2025 Minutes

Clerk’s Contact Details:

Village Hall, Brookside, Scopwick. LN4 3PA.

07872943179 | clerkscopwick@gmail.com

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 25th March 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), O Davies, P Frost, C Kerrigan and D Nelson; and Parish Clerk - J Sargent. 

 

There was one member of the public in attendance.  

 

Public Session

Resident 1 spoke about the dog bin on Vicarage Lane and how is does not secure the bin bag to the brim of the bin and therefore does not collect the waste properly, which ends up at the bottom of the bin, not in the bin bag. The resident asked the Council to consider replacing the bin with one that secures the bin bag to the brim of the bin, in order to collect the waste. The resident mentioned the bin was old and rusty. The resident spoke with NKDC and confirmed that they would secure a replacement bin to the post, if one could be provided by the Parish Council.

 

Cllr Nelson advised that the bin is looking old and worn.

 

Cllr Williams advised the Parish Council would look at replacing the bin and thanked the resident for their input. 

 

County Councillor R Kendrick 

County Councillor R Kendrick provided a monthly report, circulated via email. 

 

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. 

 

125. 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. 

 

126. Apologies.

None received.

 

127. Declaration of Interest.

None received.

 

128. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on 29th January 2025.

With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record.

 

129. To approve the record of accounts for:

a. January

b. February

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. 

 

130. To receive the bank reconciliation for:

a. January

b. February

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.

 

131. To receive reports:

a. Village Hall Committee 

Cllr Flett report that the internal painting of the Village Hall had now been completed, with some outside paint work done as well. In March it was National Village Hall, when the daffodil coffee morning was held raising over £400 for Dementia UK and a tea and teacakes event which Community Development Officers from the YMCA attended who asked if Scopwick would sit on their advisory panel. The cold taps in the cloakrooms have been replaced but the hot taps are yet to be removed. The hall will be closed for elections on the 1st May and on 21st April for maintenance to the floor, where at the same time the sign above the front door will be repainted and re-varnished.

 

A coffee morning will be held in memory of Jo Cox MP on 21st June and the Village Show is on 22nd August. 

 

Cllr Kerrigan mentioned Scopwick’s propeller on loan to Cranwell Aviation Centre, provided some correspondence to the Clerk and suggested the propeller be left with the museum. The Clerk to receive a letter from the museum requesting an extension to the loan. Councillors agreed to continue with the loan arrangement. 

 

b. Playing Field Committee 

Cllr Nelson reported no major issues with the equipment and that the grass is looking tidier now it's been cut but noted there was a lot of grass cuttings left on the surface. Cllr Nelson reported reduced mole activity and recommended trimming lower branches on some trees.

 

Cllr Nelson advised that the gates could do with being replace and will work on getting some prices. Cllr Nelson requested the Clerk apply for grant funding from Heath Farm to help with the costs of replacing the gates. The Clerk to contact Health Farm once prices have been supplied. 

 

c. Community Speed Watch

Cllr Frost reported that one session was held since the January meeting and more sessions would be held as the weather improves. Data from the speed sign has been uploaded to the website. Cllr Frost advised that there was still a low quantity of vehicles travelling at high speed - 60 to 90mph, usually around 4am - 8am.

 

Cllr Frost asked about the new speed sign. The Clerk confirmed waiting for delivery to the office. 

 

Cllr Frost mentioned working on a document to appeal the reduction to 40mph rather than 30mph as originally requested. Cllr Frost noted receiving feedback from residents to include in the document and hoped the appeal would be considered at an upcoming meeting. 

 

Cllr Williams mentioned the planning application for housing on Heath Road which included a County Council recommendation to lower the speed limit to 30mph. 

 

Cllr Nelson suggested applying for 20mph speed limit through Scopwick. Cllr Frost to investigate. 

 

Cllr Flett requested a ‘beware of the ducks’ or ‘ducks crossing’ sign on the village green area, which might slow drivers down. 

 

d. Environmental Report

Cllr Davies reported on a number of trees that require attention. Cllr Kerrigan confirmed that the tree report had been received. Cllr Nelson advised of trees that required some urgent attention.

 

Cllr Flett reported that staff from the new grass cutting contractor were very pleasant and helpful but advised they did not collect or blow the grass cuttings. Cllr Nelson advised that this would improve as the contractor cuts regularly. 

 

e. The Chairman

Cllr Williams reported receiving an invite from Dr. Caroline Johnson MP to attend a roundtable event in London discussing solar farms and attended a rally in Lincoln opposing solar farms. 

 

f. The Clerk

The Clerk mentioned updating the Council’s policies and suggested appointing members to review policies in May as there will be about 40 policies to review bi-annually, once adopted. 

 

132. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.

a. Planning Application: 23/1283/FUL Land At Heath Road, Scopwick | Decision Notice - Approved.

Cllr Williams confirmed the approval notification had been circulated via email. 

 

The Clerk advised that NKDC will be discussing the Springwell Solar Farm application. The meeting can be attended in person and will be available online. 

 

133. To receive an update for the kerbing project around the village green. 

No update received from Rowan Smith. Cllr C Kerrigan to follow up in the new financial year regarding the vole survey and funds available to be allocated to the project.

 

134. 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 confirmed submitting the Parish Council’s response at the beginning of March and that Springwell were further along with their application than the other solar farms. Cllr Williams advised more action groups were forming in opposition to the solar farms and battery storage facilities. 

 

135. To consider replacement dog fouling bins.

Cllr Nelson advised replacing the bin with one that the Parish Council ordered recently from Glasden and recommended purchasing a new post designed for the bin rather than attaching it to the wooden post currently in place. It was resolved unanimously to purchase a new dog fouling bin.

 

136. To consider quotes for pest control, to manage the moles around the village.

Cllr Williams suggested that the quote was too expensive. It was resolved unanimously to reject the quote and find alternative quotes. 

 

137. To consider a request from a resident in Navenby to make a contribution to expert consultants in opposing solar farms and battery storage facility proposals for the area. 

Cllr Williams advised that other action groups had combined to raised funds to pay for expert consultants to help oppose solar farms planned for the area but suggested the Parish Council did not have the funds to contribute, and recommended parishioners donated personally if they wished. 

 

Cllr Kerrigan suggested it was not the best use of public funds. It was resolved unanimously not to contribute. The Clerk to respond to the resident. 

 

138. To consider policies:

a. Document and Record Retention Policy

b. Employee Councillor Protocol

c. Employee Management Policy

d. Sexual and General Harassment Policy

The Clerk advised the policies were based on LALC templates, amended to suit the Parish Council. It was resolved unanimously to adopt the policies. The Clerk to file.

 

139. To receive an update on the mid-year audit report. 

The Clerk advised completing the jobs recommended by the internal audit and will send the report to the internal audit confirming the work has been completed.

 

140. 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, all listed were reported as now being completed. A copy of the report included as an attachment to these minutes. 

 

141. To consider meeting dates for 2025-26.

The Clerk to amended meeting dates for 2025-26 as requested and circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting. It was resolved unanimously to confirm the meeting dates for 2025-26.

 

142. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 20th May 2025 for the Annual Meeting of the Council and Annual Parish Meeting; and Tuesday 27th May 2025 for the next full Council meeting.

It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 20th May 2025 for the Annual Meeting of the Council and Annual Parish Meeting; and Tuesday 27th May 2025 for the next full Council meeting.

 

Cllr Kerrigan advised that a representative from the Armed Forces Community Covenant Officer will give a 15-minute presentation.

 

Cllr Flett advised a representative from the British Red Cross will come to give a 45-minute presentation on the defibrillator and CPR but thought the agenda looked too full to include all the items proposed on the draft agenda. 

 

Cllr Nelson suggested the Annual Parish Meeting was not the correct forum to hold training for the defibrillator and CPR. Cllr Williams suggested holding this training on a separate evening but having an overview of the equipment at the Annual Parish Meeting.

 

The Clerk advised other Councils are using the Annual Parish Meeting as an awards event to celebrate people and businesses in the community. The Clerk to circulate an article from the SLCC’s Clerks Magazine which reported on awards ceremonies and possible awards categories such as a community champion or volunteer of the year. 

 

Cllr Williams advised that the agenda would be reviewed before publishing. 

 

Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 8:00pm.