2026 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Crowland Parish Council

Minutes of Full Parish Council Meeting

Full Council - Monday 11th May 2026 at 7pm in Crowland Community Hub,

Hall Street, Crowland

Present: Councillors Annette Williams (Chair), Bryan Alcock, David Kempton, Graham Searle, Cathi Elphee,  Peter Davis, Katie Pepper, Jon Boor, Darren Warner, Jordan Boom and Jack Turner.
 

Also in attendance: Deputy Clerk Tina Croxford

The meeting opened at 7:00pm.

Cllr Bryan Alcock welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Outgoing Chair thanked all Vice Chair and members of sub-committees for their help and support during the past year, specific thanks were given to Cllrs Jon Boor and Graham Searle.

1) Election of Chair.

Cllr Cathi Elphee Prop Annette Williams, Seconded Peter Davis and agreed by all.

Annette Williams signed the Acceptance of Office.  Resolved:

2) Election of Vice-Chair

This was discussed and younger members were encouraged. Cathi Elphee proposed, Graham Searle, seconded by Jon Boor and all agreed. Jordan Boom offered to shadow Graham Searle with the possibility of being Vice-Chair in the future.   Resolved:

3) Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Peter Stowe, Cllr Raymond Condell & Cllr Angie Harrison

4) Declaration of Interests

Cllr Graham Searle declared an interest in Agenda Item 16

Cllrs Jon Boor, Cathi Elphee and Annette Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 23

5) Election of Committees

Planning and Place: Cathi Elphee, Peter Davis, David Kempton, Graham Searle, Annette Williams, Jon Boor, Katie Pepper, Peter Stowe & Jack Turner

Amenities: Graham Searle, Bryan Alcock, Annette Williams, Peter Davis, David Kempton, Jon Boor, Peter Stowe and Jack Turner

Farms and Gardens: Annette Williams, Peter Davis, Cathi Elphee, Jon Boor, Darren Warner, Graham Searle, Peter Stowe & Jordan Boom

Finance: Bryan Alcock, Annette Williams, All chairs of committees

Safety and Security: Annette Williams, Peter Davis, Darren Warner, Katie Pepper, Jordan Boom & Jack Turner

Asset working party: Bryan Alcock, David Kempton, Peter Davis, Jon Boor, Graham Searle & Annette Williams.

Church Yard: Annette Williams, Cathi Elphee & Peter Davis

6)  Election of Chair of Committees

Planning and Place – David Kempton proposed Cathi Elphee, seconded by Bryan Alcock, and all agreed.

Amenities Darren Warner proposed Graham Searle, seconded by Cathi Elphee, and all agreed

Farms and Gardens Peter Davis proposed Jon Boor, seconded by Jack Turner, and all agreed

Finance Cathi Elphee proposed Bryan Alcock, seconded by Annette Williams, and all agreed

Safety and Security Katie Pepper proposed Peter Davis, seconded by Bryan Alcock, and all agreed.

7) Proposal to confirm the structure and membership of the Assets Working Party

Bryan Alcock, David Kempton, Peter Davis, Jon Boor, Graham Searle & Annette Williams.

8) Election of Churchyard Committee Representatives

Annette Williams, Cathi Elphee & Peter Davis

9) Election of Voluntary Car Scheme Representative 

Cathi Elphee

10) To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 13th April 2026 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes and to note the minutes of other committees.

It was proposed, Cathi Elphee, seconded Peter Davis and agreed by all

Resolved: That the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 13th April 2026 were approved as a correct record.

It was recorded that the Petty Cash is to be revisited as not agreed by the council to reduce the account to a zero balance and formally closed.  It was agreed by all that this service is still needed in the office.                                                                                                                                             

11) To receive an update on progress & resolutions for the meeting held on 13th April 2026.

The Council discussed the action list.

12) Clerks Report.

Cllr J Boor read out an email from the Clerk, to be discussed in Closed Session.

13) Chair's Report - To resolve on the Chairman’s report and its recommendations.

Picking up on last month’s report Becky, together with Tina are evolving a work pattern to make sure council business is undertaken as effectively and efficiently as possible in the circumstances. Further information will be available for councillors through the confidential reports from HR Committee. In the meantime, I thank both Becky and Tina for keeping the council on track as far as is possible.

The Meridien PV proposals continue to progress through the required system. The Council needs to register to be able to make a comment. Community benefit appears to be a subject which other authorities are becoming more aware of, perhaps because of what is increasingly seen as the inevitability of it getting permission. There is, therefore, even more reason why the council should pursue commitment regarding community gain and at the same time express its concerns regarding the effect of the development on the area, particularly from cumulative industrialisation.

The LLC have been advised that CPC wish to continue with the grass cutting contract for LCC land in the town. Together with the areas the council cuts for SHDC it is a considerable commitment. Both sets of plans for the areas need to be reviewed to ensure we are aware of the commitments.

The minor roads suggestion was discussed at a SHDC meeting and is not going ahead.

14) Amenities Committee - To resolve on the Amenities Committee Chairman’s report and its recommendations.

Jason Church will be actioning the floodlights on Tuesday, 19th May.

Skate Park, awaiting a second quotation.

Pavilion Car Park, thanks were given to Darren & Steven Warner for all the help given concerning the drainage.

Pavilion, Area inside cage pressure washed, uneven slabs re-laid, external shutters on the southern end are difficult, if not impossible, to open, under investigation by CPC employee.

Litter bins, Four Spares. One was used as a replacement adjacent to the Postland Road bus shelter.

Second has replaced the damaged bin on the West Bank.  

Third as requested by Cllr Stowe and workmen, to be located in the adventure park.

Fourth stored as future replacement however, minus internal bin. (used in bin by tennis court when liner stolen) All work completed by CPC employees.

Snowden original compound.

Communications to both CTFC and CJFC regarding removal of unwanted items and relocating/reorganising wanted CPC employees to start disposal and tidy-up exercise from May 5th.

CTFC replied that they have nothing in this compound.

CJFC replied, Managers to address the issue on Friday, 1st May.

The Chairman of Crowland Juniors FC requested a meeting with Crowland PC to discuss their position and operational queries they have, which the PC may be able to assist with. 

Bowls Club  The town bowls club continues to flourish with 52 members signed up for the coming season which enables the club to have eight teams competing in the Peterborough and Spalding leagues.

An open day was held on Saturday, 25th April which attracted 14 interested people, the hope is that they will all become members.

The friendlies captain Joan, will be contacting CPC with the aim of arranging a match between CPC and club members. Please support this activity.

Park Run  The Snowden Park runners recently celebrated their seventh year anniversary with 91 competitors.

Adam Caress has stood down from the race director's role, a position which he has held since the very first event, Adam’s successor will be Andrew Mallet assisted by Zoe Thornton.

I am sure you will all join me in thanking Adam for his commitment and cooperation and wish Andrew and Zoe success in their new roles.

Emailed request received  2nd May from Park Run organisers to be discussed at the next Amenities meeting 28th May. To be moved into closed session.

15) Finance and Admin Committee - To resolve on the Finance and Admin Committee Chairman’s report and its recommendations, which were discussed and are on target.

Minor disagreement with a contractor has been agreed and 50% of the costs have been paid; the 50% sum, which the council had retained some time ago in respect of work regarded as unsatisfactory, has been settled.  The precept has been received as usual at the start of the financial year.

Clerk Duties – moved to closed session.

Car charging invoices are to be checked to ensure they are being actioned and paid.

16) Accounts for Payment.

It was proposed by Peter Davis, seconded by Cathi Elphee and all agreed Resolved: Payments and Receipts were agreed.

Payments = £60,395.02

Receipts - £207,141.21 

It was proposed by Darren Warner, seconded by Jordan Boom and all agreed Resolved: Bank Balances were agreed.

Bank Balances – 5th May 2026

Cater Allen - £478,083.46

Santander - £230,239.73 

Petty Cash - £0.00

17) Farms & Gardens Committee - To consider the minutes of the Farms & Gardens meeting and any recommendations.

The Tree Specialist is on holiday at the moment, so the cutting of trees and hedges is ongoing, all the trees on the Snowden will be looked into.

The hedge near 6 Acre is to be cut.

Trees next to the war memorial need investigating as one is a lot smaller than the other – contact Tree Specialist SHDC for advice as in a conservation area.

Roses – obscuring the view along James Road, some have been removed.

Machinery – the rotavator has been repaired and is now ready.

18) Planning & Place Committee - To consider the minutes of the Planning & Place meeting and any recommendations.

The Planning application

H02-0058-26 REFUSALALDERLANDS JAMES ROAD CROWLAND PE6 0AA

Confirmation that the existing use of land for Vehicle Storage is Lawful

Appeal has been submitted – ongoing and to be investigated  

The Planning application on Broadway (old British Legion) was refused, but an appeal has been submitted – ongoing and to be investigated.     

Deeds need to be investigated regarding the land at Carrington Drove North, as cars are being stored.

CPC own up to the tarmac – knee rails may be needed

Graveyard -  suggestion that a plan be drawn with the land left of the existing graveyard and plot the number of plots/places still available.  BA offered to help to measure and draw a plan.

19) Safety & Security Committee - To resolve on the Safety & Security Committee Chairman’s report and its recommendations.

A meeting is being planned for 27th May 7pm, for a Safety and security meeting with members.

Fly tipping still remains a problem in the area.

Cars speeding through the town remain a problem

It was noted that a new high record of crime events is happening in Crowland 

20) Assets Working Party - To resolve on the Assets Working Party Committee Chair’s report and its recommendations.

A meeting was held with the developer. The application is ready to be put in, it is a hybrid application, which is the first phase. The second phase will be outlined.

A request was made for an emergency light to be fitted into a shower room in one of the bungalows. This was discussed and considered.  A suggestion was made that if a tenant has a special request or care need, they should approach the social services accordingly.  

Extractor fan cleaning/investigation was also discussed and a contractor will attend to investigate, a member of CPC will attend.

Quotation for the landscaping has been sent and is being actioned.

21) New footway to post-box, Cllr Volunteer Scheme - Postland Road

Resolved: The Council to send the recommendation for a new footpath and landscaping to the Post Box on Postland Road. It was mentioned that the post box is on local authority land which CPC look after.

The volunteer scheme provides free labour for community works, and any materials and plant/machinery required would be paid for by the applicants. As this is a highways verge (maintainable at public expense), I would have to construct a footway which meets our highway standard specification for footways, a tarmac footway with edgings, which unfortunately, may be quite costly.  Can you confirm if you have a budget for this?  

This was discussed and agreed that as it is going to cost so much money, an alternative solution should be looked into.  It was recommended that a few slabs be fitted by our workers.  

It was proposed by Cathi Elphee, seconded by David Kempton and all agreed 

22) LCC Proposals: To consider the Council's position on proposals for minor roads

Cllr B Alcock, commenting on having attended a community meeting with LCC, at Cowbit, regarding the old 1073 Spalding Road, it was discussed that the road is likely to be closed for a further two to three years due to the high cost of rebuilding to a high enough standard to stand the test of time. One option that was not supported by the meeting was to permanently close the road. The question of minor roads being de-metalled and made into gravel roads was not to be pursued due to LCC councillors having not supported the proposal.

Resolved:

23. Meridian PV - To consider the Council's response to the submission of a Planning Application

CPC needs to be investigated, search for information and register so that comments can be submitted Meridian Web Page. Government. register?   To be kept on the agenda

Attention to the community pot needs to be included.

24) Matters to be considered for inclusion on a future Council Agenda.

Tennis courts - it is always on the amenities agenda and ongoing – 1 pitch is still usable and being used.

Open Session Closed at 8.35pm

PARISH COUNCIL ACTIONS – 11th May 2026