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

Present: Cllr T Baldry,Cllr C Brewis, Cllr Cook, Cllr P Eggett, Cllr T Judd, Cllr M Philpott, Cllr M Pitt (Chair), Cllr Scarlett, Mrs. C Smith (Parish Clerk), Mrs. K Croxford, (Admin Assistant), County Cllr R Woods.

Three Members of the Public:Absent:  Cllrs Booth, Kirby- Fox and Middleton

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

26.198.Apologies were received from Cllr Booth, Cllr Kirby-Fox, Cllr Middleton and County Cllr Woods.

26.199.There were no declarations of interest

26.200.There were no public representations.

26.201.It was resolved to approve the minutes of meeting held Tuesday 22 September 2026 they were signed by the chair.

26.202.Police matters

i.There was no dedicated Community Officer for Sutton Bridge; however, PCSO Coupland had visited the Parish Office last week. Anti-social behaviour was discussed, and he confirmed that the matter was being addressed. During his visit, he was called upon to assist a local resident who was experiencing problems. PSCO Coupland also reported that e-scooters ridden in public would be seized by the Police.

26.203.There was no Chair’s report

26.204.Clerk’s Report

i. Firework Display 5 November - The firework display had been booked; letters were being distributed to residents. Members of staff, together with Cllr Brewis, Cllr Philpott and Cllr Kirby-Fox, would be assisting with the event, with Cllr Pitt providing first aid cover. A donation of £500 had been received from SB Bingo. The Clerk would arrange a letter of thanks to be sent for their kind donation.

ii. National Grid – The Parish Council had been contacted by National Grid regarding maintenance work along the hedge line to ensure that power lines remained clear. The work would be carried out free of charge. It was resolved to approve the proposed work.

iii. Tree Branch –A tree branch had fallen over the weekend. The Outside Operative had made the area safe, and the tree contractor would tidy up the area during their next visit.

iv.CCTV –Two detailed quotations had been received for the CCTV installation. Following consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, the quotations were reviewed and a preferred quotation was selected. It was hoped that the CCTV system would be installed within the next few weeks, once the electrical work at the Playzone had been completed.

01.County Councillor Woods report (see Appendix A)

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

i.Thanks were expressed to County Cllr Woods for his report.

ii.Waste and Recycling Bins – If anyone needed any help with assisted collections, please contact  www.sholland.gov.uk/article/30757/Wheeled-bin-assisted-collections

iii.Recycling Booklets – For a copy of the new recycling booklet please contact Cllr Brewis who had further copies available.

iv.Planning Changes – From 31 October 2026, a new scheme would standardise how planning applications were now decided.

v.Flooding - A flood warning had been issued for the River Nene for the morning of the 28 October. It was considered unlikely that flooding would occur due to various factors, including the moon, wind speed and low atmospheric pressures.

03. There was no report from Cllr M Booth.

26.205.Financial Matters

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

ii.It was resolved to approve payments to 28 October 2026 as circulated at Appendix B. Cllr Kirby - Fox and Cllr Scarlett would authorise bank payments.

iii.Receipts were noted see Appendix C

iv.The external auditors report had been circulated and was noted, thanks were expressed to the clerk for a good report.

v.The second quarter budget was noted. The clerk reported that expenditure was over on office equipment due to the recent computer repairs that had been undertaken

26.206.The next Councillor surgery would be on the 14 November 2026 – Cllrs Booth and Cook

26.207.Playzone and Open Event

i.The Playzone Opening Event took place on 4 October 2026 and was attended by members of the Steering Group, Councillors, funders and members of the public. Thanks were expressed to SBFC, Long Sutton Under-13s and Louise Key from England Netball for their contributions to the activities.

ii.A number of outstanding issues remained, including software problems, snagging items relating to the build, and issues with the gates, electrics and pathway. These had been reported to the Project Manager appointed by the Football Foundation, and it was hoped that they would be resolved shortly

26.208.This year’s Firework display would take place on Thursday 5 November 2026, opening at 17:30 hrs with the display at approximately 19:00hrs.

26.209.West Bank Speed Limit  

i.It was resolved to support the proposed reduction of the speed limit on West Bank to 30 mph.

26.210.Correspondence

i.U3A – It was resolved to approve the U3A opening day in the Memorial Park on the 4 May 2027 from 12 till 16:00hrs.

ii.Curlew Car Park – It was resolved to approve the East Midlands Cancer awareness bus being situated in the front car park on the 16 March 2027.

iii.Carol Service –Fenland District Council Community Carol Service on 4 December 2026 at 18:00hrs- Cllr Pitt would attend.

iv.Complaint – The clerk had responded to an email enquiring about e bikes in the Memorial Park this had been shared with the Police. It was noted that e scooters were illegal and were not allowed on pavements, public roads, cycle lanes, parks, and any other public spaces

v.National Planning Policy –Changes to national planning policy were noted, with the new rules due to come into force on 31 October planning matters 2026. Under the revised arrangements, minor planning applications would be determined by officers rather than considered by a public planning committee. All Councillors were reminded to check their emails regularly for planning applications and related matters. Decisions would be made on the basis of responses received, provided that a quorum was achieved.

vi.Sutton Bridge Youth Club –An email had been received from YMCA Rural Youth Clubs confirming that funding had been secured to establish a fortnightly Youth Club in Sutton Bridge. A grant of £2,000 was being sought to assist with venue hire costs

19:50hrs Standing orders were suspended to allow a member of the public to speak on the agenda item

vii.The member of the public explained that they were working with the YMCA to establish a Youth Club in Sutton Bridge, using the Curlew Centre as its base. It was hoped that the Youth Club would commence in November.

viii.A further member of the public spoke about plans to organise a festive Christmas cinema event at the Curlew Centre during December. The event would aim to raise awareness of the future of the Youth Club. The clerk and Cllrs advised that additional funding opportunities might be available from other sources such as the Solar Farm, Tesco, Chosen, and the Co -operative.

20:05hrs Standing orders were reinstated.

ix.A copy of the grant application and policy would be sent to Sutton Bridge Youth Club, and the item was to be included on the November agenda.

26.211.Planning applications

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

ii.H18-0995-26: Boud Minerals & Polymers Warehouse: West Bank, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UR: Proposed Open Storage Buildings, concrete Yard & Access Approved under H18-0310-23. It was resolved to support.

iii.H18-0984-26: Boud Minerals: West Bank, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UR: Proposed Warehouse Extension. It was resolved to support.

iv.H18-0951-26: Rear of 210 New Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9QA: Demolition of Existing Barn & Erection of Dwelling & Garage. It was resolved to object to the application on the grounds that the proposed development was not in keeping with the rural character of the area and lies outside the village envelope.

v.H18-0937-26: Bridge Hotel, 4 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UA: Change of use to residential class C3 including the creating of 15 residential units Approved under H18-0463-24. It was resolved to comment that the Parish Council did not have sufficient information to make an informed decision on this complex matter.

vi.H18-0928-26: Land at Sutton Bridge Pumping Station, Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9SL: Proposed Telecommunications Apparatus comprising of 3 Antennas, Smart Metering Equipment Enclosure & 2 Concrete Bollards. It was resolved to support the application. Cllrs Brewis, Eggett and Scarlett abstained from voting.

26.212.Planning Decisions - Cllrs noted the planning decisions made by South Holland District Council as listed below:

i.H18-0748-26: Wingland Farm, Gunthorpe Road, Walpole St Andre PE14 7JH: Conversion and partial reconstruction of existing barn into two dwellings: REFUSED

ii.H18-0684-26: Roffes Transport, West Bank, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9QH: Proposed Soil Grading Area: APPROVED

iii.H18-0642-26: The Pavilion, 51 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9SA: Siting of temporary changing room and facility building: APPROVED

iv.H18-0554-26: Adjacent to 185 Avenue Farm Road Bridge Farm, New Road, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9QF: Demolition of existing agricultural building: APPROVED

26.213.Committee Reports

01.Pavilion

i.Cllr Brewis reported that Sir John Hayes was still chasing the matter of the funding with the Football Association.

02.Open Spaces

i.   It was resolved to accept the changes to the Open Spaces, Burial and Allotments terms of reference as recommended by the Committee.

26.214.There were no other Committee or working party reports

26.215.Outside body reports

i.Cllr Brewis reported, in his capacity as a Governor at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, that recent news reports should be treated with caution, as no decisions had been made at this stage.

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

20:40hrs Three members of the public left the meeting.

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

26.218.The admin assistant updated members with information on an allotment plot. It was resolved to issue a notice to quit to the tenant.

26.219.Princes Street and Lime Street Parks

i.The Clerk reported that Council’s solicitor had been in contact and advised on details of unregistered land and that an overage condition had been placed on the land. Cllrs noted this and no objections were raised

26.220.Quotes

i.Garden of Rest Fence - It was resolved to approve the quote to fix the fence with a concrete post in the Garden of Rest @ £190.00

ii.Memorial Park Hedge– It was resolved to approve quote to cut back the hedges in the Memorial Park @ £243.81

iii.Christmas Lights – It was resolved to approve the quote to repair 5 Christmas lights @ £1490.00 + VAT and to contact Cllr Woods regarding funding for the purchase of future lights, budget item to be included on the November agenda.

iv.Memorial Park Trees – It was resolved to approve the quote for the tree work in the Memorial Park @ £1150.00

26.221.Staffing and Administration Matters

i.It was resolved to delegate the clerk in consultation with the chair and vice chair to take the necessary advice concerning items left on graves

ii.It was resolved to allow a member of staff to remove soil from the Garden of Rest using the Electric Vehicle  

The chair closed the meeting at 21:05 hrs.