July 2026 Full Council Meeting DRAFT Minutes
Clerk’s Contact Details:
Village Hall, Brookside, Scopwick. LN4 3PA.
07872 943179 | clerk@scopwick-kirkbygreen-pc.gov.uk
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 28th July 2026 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, and C Kerrigan; and Parish Clerk - J Sargent.
There were 3 members of the public in attendance.
Public Forum
Resident 1 raised concerns regarding overgrow vegetation affecting the watercourse and surrounding area, which is halfway across the beck, on land opposite the resident’s garden. Cllr Baumber advised that the hedge will not be cut until September due to the nesting season and will speak with the landowner about maintenance. Cllr Williams recommended contacting the Environment Agency for advice; The Clerk to write to the Environment Agency as well.
Residents 2 and 3 introduced themselves, advising their parents live in the village and own land within the Neighbourhood Plan’s designated Green Gap area. Resident 2 read out a prepared speech, included in full as an attachment to the minutes, requesting the Council consider supporting a partial review or amendment to the Green Gap designation to enable a future planning proposal.
Cllr Baumber advised that the Neighbourhood Plan working group was made up of a majority of non-Councillors; the Parish Council had 2 representatives on the group.
Within the speech the resident suggested that their parents had not been consulted on designating their land as part of the Green Gap; Cllr Kerrigan advised that hard copies of the Neighbourhood Plan were delivered to every house in the Parish and three separate consultation events were held in the Village Hall. Cllr Kerrigan also advised that the Parish Council would be unable to amend the Neighbourhood Plan and recommended contacting NKDC. The resident confirmed that they were seeking support from the Parish to remove the Green Gap designation on their land.
Cllr Williams explained that the Parish Council could not predetermine or support a planning proposal in advance of a formal application and advised that any future application would be considered on its merits at full Council. It was also noted that the Neighbourhood Plan would be reviewed in 2027-28, at which time the Green Gap designation could be reviewed.
North Kesteven District Councillor
Cllr A Bailey was not in attendance, and no written report was provided.
Lincolnshire County Councillor
Cllr R Kendrick was unable to attend due to a meeting clash but provided a monthly report circulated with Councillors via email.
With no further matters, it was resolved unanimously to move into formal session.
28. Welcome from the Chair of the Parish Council
Cllr Flett opened the meeting welcoming everyone, thanked Councillors for their attendance, reminded Councillors to turn phone off or on silent and of emergency exits.
29. Apologies for absence.
None received.
30. Declarations of Interest.
Cllr Baumber declared in interest in items 10e and 17a, although non-pecuniary are listed as registerable interests.
31. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 26th May 2026.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record.
32. 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.
33. To receive a summary of the accounts for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year.
a. Treasurers Account
b. Reserves Account.
c. Combined Accounts
The Clerk provided a summary of the Treasurers and Reserve Accounts for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, for information purposes only. No questions were raised. A copy of the summary is included as an attachment to the minutes.
34. 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.
Cllr Davies arrived at 7:33.
35. To receive a budget review for the first quarter of the 2026-27 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.
36. To receive reports:
a. Village Hall Committee
Cllr Flett reported that the that the Village Hall Committee had recently held its Annual General Meeting. Two Committee members resigned, and two new members appointed, subject to Charity Commission approval.
The Committee had agreed to retain the current hall hire charges in order to continue providing an affordable community facility. However, additional charges would now apply where hirers require access to the hall before events for setting up. The Committee also confirmed that the Village Hall would continue to be made available free of charge for funeral receptions for parishioners.
Upcoming events include the village show, a wedding reception, an art exhibition, orchestra performance and community coffee mornings. It was also reported that the Hall may qualify for reduced VAT on electricity from October.
b. Playing Field Committee
The Clerk reported that the deposit has been paid for the repairs to the play equipment. The majority of the cost would be met through the Heath Farm Community Grant, with the remaining balance funded through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies.
c. Community Speed Watch
Cllr Frost reported that Lincolnshire County Council confirmed the speed limit north of the village would be reduced to 40mph, but the request to extend the 30mph limit had been declined. Cllr Frost expressed disappointment that LCC did not take on board the wishes of the residents but reducing the speed limit to 40 mph is at least a step in the right direction.
Cllr Frost receive a letter from a resident who raised concerns regarding vehicle speeds, particularly quarry traffic, loose material falling from lorries, pedestrian safety on Heath Road. Cllr Frost circulated the letter with Councillors via email prior to the meeting and asked the Clerk to write to the local quarry about lorries speed and safety protocols.
Cllr Frost requested the Council consider buying additional speed signs in the future, subject to available funding, as the current signs are proving to be effective. Cllr Williams suggested installing a sign in Kirkby Green. Options for future funding to be explored, including the use of Community Infrastructure Levy funds, grant funding and community fundraising.
d. Environmental Report
Cllr Davies reported on the condition of recently planted trees throughout the parish and confirmed that several required additional watering but were continuing to establish successfully.
Cllr Flett advised that overgrown vegetation is impeding on the footpath in Kirkby Green but was unsure of the landowner. Cllr Baumber to contact the landowner.
Cllr Flett also expressed concern regarding the recently completed kerbing works around the Village Green, particularly the exposed drainage outlet. Cllr Kerrigan to take photos and forwarded to Lincolnshire County Council requesting the matter be investigated.
e. The Chair
No report.
37. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments
a. Application 26/0158/VARCON | Notification of Decision to vary conditions on Land Off Vicarage Lane. Approved.
b. Application 26/0834/PNAGR | Proposal to site a 20-foot shipping container with no windows in field adjacent to Vineyard, Kirkby Green.
c. Application 26/0787/TCA | Notification of Intended Works to Trees in a Conservation Area at 26 Brookside, Scopwick. Awaiting decision.
d. Application 26/0654/FUL | Planning Application Proposal for the erection of a broiler breeder egg laying unit comprising three linked poultry buildings with associated egg packing and storage building and associated infrastructure at land south of Cobblers Lane, Scopwick. Feedback submitted.
e. Application 26/0400/LBC | Notification of decision to remove spray foam insulation from roof, replace rotten timbers, replace roof membrane and repair structure of the dormers at 25 Beckside, Scopwick. Approved.
f. Application 25/1307/HOUS and 25/1308/LBC | First floor rear extension and erection of a new detached garage at 25 Beckside, Scopwick. Approved.
g. Application 26/0159/LBC | Notification of decision to replacement of two existing cream painted timber windows with two new cream timber windows at 2 Manor Farm Barns, Church Lane, Kirkby Green. Approved.
h. To consider amendments to the Neighbourhood Plan and solar panels in the conservation area.
The Clerk confirmed all planning notifications had been circulated via email, with responses where relevant sent to NKDC, in line with the Council’s Scheme of Delegation. The Council’s feedback can be viewed on NKDC’s Planning Portal, or a copy can be provided by the Clerk.
The Clerk advised that planning enforcement officers confirmed certain domestic solar panel installations within the Conservation Area are permitted development and therefore do not require planning permission, provided they meet the relevant legislative criteria.
38. To consider policies for adoption:
a. Community Engagement Policy.
b. Councillor Vacancies Policy.
c. Equality and Diversity Policy.
d. Expenses Policy.
e. Grievance Policy.
All policies were circulated with Councillors prior to the meeting. It was resolved unanimously to adopt all policies tabled for review.
39. To consider writing a letter to LCC regarding the kerbing project around the village green.
The Clerk advised a resident requested the Council consider a letter of complaint to LCC regarding the recent installation of kerbs around the green.
Cllr Flett requested a dropped kerb be installed and expressed disappointment at the standard of workmanship, the profile of the kerbs, drainage arrangements, and accessibility.
Cllr Baumber suggested that the installation was not in keeping with appearance of the village and that plans were not shared with the Parish Council prior to the commencement of the works. Cllr Baumber suggested writing to LCC to express these concerns.
Cllr Davies suggested that the kerbs were a hazard as they did not have a rounded edge and that the stone used was not appropriate.
It was resolved unanimously for the Clerk to contact the Lincolnshire County Council representative expressing the Council's concerns and disappointment, requesting a review of the completed project and highlighting lessons that could be learned for future highway improvement schemes. Cllr Kerrigan to write to the LCC representative to raise the safety concerns relating to the exposed drainage outlet.
Cllr Williams asked the Clerk to highlight that an ambulance could not access properties where the roads were close and note that no works were taking place at the time.
40. To consider appointing an internal auditor for the next three financial years.
The Clerk recommended continuing with the Council's existing Internal Auditor, it was resolved unanimously to appoint the current Internal Auditor for the next three financial years.
41. To consider a quote for tree maintenance in the conservation area.
The Clerk presented a quote from Arborglyph Tree Services for tree maintenance works within the Conservation Area. The contractor had previously undertaken similar work for the Council and that funding was available through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies.
It was resolved unanimously to accept the quote and instruct the contractor to undertake the recommended maintenance works. The Clerk to arrange.
42. 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.
43. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 29th September 2026.
It was resolved unanimously to hold the next meeting on Tuesday 29th September 2026, in the Village Hall.
44. To receive and 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 provided an update on the current position of the major energy infrastructure proposals affecting the parish.
Springwell Solar Farm had been approved by the Secretary of State, North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council were seeking a Judicial Review of the decision. Should permission for the Judicial Review be granted, the process could take between twelve and eighteen months to conclude.
Fosse Green Energy proposal remained under consideration by the Secretary of State following submission of the final documentation.
Leoda Solar Farm proposal has been withdrawn depending on decisions relating to both the Springwell proposal and the proposed National Grid substation.
The proposed National Grid substation near Navenby has been submitted to NKDC that the Parish Council had until 27th August 2026 to submit comments. Cllr Frost circulated a draft response via email prior to the meeting. Cllr Williams suggested that opposing the proposals citing the cumulative impact of the proposed infrastructure projects, including the solar farms, battery storage facilities, data centre, increased heavy goods vehicles during construction and the potential industrialisation of the Lincolnshire Heath landscape.
Whilst acknowledging differing personal views regarding renewable energy infrastructure, it was resolved by majority to submit the draft response as it reflected the Council's previous position in relation to the associated solar farm applications. The Chair to finalise and Clerk submit the Parish Council's response.
Cllr Williams closed the meeting at 8:40pm.
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Chair of the Council - Cllr Marc Williams
Signed: ……………………………………………….
Parish Clerk - Jack Sargent
29th September 2026