Minutes 2026

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Minutes of the Sutton Bridge Parish Council Meeting held 19:00hrs Tuesday, 24 February 2026, in the Curlew Centre Bridge Room, Sutton Bridge.

Present: Cllr T Baldry, Cllr C Brewis, Cllr T Judd, Cllr J Kirby-Fox, Cllr M Middleton, Cllr M Philpott, Cllr M Pitt, Cllr A Scarlett, Mrs. K Croxford, (Admin Assistant),

Two Members of the Public: 

Absent:  Cllr D Cook

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

26.023. Apologies were received from Cllrs Booth & McLaughlin

26.024. Declarations of interest were received from Cllr J Kirby Fox on agenda item 16 (min ref 26.038 ii) as she knew the applicant of the planning application. 

26.025. There were no public representations

26.026. It was resolved to approve the minutes of meeting held Tuesday 27 January 2026 they were signed by the chair.

26.027. There were no Police matters

26.028. Chair’s Report 

i. Cllr Middleton reported that she had order 250 tree guards for the new trees, it was hoped that they would be planted in the Memorial Park within the next few weeks. If anyone was available to help heeling in the new trees, please let her know. 

26.029. There was no Clerk’s Report

26.030. District Council Report

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

i. Cllr Booth and he had submitted the invoice to South Holland District Council for £3,000 from their District Councillors budget towards the new temporary changing facilities. They had also awarded grants to Jelly’s & Jollys, The Soup Lunch, Diamond Club, and the Warm Space at the Church, and had covered the rent for the Police Room.

ii. Cabinet had approved the new waste and recycling arrangements, any problems regarding this should be directed to Cllr J Astill Portfolio holder for Corporate and Environmental services.

iii. There were no local elections scheduled this year, so any changes did not affect Sutton Bridge.

26.031. Financial Matters

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

ii. It was resolved to approve payments to 24 February 2026 as circulated at Appendix A. Cllr Kirby - Fox and Cllr Scarlett would authorise bank payments. 

iii. It was resolved to decline the offer from SHDC for the Highway Verge Grass Cutting quote for 2026 and continue the grass cutting as last year with the same contractor.

26.032. Playzone

i. Cllr Middleton reported that a provisional start date of 30 March had been set in order to comply with the Football Foundation spending requirement. This would have resulted in fencing being in place for six weeks prior to the commencement of works in May.

ii. The Clerk had since spoken with the contractor and the Football Foundation, and an agreement had been reached for a May start date with continuous work. To access the £68,000 UKSPF grant from South Holland District Council, the initial invoice of £34,000 would need to be paid. Additional training would be provided for the booking system. 

iii. Cllr Brewis mentioned that he may be able to assist with funding for the new signage. 

iv. It was resolved to delegate authority to Cllr S McLaughlin to sign the JCT contract.

26.033. Temporary Pavilion

i. Cllr Middleton reported that the Football Club had been exploring the use of a crane to lift the new temporary building into position. David Earth had contacted Tears Garage, who confirmed that they may be able to assist free of charge. Groundworks were still required, including the laying of gravel and slabs at specific points to adequately support the weight of the building.

ii. The temporary buildings had been transported from Falkirk and were currently located in Spalding. David Earth was due to visit the site to check on progress.

iii. It was resolved to store the new temporary buildings in the Curlew Car park until the foundations had been completed, to free up the haulier storage facility if required. 

26.034. It was resolved to approve the recruitment of a weekend operative to enable the toilets to remain open from 9am to 6pm at weekends, to pay the national minimum wage, and to delegate appointment and management to the Clerk.  

26.035. Pavilion Project

i. Cllr Middleton reported that a definitive project cost was required in order to apply for funding and to progress consultation on a potential loan from HM Treasury. Two quotes had already been received, in the approximate amounts of £400,000 and £806,000. A further company had been approached, and a response was awaited.

ii. The loan costs were discussed and Cllr Scarlett asked if costings for a loan of £500,000 could also be looked into.

iii. It was resolved to hold a public meeting for consultation on a loan from H M Treasury for the amount of £400,000 over 30 years.

26.036. Councillors Surgery

i. Cllr Kirby – Fox reported that the Councillor Surgery had been advertised on social media and that attendance had increased. Residents raised queries regarding anti social behaviour, the local PCSO, local facilities and play equipment, and the process for taking waste to the recycling centre. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Brewis for providing the new signage for the surgery.

ii. The next surgery would be on the 14 March 2026 – Cllrs Middleton and Kirby-Fox 

26.037. Correspondence

i. Litter Complaint – An email had been received regarding litter and broken bottles on the footpaths along Bridge Road. The clerk had replied and thanked the resident for bringing it to our attention. All street cleaning was the responsibility of South Holland District Council and could also be reported on https://www.sholland.gov.uk/article/5831/Street-cleaning.

ii. Anti-Social Behaviour – Lincolnshire Police had reported that they were aware of several reports of anti -social behaviour in the area. Please contact https://www.lincs.police.uk if you have any further information

iii. RSPB Invitation – A living Wash Workshop was being held on the 24 March 20206 at South Lynn Community Centre, Kings Lynn between 10am till 2.30pm if anyone was interested, please let us know.

iv. Remote meetings – An update from LALC had been received that Government had announced in 2025 that they would change the law to allow remote meetings and proxy voting. This needed changes to primary legislation through Parliament and was likely to take a couple of years. 

v. Spring Into Spalding – was being held in Spalding Town Centre on Saturday 28 March 2026 from 11am till 3pm. 

vi. Flower Arranging Competition – For Children and Adults to take place in Spalding Town Centre on the 28 March 2026 for further information contact www.southholland.gov.uk

vii. Annual Meeting – The Annual meeting was to take place on the 10 March 2026 at 7pm and a presentation would be given from the Transformation Officer at South & East Lincolnshire Council Partnership on the upcoming changes to how waste will be managed using bins.

viii. Query on Garden Waste –An email had been received regarding the stopping of the existing Garden Waste Scheme. It was noted that the Parish Council had no prior knowledge of this matter, as it had not appeared on any previous agendas. Cllr Middleton would make further enquiries; Cllr Brewis would email the Clerk.

26.038. Planning applications

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

ii. H18-0129-25: 159 Railway Lane South, Sutton Bridge, PE12 9UZ: Proposed single storey extension: No comment

iii. H18-0112-25: 8-9 Grange Farm Hospital Road Sutton Bridge PE12 9YR: Conversion of redundant agricultural building for use as dog daycare: It was resolved to support the application. Cllr Kirby- Fox declared an interest in the application and did not particate in the vote.

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

i. H18-1242-25: Sutton Bridge Parish Council, Sutton Bridge PE12 9SA: Demolition of Existing Barn and erection of dwelling: Approved

ii. H18-0953-25: Maze Farm, Hospital Drove, Long Sutton PE12 9EN: First Floor Extension: Approved

iii. H18-0879-25: Land Adjacent 39 Custom House Street, Sutton Bridge: Erection of eight dwellings: Approved

26.040. Committee Reports 

01. Open Spaces

i. Cllr Kirby Fox reported that a meeting had been held with residents on 16 February 2026. Concerns were raised regarding wheelchair accessible pathways, broken bollards, and the maintenance of graves. The committee is now reviewing the rules and regulations and would bring any recommendations back to Full Council.

26.041. There were no outside body representative reports

26.042. Representations from members of the public

i. A member of the public asked about the wheelie bin situation for those residents that live in Withington Street. Cllr Brewis would look into it and report back.

20:25 hrs Two Members of the public left the meeting.

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

26.044. There were no quotes.

26.045. There were no Staffing Matters

The chair closed the meeting at 20:30 hrs.

Appenidix A