July 2025 DRAFT Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD AT THE DANNY FLEAR COMMUNITY CENTRE ON
Thursday 17th July 2025, at 7:30pm
Minutes taken by The Locum Clerk: Mrs Laura Forman
(These minutes will be checked at the next meeting before the council amends/approves them as a correct record)
PRESENT
Councillors: Cllr Nigel Marshall (Chair), Cllr Bridgett Posey (Vice Chair), Cllr Judith Godwin, Cllr Simon Pearson,
Cllr Roy Pearson, Cllr Amy Marshall, Cllr Peter Bedford, Cllr Shaun Pearson, Cllr Tony Wheeler and the Locum Clerk Laura Forman.
Also Present:
Two members of the public present.
The meeting was called to order at 19:28pm
1. Chairman to open the meeting: Hello & Welcome to you all.
2. Apologises: To receive and accept apologises where a valid reason for the absence has been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.
• All in attendance.
3. Public Forum: Two members of the public present. – Start 19:30pm
Reverend Andrew Higginson, thanked the Parish council for their assistance and generosity in assisting with the works completed at the churchyard.
A request was submitted for additional parking to be permitted on the verge at the front of the church particularly during larger services such as weddings and funerals. However, this would have to be confined go fine weather, as during poor weather, damage would be caused to the verge. Following discussion, it was resolved for the Church to offer the carpark at the Danny Flear Centre as additional parking for larger services in consultation with Cllr Bridgett Posey regarding bookings at the Danny Flear Centre.
Public Forum ended at 20:01pm
Start of Parish Council Meeting at 20:02pm
As the members of the Church were in attendance at the Public Forum, the Council resolved to discuss agenda item 8.1 at this point.
8.1 Church Newsletter / Magazine – Update.
Discussion held over the proposed Church Magazine. Clarification provided by the two members of Church in attendance that the publication would be a Village Magazine covering the villages of
Butterwick, Freiston, Benington and Leverton funded by advertising and possible funding from the Parish councils. An Independent committee had been formed to resurrect the former publication which will be available at designated venues and run side by side with the Parish council’s newsletter.
Following discussion, it was resolved that the Council wished the Village magazine luck with their first publication in September 2025 and the publication of the Parish council newsletter will continue.
4. Police Matters: Stats and incidents are available to view on the police website. Local Crime information website www.streetcheck.co.uk.
Shore Road PE22 0NH May Anti Social Behaviour - On or near Haltoft End Estate
Shore Road PE22 0NH May Burglary - On or Near Bennington Road - Under Investigation.
Shore Road PE22 0NH May Criminal damage & Arson - On or near Sports/Recreation area - Investigation Complete, no suspect identified.
Shore Road PE22 0NH May Violence and Sexual Offences - On or near St Andrews Road - Under Investigation
Church Road PE22 0NX May Criminal damage & Arson - On or Near Forge Close - Investigation Complete, no suspect identified.
Bakers Lane PE22 0PH May Anti Social Behaviour - On or near Shortfield Lane
Bakers Lane PE22 0PH May Anti Social Behaviour - On or near Shortfield Lane
5. Minutes: To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on the 19th June 2025. To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
• All councillors resolved for the chairman Cllr Nigel Marshall to sign the minutes.
6. Declarations of interest (if any): To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests
• No declarations received
7. Planning update: Town and Country Planning Act 1990 - To consider and make observations on all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by Boston Borough Council.
B/25/0276 – Proposed agricultural store at Coupledyke Hall, Church End Road, Freiston, Boston, PE22 0LL – No Objections.
B/25/0301 – Proposed Summer House at The Sparks, Church Road, Freiston, Boston, PE22 0NX – No Objections.
8. Updates / Discuss and resolve the following items
The Council resolved to discuss agenda item 8.2 at this point.
8.2 Highways & Roads Update.
Cllr Nigel Marshall confirmed that the correx speed signs for Oak House Lane have been ordered, awaiting delivery.
8.3 Additional refuse bin at Haltoft End update as per email dated 21st May 2025 – Cllr Peter
Bedford.
Cllr Peter Bedford confirmed that a request had been submitted to Boston Borough Council for an additional refuse bin at Haltoft End but has been advised that the Borough Council are not accepting any requests or supplying any further bins until after the New Year and the implementation of the new food waste bins. Resolved – To be removed from the agenda, update to be provided when available.
8.4 Wicksteed and Play Park – Update.
Cllr Nigel Marshall confirmed that a quotation had been received from Wicksteed but a quotation
for the repairs to the Crows Nest. Cllr Roy Pearson and Cllr Peter Bedford suggested seeking
alternative quotations for comparison. Resolved – The Clerk to chase the quotation for the Crows
Nest repairs and to seek quotations from alternative suppliers.
8.5 Aspiration House - Update – Cllr Dale Broughton.
Cllr Nigel Marshall advised that Cllr Dale Broughton had received further complaints from
residents regarding the ongoing noise and parking issues. The repairs to the roof of Aspiration
House had now been completed so this should ease the issues with parking.
- As Cllr Dale Broughton is not in attendance, a further update to be provided when further information is available.
8.6 Church End Road sign – Update – Cllr Peter Bedford
Cllr Nigel Marshall thanked Cllr Peter Bedford for requesting a new sign for Church End Road.
8.7 Love Your Neighbourhood entry 2025
Following discussion, it was resolved that photos are to be submitted to the Clerk so that they be
included in the application ahead of the entry deadline on 4th August 2025.
8.8 Adoption of the Mission Statement
Resolved – All agreed to adopt the Mission Statement as advised by the Internal auditor. Cllr Nigel
Marshall to sign the Mission Statement.
8.9 New Logo design for Letterhead
Resolved – All agreed for the adoption of the new logo design on the Parish Council Letterhead.
9. Finance:
9.1 Bank Account: Statement of accounts as at 19th June 2025
• Treasurers Account Balance - £5,844.92
• Business Bank Instant Balance - £22,226.60
• Fixed Term deposit account - £40,577.22 – Mature date 11th February 2025
9.2 To approve the accounts for payments
• Payments due July 2025 - £1,278.50
• Payments made in between meetings - £376.94
• Receipts received - £586.90
10. Date of next parish council meeting:
The next meeting is to be held on: Thursday 21st August 2025 at 7.30pm
11. Any other business to go forward to the July 17th, 2025, Agenda / Note for information.
- Cllr Bridgett Posey commented on the signage for the road works due to be completed as they state that work will be completed for one day during a week-long period with no indication as to the exact date.
- Cllr Peter Bedford reported that the street light damaged last month by a lightning strike had been reported to Boston Borough council and repaired.
- Cllr Nigel Marshall asked for a letter to be sent to Lincolnshire County Council Highways department to request a meeting with a Highways Officer to discuss the kerbing at Mill Lane and Tamworth Green End as although repairs have been made to the kerbing recently; there have been instances with trailers have gone over the kerbing into the soil and nearly into the dyke. Also, there are several potholes in the area that need addressing.
- Cllr Nigel Marshall asked for a further letter to be sent to Lincolnshire County Council Highways department to ask for the road signs in the Village be cleaned as some of the information is not visible.
- Cllr Judith Godwin reported that the Sycamore tree at the corner of the field at the junction of Shore Road and Doves Lane needed cutting back as it is overhanging.
- Cllr Nigel Marshall asked for a further letter to be sent to Lincolnshire County Council Highways department to discuss the signage at Jolly Farmers Lane, as there has been several vehicles turning down this roadway despite it being a no through road. To request that signage stating that this is a no through road.
- Cllr Nigel Marshall advised some agricultural land at Scrane End has been put up for sale. This land is adjacent to the land owned by the Parish Council. Cllr Nigel Marshall enquired whether a discussion should take place on whether this land should be kept or sold. Several councillors expressed that they would like to retain the land.
With no other business to go forward to the August 2025 meeting, the parish council meeting closed at 20.22pm
Chairman Signature:
Date: