July 2025 Minutes
Present: Cllr Broughton (Chairman)
Cllr Mrs Jones
Cllr Dr Byrd Cllr Piper
Cllr Guerge Cllr Ms Reed
Cllr Hanson Cllr Mrs Sked
Cllr Hughes Cllr Mrs Steel
The Clerk and the Deputy clerk were in attendance.
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the meeting at 7.30 pm. No members of the public were present.
Cllr Dr Byrd as South Kesteven District councillor informed that a briefing will be held in two weeks regarding the local government reorganisation. A waste realms review is taking place and this may see a change in bin days. Also under consideration is food caddies which could be introduced next year.
Cllr Baxter as South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council attended and congratulated the Mayor, Cllr Broughton for his election as Mayor for 2025/26. SKDC are currently considering options for the local government reorganisation. Cllr Baxter had attended Environment Committee which was a well led meeting. SKDC Local Plan is in the consultation stage and most towns will see a significant increase in housing. FixMyStreet is a useful tool for reporting a wide range of issues and now includes the ability to report graffiti, SKDC’s overflowing bins and removal of dead animals on the public highway.
Cllr Baxter left the meeting at 7.35 pm.
41. Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions
The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting.
42. To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Miss Collins, Cllr Neilson and Cllr Wey.
43. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
44. Acceptance of the minutes of a meeting held on 11 June 2025
Cllr Broughton asked members if they were to accept the minutes of the meeting of 11 June 2025. It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the notes of the meeting as a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
45. Reports: Including reports from Committees: Planning and Highways, Deepings Neighbourhood plan, Amenities and Open Spaces, Finance and Personnel, Mayor’s diary and the Clerk’s report.
Planning & Highways
Cllr Dr Byrd reported that there had been fewer planning applications and those that had been received are minor applications.
Cllr Dr Byrd also informed that enquiries had been made with SKDC planning to see if planning permission would be required for the new clock in the Precinct, a response is awaited.
Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP)
DNP’s primary focus is considering SKDC’s local plan regulation 18 which is currently out for consultation.
Amenities and Open Spaces
Cllr Broughton informed that the meeting had taken place this evening and it was agreed to purchase a bleed kit which would be placed in the defibrillator casing near the public toilets.
Finance and Personnel
The Finance and Personnel Committee are due to meet on 6 August at 3.00pm.
Mayoral Diary (Cllr Bob Broughton)
The Mayor attended the following:
Rotary Club handover meeting 7th July 2025 at the Sports and Social Club, Towngate East.
Deputy Mayor (Cllr Mrs Jones)
The Deputy Mayor attended the following:
An emergency planning exercise in Horncastle on 17th June 2025.
Rotary Club handover meeting 7th July 2025 at Sports and Social Club, Towngate East.
Clerk’s Report – 9th July 2025
Annual inspections of our play equipment (including the Persimmon area) have been scheduled to take place in August/September.
The transfer of land from Persimmon and SKDC is progressing.
Councillor Hughes, Cllr Mrs Steel, Cllr Piper and the Clerk have been attending meetings to help organise the Funday Sunday which is being held on 13th July 2025 between 12 and 5pm.
Help from Councillors in the afternoon would be much appreciated.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor tidied the garage at the old Police Station. Our flood equipment has been placed there for use when needed.
The Clerk and Cllr Mrs Jones attended an emergency planning exercise in Horncastle on 17th June 2025. Some important lessons were learnt and the Emergency Planning team are going to hold a practice exercise in the future.
The Clerks have been busy reviewing and getting rid of old paperwork in line with the Council’s record retention policy.
The Town Centre clock has been ordered but has now been placed on hold as an enquiry has been made to SKDC to see if we need planning permission from SKDC.
A new tractor has been purchased and the old one has been traded in.
46. Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon
Correspondence to be Noted – Received up to 9 July 2025
No. Received from Date Received Subject Committee Response
1. SKDC 11.6.2025 Changes to wheelie bin collection rounds from September 2025 Noted.
2. Deepings Library 17.6.25 Postcard thanking us for our donation to StoryFest Noted.
3. LALC 20.6.25 eNews letter 20.6.25 Noted.
4. Carer’s sitter Service 19.6.25 June newsletter Noted.
5. LCC 25.6.25 Town and parish council newsletter June 25 Noted.
6. Rural Services Network 25.6.25 RSN Weekly News - 25 June 2025 Noted.
7. Resident 2.7.25 Lack of full fibre broadband on Black Prince Avenue Noted.
8. Andrew Bowell 6.7.25 Community Policing forum meeting poster 31.7.25 Noted.
9. LALC 4.7.25 eNews to 4.7.2025 Noted.
10. SKDC 7.7.25 Feedback sought on plans to locate additional housing in South Kesteven Noted.
Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 9 July 2025
No. Received from Date Received Subject Committee Response
1. Sue Bell 25.6.25 Playscheme costings and invoice 2025 This is a separate agenda item.
2. DSJ PC 23.6.25 VJ Celebration 15.8.25 and Drs practice survey VJ Celebration – DSJPC informed that the venue was not available to hold an event.
Doctors practice survey – Cllr Mrs Steel would like to participate in the working party. The Clerk to inform DSJPC.
3. Lincs Police 9.7.25 NSK Policing forum meeting 16.9.25 between 6 and 8 pm Cllr Piper, Cllr Mrs Sked and Cllr Ms Reed would like to join the virtual meeting on 16.9.25.
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that the Patients Participation Group will be organising another meeting for representatives from parish and town councils to meet with the PPG in October.
47. Council Finances
a) 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) Accounts to be paid July and August 2025
It was RESOLVED that the council pay its bills for July and August 2025. See appendix A.
c) For members to review Council Finances to 30.6.25
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
d) For members to receive and accept the internal auditor’s report for May 2025
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
e) For members to review detailed income and expenditure to 30.06.25
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
f) For members to review Ear Marked Reserves
It was RESOLVED unanimously that the tractor and new clock is funded from EMR.
g) For members to review the asset register
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
h) For members to review grant aid payment for 2025/26
Members had no comments and accepted the review of grant aid payments for 2025/26.
48. For members to review and adopt revised standing orders
Members noted the changes and RESOLVED to adopt the revised standing orders. Items 14a updated and 14d deleted and Item 18c, 18f and 18g deleted and value of contracts increased from £25,000 to £60,000 per NALC’s updated 2025 guidance.
49. For members to consider dog fouling pavement signs in the Town Centre - FG
Cllr Guerge had carried out some research by contacting parishes who have implemented an initiative by using a stencil and eco-friendly water-based spray paint formula which can be sprayed on pavements to remind dog owners to clean up after their dogs. The paint spray is easily removed with a brush and water. Cllr Guerge is seeking council’s approval to purchase 6 cans of white paint spray and a stencil at £54.09. The area to be trialed will be along the High Street and Church Street in Market Deeping. It was RESOLVED to approve the purchase. Cllr Guerge would spray paint the stencils on the pavements. The Clerk was requested to place the order on behalf of Cllr Guerge.
50. For members to review SKDC’s Local Plan – Regulation 18 – PB
Cllr Dr Byrd circulated a briefing note and explained that parishes are not given a choice about how many houses are built within their boundary. A consultation is being conducted by SKDC whereby parishes and residents can submit their views and concerns. The parcels of land identified in the local plan are put forward by the land owners.
Cllr Dr Byrd requested the council’s approval to arrange a joint meeting with DNP/DSJPC/MDTC to meet with members of the public on Saturday 19 July at 10.30am at the Deepings Secondary School to discuss SKDC’s local plan. It was RESOLVED to approve Cllr Dr Byrd’s request.
Cllr Dr Byrd requested the council’s approval to hold an Extraordinary Planning and Highways Meeting on Wednesday 30 July at 5.00pm to approve MDTC’s response to SKDC’s Local Plan. It was RESOLVED to hold an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on Wednesday 30 July at 5.00pm to approve the response. Cllr Dr Byrd would circulate an electronic draft response to all councillors prior to the meeting.
51. For members to consider an application for UKSPF for a new kitchen in the Town Hall – DJ
Cllr Mrs Jones had applied for UKSPF funding and had succeeded to the first stage. It was agreed that Cllr Mrs Jones would obtain 3 kitchen fitter quotes and report back to the Town Hall and Cemetery Committee and Full Council in September.
52. For members to consider payment to MADCAPs playscheme
It was RESOLVED to pay £2253.90 to MADCAPs playscheme.
53. For members to consider arrangements for forthcoming events:
Civic Service (date tbc)
Funday Sunday 13 July 2025 – final arrangements are in place. The Mayor will attend the event at 11.45am. John Eve park gates will be open at 7.00am.
Remembrance events – Members were reminded that remembrance events will be taking place in November.
Christmas Market 30 November 2025 – Applications have been issued and applications are being returned. Cllr Ms Reed and Cllr Mrs Sked volunteered to organise the Christmas tombola.
Civic Dinner will be held on Friday 27 March 2026 at the Black Horse, Baston
54. For members to discuss and consider any points raised in the public session
There were no members of the public in attendance.
55. Personnel Matters: Consideration to go into Closed Session to discuss: Staff Issues
There were none.
56. 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 10 September 2025.
There was none at this time.
The Chairman thanked all members for attending and reminded members that there will be an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on Wednesday 30 July at 5.00pm to approve MDTC’s response to SKDC’s local plan. The next scheduled meeting of the Full Council will be held on Wednesday 10 September 2025.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
Chairman’s signature........................................
Date..................................................................
Attachments: Appendix A