Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 3rd November 2026, 18:30

PRESENT

• Councillors P Adey, C Broad, C Callan, B Emes, S Manders, V Marden, K Trought, N Boughey (from 19:45)
• Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles and Mrs R Fraser were in attendance
• County Councillor and District Councillor Cawrey was in attendance, District Councillor Nash was not in attendance

• Four members of the public were in attendance

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Cllr Cawrey reported on Lincolnshire County Council A607 Active Travel initiative; the next Local Government Reorganisation briefing to be held on 10 November 26; retirement of Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer of Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and replacement being sought. Cllr Cawrey reported that she had contacted Lincolnshire County Council Highways to request parking restrictions for Lichfield Road entrance and exit from the Canwick Road B1131 roundabout.

A resident asked whether the footpaths on Ridgeview Road and associated roads were scheduled for repair. Cllr Cawrey assured residents that all outstanding pavement would be completed on a rolling schedule. She requested that residents do not park their cars on the newly repaired roads.

Cllr Cawrey agreed to look into the loss of the school crossing patrol outside St John’s Primary Academy.

REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Nil  

QUESTIONS OR POINTS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A resident thanked the Parish Council for arranging the Red Arrows evening. A request was made by Bracebridge Heath 21st Scouts for a noticeboard.  

COUNCIL SESSION 

CODE OF CONDUCT REMINDERS

• Nolan Principles - Members were reminded of the Nolan Principles which underpin the Council’s Code of Conduct - Selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty & leadership.
• Register of interests - The Chairman reminded members that they should submit to the Monitoring Officer at North Kesteven District Council any changes to the content of their Register of Member Interest forms. Interests should be declared in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

26148.      TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE

It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Barr.

It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Nash.

26149.      DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

a.       TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT

Cllr Manders declared an ‘other registerable’ interest in relation to St John’s Primary Academy and St John the Evangelist Church.

b.       TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT AND STANDING ORDERS

Nil

26150.      TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 6th October 2026

It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 6th October 2026 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

26151.      FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE

a.       TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON PAYMENTS BETWEEN MEETINGS

The following report on payments made between meetings was accepted - Direct debit payments for September 2026, credit card payments for October 2026 and payments made between meetings including the return of deposits to facility hirers. All reports can be downloaded from the council’s website – https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/84/meeting-reports-november-2026

b.       TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as detailed be approved. All reports can be downloaded from the council’s website - https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/84/meeting-reports-november-2026

c.        TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS

It was RESOLVED: That reconciliation of bank statements 498-502 and savings account to 30th September 2026 be accepted and signed by Cllr Emes. Bank balances were reported as: Current Account - £201,677.10; Savings - £183,557.31

Reconciliation of bank statements 490-493 and savings reconciliation to 31st July 2026 were deferred until December’s meeting due to Cllr Nash’s absence.

d.    TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

A written report was given. No concerns raised. Budget report dated 21.10.2026 was accepted.

e.     TO NOMINATE THREE COUNCILLORS TO WORK WITH THE RFO TO PREPARE A DRAFT BUDGET FOR 2027-2028 –

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Manders, Cllr Callan and Cllr Broad will work with the RFO to prepare a draft budget for 2027-   2028.

26152.    TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATION

• Savills – Allotment rent review

It was RESOLVED: That the rent review and revised rental for the allotment site of £1100 per year is noted.

• Community Governance Review

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council would submit the following social media statement –

“We are pleased to confirm that North Kesteven District Council has concluded the Community Governance Review involving Bracebridge Heath Parish Council and Canwick Parish Council.

The Parish Council would like to thank everyone at NKDC for their hard work and support throughout the review process. We appreciate the considerable amount of time and effort that has gone into consultation, administration and decision-making to reach this outcome.

We look forward to working with NKDC as the approved arrangements are implemented. Thank you to everyone who engaged with and contributed to the review.”

• Resident request regarding streetlighting
• Request from St John’s Primary Academy for a member of council to attend and give a talk about democracy.
• No election is required following the resignation of Cllr S Hughes.
• A607 active travel enhancements – clerk authorised to make the following suggestions for discussion with LCC:

• Addition of large capacity bins throughout the route
• Benches and seating along the route
• Signage and wayfinding for walking and cycling
• Members were happy with the idea of tree planting or flowers but would like further discussion about the types of planting and responsibility of maintenance and upkeep. Members were keen to ensure that the choice of planting would be sustainable in all weather conditions and manageable.
• Possible replacement or repair of the iron railings along Sleaford Road and London Road.

26153. TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY

The following report was made and accepted:

• Payments reported at item 4a
• Payments and purchases made by credit card.
• Permission given for highways engineers to access the woodland walk between the hospital cottages and Canwick Avenue to explore causes of standing water on the road.
• Submission of comments regarding planning applications:

26/1191/HOUS - 5 The Crescent, Bracebridge Heath, LN4 2NP – No comments or objections

26154.    PLANNING

a.       TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL –

26/0574/HOUS 15 Salisbury Drive

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections.

26/1107/FUL Units 1 - 8, St John's Craft Workshops

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections

26/1118/FUL Site Off The Old Brickyard

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections

26/1261/HOUS120 Grantham Road

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has concerns about the adequacy of car parking provision and requests that officers give full consideration to Appendix 2 – Car Parking Standards of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, ensuring that the required standards are fully met.

b.   TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS

                  A written report was received.

26155.   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RECREATION GROUND MASTERPLAN AND CONSIDER ANY     RECOMMENDATIONS – The Parish Council expressed its gratitude to PixbyJess for her photographs of the listening event on 17th October 26.

                  The item was deferred for further consideration at an additional meeting of the Parish Council to be held on 9 November 2026.

26156.    TO CONSIDER REPLACEMENT BUS SHELTERS AND SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL ASSET REGISTER

It was RESOLVED:  That the council confirms its agreement to remove 7 existing brick-built bus shelters in the village and replace with new steel and polycarbonate shelters where appropriate. Once complete, the council confirms its intention to dispose of the assets and remove from the asset register. Council also supports the inclusion of new modern shelters in additional locations as deemed appropriate by LCC officers. Future repairs and ongoing maintenance of the new bus shelters will be the responsibility of Lincolnshire County Council.  

26157.    TO REVIEW RISK ASSESSMENTS

1.  Christmas Tree

It was RESOLVED: That Christmas Tree Risk Assessment v1.2 is adopted.

2. Remembrance Sunday

It was RESOLVED: That Remembrance Sunday Risk Assessment v1.2 is adopted.

26158.      TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR CO-OPTION

                   It was RESOLVED: That council session be suspended to enable the co-option applicant to address the council.

                  Out of session 19:42

                  The applicant addressed the council.

                  Back in session 19:44

                  It was RESOLVED: That Neil Boughey is co-opted to Bracebridge Heath Parish Council.

                  Cllr Boughey signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and joined the meeting at 19:45.

26159.      TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING

Any requests from members of council for agenda items should be discussed and submitted with the clerk 2 weeks prior to the meeting date.

ITEMS OF A CONFIDENTIAL NATURE TO BE DEBATED IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC. UNDER THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 DUE TO COMMERCIAL SENSITIVITY

26160.      TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS FOR VAN INSURANCE

It was RESOLVED: That officers are given authority to agree and accept appropriate insurance cover for one year to the value of £1000.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19:57

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                                              1st December 2026