LEA PARISH COUNCIL
07791 088761
Minutes A81: Dec 15th 2025, 6.30pm at Butlers Pantry
Present: Councillors – Helen Leone(Chair), Jill Martin(Vice-Chair), Barry Rooks(Parish Clerk), Mark Stephenson, Ollie Stephenson, Diane Beck.
1. Apologies. Cllr Bailey. Accepted by council.
2. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and to receive any applications for Dispensation. Members may make any declarations at this point but may also make them at any point during the meeting. Cllrs Beck and M Stephenson declared that they both sit on the Lea Village Hall committee.
3. Previous Minutes.
3.1 To approve as a correct record the notes of the meeting held on 3rd November 2025 and for the Chair to sign these as official minutes. Approved with no amendments.
3.2 Review action points. Action points reviewed and progress noted.
4. Finance Report. Clerk.
4.1 Monthly report - for acceptance by Council.
Current Account: Oct-Dec 2025
In the bank: Oct 27th 2025….…..……............£886.60
Total Income:...............................................£4,452.18
Total Expenses:............................................£4,885.67
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025……….…..………..£453.11
LPC Reserves Account: Oct-Dec 2025
In the bank: Oct 27th 2025……………........£49,924.40
Interest…………………….…………..…….…..…£64.48
Withdrawals: ……………….………….……….£1,500.00
Deposits:........................................................£3,000.00
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025………..…….…..£51,488.88
CIL Account: Oct-Dec 2025
In the bank: Oct 27th 2025…………..………....£270.46
Interest: …………………………..………………...£0.31
Withdrawals:........................................................£0.00
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025 …………………….£270.77
S106 Account: Oct-Dec 2025
In the bank: Oct 27th 2025…..……………….…£198.03
Interest: …………………………….……................£0.23
Withdrawals:.........................................................£0.00
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025……….…..…………£198.26
Council accepted reports and consolidation of income and expenditure.
4.2 Reassess budgets and spending. Council discussed at length, decisions detailed in 5. Lea Park, below.
5. Lea Park
5.1 Review play park inspection report. Cllr Leone.
Annual inspection report recommended maintenance as follows:
a) general tidy up.
b) steps and exposed concrete on hill to be made safe
c) ongoing observation of wear and tear to the swings. These will need replacing in the next 2-3 years and will be budgeted for in 2027/28 accounts.
Council resolved to appoint a contractor to complete necessary work on the hill. Cllr Leone to organise a working group to undertake tidy up.
Clerk to investigate alternative inspection companies and to include new swings installed on football field.
5.2 Trees: review quotes for urgent work. Cllr Leone. Urgent work required in the park following Tree Survey. Decision made regarding the contractor to appoint, subject to further clarification required regarding quotes received.
5.3 Quotes for play park work: steps & exposed concrete. Cllrs Martin & Leone. Contractor approved to carry out work. Repair of bench and removal of old trim trail wooden steps, to be included. Clerk to appoint.
5.4 Fencing behind portacabin. Council agreed to pay for fencing subject to proof of quote and warranty.
5.5 Dirt tracks. Cllr Bailey. Council decided not to pursue at this stage due to the cost involved and lack of available funding.
5.6 Repointing update. Work ongoing but has been inhibited by the weather.
5.7 Disabled access gate latch. Work completed - thanks to Cllr Ollie Stephenson.
5.8 Litter pick date changed to Saturday 28th March 10.00 hours - 12.00 hours
6. Lea Village
6.1 Radar speed signs. Council resolved to purchase speed indicator signs subject to favourable maintenance, dilapidation and decommissioning at end-of-life information and sufficient finance. Clerk to contact Elan City and LCC.
6.2 Friends of Lea Marshes/Lea Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr Martin.
Potential review of the Lea Neighbourhood Plan discussed. Council resolved to suspend further action until the Lincolnshire Minerals Plan and the emerging Planning and Infrastructure Bill are fully understood.
Council resolved to contact Natural England to request a condition assessment and to understand the potential impact of proposed nearby quarrying.
(A condition assessment of a SSSI should be taken every 6 years. The site at Lea Marshes was last done in 2013)
6.3 Church clock update. Clerk. Awaiting estimate of cost to repair from St Helens. Update at next meeting.
The council would like to thank Paul & David for putting the lights up by the village pump. It is much appreciated. Council notes that alternative decorations will be needed next year.
Proposed Dates for meetings:
19th January 2026 - LPC: Precept
16th March 2026 - LPC
11th May 2026 - AGM (Council Annual General Meeting)
18th May 2026 - APM (Village Annual Parish Meeting)