Agenda and approved minutes – October 2025

Page 2268

A MEETING OF BOZEAT PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD ON MONDAY, 20^th OCTOBER 2025, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT 7pm.  THIS MEETING WAS HELD AT BOZEAT TLC, DYCHURCH LANE, BOZEAT.

PRESENT: – Cllrs Cooke [Chairman]; Docker; Gibbins; Pollard; Pritchard; Steel; and Todd, Cllr Brown arrived during the course of the meeting.

PUBLIC: – Cllr Dunsmuir [NNC] was present at the meeting.

ISSUES RAISED BY THE PUBLIC: –

• Solar Farm – update on recent meetings.
• Lack of GP services in Bozeat.

Cllr Brown arrived at this point in the meeting.

It was resolved to accept apologies for absence received from Cllr Skittrall.  Cllr Foward was also absent.

2. Declarations of interest.

No new declarations of interest were reported.

The minutes from the meeting of Bozeat Parish Council held on 15^th September 2025 were proposed as correct by Cllr Pritchard, this was seconded by Cllr Brown and a vote was taken = 4 for with 4 abstentions, motion carried.

4. Matters arising.
5. Circulating documents – it was noted that all circulating packs have now been returned to the Clerk.
6. Training – noted that Cllr Todd had attended an Off To A Flying Start course and a report was accepted, she is also booked to attend a Communications part 1 course in November.
7. Assets of Community Value – to note that the listing of the Red Lion public house will expire soon.
8. Bozeat flag – the new flag was presented to the council and thanks recorded to Cllr Todd for her work on this project. Cllr Steel proposed that the council’s flag flying policy be amended to add the following paragraph “Bozeat Flag – the Bozeat flag may be flown during village events and when Bozeat Parish Council feels it is appropriate” and the following line added under Flying Flags At Half Mast “The Bozeat flag may be flown at half-mast upon the death of a former member of the

Page 2269 – 20^th October 2025

Parish Council or a notable resident”.  This was seconded by Cllr Docker and agreed.

1. Roles and responsibilities – it was agreed to amend the Facebook/Media title to Community Engagement.
2. Casual vacancy – it was noted that an election hasn’t been called and the vacancy will be advertised in the next issue of Bozeat Matters, as per the council’s policy.
3. Website – the website designer had quoted £120 to amend the colours on the website to match branding. Cllr Todd reported that she could make the changes at no cost but does not have access to edit the website.  The Clerk to check the terms and conditions of the contract with our website designer and report back at the next meeting.
4. Commemorative nameplate – it was note that the nameplate for Fred Dilley has now been fixed to the village sign and it was agreed to remove this from the agenda.

5. Council services.
6. Cemetery – the outer gates to the cemetery appear to have been damaged by a vehicle and it was suggested that these be repaired if and when the repairs required to the boundary railings are agreed.
7. Cemetery – replacement lodge roof – it was noted that this has been completed and agreed to remove this item from the agenda.
8. Cemetery – access lane repairs/widening – it was noted that the contractor delayed the work until after the lodge roof was replaced.
9. Cemetery – tree safety assessments – Cllr Pritchard proposed that a quote of £475 for tree safety assessments in the cemetery be accepted, this was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed.
10. Cemetery – report from the Green Burial Area working party – site visits to be arranged.
11. Allotments – general report – no issues reported.
12. Allotments – reconfiguring of plots. It was noted that the Allotments Manager has this project in hand. Cllr Todd asked about setting an allotment aside for use as a community allotment.  The Clerk asked that the council defer a decision as there is currently a short waiting list for a plot but this may change at the end of the year.
13. Allotments – Annual Meeting of tenants and rent collection for 2026. Noted that this will be held on Saturday, 15^th November at 10am.

6. Local environment.
7. Highways – a general report was accepted.
8. Highways – requests for parking restrictions [London Road/Selby Gardens; London Road/Little Close]. Noted that these have been submitted for consideration.
9. Street Lights – no issues reported.
10. Parish Paths Warden/Rights of Way – including responsibility for the footway running from Hewletts Close onto TA21/TA22. It was agreed to consider claiming the footway as a public right of way, this to be an agenda item for the next meeting.
11. Santa Pod – to discuss any issues with events/traffic. Noted that the season is almost finished.
12. Village Warden – no report this month.
13. Village Green – Cllr Cooke reported that he now has a quote for the provision of new

Page 2270 – 20^th October 2025

planters on the Village Green, this to be an agenda item for the next meeting.  A local resident has offered to adopt the small Christmas tree but a shrub close to it has become overgrown and is affecting the tree’s growth.  It was agreed to arrange for the shrub to be cut back in order to give the tree space to grow.  It was resolved to give permission to Bozeat W.I. to decorate the Village Green for Hallowe’en and Remembrance Day.

7. Planning.
8. Current/new planning applications – no report received this month.
9. Solar Farm proposals – to receive reports from recent events [NNC members session 15^th October] and formulate a response to any future planning application. It was noted that Cllr Skittrall represents Bozeat Parish Council at any meetings at NNC.  Noted that Cllr Dunsmuir had requested copies of any responses sent by Bozeat Parish Council.

8. Representatives’ reports.
9. BEES Group – a report was accepted, concern was raised over the cutting of Court Lane.
10. Bozeat Playing Field Association – a report was accepted, it was noted that a ladies cricket team is now playing at the field.
11. Bozeat Primary School – no report received.
12. NNC parish and ward meetings – none held recently.
13. Public transport – it was note that a new timetable was published on 13^th
14. Speed signs – Cllr Docker presented the latest statistics. She reported that she has contacted the Safer Roads Team but they do not want to receive any of the data gathered.  Traffic calming and enforcement was discussed.  It was agreed to move the speed sign currently on London Road to Easton Lane.  Thanks were recorded to Cllr Gibbins and Terry Lyall for moving the equipment.
15. Verge mowing – it was noted that the mowing season will soon be finished. No issues were reported recently.
16. NorthantsCALC AGM [4^th October 2025] – Cllr Brown reported that he had been unable to attend this meeting due to illness.
17. Town and Parish Strategic Forum [7^th October 2025] – it was reported that Cllr Skittrall had attended this meeting but Cllr Brown had been unable to attend due to illness.
18. Big50 Vision – to consider attending events on either 25^th or 27^th November – Cllr Pritchard has agreed to represent Bozeat Parish Council on 25^th

9. Village Hall.

• To accept a report from the Working Party. Cllr Cooke reported that a committee is now needed to run the hall.  Names were put forward and it was agreed to invite any interested persons to apply using social media.
• To consider arranging a launch event – it was agreed that the Clerk and Cllr Todd should share contacts information.
• To review and discuss branding.

10. Leisure and Recreation equipment: –

• Skate Ramp – report from the working party. Cllr Brown asked what level of usage

Page 2271 – 20^th October 2025

is being seem for the ramp.  Cllr Cooke reported that the current ramp is well-used, riders prefer a wooden surface.  The potential costs involved in keeping the current ramp running, or removing it need to be considered.  Cllr Brown reported that a concrete ramp would not need any maintenance, he will investigate potential costs.  Cllr Gibbins reported that a bigger ramp could be provided if the meeting point was removed and the area for the ramp extended.

• Play Area – repairs to the safety and grass surfaces – noted that this work has not been completed.

11. • To accept a report from the Police Laison Representative.
    • To note any local crimes that are notified to the council – none reported.

12. Local events.
    • 9^th November – Remembrance Sunday service at St Mary’s Church 10.15am. The Clerk reported that she had attended a meeting to discuss the future of the Remembrance Sunday service and Remembrance Day gathering as the Bozeat Branch of the Royal British Legion has closed down.  Volunteers will still sell poppies but will not be an active branch.  A ceremony to lay up the standard in St Mary’s Church is being organised for Sunday, 26^th  A Remembrance Sunday service has been arranged for 9^th November and will be led by Tom Partridge-Underwood.  The Clerk also reported that a poppy wreath costing £20 has been ordered.
    • 11^th November – Remembrance Day gathering at the War Memorial 11am.
    • 29^th November – Christmas tree/lights switch on 5pm. The Clerk reported that Bozeat Players would like to lead some carol singing at the event, agreed to accept the offer.  Cllr Cooke reported that a suitable Christmas Tree is likely to cost up to £265 and Cllr Steel proposed that delegated powers be given to Cllrs Cooke and Gibbins to spend up to £265 on the purchase of a tree.  The usual team to prepare, set up and decorate the tree and remove after Christmas.  It was agreed to ask the Chairman to lead the Christmas Lights event.

13. Calendar of Meetings for 2026.

The Clerk presented a draft list of meeting dates for 2026, moving the December meeting forward to 14^th to avoid Christmas week, this was agreed.

14. Photocopier/Printer.

The Clerk reported ongoing print quality issues and the measures taken to date in an effort to resolve them.  It was agreed that the costs of renting equipment be considered as well as the purchase of a new machine.

15. Finance

• Payments – Cllr Steel proposed that a report [Appendix A] and the fund transfers, budget virements and payments listed be approved. This was seconded by Cllr Brown and agreed.
• Grants – to consider applying for grants. Cllr Brown reported that most schemes offer grants up to £7000.
• Bank signatories – the Clerk reported that there are currently 7 members of the

Page 2272 – 20^th October 2025

council listed on the bank account as signatories and it was agreed to add Cllrs Brown and Todd as signatories on the account.

It was resolved to acknowledge receipt of correspondence received since the last meeting.

17. On hold – the following agenda items were notes as being on hold: –
    • Cemetery – repairs to railings – to consider replacing sections with a new hedge.
    • Review of Fixed Asset Register – to approve revisions to the register.
    • Village Green CCTV.

18. To receive any items for the next agenda.

• Doctor’s surgery.
• Village green tree adoption.
• Village green shrub trimming.
• Village green planters.

19. Date and time of next meeting.

It was noted that the next meeting of Bozeat Parish Council will be held on Monday, 17^th November 2025, immediately following Public Participation at 7pm.  The meeting will be held at TLC, Dychurch Lane, Bozeat.

Signed …………………………………………….. Chairman, 17^th November 2025.