2026 Minutes

Minutes of the meeting of Wrangle Parish Council held on Tuesday 1st September 2026 at 7:00pm at Wrangle Parish Hall.

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

Absent with apologies: None.

Absent without apologies: Cllr R Hill.

Also Present: Borough Cllr C Butler and Parish Clerk - R Herberts.

Public Forum

There were three members of the public present.

The following matters were raised:

• Ongoing concerns regarding Anglian Water and water pressure  
• Concerns regarding the 30mph speed limit continuing through the village on the A52.
• The condition of roads, including signage and overgrown vegetation covering signage.
• A hedge next to Wrangle House overhanging the pavement and causing pedestrians to walk into the A52.

7:11pm – The Public Forum was closed and the Parish Council meeting commenced.

1/9/26 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence

No apologies for absence were received.

Received: Apologies from Borough Cllr J Baxter.

Noted: That no apology or communication was received from Cllr Hill.

2/9/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:

1. Borough Councillors - A written report was received and is appended to the minutes.
2. County Councillor – No report received.
3. Local Government Association Coastal Group – No updates.  

3/9/26 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations

Cllr Law declared an interest in agenda item 15.

4/9/26 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 07 July 2026 to be approved and signed as the minutes

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 07 July 2026 be approved and signed as a true and accurate record.

5/9/26 Clerk’s Report

1. Councillors to review and update their Register of Interests forms where necessary.

Councillors were reminded to review and update their Register of Interests forms where necessary.

Updated forms had been received from Cllrs Dickason and Law.

Resolved: To inform Boston Borough Council that there were no changes requiring notification from the remaining Councillors.

The Chair reminded Councillors that, should any details or circumstances change during the year, a revised form would need to be completed.

2. To review progress against the Internal Audit Action Plan and consider any outstanding actions.

The Internal Audit Action Plan had been circulated to Councillors. Most actions had now been completed, with the remaining actions expected to be completed following the October meeting.

3. The external audit report from PKF Littlejohn had been received. The Clerk read the report to the Council.

Action: To include the report on the October agenda for the Council to consider and resolve whether to accept it.

4. The Clerk reported that a resident's concerns regarding mobile phone signal had been reported again to Richard Tice's office and that the matter had been escalated.

6/9/26 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates

The Chair provided an update on Local Government Reorganisation and the potential implications for the Parish Council. It was noted that the Parish Council had been supported by Borough Councillors in liaising with the Borough Council and that this arrangement could change should Local Government Reorganisation proceed.

The Chair suggested that the Parish Council consider the possibility of developing a Neighbourhood Plan at a later date.

7/9/26 Committee Reports

1. HR/Staffing Committee

The HR/Staffing Committee meeting held on 04 August 2026 was noted.

The matters arising from the meeting would be considered during the closed session under agenda item 25.

2. Recreation Field Committee

The Recreation Field Committee meeting held on 25 August 2026 was noted.

Cllr P Ashton provided the Council with a report, which was a condensed version of the minutes available on the Parish Council website.

Resolved: That the Recreation Field Committee could proceed with the replacement of the meter box. The floodlights would not be repaired or upgraded at this time as there were currently no users of the Recreation Field requiring them during hours of darkness.

8/9/26 Reports and Updates

1. General Maintenance Contractor

The contractor's report had been circulated to Councillors.

The contractor reported that, due to the hot weather, the Recreation Field had become dusty and road dust was affecting signage and play equipment. Contact had been made with the Water Board regarding the hosepipe ban and confirmation had been received that a mobile water pressure sprayer with its own water tank could be used.

The youth club car park and bridge continued to be maintained to control overgrowth.

The grass had been cleared from around the slabs supporting the bench near the Spar shop on Church Lane, Wrangle.

The Recreation Field toilets were being inspected monthly and maintained, with overgrowth around the building being strimmed throughout the year.

Painting and Varnishing

Paint and varnish had been ordered to undertake surface repairs and refresh areas where paint was peeling, and varnished surfaces had faded due to sun damage. Work was due to commence in September, weather permitting, and was expected to take several weeks.

The Chair thanked Stephen for his report and for the work he continued to undertake.

2. Wrangle Northern Star – Football Club

The football club had been invited to attend the meeting but did not attend. Apologies were received after the meeting.

The club had been asked to provide the following information:

• DBS certificates for the club and any additional coaches or assistants involved;
• current insurance documentation;
• copies of current promotional or advertising material;
• a correspondence address for formal communications;
• a report on the operation of the club over the previous few months, including relevant developments or issues; and
• details of the number of attendees/participants, including current membership or attendance figures.

The requested information had not been supplied prior to the meeting.

Resolved: To request that the football club attend the next meeting or an additional meeting and provide the requested information. If the information is not provided, the future arrangements for the club will be considered at the October meeting.

3. Community Speed Signs – Speed data update

Approval would be required to move the existing sign onto lighting columns. The lighting column number would need to be provided to Graeme for approval, and the column would need to be free from other signage.

The Council agreed that additional brackets would be useful so that the same lighting columns could be used.

The replacement battery for the sign would cost £325.00. Quotations had been requested for additional brackets, although the existing bracket could be used initially.

It was suggested that five brackets would be beneficial, allowing the sign to be moved between locations including near the Angel on Church End, Broadgate, Wrangle Primary School, Chapel Lane and the Almshouses.

Resolved: To delegate authority to the Clerk to spend up to £500.00 on the replacement battery and additional brackets as required.

9/9/26 Financial matters:

1. To note payments made during August under the Clerk's delegated authority, to authorise payments for September, and to note any income received since the last meeting.

The accounts for payment for September were checked against the invoices to the list, confirmed as correct and signed by Cllrs T Ashton and B Bowles. Also signed August.

Resolved: To authorise the September payments as presented and to note the August payments made under delegated authority.

August Payments

September Payments

No income had been received since the previous meeting.

2. To receive and approve bank reconciliation and up to date budget figures to the end of July and August 2026

The Clerk advised that the bank reconciliation and budget monitoring information had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Resolved: To approve the bank reconciliation and budget monitoring information.

3. To receive an update on online banking

Cllr P Ashton was in the process of setting up online banking. Cllrs Dickason, Edwards and Law had successfully set up access.

Resolved: To remove this item from future agendas.  

10/9/26 To discuss the potential installation of a new parish noticeboard in the parish hall car park

The Parish Hall Committee would be consulted and asked whether they wished to contribute towards the cost, as the noticeboard would be shared.  

Resolved: To proceed with the purchase of a new noticeboard from The Parish Noticeboard Company at a cost of £1,100.00 plus VAT.

11/9/26 To receive an update on the village survey and consider community engagement opportunities, potential projects and external funding opportunities arising from community feedback.

An update on the current survey results had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting.

The QR code would be promoted further to encourage additional responses.

Potential funding opportunities for projects at the Recreation Field would be investigated.

12/9/26 To receive an update on siting of two bus shelters on the A52 in the area of Sea Lane junction.

The contractor had been chased again regarding installation of the second base.

13/9/26 To note an update on Anglian Water issues

The matter had also been raised during the Public Forum.

14/9/26 To receive an update on the storage options for Council records and paperwork 

The Clerk reported that access to the filing cabinet was required.

Fireproof storage had been ordered for the Clerk's home office.

Resolved: To delegate authority to the Clerk to spend up to £100.00 to gain access to the filing cabinet and arrange for a new lock to be fitted.

15/9/26 To note an update on lamp post poppies and sponsored cards.

The project remained ongoing.

Lincolnshire County Council had confirmed that there was no objection to the proposal to attach poppies to lighting columns. They had requested details of the specific columns and the period for which the poppies would be attached. The Royal British Legion would also need to be contacted for permission.

The proposed locations included Church End, Church Lane, Tooley Lane, Broadgate, the A52, The Clumsy Goat, Joy Hill and Wrangle Lowgate.

The proposed dates for installation were 2 November 2026, with removal on 15 November 2026.

16/9/26 To receive and approve adoption of the NJC/NALC pay scales effective 01/04/26 and apply to salaries

Resolved: To approve the adoption of the NJC/NALC pay scales effective from 1 April 2026 and apply them to salaries.

17/9/26 To receive reports of any highway’s matters

It was reported that a vehicle from the Old Police House had been parking on the pavement. Concerns were raised regarding children walking to and from the Primary School potentially having to walk into the A52 to pass the vehicle.

Resolved: To send a letter to the property regarding the parking concerns.

18/9/26 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at https://www.boston.gov.uk/planning)

Application Number: B/26/0195

Location: The Bungalow, 3 Greengate, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9EU

Development Description: Proposed single storey extension including forming new vehicular access

Response: No response.

Application Number: B/26/0332

Location: Day House, Sea Lane, Wrangle, PE22 9HG

Development Description: Change of use of dwelling to HMO for seasonal workers

Response: No response.

19/9/26 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council

No planning decisions were received.

20/9/26 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda

No correspondence was received that was not already covered elsewhere on the agenda.

21/9/26 Matters for next agenda

The following matters were identified for inclusion on the next agenda:

• Grant applications.
• Purchase of a Remembrance Day wreath.

22/9/26 Date of next meeting

The next meeting of Wrangle Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 6th October 2026 at 7:00pm.

23/9/26 To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session to consider the following confidential staffing and allotment matters in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. (Should this resolution be passed the public and press will be required to leave the meeting at this stage)

Resolved: To exclude the public and press from the meeting in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, in order to consider confidential staffing and allotment matters.

8:46pm – Members of the public, Borough Cllr Butler and Cllr Seymour left the meeting.

24/9/26 Allotments – Associated matters.

The Council discussed the future of the allotment land and considered advice received regarding the matter.

Resolved: To continue discussions regarding the future of the allotment land and to proceed with the matter subject to further advice.

25/9/26 HR/Staffing – Clerk’s review and associated employment matters.

The HR/Staffing Committee meeting held on 4 August 2026 was noted. The HR Committee provided an update to Full Council.

Resolved: That the Clerk should be enrolled into a pension scheme. Following advice from Haines Watts, the Clerk would provide the Parish Council with a letter requesting enrolment into a pension scheme.

Resolved: Subject to agreement with Old Leake Parish Council and matching funding from Old Leake Parish Council to delegate authority to the Clerk to spend up to £100.00 from Wrangle Parish Council towards the purchase of a mobile phone. One SIM card would be purchased for each Parish Council.

Resolved: Subject to agreement from the Parish Hall Committee, that the Clerk may use the Parish Hall address for Council correspondence.

9:06pm – The Clerk left the room.

Resolved: To increase the Clerk's contracted hours to 12 hours per week.

Resolved: To place the Clerk on NJC/NALC pay scale 17, with effect from 01 September 2026.

9:18pm – The Clerk returned to the room.   

9:21pm - The meeting closed.

Wrangle Parish Update, September 2026

Callum continues to liaise with planning officer Ian Carrington regarding the concerns relating to the proposed housing development off Tooley Lane. The application is for reserved matters, Appearance, Landscaping and Scale. We acknowledge residents’ concerns relating to flooding and drainage and the planning officer is in contact with the developer who is making some changes, taking on board these concerns. However, it is worth noting that flooding is not a reason for this application to be ‘called in’ to committee as it is not one of the three reserved matters. I will be calling the development in under overlooking grounds however due to planning changes due to be implemented by government my request may not be permitted.

A thank you to all those from the village that used the recent Community Skip scheme in Old Leake. The event was a great success with two skips and a Luton van filled with waste. We have secured funding for 12 Skip events spread across the borough. More locations will be announced soon with Fishtoft being next.

We continue to work proactively with LHP and attend walkabouts where we can. We have recently asked residents in LHP estates for ideas on how to utilize community grants.

We continue to work collectively with Cllr Arundell, our County Councilor, on a number of issues. We asked for the speed limit on Seadyke road to be reviewed after residents contacted us. Currently a change does not meet requirement. We have also chased Cllr Arundell with regard the petition to Anglian water.

A huge well done and thank you to those that organised this year’s Wrangle show. We both attended and were pleased to see the field full of happy faces. It was great that the weather stayed dry too.

We have also dealt with a variety of personal complaints about dust blowing, noise complaints, housing issues, social housing issues and much more. We continue to signpost residents with issues that we have no control over to the relevant authority.

At a Borough Level,

The fist ‘B’ fest was a huge success with thousands of residents enjoying the BTAC funded event in central park. work is being done to make sure this event comes back even bigger next year.

The Boroughs street scene team and volunteers have been out and about over the last two months undertaking many projects to improve the town. These include spraying and weeding, overgrowth removal, planting, path cleaning, painting and much more.

The five lamps were recently unveiled in their new location in Rosegarth Square following a thorough renovation of the historic asset. The grandson of the original benefactor, Alderman Charles Day did the grand unveiling which was timely as the lights also celebrate their centenary. The wider Rosegarth Square development is due to have its official unveiling on the 19th of September.

The tour of Britain Stage 2 men’s race starts in Boston on the 3rd of September. Free parking is being offered in all Borough council operated off street car parks and lots of events are being held on the day from 9am. The racers will leave Boston, head into the Wolds before finishing in Skegness.

Thank you.