Minutes 2025

Draft minutes sublect to approval at next meeting

Please select for printable/downloadable pdf 

Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 16 December 2025, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr T Baldry, Cllr M Booth, Cllr C Brewis, Cllr T Judd, Cllr J Kirby-Fox, Cllr S McLaughlin, Cllr M Middleton (from 19:47hrs), Cllr M Philpott, Cllr A Scarlett, Mrs. C Smith, (Clerk), Mrs K Croxford (Admin Assistant), Mr S Herbert (Outside Operative)  Absent: Cllr D Cook, Cllr M Pitt. Members of the Public: Two

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

25.276. Apologies were received from Cllr M Middleton, Cllr M Pitt.

25.277. There were no declarations. 

25.278. Public representations

i. It was asked if the lighting in the car park could be looked into as at night it could be very dark around there.

25.279. It was resolved to approve the minutes of meeting held Tuesday 25 November 2025 they were signed by the chair.

25.280. Police matters

i. The clerk reported that she had reported some drug dealing in the Curlew car park to the Police.

ii. Cllr Booth commented that Police should remain aware of ongoing hare coursing activity, despite the recent wet weather.

25.281. In the absence of the Chair there was no report at this time.

25.282. Clerk’s Report

i. Pension Regulator – correspondence had been received to complete re-enrolment duties with a declaration deadline to be completed by 30 September 2026.

ii. Dog Fouling – reports of dog fouling in Wharf Street and surrounding areas had been reported to SHDC. An enforcement office would review this and consider the most appropriate steps to take. 

iii. Churchgate Flooding – This had been reported to LCC Highways, and the drain had been jetted and cleared. Any further problems should be reported to LCC Highways and photos taken to highlight the problem.

25.283. District and County Councillors Reports

01. Due to his absence, there was no report from County Councillor R Woods.

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

i. It was noted that hare coursing continued to present a significant and persistent issue within the area. 

ii. A meeting was held last week with the Performance Monitoring Panel, which was attended by Anglian Water, to assess what development could take place and how existing services would cope with additional dwellings. It was ascertained that there was currently some spare capacity to accommodate extra demand; however, it would not take a significant increase to exceed this capacity.

03. Cllr C Brewis reported on the following SHDC (South Holland District Council) matters.

i. He expressed his support for Cllr Booth following the informative meeting held with external bodies and raised concerns about ensuring that sea defences and drainage infrastructure are kept up to date.

ii. He advised to report back following his meeting with County Cllr R. Woods in January 2026.

25.284. Financial Matters

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

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 16 December 2025 as circulated at Appendix A. Cllr Kirby - Fox and Cllr Scarlett would authorise bank payments. 

iii. Receipts: £85.00 refund from SHDC planning was noted

iv. It was resolved to sign the internal audit Terms of Engagement and, as a matter of good practice, to seek quotes for an alternative auditor for 2027.

v. Correspondence from SHDC was noted regarding the precept for 2026/27 and the deadline of 30 January 2026. The next Finance meeting was due to meet on the 12 January to make a recommendation to full council at the January meeting on the 27 January 2026.

25.285. It was noted that the registration of land laying North of Bridge Road (Speechleys) had now been completed.

25.286. Playzone.

i. It was noted that an intention to apply for planning approval for the Playzone from Sis Pitches had been received. Thanks were expressed to the clerk for pushing this forward.

ii. It was noted that funding from the UKSPF Grassroots Grant was dependent on the planning application being submitted. The funds were expected to be released in this financial year, and any items purchased will be stored by SIS Pitches, as the funds must be spent within the same budget year.

25.287. Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership

i. An email had been received from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership following data submitted from the Speed Indicator Device. It was noted that additional enforcement camera vans would be directed to more central locations, while monitoring in other areas would continue. Cllr Brewis commented that all data from the Speed Indicator Device should continue to be sent to both the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and the Police to keep them informed.

ii. The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership suggested that, since the Parish Council had purchased the speed camera gun, volunteers could consider starting a Community Speed Watch. This proposal would be explored further in the new year.

25.288. Councillors Surgery

i. The next surgery would be on the 10 January 2026 – Cllrs Cook and Cllr Pitt

25.289. Correspondence

i. Fenland District Council – An e-card from Fenland District Council was received wishing the Parish Council a Merry Christmas.

ii. Warm Home Grants – A warm home local grant project was operating till March 2028 and was funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for residents in the area to reduce energy costs .For further information email contact Greenhomesgrants@e-lindsey.gov.uk

25.290. Planning applications

i. Cllr Brewis abstained from voting on the applications as he was a member of the planning committee.

ii. H18-1197-25: Land between East Bank / Gunthorpe Road, Walpole Marsh, PE14 7JJ: Details of Construction management plan and method statement: No comment made.

iii. H18-1083-25: The Pavilion, Memorial Park, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9SA: It was resolved to support. 

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

i. H18-1006-25: Bridge House West Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge PE12 9UA: two replacement windows: Approved

ii. H18-0984-25: Barn View, Hospital Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9YR: Single Store Extension: Approved

iii. H18-0936-25:185 Avenue Fram Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9QF: Demolition of existing agricultural building: Refused 

iv. H18-0922-25: Land between East Bank / Gunthorpe Road, Walpole Marsh, PE14 7JJ: Installation of access track and associated development: Approved

25.292. Committee Reports 

01. New Pavilion Committee

i. The clerk reported that the Pavilion Committee had not met in December and matters would be deferred to the January meeting.

25.293. Outside body representative reports

01. Youth Club

i. Possible locations for the Youth Club were being explored, Cllr Brewis would report back at the next meeting.

25.294. There were no public participations.

25.295. Next date of Meeting – Tuesday 27 January 2026 at 19:00hrs

19:47hrs standing orders were suspended for an informal festive gathering and refreshments.

and thanks were expressed to those involved for arranging the gathering. Cllr Middleton entered the room.

20:25hrs Two members of the public left the meeting and standing orders were resumed.

25.296. Chairs Report 

i. In the absence of Cllr Middleton, on her return to the meeting she provided her chairs report from her visit to Parliament that afternoon.

ii. Cllr Middleton reported that she had met with Sir John Hayes MP, Mr I. Bettles, and Mr O. Miller. The meeting was positive, and it was noted that Sir John Hayes and his two research assistants would now take over the project. They would arrange a meeting with the Football Association and Sport England and report back to Cllr Middleton and Mr Chris Brandon-King regarding funding.

iii. The Clerk reported that following her meeting with Cllr McLaughlin, Mr D. Wall, Mr J. Parks (Lincolnshire FA), Mr M Humphries (SELDP) and Mr A. Wadsworth (Football Foundation), it was noted that due to recent funding changes, the Football Association could now only provide a maximum grant of £25,000, with a possible additional £25,000 towards kitchen facilities and not the amount as previously stated.

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

20:40hrs Mr S Herbert left the meeting.

25.298. There were no quotes.

25.299. Staffing Matters

i. The clerk confirmed that the new member of staff would be enrolled in the pension scheme. 

ii. The clerk reported that the Parish office would be closed from the 24 December 2025 till Tuesday 6 January 2026. Any queries to contact clerk@suttonbridge-pc.gov.uk.

The chair closed the meeting at 20:44hrs.

Appendix A