April 2026 Minutes
Coningsby Town Council Meeting
April 23rd, 2026, at 7:30pm in Coningsby Community Hall
In attendance: With Councillor Kevin Moorhouse as Chair, Cllrs: Chris Waites, Mary Walker, Paddy Donnellan, Amanda Bowen, Tabbi Bannister, Derek Mulholland, Cllr Ruth Sharples and Cllr Ray Evison.
District Cllr Martin Foster.
Clerk – Sarah-Louise Kulwicki
Public forum – 3 members of public in attendance.
One member of public reported that he attended the Annual Parish Meeting, and he was very disappointed with the lack of attendance. He suggested that the council put more posters around in the future so more people know it is on.
One member of the public raised concerns with the council tax increase from Coningsby Town Council which has increased by 18.9% and would like to know why it has gone up 4x the rate of inflation. The Chairman informed them that the Finance and HR Committee had prepared a budget, and that budget was agreed by full Council. Copies of the minutes are available online, including a copy of the budget which explains what the Council will spend the money on. If you cannot access the data online, the Chairman informed him that he can make an appointment with the Clerk to get copies of the minutes from these meetings.
A member of public stated that a fence has been erected around a football pitch on the Alan Barker. He wanted to know what its purpose was, whose decision this was. The Chairman informed that its purpose was to prevent rabbits from damaging the playing surface, thereby causing a safety hazard. This information was also available in Council minutes, and the clerk could provide a copy of these.
26/27- 1. Welcome from Chairman
The Chairman welcomed all present he thanked Cllr Waites for chairing the Helping Hands meeting on the 7th of April and thanked Cllr Evison for chairing the Annual Parish Meeting on the 16th April.
26/27- 2. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Town Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies received from Cllr Olive and County Cllr Sean Matthews.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept these apologies.
26/27- 3. To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests and any written requests for dispensation.
None.
26/27- 4. Reports from County Councillor & District Councillors if in attendance.
Cllr Foster told the Council that the new waste bins for food waste should be rolled out in September/ October. He also told the Council that planning permission had been refused for the Hawthorn Hill development, but the Applicants have the right to appeal during the next 6 months.
26/27- 5. Notes previously circulated from March 26th, 2026, meeting – to resolve as correct record
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the minutes.
26/27- 6. Youth Group – update from Cllr Bowen.
Cllr Bowen wanted to share with the Council that she had been nominated for the Community Heros award from Platform Housing, who have donated several items to the Youth Group, and she was pleased to be the winner of this award. The Council congratulated Cllr Bowen on this amazing achievement.
26/27- 7. Finances - To consider and approve payments as listed record payments, April 2026 – list with Councillors and March 2026 bank reconciliation x 5 a/c.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the accounts for April.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the bank reconciliations for March.
26/27- 8. Planning applications and decisions
1. EC/02276/25 – Hawthorn Hill, Coningsby. Application submitted, Ref: 00047/26, Erection of a log cabin for residential use and installation of access track and hard standing (works commenced). Application refused.
2. 00048/26/RVC - Section 73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) and 3 (materials) previous approved on S/035/01788/22 for the erection of a double garage with store room. Demolition of existing garage. Leagate Barn, Leagate Road, Tumby, Lincolnshire PE22 7SY. Approved.
26/27- 9. To adopt the Council’s Volunteer Policy
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the Council's Volunteer Policy.
26/27- 10. To approve the Councillor Handbook - previously circulated
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Councillor Handbook.
26/27- 11. Clerk’s report
1. Lease for hall car park: Custodian Trustee docs now signed with Solicitor, no updates.
2. Bronze Award for Aouncil – data submitted to NALC.
3. Asset transfer – All transfer documentation was received today, the Clerk will email this out to allow Councillors time to read the documents sent so they have time to ask any questions, so that they can be submitted for approval at the next Council meeting.
4. Play area annual inspections completed, annual fire safety inspections completed. Works to be completed as needed from these inspections.
5. PAT testing, decision needed on how to proceed.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve 2 PAT testing attendees.
26/27- 12. To resolve to move into closed session as required- Under the Public Bodies (admissions to meetings) Act 1960
1. To agree Assistant Clerk’s job description and contract.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the contract and job description and for the Chairman to sign.
The meeting closed at 8:02pm.