July 2025 Minutes
Notes from 15-minute public forum on 09 July 2025
There were 2 members of the public present.
Statements/Questions raised:
a. A representative from the PCC came to ask about the value of grant the PCC had received to help towards the costs of the Church yard maintenance. Last year they had received £1300, and this year had received £750. The Clerk would check the budget and gather information for the September meeting.
b. Cowbroads Lane – This will be discussed further down the agenda. The resident confirmed there had been another water leak.
c. The Village Litter Picker commented that a good job had been made of clearing the MUGA, there was a Sofa in there that needed to be removed.
07:16pm The Public Forum was closed, and the Parish Council Meeting began.
Minutes of the meeting of Old Leake Parish Council held on Wednesday 9th July 2025 at 7:00pm at Old Leake Community Centre.
1/7/25 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence
Apologies: Cllr Tom Ashton & Guy Bull
Present: Cllrs David Dickason, Paul Skinner, Sandra Pickett, Sam Wild and Neil Booley.
Also Present: Community Member Walter Seekamp and Interim Parish Clerk Rebecca Herberts.
2/7/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. Borough Councillors
i. The mayor recently posted on social media that charities can apply to him for consideration of being awarded funding.
ii. We met with the new County Councillor, a long discussion was had and all outstanding issues have been passed on.
b. County Councillor
No report was received from the County Councillor.
3/7/25 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations
There were no declarations of interest.
4/7/25 Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11 June 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes
It was resolved that the minutes previously circulated be signed as the minutes.
07:19pm 1 member of the public left the meeting.
5/7/25 Clerk’s Report
a. It was reported that the Mosiac in the Bus Shelter is damaged, the Clerk has collected the pieces that were on the floor. It was resolved to contact The Giles School as their Art department had made the Mosiac to see if they would be able to help repairing it. Removing the Mosiac temporarily until resolved could be an option, this would be looked into after the meeting.
b. The Clerk asked about some form of paperwork storage. It was discussed that an Archive register is required so that everyone is aware of where information is stored. Storage solutions would be looked at and also the possibility of sharing something with Wrangle Parish Council.
6/7/25 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates
The Chair had nothing to report.
7/7/25 To consider applicants for co-option onto the Parish Council
There were no applications received for this meeting.
8/7/25 Financial matters:
a. Payments to be authorised
b. To report balances in the bank
The balances at the bank could not be reported as the Clerk was still not on the bank mandate.
c. To discuss the bank mandate
There had been problems with the electronic form. The Clerk had requested a paper copy from Natwest, the signatories would be contacted to sign the form. The Clerk advised that a copy of the minutes would need to be sent with the completed form stating that the Council were happy for Rebecca Herberts, the interim Clerk to be added to the mandate. It was resolved that Rebecca Herberts be added to the bank mandate.
9/7/25 Audit for the year ended 31 March 2025
The Audit has been completed, and everything has been sent through to the External Auditors, Pkf-Littlejohn.
10/7/25 To note CCTV updates & Image requests
The damage to the fire door at the community centre was discussed, it was advised that the offenders are being pursued.
11/7/25 To receive a report from the Recreational Area Working Group, resolve actions and expenditure for issues raised:
a. Washdyke: Washers were required for the baby swings, the drawbridge wires also required washers, some work was also required on the gate. It was resolved that any materials that were required could be purchased.
b. Furlongs: 21 new fixings needed to be purchased for the witch’s hat, it was resolved these could be purchased.
c. Enos Wood: There were no reports.
12/7/25 Highways Matters:
a. Receive issues requiring maintenance/repair: The Gride should be planned in for works to be carried out during 2025/26. It was asked if there were any plans for work on the Hobhole towards the pumping station.
b. To receive reactive speed sign data: The Clerk would chase Unipart with regards to purchasing a cable so that the data could be retrieved.
c. Cowbroads Lane: Another water leak had been reported, part of a residents hedge had been removed in search of the water leak, and the lane was left in a mess. The residents have contacted Highways and LCC about this. It was resolved that the Clerk would email the relevant people to obtain answers and chase up the HGV signage.
13/7/25 To note an update regarding the young people’s service provided by OLPC
The Clerk had contacted the person running the young people’s service. It was advised that the sessions are usually getting approx. 20 people attending. They were potentially looking at running a cooking session during the summer.
Neil Booley would visit the person running the service to discuss funding and future plans.
14/7/25 To note an update regarding Old Main Road MUGA
It was reported that the MUGA had been cleared by LCC. The Clerk would contact LCC for an update on what was happening with regards to the ownership.
15/7/25 To consider the village maintenance schedule of works to go out to tender
A job description/advertisement has been drafted and shared with all Councillors. It was resolved that the advertisement for ‘Self-Employed General Maintenance Contractor’ would be advertised with a 4 hour per week requirement to carry out tasks for Old Leake Parish Council with an hourly rate of £13.00. The hourly requirement for Wrangle Parish Council had been agreed at 4 hours per week also so the total hourly requirement per week would be 8 hours.
16/7/25 To consider staff payroll arrangements
All paperwork had been completed and returned to Haines Watts. The Clerk would wait for this to be completed and then the Clerks pay would be back dated to the start date on her contract.
17/7/25 To note an update regarding the co-op building
The Co-op and selling agent had been contacted, they have advised that the Parish Council are required to confirm what level of funding they can secure and then negotiations could take place.
The Clerk had looked into the Public Works Loan Board, applications must obtain approval from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This then must be checked, vetted and submitted to them by the Councils county association which is LALC. It was resolved that the application should be completed.
08:03pm 1 member of the public left the meeting.
18/7/25 To discuss a Skateboard Park
Planning at Boston Borough Council had been contacted and other options would be explored. The idea of a temporary skateboard park was discussed. There previously was a working group that had come together to discuss this, it was discussed that maybe the group should meet again to discuss further.
19/7/25 To consider a shelter for the Play Area on Furlongs Lane
It was discussed to try and resolve the type of shelter that was required. This would be something for the Children to sit in during all weather’s so would need to be something that offers a good shelter. Neil Booley agreed to take owner ship of this project with the help and support of the Clerk.
20/7/25 To discuss and agree the process for recruiting a permanent Parish Clerk and RFO.
The Clerk had spoken with LALC for some advice on this matter. The Clerk confirmed that she would like to apply for the permanent role. The Clerk would be happy to help set up the process, but any key decisions should be made by the Councillors. David Dickason had drawn up an advertisement, it was resolved to advertise this on the Old Leake Parish Council website, noticeboards and to take advantage of the free advertising service that LALC offer. The advertisement stated that applicants must contact the Chair for an application pack and not the Clerk. The closing date would be 11 August 2025 with interviews to take place 18 August 2025.
21/7/25 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at www.mybostonuk.com)
|
Reference |
Location |
Proposal |
|
B/25/0271 |
The Vicarage, 1 Giles Close, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9NN |
Construction of new double garage following demolition of existing double garage |
|
B/24/0465/NMA |
Westfield House, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RT |
Application for a non-material amendment following grant of permission B/24/0465 |
|
B/25/0255 |
On Land adjacent to The Cottage, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RT |
Notification under the Highways Act 1980, the Telecommunications Act 1984 and th |
|
B/25/0256 |
On Land adjacent to Bridge View, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RT |
Notification under the Highways Act 1980, the Telecommunications Act 1984 and th |
|
B/25/0258 |
On Land Adj to Emma Lene, Skipmarsh Lane, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9LT |
Notification under the Highways Act 1980, the Telecommunications Act 1984 and th |
|
B/25/0260 |
Land Adj to Harvest Man House, Lade Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RJ |
Notification under the Highways Act 1980, the Telecommunications Act 1984 and th |
|
B/25/0261 |
Land Adj to Three Stacks, Wicken Lane, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9QE |
Notification under the Highways Act 1980, the Telecommunications Act 1984 and th |
22/7/25 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council
|
Reference |
Location |
Type |
Decision |
|
B/25/0255 |
On Land adjacent to The Cottage, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RT |
Consultation to BBC |
BBC Cons. Response - No objections |
|
B/25/0256 |
On Land adjacent to Bridge View, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RT |
Consultation to BBC |
BBC Cons. Response - No objections |
|
B/25/0258 |
On Land Adj to Emma Lene, Skipmarsh Lane, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9LT |
Consultation to BBC |
BBC Cons. Response - No objections |
|
B/25/0260 |
Land Adj to Harvest Man House, Lade Bank, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9RJ |
Consultation to BBC |
BBC Cons. Response - No objections |
|
B/25/0261 |
Land Adj to Three Stacks, Wicken Lane, Old Leake, Boston PE22 9QE |
Consultation to BBC |
BBC Cons. Response - No objections |
23/7/25 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda
No further correspondences were received.
24/7/25 Matters for next agenda
- Review grant applications policy
25/7/25 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 10 September 2025.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 08:50pm.