LEA PARISH COUNCIL
07791 088761
Meeting Notes A82: Jan 19th 2026, 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 15th December 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: Dec-Jan 2025/26
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025….…..……...............£453.11
Total Income:....................................................£2,000
Total Expenses:.................................................£1,280
In the bank: Jan 14th 2026……….…..……..£1,173.11
LPC Reserves Account: Dec-Jan 2025/26
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025……………...........£51,488.88
Interest…………………….…………..…….…..…£127.65
Withdrawals: ……………….………….………..£2,000.00
In the bank: Jan 14th 2026………..…….…...£49,616.53
CIL Account: Dec-Jan 2025/26
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025…………..………....£270.77
Interest: …………………………..………………...£0.61
Withdrawals:........................................................£0.00
In the bank: Jan 14th 2026 …………………….£271.38
S106 Account: Dec-Jan 2025/26
In the bank: Dec 8th 2025…..………………..…£198.26
Interest: …………………………….……................£0.45
Withdrawals:.........................................................£0.00
In the bank: Jan 14th 2026……….…..…………£198.71
Council accepted reports and consolidation of income and expenditure.
4.2 Council to set precept for 2026/27.
Council agreed to set precept at £22,770, an increase of 3.5%, to reflect rising costs. Clerk to submit to WLDC.
5. Lea Park & Butlers Pantry
5.1 New swings cut fingers update from PlayQuest. Cllr Leone. Playquest reported the incident to the manufacturers - awaiting response. The source of the cut has been removed.
5.2 BP cleaning and new vacuum. Council agreed to purchase a new vacuum cleaner - clerk to order. Council expressed its thanks to Rachel for the annual clean of Butlers Pantry.
5.3 E.on business plan option for BP utilities. Council agreed to opt for a 3 year fixed term deal with E.on, subject to conversation about lowering the standing charge. Clerk to contact.
6. Lea Village
6.1 Friends of Lea Marshes/Lea Neighbourhood Plan. Cllr Martin. Response from Natural England has been forwarded to FOLM.
6.2 Radar speed signs - feedback regarding maintenance, dilapidation and decommissioning at end-of-life enquiries. Clerk. Clerk and Chair to obtain
additional quotes. Council resolved to buy radar speed signs once additional quotes had been received and assessed. Clerk to seek further advice from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership regarding maintenance and life span. Insurance for signs covered within street furniture insurance policy cover.
6.3 Broken bench on Gainsborough Road. Clerk to contact Highways to clarify ownership.
Council agreed to appoint Ian Moore to fix rotten posts on Lea village sign coming from Gainsborough. Clerk to contact.
7. Emergency planning. Cllr Leone. Cllrs Beck, M Stephenson & Leone to review drafted template and guidance.
Proposed Dates for meetings:
16th March 2026 - LPC
11th May 2026 - AGM (Council Annual General Meeting)
18th May 2026 - APM (Village Annual Parish Meeting)
22nd June 2026 - AGAR