January 2026 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 12th January 2026, commencing at 7:00pm. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true and accurate record.
Present:
Cllrs C Drury (Vice-Chair and District Councillor), G Batten, and S Drury; and County Councillor J Brookes.
Clerk - J Sargent.
There were two members of the public in attendance.
Public Session
Resident 1 asked if there was an update with Kartworld and reported that ELDC’s Enforcement Officer asked the resident to keep ELDC updated on any developments at the site.
Cllr Drury suggested some of the equipment has been put up for sale, but chippings are to be spread on the track. Cllr Drury confirmed that there was no further progress and nothing has been posted on ELDC’s planning portal.
Resident 1 suggested that Kartworld needed further permissions from LCC Highways for the track which have not yet been requested.
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
No report provided.
88. Welcome.
The Vice-Chair welcomed all present, confirmed quorum and thanked Councillors for their attendance.
89. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs A Coxall (Chair), G Bowser, N Dennis and S Gould.
90. Declarations of Interest
None received.
91. To confirm the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Monday 3rd November 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
92. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for:
a. November.
b. December.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts. The Accounts Report included as an attachment with these minutes.
93. To receive bank reconciliation for:
a. November.
b. December.
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.
94. To receive an Income and Expenditure Summary for the third quarter of the financial year for:
a. Community Account.
b. Reserves Account.
c. Combined Accounts.
The Clerk provided an Income and Expenditure Summary for the third quarter of the financial year for information purposes only, to keep Councillors up to date with the financial status, included as an attachment with these minutes.
95. To receive a budget review for the third quarter of the financial year.
The Clerk provided a Budget Review for the third 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.
96. Financial Planning 2026-27, to approve an updated:
a. Budget.
b. Precept request.
c. Earmarked Reserves.
The Clerk provided an update draft budget for 2026-27, advised of the value of each allocation which gives a total draft expenditure of £19,824.00. The Clerk advised of a small increase in the tax base and recommended an increase in the precept to £15,224.43, which would be closer to a balanced budget, combined with the Council’s other income.
It was resolved unanimously to increase the precept request to £15,153.62 which would be an increase of £1.23 per year for a band D property. Despite the increase, the budget might require the use of the reserves to balance.
It was resolved unanimously to approve the budget and earmarked reserves for 2026-27.
97. To agree the maintenance contract to put out for tender.
The Clerk provided a draft contract with maps. Cllr Drury suggested including the corner of Pinchbeck Lane and Church Lane, and the Village Hall car park.
It was resolved unanimously to approve the contract with the suggested amendments and to send to prospective contractors.
98. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. Planning Application reference 03125/25/FUL | Planning Permission Notification for change of use of domestic garden to provide an allotment with the erection of a log cabin, 3no. outbuildings, the siting of 1no. storage unit, 1no. polytunnel and the construction of vehicular access for land at Gibraltar Road, Croft - Approved.
b. Planning Application reference 03294/25/FUL | Planning Permission for extensions to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation at 2 Blackended Cottages, Croft Lane, Croft - Approved.
c. Planning Application reference 03265/25/FUL | Planning Permission - Change of use of paddock to form a commercial dog exercise paddock at land rear of Elijahs Place Croft Lane, Croft - Approved.
d. Planning Application reference 02819/25/FUL | Change of use of land for the siting of holiday lodges, erection of a cycle store, excavation of land to provide a commercial fishing pond with the construction of a vehicular access, access gates, internal access roads and bin store on land adjacent to Sanctuary, Croft Lane, Croft.
All planning notices were circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting, with feedback provided via email.
Cllr Drury advised that Planning Application reference 02819/25/FUL has gone back to planning for consideration due to amendments, which are yet to be confirmed. Cllr Drury advised that the infrastructure around Croft Lane is not sufficient for the scale of the application and thought the applicant would take the decision to appeal if it got rejected.
99. To receive a report from:
a. The Chair
Cllr Coxall submitted apologies; no report provided.
b. The Clerk
No report provided.
100. To receive a copy of the mid-year internal audit report.
The Clerk circulated a copy of the mid-year internal audit report and list of actions to take. No questions were raised; the Clerk to provide an update on the jobs at the next meeting.
101. To consider Councillor training.
Cllr Coxall requested this item, but was not in attendance, it was resolved unanimously to defer to the next meeting.
102. To consider policies for adoption:
a. Environmental Policy
b. Safeguarding Policy
c. Social Media Policy
d. Volunteer Policy
The Clerk provided draft copies of all policies for consideration prior to the meeting. It was resolved unanimously to adopt all policies considered.
103. To receive an update on the installation of a bench in memory of Sid Dennis.
Cllr C Drury advised that the design will change but is yet to be confirmed, although the text will remain the same. No timescale provided.
104. 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 included as an attachment with these minutes.
105. To resolve to exclude the public and the media to discuss confidential matters in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
Cllr Coxall requested this item, but was not in attendance, it was resolved unanimously to defer to the next meeting.
106. To consider staffing matters.
Cllr Coxall requested this item, but was not in attendance, it was resolved unanimously to defer to the next meeting.
The Chair of the Council closed the meeting at 7:52pm.
Signed…………………………………………………………………………………
Vice-Chair of the Council - Cllr C Drury
Signed………………………………………………………………………………..
Clerk to the Council and RFO - Jack Sargent
2nd March 2026