2026 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

Present:   Cllr Nicola Hall (Chair), Cllr Julie Todd (Vice Chair), Cllr Garry Dickinson, Cllr Joe France, Cllr Martin Booth

Absent:  Cllr Amanda Suddaby

In attendance:  County Cllr James Bean, Christine Major (Clerk)

Update from County Councillor

LCC Cllr James Bean: Regarding the problem of speeding in Moortown, Cllr Bean confirmed that he will try to support the Parish Council in their efforts to tackle speeding traffic, and report back to Cllr Dickinson. He suggested painted speed signs on the actual road, as this has been proven to be effective. Regarding the missing bollards on the B1434 near the junction with Smithfield Road Bollards, they are now available but waiting for staff to install.

Cllr Bean was pleased to advise that LCC have the lowest increase in council tax of all councils, bearing in mind they fund the fire service (LCC are spending £4.4 million on 9 new fire appliances). LCC saved £32 million last year through avoidance of duplication and unnecessary contract.

Formal Parish Council Meeting commenced; Standing Orders invoked:

Cllr Hall moved that the order of Agenda items should be changed to reflect the requirements of the meeting, beginning with 26/036 and 26/037 then returning to the start of the Agenda: item 26/031 onwards. This is in accordance with Standing Orders and was RESOLVED

26/031 Apologies and reasons for absence:   Apologies were received from Cllr Suddaby and District Cllr Morris, which were accepted.

26/032   To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 - being any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in agenda items, not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests: none noted.

26/033   To approve draft minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 13 April 2025:  It was RESOLVED that the minutes detailed be accepted as a true record and duly signed by the Chair.

26/034   Finance Summary and Accounts for Payment:

1. Accounting Statements & Unity Trust Bank Statement: After review, it was RESOLVED that the Accounting Statements for 30 April 2026 be approved as true record, and that the Unity Trust Bank list of transactions dated 30 April 2026 reconciles against the accounting statements.
2. Schedule of Payments: After review, it was RESOLVED to approve payments according to the Schedule of Payments and supporting invoices.

3. Incoming Payments: After review, it was RESOLVED that incoming payment of the precept of £18315.00 from West Lindsey District Council was correct.

26/035   Clerk’s report on matters outstanding and correspondence: no further action required.

26/036   Election of the Chair 2026/27 and signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office  Members RESOLVED to elect Cllr Nicola Hall as Chair for the year 2026/27 and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed by Cllr Hall and the Clerk.

26/037    Election of the Vice-Chair 2025/26 and signing of Declaration of Acceptance of Office Members RESOLVED to elect Cllr Garry Dickinson as Vice-Chair for the year2025/26 and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed by Cllr Dickinson and the Clerk.

26/038   Village Hall Committee Representative: after discussion, it was RESOLVED to defer the decision until the meeting June 2026 so the matter could be considered further.

26/039    Review of Policies: after minor modifications it was RESOLVED to approve the following Governance Policies, Policies and Forms. Clerk to upload onto the website. The remaining policies to be presented at the meeting in June.

26/040   Party in the Park: in view of minimal public interest, and the limit to councillors’ time, it was RESOLVED that no further action will be taken in respect of the proposed party in the park.

26/041   Footpath along B1205 between Moortown crossroads and Skipworth Arms/Railway Crossing: County Cllr Bean reported it had been identified that the pathway between Moortown and the Railway Crossing, adjacent to the B1205 had been inadvertently removed from LCC’s asset management register. Cllr Bean assured that this had been rectified and the required cutting out of the path would be included in future work scheduling, and that work will begin when staff are available. It wasn’t possible to give a precise date, but as it has become impassable, it will remain under regular review by the parish council.

26/042   Meeting Schedule 2026-2027: It was RESOLVED to meet on the second Monday of each month between June 2026 and May 2027, except January and August. Clerk to post notices on the notice boards and website.

26/043   Planning applications:

WL/2026/00366 Winghale Priory Farm, South Kelsey. Planning application to erect additional steel portal frame building. No comments.

WL/2026/00369 Watermill Farm, Moortown. Planning application to erect bar building with terrace area, construction of 1no. lake, conversion and internal alterations to existing reception/bar building to form office and associated site works. The Parish Council RESOLVED to object on the following grounds: 1) the drawings are incomplete; 2) the provision of one toilet is inadequate, and it’s unclear what provision is allowed for disabled access; 3) the adopted Central Lincolnshire Local Plan states: “Policy S43: Sustainable Rural Tourism : … they [proposals] will be supported where they: a) contribute to the local economy; b) benefit both local communities and visitors …” Contrary to this, councillors noted that neither of the conditions is met: there appears no intention that any of the facilities proposed by Watermill Park will be available to the local community; and there is a local pub (Skipworth Arms) within a short walking distance from the site. Councillors noted that within a previous planning application, Highways had required that Watermill Park owners funded a footpath between their park entrance and the Skipworth Arms. When this was followed up by the Planning Officer, the owners of Watermill Park denied that this would be necessary: stating that it was preferred that owners of units use any on-site facilities, and should owners wish to patronise the local pub, they could “do so at their own risk.” This directly conflicts with the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan, as there is clearly no intention to support the local economy, and on this basis Moortown Parish Council objects. Clerk to lodge comments on the planning portal.

26/044   Lloyds Bank Account:  a letter has been drafted and sent to Lloyds bank to demand that they allow us to access an account which is in the name of the Parish Council so that the account can be closed. They are currently continuing to add charges to the account but will not allow access.

26/045   Agenda items for the Parish Council Meeting to be held in June 2026:

Three year plan

Emergency plan

Speeding

AGAR

Remaining and additional Policies

Parish Council meeting closed at 8.30 pm

Date and Time of Next Meeting to be held at the Village Hall, South Kelsey on Monday 9 June at 7.00 pm