May 2026

Minutes - Full Council - 05 May 2026

Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 5th May 2026, 6:30pm

 

PRESENT

  • Councillors P Adey, C Barr, C Callan, B Emes, S Manders, V Marden, K Trought, C Borad and Cllr Watkinson
  • Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles and Mrs R Fraser were in attendance
  • County Councillor and District Councillor Cawrey gave apologies
  • One member of the public was 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

Nil

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.

26056.    TO ELECT A CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Callan be elected as Chairman for the Civic year 2026/27.

26057.      TO ELECT A VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Barr be elected as Vice-Chairman for the Civic year 2026/27.

26058.     TO DECIDE WHEN THE DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE FOR THE CHAIRMAN SHALL BE RECEIVED

It was RESOLVED: That the declaration of acceptance will be received before the next meeting on 2nd June 2026.

26059.      TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE

Nil            

26060.      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 planning application26/ 0458/ HOUS.

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

Nil

26061.      TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 7th APRIL 2026

It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 7th April 2026 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

26062.      DELEGATION ARRANGEMENTS AND COMMITTEES

a.TO REVIEW DELEGATION ARRANGEMENTS TO COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, STAFF AND OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES

It was RESOLVED: That the council accepts the delegation arrangements made through the existing schemes of delegation, reviewed in April 2026.

b.TO APPOINT ANY NEW COMMITTEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDER 4

No new committees.

c.TO REVIEW AND ADOPT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR EXISTING COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS

Personnel committee – It was RESOLVED: That no changes are made to the Terms of Reference for the Personnel committee and v1.3 be adopted.

Events Working Group – It was RESOLVED: That the Terms of Reference for the Events Working Group v1.1 be adopted.

d.TO REVIEW MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS

It was RESOLVED: That Cllrs Broad, Callan, Emes, Manders and Trought were re-appointed to the Personnel committee

It was RESOLVED: That Cllrs Emes, Manders and Watkinson were re-appointed to the Events Working group

e.TO APPOINT A CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF STANDING COMMITTEES

It was RESOLVED: That Cllr Manders be elected Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

It was RESOLVED: Cllr Board be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Personnel Committee.

26063.     TO REVIEW OR CONFIRM ARRANGEMENTS FOR REVIEW OF:

a.STANDING ORDERS
b.FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
c.COMPLAINTS POLICY
d.POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES RELATING TO FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION     
e.POLICY FOR DEALING WITH THE PRESS AND MEDIA
f.EMPLOYMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
g.THE COUNCIL’S MEETING CALENDAR
h.INVENTORY OF LAND AND OTHER ASSETS
i.INSURANCE
j.SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OTHER BODIES
k.EXPENDITURE INCURRED UNDER S137 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972
l.ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORKING WITH OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES, NOT FOR PROFIT BODIES AND BUSINESSES

It was RESOLVED: That the review arrangements for items 8a to 8l are accepted.

m.   SOCIAL MEDIA ADMINISTRATORS

It was RESOLVED: That Mrs S Knowles, Mrs R Fraser, Mr B Wood and a named library volunteer be appointed as administrators of the Library Facebook Page.

It was RESOLVED: That Mrs S Knowles, Mrs R Fraser and Mr B Wood be appointed as administrators of the Council Facebook Page.

It was RESOLVED: That Cllrs C Barr and K Trought be appointed as administrators of the Facebook Group.

n. COUNCIL REPRESENTATION

It was noted that Cllrs Emes and Nash were the named councillors for the Armed Forces Covenant. No other representation was agreed.

26064.     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 April 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/78/meeting-documents---may-2026

b.TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS

It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 26064b be approved. All reports can be downloaded from the council’s website – https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/371/item-9b-payment-of-accounts-05-05-26

c.TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS

It was RESOLVED: That bank statements 476-479 and savings account to 31st March 2026 be accepted and signed by Cllr Watkinson. Bank balances were reported as: Current Account - £188,718.23 Savings - £148,372.85.

d.TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

A written report was given. No concerns raised.

e.TO NOTE RECEIPT OF COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY (CIL) FUNDING

It was RESOLVED: That the CIL allocation of £34,335.64 relating to the Taylor Wimpey site (phase 1A South-East Quadrant) is noted and transferred into the savings account.

f.TO REVIEW AND ACCEPT REGULAR DIRECT DEBITS

It was RESOLVED: That regular direct debits as reported be accepted.

g.TO REVIEW THE COUNCIL’S BANK MANDATE AND SIGNATORIES

It was RESOLVED: That the existing arrangements continue and Cllrs Broad, Callan, Manders and Trought remain signatories, the bank mandate being any 2 to sign.

26065.      TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS

The following items were noted:

  • Bracebridge Manor development off Westminster Drive – resident reports issues with maintenance of site and managing agent FirstPort. Clerk to contact District and Count Councillors for support and to continue to work with Canwick Parish Council.
  • Taylor Wimpey signage request – It was RESOLVED: That permission be given for installing signage on a council asset subject to a request for provision of new bins or similar for the land outside the development site.
  • Bus Shelters – request for an additional shelter on The Crescent. It was agreed that priority would be given for the repair of existing shelters before additional shelters were considered
  • Request from 21st Scouts to place a storage container of the Reaction Ground. The council agreed to the placement of a contained subject to – the size of the container (to be confirmed by officers), that it must be temporary in nature, the cost of removal to be borne by 21st Lincoln Scouts.

26066.      TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT A REPORT ON DECISIONS MADE USING DELEGATED AUTHORITY

The following report was made and accepted:

  • Payments reported at item 26064
  • Payments and purchases made by credit card

26067.      PLANNING

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

26 0458 HOUS – 4 JENSEN ROAD

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

b.TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS

A written report was received.

26068.      TO CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026

It was RESOLVED: That the report of the Internal Auditor for the Financial Year 31st March 2026 be accepted. The Council notes that no actions are required.

26069.      TO CONSIDER PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2026

It was RESOLVED:  That the balance sheet and income and expenditure reports are accepted.

26070.      TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2025/26 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN: SECTION 1 - ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

It was RESOLVED: That ‘yes’ responses are provided for each statement, excluding number 9 which is not applicable, and the   Annual Governance Statement of the Annual Return for the financial year ended 31st March 2026 be accepted, approved and signed by the chairman and clerk.

26071.      TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2025/26 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN: SECTION 2 –   ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS

It was RESOLVED: That the Annual Accounting Statements of the AGAR for the financial year ended 31st March 2026 be accepted, approved and signed by the chairman.

26072.      TO CONSIDER SUBMISSION OF OTHER ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR AND CONFIRM THE DATES FOR THE EXERCISE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS

It was RESOLVED: That the additional documents required for a basic and intermediate level review as noted in the report be accepted and submitted to the external auditor. That the recommended dates for public rights inspection – 3rd June 2026 to 14th July 2026 be accepted.

Thanks were given to the Clerk to Council for her continued hard work and receipt of a positive internal audit report.

26073.      TO CONSIDER USAGE AND PUBLICATION OF DATA GATHERED FROM THE SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE

It was RESOLVED: That officers use their discretion to place the device more frequently in areas with identified speeding issues. Data would be published monthly in the agreed format.

26074.      TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR LEGIONELLA RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR THE COUNCIL’S BUILDINGS

It was RESOLVED: That Boston Water Smart be instructed to carry out legionella risk assessments at the Heath Village Hall & Library and the Pavilion.

26075.      TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF LITTER PICKING EQUIPMENT FOR THE BRACEBRIDGE HEATH WOMBLES, EXPENDITURE TO BE FUNDED FROM THE EARMARKED RESERVE

It was RESOLVED: That litter hoops and pickers are purchased up to the value of £120 and this is funded from the earmarked reserves for the Wombles.

26077.     TO CONSIDER UPGRADING STREETLIGHTS TO LED LANTERNS

It was RESOLVED: That 15 lanterns are upgraded by E.ON, the council’s streetlighting maintenance contractor, to 18w LEDs at a cost of £4,725.00 + VAT, to be funded from the Streetlighting earmarked reserve.

26078.      TO CONSIDER COUNCIL BRANDING AND IDENTITY INCLUDING A LOGO

It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish council adopts the proposed logo based on the water tower in Bracebridge Heath.

26079.     TO CONSIDER A REQUEST TO NKDC FOR A TREE PRESERVATION ORDER FOR THE TREE OUTSIDE THE FORMER LIBRARY, LONDON ROAD

It was RESOLVED: That officers would make the necessary TPO application if the North Kesteven District Council tree officer advised suitability.

26080.      TO CONSIDER CO-OPTION TO COUNCIL VACANCIES

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

Out of session 19:48

Back in session 19:50

It was RESOLVED: That Stephen Hughes is co-opted to Bracebridge Heath Parish Council.

26081.    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.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19:52

 

 

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                                              02 June 2026