December 2025

Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 2nd December 2025, 7pm  

Present: Councillors C Barr, C Broad, C Callan, B Emes, S Manders, V Marden, D Nash and K Trought

In attendance: Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles, Deputy Clerk to Council, Mrs R Fraser

District Councillor Dave Nash was in attendance

Two members of public were in attendance

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

PRESENTATION FROM PAUL DRURY – PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (THE HEATH SURGERY) AND ARMED FORCES FRIENDLY PARISH COUNCILS

The Heath Surgery Patient Participation Group – Mr Drury gave a presentation on the role of Patient Participation Group outlining that the group provides a communication channel between patients and the surgery. The group also has a role in fundraising for items needed for the surgery and will seek feedback from patients about what improvements they’d like to see. The council could support the group by assisting with wellbeing days where support and advice can be offered to the general public at events in The Heath. Meetings are held every 2 months, and the council was requested to nominate a parish councillor to join the group as a council representative.

Armed Forces Covenant – Becoming an Armed Forces Friendly Parish Council – Mr Drury explained that North Kesteven has the second highest number of veterans in the UK and is also heavily populated with continuing serving personnel and their families. Becoming an Armed Forces Friendly Council and signing the covenant would involve providing help and support to Forces personnel and their families about accessing local services and signposting them to organisations that can help with specific issues that serving families face. In order to sign the covenant and be in a position to assist in this way, the council would need to identify around 6 individuals (councillors or volunteers) who would be able to hold surgeries and offer advice at wellbeing days and events. After signing the covenant, the council would receive free training for those who will be involved in offering the service.

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR– Cllr Cawrey gave apologies.

REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS – Cllr Nash had nothing to report

QUESTIONS OR POINTS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – No questions.

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.

25154.    TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE - It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Adey. It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Watkinson.

25155.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT – Cllr Nash declared an interest in matters relating to Planning as a member of the NKDC Planning committee and declined to comment or vote on these matters.

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

25156.         TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 4th NOVEMBER 2025 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 4th November 2025 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

25157.        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 November 2025 and payments made between meetings including the return of deposits to facility hirers.  All reports can be downloaded. 

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS – It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 25157b . All reports can be downloaded. 

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That 459-462 and savings account to 31st October 2025 be accepted and signed by Cllr Barr. Bank balances on 31st October were reported as: Current Account - £268,723.01; savings as £148372.85

d. TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – A written report was given. No concerns raised.

e. TO CONSIDER THE MID-YEAR INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS - It was RESOLVED: That the mid- year internal audit report be accepted. The council noted the two recommendations – to adopt/review an investment policy and to review its Website Accessibility Statement.  

25158.         TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – The following items were noted:

• The Heath hirer correspondence
• Public Rights of Way and Access team – It was RESOLVED: That the council would request a bench to be sited on the Viking Way (overlooking views of Lincoln) and for the requested theme of the bench be in relation to armed forces / local RAF connections.
• Consultation on removal of some statutory consultees in the planning process – it was noted that parish councils were not affected by the proposals.
• Correspondence regarding bus shelters in the village and the Public Right of Way between Grantham Road and Sleaford Road.
• Correspondence regarding work of utility companies following resurfacing work carried out by LCC.

25159.         TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY – The following report was made and accepted:

• Payments made as reported at item 4a.
• Credit card statements for October and November 2025
• An additional cut for the highways verges had been requested due to the extended growing season.

25160.         PLANNING

a. To consider planning application 25/1404/LBC – Cross O’ Cliff Court

b. To consider planning application 25/1258/FUL – Cross O’ Cliff Court

Items 25160a and 25160b were considered together and a single set of comments was submitted in relation to these applications. Cllr Nash abstained from commenting and voting on the matters.      

It was RESOLVED: That the council adopts a neutral position to the application. Whilst the council is pleased to see the building brought back into use and appreciates that current SEND provision cannot meet demand, it must share its reservations about the proposed use as a school for SEND provision. The council outlines that the following matters should be highlighted to the Local Planning Authority before determination of the application:

• There is a Public Right of Way within the application boundary and parish council would like to ensure that this remains accessible but also that relevant road safety measures are improved. This includes repainting the pedestrian crossings on the entrance and exit to the site which form part of the PROW; repairing broken streetlighting which is privately owned on the site; replacing the missing no entry sign at the vehicular exit.
• The applicant has stated that the cricket facilities and pitch will still be made available for continued use under the existing lease. Parish Council requests that a mechanism is put in place to legally safeguard the Cricket Club’s use on this site in perpetuity. It is a high-quality sports facility that has contributed to the village and its residents for many years, and the council would like to seek assurance that this proposal (now or in the future) will not intentionally or inadvertently create a restriction for its continued use as a sporting facility. Currently, the space is also accessible to members of the public for recreation and dog walking and is a valued amenity space. Council members noted their unease that this space may in the future be no longer accessible for informal public use and whilst this is not currently a proposal contained in the application, council wishes to reiterate the historic use as a public amenity space and cricket pitch.
• The council also raises concerns that sit outside of the formal planning process that will need to be addressed prior to the school becoming operational. These include whether the site can meet DfE Area Guidelines for SEND and alternative provision, as well as relevant DfE building bulletins. Matters such as toilet provision, access arrangements to the first floor, room sizes, age group separation and internal and external site security all require careful consideration. In particular, this consideration will need to take into account the nature of adapting a Grade II listed building and ensure that this is carried out sympathetically to the internal architectural features.
• In addition, the council notes that the use as a school will result in an increase in traffic particularly at peak times of the day (compared to the present use – it being a vacant building) and requests that careful consideration is given to the designated drop off and pick up points for pupils on the site and the highways approaching the site to ensure that the volume of traffic at peak times can be accommodated safely, particularly at the entrance (junction with London Road and Canwick Avenue).

c. TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATION 24/1476/RESM – LAND OFF SLEAFORD ROAD –

Cllr Trought left the meeting at 20:12

It was RESOLVED: That the council appreciates the efforts made by the developer to improve the application based on comments received during the previous consultation. The council also appreciates being consulted again on the amended plans. The majority of the previous concerns have been satisfied, and the council only wishes to note that there are at least two plots (plot numbers 74 and 256 affordable housing) where the gardens are not immediately accessible from the property itself. Council requests that the plots are rotated to enable suitable access

d. TO CONSIDER ANY OTHER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE COUNCIL –

25/1211/HOUS - 47 Bath Road - It was RESOLVED: that Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections

25/1393/TPO – 40 Salisbury Drive – It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments of objections.

e. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE FROM TAYLOR WIMPEY REGARDING THE BRACEBRIDGE HEIGHTS DEVELOPMENT –

Cllr Trought returned to the meeting at 20:15

Council notes that it appreciates the opportunity to comment on the play area proposals and is content with the changes made. Council noted the positive correspondence following its request for a Christmas tree and power source at the entrance to the site.

f. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – A written report was received.

25161.         TO CONSIDER POLICIES FOR REVIEW –

a. INVESTMENT STRATEGY - It was RESOLVED: That the Investment Strategy v1.1 is adopted.

b. WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT - It was RESOLVED: That the revised Website Accessibility Statement (December 2025) is adopted.

25162.         TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF A PORTABLE SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE AND LOCATIONS FOR SITING THE DEVICE – It was RESOLVED:

• That Financial Regulations 5.9 is temporarily suspended to enable purchase without seeking other priced quotes or estimates due to the specialist nature of the item and inability to find a like for like product.
• That the portable speed indicator device from Westcotec is purchased alongside the data collection system at a cost of £3668+VAT being funded from the council’s earmarked reserve for traffic calming.

25163.         TO CONSIDER REVIEW OF THE REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY EVENT - Thanks were expressed to all volunteers who assisted with the event. The report was noted.

25164.         TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING – CPR training, Council representative for the Patient Participation Group and Armed Forces Covenant

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:26

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                                                     13 January 2026