2025 Minutes

Clerk’s Contact Details:

Village Hall, Brookside, Scopwick. LN4 3PA.

07872 943179 | clerkscopwick@gmail.com

Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council

https://scopwick.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

 

 

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 Forum

A resident was in attendance to ask that the Parish Council support his request not to re-install a footway light outside his property. The resident provided a written report, circulate with Councillors prior to the meeting. A copy of the report is included as an attachment to these minutes. 

 

The lamppost was knocked down around 4 years ago and was not replaced. LCC tried to reinstate the lamppost recently, but the resident asked them not to as the light affected the resident’s property and advised the Council it has been better without the light. The resident advised that the nearby neighbours also supported the request. 

 

The resident provided a very thorough report on the lights along the street, their distance between each other and their brightness; the resident was even able to recommend a more suitable location for the lamppost. The resident thanked the Council for hearing his views and ask for support not to reinstate the light. 

 

The Clerk confirmed receiving communication from both LCC and NKDC asking the Parish Council for their advice and confirmation that it is a footway light, not a streetlight. 

 

Lincolnshire County Councillor

Cllr R Kendrick was not in attendance but provided a monthly update circulated via email. 

 

North Kesteven District Councillor

Cllr A Bailey was not in attendance and no report submitted. 

 

13. Welcome from the Chair of the Parish Council.

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.

 

14. Apologies for Absence.

No apologies received from Cllr P Baumber.

 

15. Declaration of Interest.

None received. 

 

16. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on Tuesday 25th March 2025.

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

 

17. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on Friday 2nd May.

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

 

18. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 20th May 2025.

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

 

19. To approve the record of accounts for:

a. March 

b. April

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. 

 

20. To receive the bank reconciliation for:

a. March 

b. End of Year 2024-25

c. April

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 is included as an attachment to the minutes.

 

21. To consider a schedule of regular payments. 

The Clerk explained that this was a requirement within the Financial Regulations and that the list can be amended throughout the year. It was resolved unanimously to approve the regular payments schedule tabled, signed by signatories Cllrs J Fleet and D Nelson. A copy of the schedule will be kept with the Financial Regulations as well as an attachment to the minutes.

 

22. To receive a budget review for the fourth quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. 

The Clerk provided a budget review for the fourth quarter of the financial year to keep Councillors up to date with where funds are allocated within the budget, for information purposes only. No questions were put to the Clerk. A copy of the budget review is included as an attachment to the minutes.

 

23. To approve the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) forms for the 2024-25 financial year:

a. To approve section 1, points 1 - 9 of the Annual Governance Statement.

The Clerk read through points 1 - 9. It was resolved unanimously to mark yes on points 1-8 and N/A on point 9. Cllr Williams signed the Annual Governance Statement.

 

b. To approve section 2, the Accounting Statement.

The Clerk read through the figures on the Accounting Statement, which corresponded with the bank reconciliation. The Clerk explained there was an error on the 2024 end of year figure, where £20.00 of interest was not included which was picked up at the internal audit. The correct figure was included on this Accounting Statement with the note that the figure was restated. It was resolved unanimously to approve the Accounting Statement and to submit the Annual Governance and Accountability Return to the external auditors. The Clerk to submit to the external auditor, along with additional paperwork required.

 

 

24. To receive reports: 

a. Village Hall Committee 

Cllr Flett provided a detailed report at the recent Annual Parish Meeting and in addition reported that a VE Day commemoration was held recently, which ran at a small loss, but it was an event for the community. Cllr Flett thanked the Council for the contribution towards the costs of this event. The Village Hall have also been a Community Champion with the Co-op and received £780.00 in Co-op vouchers. Maintenance work on the floor in the hall has been carried out and the hall has received a new booking - a science workshop. The AGM is in June.  

 

b. Playing Field Committee 

Cllr Nelson confirmed that the grant has been received from Heath Farm Energy and has contacted the contractor for a site visit. Cllr Nelson expects the works to be completed over the next couple of months. 

 

c. Community Speed Watch

Cllr Frost reported receiving a request to meet with a traffic officer regarding the bend in the road near the church, to install a new 30mph sign, new signs to warn about ducks near the beck and the potential pedestrian crossing on the B1188. The CSW group need a new coordinator and asked if Cllr Flett could advertise the position in the village newsletter. 

 

Cllr Frost also mentioned the request from the Annual Parish Meeting to lower the speed limit between Scopwick and Kirkby Green, with further information needed to submit a request to LCC Highways. The new radar speed sign has also been delivered and awaiting installation. 

 

d. Environmental Report

Cllr Davies reported removing some branches from a damaged tree in the beck. Cllr Nelson advised two jobs need a professional tree surgeon to carry out the work. The Clerk to update Councillors when quotes have been received. Cllr Kerrigan recommended a local tree surgeon. 

 

e. The Chair

Cllr Williams advised that work and communications continue regarding the BESS sites and proposed solar farms.  

 

Cllr Davies provided an update on the status of the group of six parishes which includes Scopwick. Not enough people are attending to raise enough money to pay for the Vicar, and a merger has been proposed with Ruskington parish group, but this could potentially affect parish boundaries. Cllr Davies recommended that is it not in Scopwick’s interest to pursue this. The merger could lead to some churches closing. 

 

f. The Clerk

The Clerk advised that work had been carried out to ensure that the information requested for the external audit can be submitted as soon as it has been signed off by the Parish Council. 

 

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

a. Planning Application: 24/1301/FUL - Erection of two detached dwellings at Land Off Vicarage Lane, Scopwick.

b. Planning decision: 24/1498/LBC - Installation of solar panels to roof and associated infrastructure at Gardeners Cottage, Bloxholm Lane, Scopwick.

c. Planning decision: 24/1497/HOUS - Installation of solar panels to roof and associated infrastructure at Gardeners Cottage, Bloxholm Lane, Scopwick.

d. Planning Application: 25/0332/LBC - Relocation of existing air source heat pump at 6 Manor Farm Barns, Church Lane, Kirkby Green. 

e. Planning Application: 25/0331/HOUS - Relocation of existing air source heat pump at 6 Manor Farm Barns, Church Lane, Kirkby Green.

Cllr Williams confirmed all planning notifications had been circulated via email, with responses where relevant were sent to NKDC. 

 

Cllr Kerrigan expressed concern over cladding proposed from another planning application, which did not conform to the Neighbourhood Plan. No buildings in the village are fully clad. Cllr Kerrigan suggested that this would allow for further applications not to conform to the Neighbourhood Plan and requested that Planning Officers refer to the Neighbourhood Plan. 

 

Cllr Davies also expressed concern regarding the fire risk with the cladding to the property and the neighbouring properties. The design does not fit in with the style and materials already used in the village.

 

Cllr Nelson suggested that there were already buildings in the village with cladding. 

 

Cllr Flett expressed concern regarding comments from Planning Officers that this property was not in the village. Cllr Davies advised that Scopwick and Kirkby Green has been split into 3 sections in the design codes, where the design can be different in each section, however, reiterated that no buildings are fully clad in wood in the village and does not fit the aesthetic of the village as a whole. Cllr Williams asked the Clerk to push for a meeting with Planning Officers and District Councillors.

 

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

Cllr Kerrigan advised emailing LCC Officer Rowan Smith, with no reply, and most recently an out of office reply. The last update was that LCC were waiting on a report regarding water voles in the Beck. Cllr Kerrigan to request more information from Rowan Smith again. 

 

27. To receive 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 advised that there were two additional sites to add - Leoda and Coleby. All the proposals combined would cover approximately 11,000 acres. Cllr Williams ran through important dates regarding submissions and consultation for proposals.

 

Cllr Williams confirmed Springwell, Fosse Green and Leoda are NSIPs whereas Navenby Substation and battery storage at Coleby and Navenby are decided by NKDC. Cllr Williams suggested that the substation is the crux of all the applications; without the substation the solar farms cannot connect to the grid. Cllr Williams thought there had to be a logical progression with the proposals and by granting planning for a solar form without a way to connect to the grid is not logical. 

 

Cllr Williams appealed to the Parish Council to continue to object to the proposals and support neighbouring parishes in their opposition. Cllr Nelson suggested writing a letter of support to neighbouring Councils. 

 

It was resolved unanimously to draft a letter of support, circulate with Councillors and send after feedback from Councillors. 

 

Cllr Williams spoke about the recent meetings held in Lincoln, that were held during the day and during the school holidays which made it difficult for some members of the public to attend. This feedback has been provided to the inspectors. 

 

28. To consider updating the layout of the website.

The Clerk provided an example of the updated layout of the website, advising that it would be 3 hours work for LALC’s webmaster to change. It would make the ‘Council Business’ page more user friendly. It was resolved unanimously to approve updating the layout of the website. 

 

29. To consider using .gov.uk email addresses for Council business, the Clerk and Councillors.

The Clerk explained that whilst it’s not yet a legal requirement to use .gov.uk email addresses, the External Auditor will mark the Council as non-compliant by using a free email address. It is currently only recommended best practice to use a .gov.uk email address, for better security and a more professional appearance. The Clerk advised that there will be a £200.00 set up fee and ongoing costs estimated to be £60.00 a year. It was resolved unanimously to defer to November, when considering the 2026-27 budget. 

 

30. To consider a request from a resident to support their wish for a streetlight on Main Street, Scopwick, to be removed. 

The resident explained the reasons for the request in the public section. Cllr Williams expressed concern that other residents might request more footway lights are removed after setting a precedent.

 

Cllr Davies advised that new, brighter lights are affecting the environment and suggested asking for slightly dimmer lights. 

 

With no objections, it was resolved unanimously to support the resident’s request for the streetlight not to be located outside their property. Other locations in the parish were mentioned where the streetlight could be located. The Clerk to write to LCC and NKDC confirming the Parish Council’s support for the resident’s request and to suggest alternative locations. 

 

31. 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.

 

32. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 29th July 2025.

It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 29th July 2025.

 

33. To appoint Members to Committees of the Council:

a. Personnel Committee

It was resolved unanimously to appoint Cllrs Kerrigan and Williams to the Personnel Committee. 

 

b. Grievance Committee

It was resolved unanimously to Cllrs Flett and Davies to the Grievance Committee. 

 

Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 8:45pm.