2026 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Crowland Parish Council

Minutes of Full Parish Council Meeting

 Full Council - Monday 13th April 2026 at 7pm in Crowland Community Hub,

Hall Street, Crowland

Present: Councillors Bryan Alcock (Chair), Annette Williams, David Kempton, Graham Searle, Cathi Elphee, Peter Stowe, Peter Davis, Jon Boor, Darren Warner, Jordan Boom and Cllr Raymond Condell.

Also in attendance: Deputy Clerk Tina Croxford

The meeting opened at 7:00pm.

Chair Cllr Bryan Alcock welcomed everyone to the meeting.

216) Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Katie Pepper, Cllr Jim Astill, Cllr Angie Harrison and Cllr Jack Turner.

217) Declaration of Interests

Cllr Graham Searle declared an interest in Agenda Item 9 (223)

Cllr Darren Warner declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 14 (228)

Cllr Bryan Alcock declared a non-pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 15 (229)

218) To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 2nd March  2026 and to authorise the Chairman to sign the official minutes and to note the minutes of other committees.

It was proposed, Peter Davis, seconded Jordan Boom and agreed by all

Resolved: That the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 2nd March 2026 were approved as a correct record.                                                                                                                                          

219) To receive an update on progress & resolutions for the meeting held on 2nd March 2026.

The Council received an update on the action list.

220) Clerks Report.

Bank reconciliations have been completed to the 31st March 2026, and the Petty Cash account has now been reduced to a zero balance. As this facility is no longer required, it has been formally closed.

The parish website remains fully up to date, with agendas, minutes, and all statutory documents published within the required timeframes.

We have now successfully moved over to gov.uk email addresses, as required under Assertion 10, and everything is running smoothly. The previous email addresses will continue to function behind the scenes, automatically forwarding messages to the new accounts. Tina and I will continue to update any services, contacts, or subscriptions that are still linked to the old email addresses to ensure a complete transition.

Work will now focus on preparing the Year End accounts. The AGAR forms have been received, with a submission deadline of 1st July 2026, providing ample time to complete the necessary documentation and ensure everything is ready for review.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all Committee members for your continued support and understanding during my medical recovery. I would also like to formally commend Deputy Clerk Tina, who has stepped up during her part‑time hours to provide essential cover and maintain continuity of service throughout this period.

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

At the time of writing you will know that Becky, our Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer, has advised us that she has undergone an operation.  We wish her a speedy recovery. Further updates will be at her discretion and confidentially relayed to Councillors if she so wishes. We are grateful to Tina for stepping in and again taking on more responsibility. 

The change of email address to .gov was being progressed last month and we can now confirm that three addresses have been established: Clerk/RFO; clerk@crowlandparishcouncil.gov.uk, Deputy Clerk; info@crowlandparishcouncil.gov.uk, Accounts; accounts@crowlandparishcouncil.gov.uk. The council is now compliant in that respect and can answer the appropriate question on the AGAR form positively.

Work on the car park should be well advanced. I would, however, like to thank Darren and Stephen Warner for finding out how the drainage to the car park is designed, cleaning it out and repairing a broken pipe. Part of it was a filthy job.

It appears that Lincs County Council are considering de-metaling some minor roads in a bid to save money. This presumably comprises removing the tarmacadam and creating gravel roads. If the part of Low Road that has had that treatment is an example of what could result, I would suggest we oppose the suggestion wholeheartedly. That example brings into focus the fact that gravel roads need regular maintenance and from personal experience I can assure LCC that they do, even more regularly than tarmac surfaces. There is also the question of what criteria will be used to select such roads and will PCs be consulted with their opinions taken notice of sooner than being consulted and ignored.

The Meridan PV application has been submitted and the council needs to consider whether it wishes to respond more extensively than on previous occasions. There is also the question of Community benefit and how and where its distribution will be controlled. It would appear timely to invite their representative back.

Again, the item will feature on the agenda for the council’s consideration.

The PC has been asked by LCC if it wishes to continue with the grass cutting contract and has received a plan marked with the areas involved.  It was discussed and agreed that CPC continue with the contract.

It was proposed, Jon Boor seconded, David Kempton and all agreed.

Resolved:

The next meeting will be the AGM by which time members will need to have chosen committees they would like to serve on and decided what other positions they might like to be considered for. 

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

Thanks were given to Darren and Steven Warner for finding the mysterious drainage in the car park and making the repairs. 

Skate Park – ongoing, as another quote is needed from a specialist concrete contractor.

Pavilion – Steven Warner has started the works, which are ongoing, as manual repairs are needed once the drain works are completed.  Comments were made that it already looks better.

Car Park – going ok and a quote for the pathway was received but a decision is needed tonight.  Moved to close session.

Football pitches – ongoing

Tennis courts – ongoing

Road Safety Sign – GS to talk to Councillor Condell regarding help with ways of slowing the traffic down.

Rubish left on the Snowden – to be cleared away as more is being added.

223) 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.

It was noted that the donation in the sum of £3000.00 to the Christmas Lights Committee was to be credited to that organisation's reserve balance.

224) Accounts for Payment.

It was proposed Jon Boor seconded, Jordan Boom and all agreed

Resolved: Payments and Receipts were agreed.

The Chairman added the late arrival of the Rent Demand Notice for the payment of £9,585.50 from Somerley to the Payments list.

Payments - £32,053.55 + £9,585.50 = £41,639.05

Receipts - £24,585.99 

It was noted that the donation for the Christmas Lights is not CPC money.

Payment for the Car Park Scout Hut was 50% of the cost.

Bank Balances – 31st March 2026

Cater Allen - £483,871.73 

Santander - £49,728.62 

Petty Cash - £0.00

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

Grass Cutting

Generally, going ok grass is growing rapidly towards the end of the month. I have asked the workers to pay particular attention to the contracted areas, especially around the Trinity Court area. In addition, do not leave grass cuttings on pathways.

We need to arrange to apply weed control to Snowden Field. Our Clerk needs to action asap. (Deputy Clerk has sent an email to Chris Firth 1.04.26. He is on holiday until 13.04.26).

Peter Stowe has agreed to help to ensure that we maintain a satisfactory standard of grass cutting around our area. Thanks were given to Peter for agreeing to action this and to Graham for his help in assisting in monitoring the grass cutting previously.

Allotments

Problems were discussed with tenants leaving allotments in very bad conditions, with it being more expensive to put right than the deposit.

Good news, allotment plots are being rented.

Plots remaining:

8 full plots,

8 ½ plots and

4 ¼ plots

Machinery

Our newly purchased Kubota mower is doing a good job in general however, it has broken down a couple of times, on James Road with an electronic issue and again at Millfield Gardens. This seems typical of modern machinery with overcomplicated safety systems.

I will try and get an estimate to repair our tractor-mounted rotavator before our next meeting.

Trees and hedges

Peter Stowe and I have inspected the cemetery hedge and as suspected, most of the plants are dead. We need to replant it in the autumn. We are still waiting for permission from SHDC for work on Thorney Road trees in the conservation area.

Still awaiting information to provide an update on the tree register.

Farm Land

Peter Stowe and I carried out the annual Land Inspection on the 31st March. All owned and rented land was inspected. Most fields appeared to be farmed to a good standard with a small amount of waterlogging. It was noted that an increasing area was down to non-food crops.

It was noticed that some neighbouring hedges and trees are encroaching on some fields and roadways.

The Roadways serving our rented land are deteriorating after the wet weather; this is to be investigated, and if it is the tenant's responsibility.

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

Cllr Cathi Elphee reported that one item from the minutes was to be raised at Full Council.

A request from the planning committee to the Full Council for the purchase of the Lamp of Peace and 90×54 flag to the value of £150.00 for both items.

It was proposed, Cathi Elphee seconded Darren Warner, and all agreed.

Resolved:

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

We have been unable to secure a Safety and security meeting with members. Emails have been sent by the Clerk requesting dates and availability – ongoing.

Fly tipping still remains a problem in the area.

Cars speeding through the town remain a problem

Antisocial behaviour was discussed at the bus shelter near the Crown. It was advised that if you see anything, report it to the to police and the District Council.

A request was submitted for a dropped curb from the bridge to the bakery. This area has been looked at before but with it being on a tight junction and with the restricted view, it could cause a Safety issue.  A request is to be sent to LCC to investigate and decide.

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

Three commercial sites have been submitted to the Local Plan call for sites. The present site off Thorney Road, the option land between that site and the proposed cemetery and the larger site to the east bounded by James Road, Yellow Stocking Road and the A16, the latter to include a potential Hotel site. 

The developer is still working on costing, and a meeting is being planned. 

Complying reports are needed for the Planning Conditions.  

229) Implement additional Skate Park inspection/cleaning hours

Arrangements have been made for the additional hours.  This was moved into closed session 

230) Skate Park repair works

A quotation had been received, so moved into closed session 

231) Cllr Condell’s CVS Volunteering Scheme email to all committees

This was dealt with through planning,

It was proposed, Cathi Elphee seconded Annette Williams and agreed by all

Resolved: The Council to send the recommendation for a new footpath and landscaping to the Post Box on Postland Road.

232) Date of Open Meeting: To decide on a date and venue

It was proposed, seconded and

Resolved: The Council

The Open Meeting will be held on Thursday, 14th May 7pm at the Pavillion.

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

Lincs County Council are considering de-metaling some minor roads in a bid to save money. This was discussed and presumably comprises removing the tarmacadam and creating gravel roads. The part of Low Road that has had that treatment is an example of what could result, Suggested CPC oppose the suggestion wholeheartedly. That example brings into focus the fact that gravel roads need regular maintenance.  There is also the question of what criteria will be used to select such roads and will PCs be consulted with their opinions taken notice of sooner than being consulted and ignored.  Cllr Raymond Condell informed us that a meeting with LCC was taking place on Tuesday, and also attending is the head of transport and suggested Cllrs attend to ask the questions.

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

The planning application has not been submitted yet.  To be added to the next month's agenda.

A suggestion was put forward to arrange another meeting regarding the community benefit.  

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

The following items were identified for inclusion on future Council and Committee agendas:

Bench for Reg Boot, Michael Akinson and the outcome of the request for Lorna Horn.

Open Session Closed at 8.25pm

PARISH COUNCIL ACTIONS – 13th April 2026