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, 23 February 2026, at The Hub, 48 Knight Street, Pinchbeck, PE11 3RU.

Present:  Cllr James Avery (Chair), Cllr Emma Beavis, Cllr Andy Chamberlain, Cllr Geoff Garner, Cllr Terry Moore, Cllr John Smith, Cllr Elizabeth Sneath, Cllr Toby Hughes, Cllr Phil Tweddell, Cllr Oliver Wood, County Cllr Ingrid Sheard, Mr Robert Smith (Clerk), Ms Nicola Jowett (Administration Assistant), Mr Ashley Behan (Lincolnshire County Council (LCC)), Mr Luke Boekestyn (Burmor Construction)

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

Press & Public: Ms Bridie Short (Lincolnshire Free Press). Twenty-two members of the public.

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

26.027.Members’ attendance and apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Ann Savage, Cllr Samantha Jeffery, Cllr Audrey Gregory and Cllr Peter Ruysen.

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

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests and no requests for dispensation.

26.029.Public Forum

01.To receive a briefing from Lincolnshire County Council Highways and Burmor Construction Ltd about the Surfleet Road closure.

02.To receive representations from members of the public.

The Parish Council received a briefing from Mr Ashley Behan, Traffic Manager, Lincolnshire County Council Highways, and Mr Luke Boekestyn, Director, Burmor Construction, regarding the closure of Surfleet Road for utility works associated with the adjacent development.

Mr Behan apologised, on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council and Burmor Construction, for the disruption caused. It was explained that the works involved a sewer connection of approximately 175 metres in length within the highway, at a depth of approximately 5 metres, and that a full road closure was required on safety grounds. It was further explained that the timing of the works was constrained by the statutory rights of the undertaker and the limited capacity of the surrounding highway network to accommodate such works at alternative times.

Mr Boekestyn advised that the works had proved particularly challenging, including due to adverse weather conditions, but stated that Burmor Construction was working collaboratively with Lincolnshire County Council and remained committed to completing the works as soon as practicable. It was indicated that, once the deepest drainage works had been completed, the intention was for the road to reopen under temporary two-way traffic lights while remaining works were finished. When asked whether the closure would end on 9 March 2026 as originally programmed, Mr Behan advised that he could not give certainty at that stage because of the difficulties encountered but said that any extension was not expected to be significant.

Members of the public raised concerns regarding the impact of diverted traffic on nearby lanes and drove roads, including Milestone Lane, Crossgate Lane and Flaxmill Lane. Concerns included public safety, the volume of traffic using unsuitable routes, vehicles breaching the closure, damage to road surfaces, verges and private property, mud on the highway, and the effect on residents and businesses, including Birch Grove Garden Centre. Questions were also raised as to whether more could have been done at the outset to mitigate disruption, whether sat-nav routing could be restricted, whether police enforcement could be arranged, and whether compensation would be available for affected residents or businesses.

In response, Mr Behan stated that Lincolnshire County Council was monitoring the site regularly and holding the contractor to account. It was reported that potholes would be addressed at the end of the project, verge repairs would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and additional mitigation measures, including restrictions on side roads to discourage rat-running, were being considered. It was also noted that any enforcement action or penalties for overrunning the works would need to be considered reasonably and in accordance with the applicable arrangements. Mr Boekestyn confirmed that safety requirements for the excavation could not be compromised and that Burmor Construction would make good damage for which it was responsible at the end of the works. It was also noted that any claims relating to private property damage would need to be pursued through the appropriate channels.

Cllr Ingrid Sheard thanked Mr Behan for his responsiveness during the road closure period, and this was supported by Cllr James Avery, who commented that communication from Lincolnshire County Council had improved significantly in this instance.

The Chair thanked the representatives and members of the public for their attendance and contributions.

Members of the public and the representatives from Lincolnshire County Council Highways and Burmor Construction left the meeting at 20:30.

26.030.Minutes of previous meetings

01.It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 26 January 2026.

02.It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council meeting held 29 January 2026.

26.031.Clerk’s report / matters arising

01.The Chair reported that Cllr John Smith had been invited to receive a High Sheriff of Lincolnshire Award certificate on Monday, 2 March 2026 and congratulated and thanked him on behalf of the Parish Council and the community for all his hard work. The recognition was well deserved.

02.Planning comments had been submitted to the District Council (SHDC), as resolved at the last meeting.

03.The Parish Precept requirement was submitted to SHDC within the required deadline.

04.Following the resignation of Cllr David Bent, there remains a councillor vacancy on the Parish Council.

05.Three places had been booked on a play area routine inspector’s course on 24 June 2026 at Washingborough. One place remained available for which Cllr Chamberlain would check his availability.

26.032.Financial matters

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

02.It was RESOLVED to approve payments to 23 February 2026 (appendix 2).

26.033.Noticeboard at Six House Bank

01.A County Court claim had been issued against Mr Stephen Thorpe for the return of the deposit of £562.50 plus interest plus £70 court fee; it was noted the deposit remained outstanding at the time of the meeting.

02.It was RESOLVED to remove the existing noticeboard due to its poor condition.

03.An alternative location for a new noticeboard at St Bartholomew’s Church was to be given further consideration by members of the West Pinchbeck Village Hall Committee bearing in mind any permission requirements.

26.034.Recent correspondence

01.It was noted that LCC’s consultation on the proposed no-waiting restrictions on Knight Street had been deferred to its Planning & Regulation Committee.

02.It was RESOLVED to support LCC proposals on the installation of local flood alarm systems.

03.An update on the Local Government Reorganisation for Greater Lincolnshire was noted.

04.It was RESOLVED to make no comment on the consultation on the Community Governance Review for the unparished area of Spalding.

05.Information on Children and Young People’s Online Counselling Support was noted.

06.Information on local sensory impairment services survey as posted to the Parish Council website was noted.

07.It was noted that the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm had been granted a Development Consent Order.

26.035.Slipe Drove, Pinchbeck

01.It was RESOLVED to support the proposed stopping up order for Slipe Drove for vehicular traffic only, subject to a public right of way being reserved over the route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

02.It was RESOLVED to authorise the Clerk to sign any Certificate of Consent, when served as part of the formal process on this basis.

26.036.Planning applications

01.H14-0132-26: Adjacent to 4 Clay Drove, Pode Hole, PE11 3NB. 3 bed dwelling with workshop and garage. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

02.H14-0136-26: 72 Surfleet Road, PE11 3XY. Vehicular access. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

03.H14-0138-26: The Bell Inn 33 Church Street, PE11 3UB. Condition compliance. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

04.H14-0125-26: Milestone Nurseries, Herdgate Lane, PE11 3UP. Two storey side and rear extensions. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

05.H14-0100-26: J O Sims Ltd, Pudding Lane, PE11 3TJ. Packhouse extension. It was RESOLVED to support the application.

06.H14-0081-26: 34 Church Street, PE11 3UA. Tree work in conservation area. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

07.H14-0083-26: Kendall Grove, PE11 5AT. Reserved matters. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

08.H14-0077-26: 3 Penway Drive, PE11 3PJ. Section 73 modification. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

09.H14-0079-26: 8 Church Street, PE11 3UA. TPO works. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

10.H14-0065-26: Land off Farnborough Close, PE11 5AF. 40 dwellings. It was RESOLVED to object to the application as the proposed access to the site was considered insufficient.

11.H14-0055-26: Land East of Surfleet Road. Condition compliance. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

12.H14-0051-26: 67 Wardentree Lane, PE11 3UF. Condition compliance. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

13.Pre-planning consultation for radio mast at D&R Simmons Nursery, 45 Market Way, PE11 3PS. It was RESOLVED to make no comment.

26.037.District Council planning decisions

01.H14-1255-25: Netherlea, Dozens Bank, PE11 3ND. Lawful use certificate. Approved.

02.H14-1219-25: Sense 38, Church Street, PE11 3UB. Change of use. Approved.

03.H14-1209-25: 25 Fennell Road, PE11 3RP. Rear Extension. Approved.

04.H14-1146-25: Land to Rear of Shetland Cottage (North Plot), Mill Green Road, PE11 3PY. Condition compliance. Approved.

05.H14-1147-25: Land to rear of Shetland Cottage (South Plot), Mill Green Road, PE11 3PY.  Condition compliance. Approved.

06.H14-1133-25: Land to North of Fengate Road, PE11 3PU. Condition compliance. Approved.

07.H14-1038-25: Land Off Elsoms Way. Section 73 Modification. Approved.

08.H14-0868-25: Nunnerley House, Leaveslake Drove West, PE11 3QJ. Listed building consent. Approved.

26.038.Highways matters

01.Cllr Avery would follow up with LCC about the reinstatement of missing poles for the Parish Council’s Speed Indicator Device.

02.LCC 30mph signs on Northgate had been installed but were not yet in force at the time of the meeting.

03.Speed indicator device at Six House Bank reported as not working. Cllr Moore agreed to check and charge the batteries.

26.039.Recording of meetings and hearing accessibility

01.It was RESOLVED to purchase an audio recording system at £260.65 and a portable hearing loop system at £371.49 (to be financed by AKoE Fund).

02.It was RESOLVED to adopt the Recording of Meetings Policy as circulated by the Clerk.

26.040.Pricing of cemetery services commencing 1 April 2026

01.It was RESOLVED to approve the revised cemetery fee schedule as proposed by the Clerk to take effect for applications received on or after 1 April 2026 (see appendix 3).

26.041.Parish Grass cutting agreement

01.It was RESOLVED to approve the LCC Parish grass cutting agreement for 2026/27 and to authorise signature by the Clerk.

02.It was RESOLVED to accept South Holland District Council’s quote to undertake highway verge grass cutting for 2026/27.

03.It was noted that the Parish Council’s three-year term grounds maintenance agreement for local works was due for renegotiation with effect from 1 April 2027.

26.042.Quotes for works

01.It was RESOLVED to approve works for the repair of the XS Spinner and roundabout at Leaveslake Drove at £966.75 + VAT.

26.043.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.

County Cllr Sheard and the Press left the meeting at 21:24.

26.044.Pinchbeck Utd Ltd complaints

01.It was noted that, following a request to defer consideration by Pinchbeck Utd Ltd, these will be considered at the Council meeting scheduled for 30 March 2026.

26.045.Information rights requests

01.The Clerk gave a report of the information requests received and the responses given to date.

02.It was noted that any overtime generated by this additional workload should be reported back to the Personnel Committee and accounted for promptly.

03.The Clerk reported that to assist with the number and scope of Freedom of Information requests received, an upgrade in the Council’s Microsoft subscription had been made at an additional cost of £87.60 per annum.

26.046.Parish Council land

01.The Glebe Field

The Clerk reported no new matters.

02.Leaveslake Drove

The Clerk reported no new matters.

03.PlayZone

The Clerk reported no new matters.

04.Starlode Drove

Regarding the alleged land encroachment at Starlode Drove and a proposed land sale, it was RESOLVED to set a final deadline of 28 days for the receipt of a positive response, prior to submitting formal notice to remove any encroaching constructions and to reinstate the land to its proper condition.

26.047.Cemetery matters

It was noted that a Ministry of Justice licence had been received for a limited investigation of a plot, with works scheduled for 23 March 2026.

26.048.Staffing & administration matters

There were no matters to report.

The Chair closed the meeting at 21:50.