East Kirkby Parish Council Meeting
17th September 2026 19.00 start
East Kirkby Village Hall
Public meeting: Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, opened the public meeting at 19.00. Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked the Members of the Public (MoP) present if there were any issues they wanted to raise.
MoP updated the council following the fall in Spilsby. MoP put a claim in with photographs of the road and the damage done to her legs. The claim has been rejected as the council has put up some barriers to ensure that no-one can get close and fall over. The tree roots are coming over the top of the planter – it appears that the tree will be removed at some point. Cllr Roberts will chase this up.
Cllr Taylor also suggested contacting Jack Sergeant (Spilsby Town Clerk) who will have the details of how many people have fallen over. This is not a town council issue, but a Highways issue.
Action: Cllr Roberts to chase update on the tree.
Action: MoP to contact Mr Sergeant, Spilsby Town Clerk.
MoP also mentioned the rubbish bin, adjacent to the village hall, which is difficult to spot. Chairman suggested getting the Village Hall Committee to look into finding a more visible spot on village hall land. Village Hall Committee will take this up at their next meeting.
The simultaneous refurbishment of public amenities was mentioned, meaning that Alford, Wragby and Spilsby (at least) were closed at the same time. Cllr Taylor advised that this had been a long-running issue but that eventually the refurbishments were agreed and monies were found. There is only a certain timeframe during which the monies are available and must be spent. Hence, the facilities ended up being closed at the same time.
A number of trees by the church have been felled. Chairman mentioned that most of the trees that have been savagely chopped back are subject to TPOs. Chairman asked Cllr Taylor to look into the breach of the TPOs. The trees are possibly on K&S Allbones land or on church land.
Action: Cllr Taylor to chase update on the tree felling.
There was also a question regarding planning permission for the large number of containers used for storage on the same site. The original storage containers belonged to Revesby Estate and are positioned extant to this site, it appears, however, that a large number of new containers have arrived on this industrial estate.
Action: Cllr Taylor will look into this.
Chairman thanked everybody for their input, reiterated the need for Councillors to be present by 19.00 (Or preferably just before) and closed the public meeting at 19.30.
Present & Apologies: Cllrs B Nowicki (Chairman), C Brandwood, V Lingard, Y James (Arr. 19.07), L Stokes, County Cllr P Roberts, District Cllr Taylor, Mrs JH Mussett (Clerk)
Apologies not tended or accepted: Cllr C Warman
Declarations of interest: There were no declarations of interest based on the published agenda.
Approval of minutes from the July 2026 meeting: Approval of minutes from the Parish Council meeting from July 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.
Updates from County and District Councillors:
Cllr Roberts:
The LGR (Unitary Authority) (UA) is now on pause. The planned elections for May 2027 will go ahead as planned. There have been legal challenges to the proposed UAs in Norfolk, Suffolk so all the other proposals are now “On Pause”. Surrey is going ahead as it is so well advanced. Everything will now be on hold till 2029 when the proposals may be a green light or different proposals will be presented.
Elected mayors with powers will stay as is. A lot of the planning permission mayoral powers are linked to the NPPF.
Footpath: Cllr Roberts has been informed that parts of the path have been weed sprayed and it does look slightly better.
Village hall sign: One department came back with a quote for £100 design fee + £500 to fit. However, this caused an outrage with the Councillors.
The bridge over West Fen Catchwater Drain: Cllr Lingard mentioned that the bridge may well be Grade II listed. Following the accident a few years back, the rubble was removed and the bridge has fenced off and since then nothing has happened.
Action: Cllr Roberts to chase update on the bridge repairs.
Chairman thanked Cllr Roberts for his input, Cllr Roberts left at 19.50
Cllr Taylor:
Planning: The planning committee meeting on 10th October will almost certainly be the last ever in its current format. There will no longer be the opportunity for Parish Councils to have an application called in in front of the Planning Committee. Decisions will now be taken by Senior Planning Managers.
Cllr Taylor also mentioned that he feels that extensions will no longer be possible and any comments etc MUST be done within the 21 days. The planning process has been tightened up with more controls and questions asked of the applicant and require evidence of compliance.
Grant monies: there are grants available of upto £35,000. Legacy Fund Grant (Ends early Oct) and Pride of East Lindsey Fund (23rd October).
Cllr Taylor also mentioned smaller grants, which Cllr Stokes has emailed Cllr Taylor with.
Louth Food and Drink Festival is returning again this year.
2026 Remembrance Sunday 7th November 2026 at 09.45
Cllr Brandwood mentioned an apology from Mr P Donnelly for not being able to attend the September meeting.
At the March 2026 meeting, it was agreed to remain with the 2025 format with no changes. Our format is reverent and non-political. Chairman backed Cllr Brandwood in his take on keeping it the same, which all Councillors agreed with.
Cllr Stokes mentioned the Lincolnshire Military Vehicles Association wanted to attend and lay a wreath, which all Councillors supported. Chairman mentioned that all are welcome to attend and that anyone, whether they be an individual or an organisation associated with the military can lay wreaths,
State of the roads and gulleys
A lot of hay and straw has been blowing into the road and into the gulleys.
There has been a road sweeper down the road, but the gulleys are blocked. A MoP has raised a FixMyStreet ticket and there has been a road sweeper. Chairman has raised an enquiry on FixMyStreet.
As an aside to the state of the roads, the ‘617’ bus route was mentioned again. The route does not include East Kirkby. Discussion ensued regarding the route and why East Kirkby wasn’t included in the route. It was suggested, by the Chairman, that the lack of people in EK was most probably the reason. The Chairman also stated that the route of ‘617’ passed all those places associated with the Dam Busters which, unfortunately, did not include East Kirkby It was suggested that Victoria Atkins be asked about the route.
Action: Chairman and Clerk to discuss any further actions/contact.
Updates from last month
Village Hall Lease: Chairman asked Cllr Stokes if he’d had any luck in tracking down the village hall lease. The question has been asked at Revesby and they are looking into it. Cllr Stokes has given Chairman and Clerk a contact name within the Diocese – a person which we have already been in contact with and who has no paperwork.
Action: Cllr Lingard will chase her contact at the Diocese.
Planning Applications/Consultations: None received.
Matters of interest from LALC and Rural Services Network newsletters
LALC: Cllr Stokes mentioned that he is in talks with LALC regarding courses and potentially introducing people to the Armed Forces Champion programme; how to introduce and integrate young veterans into society and public services; services available in the area; support available in the area. Helping and supporting them to survive in a world after serving in the military. The idea is to provide the basic skills for people wanting to be Armed Forces Champions.
Rural Services Network Meeting: Cllr Stokes was blocked from the meeting whilst it was taking place. Action: Clerk to query why Cllr Stokes was excluded from the meeting.
Procedural and Financial matters
Statement of Internal Financial Control
Carried over from July 2026 to allow for update regarding internet banking. Councillors unanimously approved the wording.
Minute ref: 20260917-01
Invoices received and/or paid:
Clerk’s wages: Clerk presented wages spanning June to September 2026.
Minute ref: 20260917-02
Review of NALC Local Government Pay Settlement:
It was suggested that the pay rate be increased to £14.00 per hour, which needs to be backdated to April 2026. Councillors unanimously agreed at the subsequent vote.
Minute ref 20260917-03
Chairman thanked all those present for their attention and contribution to the meeting and closed the meeting at 21.20
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 2026:
15th October and 26th November
Dates are subject to change.
All Parish Council meetings start at 19.00 and take place in East Kirkby Village Hall.
These minutes are a representation of the discussions that took place between those present on the evening of the Parish Council meeting.