2026 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of Old Leake Parish Council held on Tuesday 30th June 2026 at 7:00pm in The Community Centre.

Present: Cllrs David Dickason, Neil Booley, Lisa Kay and Sam Wild.  

Absent with apologies: Cllrs Tom Ashton, Guy Bull, Stephen Seymour and Paul Skinner.

Also Present: Community member Walter Seekamp, Boston Borough Cllr John Baxter, County Cllr Alistair Arundell and Parish Clerk Rebecca Herberts.

Public Forum

There was one member of the public present.

The following matters were raised:

• A resident asked whether the bin located next to the bus shelter on Church Road could be emptied more frequently, as it was regularly full by the weekend.

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

1/7/26 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence

Resolved: To accept and approve the reasons for absence from Cllrs Tom Ashton, Guy Bull, Stephen Seymour and Paul Skinner.

Received: Apologies from Borough Cllr Butler.  

2/7/26 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 – A written report was received and is appended to the minutes.

3/7/26 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations

No declarations of interest were received.

4/7/26 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 03 June 2026 to be approved and signed as the minutes

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 03 June 2026 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

5/7/26 Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported the following:

1. Review of Councillors’ Register of Interests 

Councillors were reminded to review and update their Register of Interests forms as required by Boston Borough Council.

Action: Councillors to complete and return any required updates as soon as possible.

2. The LALC Summer Conference would be held at the Lincolnshire Showground on 14 July 2026 from 9:30am to 4:00pm at a cost of £45 per delegate. Councillors were invited to confirm whether they wished to attend.
3. Residents had raised concerns regarding the condition of the dyke between Giles Academy and the Church, which was reported to be overgrown. Concerns were also raised regarding the field owned by Giles Academy behind Pode Lane, which was also reported to be overgrown.

Resolved: That the Parish Council contact Giles Academy to establish when maintenance of these areas is planned.

6/7/26 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates

The Chair formally recorded the sad news of the passing of Frank Pickett.

Flowers had been sent to Sandra Pickett on behalf of Old Leake and Wrangle Parish Councils.

The Parish Council's thoughts and condolences were expressed to Sandra and the family at this sad time.

7/7/26 Reports/Updates

1. General Maintenance Contractor Report

The contractor's report had been circulated to councillors.

The following works and matters were reported:

• Damage to play equipment at Washdyke Park had been identified and reported.
• Graffiti on play equipment at the Community Centre had been reported.
• The parish sign on Station Road had been cleaned.
• Enos Wood had been maintained, including clearing overgrown bushes and weeds from the entrance.
• Grass areas within Enos Wood had been regularly cut and the pathway maintained to ensure it remained accessible.
• No further damage to parish assets had been identified.
• Parish signage and benches had been power washed due to dust from agricultural activity in the surrounding fields.

8/7/26 Financial Matters:

1. To authorise payments and note any income received since the last meeting

The accounts for payment for July were checked against the invoices to the list, confirmed as correct and signed by Cllrs Dickason and Booley.

Resolved: To authorise the July payments as presented.

No income had been received since the previous meeting.

2. To authorise payments for August 2026

There would be no Parish Council meeting in August.

Resolved: To grant the Clerk delegated authority to make payments in August 2026.

3. To receive and approve bank reconciliation and up to date budget figures to the end of June 2026

The bank reconciliation and budget monitoring information would be circulated to councillors following the end of the month and considered for approval at the September meeting.

4. To discuss moving from NatWest to Lloyds and reviewing the bank mandate

Ongoing discussions regarding the proposed transfer of the Parish Council's banking arrangements from NatWest to Lloyds were noted.

9/7/26 To note CCTV updates and image requests

No new CCTV requests were received.

10/7/26 To receive a report from the Recreational Area Working Group, resolve actions and expenditure for issues raised:

1. Washdyke: The closure of the gates required review and damage to equipment needed to be assessed.

1. The review and potential updating of the CCTV system remained ongoing.

2. Furlongs: Cllr Skinner continued to source the parts required to repair the Witches Hat.
3. Enos Wood: No issues were reported.

11/7/26 Highways Matters:

1. Receive issues requiring maintenance/repair

Highways matters were covered as part of the County Councillor's report.

2. To receive reactive speed sign data

This matter remained ongoing.

3. To discuss setting up a Community Speed Watch scheme

The Council continued to consider establishing a Community Speed Watch scheme.

Action: Volunteers to be recruited, with publicity to be included in the parish magazine and at local shows.

12/7/26 To note an update regarding the young people’s service provided by OLPC

No updates were reported.

8:10pm – County Cllr Alistair Arundell left the meeting

13/7/26 To note an update regarding Old Main Road MUGA

No further update had been received. The matter had been chased and remained ongoing.

14/7/26 To discuss a proposed Skateboard Park and Shelter at Furlongs Lane

Cllr Booley provided an update regarding the valuation and would chase the valuer for a further update.

An informal meeting had taken place with the Community Centre Committee regarding the proposed skateboard park and MUGA. No decisions had been made at that meeting. General feedback was that the skateboard park may not be appropriate, with concerns raised regarding potential increases in anti-social behaviour and whether an additional MUGA was required in the village.

The Clerk had met with Wicksteed to discuss possible improvements to the area, including:

a teen shelter in the grassed area;

pre-school equipment linked with other available funding;

removal of dated equipment;

improvements to the existing toddler equipment, including new panels; and

the possibility of creating a small bike track using soil removed during the works. Wicksteed would be able to assist with the proposed bike track.

It was noted that quotations would also be sought from additional companies.

Resolved: Not to pursue the proposed skateboard park at Furlongs Lane.

15/7/26 To receive an update on the mosaic in the bus shelter on Church Road

The Council was still awaiting quotations.

16/7/26 To discuss storage options for Council records and paperwork

The Council discussed the storage of Parish Council records and paperwork.

It was agreed that the Parish Council cupboard at the Community Centre should be sorted and reorganised and that the existing filing cabinets should be utilised more effectively.

Resolved: To authorise the Clerk to order suitable fireproof storage for Council records held in the Clerk's home office, including the Parish Council minute books.

17/7/26 To discuss the Parish Council’s involvement in the Community Centre’s proposed Youth Disco and Engagement Event

The Council discussed potential involvement in the proposed youth event.

It was suggested that Wrangle Youth Club should also be included and that the YMCA should be contacted regarding the possibility of arranging a silent disco.

Advertising arrangements were to be confirmed.

Action: Contact the YMCA regarding a possible silent disco and confirm advertising arrangements.

18/7/26 To discuss lamp post poppies and sponsored cards.

The project remained ongoing.

An advertisement had been requested for inclusion in the Old Leake News.

Action: Contact Lincolnshire County Council to obtain permission to attach poppies to additional village lamp posts, including selected lamp posts on the A52.

19/7/26 To discuss the Old Leake Summer Fete and the Council’s attendance

A noticeboard had been ordered in preparation.

20/7/26 Internal Audit:

1. To review the internal auditor’s report

The Internal Auditor’s report for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 had been circulated prior to the meeting.

2. To resolve to accept the Internal Auditors report for 01/04/25 to 31/03/26.

Resolved: To accept the Internal Auditor’s report.

3. To review the corrective action plan

The Clerk advised that a corrective action plan had been prepared and implementation was underway.
Resolved: That the matter remain on the agenda until all actions had been completed. 

21/7/26 Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2025/26

1. To approve Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 and for this to be signed by the Chair and Clerk

Resolved: To approve Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2025/26.
The Council reviewed the assertions contained within the statement and the document was signed by the Chair and Clerk.

2. To approve Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2025/26 and for this to be signed by the Chair (already approved and signed by the RFO) 

Resolved: To approve Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2025/26, previously signed by the Responsible Financial Officer, and for the Chair to sign the statements on behalf of the Council.
Resolved: To approve the restated figures for the previous financial year. It was noted that “All Other Payments” on the previous year’s Accounting Statements had both been understated by £12.00.

3. To note the dates for the period for the exercise of public rights, as set by the RFO

Resolved: To approve the period for the exercise of public rights from Wednesday 1st July 2026 to Tuesday 11th August 2026.

22/7/26 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at https://www.boston.gov.uk/planning)

No planning applications had been received for consideration.

23/7/26 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council

24/7/26 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda

No correspondence was received that was not already covered elsewhere on the agenda.

25/7/26 Matters for next agenda

There were no additional matters for the next agenda.

26/7/26 Date of next meeting

The next meeting of Wrangle Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 at 7:00pm.

8:57pm - The meeting closed.

Old Leake Parish Council, Borough Councillor - Monthly Update, July

Delighted to report that Old Leake is included in a funding bid by Active Lincs. We gave lots of info to them which hopefully influenced this decision. Now awaiting full details. Have copied info we requested to the Parish Clerk.

At cabinet report going through to continue with PSPO for dog owners

Callum has been busy around the village cutting grass, trimming bushes and clearing dykes.

We hope the Old Leake summer fete goes well, and it is a sunny day.

We have arranged that Lincs Digital are coming to the Hub. We have linked this in with the Medical Centre PPG.

We attended a meeting with the Chief Inspector and flagged up policing matters in the village. Have arranged another meeting with various parties/PCSO/CSO in July

Following residents comments we have reported overhanging bushes and long verges on fix my street. Promoted this on our social media and comments were that at this time of year rules about not interfering with nature etc

We have attended a briefing with LHP and continue to deal with several issues from tenants in the village.

New Waste arrangements. The waste team and we attended a talk at the Hub which went down well. We have arranged visits to Wrangle Parish Hall coffee morning and our local shows.

Pride in Place Linked Funds-Now made public and we strongly recommend the parish council, and local organisations submit a bid. We have circulated lots of information to all local groups.

Fix my streets reports outstanding-Many say put the work out to gangs but no action yet. Flagged this up to Cllr Arundell and also a post on our social media site. We have asked him to look at comments on social media and ask if Highways can get a list of such cases as he asked us to list them all which would mean trawling the whole of our villages on the fix my street map.

Anglian Water Diversion-We have constantly posted on social media updates about the diversions

Unsightly buildings-We have flagged these up to our Planning Enforcement Officer.

LGR talk. Arranging a talk at the Hub.

Events coming up. Boston’s Strongest Man…B Festival-tickets selling quickly. Please look on Boston Borough Council site for full details.

We continue to send information on to the Parish Council as and when we receive it or hear about it-to the Parish Council.

The volume of ward cases referred to us continues and we action them all. Approx 10 a week between both of us.

We were sorry to hear that Frank has passed away and send our condolences to his family and friends.

Callum and John

Old Leake Parish Council, County Councillor – July Update

I’ve had a few complaints recently from properties near to Fold Hill Foods regarding speeding vehicles and HGVs. I have spoken to the Highways Technical Design team, requesting an assessment into the speed limits etc. I have, this afternoon, however, received a response that because it doesn’t meet the criteria for accident rates nor density of development, the request sadly will not be progressed further.

John and Callum have both been working tirelessly recently in an attempt to get answers regarding FixMyStreet reports, and I fully understand everyone’s frustration about this. I have spoken to Highways who have said there are no inaccuracies with the system, however I have collated a list of reports and have requested feedback on these.

I also have some updates regarding roads.

• Kindle Lane has been deemed not fit for the level of traffic using it at times, therefore an officer has been instructed to inspect and make any necessary repairs.

• Multiple repairs have been made to Church Road, and we will continue to do so to keep making it safe. This location has been identified for a larger scale improvement scheme, however there are no dates of confirmed commitment by the council at the minute.

• An officer has been instructed to investigate and take any action necessary regarding the overgrown hedges, bushes and trees on the Church Road exit onto the A52.

• Again, an officer has been instructed to investigate and take any action necessary regarding the hedges between Bakkavor and Howsam’s Mill.

Some of you will know that Old Leake Medical Centre have asked to have the Keep Clear makings outside the practice reinstated. My colleagues have said that the council never added these original markings, therefore would not permit to reinstating them. I have requested this be overruled and for a consideration to be made in the interests of safety. One of the comments was that there would be difficulty enforcing with traffic wardens, however as Lisa has mentioned to me, Keep Clear markings would at least be a deterrent, hopefully.

There have been some posts on social media recently regarding confusing road signs, at one location in Old Leake having 3 different diverted traffic signs at the same junction, all pointing in different directions. When a diversion is implemented, consideration is always given to the diversions required. On this occasion, one project was unexpectedly extended which resulted in the original diverted traffic signs being out for longer, with a second set then put out prior to the first project being completed. A third set was then added for another project, although that contractor should have added symbols. This has been brought up with the Highways Project planning team who agree that this should not have happened and have spoken to all contractors to ensure this does not happen again.