2025 Minutes

Draft minutes subject to approval at the next meeting.

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Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 19:30hrs, Monday, 28 April 2025, at The Hub, 48 Knight Street, Pinchbeck, PE11 3RU

Present:    Cllr James Avery (Chairman), Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Andy Chamberlain (from 19:34hrs), Cllr Geoff Garner, Cllr Sam Jeffery, Cllr Terry Moore, Cllr Ann Savage, Cllr John Smith, Cllr Phil Tweddell, Cllr Oliver Wood, Mr Robert Smith (clerk), Mrs Nicola Jowett (Administration Assistant), one member of the public.

Absent:  Cllr Audrey Gregory, Cllr Peter Ruysen, Cllr Samantha Jeffery.  

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

25.050.Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ruysen, Cllr Jeffery, and District Cllr Sneath.

25.051.Cllr Moore declared a personal interest in item 13, being a close relation to persons adversely affected by the provision of schools in the area.

25.052.It was resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 31 March 2025.

25.053.Representations from members of the public

01.A resident who had attended the March Parish Council meeting, again raised concerns about the flood defences on Glenside North. He wished to highlight and express his disagreement with information the Environment Agency had provided in response to his concerns. He planned to continue querying and corresponding with the Environment Agency. Ultimately, he was seeking recognition that the wall was a flood defence and that a reassessment of the current flood defences took place. A meeting with the Environment Agency's flood advisor was to be arranged.

19:50hrs: the member of the public left the meeting.

25.054.A lottery was conducted in open session to select a new garden allotment tenant. The successful applicant was selected using a unique identifier 2025-08. The remaining applicants were placed on the waiting list in the order they were drawn.

25.055.The Chairman had nothing to report.

25.056.Clerk’s report / matters arising not on the agenda.

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

02.The Parish Council’s precept had been received from SHDC.

03.Work on the Emergency Community Plan, headed by Cllr Savage, was to be organised.

04.The insurance claim on the storm damage to the Knight Street bus shelter had been settled with a payout of £4,750.35. Work on the replacement bus stop was due to take place in July 2025.

05.The Admin Assistant now had access and was able to raise payments on the Unity Trust online account. The application for access to Barclays with signatory changes was in progress.

06.The application for a Lloyds payment card via Unity Trust Bank for the clerk was still pending.

07.The annual library grant of £5,167 from LCC was applied for and had been received.

08.SHDC land on Elizabeth Crescent, West Pinchbeck had been cleared.

09.A new baby changing unit was to be fitted in the mens/disabled toilets in the hub. This fitting of the unit along with a repair to the floor was to be kindly undertaken by WeFixAny.co.uk.

10.A request was submitted to SHDC to clear the leaves outside St Mary’s Church. The District Council had advised it would be addressed within 5 days. Follow up to be made with SHDC.  

11.Mole clearance of Cherry Holt Lane Cemetery and Rotten Row playing field had been completed. Monitoring and further clearance would continue as necessary. A quote had been received for the War Memorial.

12.The order for a new bespoke oak made noticeboard at Six House Bank car park had been submitted @ £1,125 from Willow Tree Bespoke Joinery.

13.New dog poo signs had been received @ £93.80.

14.A quote for replacement railings at Cherry Holt Lane Cemetery had been requested.

25.057.Financial matters.

01.It was resolved to approve March 2025 bank reconciliation & transactions (see appendix 1).

02.It was resolved to approve April 2025 payments (see appendix 2).

03.It was resolved to defer approval of the draft accounts for y/e 31 March 2025 to the next meeting.

04.It was resolved to approve the dates for the exercise of public rights commencing on Tuesday 3 June 2025 and ending on Monday 14 July 2025.

05.It was resolved to approve the Council’s Annual Investment Strategy 2025-26.

06.A decision on making any adjustments to earmarked reserves was deferred to the next meeting.

25.058.Correspondence.

01.An intended donation to Pinchbeck Youth Club was noted with thanks.

02.The Environment Agency’s response to concerns about flood defences on Glenside South was noted. It was resolved to request a meeting with its flood advisor.

03.Notification of Environment Agency watercourse maintenance work was noted.

04.Pinchbeck Library Statistics to 31 March 2025 were noted.

05.A policing survey was noted.

06.Meridian Solar Farm Statutory Consultation was noted as not directly affecting the Parish.

25.059.Planning applications

01.H14-0382-25: Land at Yews Farm Spalding Road, PE11 3UE. Details of archaeological final report. It was resolved to make no comment.

02.H14-0350-25: The Burrells Land South of Milestone Lane, PE11 3XR. Details of planning conditions. It was resolved to make no comment.

03.H14-0352-25: Site South of Milestone Lane, PE11 3XR. Details of planning conditions. It was resolved to make no comment.

04.H14-0328-25: Unit 3, Mayden House, Wardentree Lane, PE11 3UG. Change of use to kitchen facility for school meals & meals-on-wheels. It was resolved to support the application.

05.H14-0310-25: 13 Harpe Close, PE11 3RX. Extension. It was resolved to support the application.

06.H14-0312-25: 7 Viceroy Drive, PE11 3TS. Extension. It was resolved to support the application.

07.H14-0308-25: Adj 4 Clay Drove, PE11 3NB. Barn Conversion. It was resolved to support the application.

08.H14-0300-25: Green Gables, Holland Chase, PE11 3QD. Extensions & alterations. It was resolved to support the application.

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

01.H14-0163-25: 88 Knight Street, PE11 3RB. Details of window frames to first floor. Approved

02.H14-0132-25: Land off Enterprise Way, Benner Road Industrial Estate, PE11 3YR. Installation of transmission equipment. Approved.

03.H14-0088-25: 47 Church Street, PE11 3UB. Installation of broadband line. Approved.

25.061.Highways matters.

01.The Council’s Traffic management strategy required updating. Cllr Moore was to review.

02.Cllr Avery was attempting to arrange a follow up meeting with highways. He would chase again after the Mayoral and County Council elections.

25.062.Secondary schools in the area.

01.The chairman noted that this was a County Council matter and was not sure what impact the Parish Council could have. He had been informed that there would be more secondary school places available next year.

02.Cllr Smith suggested that, acting in a personal capacity, councillors could choose to assist members of the public with placement appeals. It was further noted that members of the public may wish to form an independent action group to increase pressure on the County Council. It was stated that any such actions would be undertaken independently and would not represent the views or actions of the Parish Council.

25.063.To consider matters relating to proposed new PlayZone.

01.The Football Foundation had determined that initial estimates for the project had risen from £275,000 to £331,923. This would require the Council to commit to a possible increase in partnership funding of £14,230.75.

02.It was resolved to confirm the Parish Council’s commitment to meet this increase in partnership funding, taking its potential funding contribution to £82,980.75. It was anticipated that the possible additional requirement would be met from further agreed Section 106 contributions associated with developments currently underway in the parish. Sums for which were expected to be received within the next 18 months. In the interim, any temporary shortfall would be covered from the Parish Council’s General Reserves.

25.064.To consider committee reports and to resolve on committee recommendations.

01.Draft minutes of the Open Spaces and Assets Committee meeting held 7 April 2025 were received.

02.Cllr Wood presented an option for a planter at the village entrance on Spalding Road. Cllr Avery would contact Highways and see what was permissible as a licence would be required. He would also gauge as to sponsoring the planters.

03.It was resolved to donate £150 to the marching band for attendance on VE Day.

04.A Summer Events was planned to take place at the hub in August 2025. Cllr Avery kindly agreed to donate £500.00 from his District Council budget.

05.It was noted that a grant application had been submitted to LCC for Hub Capital works @ £14,994.52.

06.Cllr Moore gave an update on the Blue Gowt Lane Cemetery. Seeding and laying matting in the car park should take place next week. Final tarmacking was awaiting delivery of bollards.

07.Cllr Tweddell was awaiting a date for the laying of a base for the new bench at Blue Gowt Lane.  The base and bench installation were to be kindly undertaken by Burmor Construction. It was resolved to order the bench @ £855.

25.065.Cllr Smith gave a report on the Pinchbeck Youth Club.

01.Thanks were given to the Parish Council for its support of the club. Around 65 children had attended each session, and a survey had been undertaken which suggested that it has been a resounding success with the YMCA receiving 5 stars for its services.

02.Club nights would now take place twice a month on alternating weeks to Gosberton Youth Club. It would cost £3,900 to increase the service. £1,000.00 had been received as a donation from Greencore and around £2,000.00 was expected from the previous youth club. Further funding would be sourced as necessary.

25.066.Next meeting: Annual Parish Council Meeting 19:30hrs Monday, 19 May 2025.

25.067.It was resolved to move into closed session on the grounds of confidentiality in accordance with   the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1(2).

25.068.Parish Council land.

01.Starlode Drove

i.It was resolved to delegate resolution of the Starlode Drove land boundary issue to the Open Spaces Committee. An on-site visit was to be arranged.

02.The Glebe Field

i.A draft valuation for licencing and leasing of parts of the Glebe Field had been received from Longstaff & Co.

ii.It was noted that permission to the Football club for a new kitchen and placement of a 20 ft x 8ft storage container had been granted.

iii.Matters were resolved appropriately. Solicitors to be contacted to formulate an appropriate letter.

25.069.Quotes for works.

01.A quote had been requested for a replacement cemetery Fence.

02.It was resolved to approve the complete aerial photography of Cherry Holt Cemetery @ £2,000 plus VAT. This would also allow for the photographs being linked into an existing Excel spreadsheet schematic of cemetery plots.

03.It was resolved to proceed with an extended warranty quote of the Elan City speed sign @ £199.00 + VAT.

04.It was resolved to accept a quote for traffic management of the Remembrance Day parade @ £980.00 plus VAT from Centurion Traffic Management.

05.It was resolved to approve a quote for annual mole control at the War Memorial @ £500 plus VAT.

06.Additional quotes for the repair of the Glebe Field driveway had just been received from the Football Club. These were to be reviewed by the Open Spaces committee.

25.070.Staffing & Administration.

01.Nothing to report.

The chairman closed the meeting at 21:50 hrs.