12 May 2026 Minutes
Dear Councillors Hosking, Neville, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith, Stevens and Townsin.
The minutes of the recreation & opens spaces committee held at 8.00pm on Tuesday 12 May 2026 in the meeting room at the Institute 38 Church Street Deeping St James PE6 8HD.
Present: Councillors Neville, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith, Stevens and Townsin.
The minutes were taken by the Parish Clerk
26.48 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 Councillor Hosking
26.49 To receive declarations of interest.
Councillor Townsin non-registerable interest in item 26.55.
26.50 To agree the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 10 March 2026.
Agreed and signed.
26.51 To receive the Clerk’s report.
- One of the trees planted in the Community Orchard off St Vincent’s Road has been snapped over the weekend of 18/19 April 2026. It is hoped that the tree will survive as there is growth below the snapped section
- One of the three footplates for the body twister piece of outdoor gym equipment at Jubilee Park was removed over the weekend of 18/19 April 2026 (and cannot be traced) leaving a piece of metal protruding from the ground. The maintenance staff have made the area safe.
- Several incidences of anti-social behaviour at Woody Heights skatepark and recreation area have come to the attention of the Parish Council via social media posts. This has been reported to the neighbourhood’s team at South Kesteven District Council via District Councillor Ley and it is understood that two of their Officers visited the area on Saturday 2 May 2026. No incidences were reported directly to the Parish council office or to Lincolnshire Police
- Box hedging at Broadgate Lane/Spalding Road junction and the Priory Farm corner has had to removed, as the blight has destroyed it. Working with the maintenance team a decision needs to be made as to what should be planted in the Autumn to replace it.
- Following communication from Bourne Skip Hire advising that they can no longer collect green waste twice weekly via an 1100ltr wheelie bin sited at the Cemetery, a cage has been hired from Prentice Bros Recycling Centre. This is situated at the allotment site and will be emptied monthly and is likely to be more cost effective.
- The project form for the second community orchard grant has been completed providing evidence of payments and photographs of the area and confirmation that the remaining 25% of the funding will be released.
- A feedback form has been completed for South Kesteven District Council in respect of the Deeping Nature Reserve walk held on 12 April 2026 as part of the SK walking Festival. Direct feedback received about the walk by SKDC was “Great to have had an expert from the Nature Reserve to point out key natural features. Bit short”
- EKM Limited the contractor chosen to install the new climb-over play house at Jubilee Park play area took delivery of the item form Proludic during week commencing 13 April 2026. Unfortunately, installation has been delayed due to the quote for installation no longer being valid as cost of rubber mulch and transportation has gone up considerably so a new quote is being obtained.
- A member of the public advised the office that a section of highway verge on Millfield Road had not been cut following the grass cutting contractors visit. On investigation it appears that this was due to the volume of on-street parking meaning the area could not be access safely and without risk. It is noted that this may be an on-going issue.
26.52 To receive an update from the Jubilee Park improvements working party
Councillor Smith introduced this item stating that the pool of grant funding pots available to Parish Councils was not vast and the amounts being offered were significantly smaller than the figure needed to complete the whole older children’s play equipment project. It was also noted that the fact that the Deepings did not have a high level of deprivation would impact significantly on success. Because of this Councillor Smith proposes that the whole project is divided into smaller phases and that grant funding applications not open to the Parish Council are applied for by the Friends of Jubilee Park community group. Groundwork East will need to be informed that the original instruction is to be altered which will involve additional work and possibly costs. RESOLVED.
Councillor Stevens referred to the improvements South Kesteven District Council had completed at the three parks in Grantham and suggested that the DSJ Ward Councillors should be approached to see if they could help obtain support with grant funding applications.
ACTION: The Clerk to advise Groundworks East of the alteration and contact the Ward Councillors to see if SKDC could offer any support.
26.53 To receive the draft heads of terms from South Kesteven District Council about transferring the land off St Vincent’s Close where the small orchard has been planted and also Millennium Wood which is currently leased from them.
It was RESOLVED to accept the Heads of Terms once the wording Town Council had been altered to Parish Council. It was noted that Deeping St James Parish Council would be responsible for the legal, advertising (under S.123 of the Local Government Act 1972) and valuation costs involved in this process
ACTION: The Clerk to advise Corporate Property Services at South Kesteven District Council
26.54 To receive a proposal from Artivity to provide Parish Council funded art workshops during either week commencing Monday 27 July 2026 or Monday 03 August 2026.
It was RESOLVED to accept the quotation of £1920 to organise and run ten 1.5-hour workshops for up to fifteen children during week commencing Monday 3 August 2026
ACTION: The Clerk to advised Artivity of the decision
26.55 To receive the quotation from a local contractor to shot blast and powder coat the 4 benches located in Manor Court Gardens
It was RESOLVED to accept the quotation of £1,580 from B & R Fabrications
ACTION: The Clerk to arrange for the delivery of the benches to their workshop for the work to be completed.
26.56 To receive an update about the requests for tree inspection quotations
The Clerk advised that she had forwarded the agreed tree specification and red line plans for five sites to five organisations. Two quotations (of £1550 and £1861) had been received and a further two organisations had requested further information prior to providing quotations. The Committee RESOLVED to give delegated authority to the Clerk to choose the contractor following receipt of at least one more quotation.
26.57 To receive an update about the birds-mouth fencing on Spalding Road
Councillor Smith advised that he had contacted the Welland and Deeping Drainage Board (WDIDB) to obtain permission to continue the birds mouth fencing although this needed to be followed up. It was noted that it had already been agreed to put one bench along this stretch and Councillor Smith suggested that two benches and less birds mouth fencing may be better.
ACTION: Councillor Smith to continue to pursue permissions with the WDIDB
26.58 To receive an update about the refurbishment of the telephone box
The Clerk advised that a quotation had been received of £600 for preparation and painting only. The same company had offered to complete a survey and cost the removal and replacement of the Perspex panes as well.
Councillor Smith suggested that there may be some Heritage grants to cover this type of project.
The committee agreed that a price for the removal and replacement of the panes as well as the repaint should be requested and that the work should be completed as the K6 telephone box was a heritage piece and a feature on Church Street
ACTION: The Clerk to contact the company for a further price and arrange the completion of the work and also investigate if there are any grants available.
26.59 To consider booking a pitch at the Rose and Sweet pea Show and Garden Fete in the Priory Hall and Vicarage Garden on Saturday 27 June 2026
It was agreed that the Parish Council should request a pitch at this event as it offered an opportunity to engage with the electorate of Deeping St James.
ACTION: The Clerk to contact the Church Wardens to request a pitch
26.60 To receive an update and agree any actions in relation to the annual Deeping Dog Show – Bark in The Park on Sunday 19 July 2026
Councillor Stevens advised that she would call a meeting of the small group of volunteers and organise this event. It was noted that the Waterton Arms would not be holding a Dog show this year. The guidance available on both the South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council website was referred to.
26.61 To note the date of the next meeting – 8pm on Tuesday 14 July 2026.