March 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 25th March, 2026 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), A Day, P Gale, M Gibson, C Hewlett, D Mangion, T Robson and W Rose; 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 was not in attendance; No report provided.
With no further comments, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
159. Welcome
Cllr L Day welcomed all present, reminding Councillors about emergency exits and safety protocols, to turn phones off and appropriate conduct.
160. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllr E Marsh and L Marsh (Deputy Mayor).
161. Declarations of Interest
None received.
162. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council Meeting held on
Wednesday 25th February, 2026.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes for February as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
163. To approve the accounts for February.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the accounts for consideration. The Accounts Report is included as an attachment to these minutes.
164. To receive a bank reconciliation for February.
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation report 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.
165. 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 was unable to attend Lincolnshire County Council’s Service of Dedication in Market Rasen and asked the Clerk to submit apologies.
Recreation Ground
No report provided.
Grammar School Foundation
Cllr Gibson submitted a written report circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, included as an attachment to these minutes. Cllr Gibson reported that the Foundation has received a large number of applicants and will review the eligibility criteria. The Foundation will also be meeting the manager of the investment portfolio. More historical items relating to the school have also been found such as photographs and prizes.
Poorlands
No report provided.
Twinning
The Deputy Clerk circulated the notes from the latest Twinning meeting with Councillors via email prior to the meeting. No further updates reported.
Community Speedwatch
Several speedwatch sessions have been held in the last month at various locations, with 6-9% of vehicles speeding. Cllr A Day suggested a visible presence will help raise awareness and reduce the number of speeding vehicles.
Good Neighbourhood Scheme
Cllr Gibson submitted a written report circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, included as an attachment to these minutes. Cllr Gibson reported that the AGM is after the next meeting, where there will be an official presentation from the Masons of their £500.00 donation.
Cllr Rose advised that the group will be discussing options for activities such as days out to make use of the group’s funds.
Cllr Gibson also reported that the clock at St James Church is currently running and at the next Franklin Hall Trustees meeting, Cllr Gibson will ask about the viability of a handrail for the footpath alongside the Hall.
Spilsby Events Team
Cllr Rose confirmed the programme of events has been published and appealed for tables and chairs that could be borrowed for use during the event. Cllr Gale suggested purchasing some for the Events Team. The Clerk to investigate.
Town Clerk’s Report
The Town Clerk circulated a report via email prior to the meeting. The Clerk also reported that a resident complained about a small strip of grass between 52 Woodlands Ave and the School. LCC confirmed they strim the area 3 times a year and asked if the Town Council would add it to their maintenance schedule. The Council to ask LCC to continue to maintain and the Clerk to update the resident.
166. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. Application reference 00249/26/FUL | Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation at 12 Partney Road, Spilsby.
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.
167. To consider painting the fencing at the Play Area.
The Town Clerk advised that the Spilsby Scouts group are looking to complete some community engagement badges and offered to help with some tasks. The Deputy Clerk suggested via email to the Scouts that they could repaint the play area fencing in blue to go with the ships and explorer theme of the new equipment, carry out litter picking or helping to tidy up the Toc H and Spinney.
It was resolved unanimously to reject the repainting of the fence in blue, and to get quotes for a new, taller fence to better protect the new equipment. The Clerk to investigate and liaise with the Scouts.
168. To consider a quote from Pinnacle Safety Group for anchor point testing and additional anchor points.
The Clerk advised this quote is for additional anchor points on buildings around the Sir John Franklin Statue to support additional Christmas lights
It was resolved unanimously to approve the quote. The Clerk to arrange.
169. To consider a grant application from:
a. 1st Spilsby Brownies, Guides and Rangers.
The Clerk queried whether Councillors wanted to consider the requests and 2 separate applications, as the Rangers have a different bank account to the Brownies and Guides. Cllr Gibson proposed awarding the Rangers £250.00 and the Guides and Brownies a total of £250.00. It was resolved unanimously to approve the requests.
170. To consider Policies for review:
a. Grant Award Policy.
b. Privacy Notice.
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 policies.
171. To receive an update on Spilsby Recognition Awards 2026.
Cllr L Marsh submitted a written report circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, included as an attachment to these minutes.
172. To consider a response to the joint bid with Horncastle for Town of Culture 2028.
Kate Giffen - ELDC’s Place Officer asked if the Town Council would support a joint bid with Horncastle for Town of Culture 2028 and have a consultation session in Spilsby. Councillors suggested the increased publicity would be good. It was resolved unanimously to support the bid.
173. To receive an update on the temporary closure of Spilsby Post Office.
No update provided.
174. To consider burial plots at Spilsby Cemetery:
a. Ashes plots.
b. Grave spaces.
The Clerk advised there were roughly 60 grave spaces left available in the current section and limited ashes plots available. The Clerk provided a plan for new ashes plots and grave spaces. The current vacant plots could provide 6 years of burials and recommended prioritising a new ashes area. The gravedigger recommended grave space plots to be 10ft x 5ft and 2ft x 2ft for ashes plots. The Clerk has contacted a local cartographer to provide a quote to map the new sections.
Cllr Hewlett queried whether graves could be reused after 100 years. The Clerk to investigate.
It was resolved unanimously to approve the new plans for grave spaces and ashes plots. The vacant grave plots to be used before opening the new grave space sections. The ashes section to be opened as soon as possible.
Cllr Mangion arrived at 18:30.
175. To consider a quote for new pipe work and tap at the Spilsby Cemetery, Boston Road.
The Clerk confirmed no new quotes have been received. The Clerk has contacted a neighbouring business about the possibility of installing water butts, collecting water from their rooftops as an alternative. No response received to date.
Cllr Gale to make some enquiries with local contractors about installing new pipework.
It was resolved unanimously to defer until further information is available.
176. To consider installing a new general waste bin on the grass between Tasman Road and Shamfields Road.
The Clerk provided a quote for a new bin and advised that ELDC would install a new bin and add it to the emptying schedule if it was provided by the Town Council. Cllr Robson advised the bin donated to Halton Holegate Parish Council had not yet been used as a suitable location had not been found. The local businessman who donated the bin would prefer it to be used in Halton Holegate. Cllr Robson to follow up. It was resolved unanimously to defer until more information is available.
177. 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.
178. To consider Staffing matters.
All staffing matters were resolved unanimously.
With no further comments, Cllr L Day closed the meeting at 6:45pm.
Signed…………………………………………………………….
Town Mayor - Cllr L Day
Signed…………………………………………………………….
Town Clerk to the Council - J Sargent
25th March 2026