2026 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of Old Leake Parish Council held on Wednesday 3rd June 2026 at 7:00pm in The Community Centre.

Present: Cllrs Tom Ashton, Neil Booley, Guy Bull, Stephen Seymour, Paul Skinner and Lisa Kay.
Also Present: Community member Walter Seekamp and Parish Clerk Rebecca Herberts. 

Public Forum
There was one member of the public present. 
A resident raised concerns regarding the dyke running alongside the footpath between Giles Academy and the Church, noting that it is heavily overgrown and beginning to cause access issues. It was reported that residents had undertaken some clearance work themselves.
The Parish Council thanked those who had assisted with clearing the area. It was noted that responsibility for maintenance of this dyke rests with Giles Academy, and the Clerk would contact the school to raise the matter.

7:04pm - The Public Forum was closed and the Parish Council meeting commenced.

1/6/26 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence 
Apologies and reason for absence were received from Cllr Dickason and Cllr Wild. 
Apologies were also received from Borough Cllrs J Baxter and C Butler. 
Resolved: To accept the reasons for absence from Cllr Dickason, Cllr Wild and Borough Councillors J Baxter and C Butler. 

2/6/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a.    Borough Councillors - A written report was received and is appended to the minutes.
b.    County Councillor - No report received.

3/6/26 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations 
No declarations of interest were received.

4/6/26 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 06 May 2026 to be approved and signed as the minutes 
Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 06 May 2026 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

5/6/26 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk reported the following:
a.    The Parish Liaison Meeting will be held on Tuesday 16th June at 7:00pm. Councillors were asked to confirm attendance so the Clerk can circulate details. 
b.    The LALC Summer Conference will be held at the Lincolnshire Showground on 14th July from 9:30am to 4:00pm at a cost of £45 per delegate. Councillors were asked to confirm if they would like to attend. 
c.    Cllr Matt Harrison has resigned due to a change in personal circumstances. It was resolved that a letter of thanks would be sent acknowledging his service.

6/6/26 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates 
The Chair had nothing to report. 

7/6/26 Reports/Updates
a.    General Maintenance Contractor 
The General Maintenance Contractor reported that graffiti on play equipment at Furlongs Lane Community Centre has been identified and is in the process of being removed. Due to the volume of graffiti, removal work is ongoing.
The village sign and benches continue to be regularly jet washed and strimmed where necessary. Enos Wood is being inspected and maintained, with the village sign cleaned weekly.
Washdyke Park signage and bins are also being cleaned regularly. A rotten wooden post from former play equipment has been identified and will be cut down and removed shortly.

8/6/26 Financial Matters:
a.    To authorise payments and note any income received since the last meeting
The accounts for payment for June were checked against the invoices to the list, confirmed as correct and signed by Cllrs Ashton and Bull. It was resolved to authorise the payments. 
Details of Payment    Amount ex VAT    Vat Reclaimable    VAT not reclaimable    Total Expenditure
Microsoft 365     £8.60    £1.72    £0.00    £10.32
Salaries/HMRC Tax & NI    £1376.81    £0.00    £0.00    £1376.81
Broadband Allowance    £22.00    £0.00    £0.00    £22.00
Payroll Services    £23.75    £4.75    £0.00    £28.50
Youth Club Hall Hire    £220.52    £0.00    £0.00    £220.52
Meeting Room Hire    £31.50    £0.00    £0.00    £31.50
General Maintenance Contractor    £208.00    £0.00    £0.00    £208.00
Litter Picker    £150.00    £0.00    £0.00    £150.00
Scribe Accounts Subscription    £37.00    £7.40    £0.00    £44.40
Community Centre Broadband    £73.08    £14.62    £0.00    £87.70
Drainage Rates    £176.46    £0.00    £0.00    £176.46
Totals    £2327.72    £28.49    £0.00    £2356.21

Income received in April and May was noted as follows:
a.    £13,573.17 VAT reclaim (years 2022/23–2025/26) 
b.    £60.00 donation towards Poppy Sponsorship (£52.00 bank transfer, £8.00 cash) 
c.    Interest received: £0.91 (April) and £0.88 (May) – Business Reserve 1 
d.    Interest received: £0.44 (April) and £0.43 (May) – Business Reserve 2
b.    To receive and approve bank reconciliation and up to date budget figures to the end of April 2026 and May 2026
The Clerk had circulated the up-to-date budget figures for the current financial year along with the bank reconciliation to the Councillors prior to the meeting. 
Resolved: To accept the budget figures and bank reconciliation figures for April and May 2026.
The balances of the bank accounts as of 30 April 2026 were confirmed as £69,541.11 in the Current Account, £1,307.07 in the Business Reserve 1 account and £631.49 in the Business Reserve 2 account. 
The balances of the bank accounts as of 31 May 2026 were confirmed as £79,785.83 in the Current Account, £1,307.95 in the Business Reserve 1 account and £631.92 in the Business Reserve 2 account. 
c.    To discuss moving from NatWest to Lloyds and reviewing the bank mandate
Ongoing discussions regarding the transfer from NatWest to Lloyds were noted.

9/6/26 To note CCTV updates and image requests 
No new CCTV requests were received.

10/6/26 To receive a report from the Recreational Area Working Group, resolve actions and expenditure for issues raised:
a.    Washdyke: Gate closures required replacing, it had been resolved at a previous meeting that these could be ordered and replaced. 
i.    To discuss updating the CCTV system – This remains ongoing.
b.    Furlongs: Cllr Skinner is sourcing parts required to repair the Witches Hat.
c.    Enos Wood: No issues were reported. 

11/6/26 Highways Matters: 
a.    Receive issues requiring maintenance/repair 
Southfields road condition and verges was raised due to increased traffic during the Gride road closures. 
b.    To receive reactive speed sign data 
Awaiting cable delivery, Clerk will continue to chase. Signs to be charged and put back into position.  
c.    To discuss setting up a Community Speed Watch scheme 
Ongoing; volunteers to be recruited. 
d.    Cowbroads Lane 
It was resolved that Cowbroads Lane be removed as a separate agenda item. Any future matters arising in relation to Cowbroads Lane will be dealt with under the general Highways Matters agenda item.

12/6/26 To note an update regarding the young people’s service provided by OLPC
No updates were reported.

13/6/26 To note an update regarding Old Main Road MUGA
LCC are finalising documentation regarding potential transfer of the asset to the Parish Council without legal costs. A request for a bin installation has been received; however, it was resolved that no action will be taken until transfer is complete.

14/6/26 To discuss a proposed Skateboard Park and Shelter at Furlongs Lane
A valuation of the Community Centre land is required for Land Registry purposes. 
Resolved: To allocate up to £500 for this valuation.
The Clerk will also investigate potential Pride in Place funding opportunities.

15/6/26 To receive an update on the mosaic in the bus shelter on Church Road 
Quotes will be sought from The Painting Lady. The bus shelter will be measured.

16/6/26 To discuss storage options for Council records and paperwork 
Ongoing. It was resolved that the Clerk may purchase fireproof storage for home office use for secure storage of essential electronic equipment. Filing cabinet quotes will also be obtained.

17/6/26 To discuss the Parish Council’s involvement in the Community Centre’s proposed Youth Disco and Engagement Event
The Clerk will seek advice from LALC regarding DBS requirements. Wrangle Youth Club will be invited to attend. Consideration is being given to a silent disco format using YMCA equipment.

18/6/26 To discuss lamp post poppies and sponsored cards.
Ongoing. Donation received from the Community Hub noted.

19/6/26 To discuss the Annual Parish Meeting
Resolved: To attend Old Leake Summer Fete and request an indoor table. 
Resolved: To share costs of a tabletop noticeboard with Wrangle Parish Council and to purchase councillor lanyards.  

20/6/26 Internal Audit:
a.    To review the internal auditor’s report 
b.    To resolve to accept the Internal Auditors report for 01/04/25 to 31/03/26. 
c.    To review the corrective action plan 

The Clerk reported that the internal audit had not been completed at the time of the meeting. This was due to the appointed internal auditor requiring additional time to complete their review, resulting in a delay of approximately 10 days.

21/6/26 Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2025/26
a.    To approve Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 and for this to be signed by the Chair and Clerk
b.    To approve Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2025/26 and for this to be signed by the Chair (already approved and signed by the RFO)  
c.    To note the dates for the period for the exercise of public rights, as set by the RFO

It was noted that, as a result of the Internal Audit delay, the Council was not in a position to formally approve Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) at this meeting. The Council acknowledged that the AGAR process cannot be finalised or submitted until the internal audit has been completed and the final report received.
The Clerk confirmed that all requested documentation had been provided to the internal auditor within the required timescales, and that the delay was outside the control of the Council.
It was further noted that an extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council will be required immediately upon receipt of the internal audit report in order to consider and approve the AGAR within the statutory deadline of 01 July 2026.
Resolved: That the delay in completion of the internal audit be noted, and that an extraordinary meeting of the Council be convened upon receipt of the internal audit report to enable completion and approval of the AGAR prior to submission.

22/6/26 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at https://www.boston.gov.uk/planning)
No planning applications. 

23/6/26 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council 
Application Number    Location    Development Description    Applicant Name    Decision    Decision Date
B/26/0123    Old Leake Caravan Park, Shaw Lane, Old Leake, Boston, PE22 9LQ    Application under s73 for the variation of Condition C2 (Approved Plans - Pitch Number Plan), Condition C3 (Agricultural Worker Caravan Limit), Condition C4 (Occupation Period) and Condition C5 (Occupation Register) of permission B/18/0136    Grosvenor Park Homes Limited    Withdrawn by applicant/agent    27/05/2026
B/26/0122    Old Leake Caravan Park, Shaw Lane, Old Leake, Boston, PE22 9LQ    Application under s73 for the variation of Condition C2 (Occupation period) and C3 (Occupation register) of permission B/14/0434    Grosvenor Park Homes Limited    Withdrawn by applicant/agent    27/05/2026

24/6/26 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda
No correspondence was received that was not already covered elsewhere on the agenda. 

25/6/26 Matters for next agenda
There were no additional matters for the next agenda. 

26/6/26 Date of next meeting
Wednesday 1st July 2026 at 7:00pm.

7:47pm - The meeting closed. 

Old Leake, Parish Council Monthly Update, June

We recently organized a meeting with Kym, our PCSO, James, one of the councils CSOs Becca from the Parish council and Clive Parrish the local locksmith. This was to discuss ongoing issues in the village. John attended on our behalf. These meetings, it has been agreed will be held Bimonthly while there continues to be an issue in the village. Recent problems include damage to the witches’ hat and problems with E scooters. 

We have built up a good relationship with LHP and liaise with their neighborhoods officer Suzanna. Recent issues we have dealt with include individual housing concerns and also the Meadows sheltered accommodation, which had no heating for nearly 10 weeks. 

We have sent over an email to the Clerk regarding concerns around the state of the flags within the village. I asked over half the residents on Church Road their thoughts and opinions with most saying they had enjoyed the flags, but they were looking tatty. Half of those asked wanted new flags, half did not. One of those that put them up contacted me to say they would take them down, which has now happened. They were planning to put up some new flags but this, so I understand it was stopped by a member of the community. This still continues to be a very divisive subject. We are pleased that the old flags have been removed though as they did look a mess in the end. 
Our thanks go to Becca the clerk for working so diligently with us. 

In the Borough, expressions of interest for Pride in Place impact funds have opened. We have passed all details onto Becca the clerk. This fund consists of 1.5 million pounds that can be bid for across the whole borough for projects. There is criteria to meet including high street rejuvenation, parks and open spaces and wayfinding. 

Work continues on the Rosegarth square scheme which has now partly opened. Other projects are also continuing including the refurbishment and expansion of the Geoff Moulder leisure Centre and the 5 lamps. 
The current PSPO for dog fouling is currently going through council with a view to extending it again for 3 years. This means that people can be issued fines for letting dogs into play areas, not picking up after their dog and also failing to have the means to pick up after their dogs. 

The council has just appointed its latest mayor. Johnathan Noble took over from Barrie Pierpoint at Mays Full council meeting. Barrie in his term raised £12,000 for his 5 different charities. 

There are several big events coming up in Boston over the next few months. Boston’s strongest and food fest on the 19th of July and B fest music event on the 2nd of August are the two biggest with smaller events planned over the summer in central park and the marketplace. The monthly makers market continues to grow and last month was also joined by the Boston Hanse festival. 

Finally, we can’t talk about events without mentioning Wrangle show which is due to be held on the 5th of July… let’s hope for a dry day. 

Thank you.
Callum & John