December 2025 Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of Market Deeping Town Council
Held on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at 7.30pm
At the Town Hall, Market Deeping
Present: Cllr Broughton (Chairman) Cllr Mrs Jones
Cllr Dr Byrd Cllr Mrs Steel
Cllr Ms Reed Cllr Neilson
Cllr Guerge Cllr Hughes
Cllr Hanson (arrived later)
The Clerk and the Deputy clerk was in attendance.
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the public session at 7.30pm.
The Mayor welcomed representatives from the Citizens Advice Bureau who outlined the support that the CAB had offered to the community in the Deeping area. Since its implementation 82% of appointments have been face to face and to date there has been £159,907 of financial outcomes for clients. Six to eight appointments are available Wednesday mornings and 2 longer appointments are available in the afternoon. Each local CAB operates separately and are an independent charity. The Deepings CAB are funded equally by Market Deeping Town Council and Deeping St James Parish Council and are requesting funding for 2026/27 based on a 44-week service being the preferred option as opposed to a 52-week service.
The Mayor thanked the representatives for attending the meeting and informed that a decision will be considered later on in the meeting.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to open the meeting at 7.40pm.
119. Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions
The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting.
120. To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence
Apologies of absence were received and accepted from Cllr Wey, Cllr Mrs Sked and Cllr Hanson prior to the meeting.
121. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
122. Acceptance of the minutes of a meeting held on 12 November 2025
Cllr Broughton asked members if they were to accept the minutes of the meeting of 12 November 2025 and it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the notes of the meetings as a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
123. Reports: Including reports from Committees: Planning and Highways, Deepings Neighbourhood plan, Mayor’s diary and the Clerk’s report.
SKDC Cllr Dr Byrd reported that the Deepings Ranger funding request of £200k for a new 4G astro pitch had been considered by Cabinet and will be discussed at SKDC’s Full Council meeting in January 2026.
Planning & Highways
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that members of the public had attended the November meeting to raise their concerns regarding the increasing number of barbers in Market Deeping. Cllr Byrd informed that if a premises is already a shop then there is no remit to challenge the change of use unless a license is required ie to sell alcohol. Concern had been raised about the door width of a local shop for disability. Cllr Byrd informed members that she was waiting to hear back if the boarding on the former Factory Shop could be improved.
Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP)
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that Cllr Mrs Jones has resigned from the DNP and would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank her for her support and hard work on the group.
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that MDTC’s representative on the group is very light and invited members to consider joining to contact her who will provide further details.
Amenities and Open Spaces
Cllr Broughton informed that 3 parks had received some new play equipment and was successfully installed this week. Each park now has a mother and baby swing.
Finance and Personnel
The committee have been precept planning and reviewed bank signatories.
Mayor attended the following:
Remembrance Parade and service, St Guthlac’s Church 9 November 2025
Bourne Civic Charity Dinner Corn Exchange Friday 14 November 2025
Closing of the Remembrance Gardens, Riverside Park 16 November 2025
St Barnabus coffee morning, Community Centre, Monday 17 November 2025
Market Deeping Christmas Fayre, Market Place, Market Deeping Sunday 30th November 2025
Joan Wake Christmas dinner Saturday 6th December 2025
Deputy Mayor attended the following:
Bourne Civic Charity Dinner Corn Exchange Friday 14 November 2025
Market Deeping Christmas Fayre, Market Place, Market Deeping Sunday 30th November 2025.
Clerk’s Report – 10th December 2025
Christmas Fayre – 30th November 2025. A successful and happy day was held which everyone enjoyed.
New swings and a springy have been installed at Cherry Tree Park and Charter Avenue. The old swings have been removed from Cherry Tree Park.
Repairs to the surfacing and a new springy (to replace the teacup) has been installed at John Eve Park.
There has been an offer received from a resident to replace the lights around the tree on the roundabout with lights that match the others in Town i.e. white and gold rather than blue and white.
Planning permission for the clock has been received. The clock makers are making their first site visit in January.
A compensation payment of £1,560 has been received in respect of damage to the Town clock.
124. Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon
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Correspondence to be Noted – Received up to 10 December 2025 |
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No. |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
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1. |
Deeping Gate PC |
16.11.25 |
Question re action regarding proposed development |
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that she had attended a meeting with representatives from DSJPC and Deeping Gate PC. The meeting was positive and Deeping Gate PC were keen to build a relationship with both MDTC/DSJPC. Deeping Gate PC were open to the possibility of a boundary change and would explore this further. |
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7.55 |
Cllr Hanson joined the meeting
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2. |
Lincolnshire Resilience Forum |
18.11.25 |
Q4 newsletter |
Noted. |
|
3. |
SKDC |
17.11.25 |
Draft Design Code |
Noted. |
|
4. |
St Guthlac’s church |
17.11.25 |
Bereavement café starts 4.12.25 |
Noted. |
|
5. |
Peg Torrance |
2.12.25 |
Letter re Urgent Treatment Centre |
Noted. |
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Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 10 December 2025 |
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No. |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
|
1. |
There was no correspondence to be acted upon. |
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125. Council Finances
a) For members to receive and accept income and expenditure by cost centre
Members had received a copy of the Council Finances and Omega report prior to the meeting. Cllr Broughton asked if there were any questions. There were none.
b) For members to review and accept accounts to be paid for December 2025
It was RESOLVED that the council pay its bills for December 2025. See appendix A.
c) For members to review and accept Council Finances to 30.11.25
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
d) For members to review and accept the internal auditor’s report for October 2025
Members accepted the report. Cllr Jones noted that “Really good records held providing a good audit trail” and thanked the Clerks for all their hard work.
126. For members to ratify the grass cutting contract 2026/7
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the grass cutting contract for 2026/27.
127. For members to consider becoming a horse friendly council (JR)
Cllr Ms Reed informed members about Henry the Horse Project which has been established to teach children and adults about safety around horses. Cllr Ms Reed would like the council to consider engaging with the Deeping Schools inviting them to take part in the project. It was RESOLVED unanimously to explore the initiative further.
128. For members to discuss the Christmas Fayre 2026 and feedback re 2025 (JR)
The Mayor informed members that there was a lovely full-page article in the Stamford Mercury about the Christmas Fayre. The Mayor thanked the Clerks and park keepers for all their hard work prior to the event and on the day. Thanks to all Councillors who did a splendid job on the day.
Cllr Ms Reed reported that the tombola had raised £448 for the Mayor’s Charity and would like to thank Cllr Mrs Sked and Cllr Guerge for their support on the day.
The Barrel Train raised £163.25 and the raffle raised £688.06 for the Mayor’s Charity
Thanks to Cllr Neilson for hosting the Council Chamber which was popular due to the free face painting and reindeer crafting.
It was reported that traders did well and feedback had been positive.
The entertainment provided throughout the day was well received and successful. Keith Dalton, the compere did an excellent job.
The children’s wands that were distributed at the light switch were well received by all.
Cllr Ms Reed requested a working group should be implemented to assist with the organization of next year’s Christmas Fayre. It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting in January 2026.
129. For members to consider 2026/207 Precept request from CAB
It was RESOLVED unanimously to pay £5,433.16 for a 44-week service with an option to increase it to a 52-week service costing £6363.17 if CAB are able secure staff for the extra weeks.
130. For members to consider arrangement for forthcoming events:
Carols around the Christmas Tree will be held on Thursday 18 December at 6.30pm.
131. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the public session
This was agreed at point 129 above.
132. Personnel Matters: Consideration to go into Closed Session to discuss: Staff Issues
It was RESOLVED unanimously to go into Closed Session at 8.15pm.
A matter regarding a funding request was discussed.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to come out of Closed Session at 8.30pm.
133. To consider items for inclusion on the agenda for next meeting of the Town Council, to be held at The Town Hall, Market Deeping on 14 January 2025.
• Christmas Working Group
The Chairman wished all members a Merry Christmas and closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
Chairman’s signature........................................
Date..................................................................
Attachments: Appendix A