FC November 2025 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 26th November, 2025 at 6:00pm in Franklin Hall, Spilsby. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true and accurate record.
Present:
Cllrs L Day (Mayor), L Marsh (Deputy Mayor), A Day, P Gale, M Gibson, C Hewlett, E Marsh (Town and District Councillor), T Taylor, T Robson and W Rose; and Town Clerk - J Sargent.
Public Session
There were no members of the public in attendance.
To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Councillor M Hume.
Cllr Hume was not in attendance; no written report provided.
To receive a report from East Lindsey District Councillor E Marsh.
Cllr E Marsh reported that ELDC will be donating £5,000.00 to the Super Saturday events for 2026. Over the course of 2026, Spilsby Sessions House will canvas the community for support and raise awareness of the re-opening of the refurbished theatre, expected to be in early 2027. Spilsby Sessions House will look to put entertainment on during the Super Saturday events, to encourage support for the theatre.
Cllr E Marsh reported that the poppy display was well received and new donations were provided by local schools. Cllr Marsh also reported some issues with the Monday Market regarding low attendance of traders. ELDC booked similar traders, increasing competition which led to some traders deciding not to attend. Cllr Taylor suggested the weather and time of year is also a contributory factor in traders not turning out.
With no further comments, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
99. Welcome
Cllr L Day welcomed all present, reminding Councillors about emergency exits and safety protocols, to turn phones off and appropriate conduct.
100. Apologies
No apologies received from Cllrs T Kemp and D Mangion.
101. Declarations of Interest
Cllr W Rose declared an interest in item 17 regarding the Allotments, although not a pecuniary interest, it is listed as other registerable interests. Cllr Rose could participate in the debate, but not vote.
102. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council Meeting held on
24th September, 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes for September as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
103. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on Wednesday 22nd October, 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes for October as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
104. To approve the accounts for October.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the accounts for October 2025. The Accounts Report is included as an attachment to these minutes.
105. To receive a bank reconciliation for October.
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation to keep Councillors up to date with the Town Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The Bank Reconciliation Report is included as an attachment to these minutes.
106. Financial Planning 2026-26
a. To consider a draft budget and precept request for 2026-27.
b. To consider allocations for the earmarked reserves budget.
The Clerk provided a Draft Budget for 2026-27, explained the expected closing balance for the current year, which should restore the reserves in line with the Financial Regulations. The advised of the draft reserve allocations to meet the Financial Regulations and satisfy the auditors.
Cllr Hewlett requested that £25,000.00 be allocated to the Christmas lights display, to see that it is continually improved, year on year. The Clerk advised of an application for grant funding to help improve the infrastructure to support the Christmas lights display and decorations for other events in the town throughout the year.
The draft budget for 2026-27 would see further investment in the play area, Christmas lights display, tree survey and maintenance, and account for any small increases in the maintenance contract. For a balanced budget and to continue to restore the reserves, this would require a small increase of 5%; an increase of £9.85 per annum for a band D property. It was resolved unanimously to accept the draft budget and submit a precept request to ELDC of £186,508.31.
107. To receive brief reports from the Town Mayor, Town Council’s working groups, representatives on outside bodies and the Town Clerk.
Mayor’s Report
Cllr L Day reported attending several events including judging a fancy dress competition. Cllr L Day praised the work of Judith Coe at the Spilsby Christian Fellowship and helped organise a donation of children’s pyjamas to Lincoln Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital. Cllr L Day also attended the Remembrance Day service in Spilsby.
Cllr T Taylor attended the Remembrance Day service at RAF Spilsby, advised it was very well attended and praised the work the committee do to host the event and preserve the memorial. Cllr Taylor advised that letters that were sent home by the servicemen to family were read out.
Recreation Ground
Cllr L Marsh reported that the new 3G pitch is in use, almost every evening of the week, mostly by the football teams, but they are hoping to attract other sports as well.
Cllr Robson advised that the hire charges will include VAT, meaning that the SRG will be able to reclaim the VAT on the installation costs. Bookings are made via an app.
Grammar School Foundation
Cllr Gibson reported that the details for grant application deadlines was published in the most recent Explorer magazine and confirmed that grant funding is for tertiary education. Cllr Gibson will look to liaise with Richard Richmond to put an article on Spilsby Academy’s website explaining the history of the Grammar School and the Foundation.
Poorlands
Cllr T Robson to organise the next meeting in December.
Twinning
Cllr L Marsh reported that the French were due to visit in 2027, but have other plans to visit Germany and suggested the next visit will be in 2029 to avoid getting out of sync with the German visitors. Cllr Marsh advised there will be a race night and a concert in the new year to help raise funds.
Cllr L Day advised attending a meal with the German visitors, which was an enjoyable, sociable afternoon.
Community Speedwatch
No Speedwatch sessions have taken place.
Good Neighbourhood Scheme
Cllr Gibson advised that there will be a coffee morning on Friday 19th December from 10:00 - 12:00. A representative from the YMCA is looking to attend and offer advice. The GNS will be looking to apply for vouchers from the Lincolnshire Co-op and the Spar shop.
Spilsby Events Team
Cllr E Marsh reported that the groups AGM took place on Monday 24th November, with the Chair and Secretary continuing, and a new Vice-Chair and Treasurer have been appointed. The next meeting is in January, where a programme of events will be considered for 2026.
Cracker Day is on Saturday 6th December, with stalls in Franklin Hall, entertainment such as a silent disco and Skegness Silver Band in the Buttercross car park along with some food stalls. Santa will also attend on a sleigh, kindly provided by Skegness fire station.
Town Clerk’s Report
The Town Clerk confirmed that the Explorer magazine was delivered in early November, the Christmas light were installed in November, positive feedback has been received regarding the Remembrance Day services and the poppies throughout the town, and the secretary of the Friends of RAF Spilsby asked to place on record his thanks to Cllr Taylor for his attendance and support, and to the Town Council for their continued support. The Clerk confirmed completing EDI training and advised it is available to all Councillors.
108. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. Application reference S/165/02389/21 | 10no. dwellings approved for land north of Ashby Road, Spilsby.
b. Application reference 03223/25/FUL | Extension and alterations to existing dwelling at 24 Market Street, Spilsby - Approved.
c. Application reference 02865/25/FUL | Extension to the existing car park, construction of hard standing for storage of manufactured equipment and components, provision of bunding, and erection of fencing to a maximum height of 1.8m at Tong Engineering Ltd, Vale Road.
The planning application notification was circulated with the Planning Committee and responses, where required, were submitted to ELDC, in line with the Town Council’s Scheme of Delegation. The Town Council’s feedback can be viewed on ELDC’s planning portal or a copy can be provided by the Town Clerk.
109. To consider grant application from Spilsby Walking Netball.
The Town Clerk reported that the application was for new equipment. Cllr L Marsh suggested supporting the group with a donation of £250.00. It was resolved unanimously to donate £250.00. The Clerk to arrange payment.
110. To consider Policies for review:
a. Shared Parental Leave Policy.
Policies were circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting in line with the Policy Review Procedure. With no further comments, it was resolved unanimously to adopt the policy.
111. To receive an update on Spilsby Surgery.
Cllr E Marsh advised that the Integrated Care Board is being amalgamated with other Care Boards, so Spilsby will be getting a new point of contact, who is not in post yet. The next step will be the tender process for the surgery. Cllr E Marsh advised that staff and doctors are returning to the surgery.
Cllr Rose advised no new complaints have been raised against the surgery and that it is hoped more face-to-face staff will be appointed soon.
112. To receive an update from the meeting with Gleesons on Thursday 20th November about the proposed housing development on Halton Road.
Cllr E Marsh reported that the event was largely positive, with attendees having the opportunity to ask questions of the developer and leaving with more knowledge of the project. Cllr E Marsh thanked Cllrs Hewlett and A Day for their help during the event.
Cllr E Marsh advised that along with Gleesons, a representative from the Drainage Board attended, however, no officers from ELDC or LCC were willing to attend. Cllr E Marsh thought it was a successful event and asked Gleesons for a list of FAQs that could be put on the Town Council’s website and on social media. Gleesons will also be looking to visit schools and the Super Saturday events to provide more information on the development.
Cllr E Marsh advised that construction traffic will not come through the town centre and Cllr Rose suggested that the project might start in the next 6 months.
Cllr Taylor was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of the Gleesons representatives.
The Clerk advised the crossings in the town centre on the most recent plans were not what the Town Council had previously requested. The Clerk explained this to both the Gleesons representatives and the County Councillor. The Clerk sent a follow up email to Cllr Hume with the details of the crossings requested, in the hope of following this up with the Highways Department.
Cllr E Marsh criticised the lack of forward thinking, raising the issue that school places which will inevitably be required when the town expands as a result of an additional 600 homes. LCC’s education department have not raised any concerns with future school place requirements as a consequence of the development. Cllr Rose suggested encouraging the County Council to have a long-term plan for Spilsby.
113. To consider a donation for Flag Pole Brackets.
Cllr Rose advised that there will not be trees on display this Christmas, however, businesses may install their own trees if they choose.
Cllr E Marsh confirmed that concerns were raised over the safety of the brackets as 3 failed in 2024. Safety testing was originally quoted at around £4,000.00. Businesses failed to read the letter sent by the Town Council offering to take on responsibility for the brackets going forward, if businesses or property owners could donate £100.00 towards the safety testing.
Cllr E Marsh acknowledged there may be complaints with no trees on display but highlighted the efforts that go towards installing the trees is often not appreciated. The Events Team will look to fundraise to meet the safety testing costs.
The Clerk advised that 2 businesses had donated £100.00, so their brackets have been added to the Town Council’s asset register. The Town Clerk suggested adding these donations to the safety testing fees.
Cllr L Marsh asked the Clerk to re-send the letter, but explaining the contents in-person as well. The Clerk advised that there are concerns over the ownership of the brackets as they are not listed on the asset register, which suggests they belong to each building they are positioned on. Cllr E Marsh suggested including alternative options to the businesses to include either: donating a small fee for the Town Council to take on responsibility, for the bracket to remain the responsibility of the building owner and to allow for the bracket to be used, or for the bracket not to be used and removed. The Clerk to arrange.
Cllr L Marsh suggested issuing a press release in conjunction with the Event Team, explaining the issues with brackets, the safety concerns and no trees on display this year.
114. To resolve to exclude the public and the media to discuss confidential matters in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
It was resolved unanimously to exclude members of the Public and Media to allow the Town Council to discuss confidential matters.
115. Allotments:
a. To receive an update on issues at the Allotments.
The Town Clerk provided an update of ongoing issues at the allotments, the Small Claims Court mediation and the action planned to bring the issues to a conclusion by August 2028.
b. To consider quotes to remove shed.
The Clerk provided 3 quotes. It was resolved unanimously to go with the best priced quote. The Clerk to arrange.
116. To receive an update on issues with plot 863 and consider an additional inscription on the memorial or an additional memorial.
The Town Clerk provided an update on issues with plot 863. The family would like to scatter ashes and update the memorial or add an additional memorial at this plot. It was resolved unanimously to allow the family to scatter ashes and update the memorial or add an additional memorial.
117. To consider the maintenance contract for tender and approving a deadline for submissions from prospective contractors.
The Clerk advised it was best practice to put the contract out to tender again, in order to get value for money for the maintenance contract. The Clerk provided a draft contract and offer letter with a deadline for tender to be submitted by 16th January. It was resolved unanimously to approve the contract, letter and deadline for submissions.
With no further comments, Cllr L Day closed the meeting at 7:10pm.
Signed…………………………………………………………….
Deputy Town Mayor - Cllr L Day
Signed…………………………………………………………….
Town Clerk to the Council - J Sargent
28th January 2026