25 September 2025 DRAFT Minutes
THEDDLETHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT Minutes of the monthly meeting held on Thursday, 25 September 2025 at Theddlethorpe Village Hall, Silver Street, Theddlethorpe All Saints.
In the Chair: Cllr N Barker
Parish Councillors present: Cllrs R Aldrich, B Swift, A Spink, M Crookes, D Sear, A Beet, K Simpson, S Goodley, and J Bowers.
Parish Clerk/RFO: Mrs S Bristow
Public Forum
No questions were raised.
District and County Councillors’ Reports
The meeting was adjourned from 19:32 until 20:08 to allow the LCC Councillors to speak as they arrived after the meeting was opened. The Councillors showed the LCC proposal for the new combined Mayoral authority and were asked about engagement events, particularly for parish councils and clerks; the Council was advised the next night one was taking place but the notice was too late. The Clerk asked the LCC Councillors to ensure better notice was given in the future. The reduced speed limit on Rotten Row and the ordering of Salt Bags was mentioned and the LCC Councillors were advised these matters would be taken up later in the agenda. Cllr B Robinson noted having visited the Horncastle highways depot regarding potholes; he will be working with residents to ensure everyone is able to use Fix My Street most effectively. Cllr Goodley asked what had changed since the 70’s in how highways were maintained and managed, Cllr R Robinson explained they were investigating new and different compounds for roads. She also asked about Tree & Hedge cutting by LCC and why contractors were being used. The LCC Councillors noted that LCC have the equipment and the work was now out to tender. The Clerk explained that LCC and ELDC are limited by central government as to how much they can raise Council tax by per year: 5% for LCC of which 2% must be for social care, whilst the District Council can only raise their share by £5.00 per year.
Item 09/25-01 Chair’s Welcome
The Chair opened the meeting at 19:30 and welcomed one member of the public to the hall.
Item 09/25-02 Apologies and acceptance of absence
Absences from Cllr White were accepted. Apologies from Cllrs Hesketh was noted.
Item 09/25-03 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest from members in accordance with Localism Act 2011
None
Item 09/25-04 To Resolve as Minutes the record of the monthly meeting held on 19 June 2025
The minutes were RESOLVED and signed.
Item 09/25-05 Chair’s Report
The Chair gave a verbal report noting that, whilst littering was still an issue in the village, that he had used his Chair’s Allowance to purchase a gift for a local youth who has been diligently maintaining litter issues near her residence. He further noted that villagers were still dealing with power cuts. There was a brief adjournment at 20:08 to allow for a resident to feedback on their recent experience with Northern Power Grid.
Item 09/25-06 Clerk’s Report
The Clerk gave an oral report about a complaint made about dog mess and requesting a bin, however it was regarding private property. She noted an upcoming Crime Prevention meeting in Saltfleetby on 30 September and addressed the changes coming for postal voting. Finally, she advised the Council that LCC had offered a one tonne bag of salt grit for use within the community; this offer will be accepted if a covered storage location can be identified.
Item 09/25-07 Parish Councillors’ Reports and Matters Arising
i) To receive an update on the St Helen’s defibrillator including the purchase of a solar and wind powered cabinet at £3200 NET: following the Clerk’s update regarding her conversations with LCC and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), the Council declined to propose this solution. Instead, the Council will take EMAS’s advice on board and purchase an unheated polycarbonate cabinet to mirror what EMAS has been installing along the East Coast for the past several years as our temperature is unlikely to fall to a level of concern and/or remain at that level long enough to have a detrimental effect on the defibrillator; the polycarbonate cabinet is to allow a longer life in our seaside air.
The Clerk will contact Elif regarding an outstanding grant application to alter the contents. One unit will be purchased straight away and a second and/or third unit will be procured once the grant outcome is known. The first unit will be placed at the bus shelter at the A1031 junction with Brickyard and Sea Lanes. Future units are intended for the other four shelters in the village and budgeting accordingly will take place going forward to ensure upkeep and maintenance is funded. The Clerk will use the February 2025 resolution for guidance on costs for the cabinet and defibrillator.
ii) Village Green concerns:
(1) Asset agreement with Lincolnshire County Council: item withdrawn as it is unnecessary with the cabinet secured to a bus shelter. Once it is fitted, the Clerk will apply to LCC to establish a path should one not already exist. This is based on the advice received from the LCC highways department.
(2) Overgrown trees: As the land wherein the trees are situated is not common land and is owned by LCC. Cllr Aldrich will submit a request on Fix My Street accordingly.
iii) To assess concerns with the King’s Head defibrillator: the Clerk advised that the defibrillator is in full working order and checked every 90 days as recommended. This was confirmed and evidenced by EMAS. Regarding the recent concern in the village about it being unlocatable, this is not quite the case. The national standard is to advise of the nearest within 500 metres only, hence the Councillors looking to place more units across the village.
iv) To review insurance quotations and resolve expenditure accordingly: the Council RESOLVED to renew the existing cover with Clear Councils. The Clerk will remit the payment of £927.24 accordingly. For comparison, the other quote received was over £1400 for the same cover.
v) To resolve purchase of a litter bin for the Station Road bus shelter: the Council RESOLVED to purchase bins for Station Road as well as the Kent Ave/A1031 and Village Green shelters, total cost not to exceed £225.00 Inc VAT. Cllr Crookes will take delivery and install them once received; Cllr Aldrich will empty them as part of his gardening rounds.
vi) To hear concerns of potential anti-social behaviour occurring at the above bus shelter: Cllr Aldrich noted this, but also that he did not see it happening again, the thought is it may have been visitors to our village. Along with this, concerns were raised about a person exposing themselves to villagers. The Clerk will look into suggestions about who could be responsible.
Item 09/25-08 Financial Matters
i) To receive recommendations from the HR Committee regarding the Clerk’s NJC pay increase: The Council heard that the increase was RESOLVED by the HR Committee under their delegated spending power. The Clerk remains on point 15.
ii) To resolve payments as noted on the Accounts August/September 25 sheet: RESOLVED, including the Clerk’s £48 backpay and new monthly wage of £311.20.
Item 09/25-09 Planning Matters
None at the time of issuing the agenda. The Planning Inspectorate’s Scoping request for the Theddlethorpe Flexible Generation proposal was received prior to this meeting and requires a response prior to the October meeting. Therefore, it was discussed on the night. Cllr Crookes will spearhead a reply for the Clerk to send to the Planning Inspectorate accordingly.
Item 09/25-10 Highways / Footpaths / Lighting Matters
i. Status of Applications for new footpaths: The Clerk noted that National Gas’ properties agent had acknowledged receipt of the attestations and will revert with a response in due course.
ii. The LCC Proposal to reduce the speed limit on Rotten Row to 30mph was open for comment; the Council does not object and former LCC Cllr N Sear was thanked for her diligence in getting this process started.
iii. The meeting was adjourned from 20:52 to 20:53 to allow a member of the public to enquire if local landowners were doing their part to maintain the public rights of way.
iv. Cllr Goodley expressed concern about a footpath that has been intentionally blocked for a few years now by the landowner. She will send photos to the Clerk to forward to the LCC Councillors for support in resolving.
Item 09/25-11 Parish on-going issues
None that were not addressed elsewhere on the agenda.
Item 09/25-12 To confirm the date of the next Parish Council Meeting as 23 October 2025: Confirmed
The meeting was adjourned at 20:54.