18 August 2026 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 August 2026 at 7.00pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Bowell, Burdock, Dilks (County and District), Fowler, Neville, Nickerson, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Stevens.
Open Forum/Public Participation
No members of the public were present
27.48 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 Gilbert, Halls Hosking and Townsin.
27.49 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 declared an interest in item 27.53.2 as there was a personal payment listed
27.50 To approve the minutes of the previous meetings held on Tuesday 21 July 2026 and 04 August 2026.
Agreed and signed.
27.51 To receive the Clerks report and receive an update on matters arising from previous minutes.
-As agreed a banner to hang at community events has been ordered and The Deepings Lions Duck Race on Sunday 06 September 2026 will be the first event it is used at
Update: A 6ft x 2ft banner has now been prepared and is with the Deepings Lions
- The local branch of the Royal British Legion have been advised of the agreed donation of £50 for the services of the Drummer for the Remembrance Parade.
- Progress has been slow with regard to the revision of the plan attached to the lease DSJPC have with LCC for the land within the playing field on Spalding Road/Linchfield, but I am pleased to say that the Parish Council’s Solicitor is now in communication with LCC Legal Services so hopefully this will soon be corrected.
- The Parish Council funded Scooter training sessions started at Woody Heights on Tuesday 11 August 2026 and 28 attendees benefitted. These will continue for the next five Tuesdays and Councillors Neville and Shinkins-Hoppe intend to visit at some point.
- PC Wilson has confirmed that they have returned to the Stamford Bourne and Deepings Neighbourhood Policing team. Along with their colleague PCSO Everitt they will be visiting the Schools in September in attempt to identify those in the CCTV footage captured from the Fire which occurred at Woody Heights recreation area on the evening of Friday 31 July 2026
- On the same evening, Friday 31 July 2026, there was also an incident of assault and robbery at Jubilee Park which Lincolnshire Police have requested CCTV footage of and the Clerk is communicating with them.
- Following receipt of a couple of complaints regarding the grass cutting or the lack of it on the highway verges and at Jubilee Park the contractors have been requested to provide a schedule of their visits and reasons for being unable to attend or complete. They have confirmed that they are looking at providing the Clerk with access to their online portal.
- The surveys of the Parish Council’s tree stock scheduled to take place on 06 August 2026 have been postponed due to a member of staff being unable to complete them due to an injury
Update: This has now been booked to take place on Wednesday 26 August 2026
- Notification has been received from the independent RoSPA play area inspection company that the inspections will take place during in August 2026.
Update: These were completed on Friday 14 August 2026
- Councillor Smith has completed two applications (The National Lottery Community Fund and Grantscape (Mick George Expression of Interest)) for funding towards play equipment at Jubilee Park which the Clerk has forwarded to the relevant organisations
- Councillor Neville has revisited the decision made in August 2025 (minute 26.57) to investigate a new webpage and along with the Clerk and Assistant Clerk demonstrations from three companies will be arranged
27.52 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor
It was agreed to defer this item until later in agenda when Councillor Dilks had arrived.
27.53 Financial matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Finance Policy and Personnel committee held on Tuesday 11 August 2026
In the absence of Councillor Gilbert, Councillor Neville introduced these minutes from which there were no recommendations.
2. To approve the expenditure for August 2026.
Payments totalling £18,718.32 were proposed seconded and RESOLVED.
Councillor Neville abstained from the vote
3. To note the income for August 2026.
Income totalling £2,427.81 was noted
27.54 Planning matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the Planning and Transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 11 August 2026
Councillor Smith introduced the minutes to this meeting from which there were no recommendations.
2. To consider the following planning application –
S26/1309 | Submission of details to approve Affordable Housing Scheme pursuant to (Schedule 4, Part A, Paragraph 5) of Section 106 Agreement that relates to Outline Planning Application reference - S24/0617 | Land South Of A15 West Of Peterborough Road Market Deeping Lincolnshire PE6 8GQ
Councillor Smith introduced this planning application explaining that the affordable housing remains at 30%, 24 of the 80 dwellings, however the developers wish to change the type of shared ownership housing
Of the 24 dwellings 60% will remain rented and 40% will remain shared ownership
Councillor Smith proposes that no objections are raised in response to the consultation and that a comment is made welcoming the developer’s continuation to provide affordable housing. RESOLVED
27.55 To consider the following correspondence.
1. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust – Thanking the Parish Council for the recent donation of £50 in lieu of John Parsonage’s presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting
Noted.
2. The Deepings Patient Participation Group – requesting items about wellbeing and social events or heritage and history to be added to their next newsletter
Noted
3. Lincolnshire Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Service – Fire And Rescue Response Review Engagement, consultation closes 23 August 2026
All members were encouraged to complete the survey.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe proposed that a letter was issued to Market Deeping Fire Station thanking the retained Firefighters for their service especially during the last two months which had been exceptionally dry and led to a significant increase in calls outs.
Councillor Stevens mentioned that a donation of bottled water to keep the team hydrated had been made and suggested that the Parish Council should do the same
RESOLVED
Action: The Clerk to write a letter and purchase some packs of bottled water.
Councillor Dilks arrived.
4. Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Centenary year update newsletter
It was considered that it may be beneficial to become a member of this group
Action: The Clerk to make contact regarding membership and to see if any fees were involved
27.52 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
Councillor Dilks advised that Local Government Reorganisation was the major topic at both District and County Council. Following the two South Kesteven District Council briefings held in Bourne and Grantham on 23 and 28 July and the extraordinary Parish Council meeting held on 04 August 2026 a public meeting had been arranged. This will take place at 7pm on Friday 04 September 2026 in Deepings Community Centre. Speakers would be MP Sir John Hayes as well as local District and County Councillors.
Market Deeping County and District Ward Councillor Ashley Baxter had applied for a parliamentary petition which was still awaiting government approval.
South Kesteven District Council had issued a letter voicing their opinions on the decision to change the seven District Councils and one County Council into two Unitary Authorities - City of Lincoln and Lincolnshire Rural – and asking for a meeting with the Minister of Housing Communities and Local Government to discuss the matter.
27.56 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. Town and Parish Council’s Local Government Reorganisation Briefing from South Kesteven District Council held in Bourne on Thursday 23 July 2026 and Grantham on Thursday 30 July 2026
Noted.
2. Parish Council funded Forest School organised by Our Forest Garden Swines Meadow Nursery Towngate East from Monday 27 to Friday 31 July 2026
Councillor Neville visited on Thursday 30 July 2026 and was very impressed with the variety of outdoor nature-based activities on offer.
3. Deeping Raft Race and Street Fair on the River Welland, Bridge Street Deeping St James and High Street Market Deeping from 11am to 5pm on Sunday 02 August 2026
Councillors Hosking and Neville attended to formally open what is a well-attended great community event and also to judge the rafts.
4. Parish Council funded art sessions organised by Artivity Studios Swines Meadow Nursery Towngate East from Monday 03 to Friday 07 August 2026
Councillor Neville attended visited on Thursday 06 August 2026 and was amazed at the range of art and craft activities available.
5. Deeping St James Allotment Association Show on Sunday 09 August 2026
Councillor Bowell attended this event, saying that the variety and quality of the plots and produce continues to improve year on year, and noting that a number of presentations were made
6. Exotic Pet Refuge 50th Anniversary Open Day on Sunday 09 August 2026
Councillor Neville attended this event, which was very busy and was astonished at the assortment of animals and birds there
7. Parish Council funded playscheme organised by Madcaps out of School Club Market Deeping Community Primary School Willoughby Way from Monday 10 to Thursday 13 August 2026.
Councillor Neville attended this event on Thursday 13 August 2026, a day which was very hot so some activities had been adapted or reduced. The number of attendees was lower than normal due to the weather too, however those that were there were having fun.
27.57 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe reminded everyone of the Frognall footpath/DSJ conservation area walk on Thursday 20 August 2026 starting at 6.30pm from the Institute and returning for refreshments
Councillor Dilks advised that an invitation would be issued for the Chairman, Council Neville to attend the Age Concern Annual meeting
Councillor Stevens advised of a pre-loved picture sale taking place at the Waterton Arms on 27 September 2026 to raise funds for the Deeping St James Signal Box rebuild.
Meeting closed 08.10pm
Signed
Date