November 2025 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 3rd November 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, S Drury and S Gould; 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 Chair offered to move the item up the agenda, so the resident could hear the Parish Council’s response.
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 was not in attendance but provided a written report, circulated with Councillors via email prior to the meeting
73. Welcome from the Chair of the Council.
The Chair welcomed all present, confirmed quorum and thanked Councillors for their attendance.
74. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs N Cooper and N Dennis.
75. Declarations of Interest
None received.
At the discretion of the Chair, agenda item 9 was moved up the agenda.
76. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, or amendments.
a. Planning Application Consultation 03188/25/RVC | Section 73 to vary condition no. 2 (approved plans) and condition no. 8 (No more than 20 go-karts, 4 hovercrafts and 10 quadbikes shall be operated at the site at any one time) imposed on planning permission ref no. S/039/2396/16 at Kartworld Extreme Leisure, Low Road, Croft.
All planning notices were circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, with feedback provided via email. Based on the feedback provided by Councillors, the Clerk compiled a draft response to the planning application. It was resolved unanimously to approve the draft response. The Clerk to send into ELDC’s Planning Dept. The Parish Council object to the planning application. A copy of the draft response is included as an attachment to these minutes.
b. Planning Application Consultation 03265/25/FUL | Change of use of part of existing domestic curtilage to form a commercial dog run on land rear of Elijahs Place, Croft Lane.
The planning notice was circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, with feedback provided via email. No further comments were raised.
77. To confirm the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Monday 6th October 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
78. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for October
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.
79. To receive bank reconciliation for October.
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.
80. To receive a budget review for the second quarter of the financial year.
The Clerk provided a Budget Review for the second quarter of the 2025-26 Financial Year to keep Councillors up to date with the Town Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. No questions were raised.
81. 2026-27 Financial Planning:
a. To consider a draft budget and precept request for 2026-27.
b. To consider a draft earmarked reserve allocation for 2026-27.
The Clerk explained the earmarked allocations in the reserves and recommended increasing the General Contingency Reserve to cover at least 6 - 9 months expenditure - £15,000.00 to comply with the financial regulations and increasing the election allocation to £4,000.00 based on advice from ELDC. The remaining allocations which included speed sign, play area equipment, village improvement, emergency fund, the village hall and allotments, were amended to leave £38,500.00 in the earmarked reserves.
The Clerk explained the allocations in the draft budget, highlighting increases to salaries, insurance, subscriptions and likely increases in contractor costs, with the predicted expenditure to be just under £20,000.00.
It was resolved unanimously to request a precept of £14,516.32. The Clerk to submit the paperwork to ELDC. This would be an increase of 2.5% or £1.15 per year for a band D property.
82. To receive a report from:
a. The Chair
Cllr Coxall reported on the repairs works to the Village Hill in the toilets and the kitchen. Gaps in the eaves have been closed, and some paintwork is required. The contractor has honoured the original quote, although there will be some costs for additional works. The invoice will be paid by the Village Hall.
b. The Clerk
The Clerk reported meeting with a representative from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, to discuss locations for the radar speed signs, who recommended one for the corner of Church Lane and Pinchbeck lane on the verge outside the Old Vicarage, however, the hedging in the Old Vicarage would need to be cut back and Church Lane, on the south side of the village, using existing posts carry the village nameplate. The nameplate is currently missing, it has been reported to fixmystreet. Locations will need to be approved at the next meeting.
Cllr Drury requested confirmation that the signs were portable. The Clerk confirmed and to go back to the LRSP to request extra poles. Locations to be confirmed elsewhere in the parish.
83. To receive an update on repairs to the Village Hall.
Repairs reported above. Bookings continue to be taken.
84. To consider policies for adoption:
a. Health and Safety Policy
b. ICT Policy
c. Lone Worker Policy
d. Recruitment Policy
The Clerk provided draft copies of all policies for consideration prior to the meeting. It was resolved unanimously to adopt all policies for consideration.
85. To consider using .gov.uk email addresses for Parish Council business.
The Clerk advised that the external auditor would mark the Parish Council as non-compliant and recommended including this in the 2026-27 budget. Cloudnext were offering a discount on the first year. It was resolved unanimously set up and include in the 2026-27 budget.
86. To receive an update on the installation of a bench in memory of Sid Dennis.
Cllr C Drury will be going to see the company later in the week and advised that no deposit will be required.
87. 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.
The Chair of the Council closed the meeting at 7:50pm.
Signed…………………………………………………………………………………
Chair of the Council - Cllr A Coxall
Signed………………………………………………………………………………..
Clerk to the Council and RFO - Jack Sargent
12th January 2026