April 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 14 April 2026 at 7.30pm.
Present: Parish Councillors Burdock, Dilks (also a County and District Councillor), Fowler, Hosking, Neville, Nickerson, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Townsin.
Open Forum/Public Participation
No members of the public were present.
26.149 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, Gilbert, Halls, Leader and Stevens.
Councillor Dilks had informed the Chair that he would be late.
26.150 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 Burdock declared an ordinary pecuniary interest in item 26.155.2 S26/0420
26.151 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
Agreed and signed
26.152 To receive the Clerks report and any updates from the minutes of the previous meeting.
- Artivity confirmed that they would love to offer some funded art workshops during the summer holidays and will forward a proposal soon
- Following the report of a heavy goods vehicle crossing the stone bridge on 18 March 2026, contact was made with the company who apologised and advised that the Driver had been spoken to
- Hegarty Solicitors have been instructed to act on behalf of Deeping St James Parish Council to complete the deed of variation work relating to the incorrect red line plan attached to the playing field lease to Lincolnshire County Council . LCC have agreed to cover the costs.
- An email has been received from PKF Littlejohn, the Auditors appointed to by the Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd, providing links to the documentation to be completed for the Annual Governance and Accounting Return with a deadline of 1 July 2026
- Confirmation accepting the three-year fixed price for the grass cutting at Woody Heights, Jubilee Park and of the Highway verges throughout the Deepings has been issued and the first cuts took place during week ending 27 March 2026
- Following an email from Bourne Skip Hire advising that green waste is now a prohibited item within their standard bin collection service as their processing facilities are strictly regulated and are not equipped to handle organic garden matter, the agreement with them for the wheelie bin located at the Cemetery has been terminated. A cage provided by Prentice Recycling Ltd has now been located at the Allotment site.
- The Community Orchard information board, paid for from a Coronation Community Orchard grant has been erected on the land off St Vincent’s Close
- Confirmation has been obtained from the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils confirming that there is no requirement for the nominee for the position of Chair to be physically present at the meeting, provided certain conditions are met - clear, explicit confirmation (ideally in writing, e.g., email) should be obtained stating that they are willing to be nominated, and they will accept the position if elected. The council should be made aware of this confirmation during the meeting.
- Notification has been received that public rights of way 8 (from Hereward Way to Church Gate) and 1017 (from Hereward Way to public right of way no. 8) will be closed from 3 days from Monday 27 April 2026 for overlay surfacing. This will restrict access to the Cemetery and Churchyard.
- The deadline has closed for the receipt of completed surveys about the Deepings Practice. The Assistant Clerk is still inputting the paper copies that have been received so the exact number received is not yet know although there appears to be approximately 950.
26.153 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
District Councillors Denniston and Ley had given their apologies.
It was agreed that this item would be returned to when Councillor Dilks arrived.
26.154 Financial matters:
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the finance policy and personnel committee meeting held on Tuesday 7 April 2026
In the absence of Councillor Gilbert Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe introduced the minutes of this meeting from which there were no recommendations.
2026 Minutes (Finance, Policy and Personnel Committee) – Deeping St James Parish Council
2. To approve April 2026 expenditure.
Payment of expenditure totalling £53147.08 was RESOLVED
It was noted that this figure did not include the April 2026 staffing costs which would be paid under contractual obligation when the payroll had been calculated.
3. To note April 2026 income.
Income totalling £154,142.53 was noted
4. To consider a grant application from the Deepings Raft Race Committee.
It was RESOLVED to provide the requested grant of £400
26.155 Planning matters
1. To receive the minutes and any recommendations from the planning and transport committee meeting on Tuesday 7 April 2026.
2026 Minutes (Planning and Transport Committee) – Deeping St James Parish Council
Councillor Gordon Smith introduced the minutes from this meeting from which there were no recommendations however there was a point of information – an invitation to attend a Deepings Neighbourhood Plan consultation event at Deepings Community Centre between 2.30 and 4.30 on Saturday 25 April 2026.
2. To consider the following planning applications:
Application No: S26/0420
Applicant: Mr Tim Hicks
Proposal: Change of use from agricultural land to dog walking/exercise area with
associated fencing, access and parking and extension to existing hard
surface area. Erection of storage building on existing hard surface area.
Location: The Paddock , Hard’s Lane, Frognall , PE6 8RP,
App Type: Full Planning Permission
S26/0420 | Change of use from agricultural land to dog walking/exercise area with associated fencing, access and parking and extension to existing hard surface area. Erection of storage building on existing hard surface area. | The Paddock Hards Lane Frognall PE6 8RP
It was RESOLVED to respond in support of the dog walking/exercise area and to not object to the storage building commenting that the Parish Council welcomed such use at this rural location.
Councillor Burdock did not vote due.
Councillor Dilks arrived.
Application No: S26/0129
Applicant: Mr R Goodson
Proposal: Construction of 7 two-bedroom dwellings
Location: 38 Spalding Road, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, PE6 8NJ,
App Type: Full Planning Permission
S26/0129 | Construction of 7 two-bedroom dwellings | 38 Spalding Road Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8NJ
Councillor Smith advised that this was an amended plan and the Parish Council had raised no objection previously but had commented about the parking layout. Improvements had been made to the parking layout along with bin access being added to the rear of the properties. It was RESOLVED to support this application
Councillor Dilks did not vote.
26.153 To receive reports from the District Councillors and County Councillor.
In his capacity as District and County Ward Councillor, Councillor Dilks provided updates on the following -
A planning application had been received for a Barbers at 110a Church Street Deeping St James, which would be shared with the Parish Council as a statutory consultee, had been received. It was noted that there was one other Barbers in Deeping St James. An application for a Barbers at 106 Church Street Market Deeping had been called in for a committee decision, and it was noted that Market Deeping had several Barbers.
The Government have agreed the new unitary authorities for Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk under the Local Government Reorganisation. South Kesteven District Council are pleased to see that the proposal for each of them to become one large Unitary Authority has not been accepted with smaller units being agreed instead. The outcome for Lincolnshire will known by late July 2026.
Fly tipping continues to be a major issue and cost however a recent incident in Ancaster was pursued on behalf South Kesteven District Council by an Investigator. This led to a large payment settlement being obtained prior to the matter being pursued in Courts.
An increase of 4.5% for the Lincolnshire Police element of the Council Tax was agreed by Lincolnshire County Council which along with extra funding from National Government will lead to the number of Police Officers in Lincolnshire increasing back up to 1150 within a year and more Police Community Support Officers being recruited
The site on Wellington Way Market Deeping, which is owned by South Kesteven District Council, has been cleared ready for the building of new council houses.
The National Government food waste collection service had started in South Kesteven on Monday 13 April 2026. Some additional funding had been obtained from National Government towards this initiative, however it had not been sufficient to cover the purchase of all the new vehicles required.
South Kesteven District Council have been won an award at the National Police Chief’s Conference for the best CCTV Operations Suite following the transfer of the centre from the SKDC site to Grantham Police Station.
26.156 To receive and/or consider the following correspondence:
1. Environment Agency – invitation to complete a survey (deadline 30 April 2026) and attend an event at Glinton Village Hall (1.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday 22 April 2026) about the Maxey Cut Banks Refurbishments
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that she would attend the event at Glinton Village Hall and encouraged others to complete the survey and also attend the event if they could.
26.157 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. Monday 23 March 2026 - Meeting with EKM Ltd about the installation of the new play house and required repairs to play equipment at Jubilee Park.
Councillors Smith and Shinkins-Hoppe along with the Parish Clerk met a representative from this company to agree the installation of the playhouse and the repairs required. The Clerk confirmed that arrangements had been made for the play house to be delivered to EKM Ltd.’s premises this week.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact them to confirm the installation date.
2. Tuesday 24 March 2026 – Deeping St James Allotments Association Annual General Meeting
Councillors Halls and Rose along with the Assistant Clerk attended this meeting. Councillor Rose confirmed that the Association provided an update about what had happened in the previous year and what they had planned for the next year and the Allotment tenants present elected the committee members
3. Wednesday 25 March 2026 – Meeting with a representative from South Kesteven District Council’s Corporate Property Services to discuss the transfer of land at St Vincent’s Close (Community Orchard) and next to 101 Spalding Road (Millennium Wood)
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe and the Clerk had attended this meeting. The Clerk stated that since the meeting she had been advised that South Kesteven District Council were agreeable to the transfer of both pieces of land and that draft heads of terms would be drawn up for our consideration. Deeping St James Parish Council would be required to cover the following costs – to obtain a valuation, to place a notification of the transfer in the press and our own legal fees.
4.Friday 27 March 2026 - Market Deeping Town Council Mayor’s Annual Civic Dinner at The Black Horse at Baston
Councillors Halls, Shinkins-Hoppe and Stevens attended this event. Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe advised that it was a very good event, with a number of dignitaries in attendance, which raised funds for the Mayors chosen charities
5. Saturday 28 March 2026 – Judging the Rotary Club of the Deepings Schools Art competition at Market Deeping Tesco
Councillor Neville who attended this event in his capacity as a Rotarian advised that
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe along with the Market Deeping Town Mayor, Councillor Bob Broughton and the Chairman of the Rotary Club of the Deepings had judged the artwork and chosen the winners.
6. 2pm Sunday 12 April 2026 - Parish Walk at Deeping Nature Reserve and along the Riverbank, as part of the South Kesteven Walking Festival organised by SKDC
Councillors Rose, Smith, Shinkins-Hoppe and Townsin attended this event. There were 34 attendees in total and thanks should go to the Deepings Nature Reserve volunteer who provided a good talk about the reserve.
It was RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the business to be discussed in relation to the following matter.
26.158 To receive an update regarding the exhumation
The Clerk provided an update and advised that a Funeral Directors would be contacted this week to agree a date.
It was RESOLVED to move out of closed session
26.159 Parish Pump - items for information or inclusion on future agendas.
Councillor Hosking advised that following confirmation that she was able to do so in her absence, she would be standing as Chair at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on 17 May 2026.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe informed those unaware of a Facebook post about unacceptable behaviour (damage to individual’s property, verbal and physical abuse) at Woody Heights Skate Park on Linchfield Road had been viewed which Councillor Neville had responded to advising of the presence of the live CCTV cameras. It was agreed that an official post should be added to the Deeping St James Parish Council’s Facebook page informing residents that the cameras located at both Woody Heights and at Jubilee Park were live and that the Parish Council would work with the local neighbourhood Policing team and the Schools to ensure that these two locations were safe places for individuals to visit.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe reminded those present that the annual Parish Meeting and Making A Difference Awards presentations would take place at 7pm on Monday 27 April 2026 at the Methodist Church Deeping St James. All Parish Councillors were encouraged to attend, arriving at 6.15pm to assist with setting up and to greet attendees.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe stated that this was her last meeting as Chairperson and that she was aware of at least 2 candidates for the position who she would encourage to make themselves familiar with what the role involved.
Councillor Smith also advised that he would not be standing again for the role of Vice Chairperson.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm
Signed
Dated