2025 Minutes

Minutes taken by the Town Clerk, Mrs Victoria Clark, at the Meeting of Carrington and New Bolingbroke Town Council, held on Tuesday 28 January 2025, in New Bolingbroke Town Hall

Present: Councillors, Ken Rundle (Town Mayor), Eric Wells (Deputy Town Mayor), Andy Paul, Richard Wiggall, Mike Forward and the Clerk.

Also present: County/District Councillor Tom Ashton and three members of the public

Public Forum:
Two members of the public expressed concerns regarding the 50mph speed limit through the village, stating that it is too fast.
It was noted that the council has been advocating for a speed reduction for over 40 years. A previous success resulted in a reduction from 60mph to 50mph.
With the support and help of County Councillor Tom Ashton, the matter is now set to be presented to the Planning and Regulations Committee in February. Subject to approval, a further reduction to at least 40mph is anticipated.

County and District Council updates:
Councillor Ashton shared that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) has decided to maintain the council tax increase at 3%, rather than raising it to the capped limit of 5%.
He also provided an update on the costs associated to LCC from the drainage boards.
Additionally, it remains uncertain whether the LCC elections will proceed as planned in May.

The meeting was opened at: 19:18 

1.    Mayor’s welcome:
Councillor Rundle thanked and welcomed those attending

2.    Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
No apologies received

3.    Declarations of interest: (if any) To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests
No declarations given

4.    Notes of the Town Council meeting held on 26 November 2024
To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
The minutes will be presented at the March meeting for approval of those that had attended the November meeting.

5.    Financial matters: Previously sent to Councillors, to resolve as correct and authorise payments
i.    Bank statement Balance 31 December 2024 £25,769.06
All members had been sent a copy of the bank statement and had no questions
ii.    Payments: Made or to be approved
a)    Knights Professional Land Dispute £2,038.00
b)    Haines Watts (Skegness) Payroll £54.00  
c)    Mrs V Clark Staff Annual Costs £3,643.64
d)    Mrs V Clark AED inspection log book £8.60
e)    LALC/NALC Annual Subscription 2025-2026 £176.22 (Due 1/4/2025)
f)    LALC Annual Training Scheme 2025-2026 £144.00 (Due 1/4/2025)
The Clerk explained that the two LALC payments if approved would be paid on the 1 April.
On proposal from Councillor Wells, seconded by Councillor Forward and with no
objections, all resolved to approve the payments and two councillors checked the paperwork and signed the payment schedule.
iii.    Precept request submitted 18/12 – Acknowledgment received 19/12 
iv.    Received 
Way Leave received and banked 7/1/2025 £8.76

6.    Planning: Town and Country Planning Act 1990. To consider and make observations on all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by the district council. To include those received from the date of this notice and the day on the meeting
i.    S/029/01988/24 (10/2) Erection of an agricultural glasshouse and heat store, excavation of land to form a drainage lagoon, construction of vehicular access roads and hard standing. Land adjacent to anaerobic digestion plant, Beeches Lane, Carrington.
All members had received this planning application and those attending the meeting had no objections, observations or comments.

7.    FixMyStreet, Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey
i.    Resurfacing of footpaths – To receive any updates 
The Clerk explained that highways have scheduled this for 2026-27 however she will check in April as to whether the highways budget might allow the works to be completed in 2025-26

ii.    Reducing the 60mph speed limit to connect both 50mph and reduction through New Bolingbroke: To receive any updates
If the speed limit in New Bolingbroke Village is reduced to 40mph or lower, it is hoped that highways may consider linking the two existing 50mph zones along this stretch of road.

8.    Clerk’s reports, outstanding matters and new matters
i.    Village Gates, sign and posts for New Bolingbroke: Update
The gates are ready for collection and the highways paperwork is at the stages of completion and approval.
The contractor will be contacted as soon as the council gets the go ahead.

ii.    To discuss jobs that need completing for the Darrens Groundcare and Maintenance
It was suggested that when Darren is passing that he collects any rubbish in the bus shelter, it is unclear as to whether this is being dropped or if it is blown in from the highway.

iii.    To discuss the tree on The Green, reported as obstructing buses 
The council has received concerns from a coach company regarding the tree on council land at The Green.
The council has carefully assessed the situation and determined that the tree does not require trimming at this time.
The challenges for the drivers are recognised, especially when vehicles are parked preventing the coaches from staying on the hard standing area, and forcing them to drive onto the grassed area where the tree is situated. 
A letter will be sent to the coach company suggesting that if vehicles are obstructing the driver from being able to keep to the hard standing of The Green, then they might like to consider parking on the road to pick up passengers.

9.    Information, reports and correspondence 
i.    Ownership of The Green: To receive any updates 
Payments are up to date and the solicitor has received the signed transfer and has submitted the application to the Land Registry to register the Town Council ownership of the property. The application may take several months.

ii.    Notice board for Carrington Village Hall: To receive any updates 
Councillor Rundle and Stephen Clark of CCS positioned the board in the front part of the garden of Carrington Village Hall, the council thanks the Committee for allowing storage of the board and the use of the land.

iii.    Telephone Kiosk: Usage as a micro museum of the area. To receive any updates
Next stages before use are a further clean, preparing, painting, installation of boards and signage, this will be when the weather is warmer. 

iv.    To discuss the costs, positions and maintenance of planters within Carrington and New Bolingbroke
After discussion it was suggested that a price be found for 7 planters, 3 next to the grass area near the notice board on The Green and one in front of each of the four village gates.

v.    To discuss possible positions for defibrillators and costs 
Councillor Rundle will contact the Junction 

vi.    To discuss pot holes on the green
Councillor Paul suggested that Councillor Wiggle speak to a resident that might be willing to give the council a quotation to help with this problem.

10.    Defibrillator: To receive updates on checks and health 
As per Councillor Morgan’s suggestion at the November meeting, there is now an AED book, councillor Paul will give the Clerk health checks each month to write into the book.

11.    Next meeting/s:
No meeting in February  
Tuesday 25 March 2025 Carrington Village Hall 7:15pm
Councillor Paul gave his apologies with reasons for the March Meeting

The meeting was closed 19:54