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/

The minutes of the full Council meeting of Scopwick and Kirkby Green Parish Council, held on Tuesday 29th July 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, and D Nelson; and Parish Clerk - J Sargent. 

 

There was 1 member of the public in attendance.  

 

Public Forum

A resident, being relatively new to the village, requested a brief introduction from Councillors. Councillors introduced themselves with a summary of how long they’ve lived in the village, how long they’ve been on the Council and their responsibilities on the Council.  

 

The resident commented that the dog waste bin on Beckside is not being secured properly when emptied and advised that the bin on Vicarage Lane is already full. 

 

Cllr Williams advised that a new liner has been ordered for the old bin and new bin, which is smaller, will be relocated elsewhere in the parish. The resident suggested locating a bin on the Main Street end of Vicarage Lane. 

 

North Kesteven District Councillor

Cllr A Bailey confirmed returning to work after a short illness and advised being up to date with the Springwell Solar Farm consultations. Cllr Bailey advised that the new leader of the County Council - Sean Matthews is keen to attend Parish Council meetings across the county to meet parishioners and Councillors. 

 

Cllr Bailey also advised that a Veterans peer support group in North Kesteven and Lincoln have funding available for any veterans struggling with food, hygiene or fuel. There is £7,500.00 available in the fund. The contact details are: admin@vssclic.org.uk or 01775 422802. Their website is www.wsscic.org.uk.

 

Cllr Flett mentioned that NKDC’s planning department are not adhering to Scopwick and Kirkby Green’s Neighbourhood Plan. The Clerk confirmed contacting the District Councillor who is Chair of the Planning Committee and NKDC’s Development Manager - Nick Feltham. Cllr Bailey advised not being aware of the issues but asked to be copied in on correspondence and will liaise with Nick Feltham for further information.

 

Cllr Davies gave a brief outline of the current issues where planning applications have not adhered to the Neighbourhood Plan’s Design Codes and an enclave of houses planned in a modern design opposite the Vicarage which is a traditional design in the conservation area. 

 

Cllr Williams requested that Planning Officers visit the parish to discuss issue with Councillors. Cllr Bailey offered to support the request to ensure correct planning regulations are being followed. The Clerk to forward the Parish Council’s concerns and correspondence with NKDC’s Development Manager - Nick Feltham to Cllr Bailey.

 

Lincolnshire County Councillor

Cllr R Kendrick provided an update on the works to the culverts in the parish and advised that the LCC Highways volunteer scheme were still available to carry out works in the community. Cllr Kendrick expressed concerns regarding the Flood Scrutiny Committee which looks to be downgraded and that there has not been a corporate plan announcement from the new administration. Cllr Kendrick confirmed scrutiny committees have been meeting but there have been some issues such as attempts to defer a response to solar farm applications which would miss the deadline which was rectified and that some meetings were carried out hastily rather than with thorough discussions. Cllr Kendrick expressed concerns over an efficiency investigation suggesting they would not find much waste.

 

Cllr Frost asked if the Highways Committee has reconvened as an objection to the proposed speed limit has been submitted. Cllr Frost to forward the appeal to Cllr Kendrick. 

 

Cllr Williams advised that the Parish Council are not making any progress or receiving any updates on the kerbing project from LCC’s Local Highways Manager (West) - Rowan Smith. Cllr Kendrick to follow up.

 

The Clerk asked if Cllr Kendrick could request the new Environmental Scrutiny Committee could carry out a trial flood event to test its effectiveness and operational capabilities in managing flood risk, which would alleviate concerns as it seems inevitable that there will be a flood event in the future. Cllr Kendrick suggested this would be a key issue for the new administration. 

 

With no further matters, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.

 

34. 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.

 

35. Apologies for Absence.

It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs P Baumber and C Kerrigan.

 

36. Declaration of Interest.

None received. 

 

37. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on Tuesday 27th May 2025.

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

 

38. To approve the record of accounts for:

a. May

b. June

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. 

 

39. To receive the bank reconciliation for:

a. May

b. June

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.

 

40. To receive a summary of the accounts for the first quarter of the 2025-26 financial year.

The Clerk provided a summary of the accounts for the first quarter of the 2025-26 financial year, for information purposes only. No questions were raised. A copy of the summary is included as an attachment to the minutes.

 

41. To receive a budget review for the first quarter of the 2025-26 financial year. 

The Clerk provided a budget review for the first 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.

 

42. To receive reports: 

a. Village Hall Committee 

Cllr Flett reported hosting a science workshop for the first time which was well attended and confirmed the hall hiring fees would remain the same as they were providing a service to the village. Cllr Flett confirmed there had been one resignation from the committee at the recent AGM and one new member appointed. A smart meter has been fitted in the hall, the annual fire safety checks and PAT testing has been carried out. Cllr Flett reported that the piano’s legs had been damaged and needs to be assessed as to whether it could be repaired. Upcoming events include the Village Show, a Macmillan coffee morning and the art exhibition. 

 

b. Playing Field Committee 

Cllr Nelson advised some maintenance had been carried out such as tightening bolts and the bark had been replenished in the toddler area. B Knight and Sons who are installing new gates will carry out the works in the next few days. 

 

Cllr Nelson received concerns from parishioners about misuse of equipment from residents of the local autism care home. Cllr Nelson contacted the care home to recommend that the equipment is used appropriately by the residents, and they respect the facility.  

 

c. Community Speed Watch

Cllr Frost confirmed that the speedwatch group had carried out several sessions including on national speedwatch day, but the group have not yet appointed a new co-ordinator. Cllr Frost met with the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership who will be installing the new flashing speed sign. 

 

Cllr Williams asked if there are any training sessions for new volunteers. The Clerk asked for prospective volunteers to send contact details to arrange training with the LRSP. 

 

d. Environmental Report

Cllr Davies reported a new tree being planted outside Sewell’s farm. The grass on the edge of the beck is in good condition apart from an area where the refuse lorries turn around. 

 

Cllr Flett asked when the hedges would be trimmed in the meadow and suggested that the trees around the beacon should be cut back, however, with it being nesting season any maintenance would have to wait until later in the year. 

 

e. The Chair

Cllr Williams confirmed attending meetings regarding Springwell Solar Farm, both open forums and issue specific meetings, with Cllr Frost. Cllr Williams noted the concern over the interconnectivity of the solar farms, the battery storage sites and the proposed substations.

 

 

f. The Clerk

The Clerk noted receipt of an email from Ashley Myers - Lincolnshire County Council’s Flood Risk Programme Co-ordinator, providing information on a scheme to improve surface water discharge through the existing highway drainage system along the B1191 Main Street, starting at the Junction of the B1188 right the way through to Eastern edge of the village. The proposed start date is at the end of September 2025 with work taking approximately 8 weeks. This is specifically looking to address the issues identified to the surface water drainage system along Main Street, separate to that of Project Groundwater.

 

In reply, the Clerk asked to be kept updated on further developments and mentioned that flooding issues are of great concern in the parish. The Clerk also hopes to speak with LCC’s new Executive Councillor for the Environment to request that the new Environmental Scrutiny Committee performs a trial run of a flood event, to test its operational capabilities. Testing is essential and should the trial be successful, would alleviate concerns over the committee’s effectiveness in managing flood risk.

 

The Clerk also reported receiving further correspondence from the external auditor, who queried the forms submitted. The Clerk advised the external auditor had made an error, confirming that the correct forms had been submitted, which was acknowledged by the external auditor.

 

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

a. Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area | Application reference 25/0627/TCA - Notification of works.

b. Planning Application 24/1301/FUL | Land Off Vicarage Lane, Scopwick | Notice of Decision - Approved. 

c. Planning Application 25/0824/HOUS | 24 Brookside, Scopwick | Notice of Application 

The Clerk confirmed all planning notifications had been circulated via email, with responses where relevant sent to NKDC. 

 

The Clerk advised following up with Nick Feltham about the Parish Council’s concerns that the NP is not being adhered to, and that this would then allow NKDC to permit other planning applications which do not conform to the design codes within the NP. No reply has been received.

 

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

Cllr Kerrigan reported via email prior to the meeting that LCC Officer Rowan Smith had been contacted for an update, but there was no progress to report other than LCC were aiming to complete the project in the current financial year. 

 

45. To receive an update on:

a. Solar Farm Proposals including: Springwell Solar Farm, Fosse Green Energy, Leoda and Coleby.

b. Navenby Substation

c. Battery Storage, near Navenby

Cllr Williams confirmed attending the consultation meetings in July regarding Springwell Solar Farm, both open forums and issue specific meetings, with Cllr Frost. Issue specific meetings included discussions on drainage, grid connection, landscaping, and fire but each meeting had a slightly different format. Open forum meetings were more of a question-and-answer session. There was also a walk around the various sites, however, prejudice comments were not allowed. 

 

Cllr Williams noted that this was the first time Springwell’s legal team acknowledged that there was no consent for the substation and therefore could not confirm where the connecting underground cables would go. For the connection, Springwell want 82 acres of farmland for a 10m corridor of cable to connect the solar to the substation, however, are unable to confirm the location. 

 

Cllr Williams commented on the inspection document which included several photo montages of the current views and predicted views of the fields with solar panels, however, did not provide a photo montage of the battery storage sites or substations and suggested Springwell were selective with the information they provided. Cllr Williams confirmed that these issues will be raised. 

 

Cllr Frost confirmed that there is a response to the Parish Council’s comments, available online.

 

46. To consider a quote for tree works in the conservation area.

The Clerk circulated a quote from Arborglyph Tree Services Ltd prior to the meeting; no other contractors had not supplied a quote to be considered. It was resolved unanimously to approve the quote and transfer funds from the reserve account to cover the costs. 

 

47. 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.

 

48. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 30th September 2025.

It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 30th September 2025.

 

Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 8:14pm.

 

 

Signed: ……………………………………………….

Chair of the Council - Cllr Marc Williams

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed: ……………………………………………….

Parish Clerk - Jack Sargent

30th September 2025