2025 Minutes

Notes from 15-minute public forum on 08 October 2025
There were three members of the public present. 
Statements/Questions raised:
a.    Chapel Road and around the Bakkavor Factory area – Concerns around speeding, how can they be addressed. Investigate whether one of the speed sign locations could be changed temporarily. A letter would be sent to Bakkavor regarding the concerns. 
b.    Cowbroads Lane – This would be discussed as an Agenda item. 

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 8th October 2025 at 7:00pm at Old Leake Community Centre.

1/10/25 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence 
Present: Cllrs David Dickason, Neil Booley, Paul Skinner and Sam Wild.  
Also Present: Community Member Walter Seekamp, Borough Cllr Callum Baxter and Parish Clerk Rebecca Herberts. 
Apologies: Cllr Tom Ashton, Guy Bull and Sandra Pickett

2/10/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a.    Borough Councillors – The full report is enclosed with the minutes.
b.    County Councillor – There was no report from the County Councillor. 

3/10/25 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations 
There were no declarations of interest. 

4/10/25 Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10 September 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes
It was resolved that the notes previously circulated be approved and signed as the minutes.

5/10/25 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk had nothing to report. 

6/10/25 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates 
The Chair had nothing to report. 

7/10/25 To consider applicants for co-option onto the Parish Council 
A completed application pack had been circulated to the Council. It was proposed, seconded and unanimously resolved to co-opt Matthew Harrison onto the Parish Council. He attended the meeting and signed the Acceptance of Office. 

8/10/25 Financial Matters:
a.    To authorise payments
It was resolved to authorise the following payments:
Date    Payee/ Creditor    Amount ex VAT     VAT      Total Expenditure 
             Reclaimable      Non reclaimable     
08/10/2025    Staffing Costs - Salaries/HMRC/NI    £1,330.45    £0.00    £0.00    £1,330.45
08/10/2025    October Broadband/Postage    £56.99    £0.00    £0.00    £56.99
08/10/2025    October Village Litter Picker     £150.00    £0.00    £0.00    £150.00
08/10/2025    Haines Watts Payroll September    £23.00    £4.60    £0.00    £27.60
08/10/2025    Arborglyph Tree Services Ltd    £2,585.00    £517.00    £0.00    £3,102.00
08/10/2025    Pkf-Littlejohn - External Audit    £315.00    £63.00    £0.00    £378.00
08/10/2025    OLCC - Meetings    £21.00    £0.00    £0.00    £21.00
08/10/2025    OLCC - Young Peoples Project September    £177.18    £0.00    £0.00    £177.18
08/10/2025    Clerks - ILCA, FILCA & SLCC Membership (50% of costs)    £264.00    £0.00    £0.00    £264.00
08/10/2025    Royal British Legion - Donation    £50.00    £0.00    £0.00    £50.00
08/10/2025    Old Leake PCC - Churchyard Grant    £550.00    £0.00    £0.00    £550.00
08/10/2025    Witham Fourth - Drainage Rates    £168.06    £0.00    £0.00    £168.06
                          
    Totals     £5,690.68    £584.60    £0.00    £6,275.28

b.    To report bank balances  
The balances at the bank could not be reported as the Bank Mandate change was still ongoing. 

c.    To receive an update on the bank mandate  
The change was still ongoing. Cllr Guy Bull remains in contact with NatWest.

9/10/25 To note the conclusion of the Annual Audit for the year ended 31 March 2025 and resolve action if required
The External Auditor’s report and certificate were read out. 
The AGAR was not fully completed before submission for review.
a.    Section 2 Boxes 11a and 11b of the AGAR have not been completed. The smaller authority has confirmed that it is not a sole managing trustee, and the responses should be ‘no’ and ‘N/A’ respectively. 
b.    Information received from the smaller authority indicates that assets purchased during the year have not been included in Section 2, Box 9. Please ensure that amendments are corrected in the prior year comparatives when completing next year’s AGAR.
The Asset register would be updated and the figures corrected when completing next years AGAR. 
The Clerk confirmed publication of the Notice of Conclusion of Audit and the External Auditor’s Report. It was resolved to accept the report.

10/10/25 To note CCTV updates and image requests 
Two image requests were received. Cllr Paul Skinner reviewed the CCTV footage; however, nothing relevant to the incidents was recorded.

11/10/25 To receive a report from the Recreational Area Working Group, resolve actions and expenditure for issues raised:
a.    Washdyke: Significant damage has been caused to the play equipment. Quotes will be obtained for replacement and for additional toddler equipment.
b.    Furlongs: Cllr Callum Baxter expressed his thanks to the Council for the repair of the two pieces of play equipment. 
c.    Enos Wood: Nothing to report. 

12/10/25 Highways Matters: 
a.    Receive issues requiring maintenance/repair: None reported.  
b.    To receive reactive speed sign data: The signs would be taken down to check the cable was correct and that the data could be downloaded. 
c.    To discuss setting up a Community Speed Watch scheme: This would be ongoing with a view to set this up in the New Year. 
d.    Cowbroads Lane:
i.    A representative of Richard Tice had been in contact with the Parish Council to say they would be happy to push enforceable HGV restriction signs on behalf of the Parish Council. This would be investigated as one resident and local farmers business would be affected should this be enforced. 
ii.    This is to confirm that a letter from the County Highways Manager at Lincolnshire County Council was read out at the September meeting. The letter outlined that they have received permission to install advisory ‘unsuitable for HGV’ signs from Witham Fourth Internal Drainage Board, who were required to approve the locations of the signs along Cowbroads. A road closure is now booked for the work to take place, the programme window for the signage works to take place would be the beginning of October. The letter also said that LCC are currently awaiting a formal review of the weight limit policy, Cowbroads Lane has been added to the waiting list for assessment once the policy has been finalised and approved. 
iii.    An email had been sent to County Councillor Alistair Arndell from LCC Highways. They are going to look into the provision of formal passing places along Cowbroads Lane. However, due to there being numerous unofficial passing places such as vehicle accesses and field entrances, a request of this type may not meet cost versus benefit ratios to take this forward. The process for new infrastructure has been paused awaiting a review and implantation of a new process. Cowbroads Lane has been added to the list to be discussed once the process has been finalised. 
iv.    A further water leak was reported on Cowbroads Lane 19 September 2025. 
v.    An email had been received from a resident with concerns over The Gride closures and raising concerns that it could increase traffic along Cowbroads Lane. They also stated that passing places would not stop the heavy traffic. 

7:54pm One member of the public left the meeting. 
 
13/10/25 To note an update regarding the young people’s service provided by OLPC
a.    Discussion took place regarding the lack of activities for older children during the Youth Club session. A table tennis or games table will be considered.
b.    Currently the timings of the sessions were 4:30pm-6pm and 6:00pm-7:30pm. It was suggested that the later session could be moved back slightly to remain open later. 
c.    The Community Centre will explore holding a Youth Disco before Christmas, alongside a Youth Engagement event.

14/10/25 To note an update regarding Old Main Road MUGA
An email from LCC confirmed that legal fees will not be waived for the MUGA transfer. The Clerk will check for land-use clauses and investigate costs for upkeep and refurbishment, with a view to budget accordingly.

15/10/25 To note the advertisement for the General Maintenance Contractor and agree next steps
The advertisement has been advertised for one month in the Wrangle Parish Magazine and is now advertised in The Old Leake News. So far there has been no interest. 

16/10/25 To note an update regarding the co-op building
The Clerk will arrange further viewings for Councilors who could not attend previously and meet with an architect for professional input. The Parish Council is gathering information and costs before holding public consultation.

17/10/25 To discuss a Skateboard Park 
The Clerk had contacted a resident who had previously been involved with the Skateboard Project, they were still interested in being involved. The Clerk would look into companies who offer small set ups for cost estimates. 

18/10/25 To consider a shelter for the Play Area on Furlongs Lane 
Cllr Neil Booley was looking into quotes for a plastic style shelter and concrete base. 

19/10/25 To discuss the mosaic in the Bus Shelter on Church Road 
The Mosaic was still in storage at a Councillors property. The Clerk had spoken with The Boston School of Mosaic. They would like to view the Mosaic to see if it was saveable. 

20/10/25 To discuss Storage options for records/paperwork
A date would be set to sort files for storage. 
 
21/10/25 To discuss setting up gov.uk email addresses 
All gov.uk emails are now set up. The Clerk has emailed each Councillor with their new email address and some basic instructions of how to access this. 

22/10/25 To discuss the noticeboards 
One of the noticeboards is broken. The Clerk obtained a quote from Greenbarnes Ltd for an aluminum replacement, including a header panel labelled ‘Old Leake Parish Council,’ at a cost of £631.80 (including VAT). It was resolved to proceed with this purchase.

23/10/25 To discuss purchasing a wreath for Remembrance Day
It was moved, seconded and resolved to purchase a Wreath for Remembrance Day. The Parish Council would send a donation of £50.00 to The Royal British Legion. 

24/10/25 To review the PCC grant application 
The Parish Council had previously awarded £1,300.00 to Old Leake PCC for churchyard maintenance; this year £750.00 was awarded. The PCC requested a review, and it was resolved to grant an additional £550.00, bringing the total to £1,300.00.

25/10/25 To review and adopt the Publication Scheme
It was moved, seconded and resolved to adopt the Publication Scheme. 
 
26/10/25 To review and adopt the Complaints Procedure
It was moved, seconded and resolved to adopt the Complaints Procedure.  

27/10/25 To review and adopt the Councillors’ code of conduct 
It was moved, seconded and resolved to adopt the Councillors’ code of conduct.

28/10/25 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at www.mybostonuk.com)
Application Number    Location    Development Description    Applicant Name    Registered Date    Comment    Parish Council Comment
B/25/0305    Moulton Chantry House, Southfields, Old Leake, Boston, PE22 9LP    Change of use of the existing agricultural field for the installation of 4 glamping pods for holiday lets with associated, parking, and hard and soft landscaping    Scholtz    24/09/2025    Full Planning Permission    No observations

29/10/25 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council 
There were no planning decisions for this meeting. 

30/10/25 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda
a.    Streetlight on the junction of Old Main Road/Church Road has been reported to Boston Borough Council, who in turn have reported this for repair. 
b.    An email had been received from a resident regarding the projects that the Parish Council are looking at implementing, there had been a £10000.00 increase in the previous year’s precept. Would the precept increase again? If so, would there be a consultation with local electors, as many residents were unhappy and struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, the increase would be an additional burden. The Parish Council clarified that the previous year’s increase funded streetlight upgrades, spread over three years. All current projects are in early information-gathering stages, and public consultation will occur before any major commitments.

31/10/25 Matters for next agenda
No matters for the next agenda. 

32/10/25 Date of next meeting
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 12 November 2025.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8:43 pm.

Old Leake Parish Update October 2025 

Parish update
a.    The fencing at Vicarage Gardens is scheduled to be replaced the week commencing the 28th of October 2025 this will see all the fencing replaced around the grass areas by Lindum group. Lindum is working on behalf of Boston Borough council who are funding the work. 
b.    We are pleased to see that work should start this month by Anglian water on a new fresh water supply pipe in the area around the Gride. Thes works will be completed next Summer and should improve water pressure in the Old Leake water tower catchment. 
c.    We have contacted Giles Academy after residents expressed their frustration at being stuck for over 20 minutes on the evening of their Open evening. We have said more collaborative work is needed so that better management at these events can occur. 
d.    We are just finalizing the installation of a bench in the MUGA having been provided one by former borough councilor Judy Reid. Permission has been granted by LCC. 
e.    We continue to consult with residents and our County Councilor regarding the ongoing situation on Cowbroads Lane. 
f.    Several residents have complained to us about speeding in the village, especially on Old Main Road, Church Road, Chapel Road, and Hawthorn Road. We have suggested to these residents to contact the Parish Council as most seemed keen to start a community speed-watch scheme. John has also been consulting with the police regarding the enforcement of the double yellow lines on Church Road. A PCSO has been allocated now, and John and herself have been liaising with the school. A letter will be issued to all parents/ carers etc.

Borough news
a.    Freiston Parish council was the winner of the 2025 Love Your Neighborhood award for best Parish. We also had Community growers, and the railway station adopted tie for best community garden. Individual winners received £100 for first place and £50 for second place. Cllr Butler sponsored all plaques and prize money. 
b.    Peter Bedford was Duly elected at the last full council to replace former chair of Planning David Middleton. We thank Cllr Middleton for his time as chair and welcome Cllr Bedford to the role. Cllr Bedford has many years’ experiences in planning so the chair should be in good hands. 
c.    We encourage as many residents as possible to take part in the survey on the council tax support scheme. It is a simple survey asking for views on three different proposals that have been put forward. The survey will help shape the outcome. 
d.    Boston Market won the NABMA market achievement of the year 2025 for the introduction and growth of the monthly Makers and Farmers market held on the last Saturday of the month. The makers and farmers market has grown from just one stall when it was just a farmers’ market last year to twenty-five stalls at the last event in September. The consensus is positive, and the event continues to grow. 
e.    The autumn days Community coffee morning was held on the 25th of September to bring communities and community group together all under one roof. This was Cllr Staples initiative as the new community’s portfolio holder and was a huge success. Around seven hundred people came through the doors of the Stump. Cllr Staples is looking to enhance and improve the Parish Council liaison meetings too so that we can all work better together for the greater good. 

Thank you. 
Callum and John