March 2025 Minutes
The minutes of the Deeping St James Parish Council meeting which was held in the meeting room at The Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD on Tuesday 18 March 2025 at 7.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Bowell, Dilks (also County and District), Gilbert, Halls, Laws, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith, Stevens, Townsin and three members of the public.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk
Open Forum
Two representatives from the Rotary Club of the Deepings spoke in support of the grant application for funding towards the Deepings Fun Runa and Charity Race due to take place on Sunday 19 May 2025. As numbers have increased the race has moved up a category in the English Athletics network. The maximum number able to enter in order to keep the insurance at a manageable cost is 499 and the aim is for all the places to sell out online as this makes organising easier on the day. Most of the funds raised (around three thousand pounds) are used locally.
Both representatives left the meeting.
25.136 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 Fowler, Hosking, Leader and Neville.
Councillor Dilks gave apologies on behalf of Councillors Denniston and Ley.
25.137 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011.
Councillor Gilbert declared an interest in agenda item 25.142.1 as payment was being made to his company
Councillor Stevens declared an interest in agenda item 25.142.3 as partner is a Rotarian
25.138 Following receipt of an application, to consider filling by co-option, the remaining vacancy for Parish Councillor.
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to co-opt Kevin Burdock.
He signed his acceptance of office in the presence of the Clerk.
25.139 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 18 February 2025.
It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that the Chairperson should sign the minutes.
25.140 To receive the Clerks report and receive an update on matters arising from previous minutes.
-On 20 February 2025 an email was sent to Market Deeping Town Council requesting a joint meeting to consider how to support Deep In Kindness Charity. No reply has as yet been received.
-The Keep Britain Tidy campaign The Great British Spring Clean 2025 has been promoted via the Parish Councils webpage
-On 20 February 2025 a letter was issued to a representative from the Rotary Club of the Deepings allowing access to Woody Heights to run the Deepings charity and fun run on Sunday 18 May 2025
-On 20 February 2025 an email was issued to Rose Croft Artist and Storyteller accepting their offer to place a mural on Jubilee Park off Thackers Way Deeping St James. Since then, the exact location has been agreed as along the low wall near the rear entrance to Marville Court commercial units and the final piece will measure 8ft x 16ft.
-On 14 March 2025 a list of tasks for the Probation Service community payback team to complete around the parish was forwarded to the Placement Coordinator with a view to arranging a start date.
-The first cut of Woody Heights and Jubilee Park was completed by Glendale contractors on 12 March 2025. The first highway verge cut is due to take place during week commencing Monday 17 March 2025.
-Clarification has been received from the Parish Councils Insurers regarding 3 issues
CCTV cover - The Clerk is to provide the updated figure to cover all CCTV equipment so that the figure within the policy can be amended.
-Recently transferred land ownership - this will be included under the public liability insurance of £10million for any one incident.
-Flood containment equipment - The Clerk has been advised that the Parish Council cannot be held responsible if the flood containment equipment does not do the job but COULD be held liable if diverting the water caused flooding elsewhere. Therefore, professional guidance should always be sought prior to use. The onus would be on those who were flooded to prove that the flooding had occurred because of the use of the flood containment equipment.
-On 20 February 2025 a member of the public contacted the office as the light near Manor House Court flats and also on the footpath close near the entrance to Jimmy D’s. This was reported on fix my street but as it has been established they are not LCC streetlights has now been reported directly to SKDC
-The resolutions made in respect to recommendations in the Internal Auditors narrative report for the year ending 2023/24 were shared with them on 14 March 2025
-A combination code lock was fixed to the rear fire escape on 28 February 2025 to allow the staff access to welfare facilities when the meeting room is in use
-On 10 March 2025 a member the public requested the Parish Council to ask National Grid to re-seed the grass between Knight Close and Pawlett Close following the relaying of cables and to ask LCC to clean the oil marks left on the road and pavement following pothole repairs
-On 10 March 2025 the field section of public right of way no.4 between Jubilee Drive Market Deeping and Brewton Drive Deeping St James has been reported to countryside access at Lincolnshire County Council as unpassable following ploughing.
-An application form was requested from South Kesteven District Council on 12 March 2025 following the Clerk being informed that there is a new grants scheme for military commemorations.
-Councillor Townsin has advised that as DSJ Flood Warden she has completed an expression of interest form to take part in testing the new flood warning service. The original flood warning service has been in place for almost 30 years, providing real-time flood warnings and alerts
25.141 To receive reports from the District/County Councillors.
District Council report
Councillor Ley has been elected as Armed Forces Champion alongside SKDC also employing an Armed Forces Officer. The Armed Forces Covenant came into effect 15 years ago and it is a legal requirement to have an Armed Forces Cabinet Member (currently Councillor Dilks)
At the Police and Crime Panel meeting on 17 March 2025 Lincolnshire Police currently being ion special measures was considered with the Police and Crime Commissioner saying it was due to lack of funding. The number of PCSOs across Lincolnshire has reduced to 30, there should be 7 in Grantham and there are only 3.Police Officers numbers may also have to fall by 200 (currently 1143)
The Governments wish to move to a 2-tier system of local government with unitary authorities of around 5000,000 residents (SKDC is 145,000) was being considered. Both the County Council and District Council have differing preferred models which are still to be agreed. Provisional plans are required to be with the Home Office by 31 March 2025, and final plans by November 2025.
25.142 Financial matters:
1.To approve the expenditure for March 2025.
It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED that payments totalling £91900.69 should be paid.
Councillor Gilbert declared an interest and did not vote.
2.To note the income for March 2025.
Income totalling £23,235.55 was noted.
3. To consider the grant application from the Rotary Club of the Deepings in respect of the Deepings Charity Run taking place on Sunday 18 May 2025.
It was proposed seconded and RESOLVED to grant £500 to be paid in April, the new financial year as a grant had already been given to the Rotary within this financial year. Councillor Stevens declared an interest and did not vote.
25.143 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Planning and Transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 11 March 2025.
Councillor Smith advised that there were no recommendations from the minutes.
25.144 To consider the following correspondence.
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. Resident of the Springfields development off Linchfield Road requesting the placement of litter bins on the estate especially near the public rights of way.
ACTION: The Clerk to forward this correspondence to South Kesteven District Council as they are the authority responsible for refuse collection.
2. Bourne, Stamford and the Deepings Neighbourhood Policing team priority setting survey https://forms.office.com/e/4Vj3348uBu Deadline: 19 March 2025.
This had been shared with the Councillors who were encouraged to complete this individually.
3. South Kesteven District Council consultation on customer experience strategy - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SKCES2025 Deadline: 7 April 2025
This had been shared with the Councillors who were encouraged to complete this individually.
4. Lincolnshire County Council public rights of way improvement plan survey - Draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan | Let's Talk Lincolnshire Deadline: Monday 9 June 2025
This had been shared with the Councillors who were encouraged to complete this individually.
5. Artist and Storyteller Rose Croft providing an update on the ‘Deep In Places project’
Councillor Stevens advised that the launch event may be held at the Deepings Community Library.
6. Member of the public – requesting burial plot in section C of the Cemetery where the conifer hedge is.
ACTION: The Clerk to respond advising that the Cemetery had changed since 1983 with the planting of a conifer hedge which was now well established so no further burial plots are available in section C of the Cemetery.
25.145 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. Keeping your Internal Auditor happy Webinar offered by Scribe accounting Systems from 11.30am until 1pm on Tuesday 25 February 2025 https://www.scribeaccounts.com/blog/preparing-for-your-internal-audit-a-town-and-parish-clerks-essential-checklist
The Clerk advised that this webinar had covered a large amount of information in a short space of time but had been useful
2. Resilient together – risk management for local and parish councils’ Webinar offered by Clear Councils from 12 noon to 1pm on Wednesday 26 February 2025
Resilient together’ - our free Risk Management webinar for Local and Parish Councils on Vimeo
The Clerk advised that this had been a useful webinar also providing links to some proforma risk assessment templates.
3. Meeting with Contract Manager and Team Leader from Glendale grass cutting contractors for 2025 at 10.30am on Wednesday 5 March 2025
The Clerk advised that the meeting with the Contract Manager and Team Leader had been very positive.
4. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the recreation and open spaces committee meeting held at 8pm on Tuesday 11 March 2025
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes of this meeting from which there were a number of actions for the committee and Clerks to fulfil but no recommendations to the Council.
25.146 To consider re-opening discussions with Lincolnshire County Council, South Kesteven District Council and Anthem Academy Trust (The Deepings School) about the Astro-turf on the playing field, following the demise of the Deepings Leisure Centre.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that the land has been redundant since the Astroturf closed in July 2021. The majority of the land on which the Astroturf is sited on is owned by Deeping St James Parish Council and leased to Lincolnshire County Council until 2054. Should the Parish Council.
Councillor Gilbert proposed that as Lincolnshire County Council had allowed the Astroturf to be installed and to decline, the Parish Council should now write to them requesting replacement of the Astroturf or reinstatement of the land back to grass. Seconded and RESOLVED.
ACTION: The Clerk was asked to write stating that legal advice would be sought if no response was received by a specified date.
25.147 To agree to allow to the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group continue to work with South Kesteven District Council on behalf of Deeping St James Parish Council regarding the impact of the proposed development in Deeping Gate on the other side of Market Deeping Town Bridge.
Councillor Smith advised that Peterborough City Council will have today considered their draft local plan which includes 1550 houses on a site south of Market Deeping.
The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan group work with and on behalf of Deeping St James Parish Council and Market Deeping Town Council and Councillor Smith proposes that both Councils continue to allow them to do so. Representatives of the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan group (Councillors Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Stevens) would continue to report information to the Parish council via the planning committee and council meetings. Councillor Smith’s proposal was seconded and RESOLVED.
Councillor Stevens stated that she felt that the Parish and Town Councils should also have a view independently of the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group.
Councillor Dilks said he was aware that South Kesteven District Council had sent a letter to Peterborough City Council questioning why they had not been consulted about this proposed development due to the proximity to Market Deeping.
25.148 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Bowell requested the use of the Parish Council’s gazebo for the Deepings River Action Group to use over the weekend of Friday 28 to 30 March 2025 when the Plastic Ocean Whale event was taking place. The Clerk agreed to arrange for the maintenance staff to bring the gazebo on the Friday morning
Councillor Bowell also advised that the Deepings River Action Group were holding a litter pick at 11am on Sunday 23 March meeting at the Bell Tavern
Councillor Dilks advised that fixmystreet has been extended to include the responsibilities of the District Councils as well as the County Council
Councillor Stevens advised that she would be preparing a parish council newsletter to be distributed in April so articles for inclusion should be forwarded to her.
Councillor Stevens also advised that show had heard back from Linchfield School
Academy advising that the Choir would not be able to sing at the VE Day80 event.
Councillor Dilks advised that funding was available from SKDC towards VE/VJ events and that a Deepings Centenarian would be interviewed as part of the VJ80 celebration.
Councillor Townsin encouraged all the Councillors to put forward nominees for the Making A Difference Awards
Councillors Laws advised that the Linchfield School Academy Parent Teacher Association Summer Fayre would be held on 12 July and there was an opportunity for working groups to be there.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that the next Funday Sunday meeting would be at 7pm on 20 March at Market Deeping Town Hall. The Sunday Fun Day event itself will be held on 13 July
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that the SKDC Community fund grant for flood prevention equipment had been successful and 2 water containment dams and a pump would be purchased. The local emergency and flood response group volunteers will be receiving training from the Lincolnshire Flood Resilience Team and once trained the group will sign up to being covered by their insurance.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm
Signed
Date