September 2025

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

Present: Councillors P Adey, C Broad, C Callan, B Emes, S Manders, D Nash, K Trought and N Watkinson

In attendance: Clerk to Council, Mrs S Knowles

District Councillor Nash was in attendance.

No members of the public were present

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

REPORT FROM LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILLOR  - Cllr Cawrey was not in attendance

REPORT FROM NORTH KESTEVEN DISTRICT COUNCILLORS– Nothing to report.

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.

25116.    TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND ACCEPT VALID REASONS FOR ABSENCE - It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Neilson. It was RESOLVED: That apologies for absence be accepted from Cllr Watkinson.

25117.         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 Church.

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

25118.         TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING 13th AUGUST 2025- It was RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 13th August 2025 be approved and signed as a true record by the chairman.

25119.        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 July and August 2025, 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/downloads/download/69/meeting-reports-september-2025.

b. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS – It was RESOLVED: That payment of accounts as presented at report 25119b. All reports can be downloaded - https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/69/meeting-reports-september-2025. Return of deposits to three hirers were included in the payments.

c. TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF BANK RECONCILIATIONS – It was RESOLVED: That bank reconciliations 445 -447 and savings account to 30th June were be accepted and signed by Cllr Nash. Current account bank balances noted as £235,379.61; savings account balance noted as £147,402.99

Bank reconciliations 448 – 450 and savings account to 31 July were deferred to the next meeting as Cllr Carr was not in attendance.

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

e. TO NOTE AND APPROVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONTRACTUAL NJC PAY AWARD – It was RESOLVED: That the NJC Pay award for 2025/2025 be accepted and implementation approved.

f. TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL’S BANK ACCOUNT WITH NEW MEMBERS OF COUNCIL – It was RESOLVED: That the council’s bank account be updated to include new members of council – Cllrs Adey, Carr, Nash and Watkinson. It as noted that in order to make changes to the ‘trustees’ listed with the bank, that all members of council had to complete the forms. The clerk would be in touch with the correct documentation for completion.

g. TO CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE EXTERNAL AUDITOR AND NOTE ANY ACTIONS REQUIRED – It was RESOLVED: That the report from the External Auditor, PKF Littlejohn, be accepted and it be noted that no actions were required. Thanks were given to officers for receipt of a clean audit.

h. TO CONSIDER APPOINTMENT OF AN INTERNAL AUDITOR FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 2026 – It was RESOLVED: That the LALC internal audit service be appointed to carry out the council’s internal audit for 2025/2026.

i. TO CONSIDER DISPOSAL OF ASSETS – It was RESOLVED: That the faulty outdoor Christmas lights be disposed of and removed from the asset register.

25120.         TO RECEIVE THE CLERK’S REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AND CONSIDER ANY RECOMMENDATIONS – The following items were noted:

• Issues with and around the new roundabout on Canwick Avenue – this would be referred again to Cllr Cawrey for an update and escalation
• Recreation Ground gate to the Bracebridge Manor estate – no changes required to the gate.
• Red Arrows complaint – residents asked to contact the Red Arrows PR Team
• Community Governance Review – A meeting was arranged with officers and members at North Kesteven District Council to discuss a Community Governance Review. It was agreed that Cllrs Callan, Manders and Adey attend as well as the Clerk.

25121.         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)
• Caretakers have started to tidy the bowls site and check the condition of the cabin. A box of cash was found in the cabin totalling £188.11 which has been banked by officers.
• Following a hirer’s accident using the car park gates at the Recreation Ground, a report was made to the council’s insurer in case of future litigation. No claim has been made but the details have been lodged should anything arise in the future. The accident was also RIDDOR reportable and the appropriate report was made.
• Comments on the following planning applications were made:

24/0841/RESM, Phase 1A SUE SEQ - Bracebridge Heath Parish Council still strongly objects to the application and refers to its previous comments submitted on 4th June 2025. Bracebridge Heath Parish Council requests that this application is considered by the NKDC Planning Committee.

25/0841/HOUS- 6 Ridgeview Road - Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no comments or objections

25/0785/FUL – 30b Grantham Road - Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has no objections.  The Parish Council notes the existing fibre cement roof sheets, particularly those installed prior to 1999, are likely to contain asbestos. It therefore recommends that appropriate testing is undertaken before any removal work commences

• Arranged a meeting with Bellway Homes to discuss proposals for development of land east of Sleaford Road, Bracebridge Heath.

25122.         PLANNING

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

24 0841 RESM, Phase 1A SUE SEQ – Cllr Nash declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to this planning application, owing to his membership of the NKDC Planning committee. Cllr Nash abstained from participating or voting on the item.

Amendments to the application had been received. It was RESOLVED: That Bracebridge Heath Parish Council’s substantive response remains unchanged and the authority continues to object to the application.

25 0884 HOUS - 23 Ridgeview Road – No comments. The amendments to the application were sent for information only.

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

c. TO CONSIDER THEMES AND NAMES FOR ROADS ON NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN AND AROUND THE PARISH – It was RESOLVED: That council supports the theme suggested by Canwick Parish Council to adopt names from the respective parish War Memorials.

Ideas were discussed for other pending developments and street names based on local themes were favoured.

25123.         TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS

a. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 02 JULY 2025 – The draft notes from the meeting were received and accepted. It was noted that two caretakers were now in post.

b. EVENTS WORKING GROUP 19 AUGUST 2025 – A written report and recommendations were received. It was RESOLVED: That a Christmas Community Event be held in the main hall on Sunday 30th November 2025 between 3pm and 4pm to include switching on of the Christmas lights and expenditure as reported up to £161 be authorised (including application for a Temporary Event Notice in order to serve mulled wine).

It was RESOLVED: That a Christmas film afternoon be held in the Main Hall on Saturday 6 December from 4pm, tickets to be charged at £2.50 each (maximum of 100 tickets) with costs up to £149 be authorised to include purchase of the relevant licences.

25124.         TO CONSIDER PROVISION OF A VILLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE (S137, LOCAL GOVENRMENT ACT 1972) – There was a lengthy discussion about the provision of a cut, artificial or growing tree or a community art installation including the location for such a tree/art. Members were not fully in agreement that Lancia Crescent was the correct location in the long term and that further consideration for a long-term installation was required. However, it was agreed that for Christmas 2025 a tree could be provided at Lancia Crescent/Bentley Drive in addition to the light installations at The Heath: Village Hall & Library. A statement would be published to explain the arrangements

It was RESOLVED: That using powers provided under s137 Local Government Act 1972, a cut tree of up to 15ft in height be provided with expenditure of up to £700 to include purchase of the tree, hire of a cherry picker and purchase of new lights.

25125.         TO CONSIDER REPAIR WORK TO THE WAR MEMORIAL AND AUTHORISE OFFICERS TO APPLY FOR FUNDING AND SEEK QUOTES FOR CARRYING OUT THIS WORK – It was RESOLVED: That

• quotes be obtained for repair of the war memorial in line with the recommended actions and advice from the War Memorials Trust
• officers submit a grant application to the War Memorial Trust and the council agrees in principle to incurring the cost of match funding – up to 50% if the project cost subject to quotes for the repair work.

25126.         TO CONSIDER ITEMS FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT MEETING – Armed Forces Covenant

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 THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF BUSINESS)

25127.         TO CONSIDER QUOTES FOR REPLACEMENT MAIN DOORS FOR THE HEATH: VILLAGE HALL & LIBRARY – It was RESOLVED: That the quote of £5735.93 + VAT for an aluminium door set from Tradeglaze be accepted, that the total mount would be funded from the village hall earmarked reserve.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 20:59

Signed___________________________Chairman                                                                                                                                                                  07 October 2025