23rd February 2026
DRAFT Minutes of Mareham le Fen Parish Council meeting 23rd February 2026 at 7.00pm held at Mareham le Fen Community Centre
Present: Cllrs D.Walby (Chair), M.Walby, O.Marshall, N.Marshall
Not Present: Cllr M.Rodgers, C. Robinson, H. Poulton.
Clerk: A. Everard
Members of Public present: None
22/26. Opening remarks by the Chair of Mareham le Fen Parish Council
The Chair welcomed all for their attendance at the meeting.
23/26. Apologies for absence with reason given
Council noted the apologies received from Cllr Rodgers and approval not granted. Cllrs Robinson and Poulton apologies were approved.
24/26. Declaration of Members’ interests in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and requests for dispensations.
Cllr M Walby and Cllr D Walby declared their interest in the Community Centre and sought a dispensation on item 29/26b and 33/26b. Proposed Cllr D.Walby, seconded Cllr O.Marshall RESOLVED unanimously to grant a dispensation for Cllr D. Walby and Cllr M. Walby to remain for the debate and vote for the council to remain quorate.
25/26. To receive the draft minutes to be approved as the minutes of the meeting held on 25th June 2025, 13th February 2026 and 15th October 2025 Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Proposed Cllr M.Walby, seconded Cllr O.Marshall unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the minutes.
26/26. Matters arising from the minutes of 25th June 2025, 13th February 2026 and 15th October and Clerk’s updates not already on this agenda.
The Clerk advised that the Elan City Speed Indicator Devices order had been made and they were in transit. The pole at Revesby Corner had been bent by an unknown vehicle and reported to LCC Highways.
27/26. ELDC and LCC councillors invited by the Chair to make verbal or written reports on local matters.
Not present.
28/26. To adopt the Council’s Standing Orders and the Financial Regulations, Code of Conduct and IT Policy.
Proposed Cllr N. Marshall, seconded Cllr M.Walby unanimously RESOLVED to adopt
29/26. Planning matters
a) 02040/25/FED - Diversion of public footpath no. 178.
Footpath From Birkwood Development Site and along Main Street Mareham Le Fen Lincolnshire
Proposed Cllr M.Walby, seconded Cllr O.Marshall unanimously RESOLVED Object.
b) 00038/26/RVC - Former Mareham Le Fen Village Hall Main Street Mareham Le Fen Lincolnshire PE22 7RW - Section 73 application to vary condition no. 3 (approved plans) and to remove condition no.4 (public highway alterations) previously approved under Outline Planning Permission ref. no. S/114/01098/22 for the erection of a bungalow (with access, landscaping, layout and scale to be considered) existing building on site to be demolished.
Proposed Cllr O.Marshall, seconded Cllr M.Marshall unanimously RESOLVED to object with comments.
30/26. Highway, footpath, and drainage matters affecting the parish.
a) Clerk’s report on the recent Highway Officer’s visit to Mareham le Fen
Clerk had joined a walk around the parish with LCC Cllr P. Roberts and the Highways Officer and various issues identified and feedback would come back to the parish council to consider.
- The current electric 30MPH vehicle‑activated signs may need some work. LCC requested if the parish council wanted this work to be done. Proposed Cllr O.Marshall, seconded Cllr M.Walby and unanimously RESOLVED to ask LCC Highways to service and keep the VAS signs in place and working.
- The Clerk to respond to the Highways Officer that the double yellow lines along Horncastle Road need extending.
- The Clerk is to get latest information on location of bins from ELDC in the village.
b) To receive information about the LCC local flood monitoring system and consider the locations in the parish.
It was unanimously RESOLVED that the remote sensors were located in what appeared to be the right locations. Councillors wondered if a fourth might be located on Watery Lane if there was a suitable waterway.
31/26. Financial Matters
a) To consider payments on the payments schedule
Payments to R.K.Hobson & Sons £120 for hedge-cutting, Mareham le Fen Community Centre £45 unanimously RESOLVED as approved.
b) To note bank balances and bank reconciliation.
Clerk reported deposit account balance £29,548.93, current account £4,705.74
c) To approve bank mandate changes.
Unanimously approved to implement the changes to the bank mandate. Clerk to prepare paperwork.
32/26. Defibrillators
a) To note previously minuted decisions
Noted.
b) To consider the locations, costs and maintenance of defibrillators in the village.
Deferred to next agenda while enquiries to be made into potential locations for the Bowls Club defibrillator by Cllr N. Marshall.
33/26. Grants
a) To note budget for grants and Grant Awarding Policy
Noted.
b) To consider a request for a grant in respect of the Community Centre’s booking system.
A grant application for £484 in respect of the Mareham le Fen Community Centre purchase of a new booking system and website was considered. Proposed Cllr N.Marshall, seconded Cllr O.Marshall and unanimously RESOLVED to grant the Community Centre £484 from the Grant budget.
34/26. Nominations to outside bodies
a) To note current vacancies
Noted
b) To nominate councillors to fill vacancies.
i) Proposed Cllr M.Walby, seconded Cllr N. Marshall unanimously RESOLVED to nominate Cllr H. Poulton to the Community Centre vacancy.
ii) Proposed Cllr O. Marshall, seconded Cllr D.Walby unanimously RESOLVED to nominate Cllr O. Marshall to join the Play Area Committee.
35/26. Training Bookings to be approved.
When new councillors and chairs workshop dates known then clerk to book if councillors available.
36/26. To consider items to be added to the next meeting agenda on Wednesday 18th March 2026.
Defibrillators, risk register, website accessibility.
The Chair thanked everyone for their contributions. Meeting closed 8.55pm