East Kirkby Parish Council Meeting
19th February 2026 19.00 start
East Kirkby Village Hall
Public meeting: Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, opened the public meeting at 19.00. As there were no Members of the Public present, Chairman closed the Public Meeting at 19.05.
Present & Apologies: Cllrs B Nowicki (Chairman), C Brandwood, V Lingard, C Warman, Y James, County Cllr P Roberts, Mrs JH Mussett (Clerk)
Apologies: District County Cllr T Taylor
Declarations of interest: There were no declarations of interest based on the published agenda.
Approval of minutes from the January 2026 meeting: Approval of minutes from the Parish Council meeting from January 2026: Chairman ascertained that the Councillors had read the minutes and that they were an accurate representation of that meeting. Acceptance of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Lingard and seconded by Cllr James. Unanimously agreed at the subsequent vote. Chairman signed a copy of the minutes and will post a copy on the notice board. Minutes are also available on the website.
Update from District and County Councillors:
Cllr Roberts: advised that the repair to the damaged path has been delayed due to Anglian Water working on the path. The plan is for Highways to start the works on 16th March 2026 and thus follow behind Anglian Water. Chairman suggested that the Councillors keep an eye on the works from the start date and confirm that the works have actually started and that the quality of the works is acceptable.
Some discussion ensued as to how far the works extended as the “permit” covers a different area.
Action: Cllr P Roberts to chase Ms Hardy (Highways Authority) for clarification.
Cllr Roberts advised that once the path is open and available, everyone should use it as much as possible and to also take photographs proving that people are using it. Chairman mentioned that the patience of the Parish Council is running very low, and it was suggested that the matter be escalated to the Press to highlight the extremely poor response from Lincolnshire County Council to this protracted problem of LCC’s own making. It was further suggested that the BBC ‘Look North’ tv programme be contacted.
Action: Clerk and Chairman to discuss a suitable press release/response.
Councillors mentioned the overspill of tarmac and gravel on Fen Road footpaths after the resurfacing. Cllr James mentioned that Highways have been to visit Fen Road as has the road sweeper. Chairman mentioned the “Village Walk About” with, perhaps Cllr Roberts, Ms Hardy and Cllr Davies, which Cllr Roberts said he try to will organise for mid-March.
Some concern was raised about the Road Works signs on Main Road.
Finances: Council tax is up 2.9%, 2% of which is for social care. The County Councillors have decided not to put their allowances up.
Cllr Taylor: Report has been distributed to Councillors by Clerk.
Chairman thanked Cllr Roberts for his attendance and Cllr Roberts left the meeting at 20.10.
Updates from last month
New Defibrillator: Chairman advised that the new defibrillator has been installed and commissioned, registered to the circuit and with Zoll for the extra 2-year warranty.
NPFF briefing: Chairman mentioned that the main thing to come out of the debrief is that it appears that no matter how many local plans are in place, the NPPF can and will, override these plans if they see fit. The Government keep saying that the decision-making process is being devolved to local level but, again this appears to be untrue as the assumption will be “Approved unless serious opposition”. National and infrastructure projects take priority over everything.
Action: Clerk to send latest NPPF presentation to all Councillors.
Planning Applications/Consultations – None received.
Matters of interest from LALC and Rural Services Network newsletters
LRF cluster/Emergency Response Plan: Chairman advised that, as a very small parish, we do not have an emergency response plan. Chairman has, however, put together an emergency information leaflet for the village which will be completed and then distributed to all Councillors and added to the website. It was also suggested that the emergency information leaflet be distributed to every household in the Parish.
National Highways & Transport Survey: Chairman asked all the Councillors to complete the survey.
LALC News: RBL have put out a suggestion that an event should happen on 11th November 2026. Cllr Brandwood asked for this to be discussed as EKPC traditionally have a remembrance on the Saturday prior to the Official Remembrance Day (in 2026 it is the 8th November). There is a proposed schedule for Wednesday 11th November 2026. Cllr Brandwood suggested that we keep to our ‘format’ but add in the proposed words associated with the lighting of the Lamp Light of Peace.
Following a lengthy discussion, it was formally proposed, by Cllr Brandwood, that we keep to our existing format, this was seconded by Chairman and unanimously agreed by all the Councillors.
Councillors went on to discuss the subject of “white poppies”. There are many parishioners making red and purple poppies. There has been a request for white poppies to be added as well. It was agreed that the Parish Council will not add white poppy (poppies) to the “Wall of Poppies” however there is nothing stopping parishioners bringing along white poppies and displaying them at the War Memorial.
Procedural and Financial matters
Invoices received and/or paid:
PFK Minute ref: 20260219-03;
LALC annual subscription Minute ref: 20260219-04;
Town & Parish Website Minute ref: 20260219-05;
Clerk’s Wages Minute ref: 20260219-06
Invoices paid: DefibWarehouse Minute ref: 20260209-01
All invoices were unanimously agreed at the subsequent vote.
Chairman thanked all those present for their attention and contribution to the meeting and closed the meeting at 20.40.
Any items to be brought before the Council can be submitted to the Clerk via
by the Thursday (1 week) before the meeting.
Findings will be recorded in the minutes and uploaded to the website.
Please visit our web-site via:
https://east-kirkby.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/
Meeting dates for first half of 2026:
19th March
16th April
21st May
18th June
Dates are subject to change.
All meetings start at 19.00 and take place in East Kirkby Village Hall.