December 2025 Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of Deeping St James Parish Council held in the meeting room at The Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD on Tuesday 16 December 2025 at 6.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Bowell, Burdock, Fowler, Gilbert, Halls, Hosking, Leader, Neville, Nickerson, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Stevens.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk
Open Forum/Public Participation
No members of the public were present
26.101 To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Parish Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies had been received and were accepted from Councillors Dilks and Townsin.
26.102 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
Agenda item 26.106.3 – Councillor Neville expenses claim
Agenda item 26.1016.2 – Councillors Burdock, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Stevens as members of Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group
Agenda item 26.107.2 – Councillor Burdock known to applicant of planning application number S25/2302
26.103 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 18 November 2025.
Agreed and singed.
26.104 To receive the Clerks report and any updates from the minutes of the previous meeting.
-The Deeping Youth Group have been advised that funding of £7000 has been agreed for the financial year 2026/27.
-Acceptance of the Local Government Pension Scheme valuation results leading to the employer contribution rates reducing to 19.2% for the three years from April 2026 has been sent to Lincolnshire Pension Fund.
-Following payment being received a grant of exclusive right of burial in respect of plot 25 in section F of Deeping St James Cemetery has been issued to the member of public requesting to pre-purchase a burial plot.
-Notification has been received from Wave Utilities (Anglian Water) advising that they have noticed an increase in water consumption at the site on Hall Meadow Road which may lead to a potential annual cost increase of £1760. The increase usage is due to the planting of additional trees and biodiversity areas in the parish which required regular watering through the summer months.
-A bench has been purchased from Maramax Recycled Products and a memorial plaque to be installed in memory of the late Nancy Titman is being arranged. In purchasing this product Deeping St James Parish Council are helping save the planet. A quotation of £65 has been received for a memorial plaque which will be accepted.
-The office will be open mornings only on Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December and Friday 2 January 2026
-Following a report from Lincolnshire Police on the evening of Monday 15 December 2025, Lincolnshire County Council Highways out of hours team closed the stone bridge in Deeping St James as a precaution due to concerns about possible damage after a lorry strike. The closure was put in place at the request of the Police to ensure the immediate safety of road users. Where bridges sit on an authority boundary, the asset register lists a lead authority, and in this case the bridge is recorded as PCC / LCC, meaning Peterborough City Council take responsibility for inspection and maintenance. Both LCC’s Principal Engineer for structures and the DSJ Parish Clerk contacted PCC to inform them of the need for inspection following the incident. The inspection took place on the afternoon of Tuesday 16 December 2025 and the Network and Traffic Manager from Peterborough Highway Services phoned to confirm that the damage is superficial, and the road can be re-opened. LCC attended to make the necessary arrangements for the closure to be lifted.
26.105 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
No reports as no reports had been provided and no District or County Councillors present
26.106 Financial matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance Policy and Personnel Committee meeting held on Tuesday 9 December 2025
Councillor Gilbert introduced the minutes of the meeting from which there four recommendations one of which would be dealt with under agenda item 26.111
Minute 26.46 - Following the review of the risk management policy it was recommended to Council that the policy is accepted. RESOLVED
Minute 26.48 – The committee recommended to Council that the grant policy be accepted with unnecessary duplication of wording being removed by the Clerk. RESOLVED
Minute 26.49 – The committee recommended to Council that the investment policy be accepted. RESOLVED
2. Following recommendation from the Finance Policy and Personnel Committee to resolve to grant funding for 2026/27 of £2000 to Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group, £5433 to Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire and £5000 to Deeping Sports Social Club grants for 2026/27
It was noted that these figures had been included in the draft budget for the financial year 2026/27 however the finance policy and personnel committee needed to consider the overall budget further at their next meeting on 13 January 2026 prior to putting forward a recommendation for resolution at the council meeting on 20 January 2026
3. To approve December expenditure.
Expenditure totalling £20,008.01 RESOLVED
4. To note December income.
Income totalling £5247.77 Noted
26.107 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Planning and Transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 09 November 2025.
Councillor Smith introduced the minutes of this meeting from which there were three recommendations
Minute 74.26 - The committee recommend that on behalf of the Parish Council the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group complete work to support the South Kesteven Draft Design Code Testing and Engagement Phase II document. RESOLVED
Minute 76.26 - The committee recommend the relocation of the bus stop currently situated on the south side of Spalding Road, opposite no 61 Spalding Road, to opposite no.4 Braeburn, on the south side of Spalding Road and that a further new shelter should be sited on the north side of Spalding Road opposite no 44 Spalding Road. RESOLVED
Minute 77.26 - The committee recommend that the bus shelters situated opposite 99 Spalding Road and at the north end of Broadgate Lane are removed, the latter due to it being fractured and the bin at this location to be installed at the new bus shelter site opposite 4 Braeburn. RESOLVED
2. To consider the following planning applications:
S25/2302 | Erection of new garage | Grain Barn Hall Meadow Road Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8SG
RESOLVED no objections or comments
S25/2334 | Section 73 application to vary planning conditions 2 (approved plans) and 3 (external elevations) of planning permission S25/0603 - (Raising eaves height of existing cottage) | 45 Horsegate Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8EW
RESOLVED no objections or comments
S25/2366 | Erection of a free range egg production unit with associated infrastructure | Land At Stowgate Fen Road North Deeping St Nicholas Spalding PE11 3DP
RESOLVED no objections or comments
26.108 To receive and/or consider the following correspondence:
1. The Deepings Practice Patient Participation Group – Letter regarding their request to the Integrated Care Board applying for an Urgent Treatment Centre
It was RESOLVED that contact should be made with the Patient Participation Group requesting a copy of the application that was sent the Integrated Care Board and also a copy of their response explaining why the request was turned down.
2. A Greater Lincolnshire For All – A letter from the Leaders of Boston Borough, East Lindsey and South Holland District Councils regarding local government reorganisation in Greater Lincolnshire
Noted.
3. South Kesteven District Council Chief Executive and Leader – providing the presentation slides from the recent Local Government Reorganisation.
Noted.
4. South Kesteven District Council – requesting permission to hold a skate skills event at Deeping St James Parish Council Skate Park on 16 February 2026
It was RESOLVED to give permission
5. South Kesteven District Council – enquiring as to whether DSJPC wish to collaborate with them to arrange commemoration events for Covid 19 Day of Reflection (8 March 2026) and 100 Years of Queen Elizabeth II (21 April 2026)
It was RESOLVED that Deeping St James Parish Council would not be collaborating with SKDC to arrange events to mark either of these dates.
26.109 To receive reports and minutes from committees, advisory committees, meetings, seminars, training and events or meetings of external bodies attended on the Council’s behalf and consider any recommendations from them:
1. Wednesday 19 November 2025 and Monday 24 November 2025 - Community Resilience working party meetings
Councillor Neville provided a brief report about the desk top exercise completed on 24th and confirmed that a battle box had now been filled with items such as walkie, talkies, a megaphone and torches to be used in emergencies.
2. Thursday 27 November 2025 – Association of Local Councils virtual training “Addressing the Bio Diversity Crisis”
Councillor Neville provided a brief report noting that section 40 of the Environment Act 2021 placed a duty on local authorities to consider what action it can take to further the general biodiversity objective, so all parish councils should take biodiversity into account in all their decision and actions
3. Monday 1 December 2025 - Teams meeting with Internal Auditor
The report had been shared and it was noted that the finance policy and personnel committee would consider the contents at the next meeting on 13 January 2026.
4. Thursday 11 December 2025 – Deepings Raft Race Community Fund presentation evening
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe attended this well organised event and advised that the proceeds from the committee had been shared between 12 community groups following applications rather than 2 previously chosen groups as had happened in the past
5. Friday 12 December 2025 - Carols in the Marquee at the Waterton Arms
Councillor Hosking said that there had been a good turnout and everyone enjoyed themselves although there were still some improvements needed – more song sheets, better microphone and later start time to allow for the Salvation Army to arrive and set up
26.110 To agree to the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group continuing to liaise with Deeping Gate Parish Council whilst they explore the idea of a future administrative boundary change.
Councillor Smith introduced this item advising that a representative from Deeping Gate had made the approach regarding a boundary change – an idea spawned out of Peterborough City Councils local plan which included a housing development on the border of Market Deeping. It was RESOLVED that the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group should continue to liaise with representatives from Deeping Gate Parish Council whilst they continue to explore this.
It was RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the business to be discussed in relation to the following matter.
26.111 To consider the proposal recommended by the Finance Policy and Personnel Committee, who met on Tuesday 9 December 2025, that all reasonable costs of the both the Parish Council and the Clerk, in relation to the ongoing burial matter, will be covered by the Parish Council.
Councillor Gilbert introduced this item reinforcing the serious nature of the complaint of misconduct in public office which that had been lodged with Lincolnshire Police against the Clerk and the Parish Council by the holder of the exclusive right of burial grant for burial plot E82. The Clerk had attended a voluntary interview at Grantham Police Station on 28 November 2025 the outcome of which was not yet known.
Councillor Gilbert also referred to advice received from Wilkin Chapman Rollits Solicitors regarding the compensation claim requested from the family of the late John Broughton which suggested mediation to agree compensation.
It was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would indemnify all reasonable costs for both the Clerk and the Council in respect of the ongoing burial matter and also that they would continue to seek professional and legal advice to conclude the matter.
It was RESOLVED to move out of closed session
26.112 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Bowell advised that the Keep Britain Tidy newsletter encouraged local authorities to become a member and he requested that this is considered on a future agenda ideally before the Great British Spring Clean 2026 (13 to 29 March)
Councillor Stevens advised that Deepings Community Library had won an award from the National Community Libraries Network as ad Liz Waterland for her role as a volunteer
Councillor Stevens also advised that the Community Connectors part of the NHS had attended the DSJ United Charities St Thomas’ Day distribution session which had been well attended and beneficial so more meetings such as this would be held during 2026
As Councillor Stevens who is the Chair of the Cemetery Committee is unable to attend a meeting on Tuesday 6 January 2026 it was agreed to change the meeting schedule to the following:
Tuesday 6 January 2026
7pm Recreation and Open Spaces Committee
8pm Finance Policy and Personnel Committee
Tuesday 13 January 2026
7pm Planning and Transport Committee
8pm Cemetery Committee
Tuesday 20 January 2026
7.30pm Council