October 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 14 October 2025 at 7.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Bowell, Dilks (County and District), Fowler, Hosking, Leader, Neville, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens, Townsin and seven members of the public.
Open Forum/Public Participation
Two representatives (one from the Deeping Sports and Social Club and one from Deeping Rangers Football Club) spoke in support of a funding request for their 3G all-weather pitch project. The Football Foundation recognise the need and have agreed in principle, to fund up to 70% of the total cost of £1 million with the remaining balance from club funds, South Kesteven District Council, community contributions, plus approaching local Councils and applying for other grants.
A representative from Deeping Explorer Scouts spoke in support of the grant application for funding to take 72 (9 of who are DSJ residents) local Scouts to the Jamboree in Lincoln in August 2026 at a cost of £430 per person. Families are contributing and several local councils re being approached.
A representative from the Deepings Literary Festival spoke in support of the grant application being made for the Deepings Literary Festival in May 2026 to cover venue hire, catering, author fees/expenses, administration media and marketing which in previous years had cost between £10,000 and £14,000 to put on and had originally received a substantial grant from SKDC but no more.
Two representatives were in attendance in support of the grant application from Deep In Kindness to purchase soup makers and food to run a warm hub during the winter months. The organisation was still getting itself established offering a variety of events and was receiving support from some local charities and businesses.
In the absence of another representative Councillor Stevens spoke on behalf of the Deepings Community Library funding for the financial year 2026/27 advising that it was one if not the most successful community Libraries in Lincolnshire following LCC closing it 10 years ago. Representatives have a meeting with the National Lottery next week to seek funding to extend the building. The Library offers more than books and although there are a number of volunteers funding is needed to pay two members of staff, maintain the building and keep it warm
Five members of the public left the meeting
26.71 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 Burdock, Gilbert, Halls and Smith.
26.72 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
Councillor Neville
Agenda item 26.76.3 – expenses payment.
Agenda item 26.76.7 – Grant application from Deepings Literary Festival as representative known to him.
Councillor Bowell
Agenda item 26.76.6 – Grant funding application from Deeping Explorers Scouts as family members involved.
Councillor Stevens
Agenda item 26.76.7 and 26.76.8 – Member of the Deepings Literary Festival group and Chair of the Friends of Deepings Library.
26.73 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 16 September 2025.
Agreed and signed.
26.74 To receive the Clerks report and any updates from the minutes of the previous meeting.
-LCC Highways have completed some remedial repairs following its condition being reported to LCC Countryside Access by DSJPC office after members of the public had raised concerns. Further concerns have been raised following the remedial repairs which I have forwarded to LCC’s Country Access department
-Following the receipt of feedback from Market Deeping Town Council regarding the draft Deepings Practice survey the working party have amended it and Councillor Stevens is seeking advice from SKDC’s Communications office as to the best platform to use to make it accessible to the public
-LCC Valuer contacted Clerk on 28 August advising that the legal contact provided to act on DSJPC’s behalf to conclude the deed of variation matter in respect of the plan attached to the lease between DSJPC and LCC for the land within the School playing field was claiming they had not been instructed. The Clerk contacted Hegarty Solicitors by telephone and also forwarded the email of instruction dated 19 December 2023 to them and re-instructed them to act on DSJPC’s behalf.
-The free ‘Save a Life’ adult AED and CPR sessions offered by SKDC’s Contract Swimming Development Manager have been requested and the date of Tuesday 25 November 2025 has been confirmed from 6.30pm to 9pm. Councillors Bowell, Neville and Shinkins-Hoppe confirmed their wish to attend with others either declining or saying they would inform the Clerk
26.75 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
Verbal reports from Councillor Dilks
Lincolnshire County Council
The Chief Executive Officer is retiring
New leadership (Reform) are looking for areas to make cuts and one area they are looking at is the free health and well-being programmes being offered via One You Lincolnshire. A consultation is open now to decide it’s future
The last council meeting included an agenda item about the use of former military bases to house asylum seekers
South Kesteven District Council
Two meetings have taken place to consider the housing of asylum seekers in private accommodation (houses of multiple occupation) alongside/rather than hotels which has led to article 4 planning directives regarding the reduction of HMO status from 5 to 3 unrelated occupants being considered by the scrutiny committee.
The 100th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Thatcher is being commemorated this week with a numbers of events being held.
The recently elected Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire has requested further funding for their role. There have been no tangible benefits as yet although there are a number of plans.
With a heritage lottery fund SKDC have provided a webpage with information about the Airborne heritage of South Kesteven which includes cycling and driving trails.
Homepage | Soldiers from the Sky
Local Government re-organisation remains a big topic for both County and District Council who are collating the feedback from the recent public engagements
26.76 Financial matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance Policy and Personnel committee meeting held on Tuesday 07 October 2025
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes of the meeting from which there was one recommendation from minute 26.36
It was RESOLVED to accept the committee’s recommendation to reconsider the decision agreed under 26.50.1a of the September Council meeting to not have an investment policy, and for Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe to adapt the NALC model template to suit the Parish Council’s requirements
2. To consider the recommendation under minute 26.19 of the Finance Policy and Personnel committee meeting held on 12 August 2025 that a 90-day notice account at the Hinckley and Rugby Building Society is opened and the land/premises acquisition earmark reserve fund of £65,000 is transferred to it.
It was RESOLVED to accept the recommendation.
Action: The Clerk to complete an application obtaining signatures from authorised Councillors
3. To approve the payments for October 2025.
It was RESOLVED to approve expenditure totalling £22,938.41
4. To note the income for October 2025.
Noted income of £6,195.59
5. To consider a grant funding request from the Deep In Kindness.
It was RESOLVED to make a grant of £260 to purchase two Soup Makers
6. To consider a grant funding request from the Stamford and Bourne Explorer Scout Unit.
It was RESOLVED to make a grant of £450 towards Deeping St James Explorers Scouts attending Poacher 2026 in Lincoln
One member of the public left the meeting
7. To consider the grant funding request from the Deepings Literary Festival 2026
It was RESOLVED to make a grant of £500, deferred until April 2026 due a grant having already been given to this organisation within this financial year to run Storyfest.
8. To receive a report and consider a funding request for the financial year 2026/27 from Deepings Community Library
It was RESOLVED to include £8,500 in budget and precept calculations for the financial year 2026/27
26.77 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Planning and Transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 07 October 2025.
2. To consider the following planning application:
Application number: S25/1843
Proposal: Crown lift Ash tree T12, G2 crown lift to an approx. height of 2.5m as per EAS (European Arboricultural Standard) Tree pruning 2025 (TPO-119).
Applicant: Mr Markham
Location: Linchfield County Primary School Crowson Way Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8EY
App Type: Works to TPO Tree(s)
The Parish Council have no objections or comments to this application
Application number: S25/1872
Applicant: Mrs Julie Fortnum, Deeping St James Parish Council
Proposal: Section 211 Notice to remove two Conifer trees, reduce one Elder tree by
1m, reduce 1 Hawthorn tree by 1-2m, and to remove Conifer hedge as it is
too close to the graves/headstones.
Location: Cemetery land At Hereward Way, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, ,
App Type: Trees in CA - Section 211 Notice
The Parish Council have no objections or comments to this application
26.78 To receive and/or consider the following correspondence:
1. LALC Internal Audit Service – Invitation to enter into a 1- or 2-year agreement to use this service
It was RESOLVED to enter into a 2-year agreement
Action: The Clerk was asked to sign and return the service level agreement to LALC
2. Lincolnshire County Council – requests for winter salt bags now open, online form to be completed by 19 October 2025
It was RESOLVED to accept the offer of a one tonne bag.
Action: The Clerk to arrange the delivery of a supply and for the maintenance staff to dispose of the current salt in the two council owned grit bins, which was no longer useable, ready for the delivery of the new.
3. South Kesteven District Council – Invitation to attend the second Local Government Reorganisation briefing at the Deepings Community Centre at 7pm on Thursday 6 November 2025
Some Councillors had already booked directly others were encouraged to do so.
4. South Kesteven District Council – Relaunch of funding for fruit trees with the Coronation Community Orchards Scheme
It was RESOLVED to apply for the further five to be planted with the earlier ten on the open space off Knight Close
Action: The Clerk to contact South Kesteven District Council as landowners to obtain their agreement and speak to their Tree Projects Officer for advice on planting then complete the application referring the earlier successful application for guidance.
5. Deepings Sports and Social Club – Further request to introduce their 3G all-weather pitch project at a stand alone meeting rather than within a committee on Council meeting
Following the circulation of information from and a presentation by two representatives from the Deeping Sports and Social Club and Deeping Rangers Football Club it was RESOLVED that this request should be considered by the finance policy and personnel committee when considering the budget and precept calculations for the financial year 2026/27. Councillor Bowell abstained from the vote.
6. Market Deeping Town Council – Invitation to attend the opening and closing of the Remembrance Garden at Riverside Park High Street Market Deeping at 3pm on Sunday 2 and 16 November 2025
Councillors Dilks, Hosking, Rose, Stevens and Shinkins-Hoppe advised that they would attend one of both of these events
26.79 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. 7.00pm Wednesday 24 September 2025 – Deepings Fun Day Sunday 2025 review meeting at Market Deeping Town Hall.
The meeting notes had been shared from which it was noted that the event had been successful and it had been decided that it would be held next year once again organised by volunteers from Deeping St James Parish Council, Market Deeping Town Council, Deepings Round Table, The Deepings Lions and The Rotary Club of the Deepings
2. 5.30pm 26 September 2025 – Lincolnshire County Council virtual event on Local Government re-organisation ‘Your Lincolnshire’
Councillor Neville attended and the PowerPoint presentation given had been circulated
3. 7.30pm Wednesday 24 September 2025 – Deepings Lions Duck Race Presentation Evening at the White Horse Market Deeping.
Councillor Bowell attended and had provided a report which had been circulated
4. 10am Sunday 28 September 2025 – Market Deeping Town Council Civic Service at St Guthlac’s Church Market Deeping.
Councillor’s Smith and Stevens attended
5. 6.30pm top 8.30pm Monday 6 October 2025 – Lincolnshire Resilience Forum Ready For Anything Emergency Volunteers Rest Centre Training at the County Emergency Centre in Lincoln LN5 8EL.
Councillors Neville, Shinkins-Hoppe, Stevens and Townsin attended this training and Councillor Neville had provided notes explaining what this involved which had been circulated.
The final member of the public left the meeting.
26.80 To receive confirmation that an election has not been called by the electorate to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Councillor Owen Laws on 22 September 2025 and that the vacancy can now be filled by co-option. To then agree the wording of the advert and where it should be advertised.
The Parish Council expressed their thanks for the interest and input Owen Laws had given while a Parish Councillor. It was agreed that the vacancy should be advertised on the Parish Council’s Website Facebook page and on the noticeboards around the parish and the applications received would be considered at the November Council meeting
26.81 To consider if the Parish Council wishes to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and agree to becoming an Armed Forces Friendly Council. If so if decide who will attend the one-day training required to fulfil the responsibility.
Following the short presentation from the Armed Forces Covenant Officer at the September meeting Councillors Dilks and Shinkins-Hoppe expressed an interest in attending the training day. The Clerk advised that following the training and the Parish Council being recognised as an Armed Forces Friendly Council there would be an expectation for those Councillors who had attended the training to be available at Community events and to possibly hold surgeries for the electorate to attend. This was not how some Councillors had understood this.
Action: The Clerk was asked to contact the Armed Forces Covenant Officer to clarify exactly what the role involved.
26.82 To consider presenting the Freedom of the Parish to a resident of the Parish
Councillor Bowell had prepared a paper which had been circulated proposing that the Freedom of the Parish should be awarded to World War II Veteran and Deeping St James resident Peter Foxon. Councillor Dilks supported this proposal adding that the scroll could be presented by the Revd Williams at the Remembrance Service in the Priory Church at 3pm on Sunday 9 November 2025. RESOLVED
Action: The Clerk was requested to order a scroll including appropriate wording and contact the Revd Mark Williams.
It was RESOLVED to suspend standing orders and continue the meeting past 10pm
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.
26.83 To receive an update and agree the next steps following an exhumation licence being granted on 5 August 2025.
The Clerk advised that communications had been received from both parties and that responses had been issued. Further action to progress the exhumation licence was agreed by the Council
It was RESOLVED to move out of closed session
26.84 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Stevens and Townsin gave their apologies for Remembrance Parade as it was the same weekend as the Frost Fair at Molecey Mill
Councillor Leader advised that she had been made aware of another dog attack in the open space at Hereward Way play area and the Police were involved.
Councillor Dilks advised that he was trying to arrange a meeting between the Parish Council, the Town Council, the local branch of the Royal British Legion and other organisations involved before the 9 November 2025
Councillor Neville advised that the Rotary Club of the Deepings are collecting ink jet cartridges.
Councillor Hosking informed the members that the Exotic Pet Refuge would be appearing on the One Show on Wednesday 15 October 2025
Councillor Dilks advised that the war graves in Deepings St James Market Deeping Barholm Langtoft and Baston would be visited by representatives from the local Royal British Legion Branch from 12noon on Sunday 2 November 2025 and the Councillors were welcome to join them.
Councillor Dilks said that Age Concern Deepings had purchased 2 mobile defibrillator units to place in the two minibuses
Meeting finished at 10.15pm
Signed ……………………………………
Date ……………………………………….