Minutes - Full Council - 07 Jul 2026

Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 7th July 2026, 6:30pm

PRESENT

Councillors P Adey, C Barr, C Callan, B Emes, S Hughes, S Manders, D Nash, K Trought and Cllr Watkinson
Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles and Mrs R Fraser were in attendance
County Councillor and District Councillor Cawrey was not in attendance, District Councillor Nash was in attendance
Seven members of the public were in attendance

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Nil

REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Nil

QUESTIONS OR POINTS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

A member of the public gave an update on the Men’s Shed group and their continued plans to find a suitable location for a permanent base. The Men’s Shed have specific requirements including an exclusive venue which can be permanently set up as a workshop. Officers and the Chairman confirmed that the council do not have anything that meets these requirements but offered again, the use of the Bracebridge Heath Pavilion and associated storage in the interim.

A member of the public reported several incidents of careless driving, speeding and aggressive behaviour he had encountered as a cyclist within Bracebridge Heath, highlighting the lack of safe cycle routes to and within the village.

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.

26096. TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE

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

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

26097. 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 (Parish Council Grants)

Cllr Nash declared an ‘other registerable’ interest in relation to planning applications due to his role as a District Member on the Planning Committee.

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

Nil

26098. TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 2nd JUNE 2026

It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June 2026 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

26099. 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 June 2026 and payments made between meetings including the return of deposits to facility hirers. All reports can be downloaded from the council’s website.

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.

c.TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS

It was RESOLVED: That bank statements 483-485 and savings account to 31st May 2026 be accepted and signed by Cllr Barr. Bank balances were reported as: Current Account - £279,246.25; Savings - £183,557.31

d.TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

It was noted that the training and development budget would be overspent; this would be managed using flexibility within other administration budget headers.

e. TO CONSIDER AN INCREASE TO THE CORPORATE CREDIT CARD LIMIT AND ALTERATION OF FINANCIAL REGULATION 9.3

It was RESOLVED: That that the council increases the limit on the card to £2000 and alters Financial Regulation 9.3 accordingly.

f.TO ACCEPT THE QUOTE FROM CLEAR COUNCILS FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL INSURANCE 2026/27 UNDER THE 3-YEAR LONG TERM AGREEMENT

It was RESOLVED: That the council accepts the insurance policy quote for 2026/27 from Clear Councils at a cost of £3582.57.

26100. TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATION

Correspondence from Co-operative Bank confirming that the alteration to registered trustees has been made.
Register of Interest guidance information from NKDC
Public Right of Way grass cutting programme and schedule
Taylor Wimpey invitation
Grantham Road waiting restrictions signage installed by LCC Highways
Men’s Shed

26101. 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.
Response to planning application 26/0699/TPO - 42 Worcester Close – Bracebridge Heath Parish Council supports the comments of the NKDC Tree Officer.

26102. PLANNING

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

Nil

b.TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS

A written report was received.

26103. TO RECEIVE NOTES FROM THE EVENTS WORKING GROUP AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS

A written report was received

26104. TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR PARISH COUNCIL GRANTS

It was RESOLVED: That the following grant applications were accepted as valid and were awarded using powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, s19:

1st Bracebridge Heath Brownies - £250
Friends of School – St John’s Primary Academy - £300
Bracebridge Heath Friendship Club - £500
1st Bracebridge Heath Rainbows - £250

It was RESOLVED: That a grant of £127 is awarded to the Heath Surgery Patient Participation Group using powers provided under s137, Local Government Act 1972 to support a Health and Wellbeing event, hall hire was also provided free of charge.

26105. TO CONSIDER AN AMENDED SLA WITH THE CITY OF LINCOLN COUNCIL FOR THE PROVISION OF CCTV

It was RESOLVED: That the amended SLA with City of Lincoln Council for monitoring and maintenance of CCTV is accepted and signed by officers, the cost being £4500 + VAT annually.

26106. TO CONSIDER CONTINUATION OF MONTHLY STREET FOOD SOCIAL EVENTS

It was RESOLVED: That the Street Food Socials could continue with the existing constraints. Music can be trialled for a period of three months. The number of stalls can be extended to a maximum of 20 stalls.

26107. TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR HIGHWAY RESURFACING AND ACTIVE TRAVEL ON SLEAFORD ROAD AND LONDON ROAD INCLUDING CREATION OF A CYCLEWAY AND NEW BUS SHELTERS

It was RESOLVED: That Standing Order 3X be suspended to allow the meeting to be extended beyond the two-hour time limit.

It was RESOLVED: That the council accepts in principle the cost pressures associated with replacing up to three bus shelters and providing a new shelter on London Road for buses travelling towards Grantham.

A recorded vote was requested.

Members in favour – Cllrs Adey, Barr, Callan, Emes, Manders, Nash, Trought and Watkinson.

Members against – Nil

Members abstaining – Cllr Hughes

It was RESOLVED: That the council accepts in principle the use of Parish Council owned areas of the woodland walk for the creation of a dedicated cycleway, subject to full proposals and detailed plans being brought back to the council for approval.

26108. TO CONSIDER A DONATION TO LIVES FOR PROVISION OF LIFE SAVING TRAINING USING POWERS PROVIDED UNDER S137, LGA 1972

It was RESOLVED: That a donation of £100 is made to LIVES for providing life-saving training events for the community using powers provided under s137, Local Government Act 1972

26109. TO CONSIDER A RESPONSE TO THE SECOND STAGE CONSULTATION FOR THE COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW

Cllr Nash declared an interest in the item and abstained from voting

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council welcomes the draft recommendations and confirms its full support for the proposed parish boundary change affecting the two land areas currently within Canwick Parish.

The Council agrees that the affected properties and developments clearly identify with Bracebridge Heath through their postal addressing, access routes, and community connections. The support shown during the first stage consultation reinforces this position.

The Council supports NKDC’s conclusion that the proposed boundary provides a clear and sustainable long-term line, particularly in the context of future SEQ development. The change will improve community cohesion and ensure residents are represented by the parish that best reflects their identity and daily life. The Council raises no objection to the proposed implementation date of 1 April 2027 or to elections taking place under the new boundary on 6 May 2027. It also supports retaining the current council size of 13 councillors, with no warding.

Bracebridge Heath Parish Council looks forward to the completion of the review and supports the draft recommendations in full.

26110. TO CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE COUNCIL’S MEETING SCHEDULE

It was RESOLVED: That a temporary change to the start time for the next Parish Council meeting on 1st September 2026 is accepted, the start time will be held at 6pm.

26111. TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR CO-OPTION

No applications received.

26112. 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.

It was RESOLVED: That items of a confidential nature be debated in the absence of the press and public under the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

26113. TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A RECREATION GROUND MASTERPLAN

Item deferred to allow Councillors sufficient time to consider all quotations. Suggested meeting date – 20th July 2026 to be confirmed by email

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:50

Signed___________________________Chairman 20 July 2026