Minutes

 

Public Forum. There were no members of the public present at the meeting.

a) ELDC Ward Member Cllr Adam Grist sent his apologies.

 

b) LCC Division Member Cllr Alex McGonigle was pleased to attend his first meeting with the Parish Council which is one of 39 parishes in his division.  He reported that he was appointed as Executive Councillor in charge of Community Safety which includes the Fire Service and Social Care.  One of the main issues is the Local Government Reorganisation.  LCC submitted their proposal of two unitary authorities for Greater Lincolnshire merging North and North East Lincolnshire as one authority and LCC with all current seven districts merged as one. The population split is not ideal with the guidelines set out by Central Government which is expected to decide in April 2027.  Other proposals were also being considered from the other district authorities.

 

Present: Cllr Lou Fear (Chairman), Cllr Jo Walsh (JWa), Cllr Steve Samuel (SS), Cllr John Williams (JWi), Cllr Jerome Higgins-Commowick and (JHC)Cllr Kim Larkin (KL) who left the meeting at 9:20pm

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

Apologies accepted: Cllr R Larkin (Vice Chair) and ELDC Cllr Adam Grist 

Absent: Cllr J Stainton (JS)

 

25/08-2 To receive any Declarations of Interest on any item on the agenda. None received

 

25/08-3 Minutes from 6 May 2025.  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the meeting were accurate and the Chairman signed the minutes.

P: JWa; S: KL, All in favour

 

a) Chairman’s Remarks.  The Chairman welcomed the new LCC Division Member for the parish. He also reported that the Arts Festival was another successful event. The Council is still waiting for delivery of the six speed signs from Community Speed Watch Campaign.  LCC Highways are responsible for cutting back greenery around signs and cleaning the signs.

 

b) Actions from Previous Meeting. Report noted

 

c) Communications. Noted and those considered below.

i. Greater Lincolnshire for All.  There was a very long discussion on the topic including the separate proposals put forward by LCC and that from ELDC.  The Parish Council had concerns that more responsibilities will be filtered down to parish councils who are all volunteers and do not have the expertise on taking on services such as planning and are also worried about the quality of service from the merged authorities.

 

d) Changes to Smaller Authorities Practitioners’ Guide.  The Council noted the changes required for FY2025/26 especially Assertion 3 which requires Gov.uk email address and adoption of IT Policy.

i. Parish Online offer.  It was resolved to avail of the free offer for a council mailbox but the Council was not convinced of the need to purchase gov.uk emails for parish councillors.

P: LF; S: SS, Passed

 

ii. Draft IT Policy for adoption. This item was deferred until the next meeting.

 

e) Telecommunications.  The comprehensive response from Cllr JHC was noted.  All residents should complain to their network providers if internet speed or mobile signal is below expectations.

 

f) Bank account.  It was resolved to move the council bank account from Lloyds due to the monthly service charge and apply to NatWest which offers free banking.  The Parish Clerk to action.

P: KL; S: LF, All in Favour

g) Performance Appraisal.  This was noted and Council agreed to pay the Parish Clerk the extra hours worked for the financial year 2024/25.

P: KL; S: LF, All in Favour

 

h) Lincolnshire Police Engagement Sessions.  Cllr JWi who previously represented the Council agreed that these briefings were very useful and worth attending. Cllr JHC volunteered to represent the Parish Council on the briefings.  

 

a) LWCS.  The Council noted the application drafted by the Parish Clerk and agreed to submit the grant funding request for the remaining costs to install a bench at Thacker’s Lane.

P: LF; S: KL, All in Favour

b) Harrison Woodlands.  Cllr JHC responded to the new owners and will circulate his reply.  A poster for the Haugham noticeboard was given to Cllr JWi to put on the noticeboard. There is one posted at the Tathwell noticeboard.

 

c) Wightman Corner.  The attached proposal from Cllr JWa was discussed and Cllr KL has volunteered to assess the condition of the site including the Boules area and coordinate the maintenance required.  Cllr SS also volunteered to help.  Cllr KL will report back at the next meeting

 

d) Stage 2 Consultation National Grid Upgrade.  It was resolved to submit an objection to the National Grid based on the statement issued by the ELDC Leader.

P: JWi; S: JWa, Passed

 

e) Portaloo hire for 2026.  It was agreed to hire two portable loos for two weeks in May next year for the Arts Festival and the cost will be shared equally with the Arts Festival Committee.

 

a) Payments approved for August 2025.

Payee Amount Parish Clerk – Salary & Expenses – June to August 2025 £857.23 HMRC Income Tax Payment – June to August 2025 £116.00 Total £973.23

 

P: JWa; S: LF, All in Favour

 

b) Budget Monitoring and Latest Receipts and Payments.  Noted.  The current spend against budget was noted.

 

c) AGAR 2024/25. The initial acknowledgement from the External Auditors has been received but still awaiting the final release.

 

a) 2751/25/FUL|Planning Permission - Erection of a safety fence around a dog exercising area to a maximum height of 1.8m.|Land Adjacent Bluestone Heath Road Cadwell Lincolnshire LN11 9SF.  The Council resolve to send a No Objection.

 

b) TPO Works - Ash Removal, Church Lane House, Tathwell Road, Haugham LN11 8PU.  The Council was informed that ELDC has already approved this works. The Council had no objection.

 

 

The meeting closed at 9:35pm