October 2025 Minutes
Coningsby Town Council Meeting
October 23rd, 2025, at 7:30pm in Coningsby Community Hall
In attendance: With Councillor Matthew Mason as Chair, Cllrs: Kevin Moorhouse, Mary Walker, Paddy Donnellan, Glyn Olive, Amanda Bowen, Ray Evison, Tabbi Bannister and Chris Waites. District Councillors Martin Foster and James Knowles.
Clerk – Sarah-Louise Kulwicki
Public forum – 6 members of public in attendance.
One member of public asked if the Council would consider action against an adult who has recently misused some play equipment in the children’s play area on School Lane. The chairman informed him that the Clerk will discuss this with him.
25/26- 74. Welcome from Chairman
The Chairman welcomed all present.
25/26- 75. To resolve to move into closed session as required- Under the Public Bodies (admissions to meetings) Act 1960 and the Local Government Act 1972, ss 100 and 102 in line with Coningsby Town Council complaints procedure.
Proposed, seconded, and RESOLVED to move into closed session. The Chairman Cllr Mason also left the meeting at 7:32pm, as this complaint was regarding him.
a. To receive representation from member of public as received in writing – Not present. Clerk referred Council to email complaint received.
b. To receive representation from Clerk on behalf of the Council – The Clerk highlighted SO 3h, In accordance with standing order 3(e), a question shall not require a response at the meeting nor start a debate on the question. The Chair of the meeting may direct that a written or oral response be given. At the last Council meeting, no response was required, as the MOP statement was directed at the County Councillor.
The Clerk then left the room at 7:33pm, Cllr Bowen took the minutes for this part of the meeting.
c. Both parties are required to leave the room while decision is discussed, decision to be given at the meeting or in writing
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED, the Council found no fault and the matter be closed. Councillors would instruct the Clerk to write to the member of public to notify them of the result.
At 7:35pm the meeting was opened, and all members of public, Clerk and Council were asked to come back into the meeting.
25/26- 76. 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 Sharples and County Cllr Sean Matthews.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept these apologies.
25/26- 77. 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.
Cllr Moorhouse declared an interest on item 25/26 -86.1.
Cllr Donnellan declared an interest as he is the owner of a plot in the cemetery grounds.
25/26- 78. Notes previously circulated from September 25th, 2025, meeting – to resolve as correct record
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to accept the notes as minutes and the chairman to sign.
25/26- 79. The co-option of any potential candidate present - There were two valid candidates present.
Candidates present were asked if there was anything further they would like to add in support of their applications. There were no further comments.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to vote by secret ballot.
Marline Wilson received 4 votes.
Derek Mulholland received 5 votes.
The Chairman announced the results and welcomed Cllr Mulholland to join the Council. He thanked Marline Wilson for her interest.
25/26- 80. Reports from County Councillor & District Councillors if in attendance.
Cllr Knowles told the Council that there were plans to lose the toilets in the main car park.
Cllr Foster informed the Council that ELDC have set aside 1.6 million to refurbish inland toilets which includes Coningsby’s. The proposed plans are to knock down the current toilet block and replace it with a modular unit which consists of one disabled toilet and one unisex one. These will be cleaned daily and have an automatic lock so there will be no need to have someone lock and unlocked them every night.
Cllr Walker asked if the toilets will have charged entry. Cllr Foster did not know if this would happen. She asked if it does, for both card and cash options be considered as not all have people have bank cards.
Cllr Donnellan asked if they have an automatic lock, would it detect when someone is inside. Cllr Foster told all that the AI would detect this. Cllr Donnellan also asked if when siting the new toilet could improving the visibility onto Castle Lane be considered.
Cllr Evison asked if ELDC would consider marking the toilets bigger. 2 unisex cubicles rather than one as it is already a large reduction on facilities.
Cllr Foster did a presentation on the new food waste caddies which will be distributed to every home for 2026. Adaptations have been made to the current waste collection fleet, so the bins can be emptied weekly, with the other bins on the weekly collection schedule. Councillors asked a few questions about the finer details which Cllr Foster answered.
25/26- 81. Youth Group – update from Cllr Bowen
Cllr Bowen reported that the Youth Club is now closed until 14th November. The DofE award is ongoing, and progress is being made.
25/26- 82. Finances - To consider and approve payments as listed record payments, October 2025 – list with Councillors and September 2025 bank reconciliation x 5 accounts
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the payments and bank reconciliations.
25/26- 83. To approve Cemetery Regulations for Dogdyke Road Cemetery – Addition of Jubilee Garden of Remembrance for scattering of ashes.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the amendment to the Cemetery Regulations.
25/26- 84. Planning applications and decisions
a. Ref: 03389/25/FUL - Planning Permission - Erection of a dwelling with a link to the existing garage. 30 Marmion Road Coningsby Lincolnshire LN4 4RG. The Clerk was asked to resend this application for comments.
b. Ref: 03370/25/FUL - Planning Permission - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation. Farm Cottage, Reedham Lane Coningsby, Lincolnshire LN4 4RX. Full planning has been given.
c. Enforcement Case: EC/02276/25 – Gattington Park, Hawthorn Hill, Dogdyke, Lincolnshire, LN4 4XA. Erection of a wooden lodge without planning permission. No updates.
25/26- 85. Clerk’s report
1. Lease for hall car park, Custodian Trustee docs now with Community Hall for signing and has been done.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to sign on behalf of the Council.
2. Christmas arrangements – to confirm time for lighting ceremony and tree size
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED for the Clerk to order a 25ft Christmas tree from whichever supplier is the most cost effective overall.
3. MUGA Tokens – Installer contacted for timing adjustment advice, complaint received. The Clerk read the complaint received to the full Council and the Clerk was asked to respond and let them know that the Council are investigating extending the lighting timer by 10 minutes on either side.
25/26- 86. To resolve to move into closed session as required- Under the Public Bodies (admissions to meetings) Act 1960 and the Local Government Act 1972, ss 100 and 102.
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move into closed session at 8:28pm. Cllr Moorhouse left the meeting for this discussion to take place.
1. Alan Barker rabbit proof fencing quotes to be decided.
It was:
Proposed by Cllr Donnellan that option 2 be chosen, Seconded by Cllr Walker, no one in favour.
It was:
Proposed by Cllr Olive that option 1 be chosen, seconded by Cllr Bowen, Resolved.
It was:
Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to choose contactor 4, Front Row Fencing.
Cllr Walker voted against this proposal.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39pm.