March 2026 Minutes
The minutes of the Deeping St James Parish Council meeting held in the meeting room at The Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD on Tuesday 17 March 2026 at 7.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Burdock, Gilbert, Halls, Hosking, Leader, Neville, Nickerson, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Stevens.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk, Julie Fortnum
Open Forum/Public Participation
Two representatives from the Rotary Club of the Deepings provided information in support of the application for grant funding for the Deepings Charity and Fun Run to be held on Sunday 17 May 2026
Two representatives from the Market Deeping Bowls Club provided information in support of the application for grant funding to cover the costs of EICR certification, PAT testing and associated works that came from these. They confirmed that Market Deeping Town Council had granted 50% of the £1250 requested.
All four members of the public left the meeting.
26.138 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 Bowell, Fowler and Townsin. Councillor Dilks was not present
26.139 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 that he is a member of the Rotary Club (item 26.143.4)
Councillor Stevens declared that she is the partner of a member of the Rotary Club (item 26.43.4)
Councillor Hosking declared that she is a senior volunteer and fund raiser for the Exotic Pet Refuge (item 26.147)
26.140 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 17 February 2026.
Agreed and signed.
26.141 To receive the Clerks report and any updates from the minutes of the previous meeting.
- Our Forest Garden have been advised that their proposal to organise funded forest school sessions during week commencing Monday 27 July 2026 has been accepted by the Parish Council
- The play house to be installed in Jubilee Park play area was ordered on 25 February 2026 with a 10-week lead time and EKM Ltd have been advised that the Parish Council have accepted their quote for the installation of it and the laying of a soft play service.
- South Kesteven District Council have been advised that the Parish Council will organise a walk at 2pm on Sunday 12 April 2026 around the Deepings Lakes and along the bank of the River Welland as part of the SKDC Walking Festival 2026 running from 11 to 26 April 2026
- The Clerk and Chair have completed the nomination of Councillor Judy Stevens for the Judy Smith Lifetime Community Champion Award, part of the SK Community Awards scheme
- A testimonial (written by Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe) and photo of Councillors rose and Shinkins-Hoppe have been provided to the Deepings Raft Race Committee for use in the 2027 brochure
- Following the agreement to obtain quotations to complete pot hole repair work at the allotment site car park, Councillor Fowler has been contacted requesting that he obtains the quotes.
- The maintenance staff have been advised that their hourly rate will increase by .48pence from 1 April 2026. The annual pay award for the office staff continues to be negotiated between the national employers, which is made up of representatives of local authorities across the country and the representatives of the three trade unions involved, UNISON, Unite and the GMB
- South Kesteven District Council have been approached about transferring the land off St Vincents Close (where the Orchard has been planted) and the land leased from them next to 101 Spalding Road know as Millennium Wood and the initial response is positive with a meeting to take place to consider further.
- The individual who wished to pre-purchase a burial plot next to the grave of their son, a plot that had become available following the removal of the conifer hedge in the Cemetery, has been advised that the Parish Council have given permission. Access to the area for machinery to prepare the site may be an issue however the grave could be hand dug.
- The Clerk has shared the emails sent to the Network and Traffic Manager at Peterborough City Council following the press release about a heavy good vehicle crossing the stone bridge with the newly appointed Area Highways Manager (South) at SKDC. No further update has been received from either about reviewing signage. Since then, a member of the public witnessed another lorry crossing the bridge and along with contacting LCC and PCC directly they provided the details to the Clerk. Contact was made with the Haulier which led to the driver being spoken to about the use of Satnavs and planning routes in advance to avoid restricted areas.
- Notification has been received from Bourne Skip Hire that there will be a price increase of 7.5% from 1 April 2026 and also that they can no longer provide a 1100tr wheelie bin for green waste disposal offering a skip instead. Alternative solutions are being investigated.
- Following the annual charity dinner held at Maharanis on Tuesday 27 January 2026 The Deepings Lions Club have donated £750 towards the play equipment improvements at Jubilee Park.
- Information has been provided to British Telecom about the 10 CCTV cameras the Parish Council are responsible to see if they are suitable to be transferred to the SKDC control centre at Grantham. If they are compatible, a quotation for the work to complete the transfer will be provided.
26.142 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
County and District Councillor Dilks was not present
District Councillor Ley had provided the following report
I continue to undertake case work locally whenever contacted and update the
residents with the proposed plans of work to be undertaken.
Councillors at SKDC had a training session on the Armed Forces Covenant, what it
means for our residents and how we as councillors can support them. Those who
attended were very interested of the detail and didn’t realise just how much support
there is for our Armed Forces Veterans and the Armed Forces Communities.
I am led to believe there are still discussions ongoing with regards to Town and
Parish Councils for The Deepings becoming Forces Friendly. If there is anything I
can do to help on these discussions, please do contact me. I am happy to undertake
surgeries for our Veterans and support with any case work anyone may have.
I am in discussion with Veteran Support Services from Spalding with regards to
setting up a Brew and Banter group for The Deepings, this is aside from Breakfast
clubs and I will let you know the outcome once I have further detail.
Veterans Support Services at Spalding is run by two ex-servicemen, one Army and
one RAF and who support far and wide within Lincolnshire with Brew and Banter
groups but also have a lot of input in supporting Case work across Lincolnshire and
further afield to other counties.
I also Chair the Armed Forces Covenant Community Partnership which includes
numerous charities, Military groups, SSAFA, Royal British Legion, Connect to
Support and many others in support of our Veterans and Armed Forces
Communities where there is an enormous amount of work being supported in line
with Op Valour which is government led. If any Councillors are interested in learning
more about this I am very happy to share the detail.
Budgets at SKDC have all now been signed off for the next financial year which has
taken a lot of time from the Officers and Councillors but it is at a stable level.
There has recently been a study on Car Parking of the SKDC run car park in
Halfleet, Market Deeping. Thankfully, it has been agreed not to charge for the car
parking at this site but the bays will be remarked to support parking.
Councillor Stevens advised that Councillor Ley was also tackling a long-term litter problem (large quantities of used alcohol cans) in Frognall and she had been advised that SKDC are looking at obtaining drones to tackle fly tipping
26.143 Financial matters:
1. To approve March 2026 expenditure.
RESOLVED payments totalling £21600.51
2. To note March 2026 income.
Noted income totalling £1350.00
3. To consider a grant application from Market Deeping Bowls Club.
It was RESOLVED to grant £625
ACTION: The clerk to advised Market Deeping Bowls Club
4. To consider a grant application from the Rotary Club of the Deepings.
It was RESOLVED to grant £500 and noted that this would be released in the new financial year (after 1 April 2026) as a grant had been awarded to the Rotary Club of the Deepings with this financial year.
Councillors Neville and Stevens abstained from the vote
ACTION: The Clerk to advised the Rotary Club of the decision
5. To receive the three-year quotation from Glendale Managed Services for grass cutting at Jubilee Park, Woody Heights and of the highway verges throughout the Deepings.
It was RESOLVED to accept the three-year fixed price quotation.
ACTION: The Clerk to respond accepting the three-year fixed term quotation
26.144 Planning matters
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting on Tuesday 10 March 2026.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes from which there were no recommendations.
2. To consider the following planning application:
S26/0381 | Section 211 notice to reduce overhang of Conifer tree (T1) and pollard Willow tree (T2). | 86 Bridge Street Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8HA
Councillor Smith introduced this item advising that the trees were not visible to the public as they were located in a private rear garden and they were being reduced not removed so he proposed that the Parish Council made no comment. RESOLVED
26.145 To receive and/or consider the following correspondence:
1. Lincolnshire County Council – Invitation to attend an online event hosted by Cllr S Matthews (Leader of Lincolnshire County Council) or Cllr R Gibson (Deputy Leader of Lincolnshire County Council), to hear about their proposal and to ask any questions that you may have on Local Government Reorganisation on Thursday 19 March 2026 between 6pm and 9pm
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that she had registered for the online event on Thursday 19 March 2026
2. Lincolnshire County Council Bus Shelter Grants Scheme - offering up to £3,000 per shelter for new bus infrastructure or for repairs and refurbishment of existing shelters.
Following discussions at the planning and transport committee meeting held on Tuesday 10 March 2026 this grants scheme was revisited and it was recognised that if the Clerk felt that repairs, such as replacement barrel roofs, were needed a grant should be applied for and if successful the work should be completed.
3. Lincolnshire Police – Response to the letter issued to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Chief Constable and the Chairman of the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Panel about concerns about the temporary redeployment of uniformed Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team and asking whether the recent announcement of additional funding will lead to more uniformed Officers in the local team in the future.
It was noted with disappoint that although there will be 3 new Police Community Support Officers in the Stamford Bourne and Deepings Neighbourhood Policing Team from May 2026 none will be based in the Deepings.
26.146 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. Covid-19 Day Of Reflection organised by South Kesteven District Council held at The Deepings Practice at 2pm Sunday 8 March 2026.
Councillor Neville, who had attended this event along with Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe, said he appreciated this event taking place and told everyone that a ribbon could be attached to the Memory Tree to reflect on the loss of any individual, not just those lost to Covid 19
2. Commonwealth Day Flag raising and reading of the Affirmation at Market Deeping Town Hall at 10am on Monday 9 March 2026.
Councillor Neville, who attended this event along with Councillors Leader and Shinkins-Hoppe, where the flag was raised at the Town Hall and the Mayor of Market Deeping read the affirmation.
3. Meeting arranged by the Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Baxter regarding the Deepings 3G pitch on the playing field held at 3pm on Monday 9 March 2026 at the Deepings School. Other attendees included a representative from the Lincolnshire Football Association and representatives from Deepings School, Deeping United Football Club and also District/County Councillors.
The meeting was called to look at the possibility of renewing the 3G pitch situated on
the playing field on land predominantly owned by Deeping St James Parish Council
(leased to Lincolnshire County Council until 2054). All those present want a positive outcome however it was acknowledged that there are several hurdles to overcome – technical, legal, political and financial. Further meetings will take place to investigate all possibilities until either a new pitch has been installed or all avenues have been exhausted trying.
4. Recreation and open spaces committee meeting held at 8pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced these minutes from which there were a number of actions but no recommendations.
5. Tweens & Teens Love Playgrounds: The Basics of Playground Safety Webinar on Thursday 12 March 2026.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe had attended this webinar and taken notes which could be shared advised that the webinar had covered the not only the need for more play areas to encourage tweens and teens but also girls. Councillor Smith added to this topic explaining that the work that is being completed on the play equipment improvements at Jubilee Park will include focus on play for tweens/teens and girls
26.147 To consider awarding the Freedom of the Parish to a Deeping St James resident
Councillor Stevens proposed that the individual responsible for a local animal rescue charity should be awarded the freedom of the parish to recognise their huge commitment to animals and the community over the past 50 years. They have donated their life to looking after animals that others don’t want, not all exotic, and this has been done on a shoestring budget. This has been impacted further as DEFRA have restricted the funding options available to only 6 open days per year.
Councillor Gilbert suggested that a donation would be more beneficial to the organisation.
It was RESOLVED to arrange for a special certificate to be presented to the individual, ideally at the Annual Parish Meeting, and for a donation, ideally of a specific item to the value of £500, to be awarded to mark the 50th anniversary. Councillor Hosking abstained from the vote.
ACTION: The Clerk was asked to check the legality of providing the donation under section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.
26.148 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Hosking informed everyone about the open day at the Exotic Pet Refuge between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 5 April 2026
Councillor Gilbert advised that following an open yard sale at his yard in Crowland any building materials not sold would be available to go to local charities as he would prefer this to disposing of them
Councillor Stevens shared the programme of the Deepings Literary Festival 2026 which will take place between 29 April and 3 May 2026. The Deeping St James Parish Council Chairperson would be invited to the opening event.
Councillor Neville reminded everyone of two litter picks organised by the Deepings River Action Group as part of the Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean 2026. The first meeting outside The Bell Bridge Street Deeping St James at 11am on Sunday 22 March 2026 and the second meeting outside The Bull Market Place Market Deeping at 2pm on Sunday 29 March 2026
Meeting closed at 8.45pm
Signed:
Dated: