2026 Minutes

Draft minutes subject to approval at the next meeting.

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Minutes of the Meeting of Pinchbeck Parish Council held at 19:30 on Monday, 27 July 2026, at West Pinchbeck Village Hall, Six House Bank, West Pinchbeck, Spalding, PE11 3QG.

Present: Cllr James Avery (Chair), Cllr Andrew Chamberlain (from 19.46), Cllr Geoff Garner, Cllr Toby Hughes, Cllr Terry Moore, Cllr Samantha Jeffery, Cllr Ann Savage, Cllr John Smith (Vice-Chair), Cllr Phil Tweddell, Mr Robert Smith (Clerk), Ms Nicola Jowett (Administration Assistant).

Absent: Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Peter Ruysen, Cllr Elizabeth Sneath and Cllr Oliver Wood.

In attendance: County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard.

Press & Public: none.

Unless otherwise stated, actions arising were assigned to the Clerk.

26.131.Attendance and apologies for absence

Members' attendance was noted. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Elizabeth Sneath, and Cllr Oliver Wood. Cllr Andrew Chamberlain arrived during the meeting.

26.132.Declarations of interest and requests for dispensation

Cllr John Smith declared an interest in minute 26.145, Flaxmill Lane land - community housing needs, as a director of Pinchbeck Community Land Trust. It was RESOLVED to grant a dispensation permitting Cllr Smith to remain in the meeting and participate in the discussion, but not to vote on that item.

26.133.Public Forum

There were no members of the public present and no representations were received. County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard advised that she could provide updates during the highways item.

26.134.Minutes of previous meeting

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday, 29 June 2026, and to authorise the Chair to sign them as a true record.

26.135.Parish Councillor vacancies

The application for co-option had been withdrawn. It was noted that two vacancies remained.

26.136.Chair's report

The Chair had no separate report.

26.137.Clerk's report / matters arising

01.There remained two member vacancies which could be filled by co-option.

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

03.The Parish Council website had been updated, including publication of minutes and agendas. Routine governance, meeting administration, policy updates and day-to-day parish work, including responding to residents' enquiries, had continued.

04.Work had continued in relation to cemetery administration, including updating historical records, processing interments and managing plot reservations. A wider review and redesign of cemetery records and registers had commenced in preparation for future administration, including the proposed Blue Gowt Lane Cemetery.

05.Following the Council's previous decision and a check of the relevant Land Registry title, a warrant of control had been requested through HM Courts & Tribunals Service in relation to the unpaid oak noticeboard deposit. The warrant fee was £96 and the total amount sought under the warrant was £742.98.

06.No further information had been received from Lincolnshire County Council concerning the proposed new lease for Pinchbeck Hub & Library.

07.Following the Council's request, the vehicle declared SORN in the Parish Council car park at West Pinchbeck had been removed.

08.A request from South Holland District Council's Waste Services Transformation Team to attend the September meeting and explain forthcoming changes to the bin collection service had been accepted.

Members discussed another vehicle being advertised for sale in a Parish Council car park. It was agreed that a polite notice should first be placed on the vehicle and that the owner should be contacted if the matter was not resolved.

26.138.Financial matters

01.June 2026 bank reconciliation and cash book

It was RESOLVED to approve the June 2026 bank reconciliation and cash book, showing cash in hand of £351,443.75 at 30 June 2026 (Appendix 1).

02.Payments to 27 July 2026

It was RESOLVED to approve payments to 27 July 2026 totalling £19,712.83 excluding VAT and £21,491.55 including VAT (Appendix 2).

03.First-quarter budget versus expenditure review

The first-quarter budget versus expenditure review was considered. Members noted the receipt of the annual library grant, progress in bringing farmland and garden allotment rents up to date, forthcoming invoices for parks and playing-field use, cemetery income and an overcharge for grass cutting which would be corrected. It was RESOLVED to approve the review.

04.August 2026 payments

It was RESOLVED to delegate approval of August 2026 payments to the Clerk, Chair and Vice-Chair.

26.139.Recent correspondence

01.Pinchbeck Mothers' Union

A request from Pinchbeck Mothers' Union to plant a cherry tree with a small commemorative plaque at Pinchbeck War Memorial, marking the organisation's 150th anniversary, was considered. It was RESOLVED to grant permission for the proposed location to the right of the main gate, opposite the Women's Institute tree planted in 2023. Any request for practical assistance would be considered separately.

02.Knight Street waiting restrictions

Lincolnshire County Council's decision not to proceed with the proposed waiting restrictions on Knight Street was noted.

03.Slipe Drove stopping-up proposal

Correspondence from a resident concerning the proposed stopping-up of part of Slipe Drove was considered, including possible displacement of parking and obstruction affecting people using the road for dog walking. The Clerk would relay the suggestion that a small, gravelled       parking area might be incorporated near the stopped-up section.

04.Spalding community governance review

Notification of the community governance review concerning the possible establishment of a town council for the Spalding town area was noted. The Parish Council made no corporate response; members could submit personal comments if they wished.

05.Meridian Solar Farm

Notification of the application by Meridian Solar Farm Limited for a Development Consent Order was noted. No further comment was made.

06.Library statistics

The latest library statistics were noted.

26.140.Planning applications

01.H14-0678-26 - 25 Orchard Close, Pinchbeck. Proposed first-floor extension and alterations. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

02.H14-0680-26 - 30A Milestone Lane, Pinchbeck. Erection of a single-storey rear extension. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

03.H14-0669-26 - Shop and premises, 42A Knight Street, Pinchbeck. Change of use of existing commercial premises (Class E) to tattoo studio (sui generis). It was RESOLVED to support the application.

04.H14-0640-26 - Land off Crossgate Lane, Pinchbeck. Erection of nine detached bungalows approved under H14-0042-24; modification of condition 2 to allow amendments to previously approved plans. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

05.H14-0618-26 - St Mary's Churchyard, Church Street, Pinchbeck. Works to trees in Pinchbeck Conservation Area. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

06.H14-0605-26 - Park Farm Cottage, Dozens Bank, West Pinchbeck. Single-storey side extension. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

26.141.District Council planning decisions

The following District Council planning decisions were noted:

01.H14-0525-26: Water Treatment Works, Parson Drove, PE11 3QW. Hedgerow removal. Approved.

02.H14-0506-26: 42A Knight Street, PE11 3RB. Tattoo Studio Lawful use cert. Refused.

03.H14-0454-26: Sunnyside Langhole Drove, PE11 3XP. Extension. Full. Refused.

04.H14-0437-26: 34 Rotten Row, PE11 3RH. Extension. Full. Approved.

05.H14-0402-26: Westfalia Fruit UK, West Marsh Road, PE11 3UG. Condition compliance. Approved

06.H14-1286-25: Land off Stephenson Avenue, PE11 3SW. 11 industrial units. Full. Approved.

26.142.Highways matters

01.Village gateways

Members considered gateway features at up to six entrances to the village, initially including the B1356 Spalding Road near Johnson Community Hospital. The indicative cost of six gateway features was approximately £3,000, excluding installation. It was RESOLVED to support the proposal in principle and to prepare a fully costed plan, seek the necessary permissions from Lincolnshire County Council Highways and explore external contributions, including County Councillor funding and developer or local-business support.

County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard advised that she had access to a £3,000 divisional budget and would consider match funding once permissions and a fully costed proposal were available.

02.Advertising sign.

Members raised the matter of an obtrusive advertising sign near Flaxmill Lane. It was agreed that the Chair would refer the matter to South Holland District Council's planning enforcement service.

03.Speed Indicator Devices and speeding

The Speed Indicator Device report was noted. Members discussed speeding data, including issues affecting data from Surfleet Road and Six House Bank and incidents of very high speeds. County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard reported on discussions with highways officers and the Road Safety Partnership, including the limitations of average-speed surveys and the possible use of mobile speed-indicator units to provide more detailed evidence.

Outstanding and proposed speed-limit and signage matters at Northgate, Surfleet Road, Six House Bank and adjoining roads were discussed. Relevant historic correspondence and current evidence would be collated and forwarded to County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard for follow-up with highways officers.

26.143.Community orchard at Blue Gowt Lane

Members considered a draft information sign for the community orchard. It was agreed that the sign should be freestanding, substantial and positioned where it would be clearly seen on entry. The Clerk would obtain design proposals and costs and report back. More detailed cemetery signage would be considered separately.

26.144.Cemeteries

01.Communal scattering area at Cherry Holt Lane Cemetery

Members considered the proposed location for a communal scattering area at the upper part of Cherry Holt Lane Cemetery, clear of existing graves. It was RESOLVED to designate an area of approximately 10 metres by 10 metres for the communal scattering of cremated remains, with the detailed conditions of use and administrative arrangements to be finalised by the Clerk.

02.Blue Gowt Lane Cemetery development

The Clerk reported that pathway works were underway. The specification for the concrete memorial beams was being reviewed against BRAMM and NAMM requirements, including dimensions, reinforcement and fixing arrangements. It was RESOLVED to authorise the Clerk, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, to agree any necessary revised dimensions and associated cost adjustment, provided the contractor retained the previously approved volumetric rate and the final specification met the applicable requirements.

26.145.Flaxmill Lane land - community housing needs

01.Cllr John Smith, speaking as a director of Pinchbeck Community Land Trust, outlined an early proposal for the possible acquisition and community-led development of approximately 18 to 20 acres of Parish Council land adjacent to Maurice Chapel Way. Possible benefits discussed included discounted-market housing retained for people with a local connection, provision for groups whose housing needs were not well served, community benefit and recreation or sports provision. Members emphasised that any disposal would need to enable the Council to acquire suitable replacement land and should include an appropriate uplift if planning permission were secured.

02.It was RESOLVED:

i.to authorise Pinchbeck Community Land Trust to develop and return with a more detailed proposal;

ii.to instruct the Council's land agent, Longstaff, to begin identifying suitable replacement agricultural land; and

iii.to authorise the Open Spaces Committee, in consultation with the Chair and Clerk, to negotiate an appropriately short or flexible farm business tenancy with the preferred bidder for the Flaxmill Lane land, so that the land remained maintained and income-producing without frustrating consideration of the proposal. Any substantial financial commitment or land transaction would require further Council approval.

Cllr John Smith did not vote on the resolutions.

26.146.Pinchbeck Community Hub & Library

01.No-smoking site

It was RESOLVED to designate the whole Hub & Library site as no smoking and no vaping, with suitable signage to be installed.

02.Time capsule

It was RESOLVED to approve the construction of brick-built time capsule feature at the Hub involving pupils from Pinchbeck and West Pinchbeck schools and assistance from Burmor Construction. The proposal would be subject to Lincolnshire County Council's consent as landowner and would be progressed at no cost to the Parish Council. Cllr John Smith would progress.

26.147.Events

01.Summer activities

An update was received on the summer programme planned for Wednesdays 5, 12, 19 and 26 August 2026, including emergency-services, animal and physical-activity themes and an end-of-summer community event. The programme was funded through the All Kinds of Everything Fund and would not create a financial burden for the Parish Council. Cllr John Smith would arrange for the completion of suitable risk assessments and any necessary arrangements for use of the Glebe Field would be made in conjunction with the Clerk.

02.Car boot sale

It was RESOLVED to approve a community car boot sale on the Glebe Field on 20 September 2026, with Rotten Row Playing Field to be used instead if ground conditions made use of the Glebe Field unsuitable.

03.Remembrance Sunday

Arrangements for the Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade on 8 November 2026 were considered. The Clerk would apply for the necessary road-closure notices and, subject to confirmation, arrange traffic management on the same basis as the previous year.

26.148.Quotes for works

01.Reflective discs for War Memorial posts

It was RESOLVED to purchase and fit white reflective discs to the War Memorial posts at an approximate cost of £30.

02.Memorial safety testing

It was RESOLVED to accept the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management quotation of £1,100 plus VAT for memorial safety testing at the Council's cemeteries.

03.Replacement display screens

It was RESOLVED to purchase two replacement computer display screens for the Clerk and Administration Assistant at a cost not exceeding £100 each.

There were no other late-received quotes.

26.149.Exclusion of press and public

It was RESOLVED that, in accordance with section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the public and press be excluded for the remaining 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.

County & District Cllr Ingrid Sheard left the meeting and the public recording ended at approximately 20:58.

26.150.Parish Council land matters

01.The Glebe Field

i.An update was provided on recent solicitors’ communications and advice.

ii.It was RESOLVED to ratify the recent actions and solicitor instructions issued by the Glebe Field Working Party taken in conjunction with the Chair and Clerk.

iii.It was RESOLVED to extend approval for the Glebe Field Working Party to undertake such actions and issue such solicitor instructions that it thought appropriate, in conjunction with the Chair and Clerk, and in accordance with the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations.

02.PlayZone

Nothing further to report.

03.Leaveslake Drove

The Council received a confidential update concerning the proposed arrangements for Leaveslake Drove Playing Field. The Chair and Clerk would continue their review and report back as appropriate.

04.Starlode Drove land matter

The Council received a confidential update concerning the Starlode Drove land matter. It was RESOLVED to reaffirm the Council's previous position. Further detail is recorded in the confidential notes.

05.Farm tenancies and garden allotments

The Council noted the resolutions made under agenda item 26.145. the timing for the informal tender of the Parish Council Farm Business Tenancies would take place at the end of August as previously agreed.

26.151.Confidential quotes for works

There were no confidential quotes to consider.

26.152.Staffing and administration matters

The Council noted a confidential staffing and administration matter. This is recorded in the confidential notes.

The Chair closed the meeting at 21:42.