2026 Minutes

Draft minutes subject to approval at the next meeting.

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Minutes of Pinchbeck Parish Council meeting held at 19:30 on Monday, 27 April 2026, at The Hub, 48 Knight Street, Pinchbeck, PE11 3RU.

Present: Cllr James Avery (Vice-Chair, in the Chair), Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Andrew Chamberlain, Cllr Geoff Garner, Cllr Toby Hughes, Cllr Samantha Jeffery, Cllr Terry Moore, Cllr Peter Ruysen, Cllr John Smith, Cllr Elizabeth Sneath, Cllr Phil Tweddell, Cllr Oliver Wood, Mr Robert Smith (Clerk), County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard.

Absent: Cllr Ann Savage (Chair).

Press & Public: Two members of the public.

In the absence of Cllr Ann Savage (Chair), the Vice-Chair, Cllr Avery, chaired the meeting. Unless otherwise stated, actions arising were assigned to the Clerk.

26.068.Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ann Savage and District Cllr Sally-Ann Slade.

26.069.Disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests and requests for dispensation

No declarations of pecuniary interests or other disclosable interests were made. No written requests for dispensation were received.

26.070.Public Forum

In accordance with Standing Orders, the Chair invited representations from members of the public.

A member of the public asked whether the Parish Council had been notified of, or asked to approve, an event understood to be planned for 20 June 2026 on neighbouring Parish Council land. It was reported that the Parish Council had not been notified or asked permission, as would normally be expected.

No further representations were made, and the public forum was closed.

26.071.Minutes of previous meeting

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday, 30 March 2026, and to authorise the Chair to sign them as a true record.

26.072.Reports

01.Chair’s report - Surfleet Road

The Chair provided an update on the Surfleet Road closure and subsequent reopening. It was noted that the full road closure had originally been planned for nine weeks from 5 January 2026 to allow sewer, footway, utilities and street lighting works associated with the affordable housing development.

It was noted that some motorists had not observed the closures or diversion routes, which had led to further hard closures and disruption on Crossgate, Milestone Lane, Flaxmill Lane and Langhole Drove. The road had reopened on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, except for Crossgate Lane, which remained closed while verge remedial works settled.

The Chair clarified that Lincolnshire County Council Highways, not the Parish Council, was responsible for management of the highway and for permissions relating to the works and road closures. The Parish Council’s role was to offer advice and support to affected residents and to signpost matters to the appropriate authority.

The Chair reported that Lincolnshire County Council had indicated that any overstay fine would be discussed with Burmor Construction once the road reopened, and that it remained the intention that a portion of any fine be directed to the Parish Council to be managed for reinvestment opportunities benefiting the surrounding community. A post-works walkthrough was expected to be arranged in May or June 2026.

02.Clerk’s report / matters arising

i.Planning comments had been submitted to the District Council as previously resolved.

ii.The draft internal auditor’s report had been received that day and would be considered at the next meeting.

iii.Following the latest casual vacancy on the Parish Council, no election had been called. There were now two member vacancies which could be filled by co-option.

26.073.Financial matters

01.It was RESOLVED to approve the March 2026 bank reconciliation and cash book (Appendix 1).

02.During consideration of the asset register, a member queried whether physical checks had been carried out. It was noted that a physical check and photographic record of assets would be useful, that work had already been undertaken in relation to bins, and that office equipment should also be checked.

03.It was RESOLVED to approve payments to 27 April 2026, totalling £17,197.94 excluding VAT (Appendix 2). It was noted that payments for outside workers had been increased to take account of the National Minimum Wage uplift, in line with the Parish Council’s budget.

04.It was RESOLVED to approve the financial accounts for the year ending 31 March 2026.

05.It was RESOLVED to approve the asset register as at 31 March 2026, noting additions and disposals for the year.

06.A member queried the treatment of fixed asset values and depreciation. It was noted that parish councils do not depreciate assets in the same way as businesses, but that future replacement needs should be considered in budget planning.

07.It was RESOLVED to approve the proposed adjustments to earmarked reserves. It was noted that a number of historic grant-related earmarked reserves had been cleared down or closed where expenditure had been completed, reducing earmarked reserves to £22,475.51, excluding the separate capital Section 106 reserve.

08.Members noted the need to keep the Section 106 reserve under review, including any expiry period, and it was indicated that the reserve was expected to be applied during the current year.

09.It was RESOLVED that the dates for the exercise of public rights should be 3 June 2026 to 14 July 2026.

26.074.Recent correspondence

01.Blue Gowt Lane / Two Plank Bridge

Correspondence requesting Parish Council support for reopening the footpath at Blue Gowt Lane / Two Plank Bridge was considered.

Members noted that the route was not currently recorded as a public right of way on the definitive map and that definitive map and highways matters were the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council. Members also noted that an alternative route had been provided, avoiding the need to cross the road.

It was AGREED that the Parish Council would not support reopening the route and that the Clerk would reply accordingly, referring to the alternative route now available.

02.Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4

Correspondence regarding the statutory consultation for Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4, Grimsby to Walpole, was received. The Clerk would circulate the correspondence to councillors so that members could submit individual comments if they wished.

03.Western Marsh to East Leicestershire

A community update regarding the Western Marsh to East Leicestershire consultation was received. The Clerk would circulate the update to councillors for information.

26.075.Planning applications

01.H14-0321-26: 3 Penway Drive. Proposed two-storey rear and side extension and render of existing house, including alterations. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

02.H14-0281-26: The New Chestnuts, Glenside South. Erection of two-storey extension, including installation of a lift. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

26.076.District Council planning decisions

The following District Council planning decisions were noted:

• H14-0296-26: Land east of Surfleet Road. Development of 37 affordable dwellings. Non-material amendment approved.

• H14-0280-26: Westfalia Fruit. Construction of warehouse to include larger packhouse. Non-material amendment approved.

• H14-0223-26: Green Gables, Holland Chase, West Pinchbeck. Erection of close-boarded fence, retrospective. Refused.

• H14-0195-26: 15 Six House Bank, West Pinchbeck. Proposed two-storey extension to include replacement garage and rendering. Refused.

• H14-0181-26: Netherlea, Dozens Bank. Retention of dwelling without complying with agricultural habitation clause. Approved.

• H14-0136-26: 72 Surfleet Road. Proposed new vehicle access. Approved.

• H14-0138-26: Tobelin. Details of construction management. Condition compliance approved.

• H14-0125-26: Milestone Nurseries. Proposed two-storey side and rear extensions. Refused.

• H14-0126-26: J O Sims Limited. Proposed extension for additional packhouse and storage. Approved.

• H14-0079-26: 8 Church Street. Works to trees in a conservation area. Approved.

26.077.Highways matters

01.Members raised concerns regarding the pothole and damaged drain at Rotten Row and a further pothole near Vernatt’s Bridge / Heron Lane. It was noted that the defects had been reported on FixMyStreet and that County & District Cllr Sheard had also contacted Lincolnshire County Council Highways directly with photographs.

02.Cllr Moore thanked County & District Cllr Sheard for her assistance in relation to Mill Green, which had been repaired following the previous meeting.

03.It was noted that repair of the speed indicator device at Six House Bank was expected to cost approximately £250. Members RESOLVED to undertake the repair, which was significantly cheaper than replacement.

04.It was further noted that there had been movement on a replacement pole for an additional speed indicator device near the large roundabout, and that Cllr Moore would confirm the required pole size.

26.078.Hub & Library

01.Lincolnshire County Council Community Hub Revenue Grant Funding Agreement 2026/27

The Parish Council considered the new Lincolnshire County Council Community Hub Revenue Grant Funding Agreement for 2026/27, the associated Community Hub Charter and Revenue Claim Form A.

It was noted that Lincolnshire County Council had confirmed that the claim document had not changed, that the Charter was new in format but not content, and that no additional or increased expectations were intended beyond the existing principles of the Hub model.

It was RESOLVED to accept the grant on the terms proposed and to authorise the necessary documentation to be signed and returned.

02.GrassRoots grant for Hub equipment

Cllr John Smith reported that a small underspend was available through GrassRoots funding and proposed applying for Hub equipment. It was noted that applications below £5,000 would not require matched funding.

It was RESOLVED to approve submission of an application for GrassRoots grant funding for Hub equipment and, if successful, to proceed with the associated expenditure in accordance with the grant award.

03.Community Connector work

The Parish Council considered a proposal to partner with a local charity to provide rooms and associated support for Community Connector work to support local citizens.

It was noted that, if the charity was successful in its bid, rooms at the Hub could be rented for approximately six hours per week for groups and associated support work.

It was RESOLVED to approve the proposed partnership arrangement, subject to the charity being successful and to suitable room-hire arrangements being agreed.

26.079.Quotes for works

No quotes for works were considered in open session.

26.080.Exclusion of press and public

It was RESOLVED that, in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1(2), the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, namely confidential negotiation positions, legal/complaints matters and/or personal data.

Cllr Sheard and the members of the public left the meeting at 20:15.

Confidential session

26.081.Information rights requests

The Clerk circulated a summary of Freedom of Information requests received during the previous 12 months. A member expressed concern about the amount of Clerk time required to respond and asked whether the pattern and frequency of requests warranted further consideration, including whether any request might properly be treated as vexatious or repeated under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

It was RESOLVED for the Clerk to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office for advice on the matter.

26.082.Parish Council land

01.The Glebe Field

i.The Clerk gave an update on the current position and confirmed that no approach through solicitors had been received from Pinchbeck United / UTD Ltd.

ii.It was noted that the Glebe Field Working Party would meet with Counsel prior to the June Parish Council meeting. Any advice on further action would be put to the Parish Council for resolution.

iii.Given the information received during the public forum about events being organised on the Glebe Field by Pinchbeck UTD Ltd, it was RESOLVED to consult solicitors as to any action the Parish Council should be undertaking.

iv.The Clerk reported that the Football Association had offered to host a mediation session between the Parish Council and Pinchbeck UTD Ltd. Given the ongoing live legal dispute, legal advice had been taken that this should not go ahead without both sides being legally represented. It was therefore not considered advisable to proceed at this time.

02.The PlayZone

Given the ongoing legal dispute with Pinchbeck United / UTD Ltd, no further progress had been made by the Football Foundation.

03.Leaveslake Drove

i.The Clerk reported that, having responded positively to a request for a meeting from Spalding United (Juniors) FC (SUFC), no further communication from the football club had been received.

ii.The field occupation agreement with SUFC remained unsigned by the club.

04.Starlode Drove

Since the Parish Council had restated its position on the sale conditions for land at Starlode Drove, no response had been received. If no response continued to be received, legal steps to ensure that the land was reinstated to its previous condition would need to be considered.

05.Farm tenancies and garden allotments

Members received and noted correspondence and draft schedules from R. Longstaff & Co LLP relating to the Parish Council’s agricultural landholdings, including indicative field areas, proposed lotting and an outline programme for marketing land for future Farm Business Tenancies.

It was noted that the documentation had been received shortly before the meeting and that there was insufficient time for members to consider the matter in detail. The Council therefore did not make any substantive decision on the draft schedules, field areas, lotting arrangements, or future tenancy terms at this meeting.

Members noted, however, that the proposed programme for marketing the Farm Business Tenancies for commencement in October 2026 appeared to remain on schedule, with indicative marketing in July/August 2026, a tender date around August 2026, and new tenancies anticipated to commence on 11 October 2026, subject to further consideration and any necessary decisions by the Council.

The matter was to be brought back to a future meeting for fuller consideration.

26.083.Confidential quotes for works

01.It was RESOLVED to approve a quote of £975 for tree work in St Mary’s Churchyard. Cllr Moore would oversee the works.

02.It was RESOLVED for Cllr Moore to oversee the works previously approved under minute 26.019.05 for additional works at Blue Gowt Lane Cemetery.

26.084.Outside operations and administration matters

01.Members expressed concern about the condition of many street waste bins, including bins overflowing with rubbish.

02.The number of bins being emptied by Parish Council staff was to be checked against records to ensure that District Council responsibilities were not being inadvertently undertaken.

03.The previous deferral of the appointment of an additional Parish Maintenance Worker to assist with outside operations was to be reviewed.

There being no further business, the Chair closed the meeting at 21:18.