2026 Minutes

Draft Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 in the Village Hall

Present: Cllr F Parish (Chair), Cllr R Brabbin, Cllr L Hughes, Cllr M Kinning, Cllr C van Straubenzee and Mrs S Phillips (Clerk)

In attendance: DCllr D Bellamy, LCCllr C Vernon

25/159                 Welcome by the Chair

                                The meeting was declared open with everyone welcomed.

25/160                 Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr C Ashton, Cllr M Clayphan, Cllr J Oldfield Cllr A White and Cllr H White.

25/161                 Declarations of Interest

                                None.

25/162                 Reports from County and District Councillors

                                County Council– reported by LCCllr Vernon

• 2.99% increase for council tax, there were a proposed number of amendments which did not go through.
• Aware locally of the number of potholes, all were reminded to report any.If any pothole repairs have failed please report them directly to Cllr Vernon.Highways are now looking at cluster repairs of potholes.
• Cllr Vernon congratulated the parish council on their excellent Facebook page which has lots of useful information.

The parish council asked who authorised the road resurfacing in the recent past on the High Street as the road was not that bad and worse elsewhere.  Cllr Vernon explained that it could have come from a different pot of money but will make enquiries.

A query was made re what is happening with the recycling centre.  It was explained that the bin lorry depot has moved but there has been a consultation on the recycling centre opening hours.

                                District Council – reported by DCllr Bellamy

• DCllr B Green sent apologies.
• The council voted for a 2.99% increase; it was amended to 1.99% which was voted down.
• Moor Lane appeal has come through and will be on 25 March in Bourne.The parish council are able to speak at the appeal and Cllrs Parish and Brabbin are planning to attend.

A resident has contacted the parish council with regards to the Angel, which is a listed building, rented but owned by Buckminster Estate but the guttering is leaking onto the pavement which could cause a hazard if icy.  It was suggested in the first instance to communicate with the tenant to obtain a list of what has been reported, if works have not been completed it maybe possible to contact enforcement at SKDC.

25/163                 To approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 3rd February 2026

Minutes of the meeting held on 3rd February 2026 were approved as a true and accurate record and signed as such by Cllr Parish.

25/164                 Outstanding Items

                                None.

25/165                 Financial Matters

• Payment’s approval

The following payments were approved.

Payments Made: Since 5th February 2026

Upcoming payments – to be authorised

• Monthly Accounts

Reserves

Earmarked reserves

1. Memorial Maintenance£645.60As of 31 March 2024
2. Play equipment (donation)£3,981.03As of 31 March 2024
3. Funding Fitness grant £816.67As of 31 March 2024
8941464.  

General reserves                                                               £2,000                 As of 1st April 2026

It was agreed that all reserves and fireworks money is to be moved over to a separate bank account so easily identified.

25/166                 Operational Matters

• Annual Meeting Date

Cllr Parish will be stepping down as chair in May and is unable to make the meeting on 5 May.It was agreed that the annual parish meeting will be moved to 19 May with a start time of 6.00pm for the annual parish meeting which will be followed by the parish council meeting.

• Agenda and Minutes on Facebook Page

It was requested that the agendas and minutes are to be added to the Facebook page.

• Date for Annual Litter Pick

Date for the litter pick agreed as 7 June.Cllr Hughes was asked to create a poster and advertise.

25/167                 Village Hall Matters

• Alarm update

• The keypad has been updated and supplied with 5 fobs which are currently held by Cllr Parish, Cllr v Straubenzee, and the chair of the VHMC, (the two spares held by Cllr Parish.)
• Invoice had not been received for the keypad update and was chased by Cllr Parish.
• PAT testing is due in May.

• External Lighting update

There are still issues with the external lighting which need to be sorted.

• Pothole on Drive

There is a large pothole on the drive which needs to be repaired.Cllr Brabbin agreed to see if this can be filled.

• VH Lease Signing

Apologies were received from the chair of VHMC.Cllr Parish will arrange an alternative date forthe signing of the lease.

25/168                 Play Areas update

                                No update.

25/169                 Planning Applications

• PC Response to Planning: Thistleton Lane

There were no further comments to what has already been submitted.

                                Moor Lane appeal will take place on 25th March, Cllr Parish and Cllr Brabbin to attend.

                                Planning received for S26/0199, installation of first floor window at 5 Launds Green – No objections.

25/170                 Correspondence

• Internal Auditor has been assigned
• LALC – charged for End of year training session due to not having a training plan in place.
• Sandbags have been reported by the litter picker, Cllr Brabbin will see if they can be removed.

The meeting was declared closed at 8.00pm.

Date of next meeting: Tuesday 7th April 2026