April 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Minutes of the full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 22nd April, 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), L Marsh (Deputy Mayor), A Day, P Gale, M Gibson, C Hewlett, D Mangion, E Marsh (Town and District Councillor), T Robson and W Rose; Town Clerk - J Sargent and Deputy Town Clerk - S Thomas.
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 the following:
- It has been alleged that the Turkish Barbers were paying children to vandalise competitors in town; the Police are aware. No windows have been smashed.
- The Post Office is reopening on 30th April, with a new postmaster appointed.
- Another round of grassroots ELIF funding has opened, Cllr E Marsh suggested applying for funding to improve the shop fronts in the town; Woodhall Spa successfully applied for funding for the same in a previous round.
- Cllr E Marsh advised that more negative feedback had been received regarding 1 Market Avenue (the Normics building). Cllr E Marsh suggested being proactive about cladding the window openings with the painted boards; the boards will be given to the local schools to decorate and placed on the building to improve its appearance. Cllr E Marsh criticised the owner of the building for leaving a constant eyesore in such a prominent position in town.
- The auction is no longer being held on a Monday with the market. The Buttercross car park will now be open on Mondays with a working ticket machine.
- Cllr E Marsh has contacted the Tree Officer to inspect the trees on Eresby Avenue as the trees have not had an inspection or received any maintenance since 2019.
- Cllr E Marsh praised the community spirit of the outgoing landlady of the Nelson Butt, who is having a leaving party on Saturday 25th April. Cllr L Marsh asked the Clerk to send a letter of thanks for the community spirit embodied.
- The Pharmacy will move from the High Street to the shop on Post Office Lane, with the building on the High Street to be sold.
With no further comments, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
179. Welcome
Cllr L Day welcomed all present, reminding Councillors about emergency exits and safety protocols, to turn phones off and appropriate conduct.
180. Apologies
No apologies received from Cllrs T Kemp and D Mangion.
181. Declarations of Interest
None received.
182. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 25th March 2026.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes for March as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
183. To approve the accounts for March.
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.
Cllr Gibson queried the income from other Councils the Clerk works for. The Clerk explained the income was for items such as SLCC membership, printing costs, and contributions towards training costs.
Cllr Rose queried whether the earmarked reserved were meeting the criteria of the financial regulations. The Clerk confirmed that the General Contingency Reserve was now being met and will circulate a copy of the Reserve budget.
184. To receive a bank reconciliation for March.
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.
185. To receive an accounts summary to the end of the fourth quarter of the 2025-26 financial year.
The Clerk provided an accounts summary to the end of the fourth quarter of the financial year for both the Treasurers Account and the Reserve Account, to keep Councillors up to date with the Town Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The summary is included as an attachment to these minutes.
186. To receive a budget review for the fourth quarter of the financial year.
The Clerk provided a budget review to the end of the fourth quarter of the financial year, to keep Councillors up to date with the Town Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The Clerk noted an underspend and no work had yet been completed on the updates to the CCTV network. The review is included as an attachment to these minutes. No questions were raised.
187. 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 attended Mablethorpe Town Council’s civic service which was a fantastic reception.
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.
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
No report.
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 on Friday 24th April.
Spilsby Events Team
Cllr E Marsh reported that the bingo event was very well attended, they received generous donations for prizes and raised £1,300.00 for future events. The Events Committee will have a stall at future Super Saturday events to help raise funds and awareness. There is another bingo event planned in October and a 1960s event planned for September.
The July Super Saturday will be a collaboration between the Town Council and the Events Committee to create a fayre type event.
Town Clerk’s Report
The Town Clerk circulated a report via email prior to the meeting and in addition reported that picnic benches from the allotments have been moved to the play area. The Clerk then received a complaint from the allotments that the benches had been removed.
The Clerk also reported that falling branches in the recent high winds from the trees within the boundary of the Recreation Ground have caused damaged to a neighbouring property. The Clerk confirmed contacting the insurers regarding responsibility, who advised that unless responsibility is specified in the lease, it will fall to the landowner. The Clerk has contacted ELDC’s Tree Officer about maintenance and asked the resident about the repairs to the property.
188. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
Application reference 00389/26/FUL | Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling at Woodlands, Ashby Road.
To receive an update on Planning Application S/165/00884/23 - the new Ganary Close development regarding complaints from residents.
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.
The Clerk also reported that construction traffic has been going through Granary Close, rather than using the access road. After a vehicle damaged a property, the resident made the Clerk aware. The Clerk contacted the Planning Enforcement team at ELDC to investigate; how ELDC responds to this will set a precedent for future housing estates planned for Spilsby. The Clerk asked ELDC to report on their findings.
Cllr Hewlett reported that the layby is constantly used by contractors and other motorists are unable to use it. The Clerk advised this issue has also been raised as the developers are supposed to provide a car park on site for vehicles.
189. To consider providing a skip at the allotments.
The Town Clerk advised a skip has been provided in recent years for green waste, however, has been abused with other waste. The Clerk suggested a time limit on the skip. It was resolved unanimously to provide a small skip.
190. To consider purchasing folding tables and chairs for Super Saturday events.
Cllr Gale suggested purchasing folding tables and chairs for future events. Cllr E Marsh advised that the current arrangement, borrowing from Franklin Hall or the Church is currently working well. No proposals made.
191. To consider purchasing signs supplied by Keep Britain Tidy aimed at tackling dog fouling.
The Clerk advised 10 A3 signs and 5 bin stickers could be purchased for £150.00, to raise awareness and try to reduce dog fouling being left on the street. Councillors thought the signs were expensive and that irresponsible dog owners would ignore the signs. No proposals made.
192. To consider the provisional costs of mapping the new sections of the Cemetery.
The Clerk advised that the provisional costs were likely to be around £500.00, however, had not received a quote yet. The Clerk also advised that a hearse would likely have to enter the new section through the industrial estate and enter at the rear of the cemetery. It may require installing a dropped kerb and area within the cemetery for the hearse to turn. The Deputy Clerk has contacted local undertakers for their advice on what would make it easier for them, when attending a funeral in the Cemetery. The Clerk to provide an update when more information is available. It was resolved unanimously to approve the mapping costs.
193. To consider Policies for review:
a. Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
b. Councillor-Officer Protocol
c. Councillor Vacancies
d. IT Policy
e. Public Service Charter
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.
194. To receive an update on Spilsby Recognition Awards 2026.
Cllr L Marsh reported that the nomination period is coming to a close and will meet with sponsors soon after to decide on the award winners. Cllr Marsh will then advise the company making the awards of the chosen winners. The banner advertising the awards keep being relocated about town to promote the event.
The event is being held on Sunday 31st May, starting at midday. Cllr L Marsh appealed for volunteers to help set up from 11:00.
Cllr L Marsh asked whether the choir could be invited again. The Clerk to contact the choir.
195. To receive an update on the Allotments access issues and consider further action.
The Clerk advised no new quotes have been received.
Cllr L Marsh advised receiving a complaint from a resident from Masonic Lane about the large volume of traffic on the allotments access lane, who also questioned the Town Council’s right of access. The Clerk advised a solicitor has been contacted and is working on registering the land, confirming the boundaries and access. The Clerk to provide an update when more information is available. Cllr L Marsh to respond to the resident.
With no further comments, Cllr L Day closed the meeting at 6:58pm.
Town Mayor - Cllr L Day
Signed…………………………………………………………….
Town Clerk to the Council - J Sargent
27th May 2026