Draft Minutes

Notes from 15-minute public forum on 03 June 2025

There were 7 members of the public present.

Statements/Questions raised:

1. Speed down Chapel Lane and that there are no pavements
2. A resident provided a handout to all Councillors raising concerns of flooding in Bungalows on Elizabeth Avenue. This was discussed, options suggested. Borough Cllr Baxter asked the resident to send him the information directly and he would follow this up with Borough Cllr Butler, Anglian Water and Witham Fourth.

07:41pm The Public Forum was closed, and the Parish Council Meeting began.

Minutes of the meeting of Wrangle Parish Council held on Tuesday 3rd June 2025 at 7:20pm in The Parish Hall.

1/6/25 To receive and accept apologies and approve reasons for absence

Apologies: Cllrs Ashton, Edwards, Hill and Law

Present: Cllrs Dickason, Bowles, Seymour and Wrisdale

Also Present: Borough Cllr Baxter and Parish Clerk Rebecca Herberts

2/6/25 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:

1. Borough Councillors
   1. A list of current issues has been sent through to the new County Cllr that were being worked on by his predecessor. A meeting will be put in place with him so that these issues can be discussed.
   2. Regrettably, we had a fatality on the A52 through Wrangle, near the school a couple of weeks ago. This tragic incident has brought fresh calls for improved safety measures on this stretch of road. We will work with all to try and prevent a similar event from happening in the future. Our thoughts are with the family of those involved.
   3. LHP have advised that they will be taking no action regarding the boat parked on a drive in Church close due to it not being in breach of any tenancy agreements. This was brought to our attention by several members of the community. We have made these residents aware of LHPs decision.
   4. New weatherproof storm covers are to be fitted by Anglian water on Chapel Lane in June (approximately) these are currently being fabricated.
   5. Boston’s 490th Mayor has been elected to office with Cllr Barrie Pierpoint taking on the role from the previous Mayor Cllr Helen Staples. Cllr Pierpoint has asked for charities and groups to apply for fundraising support in a slightly different way of raising money for the mayor’s charities.
   6. The Ingram exhibit at the guildhall is now open Wednesday- Sunday 10-3. The centrepiece to this exhibit being Herbert Ingrams personal watch which has been recently donated to the town after spending over 100 years at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
2. County Councillor

There was no report from the County Councillor.

3/6/25 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations

There were no declarations of interest.

4/6/25 Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 06 May 2025 to be approved and signed as the minutes

It was resolved that the minutes previously circulated be signed as the minutes.

5/6/25 Clerk’s Report

The Clerk reported that Boston Neighbourhood Policing team had been called to an incident in the ‘Spinney’ on Broadgate where teenagers had been setting fires.

6/6/25 Chair’s announcements and any relevant updates

The Chairman began by apologising for their absence during the first part of the meeting.

The Chairman then addressed an article published in the most recent edition of the Wrangle Parish News. It was stated that the article did not accurately reflect the spirit or the outcomes of the recent joint meeting held between the Parish Council and the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Concern, was expressed regarding a claim made in the article that the Parish Council had “decided the costs were too high.” The Chairman firmly refuted this, stating that no such decision has been made. The Council’s position remains that any future decision — whether concerning a grant or a joint venture — must be made in the context of full financial openness and transparency from all parties involved.

It was noted that the Parish Council has openly communicated the costs incurred in supporting the magazine. However, there has yet to be equivalent transparency from the Church regarding the income it receives through advertising within the publication — a publication which has, to date, been funded in large part by Wrangle taxpayers.

The Chairman expressed disappointment that this lack of openness undermines trust and reflects poorly on the relationship between the PCC and the Parish Council. Given the continued use of public funds to support the magazine, and the potential for further requests for funding in the future, the Chairman stressed the need for honest and constructive engagement moving forward.

7/6/25 Financial matters:

3. Payments to be authorised

4. To report balances in the bank

5. To discuss setting up online banking

The new mandates needed to be signed and then the Clerk would speak with Barclays.

8/6/25 Review Standing Orders

It was resolved to adopt the new version of the Standing Orders.

9/6/25 Review Financial Regulations

It was resolved to adopt the new version of the Financial Regulations.

10/6/25 Audit for the year ended 31 March 2025

After received the report from the Internal Auditor it was agreed to discuss this point further down the Agenda along with point 19.

11/6/25 To receive an update on the siting of two bus shelters on the A52 in the area of Sea Lane junction.

It was agreed to keep this on the agenda and review at each meeting. There had been no further updates regarding the grant applications.

12/6/25 Recreation Field:

1. To receive an update on the Tree/Hedge work

The company who had carried out the work were getting the team to return to carry out the final tidy up. It was going to be reviewed as to whether all of the work that had been agreed for Tree 15 could be carried out from the recreation field side without having to have access to a resident’s driveway.

It was also said that whilst carrying out the work that the tree on the entrance to the recreation field had cracked in the middle. A quote was sent of £1176.50 + VAT to reduce the tree down by 50% and to monitor. It was agreed by the Council that a quote would be requested for taking the tree down completely and then whichever came back at the lower cost would be acted upon.

2. To discuss quotes for cleaning dykes and the culvert pipe

Quotes were still being requested.

3. To discuss quotes for Litter Bins

The Clerk has contacted Boston Borough Council but is still awaiting a response. Cllr Baxter was going to make contact with the relevant person also.

4. Any other matters

The issue with Glass on the park was discussed. It was agreed that further information regarding emptying and tidying up of the Glass Bins would be chased.

13/6/25 To receive update regarding Community Speed Sign

The Clerk has received a response from The Police and Crime Commissioner to confirm there were no grants available through them at this time. Other grants will be looked into.

14/6/25 To review the Safeguarding Policy

It was resolved to adopt the Safeguarding Policy.

15/6/25 To discuss Streetlights on Chapel Lane, Wrangle

The Clerk and Cllr Baxter had both chased Boston Borough Council for the quote. But no quote had been received for this meeting.

16/6/25 To discuss The Handyman

A job description/advertisement will be drafted for the next meeting.

17/6/25 To receive an update regarding gov.uk email addresses

There were three councillors that still needed to log into their new gov.uk email addresses and make sure they were happy with them.

18/6/25 To discuss Grass cutting contracts

A draft Grass Cutting Contract had been put together. A discussion was had, and it was resolved that the contract should be for 2 years and that details would be finalised after the annual parish visit in June.

19/6/25 To discuss the internal auditor

1. To review the internal auditors report

The Internal Auditor examined council business documents including, policies, agendas and minutes, accounting and financial statements and other documents relevant to this internal audit. The report of this had been sent to the Chair and then shared with all Councillors in advance of the meeting. It was agreed that there is a lot of work to be done, but action would be taken to put this right for the next audit.

2. To resolve to accept the Internal Auditors report for 01/04/24 to 31/03/25.

It was resolved to accept the Internal Audit report for 24/25.

In view of the Internal Audit report and after discussion with the Clerk and Internal Audit, after following the previous year’s audit documents. The Internal Audit should be carried out before the AGAR paperwork is completed by the Council. The Annual Governance Statement 24/25 was completed again and each line agreed with the Council. It was resolved that the Vice-Chair and Clerk should sign the document to confirm the accuracy of the responses.

The Accounting Statement was also recompleted to show the restated figure in box 7 and 8 from the previous year, due to a void cheque of £42.00 being included in the balances carried forward figure. It was resolved to accept the data on this document, and it was signed by the Vice-Chair and Clerk.

The Clerk will submit to the auditors, PKF Littlejohn before the last due date of 30/06/25.

20/6/25 To discuss the Wrangle Parish Magazine

It was discussed that an email had been received from the PCC requesting a meeting to discuss the Wrangle Parish Magazine. After discussions it was agreed to arrange a meeting to find a way to move forward.

21/6/25 To report any highways matters

The A52 is not wide enough near Wrangle Primary School and is causing concern. It was suggested that County Cllr Arundell has a work around the village.

22/6/25 Planning applications received for a decision at this meeting (All plans can be viewed at www.mybostonuk.com)

1. B/25/0170 - Clares Cottage, Broadgate, Wrangle, Boston PE22 9BJ - Alterations to existing property including new roof, windows and external insulation with finish
2. TPO/25/0073 - Crossways, Church Lane, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9ET - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
3. TPO/25/0074 - The Gables, Church Lane, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9EP - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
4. TPO/25/0075 - Land adjacent Hall Lane, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9EZ - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
5. TPO/25/0076 - Forge House, Church End, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9EW - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
6. TPO/25/0077 - Wrangle Primary School, Main Road, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9AS - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
7. TPO/25/0078 - Old School House, Main Road, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9AS - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
8. TPO/25/0079 - Bluebell Corner, Broadgate, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9BJ - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
9. TPO/25/0080 - Birch House, Broadgate, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9BJ - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
10. TPO/25/0081 - The Old Coach House, Manor Lane, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9DE - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
11. TPO/25/0082 - Rose Cottage, Broadgate, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9BJ - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
12. TPO/25/0083 - Benik House, Wrangle Bank, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 9DL - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
13. TPO/25/0084 - Longterm Lodge, Wrangle Bank, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 - Tree Preservation Order (Made)
14. TPO/25/0154 - Hightoft Farm and Lowtoft Farm, Wrangle, Boston, PE22 - Tree Preservation Order (Made)

23/6/25 Planning Decisions received from Boston Borough Council

B/25/0139 - Burdens Tractors, Main Road, Wrangle, Boston PE22 9AT - Advertisement consent for 3no flags and 1no internally illuminated Double sided free-standing sign Ben Burgess (Holdings) Ltd - Favourable with conditions

24/6/25 Correspondence received, not covered on the agenda

1. It was resolved to pay Gallagher Insurance £2080.78 for the Parish Council insurance for 1 year.
2. It was discussed and resolved that the Clerk would source and pay for new defibrillator pads for both of the defibrillators.

25/6/25 Matters for next agenda

1. To discuss the Asset/Parish Audit taking place 12 June 2025
2. To review hedge cutting contracts alongside grass cutting contracts

26/6/25 Date of next meeting

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on 01 July 2025.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 08:35pm.