13th February 2026 Extraordinary Meeting
Minutes of Mareham le Fen Parish Council meeting 13th February 2026 at 4.00pm held at Mareham le Fen Community Centre
Present: Cllrs M.Foster (Chair), F.Martin, W.Gray.
Not Present: Cllr M.Rodgers, C. Robinson.
Clerk: A. Everard
Members of Public present: Five
The Council being inquorate following the resignation of Cllr Thomas in December had three temporary appointments made by S.91 LGA 1972 Order of East Lindsey District Council in attendance at this meeting until further co-options could make it quorate.
1/26. Election of a Councillor to preside/ Chair the business of this extraordinary meeting.
Proposed Cllr Martin, seconded Cllr Gray and unanimously RESOLVED to elect Cllr Foster. Cllr Foster signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
2/26. Apologies for absence with reason given
Proposed Cllr Foster, seconded Cllr Martin RESOLVED to accept the apology of Cllr Robinson.
3/26. Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and requests for dispensations and any relevant declaration under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
None declared.
4/26. If members of the public are present and wish to ask questions or make representations the Chair/Presiding member will allow this for a period of up to 10 minutes.
None raised. Business continued.
5/26. To consider the budget for 2026-27 financial year.
Proposed Cllr Gray, seconded Cllr Martin RESOLVED to adopt the budgeted expenditure £29,172, income £7,245. Total earmarked and general reserves of £23,550 as estimated at 31st March 2026 noting the reserves for election fees, cemetery extension work, defibrillator, playing field and the general reserves are low.
6/26. To consider the precept for 2026-27 financial year.
Proposed Cllr Foster, seconded Cllr Martin RESOLVED £21,927. The parish had 383 Band D properties (an increase of 17 since last year) so the amount per property was estimated to be £57.25 (an increase of 40p per month or less for dwellings in council tax bands A, B and C).
7/26. To consider any applicants for co-option to the parish council following the Co-option Policy and Procedure. The Council may resolve to go into a private confidential session in accordance with the Policy and Procedure if necessary.
Five applications for the seven vacant seats were considered. Councillors spoke to the applicants and decided they did not need a confidential debate. Proposed Cllr Gray, seconded Cllr Martin and unanimously co-opted D. Walby, M. Walby, H. Poulton, O. Marshall and N. Marshall who each signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office witnessed by the Clerk.
The Chair thanked all for their attendance and co-operation to get essential council business completed and declared the meeting closed at 4.20pm.