January 2025 Minutes
Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council
http://parishes.lincolnshire.gov.uk/ScopwickandKirkbyGreen/
The minutes of the full Council meeting of Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council, held on Tuesday 28th January 2025 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was held in Scopwick Village Hall. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true record.
Present:
Cllrs M Williams (Chair), J Flett (Vice-Chair), P Baumber, O Davies, P Frost, C Kerrigan and D Nelson; County Councillor R Kendrick and Parish Clerk - J Sargent.
There were no members of the public in attendance.
County Councillor R Kendrick
County Councillor R Kendrick provided a monthly report, circulated via email.
Cllr Kendrick added that LCC have written to the National Grid for costings on the pylons proposals but have not revealed the details. A survey conducted, with 3,000 responses, over 80% expressed concern for NSIPs in Lincolnshire.
Cllr Kendrick advised that the Government were consulting on how Councils were funded and reported that LCC had lost over £9 million in funding, in addition to the new rise in national insurance which will cost LCC over £5 million.
LCC will be investigating a block culvert in the Parish reported to Cllr Kendrick in January.
District Councillor A Bailey
District Councillor A Bailey was not in attendance, and no written report received.
With no further matters, if was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
103. Chairman’s Welcome.
Cllr Williams opened the meeting welcoming everyone, thanked Councillors for their attendance, reminded Councillors to turn phone off or on silent and of emergency exits.
104. Apologies.
None received.
105. Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Baumber declared a non-pecuniary interest in items 12 and 13.
106. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 26th November 2024.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record.
107. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the extraordinary Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th January 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record.
108. To approve the record of accounts for:
a. November
b. December
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the accounts submitted for consideration. A copy of the Accounts Report included as an attachment to the minutes.
109. To receive the bank reconciliation for:
a. November
b. December
The Clerk provided the bank reconciliation to keep Councillors up to date with the financial status of the Council, for information purposes only. A copy of the bank reconciliation included as an attachment to the minutes.
110. To receive an Income and Expenditure Summary for the third quarter of the financial year for:
a. Treasurers Account
b. Reserves Account.
The Clerk provided an Income and Expenditure Summary for the third quarter of the financial year to keep Councillors up to date with the financial status of the Council, for information purposes only. No questions were raised. A copy of the bank summary included as an attachment to the minutes.
111. To receive reports:
a. Village Hall Committee
Cllr Flett report that the Village Hall held the warm-up to Christmas event, which was well attended, the Richard Durrant concert went well including earning a profit. Cllr Flett advised the treasurer of the VHMC reported that the Village Hall’s expenditure is higher than the income in the current financial year and thanked the Parish Council for the grant contribution. The other grants received have also helped. The VHMC is currently a Co-op Community Champion, raising funds in their local shops.
The Hall has been repainted, but the works have over run, so some bookings have had to be moved around. The Hall will be closed for a week around easter for the maintenance of the floor and in May for the local elections.
The gutters on the building have been leaking at all the joints, hopefully some adjustments with resolve the issue. The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz was marked with lights and VE Day 80 will be marked later in the year. Cllr Flett has asked if a representative can come to the Village for a talk. The Beacon will be lit, and the committee are looking into holding a Barn Dance and supper, likely to be on Saturday 10th May. Cllr Flett requested a donation from the Parish Council towards the event. It was resolved unanimously to donate £200.00.
Cllr Flett also mentioned some issues with the VHMC’s insurance regarding ownership of the hall. Cllrs Nelson and Davies suggested that the hall was held in trust by the Parish Council for the people of Scopwick. Cllr Baumber suggested that the hall’s insurance should be covered by the Parish Council. Cllr Williams asked the Clerk to investigate on HMRC’s land registry website.
Cllr Flett mentioned that the propeller Avro 584K which belongs to Scopwick but held by the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, who are supposed to contact the Parish Council every 5 years but have not heard from them since 2015. Cllr Flett queried whether the Parish Council should request the return of the propeller. Cllr Baumber advised that it was part of the village’s heritage and Cllr Williams suggested if it can be accommodated it should be returned. Cllr Kerrigan to visit the museum to find out more information.
b. Playing Field Committee
Cllr Nelson reported that the equipment continued to be monitored and issues with moles in the playing field will mean the field needs rolling before the grass cutting starts in the spring. Cllr Baumber offered to find a volunteer.
Cllr Baumber also offered to take delivery for the bark for the play area.
c. Community Speed Watch
Cllr Frost reported that the data from the speed sign have been uploaded to the Council’s website. No speed watch sessions have been held due to poor weather but plan on holding some sessions soon. The Clerk is arranging the purchase of the new spend sign with Elan City.
d. Environmental Report
Cllr Davies reported that the Beck greens have weathered the winter well after maintenance. Three sessions have been held to help maintain the churchyards such as bush trimming and removing ivy. A tree survey is due in March 2025 from NKDC. The Church is planning an open gardens event on Saturday 14th June, including six gardens.
Cllr Davies queried whether there were any plans to install solar panels on the roof of the village hall. Cllr Flett advised it will be on the agenda for the next regional meeting to discuss. A quote received previously was in the region of £28,000.00.
Cllr Frost mentioned the redacted Section 19 flood reported and suggested that a link could be evidenced between the rate of flow and the level in the sewer. Cllr Frost queried how the data for the levels in the sewers are monitored. Cllr Davies advised that he spoke with some workmen who suggested that there was not enough water flowing through the sewers.
e. The Chairman
Cllr Williams chaired a recent Parish Meeting, that was well attended. The Clerk to type up the draft minutes and circulate. Cllr Williams also attended Digby Parish Council’s extraordinary meeting to provide a update on Scopwick and Kirkby Green’s perspective on the proposals for the solar farms and substations for the area. Two Mayoral candidates for Greater Lincolnshire have also been in contact with Cllr Williams regarding the proposals.
f. The Clerk
The Clerk mentioned receiving information about a block culvert and reported the issue to LCC, including County Cllr R Kendrick. meetings and proxy voting. The Clerk also expressed concerns regarding submitting a complaint over the speed limit reduction and mentioned that the reduction is in line with LCC Policy.
Cllr Frost suggested that this was not consistent with neighbouring villages such as Ruskington and Blankney. Cllr Frost requested submitting a complaint on those grounds. The Clerk to follow up with LCC.
112. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. Planning Application: 24/1114/FUL | RAF Digby, Cuckoo Lane, Scopwick | Demolition and like for like replacement of a 20-year fibreglass radome structure | Decision Notice - Approved.
b. Application 24/1122/DISCON The Limes | Decision Notice - Approved.
Cllr Williams confirmed both approval notifications had been circulated via email.
113. To receive an update for the kerbing project around the village green.
No update received from Rowan Smith. Cllr C Kerrigan and the Clerk to follow up.
114. To receive an update an update on:
a. Fosse Green Energy Solar Farm Proposals
b. Springwell Solar Farm Proposals
c. Navenby Substation
d. Battery Storage, near Navenby
Cllr Williams provided an overview of three proposals of solar farms including a new proposal at Leadenham. Cllr Williams suggested the Navenby substation would be the hub of the solar development and is critical for all three projects. In addition to the substation, there are battery storage sites.
Cllr Williams has been in discussions with opposition groups whose focus is on objecting to the substation which is gaining momentum. The feeling is that if the substation is rejected the solar farms might not go ahead as they cannot connect to the grid. There is a concern regarding the capacity of the substation which could accommodate up to seven solar farms similar in size to the Springwell proposal.
Cllr Davies suggested that there could be an argument there is surplus arable land, and the Government is in a difficult situation where they have to triple the amount of electricity produced to supply future demand of new housing and new electric vehicles. Cllr Davies also suggested there would not be any long-term issues when new technology arises as the fields would be restored and would rather have the solar panels that exacerbate global warming issues.
Cllr Nelson suggested the negative press was alarmist and disagreed with the economic arguments against the project, that use has changed in the past and will continue to change overtime. Cllr Nelson suggested that's Lincolnshire was the county most at risk of rising sea levels and supported the use of wind turbines and solar.
Cllr Williams suggested that's the Government's guaranteed pricing on the electricity encouraged supplies to undertake these projects and would not bring energy prices down.
Cllr Davies suggested that the power loss over distance the solar panels should be closer to where the demand is. Cllr Williams suggested that solar panels should be on rooftops; there are 600,000 acres of roof space in the UK which would cover approximately 65% of the requirement. Cllr Williams also suggested that new technology of glass panel solar could soon replace windows on high rise buildings in cities.
Cllr Baumber suggested there would be a skills shortage in the future in agricultural workers as land is taken out of rotation for solar and argued the skill set and knowledge takes a lifetime to achieve. Cllr Baumber also mentioned the benefits of food security by continuing to farm the land.
Cllr Frost also expressed concern over food security, and demand for food increases as the population grows which is predicted to grow by 5 million over the next 10 years. Cllr Frost also spoke about the dangers of battery storage and the potential for fires which would be an environmental disaster for the area.
115. Springwell Solar Farm
a. To consider the feedback from the Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
b. To consider a response - Relevant Representation as an Interest Party.
At the discretion of the Chair Cllr Williams moved this item to the end of the meeting.
116. To receive the correspondence log since the previous meeting.
The Clerk provided a record of the correspondence log for Councillors information.
117. To receive a record of previous resolutions and action points.
The Clerk provided a record of previous resolutions and action points that were ongoing and complete.
118. To consider meeting dates for 2025-26.
The Clerk explained that it is best practice to have the Annual Meeting of the Council and the Annual Parish Meeting on separate evenings. Previously Scopwick and Kirkby Green have followed the Annual Parish Meeting with Annual Meeting of the Council to elect a chair and appoint members to responsibilities. The Clerk advised that this business should be conducted at the Annual Meeting of the Council, which is the May meeting and recommended not holding an additional May meeting. Ordinary business should be conducted at the Annual Meeting of the Council.
Councillors preferred to continue with the Annual Parish Meeting followed by the Annual Meeting of the Council, to elect a chair and appoint members, on the same evening as well as have an additional meeting in May to conduct ordinary business.
Cllr Flett advised that the September date should be held on 30th. The Clerk to amend and circulate with Councillors.
119. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 25th March 2025
It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 25th March 2025.
120. To resolve to exclude the public and the media to discuss confidential matters in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.
It was resolved unanimously to exclude the public and the media to allow the Town Council to discuss confidential matters.
121. To consider tenders for the maintenance contract.
The Clerk contacted 20 companies and received two quotes based on the information and areas marked on the maps provided by Cllr Baumber, opened by Cllr Williams, including references and passed to all Councillors to view.
It was resolved unanimously to award Glendale Services the contract. The Clerk to contact Glendale Services and update Councillors.
Cllr Baumber requested that an additional cut is undertaken in March. The Clerk to request from Glendale.
122. To reopen the meeting.
It was resolved unanimously to reopen the meeting.
123. Financial Planning 2025-26, to confirm:
a. The 2025-26 budget
b. Precept request
c. Earmarked reserves allocations.
The Clerk advised amending the budget figures as recommended at the January extraordinary meeting. It was resolved unanimously to confirm the budget and precept request. The Clerk to submit the precept request to NKDC.
Cllr Baumber left the meeting at 8:48pm.
At the discretion of the Chair Cllr Williams moved this item to the end of the meeting.
124. Springwell Solar Farm
a. To consider the feedback from the Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 22nd January 2025.
b. To consider a response - Relevant Representation as an Interest Party.
Cllr Williams circulated a draft response prior to the meeting. Cllr Williams advised that those in attendance at the Parish Meeting were overwhelmingly against Springwell Solar Farm but accepted Cllr Flett’s comments that not all the residents were in attendance.
The draft response captured the core response from feedback at the meeting. Cllr Williams acknowledged that there would be a difference of opinion amongst Councillors, however, reiterated the importance of representing the views of the parishioners that have been received.
Cllr Williams advised that the plans will not be amended now that they have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. Cllr Williams updated Councillors on the process going forward after the window for submitting relevant representation closes on 17th February, including public forums with the Planning Inspectorate, and walk around the parish where key issues could be highlighted. Public forums could be held in Lincoln, Woodhall Spa and Sleaford.
Cllr Kerrigan suggested some amendments to refer to the area as Scopwick and Kirkby Green.
Cllr Williams acknowledged that the proposals have been reduced, which is an achievement to a degree.
Cllr Frost requested that the minutes from the Parish Meeting are included in the response as an appendix. Cllr Kerrigan advised that all feedback from the Parish Meeting has been included in the draft response.
Cllr Williams to amend the response and circulate with Councillors for comments, to be finalised by Friday 31st January and to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by Friday 7th February. The Clerk to register the Parish Council as an interested party and submit a relevant representation.
Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 9:25pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Chair of the Council - Cllr Marc Williams
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Parish Clerk - Jack Sargent
Tuesday 25th March 2025