October 2026

Minutes - Full Council - 06 October 2026

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

 

PRESENT

  • Councillors P Adey, C Barr, Cllr Broad, C Callan, S Manders, V Marden and K Trought
  • 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 not in attendance

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Nil – Apologies received from Cllr Cawrey

REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Nil  - Apologies received from Cllrs Cawrey and Nash

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.

26132.   TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE

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

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

26133.   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.

Cllr Trought declared a non- registerable interest in maters relating to the correspondence regarding the solar farm development in nearby parishes.

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

Nil

26134.   TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – 1st September 2026

It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1st September 2026 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

26135.   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 August 2026, credit card payments for September 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/82/meeting-reports---october-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/82/meeting-reports---october-2026

c.TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS

It was RESOLVED: That reconciliation of bank statements 494-497 and savings account to 30th August 2026 be accepted and signed by Cllr Marden. Bank balances were reported as: Current Account - £216364.39; Savings - £183,557.31

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

d.TO REVIEW BUDGET, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

A written report was given. No concerns raised.

26136.    TO RECEIVE THE CLERKS REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Update on Community Saving Lives
  • St John’s Hospital development
  • Ripon Close - Highway works
  • Lichfield Road – Dangerous Parking
  • Churchill Avenue – Anti-Social behaviour
  • School Crossing Patrol
  • Passage behind St John’s School
  • Parish Council Vacancy following resignation of Cllr Watkinson – No election required.
  • Parish Council Vacancy following resignation of Cllr Hughes. Thanks were given to Cllr Hughes.
  • Deer on Recreation Ground
  • Dangerous dog
  • Red Hall Lane trees
  • Anti-Social behavior on Recreation Ground
  • Children accessing the St John’s Hospital site

It was RESOLVED: That the Parish Council supports the request for a new school crossing patrol and will refer the matter to Cllr Cawrey for further consideration.   

26137. 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.
  • Expenditure of £1499 + VAT agreed for the replacement of a streetlighting column on Red Hall Lane. Base of column was corroding and required replacement as a matter of public safety.
  • Submission of an online police report regarding riding motorcycles on the recreation ground.
  • Submission of comments regarding planning application 26/0813/FUL - Installation of a modular self-service laundrette facility and associated works

Bracebridge Heath Parish does not object to the planning application but would like to make the following comments

1. Water Supply and Wastewater Discharge

The plans do not indicate where the facility intends to connect to the mains water supply or how wastewater will be discharged. Please confirm the proposed connection points and drainage arrangements prior to planning approval.

2. Lighting and Security Arrangements

Clarification is required regarding the lighting and security provisions for the facility. The proposed location is in a dark, secluded corner that is not regularly passed by pedestrians or vehicles and the area has previously experienced incidents of teenage vandalism. Climbing on the machine may provide unauthorised access to St John’s Primary Academy and The Heath: Village Hall and Library.

3. Noise and Vibration Impact on building

The proposed washing‑machine unit is to be positioned alongside an office and meeting room. We are concerned that noise and vibration from the machine may negatively affect users of the Parish Council office and public meeting room. 

  • Submission of comments regarding planning application 26/1062/TPO - Cathedral Heights Chichester Road Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections.

26138.    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.

26139.   TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RECREATION GROUND MASTERPLAN AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS -           

It was RESOLVED: That a budget of up to £100 is set to enable engagement of a photographer to support the Listening Event on 17th October, the clerk being authorised to engage services. The £100 budget to be funded from the Recreation earmarked reserve.

26140.    TO CONSIDER FACILITY HIRE CHARGES AND TERMS

It was RESOLVED:  That the Heath hire charge is increased from 1st January 2027 to:

  • Community Group/not for profit rate: £16.00 per hour
  • Regular commercial rate: £21.00 per hour

Ad-hoc charge is increased from 1st November 2026 to

  • Residents rate: £24.00 per hour
  • Non-resident rate: £30.00 per hour
  • Ad-hoc surcharge - £35.00 per booking

It was RESOLVED: That the Pavilion hire charge is increased from 1st January 2027 to:

  • Community Group/not for profit rate: £12.00 per hour
  • Commercial / ad-hoc rate: £14.00 per hour

It was RESOLVED: That the meeting room and library hire rates to remain the same.

  • Community Group/not for profit rate: £10.00 per hour
  • Commercial / ad-hoc rate: £15.00 per hour

It was RESOLVED: That the adult seasonal fee be increased to £650 each and the junior seasonal fee remains at £500 for the season beginning September 2027.

It was RESOLVED: That the ad-hoc hire of the pitches and changing rooms is increased to £55 per hour from January 2027.

                It was RESOLVED:  That following changes to the facility hire agreement are made:

  • Clause 1.3 altered to include: All bookings must be made at least 10 working days before the intended hire date and the deposit paid.  Any last-minute bookings will be accepted at the discretion of the clerks.
  • Clause 21.6 altered to include: Cancellations of bookings with less than 3 weeks’ notice will incur a charge equivalent to the deposit. Council officers will use their discretion for any extenuating circumstances. 
  • Clause 4.2 (deposits) altered to include: Function finishing after 9pm or an event 4 hours or longer - £100

26141.    TO CONSIDER ALLOTMENT CHARGES AND TERMS

It was RESOLVED: That notice is given of the following rental increases –

2027/28 – £37 per year

2028/29 - £ 45 per year

2029/30 - £50 per year

It was RESOLVED: That the deposit is increased to £75 per plot.

26142.   TO CONSIDER PURCHASE OF TREES TO FULFIL THE CONDITIONS OF PLANNING REF 25/0197/TPO AND AUTHORISE ASSOCIATED USE OF EARMARKED RESERVES        

It was RESOLVED: That a Red Horse Chestnut, Beech and Holly tree are purchased from Barcham Trees at a cost of £495 +VAT and that this is funded from the Burial and Woodland Walk earmarked reserve.

26143.   TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE THE GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATION PRIOR TO SEEKING QUOTATIONS FOR 2027-2029 CONTRACT

It was RESOLVED:  That the Grounds Maintenance Specification for 2027-2029 be approved; contractors to be invited to quote for decision in December 2026.

26144.   TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR CO-OPTION

                No applications received.

26145.   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

26146.   TO CONSIDER A QUOTATION FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT FOR REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2026

                It was RESOLVED: That the quote from HTM Ltd be accepted for traffic management services at a cost of £945.00+VAT.

26147.   TO CONSIDER QUOTATIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGER

                It was RESOLVED: That the quote from Imp Electrical be accepted at a cost of £1763.24 + VAT

               

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 19:40

 

 

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                          03 November 2026