2026 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of Wrangle Parish Council held on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 at 7:00pm in The Parish Hall.

Present: Cllrs T Ashton (Chair), D Dickason, B Bowles, R Edwards, C Law, S Seymour, P Wrisdale and P Ashton. 
Also Present: Parish Clerk - R Herberts. 

Public Forum
There were two members of the public present. 
Statements or questions raised were: 
a.    A resident who continues to litter pick within the village reported that 54 red bags had been filled during February, and one fly-tipping incident had been reported.
b.    Six Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) roadworks signs remained within the village following completion of the works. These had been reported to LCC.
c.    Reports had been received that grass cuttings, hedge cuttings and matting had been left behind the toilet block on the Recreation Field.
d.    Telephone signal continued to be a problem throughout the village. 
e.    Speeding through the village was becoming increasingly dangerous. Suggestions included double white lines along the centre of the A52 or chevrons through the village.

7:23pm - The Public Forum was closed and the Parish Council meeting commenced.

1/3/26 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence. 
Apologies and reason for absence were received from Cllr R Hill. 
Apologies were also received from Borough Cllrs J Baxter and C Butler.

2/3/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a.    Borough Councillors - A written report was received and is appended to the minutes.
b.    County Councillor – No report received. 

3/3/26 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations 
Declarations of interest were received from 
a.    Cllr T Ashton - Agenda Item 16
b.    Cllr C Law - Agenda Item 18.

4/3/26 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 03 February 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes
It was resolved that the previously circulated minutes be signed as the official minutes.

5/3/26 Clerk’s Report
a.    The issue of mobile telephone signal, raised during the February Public Forum, has been referred to the office of Richard Tice MP, who is in discussions with relevant providers and will provide updates.
b.    Scribe Accounts has been set up. Initial training has been completed and cost centres added. Further training is scheduled with the intention of commencing use from April.
c.    A cheque for £2,500 has been received from Borough Cllr C Butler to contribute towards toddler play equipment.
d.    The inclusion of Councillors’ telephone numbers in the Parish Magazine was discussed.
Resolved: Councillors’ telephone numbers will be removed and residents advised that Councillors can be contacted via the Clerk.
e.    Councillor attendance at Parish Council meetings was discussed.
Resolved: Attendance records will be published on the Parish Council website.

6/3/26 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates 
The Chair had nothing to report. 

7/3/26 Financial matters:
a.    To authorise payments:
The accounts for payment for March were checked against the invoices to the list, confirmed as correct and signed by Cllrs T Ashton and B Bowles. It was resolved to authorise the payments. 

Date              Payee/ Creditor                                  Income Received     Amount ex VAT     VAT Recliamble    VAT Non Reclaimable    Total Expenditure      
03/03/2026    Staffing Costs                                                                     £715.43                  £0.00                    £0.00                              £715.43
03/03/2026    Clerks Expenses                                                                £6.80                      £0.00                     £0.00                             £6.80
03/03/2026    Payroll Services                                                                 £23.00                    £4.60                     £0.00                             £27.60
03/03/2026    Advertising Costs                                                               £120.00                  £0.00                     £0.00                             £120.00
03/03/2026    Meeting Room Hire                                                            £12.00                    £0.00                     £0.00                             £12.00
03/03/2026    Bus Shelters                                                                       £7,700.00               £1,540.00             £0.00                              £9,240.00
03/03/2026    Internal Audit                                                                      £280.00                  £56.00                   £0.00                             £336.00
03/03/2026    LGA Coastal Group Membership                                       £250.00                  £0.00                     £0.00                             £250.00
03/03/2026    Speed sign data cable                                                        £246.00                  £49.20                  £0.00                              £295.20
03/03/2026    Recreation Field Electricity                                                 £117.00                  £5.84                    £0.00                              £122.84
03/03/2026    Borough Councillor Grant                   £2,500.00                    
03/03/2026    Wayleave Payment                             £16.60                    
03/03/2026    Old Leake Parish Council                   £123.00                    
                      Totals                                                  £2,639.60                £9,470.23               £1,655.64             £0.00                              £11,125.87
 

b.    To report bank balances
The Clerk had circulated the up-to-date budget figures for the current financial year along with the bank reconciliation to the Councillors prior to the meeting. It was resolved to accept the budget figures and bank reconciliation figures. 
Balances of the bank accounts as of 28/02/26 were: 

c.    To receive an update on setting up online banking
Cllr C Law reported that she had received her PIN Sentry device and successfully accessed the online banking system.
Other Councillors were continuing to arrange access.

8/3/26 Recreation Field:
a.    To review the Football Club Agreement 
The Football Club Agreement has been signed and runs until 30 June 2026.
The agreement was signed on behalf of Wrangle Parish Council at the meeting.
b.    To discuss cleaning the dykes and the culvert pipe
A quotation is awaited from a contractor.
It was agreed to await the quotation and also identify additional contractors.
Resolved: A site visit will take place on Saturday 7 March 2026.
c.    To discuss the Litter Bin request sent to Boston Borough Council  
The Clerk will meet with the Boston Borough Council Waste Supervisor on 4 March to review potential locations.
Wrangle Stores advised that they do not require an additional litter bin.
d.    To discuss the entrance/Car Park
The car park remains waterlogged. Cllr R Edwards offered to level and re-stone the area.
Quotations will be obtained for the required stone.
e.    To discuss the play area inspection report
Former LCC Councillor Paul Skinner has replaced the shackles on the baby swings and will undertake further replacements.
He will also seek a quotation regarding the ropes on the “Witches Hat” climbing frame.
f.    Any other matters 
i.    Lucy’s Lawns were unable to provide a quotation due to concerns regarding public safety and interference with traps.
ii.    A cut-through across the grass near the bottle banks has developed. Options including a formal footpath or hedge laying will be considered.
iii.    Heras fencing has been reported behind the toilet block and is believed to belong to Wrangle Show.

9/3/26 To receive an update on the siting of two bus shelters on the A52 in the area of Sea Lane junction.
The bus shelters have been installed. The contractor will arrange installation of the bases.
Information forwarded to Lincolnshire County Council to enable the grant payment to be released.

10/3/26 To receive an update on the Community Speed Sign
A data cable has been ordered.
The pole for the new sign should be ready shortly and the speed sign will be ordered the following week, with delivery expected by the end of the week.

11/3/26 Streetlights – Updates and approval of works
a.    To receive an update on Washdyke Lane streetlight upgrade
Boston Borough Council has submitted the request for the streetlight upgrade.
b.    To consider approval of the Mill Lane streetlight upgrade  
A quotation of £350 + VAT has been received.
Resolved: By majority vote, the repair is approved.

12/3/26 To note the appointment and finalisation of contracts for the General Maintenance Contractor
The contract has been prepared and issued. The contractor has confirmed that he is content with the terms but was unable to attend the meeting.
The Clerk is completing the site induction and familiarisation documentation.
Resolved: This item will become a standing agenda item for monthly reporting.

13/2/26 To discuss Parish Path grass cutting contracts/tenders.
TJW agreed to undertake the March cut until contracts are finalised.
It was noted that four cuts per year may be insufficient, as previous years required six or seven cuts.
The Clerk and Cllr B Bowles, along with any available Councillors, will inspect the Parish Paths on 5 March 2026 to determine cutting requirements.

14/3/26 To discuss Anglian Water issues. 
The Clerk has spoken with a Customer Specialist involved in the Wrangle works, who has indicated a willingness to address residents’ concerns.
Residents may be invited to submit reports or evidence.
The Clerk will also provide a copy of the June/July 2025 petition to Anglian Water.
Enquiries will be made with County Cllr A Arundell regarding whether this matter will be raised at the forthcoming scrutiny meeting, and whether a Parish Council representative could attend if necessary.

15/3/26 To discuss storage options for Council records and paperwork. 
Cllr T Ashton brought paperwork requiring storage.
The Clerk will meet Cllr B Bowles on 5 March to review additional records.
Quotations will be obtained for the binding of historic minutes.

8:50pm - Cllr T Ashton left the meeting. 

16/3/26 To review the allotments and associated paperwork.
The Clerk reported on ongoing correspondence with Savills regarding the allotment land and is awaiting further clarification on matters raised.
Advice has also been sought from another Parish Council, LALC and from the National Allotment Society regarding tenancy arrangements and management practices.
Possible options discussed included obtaining professional land agent advice to assist with tenancy agreements and land management.
Resolved:
a.    The Clerk will contact Savills and Willsons to discuss professional assistance with progressing the matter and drafting tenancy agreements.
b.    The proposal for garden/family allotments will be deferred for the time being.

9:10pm - Cllr T Ashton returned to the meeting. 

17/3/26 To discuss Local Government Association Coastal Group associate membership.
Resolved: Cllr B Bowles will act as the Parish Council’s representative.

18/3/26 Purchase of lamp post poppies and consideration of sponsored cards 
Cllr C Law remained in the meeting to provide information regarding pricing and options but did not take part in the discussion or vote.
Lamp post poppies cost £5 each, or £95 for a pack of 20.
There are 31 names on the Wrangle War Memorial.
Resolved:
a.    To purchase 30 lamp post poppies initially.
b.    To advertise in the Parish Magazine inviting residents to sponsor a poppy with a minimum donation of £5.
c.    Sponsored poppies will be displayed along the A52 (subject to LCC permission), around Church End and the Church, and within Wrangle Common.
d.    Sponsors may submit a message of remembrance, to be displayed in a waterproof pouch attached to the poppy.
e.    All proceeds will be donated to the Royal British Legion.
A closing date will be included in the advertisement to review the level of interest.

19/3/26 To review the Interim Internal Audit feedback and agree any actions to be taken.
The Interim Internal Audit Report was received.
The Clerk will take the necessary steps to address the points raised.

20/3/26 To review and approve the insertion of statutory monetary values in Standing Orders (Items 15b(ii), 15b(xv) and 18a(v)) and to adopt the amended Standing Orders
Resolved: To adopt the amended Standing Orders, including the insertion of statutory monetary values.

21/3/26 To review and approve the insertion of agreed monetary values in Financial Regulations (Sections 5 and 6), remove bracketed model wording, and adopt the amended Financial Regulations
Resolved: To adopt the amended Financial Regulations, including the insertion of agreed monetary values.

22/3/26 To receive and review the updated Asset Register and to consider its adoption.
The Asset Register was reviewed.
The Clerk will circulate a revised version for further discussion and adoption at the next meeting.

23/3/26 To resolve to adopt the IT Policy
Resolved: To adopt the IT Policy.

24/3/26 To resolve to adopt the Risk Register document
Resolved: To adopt the Risk Register.

25/3/26 To resolve to review and adopt the Privacy Policy
Resolved: To adopt the Privacy Policy.

26/3/26 To receive reports of any highway’s matters
The Council expressed its thanks to Cllr R Edwards for undertaking hedge cutting in several areas of the village.

27/3/26 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at https://www.boston.gov.uk/planning)

28/3/26 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council 

29/3/26 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda
No correspondence was received that was not already covered elsewhere on the agenda. 

30/3/26 Matters for next agenda
No items were raised.

31/3/26 Date of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 07 April 2026 at Wrangle Youth Club, Wrangle Bank PE22 9DL. 

09:37 pm The meeting closed. 

Wrangle Parish Council update – March 2026.

ANGLIAN WATER 
At recent meeting updates given on Chapel Lane storm covers. Work in progress and may have to be new ones fitted.

FOOD WASTE ENGAGEMENT
We have contacted various local groups to arrange presentations about changes to waste disposal. 

LINCS DIGITAL
Well, attended meeting at the Parish Hall Coffee Morning where residents asked about use of computers etc within NHS System. Hopefully more sessions will follow.

FULL COUNCIL MEETING - 2ND March.

ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Annual Budget Report 2026/2027. 
Council Tax Setting 2026/2027. 
Terms and Conditions-Partnership 
Constitution Amendment-Covers number of questions to be allowed at Council.
CONSULTATION -LGR PROPOSALS. Details on BBC site.

COMMUNICATIONS
In between Parish Council Meetings we contact Becca with any issues and also the BBC Facebook site and our Councillor Site give updates etc. We also utilise the Old Leake and Wrangle Facebook sites.

MAYORS CHARITIES
The mayor’s term of office finishes soon and he is busy, along with a committee, raising funds for local charities. Events are listed on the BBC site. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

LOCAL EVENTS/VOLUNTEERS
A massive thank you to all those involved in organising local events at the Parish Hall and Church. It is fantastic to see so many people volunteering.

With thanks, 
Callum and John