January 2026 DRAFT Minutes
Clerk’s Contact Details
Clerk’s Office, Franklin Hall, Halton Road, Spilsby. PE23 5LA.
07872 943179 | HHPCClerk@outlook.com
Halton Holegate with Halton Fenside Parish Council
Minutes of the full Council meeting held at Halton Holegate Methodist Chapel on Thursday 15th January 2026 commencing at 7pm. These are notes of the meeting until approved as a true and accurate record.
Present:
Cllrs D Sisson (Chair), C Holmes (Vice-Chair), S Andrew, C Clare, C Edwards, and J Vickers; and District Councillor T Taylor. Clerk - J Sargent.
Public Session
There were no members of the public in attendance.
Lincolnshire County Councillor M Hume
Cllr Hume submitted a report via email, included as an attachment to these minutes.
East Lindsey District Councillor T Taylor
District Councillor T Taylor provided information via email circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting and reported that proposals for Local Government reorganisation in Lincolnshire have been submitted to National Government, with a decision expected in summer 2026 and elections in 2027. Cllr Taylor also reported that the consultation period for the pylon project has now closed and expressed disappointment in the County Council’s budget proposals regarding cuts to emergency relief funding.
With no further matters, it was resolved unanimously to go into formal session.
69. Chair’s Welcome.
The Chair welcomed all present and thanked Councillors for their attendance.
70. Apologies.
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllr T Robson (work commitments) and Cllr Hume (Councillor training).
71. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
72. To confirm the minutes of the full Council held meeting on Thursday 13th November 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes from November as a true and accurate record.
73. Finances:
a. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for November.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts submitted for consideration. The Accounts Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
b. To receive an updated Bank Reconciliation for November.
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The Bank Reconciliation Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
c. To approve the list of accounts submitted for consideration for December.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the list of accounts submitted for consideration. The Accounts Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
d. To receive an updated Bank Reconciliation for December.
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. The Bank Reconciliation Report included as an attachment to these minutes.
e. To receive a summary of income and expenditure for the Third Quarter of the Financial Year.
The Clerk provided a summary of income and expenditure for the Third Quarter of the Financial Year, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only, included as an attachment to these minutes.
f. 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 financial year, to keep Councillors up to date on the Council’s financial status, for information purposes only. A copy of the Budget Review included as an attachment to these minutes. No questions were put to Clerk regarding the review. Cllr Sisson noted that 60% of the budget had been spent to date, which may result in a small surplus.
Cllr Clare suggested that the Parish Council could open a bank account to accumulate interest on the reserves. The Clerk to investigate and report at the next meeting.
g. To review an updated EOY Forecast for 2025-26.
The Clerk provided the budget’s predicted outturn for 2025-26, for information purposes only. A copy of the predicted outturn is included as an attachment to these minutes. The predicted end of year expenditure is slightly lower than the anticipated expenditure for the year. No questions were put to Clerk.
h. To approve a Budget and precept request for 2026-27.
Clerk provided an updated budget and precept request for 2026-27. Cllr Sisson explained that LALC have now recommended an increase of at least 5% on all items to account for inflation and for a potential increase in costs for the maintenance contract.
Cllr Sisson recommended a precept request of £5,350.00, which will be an increase of £1.94 a year for a band D property. Any shortfall will be made up from the current year surplus and the reserves. Cllr Sisson also detailed the earmarked reserves.
It was resolved unanimously to approve the draft budget, earmarked reserves and precept request. The Clerk to submit to ELDC before the end of January.
i. To consider grass cutting arrangements for 2026-27.
The Clerk provided a draft contract and Cllr Sisson provided pictures and a map of the areas for maintenance. Cllr Andrew expressed concern over the length of the contract; Cllr Sisson advised that the Council will ask the contractor to submit a quote for 3 years but to account for inflation in the quote for each year. It was resolved unanimously to approve the contract with the amendments agreed to the wording of the length of the contract.
j. To consider Internal Audit report and approve Action Plan.
The Clerk provided a copy of the Internal Audit report and actions. The Clerk to provide a progress update at the next meeting.
Cllr Holmes requested clarification on the DPI forms. The Clerk to contact the internal auditor for further information.
74. To receive reports from:
a. The Chair
Cllr Sisson circulated a written report prior to the meeting via email, included as an attachment to these minutes.
b. The Clerk
The Clerk advised that LCC were conducting a consultation for Market Street, Spilsby, proposing a ‘no loading at any time zone’ on Market Street, to allow for a better flow of traffic through the town centre. The Clerk to circulate the proposals with Councillors. Cllr Sisson suggested the Council should support the proposals if acceptable and that a similar scheme be extended along Halton Road.
The Clerk, whilst working for another Council, advised asking their District Councillor to support reviewing and updating the Local Government Act 1972 to better represent the modern demographic of the country, but stressed the request was not from the Parish Council and did not represent the views of the Parish Council. Councillors noted the report.
75. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. To receive an update on the proposed Halton Road Housing Development.
Cllr Sisson advised that the final set of reserved matters are due to be determined by ELDC in January or February 2026.
b. To receive updates on new green energy projects.
Cllr Sisson advised that Weston Marsh consultation has now closed. National Grid will be considering the feedback they have received, and will continue to undertake environmental and technical assessments, which will form part of their future proposals.
76. To receive an update on highways, footpaths, and road closures.
a. Issues on Station Road.
Cllr Sisson confirmed a response from LCC’s Maintenance Design Engineer - Bryan Gault, which detailed that the existing white H-bar markings are not always being respected and proposed changing them to ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions. Another update is having the School Keep Clear restriction changed to be enforceable all day instead of the current proposal. A plan of the proposals is included as an attachment to these minutes.
Cllr Andrew expressed concern at the current situation with parking and the dangers caused by where cars are parked on Station Road and suggested that the times should be extended to include after school clubs. Cllr Andrew suggested extending the zig-zag lines but including an exemption for the school bus and requested a copy of the school’s transport plan, who should be enforcing it. The Clerk to contact the school.
Cllr Andrew suggested that the proposals, if enforced, would result in an accident and a vehicle possibly ending up in the school grounds. Cllr Andrew suggested that the restriction times are enforced all day and stressed the need for safety in the area.
Cllr Holmes observed where school staff park which adds to the issues on Station Road and suggested that the school should be doing more to ease the issues on Station Road by making better use of Manor Drive parking spaces and their own car park.
Cllr Edwards suggested that there should be no parking on the zig-zigs all day.
Cllr Sisson summarised the suggestions to the proposals to include zig-zags to be prohibited all day, a bus/taxi loading zone, and support for the white line areas. It was resolved unanimously to support these suggestions.
b. Issues to be reported or already reported to fix my street.
Cllr Sisson confirmed reporting the flooding issues at the Station Road and B1195 Junction and advised that works were scheduled to upgrade the drainage system. Cllr Sisson advised that a leaking water main was adding to the flooding issues and will write to Cllr Hume for an update.
Cllr Edwards advised reporting an overhanging tree on Monksthorpe Road that was removed quickly and advised that BT closed the road near Toynton Lane crossroads with no notification received, nor was it on the one network website. Cllr Edwards confirmed BT had permission from LCC to close the road, however, LCC had not issued the TTRO. Clerk to follow up with Cllr Hume for information on why this was missed.
c. To receive updates and consider on provision of general waste bins.
Cllr Sisson confirmed one bin has been installed on the Toynton Lane crossroads, with one yet to be located. Cllr Sisson has contacted the PCC to consider locating a bin on the verge outside the Church grounds. No other locations were suggested.
77. To receive an update on the Emergency Plan and Community Safety Planning.
Cllr Sisson reported that a considerable amount of rain fell on 8th and 9th January where the rivers rose to a flood alert level. Cllr Edwards advised another flood alert occurred during the meeting.
Cllr Edwards to review the plan before the next meeting. Cllr Edwards suggested forming a working party to develop the community emergency response plan.
78. To consider policies for adoption:
a. Community Engagement Policy
b. Data Breach Policy
c. IT Policy
d. Risk Register
All policies were taken from LALC templates and circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting. Cllr Holmes raised some issues with the Community Engagement Policy, suggesting it was too expansive for the Parish Council and needed to be streamlined. Cllr Holmes to review the policy and liaise with the Clerk. Cllr Edwards volunteered to review the Risk Register. The Clerk to ask Cllr Robson to review the Data Breach and IT Policy. It was resolved unanimously to defer consideration all policies to the next meeting.
79. To consider agenda items for the next meeting
No items suggested.
80. To confirm the date of the next meeting as Thursday 12th March 2026.
The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 12th March 2026.
With no further comments, Cllr Sisson closed the meeting at 8:38pm.