Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held 3 August 2026, 7:37 pm at St Vedast Church, Tathwell

a) Public Forum. There was one member of the public present to observe the meeting.

b) ELDC Ward Member Cllr Adam Grist did not attend and did not send a report.

c) LCC Division Member Cllr Alex McGonigle reported the following:

i. The County Council was disappointed with the Government’s decision on the Local Government Reorganisation in Lincolnshire and the extra funding promised has diminished from the amount previously expected.

ii. A Shadow Authority election will be held in May 2027.  Existing county and district council arrangements will continue during a transition period and the new unitary authorities are expected to start in April 2028.  There will be 100 Councillors elected, which is 30 more than current county councillors but there will no longer be district councillors.

iii. There are two grant schemes available: divisional grants from £100 with up to £3,000 available per division and a strategic fund from £3,001 to £15,000 for larger projects with wider impact. Cllr McGonigle will be pleased to support the parish council’s projects for a marquee and village gates.

iv. The narrow verge and road conditions leading to Chaplin’s Yard, Thacker’s Lane was reported and the refusal of Highways to lower the speed limit.  Cllr McGonigle will find out if a resolution could be found.

d) St Vedast Church PCC. Mr R Howard thanked the parish council for the supply of a second portable loo during the Arts Festival which was again a successful event.  He also reported that there continues to be ongoing building work for minor improvements in the church.  The recent report circulated on the village Facebook page was still valid.

25/08-1 Record of Members Present and Apologies. 

Present: Cllr Lou Fear (Chairman), Cllr R Larkin (Vice Chair), Cllr Steve Samuel (SS), Cllr Kim Larkin (KL), Cllr J Stainton (JS) and Cllr K Bonsall.

Also in attendance: Russell Howard (Churchwarden), LCC Cllr A McGonigle and Nadine Must (Parish Clerk)

26/08-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. None received

26/08-3 Minutes from 11 May 2026.  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting were accurate and the Chairman signed the minutes.

P: KL; S: RL, All in favour

LCC Cllr A McGonigle left at 8:05pm

26/08-4 Council Matters

a) Chairman’s Remarks. Cllr L Fear apologised for the meeting starting late.  He confirmed that he now has the spare anchor kit and will coordinate with Cllr KL and SS on a convenient date and time to move the bench from Cornerways to further up Thacker’s Lane which has been previously agreed and permission granted from owners.

b) Clerk’s Report.  

i. The request to merge Tathwell and Haugham Parish Councils will no longer be pursued.  The Clerk had been informed by ELDC that it was the Government who will decide on the merger and not the district council.  There will not be any savings on election costs as both parishes will still be charged separately regardless of being merged or not.

ii. Noticeboards and grassed areas.  Cllr KL has cleaned the noticeboard as best he could and cleared the grass area at Tathwell but has not been round the Haugham site.  The concrete base of the Tathwell noticeboard needs  to be redone.  Cllr KL will report back.

iii. Cllrs KL and SS will sort out the boules pitch area and turn it back into a car parking space.

c) Emergency Plan| Lincolnshire -Community Assistance Team (L-CAT).  It was agreed to add to add L-CAT details on the Emergency Plan but it was agreed that there was no need to become a member to avail of their resources if required in an emergency.

d) Communications.  This was noted.

e) Annual Parish Meeting 2026.  The draft minutes were discussed and it was agreed not to re-engage with the portable loo provider used this year and go back to the previous supplier.  The service had not been satisfactory.  There were no other outstanding matters to consider.

f) Assets Repair and Maintenance.  It was agreed to check parish council assets quarterly to ensure that these are maintained in good order.  Cllr KB volunteered to do this and the parish clerk will send her the assets for checking.  The salt grit bins although not owned by the Parish Council will be checked by Cllr KL for reporting to FixmyStreet, if required.

P: KL; S: LF, All in Favour

26/08-5 Community Amenities/Issues

a) Wightman Corner.  The Chairman reported that the overhanging trees have now been cut down thanks to the Chaplin’s Yard Manager.

b) Marquee and village gates quotations.  

i. Marquee. The three quotes for the marquee were considered and it was resolved to opt for the Canvas material from Weatherill which was the preferred supplier.  Cllr KL to get a quote which includes delivery and get confirmation that the quote will be valid until the parish council has been awarded grant money to purchase the marquee.

It was also discussed where the new marquee will be stored.  Mr Howard will speak to the resident who keeps the current marquee and request if there will be space for the new marquee when available.

ii. Village Gates.  The quotes were considered and it was agreed to opt for the quote from Street Furnishings.   It was also agreed that professional contractors be sourced for quotes to put up the gates.

c) Relocation of bench from Cornerways.  This was reported on the Chairman’s remarks.

26/08-6 Finance and Budgets

a) HMRC mileage rate.  The Council agreed to pay the new rate of £0.55 per mile backdated to 6 April 2026 as per employment contract (previously £0.45 per mile)

P: SS; S: RL, All in Favour

b) Payments approved for August 2026

P: LF; S: KL, All in Favour

c) Budget Monitoring, Latest Receipts and Payments and Bank Statement.  Noted.  The current spend against budget was noted. The receipts and payments were reconciled with the latest bank reserves.

d) AGAR 2025/26.  The Council noted the External Auditors acceptance of Certificate of Exemption.

e) Budget proposals for FY 2027/28.  It was agreed to allocate a budget for traditional village sign posts.

26/08-7 Planning Matters.

a) 00477/26/FUL | Camlea, Church Lane – installation of solar panels – Approved

b) 00274/26/FUL| Planning Permission| Church Lane House Tathwell Road Haugham.  It was agreed to allow Cllr JS time to review the application considering his professional knowledge and his comments will be circulated to all councillors before being sent to the Planning Officer for submission.

P: KB; S: KL, All in Favour

26/08-8 Date of Next Meeting – Monday, 2 November 2026, Budget Meeting

The meeting closed at 9:12 pm