Having considered the quotations it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to purchase the Elan City Vision Solar-powered Speed Indicator Device for £3120.