October 2025 DRAFT Minutes
Clerk’s Contact Details:
Clerk’s Office, Franklin Hall, Halton Road, Spilsby, PE23 5LA.
07872943179 | croftparishclerk@gmail.com
Croft Parish Council
Minutes of the full Council Meeting held at Croft Village Hall on Monday 6th October 2025, commencing at 7:00pm. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true and accurate record.
Present:
Cllrs A Coxall (Chair), C Drury (Vice-Chair and District Councillor), G Batten, G Bowser, N Dennis, and S Drury; County Cllr J Brookes and Clerk - J Sargent.
There were 2 members of the public in attendance.
Public Session
Resident 1 was in attendance to hear what the Parish Council had to say about planning amendment 03316/25/NMA - a non-material amendment (amendments to track and parking) to that previously approved under planning permission ref. no. S/039/02396/16. The resident confirmed their objection was to planning conditions not being adhered to under the original planning permission and the noise pollution.
Cllr C Drury advised that motorbikes were using the track when planning conditions state the track is for quadbikes with factory silencers. Cllr Drury suggested the noise pollution created was a disturbance to neighbouring properties and wetlands nearby.
Cllr Coxall suggested the roads leading to the site are not suitable for large volumes of traffic, however, advised that the application had not yet been received by the Parish Council and would be discussed once it’s been circulated.
The resident suggested that site is being operated illegally, without insurance as the planning conditions are not being followed. Cllr Drury advised that a one-off event is planned at the site and ELDC’s Enforcement Officer has been notified.
To receive a report from East Lindsey District Councillor - Cllr C Drury
No report provided.
To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Councillor Report - Cllr J Brookes
Cllr Brookes provided a written report. A copy will be circulated with Councillors via email and posted in the Parish Council’s noticeboard.
Cllr Drury asked if the barriers on Croft Lane could be reinstated, alongside the River Lymn. Cllr Brookes to follow up.
Cllr Bowser requested the sign at the Church Lane junction is replaced as it was knocked down in December. The Clerk confirmed LCC Highways has been in contact about a replacement sign.
58. Welcome from the Chair of the Council.
The Chair welcomed all present, confirmed quorum and thanked Councillors for their attendance.
59. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs N Cooper and S Gould.
60. Declarations of Interest
None received.
61. To confirm the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Monday 1st September 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
62. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for:
a. August.
b. September
c. To receive an account summary for the second quarter of the financial year.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts. The Accounts Report to be included as an attachment with these minutes. The Clerk also provided a summary of both bank accounts for the second quarter of the financial year, for information purposes, a copy of the summary to be included as an attachment with these minutes.
63. To receive bank reconciliation for:
a. August.
b. September.
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation for information purposes only, to keep Councillors up to date with the financial status. The Bank Reconciliation Reports to be included as an attachment with these minutes.
64. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, or amendments.
a. Application reference 02574/25/RVC | Erection of 1no. building to provide a holiday home at New England, Croft. Decision Notice.
b. Application reference 02620/25/LBA | Listed Building Consent - External repairs to existing chimney, roof and walls at Old Chequers Inn, Croft. Decision Notice.
c. Application reference 03125/25/FUL | Change of use of domestic garden on land adjacent to Stainfield, Gibraltar Road, Croft. Planning Permission request.
d. Application reference 02860/25/FUL | Change of use and alterations to existing dwelling to form accommodation for seasonal workers at Clough House, Croft Marsh. Decision Notice.
e. Application reference 02882/25/FUL | Alterations to existing office building at Acorn House, Church Lane. Decision Notice - approved.
All planning notices were circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, with feedback provided via email. No further comments were raised.
The Clerk advised being copied into a resident’s response to planning application reference 03125/25/FUL, who complained that the application appeared to be for commercial use rather than domestic use due to the scale. The Clerk confirmed that the deadline for submissions had now passed.
65. To receive a report from:
a. The Chair
Cllr Coxall suggested contacting neighbouring Parish Councils to form partnerships with the Greater Lincolnshire Authority coming. Cllr Coxall expressed concern that powers might be devolved to Parish Councils, and smaller Parish Councils could miss out on vital funding and services from the GLA. Cllr Brookes advised there will be an election in 2027 for the new GLA.
Councillors discussed the GLA proposals, which seems to be moving towards keeping the administrative districts together in north and south authorities. Cllr Drury suggested that many Parish Councillors would resign should they be given additional responsibilities as it would change the role of being a Parish Councillor.
Cllr Coxall suggested moving back to bi-monthly meetings as there aren’t many items to discuss on monthly agendas. The Clerk confirmed that meetings are already agreed until March 2026 and will bring a plan for future meeting dates to the next meeting.
Cllr Coxall requested support with running the Village Hall due to the current workload, as the Parish Council are the trustees. Cllr S Drury offered to help with the bookings and social media.
Cllr Drury confirmed a tree has been planted in the park with a guard to match those currently in place, by a resident in memory of a relative.
b. The Clerk
No report provided.
66. To consider policies for adoption:
a. Risk Register
The Clerk provided a draft copy of the Risk Register prior to the meeting. It was resolved unanimously to adopt the Risk Register.
Cllr Drury requested the Parish Council put an Emergency Plan in place at the earliest opportunity. The Clerk to contact the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.
67. To receive an update on the installation of a bench in memory of Sid Dennis.
Cllr C Drury advised the company were struggling to get the picture of Sid Dennis cut in the steel on the bench and suggested just having the quote provided and his name. Cllr Drury to follow up with the company.
68. To consider requesting a one tonne bag of salt for the grit bins in the parish.
Cllr Coxall suggest requesting a bag of salt and storing it behind the Village Hall, covering it with a waterproof sheet. It was resolved unanimously to request a bag for delivery to the Village Hall. Cllr S Drury suggested purchasing a plastic bin for storage.
69. To receive a copy of the Action Points list.
The Clerk provided a copy of the Action Points list to keep Councillors up to date with work on previous resolutions. The Action Points list to be included as an attachment with these minutes.
70. To consider buying CSW passive speed signs.
The Clerk advised that LCC Highways offered to match the number of signs purchased by the Parish Council. The signs are £20.00 each. It was resolved unanimously to purchase 10 signs and get 10 signs free. Spare signs to be stored in the village hall. The Clerk to meet with a representative from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to discuss appropriate lampposts.
71. To resolve to exclude the public and the media to discuss confidential matters in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
It was resolved unanimously to exclude the public and the media to allow the Council to discuss confidential matters.
72. To consider Staffing matters.
All staffing matters were resolved unanimously.
The Chair of the Council closed the meeting at 8:30pm.
Signed…………………………………………………………………………………
Chair of the Council - Cllr A Coxall
Signed………………………………………………………………………………..
Clerk to the Council and RFO - Jack Sargent
3rd November 2025