Minutes of the meeting of Market Deeping Town Council
Held on Wednesday 14 January 2026 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 Hanson Cllr Hughes
Cllr Mrs Sked
The Clerk and the Deputy clerk was in attendance.
The Mayor welcomed everyone to the meeting and opened the public session at 7.30pm. A resident was in attendance to observe.
Cllr Dr Byrd as SKDC councillor reported that the budget process is underway and information will be available on SKDC’s website. One of the issues that is being considered is cameras being installed at flytipping hotspots.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to open the meeting at 7.34pm.
134. Chairman’s Welcome and Introductions
The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year. The Chairman also congratulated members and staff for all their work that had made the Christmas Market such a success for the community to enjoy.
135. To note apologies and accept valid reason for Absence
Apologies of absence were received and accepted from Cllr Wey and Cllr Guerge prior to the meeting.
136. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
137. Acceptance of the minutes of a meeting held on 10 December 2025
Cllr Broughton asked members if they were to accept the minutes of the meeting of 10 December 2025 and it was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the notes of the meetings as a true and accurate record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
138. 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 informed due to lack of business no meeting took place in January.
Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP)
Cllr Dr Byrd informed that the group are progressing the revised plan and have formed 5 sub-groups. The document will be circulated via the clerks when it is ready for comments. If no response is received it will be assumed that there are no comments and Councillors are happy with the plan.
Amenities and Open Spaces
Cllr Broughton reported that a meeting had took place earlier this evening and minutes will be circulated in due course.
Finance and Personnel
The committee had met this afternoon and will be discussed later in the meeting.
Mayor attended the following:
12.12.25 – SKDC’s Annual Christmas Lunch, Black Horse, Baston
18.12.25 – Probus Annual Christmas Dinner, Black Horse, Baston accompanied by Cllr Dr Pam Byrd
Deputy Mayor attended the following:
12.12.25 – SKDC’s Annual Christmas Lunch, Black Horse, Baston
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Committee Comments
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Precept planning for 2026/27 is being undertaken.
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Noted.
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The transfer from Persimmon is being vigorously chased by the Clerk.
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Noted.
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The clock manufacturers are visiting site to carry out a survey on the clock on Thursday 22nd January 2026
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Noted.
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The posts for the new speed signs have been installed on Stamford Road, Peterborough Road and Towngate East. The speed devices have been installed today and are working well.
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Noted.
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A local resident has offered to replace the lights round the tree on the roundabout with warm white and white ones to match the Christmas decorations.
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It was agreed that this should be discussed and voted on in February 2026.
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The co-option for 2 new Councillors has been advertised on our website and noticeboards.
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Noted.
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Persimmon would like to offer the Town Council a separate opportunity to meet with them to discuss the proposed development located north of Towngate West. They are also holding a public consultation on Wednesday 4 February at 3.00pm – 7.00pm at the Green School for the public to view the proposed development and to ask any questions. Persimmon suggested meeting at 2.00pm, an hour before the public meeting, on 4 February with Market Deeping Town Councillors only.
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Clerks to forward details to Councillors.
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139. Correspondence to be noted and resolved upon
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Correspondence to be Noted – Received up to 14 January 2026
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No.
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Received from
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Date Received
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Subject
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Committee Response
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1.
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Deeping St James PC
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16.12.25
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QR code re Drs survey
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Survey has been placed on Facebook and hard copies will be available in the Town Hall, Deeping St James PC, Community Library and Community Centre.
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2.
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Community Response
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12.12.25
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Thank you for £150 donation
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Noted.
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3.
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Rotary
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16.12.25
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Invitation to Burns night 23.1.26
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Invitation sent to all Councillors.
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4.
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Resident
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29.12.25
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Compliment re Christmas tree
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Councillors were grateful to receive the positive feedback.
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5.
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SKDC
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19.12.26
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Draft Design Code – deadline 9.1.26
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Noted.
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6.
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DeepinKindness
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09.01.26
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50 Warm boxes available for residents
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Councillors were happy to receive 10 warm boxes and issue these to those residents that are known to them who would benefit.
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Correspondence to be Acted Upon – Received up to 14 January 2026
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No.
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Received from
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Date Received
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Subject
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Committee Response
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1.
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SKDC
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18.12.25
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Water bottle refill station
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Councillors agreed that they did not wish to proceed with a water bottle refill station.
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140. 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 January 2026
It was RESOLVED that the council pay its bills for January 2026. See appendix A.
c) For members to review and accept Council Finances to 31.12.25
Members had no comments and accepted the report.
d) For members to review and accept the internal auditor’s report for November 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.
141. For members to ratify the grass cutting agreement 2026/7
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the grass cutting quote for the additional grassed area at Charter Avenue for 2026/27.
142. For members to consider Precept funding for 2026/27 as agreed by Finance and Personnel committee at their meeting on 14th January 2026
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the recommendations of Finance and Personnel Committee at their meeting on 14 January 2026 with regards to the budget and precept proposals for 2026/27 and instruct the Town Clerk & RFO to submit the Precept demand to South Kesteven District Council in the amount of £279,000. This represents a 3.8% increase from 2025/26.
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Market Deeping Town Council
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Precept Summary 2026/2027
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Funding Source
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Total
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Precept
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EMR
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Administration
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£133,822.00
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£131,022.00
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£2,800.00
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Amenities & Open Spaces Committee
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£167,638.00
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£119,638.00
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£48,000.00
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Cemetery Committee
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£15,220.00
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£13,220.00
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£2,000.00
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Planning & Highways Committee
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£11,500.00
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£9,500.00
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£2,000.00
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Town Hall Committee
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£11,620.00
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£5,620.00
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£6,000.00
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Precept 2026/2027 Total cost
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£339,800.00
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£279,000.00
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£60,800.00
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EMR ACCOUNT
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NAME
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Allocated 26/27
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To cost centre
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324
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TOWN HALL
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6,000
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4171/110 - Town Hall repairs
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331
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NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
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£2,000
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4340/300 Neighbourhood plan
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332
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COMMUNITY ASSETS
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£2,000
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4180/120 - Cemetery gate
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335
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ALLOTMENTS
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£3,000
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4281/200 - Allotments
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338
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PLAY EQUIPMENT
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£2,000
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4262/200 - Play equipment repairs
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347
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DIGITAL COUNCIL
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£3,000
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4325/310 - Christmas market
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348
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LEGAL FEES
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£2,800
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4061/100 - Legal fees
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355
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CHARTER AVE
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£40,000
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4283/200 - play equipment repairs
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£60,800
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143. For members to ratify the statement to accompany Council tax bills for 2026/27
It was RESOLVED unanimously to accept the statement to accompany Council tax bills for 2026/27.
144. For members to consider, review and adopt the Data Map and Risk Assessment for MDTC
A discussion took place regarding the requirements of Assertion 10 in the AGAR for 2026/27. The Clerk stated that work needed to be undertaken to ensure that old data was not keep without a business reason. Similarly, emails need to be reviewed and deleted on a regular basis by both Clerks and Councillors.
The Clerk confirmed that Market Deeping Town Council’s (MDTC) website is compliant with Accessibility guidelines and our Accessibility Statement mentions 2.2 AA.
In order to comply with the requirements MDTC will also need an up-to-date IT policy which the Clerk will address.
It was RESOLVED unanimously to review and adopt the Data Map and Risk Assessment for MDTC.
145. For members to receive an update on the liaison with New River Retail (DJ)
Cllr Mrs Jones informed that New River Retail runs the Wednesday market which has seen a decrease in stalls. Cllr Mrs Jones has met with SKDC who are keen to help. There is an annual fee which is divided between stallholders, a new contract is due in August and it is hoped that there will be some free weeks for the Christmas period when no market is held.
Cllr Mrs Jones informed that paths have not been salted recently and general maintenance has slipped.
Cllr Mrs Jones informed that the original Market Charter is being returned to the Town Council which will be framed and placed in the Town Hall.
146. For members to consider the decision of the Town Hall and Cemetery Committee to purchase new curtains for the Town Hall
It was RESOLVED that three quotes should be obtained to purchase new pelmet and curtains, (quote to also include fitting).
147. For members to consider arrangement for the forthcoming events: Chairman’s Dinner 27 March 2026, Annual Town Meeting (suggested date) 21 April 2026 and Funday Sunday 12 July 2026
Cllr Ms Reed offered to help with the Chairman’s Civic Dinner. Raffle prizes welcome for the Civic Dinner.
The Annual Town Meeting will take place on Tuesday 21 April 2026, the Green School has been booked.
148. For members to consider and discuss any points raised in the public session
There were none.
149. Personnel Matters: Consideration to go into Closed Session to discuss: Staff Issues
There were no matters to discuss.
150. 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 11 February 2026.
• Town Hall Curtains
• Christmas Market 2026
Cllr Mrs Jones reported that she had reapplied for a banking hub for Market Deeping, a response is due by 6 March 2026.
Cllr Dr Byrd reminded Councillors that the Deepings Library will be celebrating 10 years and are holding a dinner at Maharani’s on Tuesday 10 February. Tickets are £25 per head. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor will be attending.
Cllr Ms Reed will be drafting a letter to schools to invite them to participate in the Henry the Horse project.
The Chairman thanked members for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
Chairman’s signature........................................
Date..................................................................
Attachments: Appendix A
