Fosdyke Parish Council Meeting Minutes

https://fosdyke.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk

Minutes of the Meeting of Fosdyke Parish Council

Meeting Details

• Date: June 2nd, 2026
• Time: 7.30 PM
• Location: Fosdyke Village Hall

Attendees

• Councillor A Mowton (Chairman)
• Councillor M Houssain
• Councillor M Kilburn
• Councillor J Rushworth (Vice-Chairman)
• Maxine Warr – Clerk, Courtney Glenn - Admin Support

Also Present

• 9 Members of the Public plus BBClr James Cantwell                                         

The meeting began with introductions. An explanation of where all fire and emergency exits are given. It was also noted that the meeting was being recorded.

PUBLIC FORUM

Concern was raised regarding overgrown hedges on the footway, as in some places it is necessary to walk off the pavement. It was acknowledged that hedges should not be cut during the bird nesting season, but homeowners will be approached to trim the hedges.

The litter, overgrown grass and illegal parking around Fosdyke Bridge was also highlighted. Signage has disappeared and the white line has not been reinstated. This has been reported to Highways, but no action has been taken. Cllr Lock will be approached for assistance.

The general litter issue was raised and it was agreed to have a more detailed discussion next month. In the meantime, residents offered to make ad hoc collections of litter especially as red bags and equipment are currently available through Cllr Cantwell.

65/26   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Overell.

66/26   DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

No declarations of interest were made relating to any of the agenda items.

67/26   MINUTES

The minutes of the May 5th were presented – Cllr M Houssain proposed, Cllr Kilburn seconded and it was resolved by the Council that the Chairman sign them.

Matters arising – all matters on the agenda

RESOLVED: that, the minutes of the meeting held on 5th May are approved as a true record.

68/26   PLANNING

No items to discuss

69/26   POLICE REPORT

It was noted that 4 crimes were listed for March 2026. 1 of violence and sexual offences in Randolph Road. 1 of violence and sexual offences and 1 of arson and criminal damage in Bell Lane. 1 of anti social behaviour in Bush Green Lane.

70/26   CLERK and ADMIN SUPPORT REPORTS

The Clerk had circulated a report which included the following:

• HMRC – The Government gateway is now set up and a direct debit in place to pay the tax and NI.
• Community Governance Review – this is now in the second stage of consultation for the increase in councillors. The closing date for comments is 5th June. The final decision will be made at BBC full council in July.
• Finance - The cheque for the land rent has still not been cashed and the contact number doesn’t connect. The Chairman agreed to investigate.

Highways – Several updates were reported from Fix My Street:

Mill Lane - work is scheduled for the uneven road surface

Waste Green Lane – some of the potholes have been repaired but not all.

Thompsons Lane - no action has been taken on the reports as it is a no through road but a request has been made for the case to be reopened.

Public Footpath – this is overgrown with vegetation but will be cut on the next cycle of grass cutting works which runs between 15th to 30th June or 15th July to 1st Sept.

Streetlight on Old Main Road – this still hasn’t been repaired and Cllr Cantwell is also investigating.

A17/Wash Dyke Road – the potholes that have reopened are awaiting repair.

Cemetery – the dyke is overflowing with weeds and this was reported to BBC but they suggest it is the responsibility of the drainage board who in turn say it is the landowner’s duty. Ms Glenn and partner have cleared a lot of the vegetation and were warmly thanked for taking this on themselves.

71/26   FINANCE

• The financial statements and bank reconciliation for May were received and the quarterly budget tracker noted. The balance on 29th May 2026, for cash in hand, stands at £15,981.56

RESOLVED: that the following invoices are approved:

M Warr – salary for May - £411.00

C Glenn – salary for May – £80.45

HMRC – April PAYE - £108.71

South Holland Internal Drainage Board – drainage levi - £266.35 (D/D)

LALC – Cemetery Management Training - £48.00 (£8 VAT)

Donations – the donation request from the Butterfly Hospice Trust was discussed and it was unanimously agreed to donate £360 towards the cost of the flooring for the summer house.

RESOLVED: that a donation of £360 is made to the Butterfly Hospice Trust.

Annual Return 2025/2026

• The internal audit report had been received on 1st June, so it was too short notice to make a detailed report on the items raised. This will be on the agenda for next month. However, the report was noted and accepted.

The auditor commented on the difficult year the Council had experienced and acknowledged the improvements that had been made.

RESOLVED that:

• The internal report is noted, accepted and approved
• The Annual Governance Statement is accepted and approved
• The Annual Governance and Accountability Return Accounting Statements are approved
• The Certificate of Exemption is approved
• The dates for the Exercise of Public Rights run from 4th June to 15th July

Policy Adoption

RESOLVED: that a policy for awarding the Freedom of the Parish is adopted

72/26   COMMUNITY SPEEDWATCH

A detailed discussion took place on the options for the speed reactor sign. It was agreed to purchase the Elan City Evolis ultra mobile pack at a cost of £2400 plus VAT and delivery. It was noted that the lampposts that will take the unit need to be identified and Cllrs Mowton and Kilburn will survey these for approval.  It was also noted that the Speedwatch scheme can go ahead with three volunteers as the trainer from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership is on sick leave.

RESOLVED: that an Evolis Ultra Mobile Speed reactor pack will be purchased at a cost of £2400 plus VAT and delivery.

73/26   CEMETERY

A response from BBC had been received regarding the transfer of the cemetery and it was noted that Heads of Terms need signing off and the notion value will be £1. There will not be repairs or maintenance undertaken before transfer unless any Health and Safety issues are identified. The Chairman was approved to sign off the HOTs if these come through between meetings.

Members were disappointed with the response regarding lack of repairs or maintenance as the fence needs replacing, the gate is broken and several trees need attention. There was also no mention of the old churchyard.

RESOLVED: the Heads of Terms for transfer of Fosdyke Cemetery will be signed off by the Chairman with a notional value of £1.

Ms Glenn recently attended an introductory training session for cemetery maintenance and updated the meeting on various aspects of the session. The legislation and associated paperwork is detailed and will need additional admin support. This will be discussed further next month. Cllr Cantwell agreed to help the PC, as he is the Chaiman of the Sutterton Cemetery Committee. It was suggested that the PC should join the ICCM.

74/26   NEWSLETTER

Mrs Saward circulated the edition that is ready for printing and distribution. Cllr Rushworth offered to assist with printing, and a number of volunteers have come forward to help with distribution. Mrs Saward said this will be a quarterly publication and she hoped suggestions would come forward for items to be included.

75/26   BUS SHELTER

Options had been circulated to the Village Hall Committee and a consensus had been reached. The VHC had also applied to LCC for Highway approval and this had been received. It was agreed to gather more information on the Kent Anti Vandal shelter, in Moss Green, from Shelter Store at an initial cost of £3463 plus VAT. An application for the grant will now be undertaken.

RESOLVED: that the preferred shelter is the Kent Anti Vandal Shelter from Shelter Store at a cost of £3463 plus VAT.

76/26   LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AND BOSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTERS   

            LCCllr Lock could not attend.

            BBCllr Cantwell thanked residents for attending the recent councillor surgery and for reporting the various streetlights that haven’t been repaired. He is also in discussion with the BBC Property and Maintenance team regarding the Cemetery.

77/26   FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

              A number of items were noted, including a report on the Internal Audit, General Power of Competence, Litter issues and review of the contract for the Admin Support officer.

78/27   NEXT MEETING

The date of the next monthly meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 7th July 2026, 7.30pm at the Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 9.07pm

Signed………………………………………………..Date……………………………….