January 2026 Minutes
Fleet Parish Council
Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 19th January 2026 at 7.00pm
Councillors present: Councillors Barnes (Chair), Hammersley, C Penney, E Penney.
Councillors absent: None
Also present: Neil Watson, Clerk & RFO and three members of the public.
Apologies from Cllr Carey, Lincolnshire County Council
Cllr Barnes opened the meeting by welcoming the departing Clerk to the meeting, thanking her for her hard work over nine years as Clerk and wishing her well for the future. He then welcomed Neil as our new Clerk. The Chair also noted Cllr Ashlie Smith’s resignation as a Councillor and thanked her for her efforts in the south of the Parish.
PUBLIC FORUM – Incorporating reports from elected members of Lincolnshire County Council & South Holland District Council
Various matters relating to Fleet Road Garage were noted by Cllr Barnes. Yellow lines have been considered to ease the parking issue, but this may well just push the problem elsewhere. Contact has been made with SHDC regarding environmental aspects of the shop operation, the untidy site, and the building work noted in the upstairs area of the building. DVLA will be contacted regarding untaxed vehicles parked around the site.
The wheelie bin project is scheduled to happen in the Autumn but may be delayed as SHDC councillors have rejected the waste management plan submitted by officers.
The SHDC ‘untidy buildings policy’ is being retired and will be replaced by a guidance document to provide various contacts within SHDC
The SHDC Planning Committee has been reduced in size, resulting in an increased number of officer decisions being made Cllr Barnes is hoping that all planning applications within Fleet will be forwarded to full committee for discussion
The Unitary Authority process is ongoing, with a decision to which model will be accepted, expected in the spring. Current proposals are that SHDC Councillors term of office will be extended by one year to May 2028, with elections for the shadow Unitary Council in 2027 (approx. 100 Councillors).
Agenda Item 1: To receive, consider and accept apologies for absence.
No apologies as all Councillors present, meeting is quorate.
Agenda Item 2: Receive applications (if any) for the office of Parish Councillor and to co-opt a candidate to fill the existing vacancy.
No applications received
Agenda Item 3: Receive declarations of interest on agenda items.
No declarations were made.
Agenda Item 4: Approve the minutes of the meeting on 17th November 2025 and 4th December 2025
The minutes were accepted by acclaim and duly signed by the Chair. (Minute reference 26/001)
Agenda Item 5: Financial Matters
a. Budget forecast – precept decision
The 2026/27 Precept was agreed at a figure of £43,479. Proposed by Cllr Barnes, seconded by Cllr C Penney, all in favour. Work will continue through the next financial year on budget matters. (Minute reference 26/002)
b. Reconciliation of Bank account for November and December 2025
The reconciliations were agreed as correct by acclaim and signed by the Chair. (Minute reference 26/003)
c. Proposal to change the Council’s banking to Unity Trust Bank
Proposed by Cllr Hammersley, seconded by Cllr E Penney, that the transfer be instigated as soon as possible. All in favour. (Minute reference 26/004)
d. Proposal to replace the Clerk’s laptop
Proposed by Cllr Barnes, seconded by Cllr C Penney, that a replacement Dell laptop be purchased with a budget figure of £300. All in favour. (Minute reference 26/005)
e. Payment of invoices
The payments list was agreed by acclaim (Minute reference 26/006)
Agenda Item 6: Reports on or from:
a. Playing Field and Pavilion Working Party
b. Pavilion Refurbishment
c. Installation of benches and tables
d. Fund Raising and Grants Working Party
e. Submitted Grant Applications
f. War Memorial & Amenities Working Party (including Cherry Lane)
g. Observations following asset inspections
Cllr Barnes gave a consolidated report as follows:
The playground annual safety check report has been received – the Clerk will report on this at the next meeting.
There appears to have been flail cutting around the playing field car park area, which may have caught some trees. Cllr Barnes to take a look
The pavilion refurbishment is well under way; the container is in place and being used for storage. The interior of the pavilion has been gutted and refitted with modern kitchen units and sanitary ware to make it a welcoming space. The floor has been screeded and flooring ordered. Cllr Barnes will paint the interior at no cost to the Council using paint kindly donated by Brewers Decorating Centre in Wisbech.
Heaters are to be fitted controlled by timing devices, extraction has been fitted to the appropriate areas of the building.
The entrance door will be modified to suit the wheelchair access ramp, and repainted.
LED lighting has been fitted throughout thanks to a generous donation which also included the shower cable and other electrical cable.
The fitting of the new benches and tables is an ongoing project
A grant application is being made to the Football Foundation for the flooring and heaters in the pavilion.
Cherry Lane is looking good and escaped any serious storm damage.
A protected tree at the war memorial needs further attention.
Agenda Item 7: Correspondence Received
The Clerk received an email from a Parishioner concerning Fleet Road garage, Cllr Barnes will respond direct. (See also Public Forum notes above).
The chair had received note concerning contradictory speed limit signs in the Parish – the matter will be referred to LCC Highways Dept.
Agenda Item 8: Speedwatch Initiative.
No sessions since the last meeting due to weather and short days. The interactive sign has been deployed on Fleet Road and the data awaits analysis.
Agenda Item 9: Planning Matters
It was noted that Derene, Damgate, does not fall into Fleet Parish, although the land to the rear may do so.
Agenda Item 10: Forward Planning & Events
a. Fleet Summer Fete 14th June 2026
The clerk is to call a working party meeting as soon as possible to move matters forward. The Royal British Legion has offered a marquee to any stall holder who would like to use it.
b. Light-Up Fleet feedback
It was pleasing to have more entries this year. The Parish Clerk kindly conducted the judging; the winners were pleased to be recognised for their efforts.
Santa’s Sleigh was very popular and hopefully will be repeated in 2026.
Agenda Item 11: Date of next meeting.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 24th February 2025 at Gedney Hill Memorial Hall
Meeting Closed: 8.45 pm.