May 2025 Minutes (Annual Meeting)
Minutes taken by the Town Clerk, Mrs Victoria Clark, at the Annual Meeting of Carrington and New Bolingbroke Town Council, held on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, in New Bolingbroke Town Hall
Present: Councillors, Ken Rundle, Eric Wells, Richard Wiggall, Mike Forward and the Clerk.
Also present: Two members of the public
1. To elect a Chairman/Mayor for the ensuing year 2025/2026 and receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Chairman, witnessed by the Proper Officer
Councillor Rundle expressed his wish to stand down as Chairman.
On proposal from Councillor Wiggall seconded by Councillor Forward and with no objections, all resolved for Councillor Wells to become Chairman/Mayor for the forthcoming year 2025-2026.
Councillor Wells accepted the Chairmanship and signed the declaration of acceptance of office and the Clerk as Proper Officer, signed as the witness.
2. To elect a Vice-Chairman/Deputy Mayor for the ensuing year 2025/26 and receive the Declaration of Acceptance of Office from the Vice Chairman, witnessed by the Proper Officer
On proposal from Councillor Forward seconded by Councillor Rundle and with no objections, all resolved for Councillor Wiggall to become the Vice Chairman/Deputy Mayor for the forthcoming year 2025-26.
Councillor Wiggall accepted the Vice Chairmanship and signed the declaration of acceptance of office and the Clerk as Proper Officer, signed as the witness.
3. Mayor’s welcome:
Councillor Wells thanked everyone for attending the meeting and for their confidence in electing him as Chairman and Mayor. He also expressed his gratitude to Councillor Rundle for his many years of dedicated service in the role.
4. To resolve to close the meeting for the public forum and outside bodies
There were no County or District Councillors in attendance, and the members of the Public present did not wish to speak.
Apologies were received from District Councillor Neil Jones.
Given the above, there was no reason to close the meeting.
5. Public forum for a maximum of 10 minutes when members of the public may ask questions or make short statements to the council
No member of the public wished to speak.
6. A further maximum 10 minutes will be set aside for the meeting to receive reports from elected Members of Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council and other outside bodies.
No outside bodies were in attendance.
7. To resolve to re-open the meeting
The meeting had not been closed; it continued without interruption.
8. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting
Apologies were received from Councillor Andy Paul, who had provided valid reasons at the end of the previous meeting.
On a proposal from Councillor Forward, seconded by Councillor Rundle, and with no objections, it was resolved to accept the reasons given
9. 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 of interest were made.
10. To discuss vacant council seats and receive requests to be co-opted
No requests had been made
11. To co-opt members and witness the signing of acceptance of office
As no requests had been made, no co-options took place
12. Notes of the Town Council meeting held on 22 April 2025
To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes
On a proposal from Councillor Rundle, seconded by Councillor Forward, and with no objections, it was resolved to accept the minutes as a correct record, and the Chairman was authorised to sign them.
13. Financial matters: to resolve as correct and authorise payments
a) Bank statement 30 April 2025: £27,822.86 which includes £10,000.00 received precept
b) Lloyds bank service Charge 22 April direct debit £4.25
c) Zurich: Council Insurance £350.47 (Insurance due 1st June 2025)
Added to the payment Schedule were the following:
Witham Valley Civil Engineers £720.00 as per quote approved 2024 for the Installation of 4 posts to hold village gates.
Mr J Jackson £120.00 approved at the April 2025 meeting for two internal Audits
Councillor Rundle suggested that the direct debit for monthly bank charges be approved until further notice
On proposal from Councillor Rundle, seconded by Councillor Wiggall and with no
objections, all resolved to agree with the bank charge and approve the payments
14. Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR)
a) To discuss Internal Audit report
b) To approve AGAR exemption Certificate
c) To discuss and approve the Annual Governance Statement
d) To discuss and approve the Annual Accounting Statement
e) To approve the end of year bank reconciliation
f) To discuss and approve asset register
All members had received the AGAR documents in advance and each item was duly discussed. On a proposal by Councillor Forward, seconded by Councillor Wiggall, and with no objections, it was resolved to approve all items. The Chairman and Clerk signed the relevant forms.
15. 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 to the day of the meeting
No planning applications had been received
16. FixMyStreet, Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey
a) Resurfacing of footpaths – To receive any update
A reply from Highways was received. They noted that no formal complaints had been received from New Bolingbroke residents regarding the cutting back of hedges. The contractor had addressed some queries at the time. A letter will be shared with residents, the Parish Council, and the newly elected County Councillor Matthews.
For the Footpath North of occupation Lane, there is a proposal in place and with the Cyclic team for assessment and programming.
b) Reducing the 60mph speed limit to connect both 50mph and a reduction through New Bolingbroke: To receive any update
The proposed speed limit reduction is currently under public consultation
17. Clerk’s reports, outstanding matters and new matters
a) Village Gates and sign for New Bolingbroke: To receive any update
This is now completed and the Clerk will take it off the agenda
b) To discuss maintenance needs
Councillor Wiggall suggested that the tree at the bus shelter needs cutting back
The clerk will inform the maintenance Contractor
18. Information, reports and correspondence
a) Ownership of The Green: To receive any update
The solicitors have reassured the Clerk that the documentation is with Land Registry and the Council will receive the paperwork in several months.
b) Telephone Kiosk: Usage as a micro museum of the area. To receive any update
The Maintenance Contractor will start preparing and painting the kiosk with the paint provided
c) To discuss possible positions for defibrillators
The Maintenance Contractor will check the unit at New Bolingbroke Town Hall monthly and will be reporting back to the Clerk if anything needs attention.
19. Next meeting/s:
Tuesday, 24 June 2025 at 19:15 – Carrington Village Hall
Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at 19:00 – New Bolingbroke Town Hall
No meeting in August.
The meeting was closed at: 18:57