2026 Minutes

Fleet Parish Council
Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 21st September 2026 at 7.00pm
Councillors present: Councillors Barnes (Chair), Hammersley, C Penney, E Penney
Also present: Neil Watson, Clerk & RFO.

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

Cllr N Carey, LCC. Cllr Barnes noted on Cllr Carey’s behalf that:
Local Government Reorganisation has been paused; the May 2027 elections will now be for South Holland District Council rather than the shadow unitary authority. There are financial implications relating to the preparation work that has already been done.
The speeding issues through the Parish have been passed to Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.

Cllr P Barnes, SHDC:
There will be a waste management presentation in Fleet Hargate Community Centre tomorrow evening.
Waste bag deliveries for the final months of the current system were delayed but have now taken place.

Agenda Item 1: To receive, consider and accept apologies for absence.
Apologies were received from Cllr S Dickey and Cllr N Carey, LCC. 

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 20th July 2026.
The minutes were accepted by acclaim and duly signed by the Chair. Prop Cllr Barnes, Sec Cllr C Penney (Minute reference 26/039)

Agenda Item 5:    Financial Matters
a. Reconciliation of Bank account for July & August 2026
The reconciliations were agreed as correct by acclaim and signed by the Chair. Prop Cllr C Penney, Sec Cllr E Penney, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/040)
b. Reappointment of Victoria Clerk as Internal Auditor for 2026-2029
The independence of the internal auditor was discussed and confirmed, then Victoria Clark was reappointed as internal auditor for the period 2026-2029. Prop Cllr Hammersley, Sec Cllr E Penney, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/041)
c. Note the annual staff pay increase of 3.3% from 1st April 2026.
Noted, and the Clerk’s revised salary and back pay were agreed by acclaim.
d. Note the external audit report for 2025/2026.
Noted and accepted by acclaim. Prop Cllr C Penney, Sec Cllr E Penney, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/042)
e. Approve the payments list.
See list attached.

The payments list was approved by acclaim, Prop Cllr Barnes, Sec Cllr Hammersley, all in favour.  (Minute reference 26/043)

Agenda Item 6: To receive reports from:
a. Playing Field & Pavilion Working Party
The nodding donkey has suffered damage; options were discussed for repair or replacement – Clerk to examine the original invoice.
The footpath edges need trimming, Cllr Barnes to lead a working party.
A parishioner had thanked Cllr C Penney for emptying the dog waste bins so diligently.
Someone has been doing ‘donuts’ in the car park.

b. Fund Raising and Grants Working Party 
No current projects

c. War Memorial & Amenities Working Party (including Cherry Lane)
Some trees at Cherry Lane Orchard need staking.
The various flower planters need removal, renewal or repair – consider a Wind Farm grant application. Cllr E Penney will research options and prices.
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 volunteer works have been completed.

Agenda Item 7: Correspondence Received
LCC’s offer of a bulk bag of road salt has been declined.

A parishioner has complained of damage potentially caused during grass cutting - Cllr Barnes is dealing with this.

Agenda Item 8: Speedwatch Initiative.
The Parish SAM has been deployed on Fleet Road and has recorded a large number of transgressors.
The Police have agreed to conduct an enforcement session when manpower permits.
A meeting with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership has been arranged for 29th September.
The 30mph roundels have been painted.
Traffic calming measures have been denied.

Agenda Item 9:    Planning Matters
See the schedule attached. 
Cllr Barnes will look into the issues raised around application H05-0708-26

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

Agenda Item 10:    Forward Planning & Events

a. SHDC Activity Fun Day – 27th July 2026 
This was an excellent event, well attended and it is hoped to repeat it in 2027.

b. Use of pavilion for tea/coffee service
There has been minimal demand, so service has been discontinued.

c. Parish Yard Sale – 16th August 2026
The event was popular and enjoyable and will be repeated in 2027.

d. Farmers Market – Sunday 20th September
This was a great first event, the site was busy from 9am to 1pm. There will be further markets on the 3rd Sunday of October, November and February – kindly hosted by Mr Harold Payne at the Anglia Motel, returning to the Parish Car Park from spring 2027.
There have been a number of enquiries from crafters, a Christmas Market may be worthwhile on 13th December.

e. Waste Management Presentation – Tuesday 22nd September
This event is tomorrow evening.

f. Remembrance Day event – Sunday 8th November
2pm for 2.30pm on 8th November at the War Memorial, followed by light refreshments at the community centre.

g. 2027 Summer Fete Sunday 13th June 2027
A planning meeting will be called shortly to continue the preparations.

The Santa Run will be on 21st December, and ‘Light Up Fleet’ will take place, Cllr Barnes to publicise.

Agenda Item 11. To Note Date of Next Meeting
Monday 19th October 2026, Fleet Hargate Community Centre at 7.00pm

Meeting Closed:    8.15 pm.