Minutes 2025

Draft minutes September 2025

Holland Fen with Brothertoft Parish Council

Minutes of the Holland Fen with Brothertoft Parish Council Meeting held at Brothertoft Village Hall on Tuesday the 23rd of September at 7.30pm

Present: Councillors – Vice Chairman Nigel Early, Mark Leggott, Edward Cawdron, Peter Robinson, Alan Dring, Mike Johnson, Angela Cannon and David Ball. County Councillors Lock and Cheyne. Borough Councillor Evans. Parish Clerk – Lynn Ottaviano. No members of public present.

  1. Welcome by the Vice Chairman, no public participation. The Vice Chairman welcomed Cllrs. Lock and Cheyne and invited them to introduce themselves to the meeting.
  2. Apologies received for Cllr Anderson who has a family commitment and Cllr Welberry for family reasons.
  3. No declarations of interest nor requests for dispensations received.
  4. The notes from the meeting held on the 22nd of July approved by the council and signed by the Vice Chairman as official minutes
  5. Clerk’s report on matters outstanding:
    • The Clerk reported that the borough council are not accepting applications for new dog bins at present. Cllr Leggott asked if the council could purchase the bin and ask the borough council to empty it. Clerk to enquire.
    • The Clerk read out the email she had received about the future of Brothertoft church. In summary, the church is remaining open for the foreseeable future and is being maintained by a group of local people, “The friends of Brothertoft Church”.
    • The Clerk has reported the traffic jumping red lights on Langrick bridge to the police and the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership. As there have been no injury collisions at the site in the last 5 years, further action won’t be taken. After a lengthy discussion Cllr Cheyne suggested watching the road and recording incidents to act as a deterrent. Cllr Lock reported that there are new CSO’s at LCC who may be able to help. Cllr Lock will raise the issue with the Highways Officer.
    • The Clerk has updated and added new policies and previously sent them to the councillors for approval. Councillors approved adding these to the website.
    • The Clerk suggested the following dates for meetings in 2026: Jan 27th, March 24th, May 26th, July 28th, Sept 22nd and Nov 24th. Council in agreement. Clerk to advertise meeting dates and book meeting halls.
  6. County and Borough Councillor’s reports
    • Cllr Lock spoke about the Local Government Reorganisation and gave out some posters about virtual events. There followed a discussion about LGR, planning, energy production, compulsory land purchases, and battery storage facilities.
    • Cllr Evans reported back on the borough council and the current make-up of the council and how it is working well. He reported that there are grants available for Brothertoft and other local villages. He requested that if the council do not want their portion of the grant, that it be given to Amber Hill for their playground. There followed a discussion about the site at Walnut Tree Farm and its development; Cllr Lock offered his support.
    • No police in attendance. Cllr Lock suggested that the Clerk look at the police website to check local crime to report back to the council.
  7. General correspondence:
    • Clerk has received an email from the local council offering a bag of salt before winter; council accepted, salt to be delivered to Cllr Leggott’s farm.
  8. Highway matters.  
    • Cllr Dring reported the increasing undulation on North Forty Foot Bank that can cause damage to cars.
    • Punchbowl Lane sign still down. Cllr Lock requested that the ticket from “Fix my Street” be forwarded from Cllr Ball for him to investigate.
    • Discussion about traffic work signs being left for long periods when no work being done. Lots of road closures due to fixing water pipes. Large pothole on North Forty Foot Bank.
  9. No comments on planning applications. (see 6.1 reference to Walnut Tree Fram).
  10. To approve payments:
    • Clerk’s wages and expenses of £385.33. Proposed by Cllr Robinson, seconded by Cllr Early.
    • Payment to HMRC; no payment due this month. Payment of £20 made for the hiring of the village hall, invoice received after agenda published. Proposed by Cllr Robinson, seconded by Cllr Early.
  11. Items for next agenda
    • Update from Cllrs. Cannon and Cawdron on liaison meeting they are attending in October.
    • Setting budget/precept
  12. Next meeting will be on the 25th of November from 7pm at Holland Fen Village Hall.

Meeting ended at 8:40pm