2026 Minutes

Fleet Parish Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 15th June 2026 at 7.00pm

Councillors present: Councillors Barnes (Chair), Dickey, Hammersley, C Penney, E Penney

Also present: Cllr N Carey, LCC; Neil Watson, Clerk & RFO and four members of the public.

The meeting was recorded by a member of the public as permitted by the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014. 

PUBLIC FORUM – Incorporating reports from elected members of Lincolnshire County Council & South Holland District Council

A member of the public offered congratulations to the Parish Council for the excellent organisation and content of the fete yesterday.

Riparian responsibility for dykes was raised by a member of the public; the Clerk will source copies of the explanatory leaflet and arrange its distribution.

The replacement bench at the front of the car park was noted, and a question asked about the memorial plaque that was attached to the old bench – Cllr Barnes confirmed that the plaque is being restored and will be placed on the new bench in due course.

A question was asked by a member of the public about the Parish Council’s co-option process.

Cllr N Carey, LCC:

A positive public meeting had been held in Sutton Bridge about the future use of the Bridge Hotel; Cllr Carey noted that similar support would be offered by LCC to any Parish Council in a similar situation.

Cllr Barnes questioned Cllr Carey about possible speed reduction measures along Old Main Road, Cllr Carey will see if an ‘Archer’ survey and road-painted roundels might form part of an action plan.

Cllr P Barnes, SHDC:

Local Government Reorganisation planning is ongoing, shadow elections to the new unitary authority are likely in May 2027 with the two authorities to run in parallel for twelve months.

The Garden Waste scheme is now fully operational.

The wheelie bin project continues to develop; the start of bin distribution is imminent with collections likely to start in November 2026. Arrangements will be put in place for residents unable to use bins due to storage/access considerations or requiring assisted collections. Dry recycling will be required to be put into the bins loose to avoid bin liners clogging the processing machinery. Public meetings will take place over the summer to introduce and explain the scheme.

Agenda Item 1: To receive, consider and accept apologies for absence.

No apologies – all Councillors were present and the 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.

None

Agenda Item 3: Receive declarations of interest on agenda items.

No declarations were made.

Agenda Item 4: Approve the minutes of the meeting on 19th May 2026

The minutes were accepted by acclaim and duly signed by the Chair. Prop Cllr C Penney, Sec Cllr Hammersley (Minute reference 26/027)

Agenda Item 5: Financial Matters

a. Reconciliation of Bank account for May 2026

The reconciliation was agreed as correct by acclaim and signed by the Chair. Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/028)

b. Payment of invoices

Grass cutting £1597.00

Clerk/RFO monthly salary £602.17

Bank Charges £7.00

Scribe Software £532.80

South Holland Voluntary Car £778.68

Bench slabs £4605.60

Car park surface £13608.00

Clerk purchases reimbursed £27.00

Face Painting £200.00

The payments list was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/029)

c. Receive and accept the Internal Auditor’s Report for 2025/26 

The item was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/030)

d. Review and accept the Statement on Internal Control for 2025/26 (AGAR p3)

The item was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour. (Minute reference 26/031)

e. Complete the Annual Governance Statement for 2025/26 (AGAR p4)

The item was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour. (Minute reference 26/032)

f. Accept the Accounting Statements for 2025/26 (AGAR p5)

The item was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour. (Minute reference 26/033)

g. Approve the Notice of Public Rights for inspection of the 2025/26 accounts. 

The item was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr P Barnes, Sec Cllr A Hammersley, all in favour. (Minute reference 26/034)

The Chair thanked the Clerk & RFO for his hard work on the internal and external audit procedures for the last financial year.

Agenda Item 6: To receive reports from:

a. Playing Field & Pavilion Working Party

The pavilion’s external windows have been painted.

The car park extension works are complete.

The slabs for the new benches have been completed and the benches installed.

The footpath has been extended towards the play area to eliminate the wet spot.

The roundabout needs servicing (Clerk to arrange)

A toilet lock needs replacing in the pavilion.

The Chair said how pleasing it is to have the pavilion in operation; it is now a facility to be proud of.

b. Fund Raising and Grants Working Party 

The UKSPF application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

An application has been made to The Grange wind farm community benefit fund.

Other potential funders were identified as The National Lottery, Children in Ned and the Postcode Lottery.

c. War Memorial & Amenities Working Party (including Cherry Lane)

Summer planting at the War Memorial is complete.

The step up to the memorial is loose and potentially dangerous, this is to be reported to Highways via Fix My Street.

i. Cherry Lane Volunteer Project – update

The project has been agreed with the LCC Volunteer Coordinator, the group will supply all labour and Brewers Decorator Centres have generously agreed to donate all the materials for the project. Work is scheduled for 4th & 5th August 2026.

Agenda Item 7: Correspondence Received

None

Agenda Item 8: Speedwatch Initiative.

No report this month. The Chair asked if the newly acquired 30mph signs had been erected on Old Main Road yet. It was noted that they hadn’t but it was agreed that this would be done as soon as possible.

Agenda Item 9: Planning Matters

See the schedule attached.

Full details of all planning matters can be found at www.sholland.gov.uk.

Agenda Item 10: Forward Planning & Events

a. Fleet Summer Fete - 14 June 2026 – report. 

The fete was a well-attended and successful event enjoyed by all.

The Lithuanian singers and dancers were superb; it was agreed by acclaim to make a donation to their group and invite them to appear again next year.

The 2027 fete will be held on Sunday 13th June 2027

The security company failed to send their staff to the event – the Clerk is dealing with this.

b. Fleet School Sports Day – 19th June 2026

Plans and procedures are in place ready for Friday’s event.

c. SHDC Activity Fun Day – 27th July 2026 

This is a turnkey event with the SHDC team simply needing access to the toilets. Cllr Barnes will enquire whether the organisers wish us to provide refreshments from the pavilion.

d. Use of pavilion for tea/coffee service

The Royal British Legion under the kind supervision of Cllrs Penney have started this provision and word is starting to get around.

e. Farmers Markets

A number of expressions of interest have been received.

f. Tabletop Sales

The car park area will be made available for parishioners to use at the Fleet Hargate Yard Sale on 16th August, Cllr E Penney has kindly offered to lead this project.

Agenda Item 11. Tree and Landscape work at the church – update

LCC have accepted responsibility for raising the crown on the two trees on the green and cutting back the verge and brambles in front of the Church – this work should be completed shortly. LCC have requested the Church to deal with the tree that overhangs the highway as it is rooted in the churchyard.

Agenda Item 12. Baptist Chapel – Update

Discussions continue with the Church authorities.

Agenda Item 13. Parish Grass Cutting – update

An application has been made for the Parish to take devolved responsibility for some grass cutting, the application is being processed.

Agenda Item 14. To Note Date of Next Meeting

Monday 20th July 2026, Fleet Hargate Community Centre at 7.00pm

Meeting Closed: 8.10 pm.