Tuesday 2nd September 2025 - Draft Minutes
Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 2nd September 2025 at 7.30 pm.
Present: Parish Cllrs S Poulton, J Stapleton and P Ireland, and Cllr D East -LCC-, and Mrs D Scott -Clerk-.
83/25 Welcome – Cllr Poulton welcomed everyone to the meeting.
84/25 Apologies for absence – Cllr S Jenkins, and Cllrs S Tarry and C Collard -NKDC-
85/25 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none
86/25 Notes of the Meeting held on 1st July 2025 – approved and signed. Cllr Poulton expressed his thanks to Cllr Jenkins for chairing the meeting at short notice.
87/25 Finance 2024-25
Mrs Scott reported that the Exemption Certificate had been formally accepted by PKF Littlejohn.
88/25 Finance 2025-26
i. Mrs Scott had shared the updated financial statements noting payments made since the last meeting, including the payment to Cllr Stapleton for the mower parts.
ii. Payments including Clerk £319.81 -July and August, with the NJC agreed increase in the hourly rate backdated to 1st July, including expenses -reimbursement of travel, stationery etc-, HMRC £77.00 -mth 5 due 19/9/25-, were approved. The invoice for the CSW joining fee -£50-, previously approved for payment, had not yet been received.
iii. Banking – It was noted that the Instant Access Savings Account had been opened and income of 63p and £3.48 had been received in July and August, respectively. This would partially offset the current account charges. It was also agreed that a new application be made to upgrade Cllr Poulton to a Full Authorised Signatory with Online access as the previous one had not been actioned by Lloyds.
iv. Cybersecurity – Mrs Scott and Cllr East had both received confirmation that LCC had no plans to offer .gov.uk email addresses to Parish Councils. Mrs Scott had researched various companies registered to provide the service and found that the services and costs varied but would appear to be at least £200 per annum. Councillors felt this was excessive for a small Parish Council. Mrs Scott was also looking into .org.uk addresses which were listed as alternatives. Defer until next meeting
89/25 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.
i. Newsletters from LALC, LCC, NKDC, EA - noted
ii. Updates from Cllrs Tarry and Collard – Cllr Tarry had sent an update on progress re the Traveller site.
iii. Updates from Cllr East – proposals for a Unitary Authority for Lincolnshire, Rural Policing Teams meeting 16th September, Councillors Volunteers scheme.
iv. NKDC – Mrs Scott had attended the Town and Parish Council Forum 10th July and shared the presentation.
v. King’s Portrait – Mrs Scott had delivered the portrait to Great Hale Village Hall.
vi. Greater Lincolnshire Unitary Authority proposal – noted, as above.
vii. Community Resilience Team newsletter – noted. Cllr Poulton to share information about the Flooding grant with affected residents.
viii. The Pensions Regulator – it was noted that the statutory redeclaration of compliance had been completed -3 yearly redeclaration-
ix. NKDC – Litter Picking Grant – it was noted that the calculation of the grant available made it unviable for a small parish.
x. LCC Public Rights of Way Asset Survey – Cllr Poulton reported that Mr and Mrs Bailey had expressed an interest in taking on the role. Cllr Poulton agreed to forward them the contact details for more information.
xi. Lloyds Bank Statements - noted.
90/25 Policy Reviews – deferred to the next meeting.
91/25 Policing Update – The NSK Policing Team had asked for contributions to the meeting on 16th September, it was agreed that thefts associated with traveller sites be added to the usual hare coursing and speeding concerns. Cllr Poulton to attend the online meeting.
92/25 Highways Matters
i. Roadworks – it was noted that the recent road works had been completed on Main Road -damage repairs- and were ongoing on Fen Road and the Drove -Fibre maintenance-
ii. Flooding – It was noted that several factors had contributed to flooding problems in the past, notably narrow culverts, excess vegetation and neglect of bank maintenance, decommissioning of the Black Sluice pumps and intensive building on land upstream -e.g., the 60 hectares development in Sleaford-
iii. FixMyStreet – recent fly-tipping on Burton Lane had been reported and dealt with very quickly.
iv. Speeding – as above, 30 mph passive signs awaited.
93/25 Streetlights - Fen Road – It was noted that the streetlight had been reinstated. Mrs Scott had sent thanks via Cllr Tarry.
94/25 Planning Matters
i. Planning Application 23/1021/FUL Development of a photovoltaic solar array -49.995MW export capacity- with associated grid corridor works, access improvements and ancillary development. Land South of Little Hale Drove Little Hale Fen – it was noted that the appeal had been successful.
ii. Travellers on Little Hale Fen – as above, it was noted that NKDC enforcement officer was awaiting internal authorisation to enact the eviction.
iii. Planning Application 25/0527/VARCON Variation of approved plans, Rock Barn 10A Fen NG34 9BD – noted granted by NKDC 17th July 2025
iv. Planning Application 25/0809/HOUS Loft conversion to provide first floor living accommodation with associated new window to the northern elevation, a new French door with Juliette balcony to southern elevation and rooflights to eastern elevation -part retrospective- Cornerstones 29B Fen Road NG34 9BD – it was noted that this had now been amended to include privacy glazing in the door/window overlooking the neighbouring property, following comment from the neighbours.
v. Planning Application 25/0839/FUL Proposed single storey custom self-build dwelling. Land Adjacent To 2 Fen Road NG34 9BD – It was agreed that this be supported.
vi. Planning Application 25/0914/BGS To establish Biodiversity Gain Site -without Planning permission- to create orchard and other neutral grassland. Land To The North Of Little Hale Drove NG34 9BG – no comment
vii. Planning Application Reserved matters application for the erection of 1no dwelling -appearance, landscaping, layout & scale- pursuant to outline consent 23/0587/OUT – Outline application for a proposed dwelling with landscaping for consideration. Land Adj 21 Chapel Lane Little Hale NG34 9BE – noted that this application had been withdrawn.
95/25 Planning Inspectorate
i. Anglian Water – proposed Reservoir – it was noted that survey work was in progress with trial pits and boreholes to assess environmental aspects and potential archaeology in the area.
ii. Beacon Fen Solar Farm – Development Consent application ongoing https://www.beaconfenenergypark.co.uk/the-project/
https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN010151 - noted.
iii. Pathfinder Clean Energy -PACE- solar farm and battery energy storage system -BESS- “Gauntlet Solar Farm & BESS” on land at Swineshead PE20 3PQ – see https://www.gauntletsolarfarm.co.uk/ -Boston Borough- – noted – remove from agenda.
iv. Ossian Transmission – see https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/EN0210006 - noted – remove from agenda.
v. National Grid – Great Grid Update see https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade - Little Hale being within the ‘secondary consultation zone’ for Eastern Green Link 3 and 4 projects linking Anderby Creek landfall with Walpole - noted – remove from agenda.
96/25 CIL Funded Projects - Gateway signs – Cllr Poulton reported on the quotes received. It was noted that the cost of the ‘gates’ plus the installation would exceed the CIL funding available. It was suggested that the LCC Councillors’ Volunteering Scheme could be used for the installation work. Advice had not yet been received from Highways on the regulations. Cllr East agreed to follow up with the Highways team. Cllrs Stapleton and Poulton to measure the verges at both ends of the village to find the best sites.
97/25 Defibrillator – Training – Cllr Poulton to check his availability for dates in October.
98/25 Pump Lane
Dyke clearance – the working party had completed the work, despite the hot weather, and Councillors particularly thanked the volunteers who came forward to help Councillors on the day.
99/25 Bus Shelter Working Party – It was suggested that this could be another piece of work for the LCC Councillors’ Volunteering Scheme.
100/25 Parish Council Communications - Website – statistics noted
101/25 Burial Board – Mrs Scott explained the current vacancy and asked for any suggestions of suitable candidates. She also briefing outlined the Burial Board’s current deliberations on its constitution.
102/25 Matters for the next meeting – usual annual standing items, Policies for approval Draft Budget for 2026-27
103/25 The Dates of Meetings for 2025-26, as agreed 4th November, 6th January 2026, 3rd March, 5th May at 7.45 pm, with Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30 pm
The meeting closed at 9.05 pm.