Tuesday 4th March 2025 - Draft Minutes
Notes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale on Tuesday 4 th March 2025 at 7.38 pm.
Present: Parish Cllrs S Poulton, J Stapleton, P Ireland, E Hill and S Jenkins, and one member of the public and Mrs D Scott Clerk.
There were no comments or questions from the public.
23/25 Welcome – Cllr Poulton welcomed everyone to the meeting.
24/25 Apologies for absence – Cllr A Key LCC and Cllrs S Tarry and C Collard NKDC
25/25 Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensation – none
26/25 Notes of the previous meeting, on 7 th January 2025 – approved and signed.
27/25 Finance 2024-25
i. Mrs Scott shared the financial statement. It was noted that the VAT Refund of £107.39 had been received. The balance in the bank was £4,909.55. Mrs Scott explained that, of that, £2,063.94 was restricted to specific projects. Cllr Poulton checked the statement against the bank statement and signed off the reconciliation.
ii. Payments including Clerk £424.99 January and February, including expenses, reimbursement of travel, stationery etc, HMRC £103.20 mth 11 due 19/3/25, were approved. In answer to questions, Mrs Scott explained that Parish Councils were not eligible to claim the National Insurance Employers’ Allowance.
iii. Banking
• Online Mandate Changes – Mrs Scott had checked at the Lloyds branch and discovered that the previous change had failed and the reasons. She would re-start the process.
• Bank charges – it was noted that the first charge, £4.25, would be deducted this month.
28/25 Clerk’s Report and Correspondence, previously shared by email.
i. Newsletters from LALC, LCC, NKDC, EA.
ii. Updates from Cllrs Tarry and Collard - none
iii. NKDC – invitation to attend Town and Parish Council Forum 10th April – Mrs Scott to attend
iv. Lloyds Bank Statements and any other correspondence received.
29/25 Budget 2025-26 – it was noted that the Precept forms had been submitted to NKDC and acknowledged. Payment was expected on, or soon after, 1st April.
30/25 Policing Update – It was noted that two properties on Fen Road had suffered shed burglaries recently. Councillors urged residents to report any incidents to the police as it was all useful intelligence, even if nothing could be done in that particular case. Cllr Poulton agreed to approach the Sleaford Rural South Neighbourhood Team for a visit to Little Hale.
31/25 Highways Matters
i. Flooding – It was noted that Mr Pocklington had completed the pipe installation but this had not yet been tested. The Section 19 Consultants had visited in February to assess the impact of the flooding but the report was not yet available. Neighbouring parishes and local farmers were working together to lobby the EA to re-commission the Black Sluice pumping station to relieve the levels in the South Forty Foot to enable water to flow more easily from the Helpringham Beck and local dykes. Other contributory factors had been identified as the lack of maintenance on the Beck and the impact of run off from the Handley Chase development in Sleaford. Councillors agreed to join the proposed cluster of parishes.
ii. Resurfacing of Fen Road, in the village, had been carried out in January/February as planned and residents were pleased with the results. It was noted however that rainwater didn’t seem to clear very quickly and it was suggested that the surface was now too level, without any camber. The gullies seemed to be clear now after a return visit. Again this had not yet been tested by a storm.
32/25 Streetlights – Mrs Scott had submitted the request for the Fen Road lamppost to be re-instated but had received no response so far.
33/25 Planning Matters
i. Planning Application 25/0172/FUL Conversion and extension of existing outbuilding to form a single storey self-build dwelling Land Adjacent To 2 Fen Road – it was noted that this was a new application on the site that had previously been approved for the holiday accommodation. The access had already been constructed. Councillors agreed that the new plan was an appropriate use of the existing building and supported the application.
ii. Travellers on Little Hale Fen – it was noted that no action had been taken yet. Proceedings were expected.
iii. 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 no appeal had yet been submitted.
iv. Planning Application 24/1265/FUL Erection of 99MW Battery Energy Storage System BESS and associated infrastructure Land Lying to The South of Little Hale Drove Little Hale Fen Sleaford NG34 9BG – It was noted that further correspondence had been received from Mr M Mountain. Mrs Scott was asked to reply saying that the Parish Council had already made its observations known through the appropriate channels and that individual councillors who wanted to had lodged any personal comments via the Planning Online portal and the PC had nothing further to add to the discussion.
v. Central Lincolnshire Local Plan - Design Code – consultation closing 9th April. Councillors agreed to visit the website https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/centrallincolnshire/consultations and respond as individuals.
34/25 Planning Inspectorate
i. Ecotricity, Heckington Fen - Solar Park – it was noted that Development Consent had been granted by the Secretary of State.
ii. Anglian Water – proposed Reservoir – plans for a further consultation were expected.
iii. Beacon Fen North Solar Farm – it was noted that the Development Consent application was due to be submitted this month, see www.beaconfenenergypark.co.uk iv. Pathfinder Clean Energy PACE solar farm and battery energy storage system BESS “Gauntlet Solar Farm & BESS” on land at Swineshead PE20 3PQ – Cllr Ireland said he would attend the consultation event, if he was available.
v. Ossian Transmission – new application for a transmission route through Lincolnshire to join the national grid near Spalding - noted
35/25 CIL Funded Projects – Gateway signs - Cllr Poulton would be chasing further details on custom sized ‘gates’. Mrs Scott to ask Silk Willoughby Clerk for information on their new gates.
36/25 Defibrillator – New Defib on the Fen – no update yet. Training – expressions of interest would be sought in the next newsletter.
37/25 Pump Lane – Dyke clearance, deferred until next meeting. Cllr Jenkins offered a second-hand mower, which Cllr Stapleton would look after; Mrs Rooke to be asked whether she was happy to continue cutting the grass. Mrs Scott to check insurance cover for the donated mower and add to the Asset Register if necessary.
38/25 Bus Shelter Working Party – It was agreed that this would take place on 22nd March, with the Litter Pick happening on 23rd March, both would be advertised in the newsletter. Cllr Ireland to put out signs. Mrs Scott to advertise on the website.
39/25 VE Day Event – it was agreed that Councillors would work with the Chapel on a tea and cake event in May.
40/25 Parish Council Communications - Website – It was noted that a new ‘restricted’ area had been set up to share papers in advance of meetings, to save paper. Mrs Scott had shared the password. Newsletter – Cllr Poulton would be publishing the latest edition for distribution, with a pdf version for the website.
41/25 Matters for the next meeting – usual annual standing items, Mrs Scott to report back on dog poo bags sourcing and source the free 30 mph reminder mentioned at the last meeting by Cllr Collard.
42/25 The Dates of Meetings for 2024-25 – as agreed, 8th May at 7.45pm, after the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm
The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.