2026 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Caythorpe and Frieston Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 15th April 2026

Present:

Councillors: Crawley, Stevenson, Sandy, Topley, Pywowarczuk

LCC Cllr Ken Bamford.

1. Apologies for Absence

Councillors: Manderfield, Page, SKDC Cllr Milnes

Mrs D Manderfield (clerk)

2. Approval of Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting 2025

The minutes were previously presented and, after a slight amendment to item 4.6 to state ‘the dissolution of the District Councils’, were signed by the Chairman as an accurate account of the meeting.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

4. Annual Report from Portfolio Holders and the Chairman

Chairs Report for Annual Parish Meeting 2026

Despite carrying a vacancy for much of the year, due to the resignation of a councilor we have been successful in recruiting a replacement and now have a full complement of Councilors. We are making good progress with the various portfolios that are designed to assist the community in which we live and various changes have been made to those responsible for each portfolio to suit their skills and workload. New Councilors have undertaken training relevant to their roles and their knowledge is increasing.

I would like to thank all of the Councilors who have stepped up to serve our community, as well as the numerous residents who serve on committees such as the Playing Field, Village Hall, and Allotments, as well as those involved with News and Views, that help to make our villages such desirable places to live. I know that many of you are passionate about your role and spend a lot of your valuable time serving our community. Thank you.

It would be unfair not to mention our Parish Clerk, who helps to ensure the smooth running of the Parish Council and applies her skill and knowledge to many, if not all, of the functions of the Parish Council.

Our part time litter picker, continues his work keeping the villages clean and tidy in a diligent and efficient manner. He has also taken on some additional duties helping to maintain the village so thanks go to him for his role.

The 1st Caythorpe and Dukes Covert assisted in clearing litter from along the A607 and the footpath within the walls of Caythorpe Hall using equipment provided by the Parish Council.

Mid Uk (now rebranded as Panda) have been liaised with and regularly conduct litter picking patrols along Caythorpe Heath Lane

The verge outside the Burial Ground continues to be mown when required, to present a neat and tidy look to users of the amenity. We have also continued to fund the cutting of the Upper and Lower Greens at Frieston on a regular basis to assist in maintaining this conservation area. The front entrance gates to the burial ground have been re-stained and a new gate has been provided at the rear of the burial ground to replace a damaged section of fencing. Several burials and internments of ashes have taken place and arrangements are in hand to mark the burial plots.

The Village gates have been cleaned recently, which was badly needed due to the poor weather over the winter. We have also cleaned the village bus stops to keep them in good condition.

After Alexander Maughan resigned as County Council representative, Councilor Ken Bamford assumed the role. Ken regularly attends our meetings, keeps us informed about LCC developments, and helps coordinate with LCC staff to address matters such as road and footpath repairs, as well as road safety and speed limits. Thank you for your contribution to our community Ken.

Our local Councilor, Penny Milnes, at South Kesteven District Council has been invaluable to the Parish Council and has continued to support and advise us on many aspects of local life including local planning issues. Whilst there is still some uncertainty about the role of District Councils in the future, I take this opportunity to thank her for her past (and hopefully future) support of this Parish Council.

A dedicated phone for use by the Clerk has been purchased and a monthly contract entered into.

New 30mph signs have been purchased and erected around the villages to replace those which have faded overtime.

Various defects to roads, footpaths and vegetation bordering them have been reported on Fix My Street and remedied by the relevant authority.

We are continuing to maintain the four defibrillators in our villages, and these are checked regularly to ensure they are fully charged and ready for use. We are looking to replace these as they are near the end of their working lives.

Christmas was celebrated with a Christmas tree festival in St Vincent’s, and the Parish Council purchased and erected two Christmas trees - for Frieston Lower Green, and by the War Memorial outside the Church. These were lit and many villagers enjoyed the Carols Round the Tree service, which was accompanied by members of Sleaford Brass Band.

The Remembrance Day service at St Vincents was well attended and the act of Remembrance by the War Memorial was again well attended, with numerous people laying wreaths of Remembrance, as well as members of the local scout group adding their own tributes in the form of commemorative crosses. The bugler engaged by the Parish Council added poignancy to this sombre occasion as we remembered those who gave their lives for our freedom. A wreath was subsequently laid at the War Memorial in Love Lane

The War Memorial in Love Lane has been refurbished and now looks much better and is a fitting memorial to the aircrew it commemorates. A contribution towards the cost was obtained by a donation from the Australian air crew whom it honours.

We continue to comment on all planning applications made that affect our villages and these are passed on to the relevant planning authority for consideration.

Our Firework display in November was a great success, and we were treated to a professional display from Galaxy Fireworks. The planning that went into this, together with the effort from several volunteers, and donations from members of the public and local businesses, ensured that all costs were covered and a small surplus was made, which will go towards upgrading equipment and any potential shortfall on this year’s display. All of those who volunteered deserve our thanks for making this a memorable village event, but especially those on the Firework Committee, who spent a lot of time planning and delivering the display, and are already well-advanced with planning for this year’s event.

CFPC continues routine maintenance (for that which it is responsible) and grass cutting in the villages,

Tree planting and maintenance around the villages has continued and the 1st Caythorpe and Dukes Covert scout group recently planted some more trees along the A607 to fill some of the gaps in the field border. The trees were raised and donated by local volunteers and the tree guards and stakes were provided by the Parish Council. Periodic watering and strimming around new trees has taken place, as well as trimming of hedges on the Playing Field and in front of the Police Office.

The insurance that the Parish Council is obliged to take out to cover risks associated with the assets that it owns, as well as public liability insurance has been renewed.

The Parish Council has a representative on the Village Hall Committee, and it is pleasing to note that they have continued to repair and redecorate as needed and their funds allowed. The tidying of the garden area at the rear is a vast improvement, and the committee room and kitchens have been redecorated, and new flooring laid in the storeroom off the Committee Room. Their fundraising with various events including the monthly Village Breakfast, Chill and Chat, Film Nights etc is significant and provides great facilities to the villages. They are supported by a grant from the Parish Council. Thanks go to all of the Village Hall Management Committee and those volunteers who help out.

The Playing Field Committee continue to meet regularly, and a representative from the Parish Council generally attends these meetings. They organised fund-raising events, such as quiz nights and Meccano sessions, and reviewed rental payments for the Sports and Social Club and sports teams using the facilities. They have also attracted Lincolnshire Cricket to the ground to hold County matches which help to boost income.

The Playing Field Committee carried out work to install solar panels on the roof of the Pavilion, and this was paid for by way of a grant they were able to obtain from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund administered by South Kesteven District Council. The installation is now generating substantial amounts of electricity which will help to reduce running costs, although the installation of a new smart meter is still awaited by their energy supplier, which will enable selling of excess power to the grid and further enhance their income. The exterior of the pavilion has been painted and repairs carried out to the fence around the play area. A new wicket mower has been purchased.

The Gala in September 2025 was the first organised by the Gala Committee and was a resounding success with many new events, stalls and attractions and a substantial profit was made which has contributed to the funding of the playing field. The Gala Team is busy planning for this year’s event in September. The Playing Field is also supported by a grant from the Parish Council. The Sports and Social Club continues to serve members when it is open and supports both the Gala and Firework events as well as serving the football and cricket teams, and pool teams. The Pavilion is host to the Walking For Health Group as well as the Craft Club.

The Parish Council have been in contact with Lincolnshire Police regarding the redundant Police Office on Old Lincoln Road. As it is no longer needed by the police, they have agreed to sell the building and the land that it occupies, back to the Parish Council who have agreed to return this to the ownership of the Playing Field under a similar arrangement to that which existed when the land was sold in 1990. The Parish Council has instructed solicitors.

Thanks go to all the Playing Field Committee and those who volunteer to keep this as a great asset to our villages.

The allotments suffered storm damage when a large tree was toppled due to high winds. This was cut back and removed by the landowner after contact from the Parish Council. The entrance gate has also been repaired to ensure easy access to allotment holders. The lease on the allotments has been renewed with the Diocese of Lincoln and the Allotment Association.

Liaison has taken place with the bus company regarding bus services through the village during the resurfacing work conducted on the A607 by LCC. Representatives of the Parish Council attended a public meeting regarding this resurfacing work, when it was decided this should be conducted at night rather than during the day to minimise the impact on residents and businesses.

News and Views has experienced ongoing growth under the editorial leadership of Robert Prabucki, with Richard Johnson overseeing financial matters. Thanks go to them and their network of distributors for this informative and entertaining local publication.

Finally finance. The Parish Council receives its funding primarily from the annual precept it collects, as well as through grants. We have recently reviewed our budget for the coming year and settled on a slight increase in the precept to cover all of our anticipated expenses including substantial increases in the grants we pay to the Village Hall and Playing Field (which have been static for some years). We remain in a sound financial position with substantial reserves, to cover our cash flow and budget, although our precept compares favorably with those of similar Parish Councils.

So, in summary, we have had another good year and achieved many good things. This is largely due to the time and effort that our employees and volunteers put in. I would like to end by thanking all who have contributed to this success in the last year and look forward to your continuing support in the year ahead.

4.1 Portfolio Report from Cllr Andy Crawley

Litter Picking

Our part time litter picker continues to work diligently keeping litter at bay around the villages.

Environmental Sustainability

Monitoring of the Mid Uk (now Panda) site has revealed they are conducting regular litter picking patrols along Caythorpe Heath Lane.

Playing Fields

Lincolnshire Police have finally agreed to sell the redundant police office on Old Lincoln Road at a very reasonable price. A separate paper will be up for discussion at our next meeting on the possible purchase of this by CFPC

An offer to purchase the redundant Police Office on Old Lincoln Road, has been received from Lincolnshire Police. Liaison has taken place between the Parish Council and the Playing Field Committee and an extraordinary meeting was held on 10th March to discuss this project, It has been agreed that this will be a significant asset to purchase for the community and work is in hand to return the land and the building that it now contains to the Playing Field Committee.

The Renewable energy installation is working well and generating large amounts of electricity, although the Playing Field are not yet getting the maximimum benefit from his as the electricity supplier has yet to change the meter to a smart meter so that excess power han be sold to the grid,

Fireworks Committee

Galaxy Fireworks have been booked for the 2026 display on Saturday 7th November 2026 and a deposit paid. Donations have been made from the surplus funds to local groups.

The damaged speaker that we had borrowed and overloaded is being repaired but at the time of writing, the cost is not known.

A professional quality speaker has been purchased at a cost of £500 and is in storage until required.

The large gazebo that was damaged during packing away after the fireworks is more extensively damaged than first thought. We are currently investigating costs for a suitable replacement.

Councilors

Theo Pywowarczuk has joined the council and all places are now filled. A number of portfolios have been reallocated.

4.2 Report from Cllr Bamford - LCC

Cllr Bamford spoke about the monthly update produced by LCC Executive and advised that he will bring any issues affecting Caythorpe and Frieston to future Parish Council meetings.

The LCC Highways portal now has live updates on issues raised through Fix My Street and Cllr Bamford will be able to provide the latest information on local issues at future Parish Council meetings.

Arrangements for local government reorganisation are still to be confirmed.

A report from Highways is awaited on the proposed speed reduction for the A607. 

An update is awaited on the adoption of the road in Holy Cross.

Cllr Bamford has proposed a walk of the villages with the relevant Parish Councillors to review any current issues, date to be confirmed.

Traffic in the Parish remains an issue with Stragglethorpe being used as a cut through from the A17 to the A1, and recent closures of the A17 resulting in an excessive number of vehicles including HGVs travelling through Caythorpe. This is being kept under review.    

5. Any Other Business:

As there was no other business Cllr Crawley thanked all those in attendance and closed the meeting.

Cllr Caroline Stevenson (acting clerk)