April Thorpe's Annual Parish Meeting - Notes
Minutes of the Annual Assembly of Electors for Tattershall Thorpe held on Tuesday 21st April 2026 at Thorpe Camp, Tattershall Thorpe.
Present: Mr S Coulber (Acting as chairman), Mr. S. Matthews (County Councillor), Mr M. Foster (District Councillor), Cllr Mr C. Sivill, Cllr Mrs. C. Dawson, Cllr Mr. N. Langley, plus 16 members of public. Clerk Miss Sarah Kulwicki.
Refreshments where served before the meeting commenced. The annual assembly started at 7pm and Mr. Coulber thanked everyone for their attendance.
County Cllr Sean Matthews has been in post for nearly a year as leader of the council. He gave a short talk about his role and what it involves. His main priority is keeping quality services while reducing costs and improving the lives of residents. He told all that he has a surgery at the Wayside café of the 1st Saturday of every month.
Questions:
MOP 1: Will highways de-metal roads?
Cllr Matthews told them it would save thousands but it’s not something that will be going ahead but he welcomes out of the box ideas.
MOP 2: High street to Woodhall spa on Victoria Road needs regular sweeping.
Cllr Matthews told them that he will pass this on to the District Council who deals with this. District Cllr Martin Foster told all he will ask for Woodhall Spa, Coningsby and Tattershall to be swept with the road sweeper.
MOP 3: Asked why when highways come to fill a pothole they only do the one that has been reported and not the other ones surrounding it or that are in close proximity.
Cllr Matthews told all that there is an additional 6 million being invested into roads from the county council. There is a legal required debt for a pothole to be repaired and it needs to be reached into order to be actioned, they have to legally repair these within 24hours once reported. He is working on his teams being able to repair the ones they see when they are out not just the ones that have been reported but this is ongoing.
Meeting commenced at 7:34pm
1) Election of chairman for the purposes of this meeting
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED for Serv Coulber to chair the annual parish meeting for Tattershall Thorpe.
2) Apologies
Apologies from one member of public who wanted to attend but isn’t able to.
3) Minutes of the last Annual Assembly – 22nd April 2025 (attached) to be approved as minutes and signed by the chairman
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED for the notes to be approved and for the chairman to sign.
4) Matters arising from the minutes
Cllr Coulber told all that the bus stop is now unrepairable and the parish council are now looking to replace it. Cllr Matthews has spoken with the highways team and is looking to get the council a replacement if he can.
Cllr Coulber told all that hopefully the lettering on the war memorial will be done before remembrance.
5) The annual report – circulated to all residents and it is available online on the council’s website.
6) Village events
Cllr Coulber told all that the bluebell is holding their annual village fair and dog show which raises a lot of money for charity; there is a poster outside of the bluebell for this event. Thorpe camp will also be holding their annual 1940s weekend. Cllr Coulber is also hoping to do a meet the neighbour event again this year.
7) Gardening matters and Christmas tree
It was discussed to ask the parish council for a bigger Christmas tree for Christmas for 2026.
8) Village maintenance
Cllr Coulber told all that a watering schedule needs to be established between locals as he will not be able to carry on for much longer and would like everyone here to think about how they can help with this.
9) Remembrance
This will be held as normal on the 11/11 at 11am. Cllr Coulber told all it is a civic service not a religious one.
10) Defibrillator
The bluebell will continue to carry out the check and the parish council will pay for items for the defib as required.
11) Parish councils chairman’s report – Chris Sivill
I’m Chris Sivill, the current Chairman of Tattershall and Tattershall Thorpe Parish Council.
I’ve attended this meeting for the past three years, and it’s always great to see such a strong turnout. I’ve always felt that the Chairman should make the effort to attend and show that the Parish Council has not forgotten Tattershall Thorpe—so I wanted to say a few words this evening.
Tattershall Thorpe is a village I’ve always had fond memories of. My grandparents lived at Walnut Farm when I was young, so many of my earliest memories are from time spent here. It’s been especially meaningful for me to serve as Chairman this past year.
I’ve had the pleasure to attend several things within the village like going to the village fair I have visited Thorpe camp and it was an honour to help Serb with planting the flower beds, which always look fantastic. I’ve also really enjoyed seeing the pride residents take in keeping the village such a lovely place.
This year, I’ve walked all the footpaths in Tattershall Thorpe. I chose the best-kept gardens for judging. I also had the chance to drive around one winter’s evening to see the Christmas lights during our very first decorated gardens competition.
It was a pleasure to present a certificate and small prize to a lovely couple on Chapel Lane in recognition of the effort they put into decorating their bungalow and garden with a very nice Christmas display.
As Serb has already mentioned we are currently looking into options for replacing the bus shelter on the corner of North Road.
Finally, I’d like to mention Serb. I’ve known him for a few years now, and during my time on the Parish Council it’s been clear how passionate he is about Tattershall Thorpe. His dedication to the flower beds, in particular, does not go unnoticed. He consistently ensures the village is represented and keeps us informed of any issues.
12) Any other items for discussion
A member of public asked that the notice board in Tattershall Thorpe be updated.
Another member of public reported that the footpath on North Road to the woods is very dangerous it needs to be widened and resurfaced and the hedge needs cutting back.
The meeting closed 8:23pm
Signed by chairman:00April 2027