Minutes 2026

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Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 28 July 2026, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr C Brewis, Cllr M Booth, Cllr D Cook, Cllr P Eggett, Cllr T Judd, Cllr J Kirby – Fox, Cllr M Middleton, Cllr M Philpott, Cllr M Pitt (Chair), Mrs. C Smith (Parish Clerk), Mrs. K Croxford, (Admin Assistant)

One Member of the Public: Absent:  Cllrs  Scarlett and  Baldry

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

26.151. Apologies were received from Cllrs Scarlett and Baldry, and County Cllr R Woods.

26.152. There were no declarations of interest.

26.153. There were no public representations.

26.154. It was resolved to approve the minutes of meeting held Tuesday 23 June 2026 they were signed by the chair.

26.155. Police matters

i. Cllr Judd reported that a youth had been seen riding along on one wheel, the chair commented that this had been reported to the Police.

26.156. Chair’s Report

i. The Chair reported that she would be running the London Marathon in April next year to raise funds for Eczema UK if anyone would like to sponsor her. 

26.157. Clerk’s Report

i. RAF Propeller Service – The service would take place at the RAF Propeller on Sunday 6 September 2026 at 15:00hrs, it had been confirmed that weather permitting there would be flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

ii. County Cllr Volunteer Scheme – The clerk reported that a volunteer from the Cllr Volunteer Scheme had cut back the boundary of the Memorial Park and the area was tidier. There was still further work to do in the next few months. County Cllr Woods had been chasing up the path scheme and had advised that costs to for the project would need to be met by the Parish Council. This matter would be put on the agenda for the September meeting.

iii. Harriet Close – A brief report of an HMO had been mentioned but no further details had been received.

26.158. District and County Councillors Report

01. There was no County Councillor report.

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

i. Complaints had been received regarding an HMO on Harriet Close. However, under the current rules, a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) occupied by 3 or 4 people forming two or more households does not require planning consent.

ii. SB Youth Club – Had applied to the solar farm for funding for the new youth club.

iii. Former Bridge Hotel – Sir John Hayes had confirmed that following a meeting with the Home Secretary it had been confirmed the former Bridge Hotel would be unsuitable for the propose of housing asylum seekers.

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

i.  The South & East Lincolnshire Partnership had exceeded it multimillion savings and efficiency target five years ahead of schedule, the Partnership was working well.

ii.  He had been unable to attend the meeting on the new Lincolnshire Council unitary combined authority.

iii. Due to the current dry weather, there is an increased risk of fires. Please report any fly-tipping immediately and remain vigilant for any potential fire hazards.

26.159. Financial Matters

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

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 29 July 2026 as circulated at Appendix A. Cllr Kirby - Fox and Cllr Scarlett would authorise bank payments.

iii. Receipts had been circulated and were noted see Appendix B

iv. The Lincolnshire Pension Fund Investment Strategy Statement and been received and noted.

26.160. The next Councillor surgery would be on the 8 August 2026 – Cllrs Booth and Kirby- Fox. Cllr Pitt reported that one member of the public had attended the surgery last month with reports of litter, a dirty bench in the Memorial Park and long grass near Pippa’s Pantry. These matters had now been dealt with. 

26.161. Playzone 

i. The first valuation of work had taken place at costs of £172,000, including vat, which had been agreed by the contract manager. The invoice had been submitted to the Football Foundation (FF) and South Holland District Council (SHDC) so that we can draw down on the grant funding. It was resolved to approve the payment of £172,000 once funds had been received from FF and SHDC

ii. Following the inspection of the PlayZone, it was reported that the facility was 3 cm out of square at one end. This would not affect either the structural integrity of the build or its usability. Following advice from the Contract Manager and discussions with the Chair, this was accepted. It was also requested that any potential savings later in the project be explored to help offset this issue.

iii. The path had been laid; however, it was not constructed using the materials originally specified and was not of the expected quality. The Clerk would follow this up with the Contract Manager. If anyone had any concerns regarding the building of the Playzone, please direct them to the clerk contractors and sub- contractors on site may not have the relevant information.

iv. Cllr Middleton commented that the path was in the wrong place and may need to be dug up to access the utilities for the new temporary building.

v. A new Playzone Co-ordinator had been appointed today; they would be familiarising themselves with the project and planning the opening event which was scheduled for the 19 September 2026.

vi. The next Playzone Steering Group meeting would be on the 11 August 2026. 

26.162. Speed Awareness 

i. Cllr Eggett reported that he had reviewed data from a previous month's Speed Indicator Device (SID) and wished to implement a strategy to improve speed awareness within the village while encouraging greater community involvement. 

ii. He would contact County Cllr Woods for further information. It was also suggested that Cllr Jan Whitbourn of South Holland District Council (SHDC) be invited to attend a future Council meeting to provide information on the Community Speed Watch Scheme. Further information would be gathered, and the matter would be discussed again at the September meeting.

26.163. Correspondence

i. Active Lincolnshire Survey –HW Lincs are conducting a survey on behalf of Active Lincolnshire targeting residents in the South Holland area to try and understand what it is like living in a rural area and the impact it has on daily life. For further information contact https://hwlincs.co.uk/south-holland-rural-living-survey/

ii. Fenland Chairmans Coffee Morning – A Chairmans’s Coffee Morning would be held on 17 September at 10am at the Council Chamber, Fenland Hall, March, Cambridgeshire. 

26.164. Planning applications

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

ii. H18-0644-26: 96 Railway Lane South, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9XA: Single Storey Extension – Approved under H18-0480-25 amendment to include additional door. No comment

Cllr M Booth declared an interest in the following Planning application as he was a neighbour to the applicant and did not participate in discussions.

iii. H18-0647-26: Poppy Fields Caravan Park, Fields Farm South, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9XT: Use of site as site for caravans for seasonal workers and its retention out of season for storage caravans – approved under H18 -0224-18. Modification of conditional two to allow amended wording of condition. It was resolved to delegate authority to the Chair and Vice-Chair, to determine the appropriate comments on the application.

iv. H18-0641-26: The Memorial Park, Bridge Poad, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9SA: Works to Sutton Bridge Tree Preservation Order - No comment

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

i. H18-0644-26: 96 Railway Lane South, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9XA: Single storey rear extension: Approved

ii. H18:0542-26: Land between East Bank/ Gunthorpe Road and Gunthorpe Solar Farm: Details of Road Condition Survey: Approved

iii. H18-0459-26: Whitehouse Farm, Grange Road, Terrington St Clement, PE34 4HQ: Singe Store infill extension: Approved

iv. H18-0441-26: Sutton Bridge Memorial Park, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9SA: Details of surface drainage strategy: Approved

v. H18-0308-26: Rear of 9 Custom House Street, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UJ: Demolition of existing single garage & erection of double garage: REFUSAL 

26.166. Committee Reports 

01. Pavilion 

i. Cllr Middleton reported that the FF would not support funding for the Pavilion in rural areas. This matter had been raised with Sir John Hayes, who arranged a meeting with the FF on 16 June 2026.

ii. Following enquiries to Sir John Hayes regarding the outcome of the meeting with the FF, Cllr Middleton was informed that he had returned to his office in Spalding due to the UK Parliament summer recess. Members discussed whether it was worth continuing to pursue the matter. It was agreed that further clarification was still required, as the Council had not been informed of what had been discussed at the meeting. Members agreed to follow this up after the summer recess.

iii. The planning application had been re-submitted for the temporary building.

20:27hrs Cllr Booth left the meeting.

02. Open Spaces, Burials and Allotments. 

i. Following an inspection at the allotments, plots had been identified that needed to be cultivated this had been passed on the Parish office so that the appropriate letters could be sent. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Kirby- Fox for typing up the notes from the meeting.

03. There were no other committee or working party reports. 

26.167. There were no representations from members of the public.

26.168. There were no outside body reports.

20:35hrs One member of the public left the meeting. 

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

26.170. The clerk updated members with information on the tenant of the Farm Business Tenancy. It was resolved to offer the tenant the unused allotment land with a tenancy agreement of over 2 years.

26.171. Princes Street and Lime Street Parks

i. The Clerk reported that SHDC had notified her of concerns regarding delays with the solicitors. The matter had since been investigated and resolved. Cllr Booth was continuing to work with SHDC regarding the access points.

26.172. Quotes

i. CCTV- An estimated quote had been received for CCTV in the Memorial Park. The clerk circulated details of the area to be covered by the proposed CCTV. A further quote would be obtained.

ii. Electric Vehicle – It was resolved to approve quote to repair the electric vehicle @ £917.05 +VAT.

iii. Play Area Surface – It was resolved to approve quote to repair the play area surface @£408.00 + VAT.

26.173. Staffing and Administration Matters

i. The clerk reported that the new Playzone Co-ordinator had been appointed. It was resolved for the clerk to purchase the best value laptop for the new member of staff. 

ii. A member of staff had completed the play area equipment training course.

The chair closed the meeting at 21:04 hrs.

Appendix A Payments

Appendix B June Receipts