Meeting – Monday 15 September 2025
The meeting of Fleet Parish Council was held at Community Hall, Hargate Close, Fleet Hargate on Monday 15th September 2025 at 7pm, which was attended by 3 members of the public and the following Councillors: Paul Barnes, Kevin Smith, Alan Hammersley, Evelyn Penney, Charles Penney & the Clerk.
Public Forum Opened:
A Parishioner asked if we could look at assisting to tidy up the Church End Green as this is now very overgrown. Cllr Barnes confirmed that although this area is not Fleet Parish Council’s responsibility, we will take a look.
A member of the CSW team present at the meeting, suggested we look at requesting permission to conduct Speed watch sessions at Church end. Cllr K Smith will review and pass details to the Clerk to apply.
A Parishioner asked if there were any further updates on the car parking plans for Hargate Close – Cllr Barnes advised he had no updates at this time.
Lincolnshire County Councillor Report – Due to the absence of LCC Neil Carey - No reports were received. Cllr Barnes shared an email received from LCC Cllr Carey about local trades volunteering to complete projects within the Parish. It was resolved to ask about the gravel replacement at the War Memorial.
District Report – District Cllr Barnes reported that there have been sessions run for updates on plans for the Unity Authority with the proposals going into government on 28 September. We should know more around May next year.
25.09.52 Apologies for Absence – Cllr A Smith - Reasons given were noted and accepted by all
25.09.53 To receive applications (if any) for the office of Parish Councillor and to Co-opt a candidate to fill the existing vacancy – None received
25.09.54 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and to consider any requests for dispensations in respects of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests in Agenda items – None Received.
25.09.55 Signing of the Minutes – Clerk’s notes from the meeting on 15 July 2025 were previously circulated, read and RESOLVED by all, as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
25.09.56 Financial Matters:
• Reconciliation of Bank account - Clerk talked through current bank balance following reconciliation of the bank statements for July & August 2025 – The balance as of 29 August 2025 was £57,679.58, with no pending payments. Members were provided with a copy of the latest bank statement for their records.
• Payment of Invoices:
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Online Receipt
|
11/07/2025
|
Grants
|
- 428.00
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National Lottery
|
|
Direct Debit
|
17/07/2025
|
Electricity to Pavilion
|
20.86
|
EDF
|
|
Online Payment
|
18/07/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
12.00
|
Timpson
|
|
Online Payment
|
18/07/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
557.88
|
Wicksteed
|
|
Online Payment
|
18/07/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
53.22
|
New flame
|
|
Online Payment
|
01/08/2025
|
Benche (District Budget)
|
540.00
|
NBB Recycled Furniture
|
|
Online Payment
|
01/08/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
16.03
|
Huck Nets UK
|
|
Online Payment
|
01/08/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
10.99
|
Tonwood
|
|
Online Payment
|
01/08/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
13.99
|
Amazon - Signs
|
|
Online Payment
|
01/08/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
12.90
|
Amazon - Signs
|
|
Online Payment
|
01/08/2025
|
Playing Field Repairs & Main
|
5.44
|
Amazon - Signs
|
|
Online Payment
|
08/08/2025
|
Grass Cutting
|
1,110.00
|
JAH Garden and Grounds
|
|
Online Payment
|
08/08/2025
|
Benches
|
5,454.00
|
NBB Recycled Furniture
|
|
Online Payment
|
08/08/2025
|
Clerk Salary
|
409.70
|
Clerk
|
|
Online Receipt
|
14/08/2025
|
Easy Funding
|
- 20.88
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Easy Fundraising
|
|
Direct Debit
|
19/08/2025
|
Electricity to Pavilion
|
21.49
|
EDF
|
|
Online Payment
|
22/08/2025
|
Auditor
|
378.00
|
PKF Littlejohn
|
|
Online Payment
|
08/09/2025
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Office supplies/Printing
|
31.00
|
Cartridge save
|
|
Online Payment
|
08/09/2025
|
Grass Cutting
|
1,290.00
|
JAH Garden and Grounds
|
|
Online Payment
|
12/09/2025
|
Clerk Salary
|
409.30
|
Clerk
|
|
Online Payment
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08/09/2025
|
Bus Shelters
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70.00
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DCS Window cleaning
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All noted and approved.
• Budget Forecast – Clerk shared details of the 2025/26 budget forecast. Nothing of concern was raised.
• Finalisation of external Audit by PFK Littlejohn - Clerk reported that the external Audit had now concluded and had previously circulated the relevant documentation for review, all was in order and there was nothing further to report
• Review and approve invoice from South Holland Parish Voluntary Car Service – Clerk shared details of the cost (£743.45) and information provided for numbers of Parishioners who have used the scheme. Following discussion, it was Resolved to pay this invoice, but also to ask for more details so we can advertise the Scheme to all Parishioners. It was also resolved to nominate Cllr A Hammersley as the Fleet Parish Council Representative.
25.09.57 Resolve what we need to do to comply with Assertion 10 in this year’s AGAR - setup “GOV.UK” or “.ORG” accounts. – Clerk talked through the requirements to comply with the new requirements set out in Assertion 10 of the AGAR. Following a discussion, it was resolved to proceed with a new Domain Fleetparishcouncil.gov.uk at a cost of £50 per year for the domain and email hosting with 2GB storage for £49.99 per year. Clerk to arrange and set up.
25.09.58 To receive reports - from:
• Playing Field & Pavilion Working Party – Cllr K Smith reported that repairs and maintenance were ongoing, with a new net to the basketball hoop and chain swing installed. The 2 teams that rented the pavilion and pitch last year will be returning this year.
a) Update on improvements to path at entrance of playing field – Cllr P Barnes confirmed this work was now complete and all was in order.
b) Proposal to move forward with Pavillion refurbishing – Cllr P Barnes advised that with the pavilion now being over 40 years old, improvements were required. He shared details of plans to update the pavilion and proposed we move forward by obtaining costs (guestimate £10-£12.5K) and look at applying for grants to carry out the works. This was seconded by Cllr K Smith and agreed by all.
c) Proposal to purchase and site storage container on playing field – Following on from the required works to the Pavilion, Cllr P Barnes explained the need to site a storage container on the playing field. This would also serve a purpose to store cones and Parish Materials, rather than store everything in the Pavilion. He proposed we purchase a 20ft storage container next to the pavilion, with would cost of £2,500 plus any planning application costs. This was seconded by Cllr E Penney and agreed by all. Cllr Barnes to confirm if planning permission required, if all in order will arrange for purchase.
• Fund Raising and Grants Working Party
d) Update on submitted Grant applications – in the absence of Cllr A Smith her report was shared. Cllr Barnes advised that there is a further round with the UKSPF, which we have applied.
• War Memorial & Amenities Working Party (including Cherry Lane) – Cllr Barnes confirmed that the topsoil at Cherry lane was now down and ready for planting. He also advised that he had fitted the 2 new benches. Cllr E Penney advised she would purchase the seed, to the agreed value of £60. The new gravel for the war memorial is still outstanding. Following a discussion if was resolved that an additional spend of up to £250 was agreed to cover any labour costs.
• Observations following asset inspections – Nothing to note currently. Cllr Barnes advised that the memorial bench to be sited at the Meridian stone was due to be installed on Saturday.
25.09.59 Correspondence Received:
• Email from Parishioner regarding unadopted roads being resurfaced – Following investigation it was reported that no one at Highways approved the works or a start date. Clerk to reply.
25.09.60 Speed Watch Initiative - To review any information gathered from the interactive speed sign & Police Speed Camera - Cllr K Smith shared results from the interactive sign that had been placed on Old Main Road from the 3rd – 21st August. Average vehicle 778 per day, with average of 178 speeding (168 vehicles traveling at 40mph+) one with speed of 65 on 15 August at 11pm. It was agreed that Cllr P Barnes would share this data with Lincolnshire Road Safety and the police.
• Update on TRO’s – Speed Reductions – Cllr Barnes confirmed the new speed signs were in place at Church End and was chasing the ones for Fleet Road, which had been signed off in July.
25.09.61 Planning Matters - To note all Planning Applications and decisions received from SHDC since the last meeting:
Applications received since last Meeting:
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Date
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Reference no - Type
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Proposal
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Location
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Comments by:
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17/07/2025
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H06-0662-25 Reserved Matters
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Erection of Single Dwelling - outline approval H06-0416-24
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Former Car Park to The Chequers Public House Main Street
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07/08/2025
|
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27/08/2025
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H05-0729-25 Full
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Change of use of previously reclaimed land to enable a mixed residential and equine use through the standing of two residential static caravans and two touring caravans and erection of two stables and ancillary works to create a home for a Gypsy / Traveller family
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Land to the west of Langary Gate Road Fleet Coy
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17/09/2025
|
|
28/08/2025
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H05-0791-25 Full
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Winter Animal Shelter - Retrospective
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Strongs Bank Holbeach Fen
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18/09/2025
|
Decided Planning Applications by SHDC:
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Date
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Reference
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Development
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Location
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Decision
|
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20/07/2025
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H05-0529-25 TPO Tree Works
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Works to Fleet Tree Preservation Order No 8 2017
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Carmine Way Fleet
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Approved
|
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27/07/2025
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H05-0423-25 SEC 73 MODIFICATION
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Erection of 38 cabins for holiday / leisure use together with landscaping and all associated works (uplift of 14 no. units compared to the existing consent) - approved
under H05-0565-22. Modification of Condition 2 to allow amendments to previously approved plans
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Land At Lowgate Fleet
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Application Withdrawn
|
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17/08/2025
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H05-0621-25 Tree Works in CON
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Works to Trees in Fleet Conservation Area
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The Manor House Hallgate Fleet
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Approved
|
|
24/08/2025
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H05-0559-25 S191 LAWFUL USE
CERT
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Siting of 4 Buildings
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Strongs Bank Holbeach Fen
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Refusal
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25.09.62 Forward Planning & Events
• Fleet Summer Fete 7 June 2026 – Following a discussion it was Resolved to amend this date to the 14th of June in order not to clash with other local planned events
• Plans for Christmas events in Fleet
a) Santa Sleigh – It was Resolved not to go ahead with this idea due to lack of equipment
b) Light Up Fleet – Ongoing
25.09.63 To Note Date of Next Meeting –– Meeting Tuesday 21 October **Gedney Hill Memorial Hall
20:30 Meeting closed to public
Resolved to go into Closed session to discuss:
25.09.64 Clerk Salary and annual Review – Following on from receipt of the new NALC Salary Pay Scales it was Resolved to increase the Clerks hours pay to £16.0 per hour in line with pay scale 20 with backpay (from April 2025) agreed to the sum of £143.10.
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