October 2025 Minutes
Present: Cllr Broughton (Chairman) Cllr Mrs Jones
Cllr Dr Byrd Cllr Mrs Steel
Cllr Guerge
Cllr Hanson
Cllr Hughes
The Clerk and the Deputy clerk were in attendance.
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the public session at 7.30pm.
There were five members of public in attendance and they had a number of concerns as outlined below.
Firstly, the resident requested that as the Town Council now owns Cherry Tree Park, they would be keen to see the concrete area of the park possibly used for hopscotch and also requested that the park remains for the enjoyment of younger children. The resident was also concerned that she had heard that table tennis was being considered in this area and wanted it noted that she was against the idea of table tennis being placed in this area. The Mayor informed that the Town Council had purchased 4 new swings and a springy for both Cherry Tree Park and Charter Avenue. They will be installed before Christmas. The Mayor informed that there are no plans to install table tennis in this area.
A resident was concerned about the number of weeds on the High Street and the parking on the High Street which makes it difficult for two-way travel. Cllr Hughes informed that this was discussed at the last Planning and Highways Committee meeting and he had subsequently contacted SKDC to arrange for the area to be cleared of weeds which has taken place today. The Mayor informed that the Enforcement Officer from SKDC visits twice a week and does issue penalty charge notices when needed. With regards to parking on the High Street there are no yellow lines and therefore it is permitted in line with the parking times indicated.
A resident was concerned that Openreach was planning to install poles in Market Deeping and asked if the Town Council could stop this. He was also concerned that there were potholes on the High Street. The resident was informed by Councillor Mrs Jones that this would be allowed under permitted development.
With regards to the pothole this should be reported on FixMyStreet.
SKDC and LCC Councillor Baxter reported the following: -
• Halfleet will be resurfaced 2026/27.
• Hoped Deeping Rangers and Deeping United are successful in their bids.
• Informed that a new website had been launched Soldiers from the Sky – it tells the back-stories of how Lincolnshire South Lincolnshire hosted Airborne Forces from three nations ahead of two major World War II operations.
The Mayor welcomed Paul Drury, Armed Forces Officer from SKDC to the meeting. The purpose of his presentation was to encourage Town and Parish councils to become recognised as Armed Forces Friendly. Councillors would be asked to volunteer to be a point of contact for veterans and their families, to assist in directing them to organisations with names and numbers who would be able to help with their situations. Councillors will not be caseworkers and will be provided with free training should the Council wish to sign up. Deeping St James Parish Council are considering this also and it will run as a joint project if they do.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to open the meeting at 8.00pm.
78. Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions
The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting.
79. To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence
There were apologies for absence from Cllr Neilson, Cllr Mrs Sked, Cllr Ms Reed and Cllr Wey.
80. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
81. Acceptance of the minutes of a meeting held on 10 September 2025
Cllr Broughton asked members if they were to accept the minutes of the meeting of 10 September 2025 and it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the notes of the meetings as a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
82. 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.
SKDC Cllr Dr Byrd reported that there are 4 Reform members at SKDC. Two Extraordinary Council meetings are taking place at SKDC on Monday 13 October 2025 one is taking place at 2.00pm to discuss HMOs and registration of smaller establishments and the other is at 3.00pm to discuss use of hotels for asylum seekers of which there are none at present in the SKDC area
Planning & Highways
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that there are very few planning applications and requested following the concern expressed by residents in the open session that parking on the High Street causing difficulties due to the narrowness of the road that this discussed at the next Planning and Highways Committee on 5 November.
Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP)
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that the next meeting is on 13 October 2025.
Amenities and Open Spaces
Cllr Broughton asked members if they had any questions following receipt of the AOS minutes and there were none.
Finance and Personnel
The Finance and Personnel Committee had no items to discuss.
Mayoral Diary (Cllr Bob Broughton)
The Mayor attended the following:
Bourne Town Council’s Civic Service at Abbey Church of St Peter & St Paul Bourne on Sunday 14 September at 10.00am.
Raunds Charity Steak Night at The World Upside Down, Raunds on Thursday 18 September at 7.00pm.
The Deepings Lions presentation to the Duck Race beneficiaries at The White Horse, Market Deeping on 24 September at 7.30pm
Market Deeping Town Council’s Civic Service on Sunday 28 September at St Guthlac’s Church.
Deputy Mayor (Cllr Mrs Jones)
The Deputy Mayor attended the following:
Bourne Town Council’s Civic Service at Abbey Church of St Peter & St Paul Bourne on Sunday 14 September at 10.00am.
Market Deeping Town Council’s Civic Service on Sunday 28 September at St Guthlac’s Church.
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A meeting was held on 25 September 2025.It was agreed to hold the Funday Sunday on 12 July 2026. |
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Temporary Event Notice applied for.A 36-page Event Management plan has been requested by the Safety Advisory Group.The Clerks are working on completing this.The Deputy Clerk and Assistant Clerk are attending an Event Safety Training on 23 October. |
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There have been some snagging issues with repairs to play equipment at Charter Avenue. |
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A Civic Service held on Sunday 28 September at St Guthlac’s Church and was well attended. |
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A resident is making a Tommy for outside the Town Hall which will contain all the names of WWI and WWII fallen who lived in Market Deeping. She is also making a cascade of poppies for outside the Town Hall. |
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There is a meeting next week at Cherry Tree Park and Charter Ave prior to the installation of the new play equipment in November. |
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Planning permission for the clock is progressing. |
83. Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon
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Correspondence to be Noted – Received up to 8 October 2025 |
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No. |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
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1. |
DNP |
12.9.25 |
Response to SK Local plan |
Noted. |
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2. |
LALC |
12.9.25 |
eNews to 12.9.25 |
Noted. |
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3. |
LCC |
15.9.25 |
Invitation to local government reorganisation seminars |
Noted. |
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4. |
LCC |
25.9.25 |
Invitation to local government reorganisation seminars in Deeping |
Noted. |
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5. |
Anglian Water |
26.9.25 |
September 2025 pipeline update |
Noted. |
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Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 8 October 2025 |
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No. |
Received from |
Date Received |
Subject |
Committee Response |
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1. |
Scouts |
16.9.25 |
Poacher 2026 International Jamboree – request for financial support |
It was RESOLVED unanimously to provide a grant of £300 to the Scouts. |
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2. |
Deep in Kindness |
11.9.25 |
Warm space funding request |
Members requested that Deepinkindness completes a grant form with the accompanying information for consideration at a future Council meeting. |
The Clerk informed that Deeping Rangers grant aid request would be discussed at the next Full Council meeting when further details are received.
84. 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 October 2025
It was RESOLVED that the council pay its bills for October 2025. See appendix A.
c) For members to review and accept Council Finances to 30.09.25
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
d) For members to review and accept the internal auditor’s report for August 2025
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
85. For members to consider Precept planning for 2026/27
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the recommendation by the Finance and Personnel Committee to set the precept at 3.8% for 2026/27.
86. For members to appoint a Chair to Town Hall and Cemetery Committee
It was RESOLVED unanimously to appoint Councillor Hanson as the new Chair of the Town Hall and Cemetery Committee.
87. For members to receive feedback from Neighbourhood Policing Forum which took place on 16 September 2025
Cllr Mrs Jones reported the following: -
• Increase in 999 calls over the summer to 12,500, 94% of these were answered within 10 seconds.
• 101 calls received which is a seasonal high at 15,000 in July, an increase on last July which was 13,000, 70% answered in under 3 minutes.
• Stamford is now considered a hotspot
• Figures are for Stamford, Bourne and Market Deeping: - shoplifting – 242 reported incidents between September 2024 – August 2025, anti-social behaviour (ASB) has seen a 40% increase, 292 reports of inconsiderate behaviour which includes shouting and swearing has almost doubled.
• Neighbourhood Panel Survey received 238 responses from the public whose main priorities are vehicle nuisance (e-bikes/speeding), ASB, drugs, burglary, fraud/scams
• There are 1140 police officers across North and South Kesteven (50 fewer)
• There are 37.1 PCSO’s
• New speed check motorcycles now in service to support community speed watch.
• Commitment for the future are name beat tea for each area, super beat focus, priority setting and community engagement.
88. For members to ratify Finance and Personnel decision to adopt revised Standing Orders
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept Finance and Personnel’s decision to adopt revised Standing Orders.
89. For members to receive an Emergency plan/Rapid relief team update
Cllr Mrs Jones informed that she had attended along with the Town Clerk a training event run by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum. The group are a team of volunteers who are available to help when and wherever needed in an emergency, the group are known as “Ready For Anything” volunteers.
A tabletop exercise is also taking place in November and members of the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum will also be attending.
90. For members to appoint a representative to Mary Scotney Alms Houses, Feoffees and a Deeping Youth Group Trustee
It was RESOLVED unanimously to appoint Cllr Dr Byrd as the representative to Mary Scotney Alms Houses, appoint Cllr Dr Byrd and Cllr Mrs Jones as representatives on Feoffees and to appoint Cllr Mrs Jones as representative of the Deeping Youth Group.
91. For members to consider a donation to LIVES for maintaining our defibrillators
It was RESOLVED unanimously to donate £380 from the grant fund this year.
Cllr Dr Byrd will liaise with St Guthlacs Church and SKDC Planning with regards to the defibrillator planning application for the Green School.
92. For members to consider whether they wish to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant with DSJ PC
It was RESOLVED with 6 for and 1 against to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Cllr Broughton, Four possibly five councillors expressed an interest to sign up as a point of contact.
93. For members to consider arrangement for forthcoming events:
Remembrance events – Members were reminded that remembrance events will be taking place on Sunday 2 November at 3.00pm for the Opening of the Remembrance Garden, Sunday 9 November Remembrance Parade and Service at St Guthlac’s Church and Sunday 16 November at 3.00pm Closing of the Remembrance Garden. LCC have approved the road closure request for Sunday 9 November.
Christmas Market – Sunday 30 November 2025 – Applications have been issued and applications are being returned. The road closure request has been submitted to LCC.
The Civic Dinner will be held on Friday 27 March 2026 at the Black Horse, Baston
It was agreed to hold the Carols around the Christmas Tree on Thursday 18 December at 6.30pm.
94. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the public session
Discussions took place in the Open Session.
95. Personnel Matters: Consideration to go into Closed Session to discuss: Staff Issues
There were none.
96. 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 12 November 2025.
• Boundary changes (PB)
The Chairman thanked all members for attending and closed the meeting at 8.50pm.
Chairman’s signature........................................
Date..................................................................
Attachments: Appendix A