Annual Full Council – Tuesday 5 May 2026 at 6:30pm

 Agenda and Minutes

Present: Councillors Sheila Bibb, Mark Binns, Nigel Bowler, Stephen Blogg, Nicholas Coxon, Richard Craig, Dennis Dannatt, Caz Davies, Michael Devine, David Dobbie, Richard Doy, Paul Hooton, Paul Key, Doug Owles, James Plastow, Glenn Puxty, Richard Thompson, Kenneth Woolley

In Attendance:
Rachel Allbones                  Town Clerk
Sean Alcock                        Operations Manager

Also Present:                     One member of the public attended the public forum and left prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Venue: Meeting Room, Richmond House, Richmond Park, Morton Terrace, Gainsborough, DN21 2RJ

 

FC27/001  Election of the Chair of the Town Council for the 2026/27 Civic Year (Paper A pages 7 to 8) 
To elect a Chair and Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year and allow for the newly elected Chair to sign their Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Minutes:
Councillors Blogg and Craig were both proposed and seconded.

At the request of Councillor Dobbie a recorded vote was taken as follows: –

Councillor Craig
For: – Councillors Bibb, Bowler, Coxon, Craig, Dannatt, Davies, Devine, Hooton, Key, Owles, Puxty, Woolley
Against: – Councillors Binns, Blogg, Doy, Thompson
Abstained: – Councillors Dobbie, Plastow 

Councillor Blogg
For: – Councillors Binns, Blogg, Dobbie, Plastow, Thompson
Abstained: – Councillors Bibb, Bowler, Coxon, Craig, Dannatt, Davies, Devine, Doy, Hooton, Key, Owles, Puxty, Woolley 

RESOLVED: To elect Councillor Craig Chair and Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year.

Councillor Craig signed and read aloud the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was also signed by the Proper Officer.

FC27/002  Election of the Vice Chair of the Town Council for the 2026/27 Civic Year (Paper B pages 9 to 10)
To elect a Vice Chair and Deputy Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year and allow for the newly elected Vice Chair to sign their Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Minutes:
Councillors Bibb and Blogg were both proposed and seconded.

At the request of Councillor Dobbie a recorded vote was taken as follows: –

Councillor Bibb
For: – Councillors Bibb, Bowler, Coxon, Craig, Dannatt, Davies, Devine, Hooton, Key, Owles, Puxty, Woolley
Against: – Councillors Dobbie
Abstained: – Councillors Binns, Blogg, Doy, Plastow, Thompson

Councillor Blogg
For: – Councillors Binns, Blogg, Dobbie, Plastow, Thompson
Abstained: – Councillors Bibb, Bowler, Coxon, Craig, Dannatt, Davies, Devine, Doy, Hooton, Key, Owles, Puxty, Woolley

RESOLVED: To elect Councillor Bibb Vice Chair and Deputy Town Mayor for the 2026-27 municipal year.

Councillor Bibb signed and read aloud the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was also signed by the Proper Officer.

FC27/003  Apologies for Absence
To note apologies for absence.

Minutes:
No apologies for absence were received.

FC27/004  Declarations of Interest
To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

Minutes:
No declarations of interest were declared.

FC27/005  Dispensation Requests
To consider any dispensation requests received by the Town Clerk in relation to personal and/or disclosable pecuniary interests, not previously recorded.

Minutes:
No dispensation requests were made.

FC27/006  Items for Exclusion of Public and Press
To determine which items on the agenda, if any, require the exclusion of public and press under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 1 (2) and resolve accordingly.

Minutes:
There were no items for the exclusion of the public and press.

FC27/007  Minutes of the Previous Meeting (Paper C pages 11 to 14)
To receive and resolve to sign as a true and accurate record the minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 7 April 2026.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 7 April 2026 be approved as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chair.

Note: Councillors Bowler, Dannatt and Plastow abstained from voting on the above resolution.

FC27/008  Committee Meeting Minutes
To note receipt of the draft minutes of the Committee meetings and the decisions contained therein.
i. Community Emergency Plan Working Group, Monday 13 April 2026 (Paper D pages 15 to 17)
ii. Policy Review Working Group, Tuesday 21 April 2026 (Paper E pages 18 to 20)
iii. Planning Committee, Tuesday 21 April 2026 (Paper F pages 21 to 25)
iv. Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, Thursday 23 April 2026 (Paper G pages 26 to 29)
v. Finance and Strategy Committee, Tuesday 28 April 2026 (Paper H pages 30 to 33) 

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To NOTE the draft minutes of the Committees.

FC27/009  Announcements
To receive and note updates from: –
i. Chair of Council
Minutes:
The former Chair informed Members of the success of the Civic Charity Dinner and the Annual Town Meeting, both of which had a great public turnout.

ii. Leader of Council
Minutes:
The Leader advised that he and the Chair of the Personnel Committee had carried out the Town Clerk’s appraisal and Caretaker interviews and thanked all employees for another fantastic year.

iii. Representatives on Outside Bodies
Minutes:
None received.

iv. Town Clerk (Paper I pages 34 to 71)
Minutes:
RESOLVED: To NOTE the Town Clerk’s report.

FC27/010  Recommendations made by Committee (Paper J pages 72 to 91)
To consider the following recommendation from Policy Review Working Group held 21 April 2026 (PO26/005 Standing Order Review):
RESOLVED:  To RECOMMEND to FULL COUNCIL to adopt the reviewed Standing Orders.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To adopt the reviewed Standing Orders.

FC27/011  Recommendations made by Committee (Paper K pages 92 to 110)
To consider the following recommendation from Policy Review Working Group held 21 April 2026 (PO26/006 Financial Regulations Review):
RESOLVED:  To RECOMMEND to FULL COUNCIL to adopt the reviewed Financial Regulations.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To adopt the reviewed Financial Regulations.

FC27/012  Recommendations made by Committee (Paper L pages 111 to 151)
To consider the following recommendation from Policy Review Working Group held 21 April 2026 (PO26/007 Structure and Functions Review):
RESOLVED:  To RECOMMEND to FULL COUNCIL to adopt the reviewed Structure and Functions.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To adopt the reviewed Structure and Functions.

FC27/013  Recommendations made by Committee (Paper M pages 152 to 167)
To consider the following recommendation from Policy Review Working Group held 21 April 2026 (PO26/008 Members Code of Conduct Review):
RESOLVED:  To RECOMMEND to FULL COUNCIL to adopt the reviewed Members Code of Conduct.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To adopt the reviewed Members Code of Conduct.

FC27/014  Recommendations made by Committee
To consider the following recommendation from Finance and Strategy Committee held 28 April 2026 (FS26/179 Insurance Renewal):
RESOLVED:  To RECOMMEND to FULL COUNCIL that the insurance renewal with Zurich Municipal be approved on a 3-year Long-Term Agreement at a cost of £18,524.59 per annum, with £3,524.59 to be funded from General Reserves.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To approve the insurance renewal with Zurich Municipal on a three-year Long-Term Agreement at a cost of £18,524.59 per annum, with £3,524.59 to be funded from General Reserves.

FC27/015  Council Leader
To appoint a Leader of the Council

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Key as the Leader of the Council for the 2026-27 municipal year.

Note: Councillor Dobbie voted against the above resolution.
Note: Councillors Binns, Plastow and Thompson abstained from voting on the above resolution.

FC27/016  Council Deputy Leader
To appoint a Deputy Leader of the Council 

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Owles as the Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2026-27 municipal year.

Note: Councillor Blogg voted against the above resolution.
Note: Councillors Binns, Dobbie, Doy, Plastow and Thompson abstained from voting on the above resolution.

FC27/017  Finance and Strategy Committee
To appoint 7 Members, plus up to 2 substitutes, to the Finance and Strategy Committee and appoint a committee Chair.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint the following Members to the Finance and Strategy Committee for the 2026–27 municipal year:

• Councillors Blogg, Bowler, Coxon, Devine, Dobbie, Hooton and Puxty as full members
• Councillors Craig and Key as ex-officio members and
• Councillors Bibb and Owles as substitute members for the 2026-27 municipal year.

RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Bowler as Chair of the Finance and Strategy Committee for the 2026-27 municipal year.

FC27/018  Property and Services Committee
To appoint 7 Members, plus up to 2 substitutes, to the Property and Services Committee and appoint a committee Chair. 

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint the following Members to the Property and Services Committee for the 2026–27 municipal year:

• Councillors Binns, Coxon, Dannatt, Davies, Owles, Plastow and Thompson as full members
• Councillors Craig and Key as ex-officio members
• Councillor Hooton as substitute member

Councillors Dannatt and Owles were both proposed and seconded for the position of Chair of the Property and Services Committee.

A vote was taken on the appointment of Councillor Dannatt as Chair, resulting in:
8 votes for
1 vote against
9 abstentions

A further vote was taken on the appointment of Councillor Owles as Chair, resulting in:
11 votes for
7 abstentions

RESOLVED: That Councillor Owles be appointed Chair of the Property and Services Committee for the 2026–27 municipal year.

FC27/019  Personnel Committee
To appoint 7 Members, plus up to 2 substitutes, to the Personnel Committee and appoint a committee Chair. 

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint the following Members to the Personnel Committee for the 2026–27 municipal year:

• Councillors Bibb, Bowler, Dannatt, Hooton, Owles, Thompson and Woolley as full members
• Councillors Craig and Key as ex-officio members
• Councillor Davies as substitute member

RESOLVED: To appoint Councillor Woolley as Chair of the Personnel Committee for the 2026-27 municipal year.

FC27/020  Planning Committee
To appoint 7 Members, plus up to 2 substitutes, to the Planning Committee and appoint a committee Chair.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint the following Members to the Planning Committee for the 2026–27 municipal year:

• Councillors Binns, Blogg, Dobbie, Owles, Plastow, Puxty and Thompson as full members
• Councillors Craig and Key as ex-officio members
• Councillors Devine and Hooton as substitute members

Councillors Plastow and Puxty were both proposed and seconded for the position of Chair of the Planning Committee.

A vote was taken on the appointment of Councillor Plastow as Chair, resulting in:
5 votes for
1 vote against
12 abstentions

A further vote was taken on the appointment of Councillor Puxty as Chair, resulting in:
13 votes for
5 abstentions

RESOLVED: That Councillor Puxty be appointed Chair of the Planning Committee for the 2026–27 municipal year.

FC27/021  Neighbourhood Plan Working Group
To appoint 3-5 Members to the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillors Bibb, Binns, Dobbie, Owles and Thompson to the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, with Councillors Craig and Key serving as ex-officio members for the 2026-27 municipal year.

FC27/022  Emergency Community Plan Working Group
To appoint 3-5 Members to the Community Emergency Plan Working Group.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillors Bibb, Hooton, Owles and Thompson to the Community Emergency Plan Working Group, with Councillors Craig and Key serving as ex-officio members for the 2026-27 municipal year.

FC27/023  Asset Transfer Task and Finish Group
To appoint 3 Members to the Asset Transfer Task and Finish Group.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillors Bowler, Dannatt and Owles to the Asset Transfer Task and Finish Group, with Councillors Craig and Key serving as ex-officio members for the 2026-27 municipal year.

FC27/024  Policy Review Working Group
To appoint 3 Members to the Policy Review Working Group.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillors Davies, Devine and Thompson to the Policy Review Working Group, with Councillors Craig and Key serving as ex-officio members for the 2026-27 municipal year.

FC27/025  Appointment of Representation on or work with External Bodies
To appoint representatives to outside bodies.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint the following representatives to outside bodies:
i. Gainsborough Adventure Playground Association – Councillor Coxon
Note: Councillors Plastow and Woolley voted against the above resolution.

ii. Friends of Richmond Park – Councillor Davies
Note: Councillor Dobbie voted against the above resolution.
Note: Councillor Binns abstained from voting on the above resolution.

iii. North Notts and Lincs Community Rail Partnership CIC – Councillor Owles
iv. Marshalls & Rose Brothers Memorial Charity – Councillor Woolley
v. Gainsborough in Bloom – Councillor Davies
vi. Safeguarding Champion – Councillor Hooton
vii. First Aid Champion– Councillor Hooton
viii. Armed Forces Champion – Councillor Dannatt

FC27/026  Authorised Signatories – Payments
To approve authorised payment signatories for 2026/27 (5 authorised of which 2 sign). Current signatories are Councillors Bowler, Craig, Davies, Key & Plastow.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint Councillors Bowler, Craig, Davies, Key and Plastow as authorised payment signatories for 2026/27, with any two signatures required.

Note: Councillor Coxon voted against the above resolution.
Note: Councillor Plastow abstained from voting on the above resolution.

FC27/027  Authorised Signatories – Legal documents
To review the current authorised persons to sign legal documents for 2026/27. Current authorised persons are Town Clerk and those members on the Town Council’s bank mandates, which currently are Councillors Bowler, Craig, Davies, Key & Plastow.
Note: Council now have a seal.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To appoint the Town Clerk and RFO, together with those members on the Town Council’s bank mandate, currently are Councillors Bowler, Craig, Davies, Key and Plastow as authorised persons to sign legal documents for 2026/27.

Note: Councillor Plastow abstained from voting on the above resolution.

FC27/028  Meeting Calendar for 2026 / 2027 (Paper N pages 168 to 169)
To consider and approve a meeting schedule for 2026/27.

Minutes:
RESOLVED:To approve a meeting schedule for 2026/27

FC27/029  Subscriptions
To review and approve Council’s and/or staff subscriptions to other bodies.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To approve Council’s subscriptions to:
i. LALC / NALC
ii. The National Allotment Society
iii. ICCM
iv. Information Commissioners Office
v. Grants Online

FC27/030  Motion received from Councillor Coxon
To discuss and make a decision regarding the provision of business cards for members who wish to have them.
Seconded by Councillor Owles.

Minutes:
RESOLVED:To refer the matter to the Finance and Strategy Committee to obtain costings for generic Councillor business cards and 50 personalised business cards for each interested Member. Nine Councillors expressed an interest in receiving business cards.

FC27/031  Motion received from Councillor Owles
The purpose of this motion is to seek support from members to collaborate effectively between the district councillors and town councillors in organising a street surgery in the marketplace on market days.

I believe we can effectively utilise the West Lindsey’s pop-up gazebo and our new pop-up banners for the Town Council, allowing us to engage with residents directly. This initiative would provide an excellent opportunity for us to discuss local matters, gather information, address any queries or concerns, and relay pertinent questions to other ward councillors, including those from the district council and Lincolnshire County Council.

To facilitate this process, we would need to create a standard form, which I understand the Town Clerk is willing to assist us in developing. This initiative aims to enhance our presence in the marketplace and to reinforce the identity of the Town Council, showing that we are an approachable entity within the community rather than a faceless organisation.

It is essential to note that this would be a non-political event, open to any members wishing to participate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The platform will not serve to promote any individual political party but will focus solely on the benefits for our town, including the facilities, amenities, and services provided by Gainsborough Town Council.

I am seeking members support, to establish this initiative on a weekly basis going forward. Importantly, this proposal will not incur any expenditure for the Town Council, as we have already secured approval from West Lindsey for the use of their pop-up gazebo, which will be set up and dismantled as part of the general market operations, used jointly by both organisations when members are available.

Seconded by Councillor Coxon

I look forward to your thoughts on this proposal and hope to receive your support in bringing this initiative to fruition.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To support collaboration between District Councillors and Town Councillors in organising street surgeries in the Market Place on market days.
It was noted that a minimum of three Members to be in attendance at each session, with Councillor Owles coordinating a rota and Member availability.

Note: Councillor Dobbie voted against the above resolution.
Note: Councillor Plastow abstained from voting on the above resolution.

FC27/032  Local Government Reorganisation
To consider any recent updates.

Minutes:
No update was received.

FC27/033  Correspondence (Paper O pages 170 to 171)
To note the correspondence previously circulated by email (for information only).

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To NOTE the correspondence circulated.

FC27/034  Items for Notification
To receive any items for notification to be included on a future agenda (for information only)

Minutes:
i. AGAR: Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement
ii. Year End Accounts 2025/26
iii. AGAR – Section 2 Accounting Statements
iv. Debt Write Off

FC27/035  Time and Date of Next Meeting
To note the date and time of the next Full Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 2 June 2026 at 6:30pm.

Minutes:
RESOLVED: To NOTE the next Full Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 2 June 2026 at 6:30pm at Richmond House, Morton Terrace.

The meeting closed at 8:30pm.