2025 Minutes

Draft minutes subject to approval at the next meeting.

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Minutes of Pinchbeck Parish Council meeting held at 19:30 hrs on Monday, 29 September 2025, at The Hub, 48 Knight Street, Pinchbeck, PE11 3RU.

Present: Cllr Ann Savage (Chair), Cllr James Avery (Vice-Chair), Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Andy Chamberlain, Cllr Geoff Garner, Cllr Audrey Gregory, Cllr John Smith, Cllr Oliver Wood, Mr Robert Smith (Clerk), Mrs Nicola Jowett (Administration Assistant), Dist. Cllr Elizabeth Sneath, two members of the public.

Absent:   Cllr Samantha Jeffery, Cllr Terry Moore, Cllr Peter Ruysen, Cllr Phil Tweddell.  

Unless otherwise stated, actions to be undertaken by the Clerk.

25.132.Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Samantha Jeffery, Cllr Terry Moore, Cllr Phil Tweddell and District Cllr Slade.

25.133.No declarations of disclosable interests or requests for dispensation were received.

25.134.Representations from the public.

01.Residents raised concerns about farm vehicles and lorries travelling at speed through the village and requested that the Parish Council consider the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit. It was resolved that Cllr Avery would report these Highways issues to County Councillor Sheard.

02.Dist. Cllr Sneath asked the Council to consider involving Pinchbeck with ‘Britain in Bloom’. It was resolved that the matter be considered by the Open Spaces Committee at its next meeting.

25.135.It was resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 28 July 2025.

25.136.Clerk’s report / matters arising.

01.Planning comments had been submitted to the District Council (SHDC), as resolved.

02.A meeting to draft the Emergency Community Plan was arranged for 6pm, 7 October 2025, with the Chair, Cllr Beavis, and the Clerk in attendance.

03.Tree work in St Mary’s Churchyard had been completed. Further areas of concern had been noted by the contractors, and quotes were being sought..

04.The Parish Council’s insurance had been renewed @ £3,567.85.

05.The application for access to Barclays with signatory changes was still in progress.

06.Application for a Lloyds payment card via Unity Trust Bank for the Admin Assistant was still in progress.

07.A new baby changing unit was yet to be fitted in the men’s/disabled toilets in the hub. A new contractor was to be employed with costs allocated from the ‘All Kinds of Everything Fund’.  

08.There remained three councillor vacancies on the Parish Council. Cllr Avery would promote via Facebook.

09.The installation of the new noticeboard at the Six House Bank car park had been put back by the contractor to Monday 6 October 2025.

25.137.Financial matters.

01.It was resolved to approve the July and August 2025 bank reconciliation and cash book.

02.It was resolved to ratify the approval of payments to 28 August 2025 as previously delegated.

03.It was resolved to ratify payments to 29 September 2025.

04.It was resolved to approve any late payments:

i.ROSPA Annual Play Equipment Inspections @ £304.00 + VAT.

ii.Gunns & Roses additional works to the new cemetery @ £9,647.48 + VAT.

05.It was resolved to approve written LALC Terms of Engagement for the provision of an Internal Auditor for a two-year period.

06.The external auditors report for y/e 31 March 2025 was received with no matters of concern noted. This had been published alongside the notice of completion of audit on the website.

25.138.Correspondence.

01.A letter previously received concerning traffic in the village could not be responded to as no contact details were provided. The comments had been retained on file to be taken into consideration as part of the Parish Council’s review of its Traffic Management Policy.

02.Comments received about planning application H14-0741-25 were noted.

03.It was resolved to ratify approval of booking request for a Sponsored Walk on the Glebe Field on 4 October 2025.

04.It was resolved to ratify approval of booking request for a fireworks event on the Glebe Field on 2 November 2025.

05.After careful consideration it was resolved to decline a request for an event with fireworks to be held on the Rotten Row Playing Field on 1 November 2025.

• The anticipated attendance of 800-1,500 was regarded as far too high for the location and beyond the field’s safe capacity.

• The expectation that most guests would arrive on foot was considered unrealistic. The event was likely to cause severe parking pressures on surrounding residential roads and significant inconvenience to residents.

06.Notification from the Lincolnshire Pension Fund engagement plan about new employer contribution rates from April 2025, was noted.

07.A Lincolnshire Pension Fund Employer newsletter was noted.

08.It was resolved to support a request for a brown tourist sign application on the A151 for Crown Hall Farm.

09.Following a request to pollard trees in the Glebe Field because their height was affecting resident’s insurance, in line with the Parish Council’s Tree Policy, it was resolved to take no further action. 

10.It was noted that YMCA Lincolnshire had been nominated for Family and Youth Project of the Year, which included recognition of its involvement with Pinchbeck Youth Club.

11.It was resolved to delegate to Cllr Smith submission nominations for the Pride of South Holland Awards.

12.A report about cyclists on Gallery Walk endangering pedestrians was noted. Members of the public were encouraged to report such matters directly to the police or to the District Council’s Antisocial behaviour team.

13.Request for Parish Council to consider supporting 20 mph speed limit for Knight Street. Cllr Avery to take up with County Councillor Sheard.

14.It was resolved not to progress LCC’s offer of one tonne winter salt bag delivery as the Parish Council had nowhere to store the bag, nor facilities to manage distribution of the salt.

25.139.Planning applications.

01.H14-0901-25: 67 Wardentree Lane, PE11 3UF. Warehouse. It was resolved to support the application as it would help secure employment within an existing employment area.

02.H14-0873-25: Otway Farm, Spalding Road, PE11 3UD. Portacabin. It was resolved to support the application as it would help secure and sustain local employment in an appropriate area.

03.H14-0871-25: Land Adj. 14 Mill Green Road, PE11 3PU. Stable. It was resolved to support the application as it would help to diversify local provisions, maintain active land use, and contribute to the character and amenity of the area in a location where such development was acceptable.

04.H14-0868-25: Nunnerley House, Leaveslake Drove, PE11 3QJ. Alterations including demolition. Listed Buildings. Submitted 10-09-25. It was resolved to support the application as it proposed restoring the building closer to its original form preserving heritage whilst maintaining active use.

05.H14-0836-25: Wardentree Lane, PE11 3UG. 5 business units. It was resolved to support the application as it would help sustain employment in an area designated for such development.

06.Stage two consultation of planned Meridian solar PV generating station and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to be located south of Spalding. It was resolved to make no comment.

25.140.The Council noted the following South Holland planning decisions.

01.H14-0766-25: Land Off Elsoms Way, PE11 3JG. Warehouse. Approved.

02.H14-0707-25: 5 Cresswell Close PE11 3TY. Office. Refused.

03.H14-0688-25: 15 Starlode Drove PE11 3TD. Annex. Approved.

04.H14-0671-25: Middledene House Surfleet Road. Stables. Approved.

05.H14-0630-25: Middledene House, Surfleet Road, PE11 4AG. Pilates & Wellness Studio. Refused.

06.H14-0613-25: Discount Leisure Products Ltd, Glenside North, PE11 3SD. Warehouse. Approved.

25.141.Highways matters.

01.Cllr Savage and Cllr Avery would summarise and represent the Council’s Traffic Policy for later consideration by members.

02.Cllr Avery would liaise with County Cllr Sheard regarding a meeting with LCC.

25.142.PlayZone Project.

01.Following an online ‘Kick Off’ meeting on 12 August, a site meeting was held with the Football Foundation and contractors at the Glebe Field on 14 August.

02.It was resolved to take no further action regarding the relocation of the proposed PlayZone on the Glebe Field due to the additional costs that would be incurred.

25.143.It was resolved to delegate to Cllr Smith, in consultation with the Community Hub & Library Steering Group, suggested street names for the Surfleet Road development.

25.144.To consider the adoption of the following policies.

01.It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Freedom of Information Policy as circulated.

02.It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Planning Policy as circulated.

25.145.Committee Reports and Recommendations.

01.Community Hub & Library Committee.

i.The minutes of the meeting held 8 September 2025 were received.

ii.It was resolved to approve the updated Terms of Reference reflecting previous changes made to Standing Orders.

iii.It was resolved to reappoint District Councillor Sneath to the CH&L Committee with voting rights.

iv.It was noted that the Hub & Library had been awarded the top food hygiene rating of “Very Good” following inspection by SHDC on 30 July 2025.

02.It was noted that a Planet Abba Tribute Band ticketed event in support of local community groups, to be held at St Mary’s Church 7.30pm Friday 14 November 2025 was sold out.

03.Open Spaces & Asset Committee.

i.The minutes of the meeting held 22 September 2025 were received.

ii.It was resolved for Cllr Avery to reaffirm via the Press and Facebook that the provision of dog poo bags by the Parish Council was for emergency use only, and should not be relied upon by dog walkers who were expected to provide their own.

04.As recommended by the Open Spaces Committee, it was resolved to take no further action following a request from the Church to spray the footpath and the Church car park.

05.It was noted that a Neighbourhood Policing Team Meeting would take place Monday 13 October 2025 to discuss the quarter’s priorities. Cllr Smith would be attending.

25.146.To Consider arrangements for the Remembrance Day Parade – 09 November 2025.

01.The road closure application had been submitted to Highways.

02.Chevron Traffic Management had been appointed.

03.The event management plan and risk assessment documentation had been drafted.

04.It was resolved to delegate to the Clerk and Cllr Moore additional expenditure for the event of up to £200, for example for volunteer safety equipment.

05.Cllr Chamberlain confirmed the availability of two-way radios.

25.147.Regarding the Local Government Reorganisation towards a Unitary Authority, members were encouraged to form their own opinions and submit personal comments accordingly.

25.148.It was resolved to enter closed session in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

20:35 hrs Dist. Cllr Elizabeth Sneath left the meeting.

25.149.Quotes for works.

01.It was resolved to appoint Gunns & Roses as an appropriate NRSWA accredited contractor to supervise the bus stop installation on Knight Street. The relevant LCC street works licence was to be applied for.

02.It was resolved to approve a Structural Survey of the bus shelter on Church Street @ £450+VAT.

03.Further quotes to be sought for tree works in St Mary’s Churchyard.

04.Subject to the size of tree available by donation from FreshLincs, it was resolved to delegate to the Clerk approval to buy a 20ft tree, as currently allocated within the year’s financial budget.

25.150.Parish Council land.

01.Matters relating to the negotiations for the lease and licence of the Glebe Field were resolved appropriately.

02.Regarding the field at Leaveslake Drove, no feedback from SUFC (juniors) solicitors had been received. Clerk to chase.

03.Matters relating to the negotiations for the sale of land at Starlode Drove were resolved appropriately.

04.It was resolved to increase the provision of garden allotments to one acre for availability from October 2026.

05.The Clerk provided an update regarding the Parish Council’s Farm Business Tenancies.

25.151.Regarding quotes for mapping and software provision for the management of Cherry Holt Lane Cemetery it was resolved to delegate purchase authority to the Clerk in consultation with Cllr Wood and the Chair.

25.152.Staffing and Administration

01.It was resolved to delegate authority of the following matters to the Personnel Committee:

• Updates to employee’s main terms and conditions of employment.

• The adoption and circulation of proposed Employee Handbook.

• The use of Croner’s on-line clocking-in system and whether to adopt Bright HR’s payroll @ £3 per employee per month.

• The approval of a home first aid kit for hybrid workers.

• The approval of a home fire extinguisher for hybrid workers.

• Approval for the renewal of the Clerk’s SLCC membership @ £420 p.a.

• Approval on the establishment of a new Parish Worker (Team Leader) post.

The meeting closed at 21:36 hrs.