October 2025

Minutes of Bracebridge Heath Parish Council held at The Heath: Village Hall and Library on 7th October 2025, 7pm  

Present: Councillors C Callan, B Emes, S Manders, V Marden, K Trought and N Watkinson

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

District Councillor and County Councillor L Cawrey was in attendance

Two members of the public were present

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLOR CAWREY – Cllr Cawrey reported that planning approval had been given for the Taylor Wimpey Development of 450 homes north of Canwick Avenue (24/0841/RESM) and that NKDC had also received an EIASCO application for a residential development of up to 680 homes to the east of Canwick Avenue. Cllr Cawrey informed advised that there will be a new Chief Financial Officer appointed following the departure of Russell Stone.  Cllr Cawrey also encouraged members and residents to participate in the Local Government Reorganisation survey.

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR - Cllr Cawrey reported that

• Lincolnshire County Council’s chief executive officer, Debbie Barnes OBE, had announced her plans to retire in the new year. Thanks were given to her for her dedication to the county.
• footpath repairs will continue for several months and residents will receive two weeks’ notice before works begin.
• concerns that the notice period given by Cadent Gas and the closure of the Homestead junction were insufficient

Cllr Cawrey agreed to make a request to Lincolnshire County Council Highways to investigate the feasibility of speed prevention measures on Grantham Road.  

QUESTIONS OR POINTS RAISED BY RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – A member of the public attend to provide information regarding the Legend on the Bench charity and the installation of suicide prevention bench www.legend-on-the-bench.co.uk.

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.

25128.    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 Broad, It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Adey. It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Nash.

25129.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

a. TO RECEIVE MEMBERS’ DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ADOPTED CODE OF CONDUCT – Cllr Manders declared an interest in relation to St John’s Primary Academy (item 25137) - the interest does not prevent Cllr Manders from speaking or voting on the item.

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

25130.         TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING - 2ND SEPTEMBER 2025 - It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd September 2025 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

25131.        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 2025 and payments made using delegated authority including the return of deposits to facility hirers.  All reports can be downloaded https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/october-2025/2.

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS – It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 25131b. All reports can be downloaded - https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/october-2025/2.

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That

bank reconciliations 442 -444 and savings account to 31st May 25 be accepted and signed by Cllr Moran.

bank reconciliations 448 – 450 and savings account to 31st July 25 be accepted and signed by Cllr Marden.

bank reconciliations 451 – 453 and savings account to 31st August 25 be accepted and signed by Cllr Emes.

Bank balances at 31st August were noted – Current account £185,001.17; Savings Account £147,402.99

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

25132.         TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – The following items were noted:

• It was noted that there had been no valid requests for an election to fill the vacancy left by Mr Neilson. Bracebridge Heath Parish Council were permitted to fill the vacancy via co-option.
• Approval of the TTRO for Remembrance Sunday.
• Greatest Hits Radio – Interview request regarding the St John’s Cemetery. It was agreed that Cllr Manders would engage with the journalist.
• Local Government Reorganisation
• Cllr Emes requested assistance from councillors at council ran community events to ensure they could go ahead.

It was RESOLVED: That the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan: Playing Pitch & Outdoor Sport Strategy and Indoor & Built Facility Strategy be completed by the Clerk under delegated authority.

a. TO CONSIDER REQUESTS TO SUPPORT TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS IN BRACEBRIDGE HEATH

• CLOVER ROAD AND MEADOW WAY - It was RESOLVED: That a request be made to Cllr Cawrey to refer the matter to LCC Highways to assess the condition of the road and suggest and implement any appropriate measures. The Clerk will write to Cllr Cawrey detailing the issues raised.
• GRANTHAM ROAD - It was RESOLVED: That a request be made to Cllr Cawrey to refer the matter to LCC Highways to undertake a site visit to assess parking, speeding and other issues raised by residents. The Clerk will write to Cllr Cawrey detailing the issues raised.

b. TO CONSIDER SUPPORT FOR A SUICIDE PREVENTION BENCH FROM LEGEND ON THE BENCH. - It was RESOLVED: That the Parish Council supports the installation of suicide prevention bench to be sited outside The Heath: Village Hall and Library. The Parish Council agreed to make a £350 contribution to the installation of the bench under s19 of the Local Government Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 using remaining budget within the Grants budget header.

25133.         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.
• Payments made by credit card (statements provided)

25134           PLANNING

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

Planning application 25 1042 EIASCO was received for information only. The parish council is not a consultee for this type of application.

b. TO CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING PLAY AREAS FOR 24/0841/RESM - It was RESOLVED: That the Clerk would respond to the proposals highlighting the positive changes and suggesting further improvements giving examples.

c. TO RECEIVE A REPORT ON PLANNING DECISIONS – A written report was received. The approval of planning application 24/0841/RESM – Phase 1A SEQ SUE was noted.

25135.         TO CONSIDER A REQUEST TO NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCIL TO INITIATE A COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW FOR ALTERATION OF THE BRACEBRIDGE HEATH PARISH BOUNDARY -  It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council formally requests a Community Governance Review to consider making alterations to parts of the existing parish boundary to reflect existing and planned future residential development as outlined in the attached plan, which is intended to support community identity and cohesion, and more efficient and effective local governance.

25136.         TO CONSIDER FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENTS FOR THE FORMER BOWLS GREEN AND ASSOCIATED INFORMATION FOR AN OVERALL MASTERPLAN FOR THE RECREATION GROUND: It was RESOLVED: That there is agreement in principle to the creation of a play area for older children in the former bowls green area. The council will seek to a develop a masterplan or parish recreation policy which will set out identified needs and costs and will be underpinned by the following principles - safety, inclusivity & accessibility. 

25137.         TO CONSIDER ROAD SAFETY INTERVENTIONS ON RED HALL LANE - It was RESOLVED: That wooden stakes be installed on Red Hall Lane to prevent unsafe parking on the grass verge and that up to £150 is authorised to be spent, funded from the Red Hall Lane earmarked reserve.

25138.         TO CONSIDER THE ANNUAL PLAY INSPECTION REPORT- written report received. It was RESOLVED: That the contents of the report be noted, officers to carry out remedial work and actions using delegated authority; items over the delegated expenditure limit to be decided at future council meetings.

25139.        TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF LIGHTS FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE AT LANCIA CRESCENT / BENTLEY - It was RESOLVED: That multi- coloured        Static outdoor be purchased from DZD / Christmas Direct at a cost of £469.14 and that these be funded from the Events earmarked reserve.

25140.         TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING – nomination of councillors to scrutinise budget.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:31

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                                             04 November 2025