2025 Minutes – Crowland Parish Council

Full Council Minutes - 6th October 2025

Full Council - Monday 6 October 2025 at 7pm in Crowland Community Hub, Hall Street, Crowland

Present: Cllrs. Bryan Alcock, Jon Boor, Graham Searle, Peter Davis, Jordon Bloom, Darren Warner, Peter Stowe

Also in attendance: G Hawkes Clerk (minute taker).

In the Chair: Cllr. Bryan Alcock thanked everyone for attending.

98) Apologies for Absence of the meeting were advised and apologies with valid reasons for absence had been received from Cllrs Kempton, Boot, Pepper, Elphee, Williams, Turner and District Cllr Jim Astill It was proposed, seconded and Resolved: those apologies be noted with valid reasons for absence accepted from Cllrs.

99) Declaration of Interests - Cllr Boor regarding agreement of payments, pecuniary.

Cllr Boor regarding the Meridian Consultation – non pecuniary.

Cllr Boor regarding review of land rents.

100) To approve the Minutes of the Previous Meeting – 1 September 2025

Agreed subject to minute ref 86 should read orders for payment £16,972.04 and income receipts amount to £6,382.50. Minute ref 83 should read Cllrs Alcock & Stowe re VJ celebration attendance in Spalding.

Proposed by Cllr Davis - Seconded by Cllr Boor - all present agreed.

		Action
101) To receive an update on progress & resolutions for the meeting held on 1 September 2025
	Action list: Review and invoice Bowls club re electricity use. Follow up request for car park quotations. Check receipt of £2,500 re Thorney Road site.	GJH GJH GJH
102) Chairman’s Report.
	To consider the Chairmans report and any recommendations therein. The report as circulated to members prior to the meeting. Members will be aware that we are again looking to recruit a new Clerk, the process has been initiated and short term Granville Hawkes will return. It is good to have Nick Slater back and we wish Cllrs Kempton and Davis speedy recoveries. Parish Council email addresses has been raised again, we are expected to move to .gov.uk for security reasons for enquiries, clerk and accounts addresses Proposed by Cllr Boor – Seconded by Cllr Davis – agreed by all. The registration of all buildings and land owned by the parish council is compulsory and the council's solicitor, Calthrops, have been asked to undertake the task.	GJH TC
103) Amenities Committee.
	To consider the Chairmans report and any recommendations therein. A report was distributed to members prior to the meeting. The pavilion cladding has been replaced and new signage added the building and the implement shed. Playpark repairs have been done with the climbing rope tension and Skatepark concrete still to be undertaken. The basket swing refit is due 22/10/25. The car park specification has been sent and replies will be chased. Scout/guide hut needs a repair to the water pipe, the Council will need to give permission to replace and reinstate at no cost to the Council.	GJH
104) Finance and Admin Committee
	To consider the Chairmans report and any recommendations therein. A report was distributed prior to the meeting. We have received several queries from the auditor relating to the AGAR submission. We also need to prepare the budget for 2026-27 and I propose to invite Tracy Kingston, the former RFO to assist with the task. Proposed by Cllr Searle – Seconded by Cllr Boor – agreed by all.
105) Accounts for Payment.
	A report was distributed prior to the meeting. To note bank balances and investments at 28 September 2025, Account ending 338 £ 535,985.79 Account ending 461 £ 27,840.41 Petty cash £ 32.50 To authorise the signing of orders for payment and to note income for September 2025. It was proposed, seconded and resolved, Orders for payment made in the sums of £33,778.11 in September 2025 be authorised. Incomes received in the amounts of £6,009.21 in September 2025 be noted. Proposed by Cllr. Davis – Seconded by Cllr. Searle and all agreed with one abstention.
106) Farms & Gardens Committee
	To consider the Chairmans report and any recommendations therein. A report was distributed prior to the meeting. Chandlers will undertake a machinery demo on the 7 October. The hanging baskets are being allowed to dry out and will then be removed shortly. The millennium wood has been walked by Cllrs Searle and Stowe and new signage is due to be erected.
Planning Committee
	To consider the minutes of the recent meeting and any recommendations therein. A report was distributed prior to the meeting. The report was received by Cllrs Boor and Searle and all agreed.
108) Safety & Security Committee
	To consider the Chairmans report and any recommendations therein. A report was distributed prior to the meeting. Cllrs Searle and Stowe attended the police priority setting meeting and recommended enforcement relating to the use of electric scooters, antisocial behaviour by car drivers and inappropriate use of mobility scooters on the school run.
109) Assets Working Party.
	To consider the Chairmans report and any recommendations therein. A report was distributed prior to the meeting. Issues at the investment properties relating to the cooker hobs and roof repairs are being progressed. The vacant property has been relet. Attenuation pond – Anglian water want to inspect all sewers before adopting. The Council has sent three invoices covering the last three years, for payment of maintenance to the management company. We can now commission the reports required by the conditions set out in the cemetery planning permission. The architect will be instructed in respect of the landscaping and planting as it is their area of expertise. Proposed by Cllr. Boor – Seconded by Cllr. Searle and all agreed by all. Quotes relating to the Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitat management plans were reviewed and it was moved to obtain more information and agenda for the next Farms & Gardens meeting. Proposed by Cllr. Boor – Seconded by Cllr. Searle and all agreed by all.	TC
110) Media Briefing invitation
	The Communications team at SHDC had sent an invitation for the Council to take part in regular media briefings and Cllr Searle will respond and followup.
111) Matters to be considered for inclusion on a future Council Agenda.
	There were no matters to be included.

The meeting finished at 8.59pm.