2026 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 29th September 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 J Flett (Vice-Chair), O Davies, P Frost, C Kerrigan and D Nelson; and Parish Clerk - J Sargent. 

There were 3 members of the public in attendance.

Public Forum
Resident 1 raised concerns regarding planning application 26/0654/FUL - proposals for a broiler breeder egg laying unit on land south of Cobblers Lane, Scopwick. Concerns raised included the scale of the proposals, the number of chickens, the potential impact of odour, dust, air quality, flies, water pollution and the effect on local watercourses and wildlife.

The resident advised attending a meeting held by Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF) and expressed disappointment that parishioners were not made aware of the planning application by the Parish Council. The resident requested that the Parish Council reconsider its response to NKDC.

Residents 2 added further concerns including the scale of the development, the potential effect on residents, particularly those with health issues and environmental impacts associated with the running of the unit. 

Resident 3 requested asking NKDC to delay their decision on the application in light of new objections from residents.  

Cllr Flett advised the Parish Council had already considered the application in July and submitted its comments to NKDC within the consultation period.

Cllr Davies clarified that this farm would breed chickens for egg laying as opposed to meet and that there are certain criteria that has to be met for the to be able to object. Cllr Davies also expressed concern of the quality of life for the chickens. 

Resident 1 advised the application was for just under 40,000 chickens, which is below the requirements for additional regulations and expressed further concerns regarding the potential impact of odour.
 
Resident 1 reiterated concerns that residents were not made aware of this application and suggested that the Parish Council could do more to publicise significant planning applications in the village. Cllr Flett acknowledged the comments made and offered to include notifications in the village newsletter. Cllr Nelson suggested taking this issue up with NKDC. Cllr Kerrigan advised this application has already been considered by the Parish Council in July. 

Cllr Flett recommended submitting directly to NKDC through its planning portal, and to check the agendas in the village notice boards. Cllr Nelson suggested having a summary of planning on the Parish Council website; the Clerk to contact the webmaster. 

The Vice-Chair thanked the residents for attending and for raising their concerns. 

North Kesteven District Councillor
Cllr A Bailey was not in attendance, and no written report was provided. 

Lincolnshire County Councillor
Cllr R Kendrick was not in attendance, but provided a monthly report circulated with Councillors via email. 

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

45. 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.

46. Apologies for absence.
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs M Williams (Chair), and P Baumber.

47. Declarations of Interest.
None received. 

48. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the full Council meeting held on Tuesday 28th July 2026.
Cllr Kerrigan advised hard copies of the consultation were made available to every house, not delivered as recorded; the Clerk to amend. With no further matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes as a true and accurate record.

49. 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. 

50. 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.

51. To receive reports: 
a. Village Hall Committee 
Cllr Flett reported that all electrical appliances in the Village Hall had been PAT tested and all fire extinguishers had received their annual inspection, with the relevant certificates received.

The Village Show raised £2,814.02. Two weddings had been held at the Village Hall since the previous meeting, with positive feedback received from users; another wedding has been booked for September 2027. The Committee is considering gathering feedback from users of the Hall including from weddings, dances and regular user groups, which could be used to support future grant applications and promote the Hall. The Macmillan coffee morning was well attended and raised £395.17.

The Christmas warm-up is on 15th December and a daffodils weekend in March, which could include a walk in both Scopwick and around Kirkby Green.

Cllr Flett also raised concerns regarding the condition of the Village Hall car park during periods of wet weather and the potential for vehicles to damage the surface. Cllr Nelson offered to search his records for the original contractor and to update the Clerk.

b. Playing Field Committee 
Cllr Nelson reported that the playing field was in good condition following the repairs and thanked Heath Farm for their grant funding. The RoSPA report was carried out before the repairs. Cllr Nelson noted some minor subsidence which will be remedied in the coming weeks. Some lower branches have been cut down from trees in the area. Cllr Nelson confirmed to book in the hedge cutting around the edge of the field. 

c. Community Speed Watch
Cllr Frost reported that one Speed Watch session had been undertaken since the previous meeting with traffic volumes higher than previous sessions. No further information had been received from Lincolnshire County Council regarding the proposed changes to the speed limits. One streetlight was knocked down and has yet to be replaced which had a repeated sign on; the sign has not been relocated yet in anticipation of the streetlight being replaced. The Clerk to follow up. 

Cllr Flett advised a resident requested a flashing speed sign be installed near the old chapel, Cllr Frost to review. 

d. Environmental Report
Cllr Davies reported that two dead trees remain on the village green and raised concerns regarding drainage from the new kerbs with the potential for dirty water to enter the beck. Cllr Davies suggested a soak away and contact the Environment Agency for advice. 

Concerns were also raised regarding a sapling tree by the main road bridge obscuring the view for drivers, stones and debris falling in the beck, and the possibility of damage caused by vehicles parking on the grass.

Cllr Flett advised Cllr Baumber requested grass cutting be included on future agendas as the contractors had missed some areas, advised that beck side north is untidy, there debris around the church bridge, several trees should be removed and area around the pumping station is also untidy. 

Cllr Kerrigan and Cllr Flett advised receiving complaints regarding the wildflower meadow area. 

e. The Chair
Cllr Williams submitted a written report included as an attachment to the minutes.

52. To receive notification of any planning permissions, refusals, withdrawals, or amendments
a. Application 26/0721/FUL | Planning application for change of use for field adjacent to 36 Brookside, Scopwick.
b. Application 26/0654/FUL | Notice of amendments for the erection of a broiler breeder egg laying unit on land south of Cobblers Lane, Scopwick.
c. Application 26/0834/PNAGR | Notification of Decision for siting of a 20-foot shipping container on field adjacent to Vineyard, Kirkby Green.  
d. Application 26/0983/TCA | Notification of intended works to trees in a conservation area at 28 Brookside, Scopwick.
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.

Cllr Flett suggested requesting application 26/0654/FUL be considered at NKDC’s full planning committee rather than delegated to officers. 

Cllr Frost suggested writing to NKDC to update them on the recent meeting as well as additional issues raised by members of the public at the meeting. Cllr Frost to provide addition notes to the Clerk to submit to NKDC. Additional comments to include matters relating to odour, proximity to the village, air pollution, health concerns, flies and other potential environmental impacts.

53. To consider a policy review procedure.
It was resolved unanimously to adopt the policy review procedure moving forward. 

54. To receive Notice of Conclusion of Audit from PKF Littlejohn regarding the 2025-26 AGAR.
The Clerk noted the two ‘Except for Matters’ on the External Auditor’s report but had nonetheless been signed off. 

55. To consider purchasing additional flashing radar speed signs. 
Cllr Frost suggesting purchasing additional flashing radar speed signs, subject to funds available in the budget. Cllr Frost advised the Council has two villages to consider, and additional signs would be beneficial, with one to be installed on Heath Road. 

The Clerk advised there would be some CIL funding available, additional funds would be available from a VAT refund soon, that the supplier sometimes has an offer or the Council could apply for grant funding in order to buy two signs. The Clerk to investigate the availability of funding and to contact the supplier. 

It was resolved unanimously to purchase one additional sign subject to available funding, or to buy two signs if an offer is available. The Clerk to update Councillors after the Q2 budget review is complete. 

56. To consider a response to the NKDC survey on closed churchyards on how to fund their maintenance.
NKDC have provided a survey regarding the future funding and maintenance arrangements for closed churchyards. 

Cllr Frost queried whether the costs were going to be the responsibility of the Parish Council. Cllr Davies suggested clarification be sought from NKDC regarding the proposed arrangements, including the likely costs, how costs would be calculated and the responsibilities that would transfer to Parish Councils.

The Clerk suggested that options to respond could be that NKDC charge the parishes where the churchyards are or spread the costs across the district or even to suggest changing the requirements set out in legislation that makes Council’s responsible for the costs. 

It was resolved unanimously to respond with a request that any costs associated with the maintenance of closed churchyards be spread across the District rather than charging individual Parish Councils where a closed churchyard is located. The Clerk to submit the Council's response to the consultation.

57. 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.

58. To confirm the date of the next meetings as Tuesday 24th November 2026.
It was resolved unanimously to hold the next meeting on Tuesday 24th November 2026, in the Village Hall.

59. 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 submitted a written report included as an attachment to the minutes.

Cllr Kerrigan advised that grant funding was available through Springwell Solar Farms (EDF Renewables) pre-operational Community Benefit Fund for voluntary, community, faith and social organisations that deliver positive outcomes, supporting current and ongoing needs of people in the area. Moe information is available on the following link: https://lincolnshirecf.co.uk/grants/ssf/. 

Cllr Flett closed the meeting at 8:45pm.

Signed: ……………………………………………….
Vice-Chair of the Council - Cllr Janet Flett

Signed: ……………………………………………….
Parish Clerk - Jack Sargent
24th November 2026