April 2026
Notes from the public forum held on 05 March 2026
There was one member of the public present. Questions were asked about the precept increase and why most of the money is spent on the cemetery and churchyard. Explanations were given and it was noted that, other than the play area, there are no other major responsibilities or upcoming projects for the Parish Council. Residents should be aware that they can come to the Parish Council meetings and put any suggestions to the Councillors for consideration.
7.40pm the member of the public left the meeting
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 02 April 2026 at 7.40pm in the Youth Centre, Hall Lane
1. To accept apologies and reason for absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs Moseley and Jones
Present: Cllrs Burton, Hopkins, Sherriff, Pritchard, Pocklington and Edwards (Chairman)
2. To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies
a. County Cllr Hume was not present.
b. Dist Cllr Jones reported:
i. The new bins for food waste are slowly being delivered, there will be five waste bins altogether. There will be a fine of £400 for placing items in the wrong bin.
ii. There is information regarding Warm Homes on the ELDC website. Grants will be available for some residents, but there will be free advice for those who are not eligible for grants.
c. Dist Cllr Ashton reported:
i. Nothing has been received from the planning officer regarding a caravan site.
ii. Some flooding issues to the rear of properties at Horbling Lane are possibly due to the dyke not being kept clear by the land owner.
iii. Information regarding the Local Government Reorganisation should be finalised in July this year.
7.50pm Dist Cllrs Jones and Ashton left the meeting
3. To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011
There were no declarations of interest.
4. Notes of the meeting held on 05 March 2026 to be approved and signed as the minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Pocklington and seconded by Cllr Hopkins that the minutes be signed as a true record, all agreed.
5. Clerk’s report
The Clerk reported that she would be retiring in August and that a new Clerk should start in August to ensure a good handover of the work.
6. Chairman’s report
The Chairman had nothing to report
7. Finance report:
a. Authority for payment:
ii. Salaries (March) 1047.57
iii. HMRC (Tax & NI) 26.84
iv. Clerk’s expenses – March 55.90
v. E L Arnold (Mouse for new laptop) 9.98
vi. Reconomy (Cemetery Skip – extra weight) 6.60
vii. Reconomy (Cemetery Skip - March) 46.20
viii. Haines Watts (PAYE work + P60) 51.60
ix. Bolingbroke Deanery (April magazine) 87.50
x. Flying Imp (paper for magazines) 70.65
xi. Vere Bros (Cemetery footpaths) 10372.80
xii. Wm Kent Memorials (Garden of Remembrance work) 1500.00
xiii. Glasdon UK Ltd (Play area bins) 670.12
xiv. AGS Groundworks (Work in the village as required) 250.00
xv. ELDC Cemetery Rates FOC
b. The balances in bank at 28 March: Current account £17,829.74
Pension account £7,612.79
8. Planning applications received for decision
It was resolved to SUPPORT the following planning application:
00283/26/RVC - Erin Lakes - Section 73 application to vary condition 1 (approved plans) previously imposed on planning application permission reference S/120/000965/23 for the erection of a restaurant and bar at Greenacres Farm, Midville Road.
It was resolved that no comments could be made for the following planning application:
03450/25/FUL - Mr H Hiley - Relocation of previously approved use of siting a mobile home to rear of Station Business Park and relocation of the currently established and approved use of land at the rear of Station Business Park to land adjacent ACD Premises, Main Road (to include creation of additional hardstanding for parking and for sale and display of caravans, American trailers and modular (mobile home) buildings (work commenced) at Station Business Park, Main Road
9. To report planning decisions received from ELDC
No planning decisions have been received.
10. To discuss the parish council insurance
Councillors present signed the document required for the insurance company to go ahead with a quotation. The form will be completed online and submitted.
11. To report receipt of audit paperwork from external auditor
a. Councillors present reported they had received the paperwork for them to view regarding the Audit process.
b. The Clerk will complete the AGAR and provide the Internal Auditor with additional paperwork required to meet the requirements for ‘assertion 10’ on section 1 and ‘assertion O’ for the Internal Auditor.
c. An IT Policy will be finalised for the May meeting.
12. Cemetery update regarding works carried out
a. All works are now complete.
b. A letter has been received from the Bolingbroke Deanery with regard to issues concerning communication with the PCC regarding the works, the siting of equipment by the contractors and lack of a faculty to re-surface existing footway, this was read out to the Councillors present.
c. A reply was outlined and the contractors will be contacted regarding a matter reported by a volunteer.
13. Picnic area – update on proposed works by LCC
a. The drains at the picnic area are blocked beyond the land owned by LCC and no further investigation could take place due to a locked gate.
b. The bridge will be removed and replaced with a culvert when the weather dries up for works to begin.
c. In the next two years the trees will be thinned out to allow remaining trees to mature.
14. To discuss possible site for a bus shelter at Main Road
a. Cllr Boseley reported by email that a landowner may be willing to have a bus shelter on his land, but sizes for the shelter are required.
b. ELDC will be contacted with regard to planning permission.
c. A bus shelter must be chosen before the grant application form can be completed.
15. To discuss the notice board on the wall at the shop
Water has got into the notice board and discoloured the back board. The person who made the notice board will look at this in the next couple of weeks.
16. To receive update regarding gov.uk email addresses
There is no update regarding the Councillors email addresses.
17. Highways:
a. To receive update on Community Speed Watch
i. Three sites have been chosen in the village at Horbling Lane, Hall Lane and Main Road. These have to be approved by LRSP.
ii. No equipment will be ordered until the sites have been approved.
b. Any other highway matter
i. Holmes Road potholes have been filled – an email has been sent with photos showing that they have not all been done.
ii. Some works have been carried out at Midville Lane.
18. Play area
a. To receive play area report
Cllr Boseley was not present to give a report
b. To receive update regarding the new bins
i. The bins have arrived, but are not yet in place.
ii. The bins to be removed will be re-sited in the play area for cans and in the cemetery.
19. To confirm arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
a. The speaker will be from the Police to speak about Fraud
b. Refreshments will be provided and served by Councillors.
c. The Chairman discussed the Annual Report to Parishioners.
20. Correspondence received not covered on the agenda
There was no additional correspondence.
21. Matters for the next agenda
a. Volunteer Policy
b. Data Retention/IT Policy
c. Advert for a new Clerk
22. Date and time of next meeting
09 April 2026 at 7.00pm – Annual Parish Meeting
07 May 2026 at 7.30pm – Parish Council Meeting with a Public Forum from 7.15pm
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm