September 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 30th September 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; and Parish Clerk - J Sargent.
There was 2 members of the public in attendance.
Public Forum
No questions were raised in the public forum.
North Kesteven District Councillor
Cllr A Bailey was not in attendance and no written report was provided.
Lincolnshire County Councillor
Cllr R Kendrick reported that the speed limit appeal for the B1188 has been deferred as the report submitted was not circulated with the County Council’s committee members.
Cllr Kendrick advised there was a one tonne bag of salt offer to Parish Councils, with the deadline for requests being 19th October. The County Council are carrying out a trial with some new equipment to fix potholes.
All Parish Councils in Cllr Kendrick’s ward have had some work carried out in the Highways volunteer scheme. Cllr Kendrick encouraged Council’s to submit requests for further works.
With no further matters, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
49. 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.
50. Apologies for Absence.
None received.
51. Declaration of Interest.
Cllr Baumber declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 13.
49. To receive a donation of daffodil bulbs from Nikki Annibal to be planted in the parish.
Nikki Annibal was in attendance to donate 20 bags of daffodil bulbs - 40 kg, to be planted in the community. The bulbs are locally sourced from Taylors in Spalding. Cllr Williams asked to place on record thanks to Nikki Annibal on behalf of the Parish Council for the kind donation.
Councillors to arrange planting the bulbs in the village green with volunteers.
50. To suspend Standing Orders to receive a short presentation from a representative from John Halton Design Ltd regarding demolition of the existing agricultural barn and erection of 2 no. dwellings, proposed change in design and materials for planning permission 22/1447/FUL and 25/0766/VARCON.
John Halton thanked the Parish Council for the invitation to present the new plans and provided a brief presentation on planning applications 22/1447/FUL and 25/0766/VARCON.
Mr. Halton advised the new plans had been adapted with Scopwick and Kirkby Green’s Neighbourhood plan in mind. The buildings have a slightly different configuration, sympathetic to existing properties in the community.
Mr. Halton advised of some challenges with NKDC’s planning department and confirmed that the planning permission remains but with new designs from a modern style to farmstead designs. Mr. Halton addressed the concerns from neighbours to ensure the properties did not overlook neighbours and there was additional screening at the boundaries. Mr Halton was confident that the new plans addressed concerns raised and that they enhance the character of the area.
Councillors expressed concern with surface water and flooding issues; Mr. Halton advised that the soak aways should work, as they have been tested on site.
Cllr Williams thanked Mr. Halton on behalf of the Parish Council for the informative presentation on the new designs.
51. To reinstate Standing Orders.
It was resolved unanimously to reinstate Standing Orders.
52. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on Tuesday 29th July 2025.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record.
53. To approve the record of accounts for:
a. July
b. August
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.
54. To receive the bank reconciliation for:
a. July
b. August
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.
55. To receive reports:
a. Village Hall Committee
Cllr Flett reported the village show raised over £1,000.00 which was shared between the Village Hall and the Playing Field. The Village Hall has lost a regular booking but gained one with CQC meetings. The feet on the piano have been repaired; however, some keys need to be repaired as they are permanently depressed. The Macmillan coffee morning raised £261.30. There are some concerns with the exterior of the building such as the gutters which will need replacing in the near future, the soffits have dry rot and woodworm and requested quotes to replace the windows.
Cllr Flett will be attending a regional Village Hall meeting in October, the art exhibition is on in the last weekend in September, and the Orchestra will be playing on 14th October, where a cellist from London will be performing. This means there will be a cost to the event. A guitar ensemble will also be performing in November.
b. Playing Field Committee
Cllr Nelson confirmed the new gates have been installed and plaques placed on the gates. The grass is well restored and there have been no new reports of misuse of the equipment. Cllr Nelson requested the hedge trimming takes place around the playing field and the village meadow.
c. Community Speed Watch
Cllr Frost advised no speed watch sessions had taken place. The speed sign for the north side of the village has not yet been installed and has chased the LRSP. Repeater signs are out of stock but are expected in October. LCC advised there are enough duck signs in village.
Cllr Frost attended the County Council committee meeting to listen to the debate on the proposed new speed limit for Scopwick. Cllr Frost suggested that the Officer’s summary missed the point of the report submitted. However, it has been deferred to November. Cllr Frost advised that some County Councillors were totally against lowering the speed limits; the Chair of the committee recommended heeding advice from the local community.
Cllr Frost has received further requests to lower speed limits in the community but not yet submitted requests to LCC due to awaiting a decision on the B1188 proposals.
d. Environmental Report
Cllr Davies reported a new tree - a Japanese acer, being planted on the village green which is looking very good. The tree works around the beck have been carried out and the logs have been removed.
Cllr Williams reported a tree in a garden on Willow Close that had fallen due to rot with parts of the tree falling into Vicarage Lane. The tree is the responsibility of the property owner. Cllr Williams advised the tenants contact the property owner.
Cllr Flett advised a resident requested the beck is tidied up and offered to help remove some tree roots and weeds.
e. The Chair
Cllr Williams attended the Village Show and has been concentrating on solar farm applications.
f. The Clerk
The Clerk reported achieving bronze accreditation with another Council and advised that Scopwick and Kirkby Green also meet almost all the criteria required for accreditation. The award shows that the Council has gone above and beyond the legal obligations; it leads in the community and continuously seek opportunities to improve and develop even further. The Clerk to circulate the criteria with Councillors via email.
56. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments.
a. Application 25/0869/HOUS | 6 Manor Farm Barns, Church Lane, Kirkby Green | Notification of Planning Application and Notification of Decision
b. Application 25/0870/LBC | 6 Manor Farm Barns, Church Lane, Kirkby Green | Notification of Planning Application
c. Application 25/0824/HOUS | 24 Brookside Scopwick | Notification of Receipt of Amended Plans
d. Application 25/0825/LBC | 24 Brookside Scopwick | Notification of Receipt of Amended Plans
e. Application 25/1112/BGS | Land Off B1188 Scopwick | Notification of Biodiversity Gain Site Application
f. Application 22/1447/FUL and 25/0766/VARCON | demolition of the existing agricultural barn and erection of 2 no. dwellings on Land Adjacent To 1 Vicarage Lane.
g. To receive notification of a surface water drainage rehabilitation scheme on Main Road, Scopwick.
h. To consider previous Parish Council comments submitted to NKDC on planning applications 20/0820/FUL and 20/0777/FUL.
The Clerk confirmed all planning notifications had been circulated via email, with responses where relevant sent to NKDC.
Councillors asked the Clerk to send a letter of support to NKDC regarding applications 22/1447/FUL and 25/0766/VARCON, as the new plans are much improved and comply with the design codes in the Neighbourhood Plan.
Cllr Williams advised receiving correspondence from a resident regarding the surface water drainage rehabilitation scheme and noted the lack of information available on the scheme. Cllr Baumber advised the plans show surface water gullies and highways drainage pipes, however, was not convinced they will make much difference. The plans also show cross highway culverts and maintenance of the dyke.
Cllr Baumber advised being contacted by the contractor who was looking for a place to store equipment. The representative had little information from the County Council. Cllr Flett and Cllr Nelson were also contacted about storage. Cllr Williams confirmed that the village green will be used for storage during the works and the contractor agreed to restore the area to how they found it. The Clerk to get written confirmation from LCC Highways of this agreement.
Cllr Frost confirmed the wording was from LCC is that the scheme intends to rehabilitate the existing surface water drainage system along Main Street, in addition to works on the underground pipe system, the contractor will be ensuring ditches adjacent to the highway, including those that are present at property frontages, are clear from any obstructions and desilted as required.
The Clerk recommended deferring item h, due to a lack of information provided by the resident. It was resolved unanimously to defer until the resident has been clear in their request from the Parish Council.
57. To receive an update for the kerbing project around the village green.
Cllr Kerrigan reported there was no further progress to report other than LCC were aiming to complete the project in the current financial year.
58. To consider purchasing the extended warranty for the Evolis radar speed sign.
The Clerk advised the costs was £199.00 per year and it was a three-year contract. The standard warranty expires in December. Councillors suggested putting the money towards a new sign rather than buying the extended warranty, the sign is already included on the Parish Council’s insurance. It was resolved unanimously not to purchase the extended warranty.
59. To consider policies for adoption:
a. Data Breach Policy
b. Data Protection Policy
c. Disciplinary Policy
All policies were circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting. It was resolved unanimously to adopt all policies tabled for review.
60. To consider opening a new bank account with Lloyds and closing the Co-op accounts.
The Clerk provided an example of interest rates received from an account with a similar finance level to the Parish Council. The Clerk also advised that despite the costs, the interest received is greater in comparison to the Co-op and that Lloyds provide better, easy to read reports compared to the Co-op.
Cllr Williams suggested that the Lloyds account seem more straightforward and allow for more Councillors to have viewer access, increasing transparency. It was resolved unanimously to switch to Lloyds Bank.
61. 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.
62. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 25th November 2025.
It was resolved unanimously to hold the next Full Council meeting on Tuesday 25th November 2025.
63. 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 that the Springwell application was at deadline 4, the furthest along in the process and advised that there was very little the Parish Council could add to the consultation process. Cllr Williams suggested supporting Parish Council’s facing similar challenges with sites nearby and that the battery storage sites appeared to be at the crux of solar farms being able to move forward. Should the battery storage sites planning been refused, this would likely affect the solar farm sites.
Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 8:53pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Chair of the Council - Cllr Marc Williams
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Parish Clerk - Jack Sargent
25th November 2025