2026 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of Old Leake Parish Council held on Wednesday 11th February 2026 at 7:00pm in The Community Centre.

Present: Cllrs David Dickason, Tom Ashton, Neil Booley, Guy Bull, Matt Harrison, Paul Skinner and Sam Wild.

Also Present: Borough Cllr C Butler, County Cllr A Arundell, Community member Walter Seekamp and Parish Clerk Rebecca Herberts. 

Public Forum

There were 2 members of the public present.

Statements or questions raised were:

1. The pathway between Church Road and School Lane, between the Church and The Giles, was reported to be in a poor condition due to dog fouling.

7:03pm - The Public Forum was closed and the Parish Council meeting commenced.

1/2/26 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence.

Borough Cllr J Baxter sent apologies.

2/2/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:

1. Borough Councillors - A written report was received and is appended to the minutes.
2. County Councillor
   1. Confirmed support of the pedestrian crossing survey for Old Leake.
   2. Reported that the bus stop that had been discussed with a resident in Old Leake Commonside did not meet criteria at this time. Alternatively, the speed limit on the road would be assessed to try and push the reduced speed limit to cover the area of where the school children wait for the bus.

3/2/26 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations.

There were no declarations of interest.

4/2/26 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10 December 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes.

It was resolved that the previously circulated minutes be signed as the official minutes.

5/2/26 Clerk’s Report

1. Borough Councillor Butler had asked if the Parish Council would support his request for a bin in the area of Green Lane, Chapel Road. Close to the footpath. It was resolved the Parish Council would support this and the Clerk would submit a request.
2. An email had been received requesting permission for three veterans to undertake a one-night sleep out beside the War Memorial to raise money for veterans who are homeless or sleeping rough. The Clerk will speak with the PCC; however, the Parish Council raised no objections.
3. Borough Councillor C Butler had provided the Parish Council with a donation of £2500.00; he would like to see this money spent on early years play equipment.

6/2/26 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates

The Chair formally recorded his thanks to Borough Councillor C Butler for the very generous donation and confirmed that this would be used towards new play equipment.

7/2/26 To consider applicants for co-option onto the Parish Council

No new applications.

8/2/26 Financial matters:

1. To authorise payments:

It was resolved to authorise the following payments for February.

2. To report bank balances

Balances in the bank were reported as of 31/01/26. Bank reconciliation and budget review were circulated prior to the meeting.

3. To receive an update on the bank mandate and online banking

The Council resolved that the Clerk may process payments by online bank transfer. The Council noted that this arrangement deviates from the current Financial Regulations regarding the authorisation of payments. This is a temporary measure whilst dual authorisation arrangements are being finalised with NatWest. A schedule of payments will be prepared by the Clerk and presented to the Council.

9/2/26 To note CCTV updates and image requests

Requests had been received following damages to the football shelters and inside the Community Centre building.

10/2/26 To receive a report from the Recreational Area Working Group, resolve actions and expenditure for issues raised:

1. Washdyke

The Clerk reported that a payment of £453.67 had been made to E. On for the electricity usage at Washdyke lane. This was the value of the usage and standing charges for 2025.

2. Furlongs

Weeds had been reported under one of the slides. The equipment requires a clean. The weeds would be removed, and the equipment would be a job that the General Maintenance Contractor carries out.

3. Enos Wood

Enos Wood is currently on a lease from The Woodland Trust. This lease is a 25-year lease and expires in December 2039.

11/2/26 Highways Matters:

1. Receive issues requiring maintenance/repair

Lade Bank was reported again as a serious concern. The Clerk would contact LCC highways.

2. To receive reactive speed sign data

It was resolved to purchase a shared cable with Wrangle Parish Council and to split the cost of the cable which was £216.00. Old Leake Parish Council will be required to pay £108.00.

3. To discuss setting up a Community Speed Watch scheme

The Clerk reported that an email had been sent to the Community Speed Watch team to begin the process and seek guidance on next steps. It was suggested that the scheme could also be advertised in the Old Leake News to gauge local interest.

4. Cowbroads Lane

The Clerk reported that correspondence had been received from a resident regarding increased traffic using Cowbroads Lane, particularly larger vehicles, and concerns about damage to the verge and road safety following the closure of The Gride. The correspondence also referred to a recent incident where a vehicle had entered the dyke.

Members noted the concerns raised and that the correspondence had been circulated and read out at the meeting.

A response received from Lincolnshire County Council Highways was also reported. This confirmed that the works in the area relate to Anglian Water and that the County Council had inspected the location. It was noted that some drivers may choose to use alternative routes rather than the signed diversion. Lincolnshire County Council advised that options for additional signage are being discussed with Anglian Water, including signage indicating that the road is not suitable for diverted traffic.

Residents affected were advised by Lincolnshire County Council to contact Anglian Water directly to raise concerns regarding the works.

7:55pm – One member of the public left the meeting.

12/2/26 To note an update regarding the young people’s service provided by OLPC

The Clerk reported that an application had been submitted to the Boston Borough Councillors’ Grant Scheme and that the Parish Council had been awarded £509.98. This funding will enable the Parish Council to purchase a table tennis table, along with bats and balls. The Clerk will place the order.

The table will be stored at the Community Centre and will be used as part of the young people’s service. It will also be made available for hire as part of Community Centre bookings.

It was reported that the junior sessions continue to be successful. However, nine attendees of the senior sessions had to be excluded due to damage caused at the Community Centre. The YMCA has issued letters to those involved. Cllr Neil Booley will continue to attend the sessions.

The senior session will be reviewed by the Parish Council later in 2026 as part of the scheduled review with the YMCA.

13/2/26 To note an update regarding Old Main Road MUGA

On hold until April – Included the legal fees in the 26/27 budget.

14/2/26 To note the advertisement for the General Maintenance Contractor and agree next steps

It was proposed that this item would be moved to the final agenda item and considered within a confidential session due to its contractual nature.

It was resolved to move this item to the last item on the agenda and to enter confidential session when it is considered.

15/2/26 To discuss a proposed Skateboard Park

Cllr Neil Booley outlined an initial proposal for a skateboard park and sports area, with a view to locating the facility at the Community Centre. It was suggested that the sports area could be enclosed with fencing and gates and potentially hired out during the day or evening.

Members discussed the proposal and RESOLVED that an initial quotation be obtained for consideration.

It was noted that the working group previously established to consider the skateboard park would be reconvened to review the proposal and any quotation received.

The proposal will also be discussed as part of the forthcoming youth engagement activities.

Should the project progress, potential grant funding opportunities will be explored to support the costs involved.

16/2/26 To consider installing a shelter at the play area on Furlongs Lane

Different forms of material for the shelter were discussed with concerns over vandalism and graffiti. Cllr Neil Booley would obtain a quote.

17/2/26 To discuss the mosaic in the bus shelter on Church Road

The Boston School of Mosaic would be contacted to see if they were still willing and able to make the necessary repair. As they had raised concerns previously over the size of the project. The idea of a smaller version would be discussed with them if these concerns were still raised.

18/2/26 To discuss storage options for Council records and paperwork

This continues to be an ongoing project.

19/2/26 To discuss setting up gov.uk email addresses

As part of the AGAR for this year Assertion 10 is new and it says all council business should be done using official council email accounts, not personal emails. This helps protect both the council and us as individuals.

The Clerk would address issues raised by 3 councillors.

20/2/26 To receive an update regarding the noticeboard at The Butchers Arms

Noticeboard has been delivered. The installation would be arranged.  

21/2/26 To discuss the Parish Council’s involvement in the Community Centre’s proposed Youth Disco and Engagement Event

This event will be held on Thursday 2nd April in the evening. The YMCA would be asked to attend, and the evening would run similar to a Youth Club evening, with regards to two sessions.

22/2/26 Purchase of lamp post poppies and consideration of sponsored cards.

The sponsored card idea would be investigated further.

23/2/26 Internal Audit:

1. To consider and resolve the appointment of LALC as Internal Auditor

It was resolved to appoint LALC as the Internal Auditor.

2. To agree the term of appointment, including whether to enter into a two-year agreement to secure pricing

It was resolved to enter into a two-year agreement to secure pricing.

24/2/26 To consider the LALC annual subscription and the LALC annual training scheme

It was resolved to pay the LALC annual subscription of £510.16. It was resolved to pay the LALC annual training scheme of £204.00.

25/2/26 To consider and resolve the adoption and use of Scribe accounting software for the Council’s financial management from 1 April 2026

Members considered adopting Scribe accounting software for the Council’s financial management from 1 April 2026, at a cost of £299 initial payment and £37 per month thereafter.

It was resolved to adopt Scribe accounting software from 1 April 2026.

26/2/26 To review and approve the insertion of statutory monetary values in Standing Orders (Items 15b(ii), 15b(xv) and 18a(v)) and to adopt the amended Standing Orders

It was resolved to adopt the amended Standing Orders.

27/2/26 To review and approve the insertion of agreed monetary values in Financial Regulations (Sections 5 and 6), remove bracketed model wording, and adopt the amended Financial Regulations

It was resolved to adopt the amended Financial Regulations.

28/2/26 To consider the council’s statutory re-enrolment obligations under automatic enrolment legislation, the appointment of a pension scheme provider, and the payroll provider’s quoted one-off re-enrolment administration fee of £150 + VAT.

It was resolved to pay £150.00 + VAT to Haines Watts. This would ensure the re-enrolment was covered and that the Clerks pension would be set up with Nest.

29/2/26 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at www.mybostonuk.com)

There were no planning applications for this meeting.

30/2/26 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council

There were no planning decisions for this meeting.

31/2/26 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda

1. The Clerk reported that correspondence had been received from a resident regarding the precept, street lighting and other council matters. The correspondence was circulated to members and read in full. Councillors noted the contents and agreed that a brief response should be issued by the Clerk confirming that the matters raised had been considered and are addressed through the Council’s budget-setting process and published minutes.
2. A resident had contacted Cllr Sam Wild regarding the bridge being removed from the footpath on Fellands Gate making the path inaccessible. Borough Cllr Butler would investigate this and report back with an update.

32/2/26 Matters for next agenda

There were no matters for the next agenda.

33/2/26 Date of next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 11 March 2026.

Confidential Session – Item 14/2/26 General Maintenance Contractor

In accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the Council resolved to exclude the press and public due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed.

The Clerk and Chair reported that interviews had been conducted with two candidates for the position of General Maintenance Contractor. Members considered the information presented and discussed the candidates in detail.

It was resolved to appoint Stephen Bilbie as the Council’s General Maintenance Contractor.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9:01pm.

Old Leake Parish council update, February 2026

We continue to chase, with our planning enforcement officer, the police, so that both parties can attend the caravan site at Hobhole Bank.

Off the back of a solo litter pick, Anglian water got in touch for us to do a joint litter pick on the gride while the road is shut. We have collected thirty-five bags of rubbish from around a 400-meter section. Other works undertaken to improve the community include clearing footpaths, tidying up the roadside in Tilia Grove, and tidying up the footpath to the Drs Surgery from Church Road.

Thanks to our County Cllr and residents for getting the grit bin on Chapel Road refilled. I know Alistair, and ourselves have asked for more to be done on this bend. The county officers came back to say that it does not meet requirements for more intervention.

John and I donated the village Christmas trees to Old Leake Primary Academy, the trees will hopefully teach the kids about tree care and planting etc.

As always, we continue to deal with personal issues and report problems on fix my street.

We have asked that the enforcement officers pay a visit to the village to assist in the reduction of dog fouling within the parish. It seems to have increased again in the park.

We have both allocated most of our Councilor grant money for 2026. The money has gone to Wrangle Bowls club, Wrangle Primary Academy and Old Leake Parish Council. We have £120.86 left if there is a project that the Parish council would like funding towards, then please get in touch and complete the application before the end of this month.

At a Borough level

At full council, it was agreed to reduce the amount people can claim in council tax support from 100% to 90% for lone parents, 80% for couples with children, and 75% for other households.

A new music event in Central Park is due to be held on Sunday August  2nd. B Fest will hopefully be a small first step towards bringing back a larger Party in the park type event. This is something the public have been wanting for several years. The funding for this event was agreed by BTAC.

The Borough Councils Garden waste collection service has been amended to create a 12-month service. The service will run monthly through the winter and fortnightly through the spring/ Summer/ Autumn providing twenty-one collections a year. The cost of the service is now £55 for the first bin and £40 for any additional bins. This change in collection is off the back of comments from the public.

Many thanks

Borough Councillor Butler.