Minutes 2025

Select for downloadable PDF

DRAFT

Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 23 September 2025, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr T Baldry, Cllr C Brewis, Cllr M Booth, Cllr D Cook, Cllr J Kirby-Fox, Cllr S McLaughlin, Cllr M Middleton, Cllr M Philpott, Cllr M Pitt, Mrs C Smith, (Clerk), Mrs K Croxford (Admin Assistant), County Cllr R Woods

Absent: Cllrs Judd & Scarlett    Members of the Public: Three

Unless otherwise stated, actions are to be undertaken by the clerk. 

25.198. Apologies were received from Cllrs Judd & Scarlett.

25.199. Cllr M Booth and Cllr C Brewis declared an interest in matters relating to the grant money allocated from their district budgets towards the new temporary building unit for Sutton Bridge Football Club.

25.200. Public Representations.

i. A member of the public queried why there was no weight limit in place through the village, noting that lorries passing by caused significant noise and vibration, to the extent that the house shook. This matter would be further discussed in the meeting

25.201. It was resolved to approve the minutes of meeting held Tuesday 29 July 2025 and 8 September 2025; they were signed by the chair.

25.202. Police

i. It was reported that there had been an increase in police patrols in the area recently.

25.203. Chairs report

i. A meeting was held with the Football Club, Sir John Hayes, and the Pavilion Committee to discuss the new pavilion, playzone and for replacing the existing pavilion. The Chair of the Football Club suggested purchasing a temporary building which cost £5,800 (£3000.00 for the building and £2.800 for transport costs from Falkirk to Sutton Bridge). Sir John Hayes MP indicated that he would arrange transport costs.

ii. An extraordinary meeting was held on 8 September, at which our District Councillors generously offered £3,000 from their Councillor budgets to fund the purchase of the temporary building.

25.204. Clerk’s Report

i. Tycho Close. The fence and tree work had now been completed, and an email had been received from a resident thanking the Parish Council for the work that had been done.

ii. Princes Street & Lime Street Play Areas – Conveyancing for these areas was in progress. The terms of engagement for the solicitor had been signed, and details were being submitted to comply with money laundering regulations.

iii. Temporary Building – Contact had been made with the vendor and the unit reserved. Preparation work was still required, and details from the vendor were awaited to proceed. This matter would be further followed up.

iv. Woodland Trust Trees – The trees would be delivered in the first two weeks of November. Cllr Brewis commented that due to the soil being so dry they would not be fit to plant unless the conditions changed. Further methods would be looked into.

25.205. District and County Councillors Reports

1. County Cllr Woods LCC (Lincolnshire County Council) 

i. It was asked if the Parish Council had any jobs or projects to be completed, if so, they could nominate them for the Councillor Volunteer Scheme in association with the Highway Service and strategic partners. A form was to be completed and returned, no deadline had been specified.

ii. Highways had been contacted regarding a resident’s hedge along Guy Head Road, and enforcement action was being taken

iii. At the last Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting, concern was raised that the recycling centre was over a twelve-mile radius from Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge. Further enquiries would be made about this.

2. Cllr Booth reported on the following SHDC (South Holland District Council) matters.

i. A task group had been set up by the County (SELCP Destination Plan), but a South Holland plan was also needed as South Holland had a lot to offer. If anyone could think of anywhere locally to visit or stay, please let us know so that this can go on the plan.

ii. Government were drawing up plans to give mayors significant new powers over hospitals, Police and schools

iii. The Direct Building Policy which had been adopted by the South & East Council Partnership were now considering retiring the policy.

3. Cllr Brewis reported on SHDC (South Holland District Council).

i.   All objections had now been sent to the Planning Inspectorate for the appeal on the mobile asphalt plant we were now awaiting the final results. 

ii.   He had watched a Sutton Bridge Football Club cup game in Tydd St Mary, it went to penalties, and the end results was a win for Sutton Bridge.

25.206. Financial Matters

i. It was resolved to approve the August cash book and bank reconciliation.

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 23 September 2025 as circulated at Appendix A. Cllr Middleton and Cllr Scarlett would authorise bank payments. 

iii. Receipts: £1500.00 donation, £140.00 stall fees, £8.13 allotment rent, £4.00 miscellaneous, £850.00 burial ground fees were noted

iv. The external audit letter, report and certificate had been received, Councillors noted that no issues were raised. This would now be published on the website and notice boards.

19:40hrs Cllr Baldry left the meeting

v. Correspondence concerning the last audit and a gesture of goodwill of £25.00 were noted.

19:42hrs Cllr Baldry returned to the meeting

25.207. Memorial Park Boundary

i. A site visit was arranged for the 30 September at 15:30hrs to look at the proposed area that needed tidying up, the matter would be deferred to the next meeting. Cllrs Booth & Brewis sent their apologies.

25.208. A donation of £1500.00 had been received for the replacement swing in the Children’s play area, it was resolved to fund the installation costs of £1469.80 from capital reserves.

25.209. Propeller Service

i. Cllr Brewis commented that the Propeller Service on 6 September 2025 had been a huge success, a worthwhile community event. Thanks were expressed to Mr Baxter for the display in the Curlew Centre and to the vicar for officiating on the Parish Council’s behalf. 

ii. The clerk reported that the flypast could not take place this year due to weather conditions but confirmed that a further application would be made for next years’ service on 6 September 2026. It was decided to book the Diamond Hall and increase the numbers for refreshments. 

25.210. It was resolved that Cllr Brewis was appointed as representative for the Sutton Bridge Youth Centre Board.

19:54hrs Standing orders were suspended to allow members of the public to speak on the agenda    item.

25.211. Speed Camera Data Report

i. The clerk reported that data had been obtained from the speed camera placed on Bridge Road, coming into the village from Long Sutton. The data recorded one vehicle at 90mph in the evening, but overall, an average speed of approximately 35mph. The report would be sent to Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, it was thought that the more evidence provided would make it more likely that the enforcement authorities would visit. The Speed Indicator Sign would be relocated elsewhere in the village

ii. A member of the public reported that they had contacted a local haulage company regarding vehicles not using the A17. The company had subsequently stopped these vehicles from passing through the village.

iii. Cllr Booth reported that a weight limit had been considered previously; however, as approximately one million pounds worth of produce passes through New Road, implementing such a limit would be challenging. Vehicles would need alternative routes, potentially causing issues elsewhere.

iv. Cllr Middleton thanked the member of the public for contacting the transport company.

20:16hrs Standing orders were reinstated

25.212. Firework Event 5 November 2025

i. The clerk reported that the Firework event was arranged for the 5 November 2025 at a cost of £2500.00 this would be similar to last year. Stall holders had been booked, and the bar would be open in the Curlew Centre. There would be no parking permitted on the car park due to health and safety reasons, alternatives for disabled parking would be provided if possible. Residents in the locality would be contacted to inform them of the event. 

ii. Volunteers were needed on the night to assist and to hold buckets for any donations towards next year’s event

iii. It was noted that £200.00 had been received from the bingo group held in the Curlew Centre. Thanks were expressed to them for their kind donation

25.213. Councillors Surgery

i. Cllr Kirby Fox commented that the Councillors surgery should continue as it raised awareness within the village as not everyone was able to access the internet. Discussions were made as to how to publicise the surgery, with the possibility of posters and billboards.

25.214. Correspondence

i. Propeller Service - An email had been received from the Chair of South Holland District Council Cllr J Whitbourn to thank the Parish Council for the invite to the Propeller Service on the 7 September 2025

ii. Public Rights of Way Asset Survey – Lincolnshire County Council were in the process of collecting data about the assets found on Lincolnshire’s public rights of way (gates, bridges, signs, steps, boardwalks etc). The information will allow them to manage their assets better. Volunteers were required to help collect the asset information in their parish. If you would like to help, please contact Debby.Braund@lincolnshire.gov.uk

iii. Curlew Centre Outside Toilets – Correspondence had been received regarding the opening and closing of the outside toilets. Cllr Brewis would speak to the Portfolio holder about this and report back at the next meeting. 

25.215. Planning Applications

i. H18-0752-25: Bridge Hotel,4 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UA, change of use from hotel Class C1 to resident Class C3 modification of condition 2. No comment.

ii. H18-0743-25: 5a Kinderley Close, Sutton Bridge PE12 9PZ: Proposed Single Storey side extension: No comment

25.216. Planning Decisions – Councillors noted the planning decisions made by South Holland District Council as listed below:

i. H18-0682-25: The Rookery, 171 Rookery Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9QG: Change of use of agricultural building to dwelling: Approved

ii. H18-0659-25: Land between East Bank/Gunthorpe Road, PE14 7JJ: Details of Biodiversity Gain Plan: Approved

iii. H18-0603-25: Adjacent Rylton House, Mill Lane, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UE: Residential Development of 2 dwellings: Approved

25.217. Committee Reports 

01. New Pavilion Committee

i. Pavilion – Cllr Middleton reported that, following the extraordinary meeting on 8 September 2025, it had been resolved to begin the process of obtaining a loan from HM Treasury to cover the shortfall in funding for the new pavilion. This decision was confirmed after following up on information from an officer at South Holland District Council regarding the use of a professional agent to seek funding, who had advised that no funding was available

02 Playzone – Cllr Mclaughlin reported that she had signed the letter of intent committing the expenses of preliminary contract work for the new Playzone, and we were now awaiting further instructions to move the project forward. Cllr Brewis thanks everyone involved for all their time and efforts so far.

20:51hrs Cllr Booth left the meeting 

25.218. There were no outside body representative reports

25.219. There were no public participations

25.220. Next date of Meeting – Tuesday 27 October 2025 at 19:00hrs

25.221. It was resolved to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 s.1(2).

20:53hrs Three members of the public and County Cllr Woods left the meeting. Cllr Booth returned   to the meeting

25.222. It was resolved to approve the quote to cut back the hedge in the Memorial Park @ £232.20

There were no staffing and administration matters.

The chair closed the meeting at 21:04 hrs.

Appendix A