Fosdyke Parish Council Meeting Minutes

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

Minutes of the Meeting of Fosdyke Parish Council

Meeting Details

• Date: October 6th, 2026
• Time: 7.30 PM
• Location: Fosdyke Village Hall

Attendees

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

Also Present

• 10 Members of the Public plus BBClr James Cantwell and LCClr Paul Lock
•  

Ahead of the meeting a one-minute silence was observed in memory of Alan White

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

Mr Glenn thanked the Parish Council for the Freedom of the Parish award and said he was humbled to be the first recipient.

Cllr Rushworth answered a query about the electrical box for the Christmas lights, as he is arranging a quote for the repair.

Mrs Needham reported on a useful meeting at Bicker, where she was able to speak to the LCC Highway Portfolio folder regarding signage, to help with road safety for horses. She thanked Cllr Lock for his help with this matter too.

Mrs Saward said the latest edition of the Info sheet had been delivered.

106/26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All present

107/26 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

No declarations of interest were made relating to any of the agenda items but CCllr Rushworth declared an interest in any matters relating to Fozzy’s Playing Field as he has become trustee.

108/26 MINUTES

The minutes of the 1st September were presented – Cllr J Rushworth proposed, Cllr M Hussain seconded and it was resolved by the Council that the Chairman sign them as a true record.

Matters arising – all matters on the agenda

RESOLVED: that, the minutes of the meeting held on 1st September are approved as a true record.

109/26 PLANNING

            No matters to discuss

110/26 POLICE REPORT

It was noted that there were 2 crimes reported in July. 1 public order offence in Wash Road and 1 vehicle crime in Bell Lane. It was also noted that the crime rate for the Parish was low in comparison to some neighbouring parishes.

111/26 CLERK and ADMIN SUPPORT REPORTS

Clerk report:

Email address – the parish email has been successfully changed and the change for the councillor emails are ongoing.

Post box change – the Royal Mail replied that they would not be changing the box as it was for small letters only and anything larger should be taken to the centre. A request could not be made for a Parcel Drop box as this is dependent on footfall and is usually attached to shop or another outlet. Cllr Hussain said she would investigate this further.

Highways:

The back of the litter bin on Old Main Road had been fixed.

Thompsons Lane had become overgrown and full of nettles. It was noted that Green Lane and Hiltons Lane were in a similar condition. The Clerk will make inquiries.

The streetlight on A17 between Fosdyke Bridge and Middlemarsh Road is not working and will be reported.

There are overgrown conifers in Whitecross Gate that are forcing traffic near the ditch. This will be reported on Fix My Street.

Cllr Cantwell is arranging a meeting to discuss additional lampposts on Old Main Road.

A proposal was made for a contribution to a plaque in memory of Alan White, to be displayed in the Village Hall. This was supported and quotes will be obtained and brought to a future meeting.

112/26 FINANCE

• The financial statements and bank reconciliation were received and accepted. The balance on 30th September 2026, for cash in hand, stands at £13,323.98.

RESOLVED: that the following invoices are approved:

Clerk salary for September (plus back pay) - £491.04

Staff salary for September (plus tax rebate and back pay) – £230.96

M Warr – expenses – 3 month mobile £15.00Voice recorder£22.05 = £37.05

Fosdyke PCC – Donation to church organ repair - £2180.00

Malc Firth – grass cutting August - £121.11 (£20.18 VAT)

Howsafe – 3 hi vis Speedwatch jackets - £59.90 (£9.98)

ICCM – cemetery management subs - £83.00

• It was noted that the second half of the precept - £7816.00 - was received on 24th September.

113/26 CEMETERY

It was noted that the dead tree in the cemetery has been reported and work is scheduled. 

No further updates with the transfer had been received.

114/26 SPEEDWATCH AND REACTOR SIGN

5 residents attended training on 28th September and a WhatsApp group will be set up to coordinate sessions. At the training there was mention of funding for equipment and this will be investigated.

It was noted that the reactor sign had been received.

115/26 VILLAGE COMPETITION

It was noted that the CPRE best kept village competition no longer extends to South Lincolnshire.

Members were keen to organise a local competition and it was agreed to start with a ‘Most Festive Christmas Decorations’ competition, to be judged during December.

The final details will be agreed at the next meeting.

116/26 LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AND BOSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTERS   

            LCCllr Lock reported that his new role is now Executive Councillor for Economy and Investment. He recently met the Met Police Commissioner and received feedback on the Lincs Alert program. This has updated technology and has enabled 101 to be answered more quickly. There has been a request made for a judicial review on the Beacon Fen energy park and the Meridan Solar Park scheme will also be challenged.

            There is a new councillor highways app that shows all outstanding items and should save officer time. There were 254 jobs on the system last week and the average response time is 12 days.

            It was suggested that the Clerk write to LCCllr East for bus usage numbers.

            BBCllr Cantwell reported that he was arranging for the leaves to be cleared from Old Main Road and Bell Lane to stop the drains being blocked.

            His next surgery is in Algarkirk Village Hall on 24th October.

            A £200 donation to the church organ fund has been made, from his last BBC councillor pay rise.

The Joint Villages Emergency plan has been completed, and a tabletop exercise was recently completed. LCC may give an award to the group for bringing 5 villages together to complete the plan. He thanked all involved.

The new national scheme of delegation for planning was outlined. This means the facility to ‘call in’ decisions has stopped and all but the largest of applications will be decided by officers. This has been brought in by the government and will be reviewed after 2 years. There will also be a fixed 21-day consultation period for applications with no extensions. This could have ramifications for parishes if this timeframe falls between meetings.

117/26 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

            Most Festive Christmas Decoration Competition, Budget.

118/27 NEXT MEETING

The date of the next monthly meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 3rd November 2026, 7.30pm at the Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 8.50pm

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