April 2025 DRAFT Minutes
MINUTES OF DEEPING ST JAMES ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.
HELD AT 7PM ON MONDAY 28 APRIL 2025 IN THE
PRIORY HALL, CHURCH STREET,DEEPING ST JAMES, PE6 8HD
1. Welcome from the Chairperson including agreeing the minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2024 and a short report from Deeping St James Parish Council.
Councillor Kate Shinkins-Hoppe welcomed everyone, including the Chairman of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Paul Fellowes and his wife, Judy; the Mayor of Market Deeping Town Council, Councillor Pam Byrd; the County Councillor for Deepings East, Councillor Phil Dilks and wildlife television presenter, author and ranger, Ajay Tegala.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe asked all the Deeping St James Parish Councillors present to stand and noted apologies from Councillors Andrew Bowell and Steve Gilbert. She also introduced the Parish Clerk and Assistant Clerk and acknowledged the work of the three maintenance workers.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe said it had been a very busy year as alongside continuing to maintain the assets and amenities the Parish Council are already responsible for, and holding monthly council meetings and regular committee meetings, several projects had been either completed or progressed following successful applications for grant funding for the following: the purchase of flood containment equipment following both the Parish and Town Council working with the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum in dealing with flooding issues in early 2025, design and consultation work to improve Jubilee Park following the transfer of ownership from the District Council to the Parish Council, two biodiversity projects, one at Jubilee Park and one in Deeping St James Cemetery and the planting of a community orchard off Fraser Close, the replacement of 6 and installation of 2 new noticeboards within the Parish, and the development with a Local Walking and Cycling Improvement Plan.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe noted that alongside these successes there had been losses.
The closure of the Deeping Leisure Centre has had a huge impact on the community and Councillor Shinkins-took the opportunity to thank the Deeping Leisure Centre Community interest Company for all their hard work trying to get the facility repaired and re-opened.
Condolences were paid to the family of Nancy Titman, a widely known and popular Deeping St James resident, who had passed away in April, at the age of 106.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe than introduced Ajay Tegala.
2. Guest speaker Ajay Tegala, TV Presenter, Author and Ranger at Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire.
Ajay who had lived and attended both primary and secondary school in Deeping St James said it was here where his passion for wildlife was nurtured leading to him attending Nottingham University and becoming a Ranger. He provided a very interesting and informative presentation mentioning experiences at the River Welland, Deepings Lakes, Peakirk Wildlife Trust, Baston and Thurlby Fen, Blakeney Point and Wicken Fen, ending by saying that encouraging children to enjoy being among wildlife is very important to inspire the conservationists of the future.
On behalf of Deeping St James Parish Council, Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe awarded Ajay the Freedom of the Parish, presenting him with an inscribed scroll.
3. Presentation of the Making a Difference Awards.
The Chairman of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Paul Fellowes, presented the Making a Difference Awards to all those present who had been nominated and also a trophy to the winner in each category
Citizen to most make a difference
Charlie Parker
Christina Groombridge
Karen Watts
Jan Fisk
Liz and Brian Haynes
Muhammed Yaseen (category winner)
Terry Murphy
Mary Martin
Ann Lymburn
John (Brian) Thornthwaite
Brian Littler
Revd. Sonia Marshall
Richard Hughes
Dorothy Harriss
Alan Branch
Young person (aged 11-19) to most make a difference
Millie Prentice
DSJ Organisation to most make a difference
The Bell Inn – Paul Frith, Christina Groombridge, Martin (Wolfie) Adams, Ian Tilley (category winner)
Grasmere Farm Butchers
Deeping Rangers Grounds Team
Deepings Community Library
The Nene and Welland Oddfellows
St Pega Freemason Lodge 8317
Wildflower Café
The Thirsty Giraffe
Deep In Kindness Community Hub
The Ladies Fellowship
The Lunch Box
Individual to most make a difference in the course of doing their job
Keith Miller – Garden Groomers
Caroline Bruce
John Parsonage
Lisa Tawn
Val Gregg (category winner)
Steph Tarrier
4. Questions and comments of a non-political nature from members of the electorate.
None.
5. Raffle followed by refreshments and an opportunity to view information and speak with representatives from a number of community groups.
Refreshments provided and served by representatives from the Priory Hall
Community groups present Deeping Youth Group, The Inner Wheel, The Welland and Nene Oddfellows, The Deepings Lions, The Jubilee Park improvement group, Probus Club, Deepings Community Library and St Pega Freemasons